had made it his Request to have her in Marriage both of the King and the Duke who had not refused but condescended to his request and proposals and therefore thought it requisite to give their Lordships an account of it expecting in Return their speedy Approbation that he might the sooner return to them c. THEY had no sooner received this Advice with the Highest satisfaction imaginable but they immediately assembled to consult about and consider the weighty reasons that obliged the Prince to make so agreeable a choice to make them happy in placing his affections on the most Virtuous and Celebrated Princess in Europe approving it with Congratulation and joy and made the high satisfaction they conceived known by a publick Edict declaring their good opinion and esteem of so great an Alliance promising not only to respect but to observe it to the utmost And further to testify their consent they sent their Approbation on the Fourth of November to the Prince THINGS being Happily brought to this pass and all things being prepared for the Celebration of the Marriage it was performed the Day the States Approbation Arived being the Prince's Birth-Day The Bishop of London Tying this Happy Knot of Wedlock according to the apointed Ceremonies of the Church of England the King presenting the Royal Bride THE News of this Vnion was sounded aloud through the Three Kingdoms by Ringing of Bells and Joyful Acclamations of the People with Bonfires and other Illuminations The Gentry and Nobility giving very plentifully to the Poor And the Royal Pair received the Congratulations of the most eminent persons of the Nation having been before entertained in the City at the Annual Investure of the Lord-Mayor on his being Sworn before the Barrons of the Exchequer at Westminster Divers Congratulatory Poems were made by the best hands Illustrating upon a Subject that was before very Glorious in the Eyes of the Nation AFTER some few Days spent at Court in Feasting and Royal Treatments of Balls and Musick and Songs of Triumph having farther received the Complements of the Nobility and Chief Ministers of State the Royal Pair on the 29th intending for Holland took their leave attended with a Train of Noblemen and Ladies Embarqued in the Yatches and waited on by divers Men of War order'd to that purpose Sailed with a Prosperous Gail and Landed at Ter-Hyde passing from thence to Hounslery-Dyke where they continued for some time and received private visits till things could be prepared for a Reception suitable to their Characters at the Hague THINGS being prepared in the most Splendid manner upon their approach they were met by Divers Nobles and found the Bridge Crowned with Garlands and Twelve Companys of Burghers drawn up in Arms ranged in order to receive them The People every where expressing the highest Satisfaction imaginable in their Geeneral Acclamations and Shouts of Joy and upon the passage of the Bridge they were met by Twenty Four Virgins Singing Songs of Joy suitable to the occasion who going before the Cavelcade strowed the way with Fragrant Herbs Flowers on their Approaching to the Town-House they found a Triumphal Arch fixed very Magnificent with Land-Skips and Sylvian Sceens with Two Hands on the Top Clasping each other Hierogliphically signifying Amity And over the Market-Place in the High-Street another Arch was Erected with Devices and a Motto suitable to that occasion During this Entrance the Burghers made divers Volly's of Shot and the Loud Thunderings of the Cannon spread their Approach yet wider the Congress being very Great and Numerous THERE were likewise divers Curious Fire-Works imitating Fountains and Trees of Fire Golden-Hair Stars and Ciphers of Flame At Night the Streets were Illuminated and Bonefires Blazed in all the noted Towns of the Provinces and the Entertainments were very Splendid and Magnificent The French continuing their unjust Encroachment King Charles upon this Alliance dispatch'd his Commission Impowring the Lord Hyde his Ambassador at the Hague to make and confirm a strict Alliance with the States General mutualy to assist stand by and defend each other till they should oblige the French King to reason by putting a stop and bounds to his Ambitious Designs and the Parliament of England at that time declar'd very earnest in the business offering to raise divers great Sums of Money for promoting this affair for the recovering Satisfaction for injurys done by such means as should be thought most expedient and agreenble so that the King sent the Lord Montague his Ambassador to France to press for a speedy Restitution of such places as were taken and Detained from his Confederates and Allies and upon the triflings and delays of that Court to come to any result as to the Satisfaction demanded An Army was raised and the King of England recalled his Forces that were in the French Service who were partly sent home but without any payment of their Arrears which was very considerable And so early an effect had this Happy Marriage in the Alliance it made with England and that the French King was in a great Measure put to a stand how to proceed The Duke of Monmouth being sent over with about 3000 English Horse and Foot and the Prince by these and other Auxillary Troops did give a great Defeat to the Duke of Luxemburg who Commanded the French Army near Mons in Hannault had thereupon News that Pursuant to a former Treaty set on foot a Peace was concluded between the States General of the Vnited Provinces and the Crown of France upon the latter delivering several Towns that he had with great Expence of Blood and Treasure taken from the Former So the War by this means being at an end on this side he returned to the Hague where he was received by the People with the usual Joy but from his Illustrious Princess inexpressible seeing his pretious Life had been protected by Providence in so Eminent a Danger as his Royal Person was expos'd unto For in the Fight a French Captain being in full Career to Charge