Numerus Infaustus.  
A SHORT VIEW Of the Unfortunate Reigns OF 

WILLIAM the Second.  
HENRY the Second.  
EDWARD the Second.  
RICHARD the Second.  
CHARLES' the Second.  
JAMES the Second.    
— sine Caede, & Sanguine pauci  
Descendunt Reges, & siceâ Morte Tyrrani.  
London: Printed for Ric. Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church yard, 1689.   

LICENCED.  
June 25. 89. J. Frasier   

TO THE READER.  
MEeting accidentally the other Day with a Passage in Heylins' Geography which he sets down in these words. p. 225. I will present you with a fatal Observation of the Letter H. as I find it thus versed in Albion's England.  
Not superstitiously I speak, but H this Letter still.  
Hath been observed ominous to England's good or ill, etc.  
A sudden Conceit darted into my Thoughts (from the Remembrance of former Reading) that such Kings of England, as were the Second of any Name, proved very unfortunate Princes both to themselves, and to their People, Whereupon I consulted the English Chronicles, and out of them I have drawn a summary Narration of the Lives and Reigns of Six Kings. For the Matter of Fact I have faithfully adhered to the History, and yet I have not transcribed their Method, Style, or Language.  
The Writing of this was an Entertainment for afew of my idle Hours, and perhaps the Reader may be pleased to divert himself for a few Minutes, in the Perusal,   

Numerus Infaustus.  

THE LIFE and REIGN OF WILLIAM the Second, nicknamed RUFUS  
THE First William gained England by Conquest, and bequeathed it to the Second by Will. By his Invasion he usurped the Right of his Cousin Edgar; and by his Legacy he infringed that of his Heir. He put out Harold the unlawful Possessor of the Kingdom; and put by Robert his Lawful Successor.  
William the Second of that Name, of fewer years than his Brother, but of greater Interest in the Inclinations of his Father, with hasty Steps ascended the Throne, entering the Royal Palace at the wrong Door. He endeared himself to the one by the resemblance of Humours, and the roughness of his Temper; and overreached the other by the Credulity and Easiness of his Disposition: Giving no more deference to the Obligation of Promises, than to the Right of Primogeniture. His Vows to God, his Word to his Brother, and his Engagements to his Subjects, were all plighted with a like sincerity, and with the same Integrity observed, and maintained. He was positive and sturdy, and that passed for Valour; He was crafty and politic, and that was reported for Wisdom: He was accounted Religious, when he pursued his own Temporal Advantages, and was reputed profane, when he invaded the privileges of the Church: He was immeasurably covetous, only in Order to the being unreasonably profuse; and under the pretence of Religion he committed the greatest Acts of Enormity and Impiety. His incontinency was not taken notice of, because he could not transgress the Vow of Matrimony; and tho' in speculations and Disputes he seemed concerned for Religion, yet by his Actions he appeared to be a practical Atheist. The course of his Life was turbulent and uneasy; and the manner of his Death violent, and untimely.  
He was no sooner mounted on the Throne, but troubles arose to discompose his quiet. Robert his Eldest Brother highly resenting this great Injury, to be justled out of his Seat by the partiality of his Father, and the Encroachment of his Brother; began to think of some timely Expedients for the Recovery of his Right, and being assisted in his pretensions by several of the Nobility in England; as Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent, Roger Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury, Hugh de-Grandemenil, Robert Mowbray Earl of Northumberland, William Bishop of Durham, and divers others of the Clergy, and Nobility (who raised great forces, and possessed themselves of many considerable places) the King was constrained to compound for his Peace, by an assurance of three Thousand Marks per Annum to his Brother during Life, and the Reversion of the Crown of England after his decease; and by a Solemn promise to restore to the people their Ancient Laws, and to indulge them the Liberty of hunting in his Forests. By these condescensions he dissipated the present Storm that impended over his Head, and gained some short Respite from his growing Troubles.  
This Tempest was hardly allayed in the South, but fresh Clouds began to gather in the North. Malcolin King of the Scots thinking it a fit Opportunity to purvey for himself, and enlarge his Borders, when his Neighbour was embroiled with intestine Commotions; makes a sudden and furious incursion into Northumberland, overruns the Country, burns and destroys all before him, and returns home loaden with the spoils of the Inhabitants, without the least hindrance, or opposition. And though it was not long, before King William was sufficiently revenged on his Invader, whom he reduced to the necessity of paying the Ancient Homage due to the Crown, and to give assurance of his future fidelity by New stipulations; yet such an enterprise could not be accomplished, without a vast expense of Treasure, and a great loss of Men.  
The King (who was very prodigal of his promises, but slow and penurious in the performance) neglected the payment of the Composition made with his Brother Robert; whereupon he makes his Application to the King of France; who presently furnished him with considerable supplies, by which Assistance he assaulted and took several Towns in Normandy; and by his success obliged King William again to raise a powerful Army, and to transport them into that Country; where though by his crafty Address he avoided the Effusion of Blood, and the consumption of his Forces, yet he wasted his Treasure, and purchased a Truce with the King of France, by the mediation of Mony.  
And now all things were calm and quiet, but not long so; the Sky began to be overcast with gloomy exhalations, and troubles arose upon an occasion as unusual, as unnecessary. Malcolin King of the Scots was a generous and magnanimous Prince, and being at Peace and full Amity with his Neighbours, he undertook the Toil of a Journey as far as Gloucester, to pay a Royal Visit to his Ally and Friend the King of England: Who either out of a Humour, Pique or Pride, would not vouchsafe so much as to see him; which Barbarous return to the Civility of the affronted King did so exasperate him, that he posted back to his own Country, made ready a powerful Army with all Expedition, and again infested Northumberland, Ravaging through the Country without Comptrol, and enriching his Followers by the Ruin and desolation of harmless and unconcerned people. And tho' in the prosecution of this design he lost his Life, and the Life of Edward his Eldest Son, and his whole Army entirely Routed and Defeated (being drawn into an Ambuscade by Robert Mowbray the King's Lieutenant) yet King William suffered a great diminution of his Honour and Fame, by so unhospitable a Refusal of a common Respect to his equal in Degree and Title.  
The King, who was never happy in any long intermission of those distempered Fits that shook him, fell now into a snarp and dangerous Paroxysm. The Welshmen taking Notice of the King's incessant Troubles and Distractions; to gratify both their Revenge and Avarice, entered the English Borders, and making use of such Advantages as naturally attend a surprise, they became Masters of many Towns and strong Holds, committing all manner of Outrage and Hostility, exercising that Malice, which they bore to the King, upon the Lives and Estates of his innocent Subjects. The King with great industry and care, got together a handsome Army, with which he marched in Person toward them, promising to himself an easy and a cheap Victory: But he was disappointed of his purpose, and forced to retreat with all speed to London to compose an Army of greater strength, and Number. In the mean time to increase his perplexity, Robert Mowbray Earl of Northumberland, (who had done him such signal Service in repelling the Scots, and destroying their King) finding himself disregarded, and no competent Honour, or Reward designed for his singular Merits, began to be Malcontent; and joined in an open Conspiracy against his Lord and Master. But the King reinforced with an Army far stronger than ever he had embodied before; took, and imprisoned the Earl, and entered the Welsh Territories, where not being able to provoke them to the Decision of a Battle, he pursued them with Stratagems, Erected many Castles and Forts, that so by degrees he might become Master of the Country: But they retreating to the natural Fortifications of Woods, Mountains, and inaccessible passages, did so baffle him in his Attempts, and so harass and tire out his Soldiers, that he thought it most advisable to withdraw from the Enterprise, and to commit the further prosecution of it to his Lieutenants, who in time utterly subdued those Naked and Wild people, but not without horrible Instances of Cruelty, and Barbarity.  
Thus we have seen a Man advanced to a Throne, invested with Regal Authority, surrounded with all the external Glories, and Felicities of a Diadem; yet denied the inward satisfaction and Tranquillity of a quiet and peaceable enjoyment of his Acquisitions. Hitherto we have observed, how Invasions from abroad, and distractions at home rendered his Life uneasy: Let us now take an Account of his immoral, and irregular Actions, which made his Person unacceptable, and his Reign unfortunate to his Subjects.  
He assumed to himself an immoderate and Licentious Power to supply his necessities by the detriment and spoil of others. And because in his Time the Clergy was of all Ranks of Men the most opulent, he found them the most proper Objects of his Rapine, and Oppression. When any Bishopric, or Abbey became vacant, he presently seized the Revenues into his own Hand. He kept the See of Canterbury four years to his own use, and would have done it longer, but that a desperate Sickness put him into a Fit of Devotion; for being at the brink of Death, and ready to expire, he resolved to commute for his Intrusion, by the donation of those Livings, which (as he thought) he could no longer detain, and hastily conferred the Archbishopric of Canterbury upon Anselm, and and the Bishopric of Lincoln upon Robert Bloët: But no sooner was Health restored, but his old Inclinations returned, and no other Tokens of Repentance appeared, but a Remorse and Sorrow for parting with two such rich Morsels; for he never desisted from importuning and tormenting the two poor Bishops, till he squeezed good Sums of Money from Anselm, and five thousand pounds from Bloet.  
He kept in his Hands at one time three bishoprics (Canterbury, Winchester, and Salisbury) and twelve Abbeys; all which he set out to Farm, and gathered the Profits of them into his own Coffers.  
Being obliged to pay a great Sum of Money to the King of France, he found this Invention to procure it; He pretended a resolution to make War, and a sudden irruption into Normandy, in order to which he levied twenty thousand Men (by Press and other coercive means) who being drawn to the Sea side, and ready to embark, he ordered it to be signified and made known, that because he could more commodiously levy men in Normandy (without the Toil and Charge of transporting) whosoever would pay Ten Shillings toward the raising of such Forces, should be excused from going on that Expedition, which proffer was so grateful and plausible to the Army, that there was hardly any man that did not greedily comply with the proposal. He added extortion to Usury, took up Money by indirect Courses, and employed it to unjust purposes; he would not supply his Brother with Money (though upon a pious undertaking to the Holy Land) without a Mortgage of his Duchy of Normandy; and he could not raise it but by exactions, and compulsory Loans, so that to advance the Sum, the Bishops melted their Plate and the Temporal Lords destroyed their Tenants.  
Spiritual Preferments were not given, but sold by Auction, and he received from Thurstan Five Hundred Pounds for the Abbey of Glastenbury; and fell out with Anselm, because he would not give a Thousand Marks for being made Archbishop of Canterbury.  
He arrogated to himself the Glory of Building Westminster-Hall; but His Subjects were at the Expense, who believed, that he reared that Fabric only for a pretence to lay a heavy Tax upon the People, and was a great gainer by the Project.  
