Titus Britannicus: AN ESSAY OF HISTORY ROYAL: IN THE Life & Reign OF HIS Late SACRED MAJESTY, CHARLES II. Of Ever Blessed and Immortal Memory.  
By AURELIAN COOK, Gent.  
— Ut ameris, Amabilis esto.  Ovid. 
Majora Veris Monstra vix capiunt Fidem.  Senec. 
LONDON: Printed for James Partridge, Stationer to His Royal Highness, George Hereditary Prince of Denmark, at the Post-Office by Charing-Cross. 1685.   

To the most NOBLE, HONOURABLE, REVEREND: WILLIAM Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, FRANCIS Lord Guilford, C. S. LAURENCE Earl of Rochester, P. GEORGE Marquis of Halifax, C. P. S. JAMES Duke of Ormond, S. R. D. CHRISTOPHER Duke of Albemarle, HENRY Duke of Newcastle, HENRY Duke of Beaufort, CHARLES Marquess of Winchester, ROBERT Earl of Lindsey, S. A. C. HENRY Earl of Arlington, C. R. D. AUBERY Earl of Oxford, THEOPHILUS Earl of Huntingdon, JOHN Earl of Bridgwater, HENRY Earl of Peterborough, PHILIP Earl of Chesterfield, Robert Earl of Sunderland, HENRY Earl of Clarendon, JOHN Earl of Bath, WILLIAM Earl of Craven, ROBERT Earl of Ailesbury, JOHN Earl of Radnor, DANIEL Earl of Nottingham, HENRY Earl of Middleton, THOMAS Viscount Falconberg, HENRY Lord Bishop of London, GEORGE Lord Dartmouth, SIDNEY Lord Godolphin, Sir JOHN ERNLY, Sir THOMAS CHICHELEY, Sir GEORGE JEFFERIES, and Sir LEOLINE JENKINS: The Lords of His late Majesty's Privy-Council.  
My LORDS,  
IT was a Custom much used by the Ancient Writers among the Greeks and Romans, to Dedicate their Books to their most particular Friends, and sometimes to Entitle and call them by their Friends Names. In our Age, wherein we either do, or should imitate Antiquity in all commendable things, This laudable Custom is either wholly laid aside, or practised by so few, that they almost escape Observance. If indeed this Method of Dedicating Books was changed into a better, I should have no reason to complain, but rather to applaud the happy Genius of our Times, for outshining the brightest days of Antiquity: But most assuredly, we can find no causes for such Triumphs. The Dedications now made in England and France (which two Countries in this Age, we may Parallel with the forementioned Greece and Italy, upon the Score of Excellence in Wit, with respect to the rest of Europe) Our Dedications, I say, are so full of nauseous and fulsome Flatteries, and Most of 'em so generally made up of about a dozen long Words, variously turned and dispersed; that for my part, I wonder how any Man can proceed any further in a Book of such small hopes, but must needs lay it down, and choose rather to go to Bounding-Stones with Augustus. Nay, this crying Sin of the Nation is come to that pass, that even our Poets, who were made and framed on purpose in such a Make, as only to lash Vice with the severest satire, are yet most abominably guilty of this crime. When an excellent Comedy has appeared on the Stage for some time, and perhaps done the Work of an Hundred Homilies, in visiting and reclaiming Mankind from their evil▪ ways; it comes forth in Print, and all is spoiled again by a wicked Dedication in the beginning, which propagat●● Atheism; so that no man can believe the Poet is honest, and speaks his mind in the Play, while he talks so lewdly and contradictorily in the Dedication: It was not so in Ben. Johnson's days.  
What I have said of Epistles Dedicatory in general, may partly seem to hook myself into the crowd of these numerous Transgressor's, while I inscribe this Book to your Great Names. But several Things I have to allege for myself. First, though this Piece be not presented to any private Friend of its Author in Emulation of the Ancients; yet as far as possibly, I have followed their Sacred Rules and Canons, in a Work of this public Nature. For it is the Life of one of the Greatest and Wisest Princes that ●ver Swayed the English, or any other Sceptre: And to whom could I better devote His Life, than to His Greatest and Wisest Friends, (for such He always called His best Servants?) Ye are concerned, MY LORDS, in every Page of this Book, and can witness what is here related, to be true. No part of His Life, but wherein some of you have had a share; In His Education, His Exile, His Sufferings, His Victories, His Triumphs. And while I writ his Life, in some measure I writ Yours. For such is the fate of Celsitude and honour, that Great Men (in some sense) do frequently Die before Sixty three: And to be sure, when a Prince falls, he does not fall alone; but several Others have their Lives interchangeably writ with his.  
Besides, MY LORDS, being unable to find any Object nearer to him, than Yourselves, except his Majesty, (whom God long preserve) and the Family Royal; I lay under an indispensable necessity of imploring your Lordship's Patronage: For such is my Veneration to the Blood of my Prince, that by no means can I be persuaded to think the ensuing Papers fit for his most Sacred and Princely Eye, or worthy a Royal Protection; and I am resolved to be as Innocent as I can, and not offend One Prince, after having committed Treason against the Fame of another. However, MY LORDS, though this be not a Piece fit for a King's Cabinet; yet I hope this Image of our late Sovereign's Life will not be refused by Your Lordships, since we love the Pictures of those Persons we admire, let 'em be never so unfinished, let them be drawn by what hand soever.  