him at a disadvantage Monsieur Overkirk in a happy moment Shot that Enemy who was reaching at the most Pretious Life in the World for which good service as a grateful acknowledgment the States presented him with a Sword whose Hilt was Massy Gold a Golden Pair of Horse-Buckles and a Pair of Pistols Inlayed with Gold And thus we see this Happy Vnion in a great measure brought very early an unexpected Peace to the Waring Nations THE French King having made a Peace with the States General it was not long after the rest of the Confederates accorded the like So that the Prince retired from the toils of War had now again the Pincess's Company and Convesation which was so Winning and Attractive that nothing but mighty affairs where Fame and Glory call'd him forth to stop the impetuous Torrent and support a Tottering State could have made so long a Separation or Distance AS for the Joy the Court conceived at
all the Devotions that is appointed on so Solemn Occasion KING Charles soon after this desirous to prefer his Illustrious Neices to Protestant Princes for the security of our Religion and the welfare of the Kingdom seeing he had no Issue by Donna Catharina his Queen Refusing all others pitch'd upon the Illustrious Prince of Orange A Prince Descended from one of the Greatest and most Noblest Houses in Europe whose Ancestors have Signaliz'd their Conduct and Courage like Heroes and Worthys and thereby Riveted their Names to Eternity and lest a grateful Memory to all Posterity as being the Liberators of the Opressed and the often Confirmers of the Peace of Europe Setling the most thriving and prosperous States in the World and what is more Mantained it from its Infancy against Opressors But as if all their Virtues and Courage had centered in this Prince our most Gracious Soveraign the Wonders He has done comprize and in a higher measure do exceed their many Great Exploits But to come nearer to our purpose The Fair and Virtuous Princess having been seen by this Illustrious Prince when he was in England to Visit his Royal Relations Landing on the 30th of October 1670 So much Virtue and Innocent Goodness no doubt made some impressions on his Mind to consider and esteem her above all other Princesses in Europe as were not Obliterated by the spaces of time that interven'd between that and the happy joining of their Hands in the Sacred Marriage Ties that brought so great a Blessing to these Kingdoms and to show what high esteem the Nation had then of a Prince whose Virtues early Flourished and whose Fame was Loud in Courts and Camps for Prudent Councils and Martial Deeds THE Lord-Mayor and Court of Aldermen on the 10th of November after his Arival and having been Caressed by the Court and Obliged with all the Splendid Entertainment it could afford Waited upon him to Welcome him to England and on the 6th of December he did them the Honour to Dine with them at Drapers-Hall where he was highly Congratulated and splendidly Entertained and by the Shouts and Acclamations of the people the Citys Genious seem'd then to Bend to him as a Fortunate presage of the deliverance she might expect from him in her greatest distresses and after found Accomplished THE City having expressed their Joy to be Honoured in the presence of so Illustrious a Prince of the Royal Stem the Vniversity of Oxford the Seed-Plat of Learning and Virtuous Education from whence chiefly streams those Pious Pastors of the Church that by their unwearied endeavours make Religion Flourish among us was Graced by his presence For going from the Court to Windsor he took his way from thence and was received by the Heads of the Colledges in their Formalities and being highly Treated took a view of all that is Rare and Curious in that Antient City c. And was pleased as a mark of the Satisfaction he received to accept of a Degree and so returning to London on the 23d of December he there kept his Christmass in the nighest Splendor the Court was capable of performing And on the 13th of February took his leave of the King Duke and Princesses in order to his Return to Holland where he happily Ariv'd with a Fair Wind in a few days HE was Congratulated upon his Return by the States General and thief Nobility and Gentry of His Nation AS we have before hinted after this happy interview King Charles bending his mind to bring about a Match which proved grateful to the greatest part of Christendom he sent Divers English Noblemen to Invite him over a second time who found him in Arms amidst his Victories repelling the Armys of the Invader and Disturber of his Countrey AND having delivered their Welcome Message finding without great disadvantage he could not oblige the French to a Battle he drew near with his Army to Brussels and leaving the charge of it aster necessary Orders were given ' to Count Waldeck went to the Hague and having received the thanks of the States for his Prudent Conduct of their Army he Embarqued for England with those Nobles that had attended him by the Kings Order and divers of his own Nation in the Yatches that were sent to attend him with Three Men of War and a Squadron of Dutch Ships Ordered him by the States commanded by Admiral Evertson SETTING out with a Prosperous Gale they Arived at Harwich on the 19 of October 1677. Where the Duke of Albermarle sent by the King to that intent waited upon him to Congratulate his Arival as did livers of the Kings Coaches And so he proceeded to Ipswich where the King and Duke attended with â— Splendid Train of Nobility received him and Congratulated not only his Arival but Glorious Successes abroad And so in the most Magnificent Manner they proceeded to London and was received at Whitehall with unexpresâ—able demonstrations of Joy and â—ad the pleasure again to see the Fairest Flower in Englands Garden which now appeared more Beautiful and Lovely no doubt not only by reason of her more Maturâ— Years but because Heaven haâ— Destin'd her to be his Royal Consort to make him a partner in 〈◊〉 Faithful and Transcendant