If the Priests transgressed by carnal deviations from the strict Rule of their Profession, the Penance was in the Purse; and a composition with the King was as effectual, as a Sacerdotal Absolution. And because he received very great Profit by particular Indulgences given to the Jews, he encouraged the Relapse of such as were converted to Christianity, accounting it no matter to be Followers of Christ, so they were but Benefactors to him.  
Among other Faults laid to his Charge, it is worth observing, that he is noted for imposing excessive Fines upon divers of the Nobility, for small offences.  
Having by his Avarice and Severities wearied his Subjects, and disposed them to seek for Safety and Liberty in other Countries; He unexpectedly issued a Proclamation that no man should depart the Realm without his Licence, for the purchase of which he did not care to lose a Subject. While Promoters, Informers, and such sort of State-Caterpillars were his principal Favourites, and Partakers of his Grace and Bounty.  
He had a mind to be reputed an exact Observer of his Word and Promise. And perhaps he was so in matters of small Importance: But when Profit and Advantage came to be weighed, Self-interest soon turned the Scale. He made a solemn Agreement with his Brother Robert, to bequeath the Crown of England to him; but it does not appear, that he remembered the Engagement, or ever had an intention to be just to his Word. When he was pressed by an intestine War, and by the Loyalty and Valour of the English rescued from the Rebellion of his Norman Followers, he promised a restitution of their Ancient Laws, and an indulgence to some Privileges which were much valued by the people of those times; but with the necessity the obligation ceased, and he became a Bankrupt of his Word and Promise. As little did he regard his Promises to God his Creator, for being dangerously sick at Gloucester, and despairing of Recovery, he made a Solemn Vow, that if he were restored to his Health, he would lead a New Life, and give over all his disorderly Courses, but the restoration of his strength was accompanied with the return of his former vicious inclinations, and he became ten times more the child of wrath, than he was before.  
He is reported to be very lascivious and incontinent, but in regard he did not defraud his own Wife, (having never been married) and was not observed to debauch the Wives of other Men, he only passeth for a simple Fornicator, and even in that not at all curious, not entertaining a select Concubine, but promiscuously trucking with any Woman that came in his way.  
To show how conscientious he was in matters of Religion, take the words of Sir Richard Baker in his Chronicle of England, p. 35. He appointed a Disputation to be held between Christians and Jews, and before the day came, the Jews brought the King a present, to the end they might have an indifferent hearing; the King took the present, encouraging them to quit themselves like Men: And swore by St. Luke's face (his usual Oath) that if they prevailed by Disputation, he would himself turn Jew, and be of their Religion. A young Jew on a time was converted to the Christian Faith, whose Father being much troubled at it, presented the King sixty Mark, entreating him to make his Son to return to his Judaisme; whereupon the King sent for his Son, commanding him without more ado to return to the Religion of his Nation: But the young Man answered, he wondered his Majesty would use such Words; for being a Christian he should rather persuade him to Christianity: With which Answer the King was so confounded, that he commanded the young Man to get him out of his sight. But his Father finding the King could do no good upon his Son, required his Money again. Nay (saith the King) I have taken pains enough for it; and yet that thou mayst see how kindly I will deal, you shall have one half, and the other half you cannot in Conscience deny me.  
In one Act he showed himself a Tyrant, and an Atheist, for fifty Gentlemen being accused for Hunting and killing the King's Deer, he caused them to be condemned to the Trial by Fire, which they escaping untouched by the miraculous Providence of God, and he thereby defeated of his greedy expectation by the Confiscation of their Estates, fell into an outrageous Passion, and cried out, How happens this! is God a just Judge in suffering it? Now a Murrain take him that believes it.  
But vengeance from Heaven soon overtook him that did not believe it; for the King (though warned by Dreams and other uncommon Presages, of some approaching Disaster) appointed, a Hunting in the new Forest upon the second of August. When the day came, he began to be perplexed with the remembrance of those ominous Bodings, and stayed within till Noon: But having at Dinner driven away all care and fear, by drinking himself into hardiness and security, he mounled his Horse, and eagerly followed the Chase: shortly after Sir Walter Tyrrel, a Knight of Normandy (to whom the King at their going out had given two Arrows very strong and sharp, telling him, That he knew how to shoot to purpose) having a very fat Buck in view, and at a convenient distance to be struck, let fly an Arrow, which glancing on a Tree, or else grazing on the Back of the Deer, reached the King, hit him in the Breast, and he immediately dropped down dead.  
Thus fell Nimrod the mighty Norman Hunter, destroyed by that very sport in which he took such excessive delight, violently brought to death on that occasion; by which he had deliberately designed the destruction of many others; and in that very place where his Father had depopulated so many Town, and ruined so many Religious Houses, for the accommodation of wild Beasts, and to gratify his own inordinate pleasures.   

THE LIFE and REIGN OF HENRY the Second.  
THO' the Accession of Henry the Son of Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke of Anjou, to the Crown of England, be not branded with the unsavoury Terms of Intrusion, or Usurpation; yet whosoever will impartially revolve the Chronicles of those Times, may modestly conclude, that he jumped into the Throne over the back of his Mother. Maud (commonly styled the Empress) was the only Daughter and Heir of Henry the first, and though she was an Empress, and afterward a Duchess, yet she could never arrive at the Station of a Queen. Stephen usurped the Crown, and kept it from her; and Henry her Son confirmed the Disseisin, by compounding for his own Succession, without any regard to his Mother's Title. Whether she was locked up in an unknown Prison, or estranged by Banishment, or secretly made away, it were a great Presumption in me to assert, since the Writers and Historians of those days make no positive Determination in the matter: But that she was civilly dead, that no Notice was taken of her Right and Legal Claim to the Government, after she had so unsuccessfully contended with King Stephen, nothing can be more manifest. Henry her Son was a young, active, and Valiant Prince, very potent, endowed with great possessions, and in expectation of greater Additions: He was in his own Right Duke of Anjou, in Right of his Wife Duke of Guienne and Earl of Poietou, and in Right of his Mother, Duke of Normandy, and presumptive Heir to the Kingdom of England. This greatness of Estate added to the Greatness of his Spirit, and buoyed up by the Hopes of a far greater augmentation of his Fortunes, pushed him on to set up for himself in a competition for the Crown of England; to the Achievement of which many accidents concurring (as the untimely Death of Eustace the Son of King Stophen, the melancholic despair of his Mother the Empress, upon her improsperous contest with Stephen, and the Loss of her Brother, and other her fast Friends) he came to a composition with King Stephen, and a perfect Reconciliation was made between them, choosing rather to succeed him by Adoption, than to wait the natural Descent of his Inheritance by the Death of his Mother. Whether a Prophetic foresight of the short Period prescribed to the Reign of King Stephen, or a secret design to catch some opportunity to accelerate His own Investiture, prompted Him on to this Accommodation, lies only within the compass of conjecture; but so it fell out, that his Possession by Survivership was not long Prorogued; the Agreement being made in January by mutual consent, and consummated in October following, by the Death of King Stephen.  
Henry the Second being now actually King, disturbed by no Competitor, or Pretender, might with all affluence of Honour, Wealth, and Pleasure, have enjoyed his Kingdom in profound Peace; but in despite to Fortune, who hitherto had Courted him. He created Troubles to himself, and was the unlucky Author of his own misery. For though the Rebellious Insurrection of the Welsh, in the first Year of his Reign, did somewhat discompose his quiet; yet the Issue of it did only tend to aggrandise his Name, to make him more revered at Home, and more awfully considered abroad. But the Expedition into Scotland was the product of his own injustice: Stephen his Father by Adoption had granted Cumberland, and Huntingdon shire to Malcolm King of the Scots, and Maud his Mother had given Northumberland to the same: Henry disdaining to see his Kingdom Cantonised, and grudging that such considerable Parts of it should be dismembered from the Body, and become the Patrimony of his Neighbour, demands the Estate by a military Claim, and marching thither with a powerful Army, repossesseth himself of part of these alienated Lands, and voluntarily relinquisheth the rest.  
The same restless Humour prompted him to persecute his Brother Geoffrey. For his Father on his Deathbed bequeathed the Dukedom of Anjou to him, but with this limitation, that so soon as He should become King of England, he should deliver up Anjou to his Brother Geoffrey: And for the further assurance of it, he obliged his Lords to Swear, not to suffer his Body to be buried, till his Son Henry had taken his Oath exactly to perform it. Henry solemnly binds himself by Oath to perform his Father's Will, but afterward as wickedly breaks his Vow (having obtained a Dispensation for so great an Impiety, from his Holy Father Pope Adrian) and entering into Anjou with an Army, took from his Brother (who was in no Capacity to resist so puissant an Invader) not only the Country of Anjou, but some other Cities also, which his Father had absolutely given him for his maintenance, which unnatural Treatment had so fatal an operation on the poor Duke, that within a very short time it broke his heart.  
And now Lewis King of France began to find him a costly and hazardous diversion; for having not well digested the affront put upon him by King Henry in marrying of Eleanor his divorced Queen, and seeking all occasions to demonstrate his Resentments, he became an open Abettor of Raymond Earl of St. Giles, with whom King Henry had a Controversy about the Earldom of Tholouse. Hereupon the Litigants began mutually to arm, and great forces were raised on both sides, but being just ready to join in a bloody Battle, a Peace was concluded by the Mediation of Friends.  
And least matters should be wanting to propagate new cares, and interruption to the progress of his Felicity; by an over fond and unexampled Indulgence, he assumed his Son Henry (then seventeen years of age) into a Partnership in the Throne; whose arrogant behaviour, and picgant Repartee at the very time of his Coronation, administered just cause to the King to repent his rashness. For the King to do honour to his young Colleague, at the Coronation feast would needs carry up the first Dish to the Table; which the Archbishop (who had performed the Ceremony) observing, said merrily to the new King, What an honour is this to you, to have such a waiter at your Table? The other replied, Why? what great matter is it for him, that was but the Son of a Duke to do service to me, that am the Son of a King, and a Queen? Neither was it long before the King was sensibly convinced of his weakness. For the young King having imbibed some mutinous Notions of discontent from the insinuations of the French King, and being animated by his advice and assistance, began openly to oppose his Father. For an aggravation to the old King's misfortunes, Eleanor his Queen enraged with jealousy, and not able to endure the sight of so many Concubines to which her Husband had given up himself, she not only incenseth her Son Henry to proceed in his Enterprise, but secretly persuadeth Richard and Geoffery, two other of her Sons, to join with him against their Father, encouraging them to expect a more liberal maintenance from their Brother, than their penurious Father did allow them; by these Instigations they repair into Normandy, and join themselves with their Brother, who growing more insolent by their assistance, returned a haughty and imperious answer to a kind and loving message from his Father, disdaining to lay down arms, unless he would first lay down his authority, and resign the Kingdom. To shuffle matters into the greater perplexity, Lewis King of France began to form a League against King Henry, and having called together the great Lords of his Kingdom, and inveigled William King of the Scots, Hugh Earl of Chester, Roger Mowbray, Hugh Bigod, and other the Accomplices of his Son, they all joined in an Oath to aid and assist the young King with their whole power, and thereupon in one day they began their Attacks, the French invading Normandy, Aquitain, and Britain; and the King of Scots Northumberland. The old King in a short time disincumbred himself from these Exigencies, and triumphed over all his Enemies; but new troubles like Hydra's Heads, sprung up every day to arrest his Tranquillity; and he had no sooner made a Truce with his Son Henry, but the defection of his Son Richard, who had possessed himself of a great part of the Province of Poictou, obliged him to transport an Army thither, and by the influence of it to reduce him to obedience. But the splendour of his success was darkened with a sensible misfortune, Henry his Darling, the copartner of his Empire, but the Excrescence of the Throne, ended his Competition with his life, to the equal content and sorrow of his Father.  