The other Thing which I proposed to myself in this Address, was the avoiding Flattery; though it may seem a very unnecessary Caution; since he that looks up to such a Thick-set Conglobation, and (as it were) Galaxy of heavenly Virtues, must easily infer, that they are too high for Flattery, and too bright to have any lustre added to them. With all the Tragical forces of Eloquence I might here expatiate on the Topics of Grand Descent, of Titles and honours, of Policy and Government, of Arms and Learning, of the Tent and the Closet: But it is not my design to manage these common Subjects. And I beg leave of your Lordships to say, That in the front of a Book consecrated to the fame of CHARLES the TWO d, I think I should do an Injury to him, if I endeavoured professedly to write any other Panegyric but his; though at the same time I must needs include Your Lordship's Praises. And herein I have determined to take a View of the King himself, and not of his Deeds, (that Province I leave to his history) and to set his personal Virtues, and not additional Actions before your Eyes; for a bad man may do a praiseworthy thing, but a good man himself can only be praised. Many Kings themselves do either hear or read their own Commendations, and take care to see their own Glory settled before they die: But such kind of Annals usually is as mortal as their Subject, and as soon turns to Ashes. No, His late Majesty's Praise shall not be Mercenary; The World after his Death shall believe the King was the least Thing in him. And Posterity shall know the happiness of England and this Age, when it shall see, we are not silent of a good Prince after his Decease; for it is a sign, that there is as good a One, or a better on the Throne.  
And this Task I the more willingly undertake, MY LORDS, First, because it is impossible for any man to want, or matter, or words, while he writes of him; and 'tis a Subject, that even Dulness itself would Treat of wittily; And secondly, because not only all Europe, but the whole World, and Posterity itself, will join with me in his Praises. For the Outmost Rounds of the Earth were acquainted with him; and he established our Commerce so universally, that whatever Product was generated in any Country, seemed to be the Native of Ours; and in every Season of the Year, we had a perpetual Autumn, Fruits arriving from every part of this Globe. And as his Name will be laid up in the Libraries of Asia, and men must hear his Praises by Interpreters; so likewise, our Posterity, no doubt, will help us in praising him, who are at present too much overladen with one burden, that of Grief for His inexpressible loss, to undertake such another as that of celebrating him.  
I shall not seek to fetch Encomiums from comparing him with his Ancestors, and so try by lessening them, to amplify his Greatness: That is a trick, I do not pretend to; let his fame stand at the expense of no man's else. For as all the Talents and Virtues of his Forefathers, he in such wise united in himself, as that not one of them was wanting while he lived; and as it is common for a Prince to be better than his Predecessors, but to be better than all his Predecessors belonged to him alone; so he that detracts from them, detracts from him. And (for one instance) who dare sacrilegiously invade the Majesty of CHARLES the 1st (in hopes to diminish it) who neither said, nor did, nor wrote, nor begot any thing but what was Great?  
So Divine a Prince, none was thought worthy by Heaven itself, immediately to Succeed but he: And therefore, after that Nature had made several Trials in Henry the Great's Daughter, for five Years space, towards the Production of something perfect and absolute, she at length made this acceptable Present to the World. As soon as Born, Heaven took notice of him, and eyed him with a Star, appearing in defiance of the Sun at Noonday, either to note, That his Life should be continued with Miracles, as it began with one; or that his Glory should shine like a Star; or else to prove, That if it be questioned, whether Sovereigns be given us by chance, or by the hand of the Almighty, it is here manifest, that this Prince came from Heaven, and that there is a World of difference put betwixt Kings supernaturally made by God, and those electively made by Man.  
In his Education afterwards, he excelled in all those corporal Exercises, and that growth of Body, for which Antiquity appointed the Sons of the Gods, and Husbands of the Goddesses to be so Remarkable. And as the shape of his Body, so the form of his mind was truly and universally Imperial: It had the command of whatever Notion or Thing was presented to it, whether Divine or Humane, without any foreign Explication; and as it were by Intuition, he saw the Ideas of all things in his own breast.  
In his first Years, he promised that Virtue which his Fathers and his own Miseries gave him an early and a large Field to show to the World, and which he kept entire and unshaken to the last; his Mind being still more and more strengthened by difficulties. And (to speak a little freely, MY LORDS,) when Ye remember him amid all his distresses, and the most insupportable strokes of Fortune, unrepining, and not letting the least complaint escape from him, or the least fear seize upon him; You must either fancy something in him above Man, or that the gods themselves might learn of him one Virtue, that of constancy and firmness of mind; For Seneca shows us, that Hercules himself (the great and perfect Model of true Virtue and Valour) in his last Agonies did complain, even to Desperation.  
Adorned with such Virtues, who could not but love him? Even Sea-Rebels (as rough and boisterous as their own Element) grow tender-hearted, and set their Admiral on shore, delivering themselves up to him; and the Love of the Prince prevails more with them, than the Piety of their King.  
When in Exile, as with his Fame he had before filled other Nations, so now he blessed 'em with his presence. By barbarous Rebels he was forced to venture the Hospitality of Princes; yet the King of France was not afraid of abiding in the French Kings Dominions. But whatever jealousies he might conceive of his own safety; whatever bad news he received from England; how great soever were the Progresses made by Cromwell, he thought this his greatest Unhappiness, that he should have so many Calamitous Friends both at home and abroad.  
His Restoration I can compare to nothing better, than that easy, delicious, and jocund Temper of the Elements, of Heaven, the Air, and Sea, after a violent and outrageous Tempest, or rather after the great Deluge of the World; at which Time, he proved himself the Noah's Dove, that finding no Rest any where, was received again into his own Ark, and brought a peaceable Olive-Leaf in his Mouth. Which Revolution was the alone work of Providence and the General. For nothing but an Almighty Power hath Dominion over the minds of Men. He did not leap on Shore with his Sword in his Hand, by way of Compulsion; but he was saluted with the free and unanimous Voice of three great Nations. As he had no other real Enemies but his own Country, so in this he appeared more than Conqueror, that he vanquished the very minds of his enemies. Never was such a Triumph seen at Rome. Others have road on a Chariot with four white Horses, or more arrogantly have been carried on men's Shoulders; but he was brought in by the hearts of Men. That Name which others get by conquered Nat●ons, he got by repenting one's; and only by returning out of exile into his own Country (which was exiled, when he was so) he looked in the Poet's Language, 
Like Mars returning from the Noble Chase  
Of flying Nations through the Plains of Thrace.   