Love that exceeded what before or sine has been known or exampled oâ— Earth NO sooner was this intendeâ— match spread abroad by Fame buâ— the Nations joy swelled to an unexpressible height and over-floweâ— the Bounds of Moderation Thâ— willing and wishing People thoughâ— that time moved too flow till thâ— happy day of its appointed Consumation Dawn'd to Bless thâ— Land with its Welcome Light THE King on the First of Nâ—vember having declared his intentions to the Council the Lords weâ—â— extreamly pleased and satisfied witâ— them as well in the Merrits of 〈◊〉 Worthy and Just a Prince as in thâ— security they expected from so agreeable a Marriage of the Protestant Religion And to testify how well they resented it delayed not to go in a Body and Congratulate the Princess upon the happy occasion of her being about to enter into a State of Matrimony with so Illustrious a Husband As by their Example did most of the Nobility of England and Ministers of State Declaring the high satisfaction they conceived in it and expected from it who had very Gratious and Obliging returns of thanks for their kindness and good opinion of it ALL things being agreed on in order to this Blessed Vnion the Prince by Express sent the States General of the Vnited Provinces an account of his Proceedings the Substance of it being to this purpose Viz. THAT in Consideration it had been their earnest desires and request to him to see him Marryed when he had well weighed the reasons that induced him to it in a Conformity tâ— their Wishes and Desires and thâ— Tranquility of their State he had conceived he could not do better than 〈◊〉 Address himself to the Princesâ— MARY Eldest Daughter to thâ— Duke of York That he
Hague by a Decree Commanded them to Retire out of that Country not any more to Return Being Unhing'd there they for the greatest part return'd to England Where they were welcome to the Court but not to the generality of the People Who seeing Affairs Sicken and the Distemper they perceived in Government began to wish for a Physitian to apply Healing Medicines to the Disease e're it grew Dangerous and beyond all Cure AND among other Sinister Practices Managed and Suggested by Evil Counsellors and Priests who bore the greatest sway in the Court and Kingdom they lay'd hold on the Pillars of the Established Church and at one bold push thrust Seven of the Bishops into Prison and soon after Baited them at a Tryal with in a manner Bear-garden treatment only for Petitioning that they might not be forced to do what was contrary to their Oaths and Consciences THEN the Startled Nation oppressed with many grievous injurys perceiving all that was Pretious and Dear to it going to be swallow'd in an Abiss of Popery and the many Miserys that usually attend a Change of Government and the Abolishing of the Fundamental Laws began to stretch out her hand in earnest for help and succour And having cast her Eyes round about at last stedfastly fixed them upon an Illustrious Prince and Princess always compassionate to the Distressed and to whom succeding Generations are bound for the so Wonderful a Deliverance wrought in our Days THE Court party here in England had been Tampering but in vain to bring their Highnesses to some agreeableness with their proceedings as is evident by the Answer Minheer Fagel that great States-man Pentionary of Holland and West-Frieze-Land Returned to Mr. Stewart who wrote to him to have their Highnesses opinion or rather Approbation about Liberty of Conscience taking away the Penal Laws and Test which was not done upon his own head as a Private Person but by Command The which take Briefly thus THAT their Highnesses have often Declared as they more particularly did to the Marquess D' Albeville Ambassador Extraordinary from England to the States General That it is their Opinion that no Christian ought to be Persecuted for his Conscience or Opinion in Religion or be the worse used because he differs from the Publick Established Church and Religion and therefore they could be content that even the Papists might be sussered to continue in their Religion with as much Liberty as is alowed them by the States of the United Provinces And as for the Protestant Dissenters their Highnesses did not only Consent but Heartily Approve of their Entire Priviledge for the Full and Free Exercise of their Liberty without any Trouble or Hindrance c. That their Highnesses in case the King desired it were willing to Declare their willingness to concur in thâ— Confirming and Setling this Liberty as far as lay in them and were ready upon the like desire to concur in repealing the Laws always provideâ— those Laws remain still in Force anâ— full Vigour whereby Roman-Catholicks are Excluded both Houses oâ— Parliament out of all Employment Eccleslastical Civil and Militaryâ— and also all those other Laws whicâ— confirm the Protestant Religion anâ— secure it against the Attempts of Roman Catholicks But that their Highnesses could nâ—â— by any means agree to the Repealinâ— the Tests or those Penal Laws thâ—â— tend to the Securitie of the Protestaâ—â— Religion since the Roman-Catholicks received no more Prejudice from those then that being Excluded from Parliaments or from Publick Employments and by them the Protestant Religion is sheltered and Cover'd from all the Designs of the Roman-Catholicks against it or against the Publick safety and that neither the Test nor those Laws can be said to carry in them any Severity upon the account of Conscience they being only Pernicious Qualifing persons to be Members of Parliament or of bearing Offices by which they must declare themselves before God and Man to be Protestants So that all this amounts to no more than securing the Protestant Religion from any prejudice it may receive from Roman-Catholicks That their Hignesses have thought and still are of the Opinion that more than this ought not to be required or expected from them since by this means of the Roman Catholicks and their Posterity would be always