Within a while Richard his Heir apparent, revived his former discontent, relapsed into the old fit of Rebellion, and drew along with him his Brother John, with many more of his Father's Adherents, and Followers, who all joined with Philip King of France (the Inheritor of his Father's Crown, and his animosity against King Henry) he presently formed an Army, and (least natural affection should prevail above conceived Injuries) with all speed and vigour laid Siege to the City of Mentz, in which King Henry was then personally present; who apprehending himself to be in great danger, and unwilling to fall into the hands of such Enemies, secretly withdrew out of the Town, and escaped. But the Town being taken (the place of his Nativity, and in which he took great delight) he became almost distracted with grief and passion, and in the extremity of his rage uttered this blasphemous expression, I shall never hereafter love God any more, that has suffered a City so dear to me, to be taken from me. Indeed this inconsiderable loss made a mortal Impression on his spirits, bereaving him of that vigour and Majestic grace which accompanied him in all his actions, so that he tamely condescended to seek a Peace at their hands, to whom before he scorned to vouchsafe the favour of any conditions; but when he came to understand that his beloved Son John was in the Conspiracy against him, he fell into a fit of fainting, and died within four days.  
King Henry was the Author and instrument of his own misfortunes; He came to the Crown in peace and quiet; but never enjoyed it in content or satisfaction. He was an ungrateful Son, an indiscreet Father, an unnatural Brother, an unjust Husband, a niggardly Master, a fickle Friend, a severe Enemy, a valiant King, but too penurious.  
His Actions were great and renowned, but smutted with the tincture of notorious Vices. He dealt unjustly with the King of the Scots; and to his cruelty extended to his Brother was added a manifest Perjury.  
He made his Son a Rival in his Throne, and took many strange Women to be Rivals in his Bed. As his Wife was divorced from her other Husband, so was his conjugal love estranged from her.  
His Partiality to his Sons is too manifest, while he fond gave to Henry a share of his Crown, and substracted from his other Sons a competent maintenance. But these contrary causes produced the same effect, his Indulgence to one, and his Niggardliness to the rest, provoked them all to be Rebels against him.  
His Incontinency is so evident, that it supersedes all the misprisions of Jealousy: His close Amours with the fair Rosamond were palpably detected by the industrious curiosity of his Queen; but his incestuous dalliance with the Spouse of his Son, has left an indelible blot upon his memory.  
His carriage toward Thomas Becket, while alive, speaks him brave, and magnanimous; but his mean submission to a sordid Penance at the Tomb of that saucy Prelate, discovers plainly that Superstition was predominant in him beyond a sense of true Religion.  
Parsimony, which is commendable in men of lower ranks, was a vice in him; by it he lost the love of his Children, and disobliged his Subjects, while by Taxes, Confiscations, Seizure on Bishoprics and Abbeys, and other avaricious practices, he lived poorly, only that he might die rich.   

THE LIFE and REIGN OF EDWARD the Second.  
EDWARD of Carnarven was the Eldest Son of Edward the First, and succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of England. He was in his Person handsome; in his Conversation acceptable; in his Inclinations not extrémely Vicious; continent beyond any of his Predecessors; not given to grind his Subjects by hard Taxations, or to enrich himself by their Impoverishment. He ascended the Throne with the Universal Joy and Acclamations both of the Nobility, and the People; the way to it was plain, and the Seat easy. He had the Advantages of an extraordinary Education, the example of an Illustrious Father and a Victorious King; an early initiation in the Business of State, a happy opportunity to understand the Art of Reigning, by commanding the Realm, and presiding in Parliament, during his Father's absence. When he took the Reins of Government into his hands, he was neither in his Nonage, nor Dotage; the Kingdom stood in no need of a Protector because of His Minority, nor an Administrator, because he was super-annuated. He was just ripe for Rule, and all circumstances concurred to make the Conclusion of his Reign as prosperous as the beginning.  
Notwithstanding all these happy Prcludiums, never was there a Prince more unfortunate, never was there a Life perplexed with more Disasters, or a Death attended with sharper Instances of Misery and Horror: being persecuted by his Subjects, deserted by his Qeen, deposed by the People, and inhumanly Murdered by wretched Miscreants.  
He began his Reign with a rude and irreligious contempt of his renowned Father's Will, and dying Commands, which as it gave just cause to the Subjects to suspect his Veracity and Constancy, so it appeared an ominous presage of his future Calamities, and Desertion by Heaven. For whereas his Father had expressly charged him, never to recall Pierce Gaveston from Banishment (who had been the Pander to the young Prince's Lusts, and the Debaucher of his Youth) he immediately sent for him home, heaped Honours and Riches upon him, and grew scandalously fond of him. His Father settled his Quarrel with Scotland upon him by entail, requiring him to carry his Bones about with him through that Kingdom, till he had subdued it: but so little Veneration had he for those Glorious Relics, that he neither took them with him in a Military Procession, nor regarded their quiet Sepulture; but rather to affront them, he entered into a Treaty for his own Nuptials, before he had solemnised the Funerals of his Father. The Old King had obliged him to send his heart to the Holy Land, with Sevenscore Knights to prosecute the Holy War, and two and thirty Thousand Pounds (a mighty Sum in those Days) which he had gathered for that Pious use: But he not only neglected his Father's Directions, but in plain scorn and despite to his Commands, he prodigally squandered it on that same Gaveston, from whose very sight he was precluded by his dying Father.  
I shall not need to divide the History of his Life into several Acts, I may recite it, as it was, in one Scene of Trouble and misfortune. The revocation of Peirce Gaveston from perpetual Exile was very displeasing to the People; His admission to the highest Honours and Favours about the Court, did smartly aggravate their just Resentments; but his Pride and Ostentation at the Marriage of the King in France (where the Four Kings and Four Queens, were seen in all their Pomp, besides the King and his Bride, yet he was observed to excel them all in Bravery) had so sensible an Operation on the Lords of England, that when Edward, and Isabel expected to be Crowned, in the presence of many Princes, and Noble Persons, they boldly went to him and briskly told him, how heinous he had transgressed his Father's Will in recalling Gaveston, to which since they were Cautioners; they would see it performed; and unless he would remove Gaveston from Court and Kingdom, they would not suffer his Coronotion to proceed. King Edward, confounded with this stinging Declaration, gave them satisfaction, and solmnly Swore to do what they desired, in the next Parliament, and so the Coronation proceeded: In the solmnizing whereof the King again provoked the Lords to Discontent, adding the honour of carrying St. Edward's Crown before him, to the other Titles he had conferred on Gaveston; which urged them to enter into Consultation, how to contrive some plausible way to restrain the Violence of the King's Affection which in a short time took affect. For Gaveston not content to engross the King's Favour, and dictate his arbitrary Orders through the Kingdom, encroached on the honour of the Nobility, and placed opprobious Nicknames upon divers of them, who therefore did not only envy him for his undeserved Advancement, but mortally hated him for his un-sufferable Insolency. It was not long before a Parliament met, who unanimously press the King to apply a Remedy to their Greivances in the Rear of which they urge the Banishment of Gaveston: The King seeing no safety in expostulation, consents to their Demands, and the several Articles (like those of the Council of Trent) are enjoined under an Anathema, and pain of Excommunication: Hereupon Gaveston was sent into Ireland, but as the Chief Goovernour, not as an Exile; where after he ●ad stayed a while, and acted things much conducing to his Reputation, King Edward, not able to endure his absence, or indeed to live without him, remanded him home, and married him to the Sister of the Earl of Gloucester; but Gaveston was incorrigible, his Power exceeded all Limits, and his expenses all possibility of supply; the King's Revenue was wasted, the Queen's maintenance retrenched, and all diverted to the accommodating the Luxury of the Favourite. The Lords began to ferment in a new Discontentment, and repairing to the King, positively told him, if he did not immediately remove Gaveston out of the Court and Kingdom they would rise in Arms against him, as a perjured King. But he, after he had struggled a while between Love and Fear, condescended to his pertual Banishment, making his return a capital Offence, and so to be proceeded against, if ever found in the Kingdom. Gaveston once more is dispatched out of England, and goes to France, where finding no safe Abode, he passed into Flanders, and there meeting with no secure shelter, he secretly returns to England, relying on the immovable Favour of the King, and the interest of the Duke of Gloucester. The bewitched King received him with transports of joy, and slipping out of the sight of the Lords, and all other Observers, betook himself to York, carrying his beloved Minion with him. The Lords hearing of it, make after him, and choosing the great and potent Earl of Lancaster for their General, sent a Message to the King to deliver Gaveston into their Hands, or at least to send him peremptorily out of the Kingdom. But being abused by evil Counsel, and disregarding the Message from the Lords, he marched from place to place, seeking a sure refuge for his dear Favourite, refusing to stay with the Queen, who with tears begged his company, and lodged him in Scarborough-Castle; which being furiously assaulted by the Confederate Lords, Gaveston thought it best to render himself, desiring only the favour to be allowed once to see the King's face, and the King reciprocally asked the same. Gaveston was sent under a Convoy toward Wallingford, but being intercepted by the way, and forced from his Guard by the Earl of Warwick, after long deliberation his Head was struck off at a place called Blacklow. In the mean time the King of Scots taking notice in how unready a posture Affaires were in England, how the King remitted all case of the Government to Gaveston, and that he gave himself up to Luxury and Licentiousness, in a short time, and with little or no opposition, reduced almost all Scotland to his obedience; and encouraged by that success. He entered England, burnt, and took several Towns, and being encountered with a splendid Army raised by King Edward, more resembling a Court, than a Camp, and consisting of a hundred thousand men; he with an Army hardly amounting to thirty thousand, utterly overthrew and defeated them. This misfortune was followed by the loss of almost all Ireland, and the treacherous Rendition of Berwick, which yet King Edward was in a fair way to recover, had not the Earl of Lancaster discovered his immoderate kindness to Hugh Spencer the younger, (whom he had substituted and embraced in the room of Gaveston) and thereupon withdrew his forces from his assistance. These Crosses were accompanied with the loss of Northumberland, whereof all the Towns were taken, or burnt by the Scots, and an incredible number of Prisoners and cattle carried into Scotland; King Edward in vain attempting to seek a Reprisal, and at last forced to pass over all hopes of satisfaction, by the conclusion of a Truce. The unhappy King postponing the affections of his Subjects to the fond love of a Darling, advanced Hugh Spencer to the highest pitch of Honour and Favour, committed all Affairs to his sole Administration; he (in perfect imitation of his Predecessor) servilely complying with the King's Humours, and arrogantly insulting over the Lords. They to remove this insupportable Nuisance, continue in Arms, confederate together, and send a peremptory Message to the King, requiring the confirmation and execution of the Articles formerly granted, otherwise threatening to constrain him by force of Arms, and accordingly assembled a mighty body about Dunstable, where the King then lay; but by the interposition of the Prelates, an Accommodation was made, and all things agreed to their mutual satisfaction. Soon after a Parliament was called, wherein the King complained that the Lords had taken up Arms, had murdered Pierce Gaveston, and done him many other Affronts; they on the other side justify their Proceedings, as not undertaken against, but for the Preservation of his Person, and the punishment of the public Enemies of the Kingdom; but the Queen, with the Prelates and the Duke of Gloucester, found an Expedient to qualify these heats; the Lords became humble Suitors to the King for his Grace and Pardon, and he receives them kindly, as dutiful and loyal Subjects. But this Reconcilement not being founded in sincerity, was but of a short duration: The two Spencers, Father and Son, became intolerable in their Covetousness, Oppression, and Arbitrary disposal of all Affairs; wherefore the Earl of Lancaster with divers other Lords, entered into a new Confederacy, binding themselves by Oath to live and die together, in the maintenance of the Rights of the Kingdom, and to procure the expulsion of the two Spencers. In pursuance hereof, they gather a great Army, march to London, and insist stoutly on their former demands; to which once more the King is induced to condescend, by the mediation of the Queen and the Prelates, and by public Proclamation the Spencers are banished; but in a short time after the Edict was revoked, they recalled, and restored to their former place and authority. The wind ●●gan now to change, and by a strange caprichio of fortune, the King got the Ascendent over the mutinous Lords, conquered them in Battle, slew many of them in the Field, and put many to death, by the Sword of Justice; but so soon as the heat of Revenge was a little qualified, repent of his proceeding.  