At one time never was so much Joy heaped together in England. It seemed as if all the Melancholy of the former years was purposely designed to introduce and heighten the so extravagant gladness of that great Day, that some were ready to wish for a Renovation of the Civil Wars, that they might have that day repeated to them over again. Every man thought that himself received the shouts he gave; and every subject fancied himself a Monarch. The sick imagine, they are restored to health, by seeing his Godlike Person: Some cry, they have lived long enough: Others, Now they ought, rather, to live longer. Traitors themselves drink the King's Health hearty: They admire him more, that he would not, than that ever he should be in a possibility to revenge himself; and that he should remember Injuries only to forgive them.  
Let him ascend, and there was a due Majesty restored to the Throne, Authority to the Laws, Reverence to inferior Magistrates, and the sacred Order of Bishops to Religion, like a Treasure found from a Shipwreck, after many Years rolling in a tempestuous Sea.  
Thus terminating all public differences and confusions by Peace, he adorned Peace itself with good Arts, which received both their Country with him, and their Protection under him, by his opening the Temple of Janus, and that of the Muses at the same time. For himself had as great a Knowledge in Letters as any Prince in Christendom; and he most acurately understood Navigation, Astronomy, and most parts of the Mathematics. An huge delight he took in conversing freely with the most knowing Men in those pleasant and useful Studies: And he endeavoured to promote them (as much as possible) in others, by public Endowments, and Liberal Rewards.  
Besides this severer sort of Notices, he had a great insight into all those softer Arts which become a private Gentleman. And in his Reign we may say, That Wit did first reign here, and appeared upon the Stage as on a Throne: It was scarcely more encouraged and environed with greater Pomp and Splendour at Rome, under the peaceable Reign of Augustus after that long Civil War, wherein the Sword would permit nothing else to be sharp, besides itself.  
Tho he had as much Good-Nature as would perhaps have served an Hundred other Men (a Word peculiar to our English Tongue, and a Thing peculiar to this Prince, as the Great Chancellor remarked), yet he was observed to take an extreme delight in that Part of Poesy, which is not very famous for Good Nature, I mean satire. Doubtless this sort of Writing, is the best and most beneficial of all others, which the Poets follow; for it not only tells Mankind of, but it chastises them for their Faults. And I wonder, that the Ancients, when they bestowed so many several kinds of Poetry to the Favour and Influence of so many Muses, they could not find in their hearts to allow one Goddess to satire. But whatever unkindness it finds in Heaven, I am sure in our Age it has found Protection upon earth, witness the great good Offices the French King hath done it in the Person of Boileau. For, that Prince is not like Alexander of a Spanish stamp and Complexion, so wholly transported with the Giddiness of Romantic Stories, as that he cannot dream of conquering the World without having Homer for his Bed-fellow; but what he reads is good sense, and honest Nature, without any vain and extravagant additions. And this he does in imitation of his Late Majesty (who was the oldest, and by consequence the most exemplary Prince in the Christian World), though under far worse Circumstances. For the latter was much better capacitated through his extensive Knowledge in Nature, and the Intricacies of Matter and Motion, as well as in all Polite Learning: and I think, I should do no man an Injury, if I say, he understood Butler the best in England.  
How Good and Gracious a Master he was, You MY LORDS, can best declare; Ye knew him the most searching Judge of Men, that held in his hands both rewards and punishments: In the last indeed, he was very sparing; and the offending Courtier was usually excused before hand, very seldom to be excused. The Punishment, he thought, was sufficient in the very Vexation of the Delinquent. Warily and by Degrees, his Rewards were distributed, that there might still be a further Prospect in view by way of Encouragement; For nothing conduces more to following Honours, than the former well administered: And never at one leap was any supreme place conferred, unless for some Transcendent, and (as I may call it) supernatural pi●ce of Loyalty. Our Noblesse he both preserved and augmented; lest the condition of such should be worse, as deserved to have a Noble Posterity, than of such as had Noble Ancestors. Not a Soldier was there, that had received Wounds in his Service, but he counted, and rewarded them in an ample manner: And through all succeeding Ages He will be a Benefactor as well as an example to Soldiers at Chelsea; where as long as we shall have a Country to Defend, or an Enemy to Combat, His Name will be evermore remembered, for what is bestowed upon Posterity, aught to be Immortal.  
You likewise, MY LORDS, can give the best Attestation to his Offices of Privacy, and his great Virtues of Humility and Condescension, which yet had a kind of Majestic Royalty with them. Ye remember him, when he was in Exile, and as a private man, how he resembled a King; and how whilst a restored Monarch, and in his most illustrious days, he seemed to be a private Citizen. That in his greatest Prosperity he had not the least Haughtiness nor Elation of Mind; but being secure of his own greatness, was not afraid of degrading himself into the likeness of a Subject. Ye know, how much time he bestowed on the cares of Empire, how much on the Duties of Devotion, Philosophy, and Virtue; how short his Sleeps, and the unbendings of his mind were: A smart walk, a mouthful of fresh Air, and a little ingenious raillery.  
Such a Prince must needs be no less loved than admired: The Affection and Reverence of his Subjects would stand him instead of terror. His own Virtue would serve him for a Guard, and his Sword rather for Ornament than Defence.  