secured from every Manner of Trouble in their Persons and Estates or in the Fxercise of their Religion and that they ought to be satisfied with this and not disquiet the Kingdom because they are not admitted to sit in Parliament or bear publick Offices or because those Laws in which the Security of the Protestant Religion doth chiefly consist are not Repealed by which they may be put in a Condition to Overturn it THAT their Highnesses believed likewise that the Dissenters would be for ever satisfied when they should be for ever Cover'd from all Danger of being disturbed or Punished for the free Exercise of their Religion upon any pretence or condition of their Religion whatsoever c. BY this means the good Intentions of their Highnesses to maintain and secure the Protestant Religion being known to the Adverse Party they began to take other measures and posted so fast in their course to push on our Miserys that they not only Run their Policys out of Breath but themselves at last out of the Kingdom for the chief Nobility and Gentry seeing all at Stake that the weighty affairs were managed by Priests and Jesuits or such as for interest or prejudice were no Friends to the Protestant Religion They Addressed themselves to their Highnesses to save a Countrey in which they might justly Claim so great an Interest TO this they gave an Attentive ear saw us at the Brink of Ruine and came as sent by Heaven in a happy time to prevent our Falling into it For when those that were labouring to overturn our Religion Laws and Chain at least our Liberties much shorter thought themselves sure of Gaining the Point and that though their weak reasons could not work any thing upon the Generality of the people yet relying on that confidence that mostly failed them Viz. That they were Backed and would be supported by a very considerable Army which had been kept up in Summer Campaigns several Years at Hounslow-Heath and in Winter-Quarters so Posted that they might the better Awe the Nation They found themselves on a sudden Deceived and so over whelmed with fears that the Chain of all the measures they had long been Linking with much Labour and Cost instantly snapt in sunder UPON News that the Prince was preparing to be our Deliverer all that had been done by the Court party was untwisted Charters were Surrendred Justices and other Magistrates and Officers that had been outed to make room for Roman-Catholicks restored as also was Magdalen Colledge and the Bishop of Londons Suspension taken off The Seven Bishops that had been Imprisoned and Tryed were sent for to Court and not only received into Favour but Carressed and Advised
J. Drapentier Sculpeit HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE Mary Queen of England Scotland France Ireland Defender of the Faith c Obit Dece 28 1694 Etate Sua 32. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE Pious and Glorious LIFE and ACTIONS OF THE Most Illustrious Princess MARY Queen of England Scotland France and Ireland c. CONTAINING The most Memorable Things and Matters relating to Her Royal Self c. from Her BIRTH till the most Deplorable time of Her ever to be Lamented DEATH on the 28th of December 1694. Faithfully Done by J. S. LONDON Printed for John Gwillim in Bishopsgate-street and Sold by most Booksellers 1695. TO THE READER WHEN we undertake a Work of this Nature the weight of so Illustrious a Subject ought to strike us not only with awe and reverence but make us Consider in the most serious manner how we proceed in it when indeed the most Celebrated Pens in Europe may come short of the Worth and Lustre of so Pious and Renowned a Princess whose Fame may be said to have Travelled with the Sun and whose Virtues shall stand a living Monument to all Ages when Tombs of Marble and stately Piramids are eaten by time or crumbled into Ruins Her Renown shall be fresh in the minds of Men whilst the world lasts and then passing beyond time shall have Eternety in store till then Like a guiding Star Her Great Example may direct our Lives in ways of Piety and be held truly to deserve that part oâ— her Royal Title that stiled heâ— Defender of the Faith THAT She was the best oâ— Queen's the Mourning Nationâ— Tears do sadly express in Hâ—â— Loss And the Royal Sorrow of a Grieving Monarch declareâ— Her the best of Wives Therefore as her worth was exceedinâ— great so her loss is unexpressiblâ— to us though to her past aâ— Peradveuture the Gain is as Excellent and Glorious in a happy State as Changing an Earthly for a Heavenly Crown can render it BUT to come some what nearer to the purpose of our intended History The Reader may find in it all that is Excellent and worthy in the Person and Character of a Queen who made it her endeavour through the Series of her Life to give a worthy Example to her People and leave a Fame behind Her of being Her Sex's Glory and Wonder Who ' like the Renowned Elizabeth Industriously laboured for the Nations good especially in the support and encouragement of that best part of Government which procures Gods Favours and Blessings on all the other parts viz. The true Religion in the Purity of Worship as She found it Established and had persevered in from her Infancy Rejoycing only in doing good and promoting those that made Piety their brightest Ornament so that Her Pallace seem'd a Temple where Virtue unfeigned Devotion flourished Her Closet a place fit for Angels to Visit and Admire with Holy Joy and Respect So that Her Actions leave no room for Flattery being all Centered in that Merrit which Transcends such meanness that might attend on other Women and flow from Mercinary Pens to set them off with borrowed Luster BUT not to Detain you longer from that which may prove yet more pleasing to all True English Spirits we shall only add That what is Inserted in this small Vollum is Grounded upon the most Exact and Certain Truths Carefully Collected and Comprized in a Method suitable to so Illustrious a Theme VALE A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE Pious and Glorious LIFE and ACTIONS OF THE Most Illustrious Princess MARY Queen of England c. WHEN with our Pens we approach Majesty and undertake to Write the Actions of Illustrious Persons who deservedly command a Character suitable to their Greatness we ought to move with such caution and care that hast and unadvisedness will not permit of There is a kind of Veneration due therefore the Ballance ought to be poifed with all the justness and evenness imaginable or like those that raise a stately Fabrick lay a Foundation suitable to the intended Superstructure Express it in such Words and Truths as may put gainsayers to Silence or convince prejudiced Persons if any such there be of their Errors And if ever a deserving History of a sublime Nature prest the Pens of Men to Celebrate a Memory worthy to be Character'd in Gold and Crown'd with Stars we here though in Sorrow for the Worlds enestimable loss have found it and with humble submission approach with willingness however weak and defficient our endeavours may prove and labour to pay a Tribute due to one whose high Deserts and wonderous Excellencies express themselves in a liveliness beyond the Eloquence of the smoothest Oratory or the frame of Words can utter Though Tears or Grief after such a Loss would let them flow with all the Sweetness Rhetoritions can model or contrive THE Queen That very Name gives scope to thoughts and delates them like expanded Gold But when with that Name Her Virtues are consider'd we find them boundless or unlimited and our selves at a loss to bring them to Center in suitable expressions THIS Great Princess so long the Joy of Three Kingdoms and the Peoples Blessing Descended by the Fathers side from a long Race of Princes that sway'd the Brittish Scepter Memorable in History for great Actions and Renown'd at Home and Abroad She was Eldest Daughter to the Late King James by his first Wife Ann Dutchess of York Daughter to the Earl of Clarendon She was Born at the Royal Pallace of St. James's on the 30th of April 1662. when the Nations Joy was arriv'd at an Extraordinary height for the Settlement and Happiness it found under the easie Government of a Restor'd King viz. King Charles the Second Which Joy was yet more encreased by the Birth of an Illustrious Princess that in her Infancy gave hopes of those great and Glorious things that have been since manifested to the World THIS happy News being soon spread through the three Kingdoms great were the Congratulations and Joy Bells Ringing every where and Bonfires and Illuminations were in all Remarkable Places and many Rich Presents by the Nobles and Ladys at Court were made to the Royal Infant And She was Christened according to the Ceremonies of the Church of England and after her Royal Grandmother Named MARY Tended and Nurs'd she was with great care in the most Royal manner And as God gave her a Beautiful Shape and Countinance to which were added a Pomp of winning Graces even in her tender Years so he was pleased to continue towards her a Healthful Constitution of Body for the most part and Endowed her with an Aire and Livelyness beyond those of her Years BUT not to insist upon her Infancy when she was in her Cradle we find she was no sooner capable of Education but King Charles her Uncle of Blessed Memory took care she should be Educated in the Protestant Religion as Established in the Church of England Which Royal Care suited extreamly with
withal Father Peter the Jesuit dismist the Council and the King declar'd he was willing that Roman Catholicks should remain uncapable to be Members of the House of Commons Oh the wonderful Conversions of Fear what the Prayers and Intreaties of the Nobles Bishops and the desires of all the good Protestants in England could not do the very name of their Highnesses preparation brought to pass But not to Dwell too long on this Matter THE Prince whose actions are swift in Execution as his purposes delayed not though it was in the dead of Winter and his Fleet was put back in the Harbour by contrary Winds and suffer'd some little damage resolved on this great Work on the Fifth of November a day whereon another great deliverance happened to this Nation and tho' long since yet fresh in our minds He came with his whole Fleet before Torbay in the County of Devon not having met wih any Opposition from the English Fleet though he passed by within Cannon Shot insomuch that this gave a happy Presage that God had Bowd the Hearts of the People to be at their Highnesses Devotion and what more confirmed it was when the first Men were put on Shoar Viz. about 500 to put themselves in a Posture for the better securing the Landing of the rest so far were the Countrey people from Flying their Habitations or any Consternation that on the contrary they came Flocking to Welcome them on Shoar bringing them a supply of such Provisions as they had and when the Prince Landed such were the Shouts and Applaudities that these Western Countreys never Rung with the like Melody THE Fleet consisting of 635 Men of War Flyboats Pinks and Fireships and the Forces that Landed 14352 a great many of them being Brandenburgers Hess Casselers Sweeds c. And with them divers great Commanders with some English Noblemen and a great many others AND now the Nations Genious bends low to Welcome and to Complement a Heroe who brought her Safety with him for as well the Nobles as others came Crouding in and only a March was made and not a War for those who had boasted such mighty things before Fled and Scatter'd at the Martial Noise of his Drums and Trumpets that very Army on which they had so much Rely'd coming in a great measure over to him and to be brief he with little oâ— no Effusion of Blood King Jameâ— being retir'd took a quiet possession of the Kingdom amidst the Loud Shouts and Acclamations oâ— the People being every where Addressed and Congratulated THIS News Flying into Holland caused not only Excess of Joy in the Princess for the Safety oâ— her Illustrious Consort