Hitherto the miserable King received only slight wounds in the extreme parts of his Body, now he received a stab at the Heart. The Queen enraged to see her Husbands love diverted upon upstart Favourites, and disdaining to be a Pensioner to their pleasure, found a plausible Excuse to repair into France, where (to be revenged on her Husband for his neglect of her) she continued in too scandalous a familiarity with the Lord Mortimer. The King being advertised of it, commanded her to return, and she delaying to come, he proclaimed her, and the Prince (who was at that time also in France) Enemies to the Kingdom, banished them and their Adherents, and strongly guarded the Seas with three Fleets, to intercept their passage. The Queen by the help of Foreign Friends, got together a considerable Army, and landed near Harwich, and was presently reinforced by the conjunction of the Earl Marshal, the Earl of Lancaster, the Earl of Leicester, and many other Lords and Bishops. The King was astonished at the News, being utterly irresolute what course to take: He had no Counsellors about him, but the Spencers, London was not to be trusted, his Army was wavering, the people from all Counties flocking in to the Queen. In this perplexity he secretly withdraws from the Court, attended by the two Spencers, and a very few others, and being disappointed of his Retreat to the Isle of Lundy, He hides himself in the Abbey of Nethe; where within a short time he was taken, his Followers all apprehended, and the two Spencers publicly and ignominiously executed, and himself committed to the custody of the Earl of Leicester. After Christmas a Parliament was called, wherein it was agreed to Depose the King, and set up his Son, who refusing to take the Crown, unless his Father would freely resign it, the poor King as tamely surrendered the Sceptre, as he had before unworthily wielded it, and having formally renounced and abdicated the Government, and the Speaker of the Parliament, renounced all Allegiance to him, in the Name of the whole Kingdom, he was taken from the Earl of Leicester (from whom his Enemies thought he had too kind usage) and being hurried from place to place, and wearied with all manner of severity and indignity, wasted by starving, tormented by noisome stinks, and attempted by Poison, he was at last barbarously and inhumanely stifled to death between two Pillows. The Murder being disavowed by the Queen, the Executioners of it fled, and died miserably.   

THE LIFE and REIGN OF RICHARD the Second.  
IF Magnanimity, Valour, Piety, Gentleness, Liberty, and other Heroic and Princely Qualities, were communicable by Generation: if virtue could be entailed; If the gifts of the mind descended by Inheritance, or were demisable hy Will, or inseparably annexed to the Body; no man could ever have a juster Pretention to Glory and Fame, than Richard the Second, the only Son of that incomparable Hero, Edward the black Prince, and grand Son of that most illustrious and victorious Edward the Third. But Children do not always resemble the Features of the Father, to the great shame and scandal of the Mother: Wit, and Vigour are seated in the Brain; and Children are not begotten by the Head.  
Richard was a Child at the death of his Father; and never acted like a man, during his own Life. A Crown was too heavy a Load for his tender Brows, and the Reflection of its Brightness daizled his Eyes.  
The Transactions of State, during his Minority, are not to be the Subject of my Recital, since the Event of all Affairs that were prosperous, is to be imputed to the Conduct of his Guardians; and where any Accidents interrupted his Prosperity, it ought not to be attributed to his misfortune. I shall therefore pass over such Occurrences as are recounted by Historians, during his pupillage; and begin my Remarks, at that Period when he assumed the Regal Government.  
And first he deposed the Lord Scroop from his Chancellor-Ship, because he refused to seal some extravagant grants made by the King, and receiving the Seal from his Hands, he kept it for a certain Time, and with it sealed such Grants and Writings as he thought fit, at his own absolute will and pleasure.  
His Army sent against France, commanded by the Bishop of Norwich, was not very prosperous; but laying Siege to Ypres, as they passed through Flanders, were forced by the Power of a French Army coming to their Relief, to raise the Siege, and retreat. And though the Bishop advised the King to lay hold on that Opportunity to try the Fortune of a Battle with the French, and he pretended over Night to be in a mighty hast and Eagerness to engage in that enterprise, yet in the Morning the Humour was off, and consulting his own ease and safety, he appointed the Duke of Lancaster to go on that Inployment, who spinning out the Time with dilatory Preparations, till the Bishop was returned, the Project was disappointed, the undertaking came to Nothing; and the Dispute was ended in a short lived Truce.  
Neither did the Expedition into Scotland, tend to the Honour of the King, or Advantage of the Kingdom: for the Scots having made Incursions into England, taken, and burned divers Towns upon the Borders, and enriched themselves by a general depredation of the Country. The Duke of Lancaster with the Earl of Buckingham was dispatched with a mighty Army to repress them: but having entered Scotland, and not being able by any Art, or Stratagem to provoke the Scots to Battle, they returned without obtaining any further Satisfaction, than a suitable Revenge in burning, and destroying many Towns there. And though a truce was made with the Scots; yet without any Regard to the Stipulation, they again entered the Borders, and took Berwick.  
But now the unfortunate King began to form Plots against his own honour and Quiet; for being incensed against the Duke of Lancaster (whether upon real, or upon imaginary Provocations) a design was laid to have that great man Arrested, and arraigned of Treason before Sir Robert Tresilian, chief Justice (though by the Law of the Land his Trial ought to have been by his Peers) and it is easy to imagine what would have been the Issue of such irregular Proceedings: but the Duke having timely intimation of the mischief and contrivance against him; withdrew himself opportunely to his Castle of Pomfret, where he stood upon his guard, till by the laborious travel and powerful intercession of the King's Mother (though by reason of her Corpulency she was most un-fit for such an Employment) the King was pacified, and reconciled to the Duke.  
The Scots still meditating Revenge and the French King still ready to foment the quarrel, prepared for a fresh Invasion of England, and receiving auxiliary Aids of great Number and strength from the French, once more entered the English Borders. King Richard receiving Advertisement of it, with great Speed raised a mighty Army, and marching in Person at the Head of them, entered Scotland, burnt Edingburgh proceeding without Control, but could by no means draw the Scots to Battle; they in the mean Time to divert the King's progress, made a descent into Cumberland, and Besieged Carlisle; to the relief of which the King approaching with so formidable an Army, obliged the Scots to retreat into their own Country, and upon their Recess the King returned into England, bringing with him neither Honour nor Advantage by so fruitless an Expedition.  