But what Charms can withstand the Ingratitude and Malice of accursed and diabolick Rebels? Against his Sacred Life we had a Salamanca-Plot, wherein the Sufferers seemed to be more choqued at the Injustice of the Evidence, than at the severity of the Sentence: They seemed to bear all magnanimously, and with the bravery of Innocence. And with good reason might they do so, since they had for a Copartner in Dishonour (which to her was worse than Death) the most Pious, and Virtuous Princess that England ever deserved to see. We had, likewise, a most hellish Fanatic Conspiracy, the Discovery of which discovered ALL. Then Heaven began to look kindly down upon us, and withdraw its Plagues, especially that great Egyptian Darkness, wherewith we had been blinded: And the Frogs and Vermin which were got into the Royal Bedchambers, found it high time to recede. Then the Delatores began to fear as much as they were feared before: And the Laws were now more dreaded than perjured Schismatics. Then Sham-Magistrates put off their consulary Honours, and public Spoils; And the King of England became first LORD OF LONDON: Which City, while he restrained its Liberties, he rendered more free.  
But here, MY LORDS, we come to a full point; and here ye must take your leave of him. For when he had run through all the violences of a tumultuary Life, when he had escaped all these dangers of impious and unreasonable men, when he now had established His Throne in Safety, Peace and Righteousness, and (as we may properly say) just now began to enjoy himself, and you him, behold! He is taken away from you. Who can forbear complaining of the uncertain Estate and frail Condition of human kind, when neither the most inestimable riches and un-perishing Graces of the mind, nor the most enlarged Extremities of Glory and Greatness, spreading on the one hand towards the Warlike Thunder, or on the other towards the Peaceful Sceptre, nor even the hearty and united Prayers of a Virtuous People, could impart Efficacy enough to make one Person immortal, or should be able to hinder the disunion of one Soul from a Body? That he who had his youthful Years tried by the Austerity of a gloomy Fate, and had avoided so many Parliamentary tricks laid ●or His Life, and being the true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, did almost Suffer Martyrdom with his Father; Who in that Fatal day of Worcester differed only from the common Soldiers in courage and Eminence, rejoicing as oft as the Bullets grazed upon His Helmet or Buckler; Who in his Flight thence (like another Ae●eas enveloped in a Cloud by his Mother) passed through all the amazing Maeanders of Providence, while Posterity shall come ●o see, and show their Children the Cottage where he r●bb'd off his Martial Dust, and the sacred Tree wherein he lay hid; That he who at his Restoration ●as styled the English Titus, The ●elight of Mankind, and the on●● Restorative to a Nation so long oppressed by Civil War; who afterwards reached the utmost Degrees of Fame by staining the English Seas so often with his Victories, and increasing the Armoury in the Tower; That he, who was the Supreme Arbiter of Life and Death, and Europe's Moderator, [who when moved, the World was moved, and when quiet, it was still]; And who, if he had lived an hundred Years, the People would never have been tired with his Government, should die like one of us?  
But let this be our Consolation, that when ordinary men die, they die; but when a Good Prince expires, it is not his Death, but his immediate Apotheosis: he presently flies to the Kingdom of Heaven, and there reigneth for evermore (as also here by his example) exchanging a Temporal for an Eternal Crown of Glory. Lest therefore we should seem to repine at his happiness, let us no longer think two Eyes too few to pay the Tribute of our Tears, and bedew his Ashes withal; Let not every Subject weep, as if it were at his Father's Funeral, not only something of his own Accord, but more out of Instinct, and the command of Nature; Let not this one Spectacle be as hideous and doleful as that of Xerxes' numerous Army; Let not the Maps of the whole Earth in proportion to the dimensions of his Fame, be hung in Black; Let not that colour be the Livery of men's Souls as well as their Bodies any longer; And let not the very Graces and Joy itself weep any more; Neither let the expressions of our sorrow be as abundant as our sorrow itself: in regard he himself took the greatest care imaginable in his Life-time, that we should not lament his Death, and that he should not be miss; but has left us not only a Successor, but (in a manner) the Partner and Companion of his Throne, and (which is above all) his Dearest Friend; so that we have not lost, but only changed a Gracious Soyereign, in whom we find so many Godlike Perfections, that we shall never be tempted to adore the Former, now since his translation, and pay Religious Worship to him, instead of Allegiance.  
And now, MY LORDS, what remains? But, That as nothing could have repaired our ineffable Loss of CHARLES the TWO d, but the Succession of JAMES the TWO d, we prostrate ourselves at the feet of Almighty God, by whom King's Reign; imploring him, that it may be many Years, before we have the same occasion for Grief; putting up our Vows for the King's Health, and the Eternity of this Empire, that he would grant him a long and a prosperous Reign over us; that never his Breast may be sensible of any sigh unless it be at Devotion; nor his Face know any Wrinkle or Contraction, unless like Thunder, to strike Traitors and Exclusioners Dead; That his days may be upon Earth, as the days of Heaven: That as he hath been the Great Argument of Providence by escaping so many Perils in War, Perils by Sea, and Perils by his own Countrymen; so he may still remain the Great Mathusalem of Providence, and [that we may see that CHARLES is not yet dead] still live to demonstrate, that Heaven is infinite in its Mercies, and does embrace both him and itself in Eternal Circulations; that without any new Disloyal, and discriminating times, he may at length arise to that Pitch of Power, and continue in that height of Safety, Success, and Glory, till Treason shall be looked upon as deplorable Madness, not for that it is Wicked, but Desperate; And lastly, That by an uninterrupted series of Tranquillity, his Happy Subjects may think him so happy, that if the Option was given to any One of them, he would choose it as a better Condition to be King JAMES his Subject, than to be Monarch of Another's more large and Wealthy Territories. I am,  
MY LORDS, Your Lordship's 
 Most Humble, 
 Most Obedient, 
 Most Devoted Servant, 
 AUR. COOK. March 19 1684-85.   

Being conscious to myself (Reader) of having too many Faults of my own to answer for▪ in managing so great and glorious a Theme, I am mightily unwilling to be responsible for those of the Printer's, occasioned by my Absence, and the horrid Negligence of the Corrector: And therefore having taken notice of the most material, I desire thee to correct them.  