whose greaâ— undertaking had Subjected Heâ— Spirits to Doubts and Fears oâ— the Hazards that might attend such an Enterprize but with her thaâ— whole Nation Simpathiz'd by expressing the high Satisfaction theâ— conceived upon his Success and Prosperous Fortune And wheâ— he had here at the earnest request of the States Assembled in Convention taken the Administration of the Publick affairs of Government into his Hands and after King James's leaving the Kingdom and going to France the Citizens of London and Westminster went in a great Body to the Parliament-house where they delivered two Petitions the Substance of them being to this Effect Viz. THAT they most Humbly and Earnestly Desired that His Most Illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange might be speedily setled in the Throne by whose Conduct Courage and Reputation the Nation and Protestant Religion might be Secured and Defended from it's Enemys at home and abroad That Ireland which was then in Rebellion might be rescued from its deplorable condition and to conclude the Kingdoms setled on a lasting Foundation and Security in Peace and Liberty UPON this Her Highness having been Complemented at the Hague by all the Persons of Quality that on purpose Resorted to the Court and among others their Electorl Highnesses of Brandenburg She having made to the Latter a very Splendid Entertainment it was concluded here that the Illustrious Princess should be sent for over to be Partner in those Crowns the Wisdom of the Nation had concluded to lay at the Pincess's Feet to which she consenting And being on her Departure for England the States of Holland the States General the Courts of Justice the Council of State and the Colledges either in Bodys or by their Deputys attended her and made their Complements and Congratulations on the happy occasion and in this the Forreign Ministers residing at Court had a share and the Persons of Quality of both Sexes The Majestrates made it their Request that the Burghers might wait on her in Arms but she modestly refused it as being too tedious a Cerimony for the intended Expeditness however the States of Holland Deputed Three of their Body to Wait upon her till she should be Embarqued and gave Orders to the Sieur Allemond with Divers Men of War to Joyn Admiral Herbert who attended with a Squadron and several Yatches to Transport her for England THE people at her Departure scarce refraining expressing their Sorrows in Tears that so much Virtue and Goodness had left their Shoar to inrich another Land They had seen her worth and valued it at such a Rate that though she went as it were in Triumph to possess Crowns and Kingdoms they Grudged to be Deprived of such a Blessing or spare it to any other Like the People of Mittelene when Cornelia the Wife of Pompey the Great was to go with her Lord after the Pharsalian War left their Shoars tho' in a different State and Circumstance they all crouded on the Rocks and Sands and fixed their eager eyes on the Ship She was in till the distance of space had removed it from their sight For setting sail with a Prosperous Wind She soon reached the shoars She was distined by Providence to Crown with blessings where Her Welcome was Proclaimed by the Guns from the Ships in the Road and from the Forts and after them by the Ringing of Bells and the Joyful Acclamations of the People and as She came up the River the Tower on which the Royal Banner was Display'd made London Sensible in a Language of Fire breathed from its Thundering Cannons that its Beloved Darling approached to Croud upon it greater advantages than it had long time participated ON the 12th of February in the Evening the Princess Arived at White-hall where she was received according to her Royal Character by the Nobles and great Ladys of the Court and by the Prince with all the Tender endearments and Expressions of kindness and affection The same Night she received the Complements of the Nobility at Court whilst the Streets every where Shined with Bonfires and Illuminations and the Bells charmed the Air into a stilness by the Harmony of their desired Musick and to be Brief a general Joy spread it self through the Kingdoms for her presence of which so long an absence had deprived it THE Lords and Commons
All this I Promise to do After this the King and Queen laying their Hands on the Holy Gospel shall say These things which I have here before Promised I will Perform and Keep So help me GOD. AND by Virtue of the same Act this Oath is to be Administred to the Kings and Queens that shall hereafter succeed to the Crown THE Nations Jubilie as we may term it being now come The King and Queen came from White-Hall to Westminster whilst the Heraulds and other Officers at Arms were ordering the Procedings after a litle stay about Eleven in the Morning the whole Proceeding passed into the Great Hall from the Lords House and Painted Chamber at the upper end whereof a Throne was Erected and on it Their Majesties took Their Seats under a Canopy of State whilst the Master of the Jewel-House brought and presented the Swords to the Lord High Constable viz. That of State that called Curtana and the Two Pointed Swords in their proper Order who delivered them in the same Order to the Lord Great Chamberlain who having Drawn them Presented them on the Table before the King and Queen as also the Spurs UPON this the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster brought and Presented the Crowns and the other Regalia in their proper manner and these again were delivered to those whose Claim it was to bear them THINGS being thus fixed the Proceeding passed from Westminster-Hall to the Abby in Excellent Order and every one placed in their Station and Degree Silence being made the Recognition was begun by the Lord Bishop of London at the end of which there was a General Shout and Acclamation of high Satisfaction among the People The King and Queen then Offered and the Noblemen that carry'd the Regalia Offered them severally at the