After these things (and some other passages not so directly appertaining to the History of his Life) King Richard began to hasten his own Destiny, and by Imprudent Actions, pernicious Counsels, and an Arbitrary Assertion of his indisputable Prerogative, to kindle those Flames of Mutiny, and Discontent, which never were extinguished, but at the Expense of his own Blood, and the Loss of his Crown. Robert Vere Earl of Oxford and Marquis of Dublin was his Darling, and Michael de la Pool was his Favourite: The first a Gentleman of commendable good Parts, he created Duke of Ireland (though he himself was but Lord of it) the other a man of mean extraction, he made Earl of Suffolk, and Chancellor of England; both very obnoxious, and not accomplished with such Merits, as might advance them in Titles, or Offices beyond the Ancient Nobility, without Envy, or Obloquy. These Wicked Counsellors set a false Glass before the short sighted King, and abused him with erroneous representations of his own sufficiency, absolute Authority, and uncontrollable Power: Insomuch that in a Parliament then called, the King began sharply to expostulate with the Lords, and by an undecent Comparison with the Freedom of their Tenors, to Challenge to himself an unquestionable liberty. This haughty Carriage of the King, exasperated the Parliament, and fermented them to such a degree of dissatisfaction, that instead of consenting to grant him a Subsidy toward his Wars, they fell foul upon the New Chancellor, and never gave him over, till they obtained a severe Judgement against him to the Forfeitures of his Life, and the Confiscation of his Estate. The adverse Party were highly nettled at these proceedings, and being pushed on by Revenge, and Malice, they combined in a horrid Design to Murder the Duke of Gloucester, and such other Lords as crossed the King in his extravagant Courses; which Flagitious Plot was to be perpetrated upon an invitation of them to a Supper in London: Sir Nicholas Brember the former Lord Mayor was a prime Instrument in this Enterprise; but the King imparting this matter to Richard Exton the present Mayor, and endeavouring to make him an Accomplice in the Action, he would by no persuasions be induced to consent to so vile an Attempt, and thereupon they desisted from the further prosecution of it. Notwithstanding this, and many other untoward passages, a Subsidy was granted to the King under certain Limitations; but the Parliament were so disgusted; because the King had respited the Execution of the Judgement against the Chancellor, that they positively declared, unless the Chancellor were removed they would proceed no farther in a Parliamentary Course. The King hereupon grew Choleric, and plainly told them, he would rather apply himself to the French King for Assistance, than submit to his Subjects: Yet upon good Reasons offered by the Lords, a great change was made in the Ministers of State, and particularly the Chancellor was removed: and so desirous were the Lords and Commons to have the Duke of Ireland excluded from the King's Presence, that they were content he should receive thirty Thousand Marks, on condition he would transport himself into Ireland. But no sooner was the Parliament dissolved, but the King recanted all his condecensions, revoked all Orders against the Chancellor, the Duke of Ireland, and the rest, and received then into higher Favour, than they were in before. And tho' the Earls of Arundel and Nottingham performed a Noble exploit, hardly to be paralleled in History, yet their Service was disregarded, and their persons slighted, because the Duke of Ireland gave them no countenance: By whose contrivance a New Plot was laid to destroy the Duke of Gloucester, and the easy King surrounded with Parasites and corrupt Judges, suffered them to pursue their extravagant practices, and Two Thousand Persons were at once indicted before Sir Robert Tresilian the Chief Justice. He then propounded certain Queries to Robert Belknap Lord Chief Justice and other Judges, which they soon resolved, in defiance of the Law, and the privileges of Parliament. And notwithstanding he stood in such ill Terms with his people, yet a way was found to pack Juries in London, and Indictments were found of many Crimes against some of the Lords: Whom having a design to persecute, he summoned the Judges, Justices, and Sheriffs of the Kingdom, that he might be informed, what power of Men they could assure him of, to serve him against the Lords: And intending shortly to call a Parliament, he tampered with them to have no Knight or Burgess chosen, but such as the King and his Council should Name. But finding by the Answer of the Sheriffs, that they could not raise any Forces upon such a pretence, nor infringe the Ancient Liberty in Elections to Parliament; the King and the Duke of Ireland sent into all parts to raise men in this Quarrel against the Lords, consulting on some Devices how to entrap them. The Duke of Gloucester being advertised of this, had a secret Conference with the rest, and assembling a numerous Body of Men, stood upon their Guard, and sent Commissioners to the King, requiring such Traitors and Seducers as were about his Person, to be delivered up to them. The King was advised by the Duke of Ireland, the Earl of Suffolk, and others about him, to offer Calais to the French King, to procure his Assistance against the Lords; and with all sent to the Mayor of London, requiring to make an estimate of how many able men might be raised in the City, who making Trial of what could be done on such occasion, received this Answer from the People, that they would never fight against the King's Friends, and Defenders of the Realm. In the mean time the Earl of Northumberland interposed with his advice, and persuaded the King to send for the Lords under safe Conduct, and friendly to expostulate with them; to which the Lords consented, upon Oath given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Lord Chancellor, that no Fraud, or evil practice should be used against them: But being ready to come according to appointment, they received intimation of an Ambush laid to entrap them, and so desisted. If the King was privy to this Plot, he was guilty of an Action most unworthy of a Prince: But the Conspirators were certainly known, yet not called to Account for it. After this, upon a more secure Conduct from the King, the Lords presented themselves before him, and after some choleric contest a Reconciliation was made, and it was concluded that all matters should be heard and regulated in a Parliament, speedily to be called. Hereupon the Favorite-Lords were highly dissatisfied, and plainly told the King, they would not hazard their appearance at such a meeting; and so the Duke of Ireland, and the rest of that Faction withdrew from Court, and absconded. But the King not able to brook their absence, ordered an Army to be raised for the safeguard of the Duke of Ireland, and to reconduct him to his Presence; who being encountered on the way by the Earl of Derby, he fled and escaped by leaping into a River, but after two or three years died miserably in a foreign Country.  
And now the Lords, having got matter enough against the King, at least to justify their taking up Arms, marched directly to London with forty thousand men, and some of them going to the King in the Tower, they showed him the very Letter which he had writ to the Duke of Ireland, to levy an Army for their destruction; as also the Letters writ to him by the French King, importing a safe Conduct for him to come into France, there to do Acts tending to his own dishonour, and the prejudice of the Kingdom; which being done, they civilly retreated, upon the King's promise to come next day to Westminster, to concert all matters; but the fickle King altered his mind, before he went to Bed, and discovered his purpose to avoid the meeting next day. The Lords being advertised of this, sent a peremptory message to him, That if he did not come according to his promise, they would choose another King, that should hearken to the faithful Counsel of his Lords. The King sensibly touched with this sharp message, gave them a meeting, and they positively insisting that the Traitors so often complained of, should be removed from the Court, he at last with much reluctancy consented to their Desires, and so the whole Nest of Vipers was dissipated, some expelled the Court, some bound by good Sureties to appear and answer, and some committed to Prison. When the Parliament met, they proceeded roundly, the corrupt Judges were arrested in their Seats of Judicature, and carried to the Tower, for acting contrary to the Agreement made in the preceding Parliament; the Duke of Ireland, and the rest of that Crew, cited to appear and answer to certain Articles of High Treason, and for non-appearance banished, and their Lands and Goods seized to the King's use; Sir Robert Tresilian was hanged, Sir Nicholas Brember beheaded, several others executed, and the Judges condemned to die, and the King obliged by Oath to stand to such order as the Lords should set down. Some years after, upon a Riot committed in London, the King seized on their Liberties, and took away their Charter, which could not be restored till they paid a Fine of ten thousand pounds.  
I intent a compendious Abstract, and not a complete History; therefore I studiously omit the recital of many Transactions and Occurrences coincident with this relation, as not having a direct and principal concernment in the Estate and Life of King Richard. Unstable Fortune had the Ascendent over all the Affairs of the poor King, and the course of his Reign was imbroiled with a strange Vicissitude of prosperous and adverse Accidents. The Duke of Gloucester, and other Lords, entering into a combination to seize upon the King, the Plot was detected, and their lives taken away for the assurance of his safety. A Parliament was called, wholly conformable to the Kings will, they that opposed him were banished, confiscated, and executed, and the whole power of it devolved on a certain select number of Commissioners, to the great prejudice of the State, and a dangerous example to future Times: a Pardon was granted to all the Subjects, except fifty, whose Names not being expressed, he kept the Nobility under an awe, that if any of them offended him, they might come under the notion of exempted persons; and thus the King seemed secure against all mischances.  
But an unforeseen Accident, grounded on a very slight occasion, produced an extraordinàry Revolution, by which the whole frame of Government was unhinged, and that Cloud which at first appeared but of the bigness of a hand, soon overspread the sky, and dissolved in a tempestuous shower of Blood. The Duke of Hereford was banished the Kingdom for six years, and several Persons of Note and Quality, either by voluntary withdrawing, or a compulsory Exile, went beyond the Seas. The Duke within a short time was advertised that his Father was dead (and thereby he became Duke of Lancaster) and that King Richard had seized into his hands all the Estate descended to him by his Father's death. And meeting often with the Archbishop of Canterbury, then in Exile, and mutually lamenting the deplorable condition of England, the enormous actions of the King, and the Impossibllity of ever reclaiming him; they began to enter into Consolation, by what means best to get him removed; and in the very Nick, Solicitations came from several Parts of England to urge the Duke to hasten over, and to take the Government upon him, promising all ready Assistance to that work The Duke presently grasped the Opportunity, and without further Deliberation prepared for his Return, and with a very few Lords and Gentlemen, and about threescore Persons presently put to Sea, and landed in Yorkshire, which was no sooner known but several Lords, and great Numbers of the Gentry and Common sort, flocked into him. And though he was invited to come and take the Government upon him, yet he pretended no other cause, but to take Possession of the Inheritance, descended from his Father, and most unjustly seized and detained by King Richard. His Forces increased daily, and a mighty Army was got together, and all the King's Castles forthwith surrendered to him, many of the King's Friends were Arrested, and some put to death. All this while King Richard was in Ireland and for six weeks (by reason of contrary Winds) had no Notice of the Duke's Landing: After which time wasting many days in a dilatory Preparation, he landed in Wales; but hearing that all the Castles from the Borders of Scotland, and Bristol, were delivered up to the Duke of Lancaster, that the greatest Part of the Nobility and Commons were joined with him, and his principal Counsellors taken and executed; he fell into absolute Despair, dismissed his Army, bidding every one to shift for himself, and the next Night stole away, and got to the Castle of Couwey. The Duke proceeded on his March, and every day some Lords and Gentlemen of account came in to him, and having proffered Conditions to the King with which he seemed to be content he agreed to meet the Duke, but upon his Journey was seized by an Ambush laid for him, and carried to Flint-Castle. Thither the Duke came, and carried the King with him by easy Journeys, to London, and the next Day lodged him in the Tower. Presently a Parliament was called by the Duke, but in the Name of King Richard, and many heinous Crimes laid to his Charge, engrossed and summed up in three and thirty Articles for which the Parliament adjudged him to be deposed from all Kingly Honour, and Princely Government; thereupon the King by a formal Instrument made a Solemn Resignation of his Crown and Authority, making it his Request that the Duke of Lancaster might be his Successor, and in token thereof taking the signet from his Finger and putting it upon that of the Dukes: Which being reported to the Parliament, they approved of it and appointed the Sentence of his Deposition to be publicly proclaimed.  
We have followed this most unfortunate Prince to the last Scene of his Life; but the manner of his death is so variously reported, that it is hard to pitch upon that Author, on whose credit we may safely rely. It is most certain that he did not long Survive his Resignation, but being carried to Leeds, and from thence to Pomfret, soon after a Period was put to his Life, and Miseries together, in the three and thirtieth year of his Age.  
If he did not imitate, his Father; yet he resembled His Mother, and was the Goodliest Person alive. His Disposition was good; but corrupted by Education, his Inclinations prompted him to Virtue, but were perverted by Flatterrers, and Evil Counsellors. Crafty men made Advantage of his Credulity; and he was ruined by too strict a Constancy. If he had not been deficient to himself; his Opposer had not so easily prevailed, his Timidity appeared in not fight for his Crown, his Moderation in the Surrendered of it, and his Courage in surviving the Loss.   

THE LIFE and REIGN OF CHARLES' the Second.  