PAge 5. r. it's, p. 6. r. moderator, p. 8. l. 22, r. could, ib. l. 30. r. the King was prevailed, etc. p. 10. l. 4. r. the King, ib. l. 17. deal they, ib. l. 23. r. But this, p. 11. r. Governor, p. 18. deal the, l. 14. r. Battles, so that whilst, etc. ib. l. 29. r. he was advised, etc. p. 21, r. and, p. 28. r. for free. p. 37. r. unless, p. 44. r. should, p. 45. l. 17. r. it. & l. 18. r. in, p. 46. r. pretences, p. 48. r. direction, p. 49. r. them, p. 50. r. secluded, p. 51. r. them, l. 7. r. are, p. 52. d. should, p. 57 r. to his Son, p. 60. d. part, p. 61. r. &, p. 79. r. was, p. 83. r. out of, p. 97. r. whither, p. 107. r. were, p. 117. l. 22 r. employ, l. 28. r. none, p. 129. r. Lastell, p. 147. r. Marquis, p. 162. r. an, p. 172. d. and, l. 25. r. George, p. 173. r. Zanchy, Stamford, Leicester, Dellaware, p. 174. Morgan, p. 175. r. Chester. p. 176. d. one, p. 180. d. to be, p. 187. r. ordering, p. 188. r. directly. p. 191. d. they, p. 194. r. contrive, p. 198. r. discourse, l. 10. r. effect, p. 200. r. them, p. 225. r. whom, p. 247. r. Six, p. 225. r. resplendent, p. 263. r. beatissimo, p. 264. r. Generis, p. 299. r. places of sev. p. 341. r. thereof were. p. 343. r. lived and died, p. 366. r. All this very, etc. p. 415. r. should, p. 425. d. they, p. 443. r. very great, p. 484. r. pretensive in't, p. 492. r. Kingcraft.   

THE Publishers Advertisement TO THE READER.  
THere is no question, but many at the first sight of the Title page will Wonder, that so Sacred a Name should be there; and that the Life of so Great a Prince should be pretended to be written in so little time. History (they will say) is a Work of Time itself, as well as that part of it, called Biography, which Treats of the Lives of Eminent and Great Men, and of Illustrious Heroes; informing us in the Nature of Things, and of Duties, and Teaching us the great Arts of Life and Death, which are no such easy and trivial matters, as to be thrown over the left Shoulder. And what shall we say to the Confidence of this Author, who, now in less than two months' space has huddled up the Life of the greatest Monarch of the British Line, which perhaps is more difficult to be wri●●● than that of any of his Predecessors, and would claim a Century, or at lest as many Years, as it was acted in, to be absolutely and thoroughly digested by the most reaching Genius, and most consummated Wit?  
Wherefore, to satisfy thee, Reader, and thy Objection, I will tell and assure thee, That the Author is partly (I do say) more acquainted with the great difficulty as well as use of History in general; and that for his own Part, This which thou hast here, he hath been long about these many years, and that it is no Mushroom business springing up from a foggy. Brain in one Night, and as likely to perish by another. It is a thoughtful Piece, no illegitimate Brat, no Sham-extract Verbatim out of other Books, which thou hast perhaps read and paid for already. For I should be very loath (if I knew such a thing) to so be unconscionable to impose upon thee.  
But now perhaps from my Answer to the former Objection, thou wilt be ready to raise another, and look upon my Author as no kind Wisher to his Prince, to go and write his Life before his Demiss, which resembles a kind of an Expectation of his Death, rather than the putting up any hearty Prayers for the Continuance of his Life, as every good Subject aught to do.  
In return to this, I am still of the Affirmitive side, and will again assure thee, That he is a very Loyal and Worthy Gentlemen, and that thou wilt believe me, as soon as thou hast read his Book. And besides (to consider the thing in itself) 'tis so far from being an Act that looks any ways Disloyal, to write a Prince's Life before his Decease, that on the other hand it is extremely Loyal and Meritorious. As we see now in France, where an Annual Pension is settled upon the Great Satirist to write the Life of his Master, the French King. Indeed, this I will add in my Author's behalf, that I have heard him say, he never desired to live to finish his Book; but Addressed Heaven to the contrary; hoping it might prove a Picture and Draught of the King's Life only to the middle. But since Heaven has thought fit to take our Gracious Prince to it self, I prevailed with him to revise the whole Work, and make an addition to such years as was wanting: Which being completed, I here present to the Public View. For you may guess, Reader, that when we Book sellers have got any thing of this Nature, it is as severe a piece of Mortification and Self-denial to keep it private, as it is for our Gallants to keep their Chambers the same Day they have got a new Suit. Adieu.   

A Table of the most Remarkable matters couched in this Royal Story.  

Anno à Virginis partu:  
1630 KIng Charles the Second, born at St. James'.  
A Prodigious Star then appearing at Midday. page 5  
Baptised by Dr. Laud, Bishop of London. 7  
Committed in his Infancy to the Countess of Dorsets care, then to the Government of the Earl of Newcastle, and the Tutorage of Dr. Duppa. Ibid.  
1638 First called Prince of Wales by Order, not creation. 7.  
Accompanies his Royal Father in Progresses. Ibid.  
Takes his Seat in Parliament. Ibid.  
Carries a reprieving Message from the King to the Parliament about the Earl of Strafford. 8  
1640 Goes with his Father into the North. 10  
At York is made Captain of a choice Guard of Loyal Nobles and Gentlemen. 11  
1642 Gives the first proof of his Bravery at Edghill-fight. 12  
Committed at Oxford to the care of the Marquis of Hartford. Chancellor of that University. 13  
1644. Endeavours to Heal the Differences 'twixt his Father and the Factious Diet. 15  
A Match proposed between him and the Infanta of Portugal. Ibid.  
1646. Sails to the Scilly Islands. 19  
His Answer to the Parliaments swimming Invitation. Ibid.  
Their barbarous Ordinance, that followed thereupon. 20  
The manner how he employed his time in those Islands. 21  
His first Visit to France. ibid.  