Altar there to be disposed of Then the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor Sung the Littany after which the Communion Service begun The Epistle was Read by the Bishop of Carlisle and the Gospel by the Bishop of St. Asaph After this the Nicene Creed was Read and by this time the Bishop of Salisbury being in the Pulpit Preach'd an Excellent Sermon on the Occasion from these Words Viz. THE GOD of IsrAel said The rock of Israel spake to Me He that Ruleth over Men must be Just Ruling in the Fear of GOD And he shall be as the Light of the Morning when the Sun Riseth even a Morning without Clouds as the Tender Grass Springeth out of the Earth by Clear Shining after Rain 2 Sam. 23.3 4. To which the Pious Queen was all the while observed to be very Attentive The Charms of Power and Greatness with all the Splendid Pomp and Cerimony could not avert her thoughts from the more Serious Contemplation of Holy things BUT not to Digress in the midst of this Cerimony The Sermon ended Their Majesties took the beforementioned Oath and Voni Creator being Sung and the Anointing Oyl Consecrated Their Majesties were Conducted to the Chairs placedon a Theatre Disrobed of their Crimson Mantles and Solemnly Anointed then presented with the Spurs and Sword which were Offer'd up and Redeemed by the Right Honourable the Earl of Portland UPON this the King and Queen were Clad and Invested with the Imperial Robes and the Orbs delivered to them and after that the Rings and Scepters c. And about Four in the Afternoon the Royal Diadems were placed on Their Heads by the Lord Bishop of London Assisted by the Bishop of Rochester Then the Trumpets Sounded the Drums Beat the Thundering of the Great Guns with the Peoples Shouts Proclaimed the News The Peers and Peeresses hereupon put on their Coronets and the BIBLE was presented to the King and Queen after this they Kissed the Bishops and then Te Deum was Sung and thereupon they Ascended the Throne The Arch-Bishop and Bishops doing their Homage and Kissed Their Majesties Left Cheeks and then the Temporal Peers did the like whilst the Treasurer of the Houshold cast the Meddals among the people and after this began the Communion and the King and Queen made their second Offering and Receiving the Holy Sacrament they Entred in their Robes of State to St. Edwards Chappel where they were Divested of the Imperial Pall c. And having Robes of Purple Velvet put on them they returned with their Crowns on their Heads in the same Order they came the Peers and Peeresses now wearing their Coronets and Entring the Great Hall at Westminster a Royal Entertainment was provided of all that is Rare and Costly several Tables being Furnished out in the most Delicious manner and Charles Dymock Esq Their Majesties Champion between the First and Second Course came Riding Compleatly Armed into the Hall Conducted by the Lord High Constable and the Earl Marshal on Horse-back likewise and his Challenge pronounced by York Herauld Viz. If any Person of what Degree soever High or Low shall Deny or gainsay our Soveraign Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary King and Queen of England France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith to be Rightful King and Queen of England or that they ought not to enjoy the Imperial Crown of the same Here is their Champion who saith he Lyeth and is a False Traytor being ready in Person to Combate with him and in this Quarrel will Venture his Life against him on what Day soever he shall be appointed After this Their Majesties Royal Stiles were Proclaim'd in Latin and English and every thing was performed with the Exactest Order and Decency concluding about Eight of the Clock when Their Majesties returned to Whitehall and the rest of the Evening was spent in Bonfires Ringing of Bells and other Demonstrations of Joy THIS happy Corronation usher'd in the King and Queens being Proclaim'd in Scotland for after the States had passed the Vote to that purpose in the Convention of that Kingdom they Assisted by the Magistrates Lord Provost and Council of the City of Edinborough went to the Market Cross where Lyon King at Arms assisted by the Heraulds and Pursuvants Proclaimed them King and Queen of Scotland c. The Trumpets Sounding and the Peoples Shoutings expressing the Joy conceived on this Occasion And soon after they were Proclaimed in all the Citys and principal Boroughs of that Kingdom ON the 18th of April 1689 the Sieur Shemettan Extraordinary Envoy from the Duke of Brandenburg Complement Their Majesties in his first Audience upon their Accession to the Throne Nor was the Scots Nation slow in presenting their Crown The States Deputing the Earl of Argyle Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Dalrimple their Commissioners to that purpose At the same time causing a Day of Thanksgiving to be set apart for their Deliverance from Popery c. ON the 11th of May the Scots Commissioners waited on the King and Queen in the Banquetting-House at Whitehall and presented a Letter from the States of Scotland and after that an Instrument of Government then a Writing Containing divers grievances which they Humbly