IAm now engaged in a difficult Task, divided between Truth and Respect, being to describe the Life of a Prince, who (contrary to the custom of the World) was better spoken of while he lived, than he has been since his Death. His Fame had suffered a great diminution by succeeding so admirable a Father; had it not recovered by the prospect of such a Brother, who was to be his Successor. If in the Lives of former Kings any mistake was committed, the Records and Ancient Writers must vouch the Relation, and the present Age cannot confute it: But to give an Account of a Life so lately ended, requires an exactness beyond my Reach, wherein the least Trip overthrows the Credit of the Reporter. To enumerate the Virtues of a Prince, without taking notice of his Failings, is but to flatter his memory, and deceive Posterity; to reckon up his Vices, without intermingling the mention of his laudable Actions, is but so sully his Fame, and deduce no Benefit to the Curiosity of Observers. I resolve to tread lightly on his Grave, and not press too hard upon the Heels of Truth. I may pursue my Topic, in recounting the Instances which justly denominate him unfortunate, and Note the Errors of his Government, without reflection on his Person.  
That he was of extraordinary Parts, that he had a quick mercurial Wit, a great insight into the liberal Sciences, and even the mechanical Arts no man will deny: He had a piercing, if not a solid Judgement, his intellect was comprehensive, if not profound.  
His Lenity and Clemency were very conspicuous, and recommended him to the Love, and Praise of the Spectators; yet it so fell out, that such egregious Acts of Severity and Injustice were exercised upon all sorts of men, as will puzzle Posterity to comprehend the meaning.  
In his time no Man had the Reason to set a Value on himself for any promotion, nor no man had cause to despair of a preferment: The Cards were daily shuffled, and unexpected chance turned up the Trump.  
Upon all occasions he professed a great Zeal for the Protestant Religion, yet every day that profession lost ground. Popery was not allowed yet it hovered among us: The Frogs did not cover the Land, yet the Jesuitical Vermin swarmed in every Corner: Tho' the Papists were not sheltered by a legal Indemnity, yet they grew numerous and confident upon the expectation of an approaching Jublie.  
His Brother and Successor had a mighty Ascendent over his Genius, catching at all opportunities to gratify his Ambition, and propagate the Faith; while the other indulged himself in pleasure, and avoided the fatigue of Government.  
There are so many living Monuments of his Incontinency, that if I forbear to mention it, I shall render the Truth and Impartiality of my other Remarks suspected. It is usual with Kings and Princes to prosecute prohibited Amours, but so great was his generosity, that he thought it a disparagement to manage a secret Intrigue. His Liberality was so extraordinary, that he spared not to give a Thousand years' purchase for a Moment's Fruition.  
He lost the Love of his Friends, by too fond a Love of his Brother; and by too stiff a Refusal to consent to his Exclusion, he endangered the Interest of his Family, and gave a shock to Monarchy itself.  
The first and greatest misfortune that befell Charles the Second was, the Cruel and Ignominious Death of his Father, that incomparable Charles the First, Sentenced to die, and publicly Executed before his own Palace, by a Jancto of flagitious men, garbled out of a Parliament by the Usurper. From his Father's Martyrdom to his own Restauration, was one continued Scene of misery, and sorrow. In the year 1648 Charles the First was deprived of Life by his Evil Subjests, his Friends looking on, and not able to prevent it: In the year 1660. Charles the Second was brought to the Throne by his Good Subjects, his Enemies looking on, and not able to hinder it: The one an inhuman Action, and unparallelled; the other wholly surprising, and miraculous: In the one no Blood shed, but that of the King himself; in the other not one Drop of Blood drawn, even of the meanest Subject.  
Charles the second was then beyond the Seas, and succeeded immediately to the Right of three Kingdoms, but did not actually possess them for many years. And now behold a King truly unfortunate! His Father barbarously destroyed, and he in no capacity to call to account the bloody Actors of that Tragedy; three potent Kingdoms usurped by violence, and by force detained from him, and he not able to put in a claim for his Right, or contend for the recovery: His Enemies insulting in their success, abjuring his Title, and metamorphosing a glorious Monarchy into an Anarchical Commonwealth: His Friends harassed, imprisoned, plundered, sequestered, executed, no man daring to own his Allegiance, or capable to contribute advice or aid toward his Restoration: Himself a deserted Exile, wand'ring from one Prince's Court to another to seek for shelter and subsistence; while the subtle machinations of the Usurpers did not more sensibly aggravate, and advance his unhappiness, than the improsperous Attempts of his loyal Subjects to compass his Restitution. In Scotland the Heroic Acts of the most renowned Marquis of Montross, (who with an inconsiderable handful of men traversed the Kingdom, and performed such Exploits, as may justly denominate his History the Moral of a Romance) only ended in his destruction, while he became a sacrifice to his Enemies implacable malice, and a glorious Martyr for Loyalty, but with an irreparable detriment to his Master's cause. In Ireland the most Noble Duke (than Marquis) of Ormond was so successful in his Undertake, that he had reduced the whole Kingdom to the obedience of the King, except Dublin, and London-Derry, to the first of which having laid a close Siege, and beleaguered it with a Royal Camp, he was disarryed by a fatal Sally from the Town, his Army totally routed, and himself obliged to a hasty and hazardous escape; which disaster was followed by the Rendition of Drogheda, and many other considerable Towns, and after a faint Resistance the whole Kingdom was subjected to the Triumphant Conqueror, and the Interest of the King wholly exterminated. England was so manacled with the Chains of an armed Power, that they could not budge; the Royal Party, than called the Cavaliers, were debarred the liberty of meeting at home, or stirring abroad, their persons were disarmed, their Houses ransacked, and their Estates brought into the unmerciful Inquisition at Goldsmith's Hall; in some corners of the Land small Parties started up now and then to exert their Loyalty, and manifest their Allegiance, and the King was received into the Island of Jersey, but by a Fleet sent thither by the Usurping power, soon compelled to forsake it; so that these weak struggle like the last efforts of Nature, tended only to diminish the number of the King's Friends, and to heighten his Infelicity. In the year 1650, the King was invited into Scotland, landed there safely, received with all the demonstrations of joy and satisfaction, and solemnly proclaimed King. But to disturb his Tranquillity, and interrupt the calm fruition of his new acquired Sovereignty, Cromwell (that victorious Rebel, who in the space of one year had reduced almost all the Garrisons in Ireland, and Caesar-like made a complete conquest of that Kingdom only by walking through it) is dispatched into Scotland, who in July entered that Country with an Army of sixteen thousand men effective; the Scots were not idle on their side, but formed an Army consisting of six thousand Horse and Dragoons, and fifteen thousand Foot, a party of whom attempting to beat up the Enemy's Quarters about Musleburgh, surprised the Out guards, and routed the first Regiment that opposed them, but were so warmly received by the rest, that the Commander being wounded, the whole party was disordered, and pursued to the Army, and the whole Camp in danger of a surprisal, had not the King himself unexpectedly appeared in person, and stemmed the Torrent. But in September following happened a fatal decision of the dispute at Dunbar, where the Scots Army reinforced to above twenty thousand men, and presuming on a certain Victory (having enclosed their Enemies beyond a probability of an escape) encountered the English Army, then decreased to the number of twelve thousand, and with much courage and gallantry charged them; but the hand of God was in it, their whole Army was routed, four thousand slain, and nine thousand taken Prisoners, with the loss of three hundred on the Invaders side: After which the King's Interest in Scotland declined daily, the Enemy getting advantage by the Dissension between the Court and the Kirk-party, and Cromwell by springing of Mines (but more by corrupting the Governor with money) had Edinburgh-Castle surrendered to him, the taking of which was followed with the loss of many more Garrisons. Nevertheless the Scots were neither daunted in their Courage, nor deficient in their Allegiance, but proceeded to the Coronation of the King, and he to the calling of a Parliament, and having got together a good Body of an Army, it was thought best that the King should give Cromwell the slip, and make a sudden descent into England, leaving him to take his swing and range through Scotland; to make this Enterprise the more hopeful, the Earl of Derby and many other Loyal persons began to peep out of their Recesses, and to use all Expedition to join; but a malignant Constellation still influenced K. Charles his Affairs, some of his Abettors were intercepted, some routed, and the Earl of Derby, discomfited, and many Persons of Quality and resolution taken Prisoners. At last came on the dismal Engagement at Worster, that critical Arbiter of the King's cause, from whence we may date the depression of the Monarchy, the exaltation of Anarchy, and Confusion of Governments. I take no Pleasure in descanting too long on so unpleasant a Theme; in a word the King was defeted, his whole Army given up to death, or captivity, except a very few, with whom he made his Escape, and after some weeks spent in lurking, disguising, shifting, and uneasy travelling, he arrived safe in France. The King was now actually devested of his three Kingdoms, his Enemies victorious, in Possession of his Right, and usurping the Regal Authority, under the Disguise of other Appellations: & how soever the grand Apostates from Loyalty daily crumbled into Factions, and Divisions, and the Supreme Authority frequently changed its Dress, and put on a new Face; yet all concurred in the detestation of King-Ship, and an abjuring the Family of Stuart. To recount the transactions of the Junto at London, or the Exploits of their Legions, through all the Dominions subjected to the Common wealth of England, might prove a tolerable Entertainment for the Reader, but I have no Inclination to admire their Policy, or cry up the Fame of the Protector: My Business is to observe the disastrous Fate of an Exiled King, and (there being yet no exact Memoirs transmitted to us of his Foreign Adventures) to Sum up his Misfortune in a nine years' Banishment, by noting how miserably he was abandoned', thirst and kept out from the Possession of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and all the Dominions and Territories belonging to them, a Pensioner to Strangers, and all Designs of his Friends at home, or his Allies abroad frustrated, and baffled.  
But when the Almighty Governor of the World had so long scourged the Royal Family, as to his wisdom seemed sufficient, and all the Practices of human Strength and Invention were rendered ineffectual; in a sudden and unexpected manner; without Means, without Contrivance, without the Success of a Battle, or the operation of any Stratagem; the Repulican Babel was over turned, the King restored, and peaceably seated in the Throne of his Ancestors.  
From his Restoration he Reigned more than twenty four years, and I wish I could say happily. But not being blest with a legitimate Issue, he was continually teased with the Encroachments of an impatient Heir: Having misapplied his Revenues (which were vastly increased beyond all that was given to his predecessors he was by his Necessities induced frequently to call Parliaments, and by his evil Councils as often prompted to dissolve them: his gentle Disposition inclined him to an universal Indulgence; but the malevolent Insinuations of self-interested men misled him to a Connivance at extraordinary Severities: The Papists hated him for avowing so much Favour to the Church of England; and Dissenters blamed him for a suspected Propension to the Church of Rome: His constitution was happy; but by his irregular courses he raised Batteries against his own Health, and he might have lived longer, if he had not lived so fast. The Endowments of his mind were admirable; but his immersion in Pleasures overshadowed his Reputation: The prolonging of his Life had given an Adjournment to the Mischiefs that quickly assaulted both Church, and State; but one Sort of Men thought he lived too long: whether any hand, but his own, contributed to the accelarating of his Death, I have no warrant to make any Asseveration; Let the future Writers of History adjust that matter to the clear information of Posterity. All I have to say, is the News of his Death was published, before there was any Report of his Sickness: He died of an Apoplexy the Sixth of February 1684, and the whole Body (whereof he was the Head) was presently seized with convulsive Motions.   