Desire's leave to go into the French Army, but declines it upon his Father's Prohibition. 22  
Made Generalissimo by his Father. 23  
The Scots tender of him. ibid.  
His Answer to a Letter of theirs. 25  
1648. He appears with some Forces in Jersy-Isle. ibid.  
Grants Martial Commissions to several Persons of Honour. 26  
Sets forth a Declaration. 27  
The Kentish men rise in his behalf. 30  
But are worsted by Fairfax. 32  
He Seizes some Merchant's Ships▪ and attempts the Relief of Deal-Castle. ibid.  
Colchester taken by Famine and Fairfax. 35  
He retires into Holland. ibid.  
His Letter to the King his Father. 36  
The Treaty at the Isle of Wight. ibid.  
Cromwell and the Armies proceed with the Parliament, to bring the King to a Trial. 37  
An Ordinance passed by the Commons for his Trial, but opposed by the Lords. 39  
The Juncto resolves to Try him without the Lords consent. 40  
The Prince's behaviour and pious Acting thereupon. 41  
The King accursedly Sentenced to be Beheaded. 42  
His Sacred Memoirs and Papers of Advice to his Son. 43  
King Charles the first, most sacrilegiously Assassinated. 57  
Prince Charles succeeds him. 59  
The Juncto declare it High-Treason to Proclaim him. 60  
Vote down the House of Lords. ibid.  
Appoint Judges and Justices. 62  
The People open their Eyes, & detest them. 63  
King Charles the II. Proclaimed in England. 64  
Receives (at the Hague) the news of the Royal Martyrdom. 65  
His Comportment thereupon. 66  
Sends Ambassadors to several Princes. 67  
1649. Proclaimed in Scotland by Penitent Rebels. 68  
Passes through Flanders (where he is highly Caressed and Regaled) into France. 72  
The Scots invite him over. 74  
Montross his deplorable Fate. ibid.  
The King's Letter to the Scots. 75  
His shrewd Treaty with their Commissioners. 76  
The English Juncto sit uneasy, alarmed with the Scots Proceed. ibid.  
Cromwell called out of Ireland and made General. 81  
The King Lands at the Spey in Scotland. 82  
1650. Cromwell Marches Northwards. ibid.  
The Scots at difference before among themselves, thereupon Unite. 83  
The King most Solemnly Crowned at Schone. 84  
Raises an Army, himself Personal Valour. 162  
The King's promotes a Peace between France and Spain. 165  
Goes Incognito to the place of Treaty. 166  
The Duke of York offered the Constableship of Castille. 169  
1659. The King gives forth new Commissions. 171  
Sir George Booth Rises. 172  
Is unfortunately defeated. 174  
And taken Prisoner. 175  
The King at St. Malloes'. 176  
An Overture to try Monk. 177  
Monks Brother sent into Scotland to him. 178  
Monk undertakes the King's Restauration. 182  
Sends his Brother to the Parliament. 184  
A Prophetic Speech. 185  
Monk prepares for England. 187  
Whence Dr. Clergies comes to him. 189  
Lambert sends Morgan into Scotland. 192  
A Convention at Edinburgh. ibid.  
Monk's Commissioners sign an Agreement. 193  
The Rump sits again. 194  
Invite Monk to London, but distrust him. 195  
The People address to him. 196  
He desires the Parliament to remove their Guards. 197  
Was to have been sent to the Tower. 198  
But goes to the Parliament. ibid.  
Made one of the Council of State. 199  
Pulls down the City-Gates. 201  
Sends a Letter to the Rump. 202  
Marches into the City. 203  
The Rump dissemble their Indignation. 204  
Employ their Adjutators. 205  
A Conference about the secluded Members. 206  
Who are readmitted 207  
Monk made General. ibid.  
They discharge Booth. ibid.  
Dissolve themselves, and call a free Parliament. 208  
Appoint a Council of State. ibid.  
1660. Greenvile introduced to the General, by Morris. 210  
Delivers him a Letter from the King. 211  
The General commends his Secrecy. 212  
Desires him to acquaint the King with his Resolution to Restore him. 213  
Which was accordingly done at Brussels. 214  
Monk leaves his Reward to the King's pleasure. 215  
The King gives Greenvile a Warrant for an Earldom. 216  
Signs a Commission for Monks being General. 217  
Removes privately to Breda. ibid.  
Lambert escapes from the Tower, but is retaken by Ingolsby. 218  
The free Parliament meets. 219  
Greenvile delivers the King's Letter to the General. 220  
And his Letters and Declaration to the two Houses. 221  
The Reverence expressed by the Commons at reading them, with Resolves thereupon. 222  
The King's Letter delivered to General Montague, and the Joy it occasioned in the Fleet. 224  
The Parliament Invites the King 〈◊〉 225  
The Commissioners arrive at Breda. ibid.  
The King Proclaimed. 226  
The King prepares for his Return. 228  
Treated and presented by the Dutch. ibid.  
The S●ates Speech to him ●●at parting. 229  
He leaves Holland, with a glorious Fleet. 232  
And Arrives at Dover 234  
The General meets him there. ibid.  
He goes to Canterbury. 235  
To Chattham. 230  
Is presented with an Address. ibid.  
Views the Army. ibid.  
Comes to London. 237  
Rides in Triumph through London. ibid.  
Is received by the Parliament. 240  
He thanks them for their Loyalty. ibid.  
He goes to the Parliament house. 241  
Chooses his Privy-Council. 242  
The Act of Oblivion▪ 243  
The General mad● Duke of Albemarle, etc. 245  
Several others advanced. ibid.  
Resignation of Purchases. 246  
Ambassadors congratulate his Restauration. ibid.  
The Oblivion-Act comprehensive. 247 29th of May Annisary▪ ibid.  
The Army Disbanded▪ ibid.  