and Commons of the City of London in Common Council Assembled out of a Deep Sense of the Infinite Goodness of God to this Nation in the Signal Deliverance of His Sacred Majesty from those Dangers for which he hath so lately for our Sakes exposed his Royal Person even to the Admiration of his Enemys Do Heartily and Vnfeignedly in the first place return to Almighty God our most Humble Thanks and in the next in all Humility Congratulate Your Majesty upon soâ—â—ensible a Providence as the Preservation of that Prince in whose Life not only our Laws and Religion but the Liberty of Europe is so entirely wrap'd up AND Your Majesty having been so Graciously Pleased by the Lord Keeper to signifie the Deep Sense of the great Losses at Sea which have befallen the Traders of this City and Kingdom And the Directions Your Majesty has given to the Committee of Your Majesty's Most Honour able Privy Council as well to Examine into the Causes of such Misfortunes as to take Effectual Care to prevent the like for the future by encouraging Your Majesty's Subjects to make their Application to the said Committee We do with all Chearfulness Render Our Hearty Thanks to Your Most Gracious Majesty for so great a Consideration in no wise Doubting but Your Majesty will continue to give such Good and Seasonable Directions that the Trade of this Your Kingdom in which the Prosperity of it doth so much depend may be better Supported for the future AND as we have hitherto from a Sense of our Duty Demonstrated to the World our Great Zeal for Your Majesty's Service we having now a fresh Opportunity of shewing the same by the Chearful and Vnanimous advancing of Money for the Present Emergencies of Your Majesty's affairs Humbly Beg Leave to Assure Your Majesty of our firm Resolution to continue our Hearty Endeavours upon all Occasions to support Your Majesty's Royal Authority and Government against all Persons to the utmost of our Power THIS was received by the Queen with very Gracious Expressions highly Satisfactory to those that Presented it who as a farther mark of Her Favour had the Honour of Kissing Her Hand SOON after a Proclamation was Published for Preventing the Exportation of Corn to France and Ruising the Price of it at home and for the setling Poor People on Work For indeed the French Provinces by reason of the Scarcity of Corn were in great straits and the French King used all possible means to draw it out of other Kingdoms to prevent the Encroaching Famine notwithstanding which and the disappointments he met withal a great many of his Subjects Miserably perished by Hunger whilst that King exacted by an Arbitrary way their Corn and other Provisions from them to lay up his Stores and Supply his Magazines on the Frontiers AND the King after the close of the Campaign and his having Escaped very great Dangers and Signalized his Courage to his Immortal Glory at the Battle of Landen in Flanders returning to England that God might still continue his Mercys and Favours towards us A Day of Publick Thanksgiving was set apart by Their Majestys Proclamation bearing Date the Second of November 1693. Which was very Religiously and Devoutly Observed through the Kingdom on the Appointed Days And the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen waited on Their Majesties to Congratulate His Majesty's Happy Return and His Wonderful Preservation in that Signal Providence that had protected him in the greatest of Dangers to which he had exposed his Royal Person for our safety and all the Nation Sympathiz'd with them in their Joy THE Winter was chiefly passed over in great Preparations by Sea Land the Parliament chearfully giving Their Majesties those Supplys that were Necessary for the carrying on a War promising Success Safety to the most Significant Kingdoms states of Europe And early in the Spring the Turkey and Streights Fleet again set forward on their Voyage but met with some disappointments in the Streights by Stress of Weather And now Admiral Russel taking a Second time his Commission which the the last Year was in the the Hands of 3 Admirals joyntly The Fleet hastned to Sea and got out so Early that the French found a main disappointment in the repeated losses they sustained A great many of their Corn Ships those with Noval Stores being taken by ours And the Kings intent upon the great Affairs abroad the 3d of May 1694 left Witehall accompany'd by the Queen who having taken her leave of him soon after embarqued for Holland and after receiving the usual Complements passed to the Campaign finding all things in a very early readiness and a posture promising Success THE Navy Royal having been out some time in the Narrow Seas no Enemy daring to appear Admiral Russel with the greater part of ours and the Dutch Squadron had Orders to Sail to the Streights and in Conjunction with the Spanish Ships of War and Gallys prevent the Designs the French had on the Coasts of Catolonia whose unexpected coming put Monsieur Tourville the French Admiral into such apprehensions of danger that instead of adventuring to Engage us or Besiege Barcelonia by Sea or intercept our Streights Turkey Fleet he ordered his Ships into the Harbour before Toulon barring up as well as he could the Haven and making Platforms on Shoar to defend it and at last Disarmed his Capital Men of War and sent a great part of the Seamen over land to Brest WHILST these Successes happened further off a Terrour and Consternation was brought on the Coast of France opposite to our Shoar for the Lord Berkly keeping the Narrow Seas with a strong Squadron Entred the Port of Diep Bomb'd that Important Town and lay'd it in Ruins and afterward had almost the like Success at Havre de Grace putting a great many Stately Buildings in Elames which brought such a terror on the people that many on the Coast left their Habitations And Dunkirk was likewise Attempted but by reason of the badness of the Harbour for Entrance and Weather we could not there have the like advantage THE Confederates during these Transactions pressed the French Armys in Savoy upon the Rhine and in Flanders The Turks were forced to a shameful Retreat in Hungary and the Tartars that came to Relieve Caminick were Routed by the Poles Huy in Flanders was taken from the French and their Boasted Resolutions appeared every where to be in the Declining Scale so that the Campaign successfully ending on the part of the Confederates by Land our Grand Fleet still keeping their station for Wintering in the Spanish Ports The King having received the Complements and Thanks of the States General c. Landing in England was met by the Queen with Unexpressible Joy and the Cities of London Westminster in the Evening as they came to Town were filled with Illuminations Bonfires were made and the Bells Tuned to the Musick of the Peoples Joyful Acclamation and through these