THE REIGN OF JAMES the Second.  
THE Reign of James the Second was so lately begun, and (by the mercy of God) so soon determined, that every man's Remembrance of it may justly supersede the Trouble of a Repetition. There needs no Art, nor Arguments to convince the World, that he was more unfortunate than all his Predecessors; and every impartial Observer will allow, that he was the principal Engineer, that sapped the Foundations of his own Happiness.  
If he had arrived at the Throne by an indirect Road: If he had gained it by Conquest, and owed his Title to the Umpirage of the Sword: If he had come in by Intrusion, Invasion, or Usurpation; by Craft, or Violence; by Force of Arms, or the prevalency of Pensions: If he had justled out the true Heir, or supplanted the lawful Pretender, or outstripped his Competitor by the aid of the people, or overtopped his Opposers by the Assistance of Foreigners: It had been no wonder, that the Crown had tottered on his Head, that his Seat had been uneasy, and his Government Short lived. But when his Title was not disputed; when he was saluted King by an Universal Acclamation; welcomed by the Addresses and congratulations of all his Subjects; his Revenues settled and augmented; his Enemies subdued, and his Throne established by a Loyal Parliament, and a submissive people; his Ruin must necessarily be imputed to himself; and all his misfortunes undeniably accounted the Result of his own miscarriage. So that while the Histories of all Ages and Nations do abound with Examples of the Strange, Cruel, False, and unnatural Methods used by ambitious men to gain principalities, King James must remain single upon Record; as the only Person that wilfully and industriously dethroned himself. We read of aspiring men, who have dissembled, changed, and complied with the fashionable Religion of the Country, to insure their possession: But it is without precedent, that a Prince quietly settled in his Throne; courted by his Neighbours, Obeyed by his Subjects without reserve, or distrust; not grudged, nor affronted in the private Exercises of his own persuasion; should be so intoxicated by the Fumes of Zeal, to attempt the subversion of the general Religion current thro' Three Kingdoms, established by Parliament, and incorporated so into the Laws, that the Religion of the Nation is the Law of the Nation; and to obtrude upon his Subjects a way of Worship as dissonant from their Humour, as repugnant to their Conscience; a way exploded by the former Age, and detested by this; and so forseit his Right to the Imperial Crown of Three opulent Kingdoms upon a fallacious assurance of a Reprisal in Heaven; is such a stupendious Act of supererogation, as may serve to supply half the Roman Catholic Church with a superfluity of Merit.  
On the Sixth day of February 1684 Charles the Second put off mortality, and by his Death revived the Languishing Hopes of the Popish Expectants. He departed about Noon, and in that very Afternoon James the Second was proclaimed in London and Westminster, by Order of the Council: To convince the World, that howsoever the Parliament laboured to Exclude him from Succession by political Ordinances, and by a Course of Law; yet, that Design not being accomplished, they would not so much as hesitate, or demur upon the right of his Inheritance. He on the other side saluted them graciously, promised to imitate his Brother in his Tenderness to the people, Celebrated the Loyal principles of the Church of England, and past his Royal Word to take care to defend, and support it. The Collection of the Customs, and the Duties of Tonnage and Poundage (which were annexed to the Crown during the King's Life) were continued de bene esse, till the Meeting of a Parliament: All Men were Quiet, and Contented, and he was Congratulated with Addresses from all parts of England, testifying a ready Obedience to his Commands, and devoting their Lives and Fortunes to the defence of his person, and the maintenance of his prerogative: His Accession to the Crown was Solemnised with great Acclamations of Joy through the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland: Ambasladours from Foreign Princes, and States arrived daily, presenting their Compliments of Condolence for the deceased King; and their satisfaction in his Assumption of the Regal power: On the Twenty third of April, the King and Queen were both Crowned, and at his Coronation he took the accustomed Oaths to maintain the Laws, and the established Religion: No King ever Ascended the Throne with less Opposition, Disputes, or preluminary Cautions; none was ever attended with more apparent circumstances of Felicity; or had a fairer prospect of becoming Glorious at home, and formidable abroad. The Parliament of Scotland having prevented him in his wishes, and out done all their Predecessors in a redundancy of Zeal and Loyalty: A Parliament met also at Westminster, to whom the King reiterated his assurance of supporting the Church of England; preserving the Government in Church and State, as by Law established, and a resolution never to invade any Man's property.  
In this very Juncture, when the King had so endeared himself to the Parliament by such Gracious Expressions, and they reciprocally Courted him with all dutiful respect, the unfortunate Earl of Argyle (whose persecution was unparelleled, Attainted for Treason, before the Law that made it so was promulgated; and condemned only for scrupling to take the Test, which in a short time after, it was a Capital Offence to subscribe) Landed in the Highlands of Scotland, and set forth a Declaration to justify his undertaking, and to renounce all Allegiance to the present King; who immediately communicated the Intelligence he had received to the Parliament, and both Houses without delay expressed their Resentment in Raputres of Love and Zeal, with protestations to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes against all Opposers, and particularly the Earl of Argyle; and to demonstrate, that it was no Compliment, they presented him with a Bill, for settling the Revenues on him for Life, and resolved on an extraordinary supply for these incident Occasions. While these matters were transacting. News came to the King that the Duke of Monmouth was Landed in the West of England (an unseasonable Landing for that unhappy Gentleman! when the Parliament was Charmed with the good Words, and amused by the great and gracious promises of the King) with a small party, but every day increasing; who presently were proclaimed Traitors, and the King imparting the News to both Houses, they forthwith in a transport of Loyalty reassure him that they will stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes against the Duke of Monmouth, and all other his Enemies, and with an unusual Expedition they passed two Acts to augment his Revenue, by a New Imposition on Wine, Vinegar, Tobacco, and Sugar; and to secure his person, an Act of Attainder of the Duke of Monmouth. It was morally impossible for such inconsiderable parties to effect their purposes: the Parliaments in both Kingdoms were unanimous, almost all people relied on the King's word, not doubting but he would continue a Defender of the Faith, though he was not a Professor. And so the event proved, for within a few days or weeks at most, the whole Enterprise came to nothing, the forces in each Kingdom were routed and dispersed, the Duke and Earl both taken prisoners, and both executed on the Scaffold.  
Violent Hurricanes tear Trees out of the Ground; but the shaking of small winds make the Tree take deeper Root; the quenching of an intestine Rebellion always sets the Prince some steps higher, and depresseth the subject as much. The Parliament had now sat long enough to do the King's Business, and the King had Business to do not fit to be entrusted to the Parliament; whereupon it was adjourned to the fourth of August, and from thence to the ninth of November. At which time being reassembled, the King made the first discovery of his claim to a dispensing Power, telling them plainly, that he will not want the Services of such men whom he accounted faithful, but would employ them in the Army, though they were not qualified according to the late Tests: The Parliament modestly and civilly expostulated this unexpected resolution in an humble Address, and proposed an Expedient to moderate the Extremity of the Law, purely to gratify the Desires of their Prince; but this did not sound well in the Ears of the Court, some other measures must be taken, and so the Parliament was Prorogued to the tenth of February, and here we may bid them adieu, having after several Prorogations been dissolved, as a company of inflexible stubborn Protestants, who would not tamely comply with the King's Arbitrary pleasure. Several Noblemen, and other persons were now indicted and tried for their Lives, some escaped by the merit of their ingenuous Defence, some were respited from Execution, and some suffered Death. The Earl of Clarendon was sent Lord Lieutenant into Ireland, that the Protestants might be cajoled into a lavish credulity, till matters were ripe for their Destruction. An Army of twenty thousand men was raised, and encamped at Hounslow-Heath, because the Militia was not found to be useful; and the late Invasions of Monmouth and Argyle were a sufficient warning to the King not to be taken again unprovided. But the erecting of a Popish Chapel in the midst of the Camp, and the open and daily celebration of the Mass there, (together with the setting up Convents of Friars, and Schools, and Seminaries of Jesuits in several places in London, the unclean Beasts crossing the Streets, and entering their Arkby couples) began to startle the people; and the Dispatch of the Earl of Castlemain to Rome as an Ambassador to the Pope, and the entertaining a Nuncio from him, gave a mighty Umbrage of offence to all considering men. That strict Injunction by Law for every man that exercised any Office, to take the Oaths and Test, was a great Barricado against the Preferment of Catholic Candidates; the Judges must be consulted (or rather directed) how to apply some Remedy, and they to their eternal shame, made false Glosses on the Text, betrayed the Law, the impregnable Fortress of English Property, and skrew'd up the Rules of a circumscribed Monarchy to an Absolute and Despotic Government, to command without control; and to he obeyed without reserve. But the putting a muzzle upon the old Laws to keep them from biting, was not enough to carry on the work, without introducing some Innovations; wherefore a Commission was given to certain persons to order all Ecclesiastical Affairs, with an Authority and extent almost unlimited, and a Non-obstante to all Rights and Privileges. The first Essay made by this exorbitant Court, was on the Bishop of London (a person noble by Birth, and high in Office, reverenced, and beloved by all men for his Candour, Moderation, and many eminent Virtues) whom for a frivolous matter, without colour of Law or Reason, they suspended from his Episcopal Function.  
It was now high time to recall the Earl of Clarendon from the Government of Ireland, that the Sword might be put into the Hands of the Earl of Tyrconnel. To enumerate the mischiefs that have accrued to the Protestants by his Administration, would require a Treatise by itself; let it suffice to say, that in that miserable Kingdom Popery was predominant, and bare faced Mass-houses set up in every Town and Village, the Corporations changed, their Charters condemned, all Offices Civil and Military conferred on Papists, the Act of Settlement (which the King had so seriously promised to keep inviolated) infringed, and eluded, and Gentlemen dispossessed of their Estates by erroneous Judgements, the Protestants disarmed and dismounted, such as were able to remove forced to fly; and such as stayed behind subjected to all the Insolences and Barbarities of Slaves vested with Authority.  
To Scotland strict and severe Orders were sent to restrain all Field-Conventicles, and in England the Dissenters were indicted, fined, and imprisoned. And yet within a short time after, a general Indulgence was published to all Persuasions, with a counterfeit saving to the Rights of the Church of England; the King being made to believe, that since he was secure from any Opposition from the Church of England (they lying quietly entrenched under the Blinds of Nonresistance, and Passive Obedience) if he could but cast a mist before the eyes of the Dissenters, and muffle their hands, and charm them into a supine security; the desired Reformation might proceed gradually without Interruption, and after a while the Doors might be opened, and Popery let in with a full Breast. But they were grossly mistaken in their Politics: The illegal proceedings against the Bishop of London, seconded by the Arbitrary and most unjust persecution of the Vicechancellor of Cambridge, and the ejection of the Precedent and Fellows of Magdalen College in Oxford, and the intrusion of professed Papists in their rooms, opened the eyes of all sorts, and quickly taught the Dissenters what they were to expect (whose Toleration was Temporary and precarious) when such open Invasions were made on that Church that was firmly established by Law.  