The King's Speech at the Adjournment. 248  
Duke of Gloucester dies. 349  
The Kings care to settle the Church. ibid.  
Regicides brought to Tryal● 251  
The Queen Mother comes into England. 252  
Argile sent back to Scotland. 253  
Princess of Orange dies. 254  
The healing Parliament dissolved. ibid.  
Cromwel's Carcase upon the Gallows. 255  
The Fifth-Monarchy- men's Adventure. 256  
Preparations for the King's Coronation 260  
1661. Four Triumphal Arches erected by the City. 261  
The Order of his Cavalcade through the City. 268  
The manner of his Crowning. 273  
The Thunder that day, & the Censures thereon. 279  
He calls a fresh Parliament. 280  
The Presbyterians stickle in Elections. 282  
He Rides in State to the Parliament which he acquaints with his design of Marrying the Infanta of Portugal. 283  
A Convocation of the Clergy. 284  
The Act of Oblivion confirmed by that Parliament. 285  
The Act for Regulating Corporations. ibid.  
Pryn censured by the Parliament. 286  
The Bishops restored to their Peerage. ibid.  
The Lord- Munson and others censured. 287  
Parliament adjourned by the King. ibid.  
The Duke of York Captain of the Artillery Company. 288  
Barbone and others secured. 289  
The King's Piety to the memory of his Friends 290  
The Quarrel between the French and Spanish Ambassadors. 291  
Harry Martin no humble Servant to Proclamations. ibid.  
The Duke of Ormond made Deputy of Ireland. ibid.  
Episcopacy restored in Scotland. 293  
1662. A Fleet sent for the Queen, and a Garrison to Tangier. ibid.  
The Agreeableness of the King and Queen's Fortunes. 294  
Her arrival at Portsmouth. ibid.  
Queen of Bohemia dies. 295  
The King married at Portsmouth. 296  
The African Potentates alarmed. 297  
Tangier made a free Port. 298  
The dreadful St. Bartholomew. 299  
Several Cities and Towns dismantled. ibid.  
Dunkirk returned to the French. 300  
Philips and others excuted for Plotting. 301  
An Embassy out of Russia. ibid.  
1663. The King's Progress into the West. 303  
Oats and others executed. 304  
1664. The Parliament for War with the Dutch. ibid.  
The King fits out two Fleets. 306  
His Personal care and industry. 307  
The Plague gins in London. ibid.  
Prince Rupert at the Spithead. 310  
The Dutch afraid to put to Sea. ibid.  
An Embargo on Dutch Ships. 311  
The Act for a Royal Aid 312  
War Proclaimed against Holland 313  
1665. A General Fast enjoined 314  
His Royal Highness Lord High Admiral ibid.  
The Dutch alarmed 315  
Are Beaten 316  
The Sickness increasing in London 317  
The King and Parliament at Oxford. 318  
The Duke of Albemarl left in London 320  
A Fast kept on every Wednesday ibid.  
The English Fleet upon the Coast of Holland 321  
The Earl of Sandwich Attacques the Dutch in Berghen ibid.  
France takes part with Holland 322  
A Plot discovered ibid.  
1666. Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle, Admiral's 324  
They fight the Dutch 325  
London in Ashes 327  
The Kings great compassion in that distress 330  
Various Opinions about that Fire ibid.  
The King's Prudence and Care in its Rebuilding 331  
The first Invention of Ensuring houses from Fire 332  
An Act of Parliament for the Rebuilding of London ibid.  
His Pious care for Rebuilding the Churches 335  
Sir Ionas More the first Rebuilder 336  
A Prodigious Storm 337  
A Commotion in Scotland ibid.  
War with Denmark 338  
A Treaty at Breda 339  
The Dutch spend a Summer in needless Preparations ibid.  
They come to Chattham 340  
Peace concluded with Holland 341  
1667. The Earl of Clarendon in disgrace 342  
1669 Earl of Carlisle Ambassador to Sweden 343  
Queenmother dies 344  
The Duke of Albemarle ibid.  
1670 Designs to unite England and Scotland 345  
Prince of Tuscany in England ibid.  
The Duchess of Orleans at Dover 346  
Sir Thomas Allen before Argeir 347  
Sir Edward Spragg destroys three Men of War 348  
1671 Blood steals the Crown 349  
The King takes a Sea-Progress 351  
A stop upon the Exchequer 352  
Sir George Downing committed to the Tower 353  
A Declaration of Indulgence 354  
Sir Robert Holms falls on the Dutch Smyrna Fleet ibid.  
1672 The King declares War against the Dutch 355  
He views the English and French Fleet joining ibid.  
His Royal Highness' name terrible to the Dutch 356  
The States remove to Amsterdam 357  
The King Invites their Subjects into England ibid.  
The Duke of Buckingham, and the Earl of Arlington Ambassadors 358  
Nimeguen taken ibid.  
1673 the Dutch beaten 359  
The King grants Peace to the Dutch 360  
1677 Grows Jealous of the French Kings greatness 362  
The Lady Mary married to the Prince of Orange ibid.  
The King's Speech to the Parliament 363  
France threatened with a War 365  
The King endeavours a general Peace 366  
But provides for the worst 367  
His Speech to the Parliament ibid.  
1678 The Siege of Mons raised 359  
A peace concluded at Nimeguen ibid.  
A hugeous strange Plot of Black Bills, and Spanish pilgrims discovered by Titus Oates 371  
The Lords Bellasis, Powis, Peter, and Arundel, sent to the Tower 3●2  
Godfrey found murdered 373  
The King prevents the Parliament 375  
His refusal to part with the Militia 376  
Some tried for the Plot ibid.  
Some of the Parliament accuse each other 377  
Sir Joseph Williamson released by the King 378  
The Long Parliament dissolved ibid.  
The King's Letter to the Duke 379  
The Duke goes into Flanders 380  
The King's Speech to the new Parliament ibid.  