But unless the Jesuits and Popish Counsellors had been self murderers, and conspired to overthrow their own Designs, by their imprudent and precipitate actings, they had never abused the poor King by such pernicious advice, to attack the Church of England in the persons of the Bishops, who were the Reverend Fathers of it; to lay such a snare before wise and religious men, as must endanger their safety, or prejudice their Conscience; and because they presented an humble Apology by way of Petition (a privilege allowed to all men by the Laws of God and Nature) imploring to be excused from being made Instruments to countenance and publish the monstrous Assertion of an absolute and dispensing Power; they were committed to the Tower, Indicted of Misdemeanour, compelled to plead, tried by a Jury, and fairly acquitted upon their Trial, to the shame and confusion of their Prosecutors; and to the unexpressible joy and satisfaction of the whole Nation.  
The King hoping to establish that by a Law which he could not bring to pass by his will and power, proposed the calling of a Parliament; whom that he might form to the Standard set out by the Popish Cabal, he condescended to such mean shifts, and such indirect practices, by forestall men's Judgements, and preingaging them against the Liberty, and indifferency of their Votes, and turning Men out of their Employments, who would not abjure the natural Freedom of their Reason, that in mere Decency and Respect, I forbear to enlarge upon it.  
Neither will I any more than make mention of the Intrigue about the Birth of the Prince of Wales: Great pains have been taken to offer convincing proofs to the World of the Legitimacy of that Child; whereas there is nothing so hard to be proved, as a Business of that Nature: And the suspicion of an Imposture has made such an Impression on common belief, that an Act of Parliament in Favour of the Birth would hardly reconcile the people to a Submission.  
The bloody Executions in the West of England, upon the unhappy Abettors of the Duke of Monmouth, exasperated Multitudes of People into Discontent, and Mutiny: but when it was reported, that the King had given the Lives of so many wretched men by whole sale to his Servitors to be retailed by them for Lucre and Profit; the whole Nation was affected with that unexampled Barbarity, and became seasoned with a secret Aversion to his Government.  
The furious Drivers of the Jesuitical Plots began too late to be sensible of their mistaken Policy: they had stretached the Prerogative so high that is began to crack; they had by their damnable Counsel hurried the unfortunate King to the Brink of Ruin: The Sky began to thicken with Clouds, and Thunder was heard a far off. Wherefore they began with all haste to tack about to unravel that work which with so many hands and such indefatigable industry they had been knitting. Suddenly and unexpectedly a Proclamation issued to summon a Parliament with Exclusion of the Roman Catholics; soon after the Charter of London, and all other Corporations was restored: The Suspension of the Bishop of London taken off: The Vicechancellor and others of Cambridg, and the Precedent and Fellows of Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford reinstated in their Places; The monstrous Commission for Ecclesiastical Affairs dissolved; a Proclamation set out carrying the Face of a general pardon; but Squinting at and Indemnity to Papists. All men were filled with wonder at such a huddled and surprising Alteration; that the great Ministers of State should so poorly truckle to the Satisfaction of the People; that the King should send for the Bishops and court them, from whom a little before he would not endure the Address of an humble Petition. But the Riddle was soon unfolded, and the wonder was turned into an Exultation of Joy at the miraculous Revolution of Affairs.  
The Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Prime Gentry of England, sadly resenting the Invasion on their Religion, Liberties, and Properties observing the arbitary and despotical proceedings in Scotland, beholding Ireland wholly given up to Popery, and Slavery, and their own Ancient Laws and established Religion subverted by him, who had so often and so solemnly promised the maintenance and Protection of them; they began to consult of some proper and effectual means to divert the impending mischiefs, and to assure the restitution of their ravished Freedom. To this end they made application to the most illustrious Prince of Orange, the Champion and Protector of the Protestant Religion, imploring his Aid to rescue them from Oppression and Slavery, and to save their Liberties now expiring and at the last Gap. He with a Bravery and Generosity, not to be matched in any History descended to their Relief, and (postponing all his own Interests and Advantages) with the hazard of his person, and the consumption of a vast Treasure, landed in England, not with a mighty Army, lest it should look like an Invasion; neither with too small a Party lest he should seem pushed on by a Necessity, or engaged in a desperate undertaking. The King had a great Army on Foot, which was quickly increased by a considerable Addition. And with appearance of great Resolution, and confidence of Success, he marched from London: But he soon found by a fatal Experience, that the Hands of his Subjects were directed by their hearts, in which having forfeited his possession, he was to expect no Service or Assistance from them. On the contrary the Lords and Gentlemen, from all parts of the Kingdom flocked in with their Arms and Horses to join their Deliverer, and many Trops and Regiments of the King's Army deserted him, not enduring to be mingled among Papists, or be obliged to fight against Protestants. The King in this Perplexity was wholly irresolute what course to take; at last he posted to London, where missing his Popish Favourites (whom Fear of Punishment, and the Terror of an evil Conscience had utterly dissipated) he did not think it fit to trust his best and truest Subjects, but secretly withdrew himself in a Disguise, and being by a strange Accident discovered, he was reconducted to London; from whence, at his own desire, he was attended to Rochester: but not being able to live without the Ministration of Priests, and Jesuits, he slipped away to the Sea side, and sailed for France, voluntarily, and without constraint abdicating the Government, leaving the Throne vacant, and the Body of his People, without a head.  
Here ended the Reign of James the Second, too violent to last long. A Prince who (when he was a Subject) had the Reputation of being a valiant Leader, afirm Friend, and an immovable Observer of his word and Promise: But the Assumption of a Crown, the Flatteries of a bigoted Queen, the desperate Counsels of a Popish and Atheistical Cabal, with a blind Persuasion of meriting Heaven, by the Adventure of all he had upon Earth, hath exposed him to Censure, and represented him under a contrary Character.  
Perhaps he is absolved from the guilt of his personal vices by his Confessor, and he shall be acquitted of the Remembrance of them by me, I have so great a Reverence for those of his nearest Blood, that I shall not by the Blots of my Pen imprint a Stain on his Memory, or diffuse the Tincture on his Posterity.   

The Conclusion.  
Thus you have a brief Epitome of the unfortunate Reigns of Six of the English Monarches. Of Which the First Broke his Neck; The next Broke his Heart; And every one of them Broke his Vows to God, and his Promises to his Subjects. The First of them came to an untimely End; The second died with Trouble of Mind; The two next were deposed from Government, and violently put to Death. The next died suddenly, to say no more of it; and the last dethroned himself, lives miserably, and in all human probability will not die happily. One of them was struck to the heart by an Arrow; another by Grief; two perished by the Hands of cruel men; The next died of an Apoplexy; I guess the Fate of the last, but I will not take upon me to prophesy.  
I wish, all those who desire to be called Protestants, would understand their own happiness (and joyfully and thankfully acknowledge it) to live under a Protestant King, and a Protestant Queen (a Blessing rare in these Kingdoms, and not known for many years passed) God grant them a long and prosperous Reign, attended with all the Instances of Glory and Felicity; that under their auspicious Influence true Religion may flourish, and detestable Popery may for ever be banished out of their Dominions.   
FINIS   

Books lately Printed for Ric. Chiswell.  
THe Case of Allegiance in our present circumstances considered, in a Letter from a Minister in the City, to a Minister in the Country.  
A Breviate of the State of Scotland in its Government, Supreme Courts, Officers of State, Inferior Officers. Offices and Inferior Courts Districts, Jurisdictions, Burroughs Royal, and Free Corporations. Fol.  
Some Considerations touching Succession and Allegiance.  
A Discourse concerning the Worship of Images; preached before the University of Oxford: By George Tully Subdean of York, for which he was Suspended.  
Reflections upon the late Great Revolution: Written by a Lay-Hand in the Country, for the satisfaction of some Neighbours.  
The History of the Dissertion; or an Account of all the public Affairs in England, from the beginning of September 1688. to the Twelfth of February following. With an Answer to a Piece called, The Dissertion discussed, in a Letter to a Country Gentleman: By a Person of Quality.  
K. William and K. Lewis, wherein is set forth the inevitable necessity these Nations lie under of submitting wholly to one or other of these Kings; And that the matter in Controversy is not now between K. William and K. James, but between K. William and K. Lewis of France, for the Government of these Nations.  
An Examination of the Scruples of those who refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance, by a Divine of the Church of England.  
A Dialogue betwixt two Friends, a Jacobite and a Williamite; occasioned by the late Revolution of Affairs, and the Oath of Allegiance.  
An Account of the Reasons which induced Charles the Second, King of England, to declare War against the States-General of the United Provinces in 1672. And of the Private League which he entered into at the same Time with the French King to carry it on, and to establish Popery in England, Scotland, and Ireland, as they are set down in the History of the Dutch War; printed in French at Paris, with the privilege of the French King, 1682. Which Book he caused to be immediately suppressed at the Instance of the English Ambassador. Fol.  
An Account of the Private League betwixt the late King James the Second, and the French King. Fol.  
The Case of the Oaths Stated. 4to.  
The Answer of a Protestant Gentleman in Ireland to a late Popish Letter of N. N upon a Discourse between them, concerning the present posture of that Country, and the part fit for those concerned there to Act in it. 4to  
An Apology for the Protestants of Ireland, in a brief Narative of the late Revolutions in that Kingdom; and an Account of the present State thereof: By a Gentlemen of Quality ●to.  
A Letter from a French Lawyer to an English Gentleman, upon the present Revolution. 4to  
Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Historia Literaria a Christo nato usque ad Saeculum XIV. Facili ethodo digesta. Qua de Vita illorum ac Rebus gestis, de Secta, Dogmatibus, Elogio, Stylo; de Scriptis genuinis, dubiis, supposititiis, ineditis, deperditis, Fragmentis; deque variis Operum Editionibus perspicue agitur. Accedunt Scriptores Gentiles, Christianae Religionis Oppugnatores & cujusvis Saeculi Breviarium. I 〈…〉 untur suis locis Veterum aliquot Opuscula & ●ragmenta, tum Graeca, tum Latina hactenus inedita. Praemissa denique Prolegomena, quibus 〈…〉 ma ad Antiquitatis Ecclesiasticae studium spe 〈…〉 jam traduntur. Opus Indicibus necessariis ●uctum. Autore GVILIELMO CAVE, SS. Theol. Profess. Canonico Windesoriensi. Accedit ab Alia Manu Appendix ab ineunte Saeculo XIV. ad Annum usque MDXVII. Fol. 1689.