1679 They begin with the Earl of Danby 384  
Who surrenders himself ibid.  
The Lords in the Tower Impeached in Parliament 385  
The King dissolves his Privy-Council, and constitutes a new one ibid.  
Shaftsbury Precedent 387  
The Lords Answer to their Impeachments ibid.  
1680 The King's proposal to the Parliament 388  
Their Address to the King 389  
The Bill of Exclusion brought in ibid.  
The two Houses differ about Danby's pardon and the Trial of the Lords 390  
The King Porogues them 392  
The Bishop of St. Andrews, most barbarous Muther▪ forerunner of a Scotch Rebellion ibid.  
Whence the name of Whigs 393  
The Parliament dissolved, and a new one called 394  
Sir G. Wakeman and others acquitted ibid.  
The King taken Sick at Windsor 395  
Monmouth in disgrace 397  
A Declaration about him 398  
He is banished 402  
Dangerfields' discovery ibid.  
The Duke of York goes into Scotl. 403  
Saucy Petitions for the Parliaments fitting 404  
Forbidden by Proclamation ibid.  
King's Speech to the Parliament 405  
The Duke returns out of Scotland 406  
Sir Lionel Jenkins made Secretary 407  
Addresses of Abhorrence ibid.  
The Lord Shandios Ambassador to Constantinople 408  
A prodigious storm of Hail ibid.  
The Parliament sits 409  
Fall foul upon Sir Robt. Can, and others ibid.  
Revive the Attempt of the Exclusion Bill, which is bravely thrown out by the Lords 411  
The Trial of the Lord Stafford 412  
The Blazing-star 413  
The King presseth the Parliament for supplies ibid.  
The Address ibid.  
His Answer 414  
Their Proceed thereupon 415  
They are Prorogued 416  
Their lewdly extravagant Votes ibid.  
Petitions about the Oxford Parliament 417  
The Country treats their Members 418  
1681 The King goes to Oxford 419  
His Speech to the Parliament there ibid.  
Wi. William's Speaker 421  
Fitz-Harris his story 422, 25, 26, 27, 28.  
The Oxford-Parliament dissolved 423  
A Declaration touching it 424  
Doct. Pluncket 427  
The Lord Howard committed to the Tower 428  
The Oxford-Plot 429  
The Protestant Joiner ibid.  
His Royal Highness High Commissioner in the Parliament of Scotland 430  
An Act passed there about the Succession ibid.  
The King Favours the French Protestants 431  
Shaftsbury saved by an Ignoramus 432  
Esquire Thinn murdered 433  
1682 The Royal Passenger's miraculous deliverance 435  
Sir John More Lord Mayor of London 436  
A Riot in the City about Sheriffs 437  
Prince Rupert dies 442  
The Earl of Nottingham dies ibid.  
Two remarkable and unusual Ambassadors ibid.  
1683 Bantham lost 444  
An unpresidentable action ibid.  
A Quo Warranto brought against the City Charter 447  
A Petition in reference to it 447  
The Kings gracious Condescension ibid.  
Shaftsbury's Plot discovered 449  
The King to have been killed at the Rye 451  
Saved by an accidental Fire ibid.  
Keeling the first discoverer 452  
The Plotters taken ibid.  
Lord Grace Escapes 453  
The Lord Russel, and Coll. Sidney Beheaded, and others executed at Tyburn ibid.  
Holloway and Armstrong executed 454  
A Declaration of Thanksgiving ibid.  
The difference between the two Plots 455  
The Lady Ann Married to Prince George ibid.  
Judgement entered against the Charter 456  
Prichard Mayor by Commission ibid.  
The Factious Aldermen displaced 457  
Monmouth submits himself 458  
The great Frost 459  
The King's Charity 460  
Vienna besieged ibid.▪  
Lord Landsdown ' Valour at its 〈…〉 46●  
T●ng●er demolish'● ibid.  
Earl of Danby reliev●d ibid.  
The rest of the Lords out of the Towe● 462  
684. Commissioners for Ecclesiastical affairs ibid.  
A Scandalum Magnatum against Oats 463  
His Royal Highness' Patience 464  
A Statue-peice of the King in the Royal Exchange. ibid..  
A Muster on Putney Heath 466  
Several tried 467  
The Sodom Doctor Indicted 468  
Danvers his Libel 469  
〈…〉 Scroop How received to favour 470  
The King 〈…〉 Fit 471  
The manner of his lingering Death 472  
The Solemnity of his ●uneral 475  
His Person 481  
His Justice 483  
His peaceable Inclination 486  
His care of the Crown Prerogatives 488  
His Prudence and Conduct 491  
His great Piety and Devotion ●94  
His Travels 499  
His Learning ●01  
His Recreations 504  
His Conjugal Affection's 506  
Epigraphe 509  
A Prayer▪ for the King 511    

An Essay of HISTORY ROYAL In the LIFE and REIGN OF HIS Late Sacred MAJESTY CHARLES the Second.  

The Introduction.  
HIstory, in all Ages, hath not undeservedly been accounted the great Light and Mistress of Humane Life; as it both pleasurably instructs, and most efficaciously persuades all Ranks and Degrees of men, to their several respective and proper Offices. For, in laying the Foundation of a Good Mind, Examples have a peculiar force to move men to Virtue, and a much Greater, than any bare Precepts whatsoever; since they have this excellence in them, that they prove, what they recommend, possible to be done, and a Precept without an Example adjoined to it, looks like a good Law never put into Execution. When men read of an Excellent Virtue, they still carry away some Tincture from it, whether they will or no, as if they had been in Conversation with its Possessor; And when they read of any deformity and vice, they have a natural aversion for it, and will take care to avoid in themselves, what looks so ugly in others.  
Nor does History tend only to form men's manners, in order to an happy Life, but it also exalts and enlarges their minds, while they take a prospect of all Generations, that have been upon Earth before them. They seem to give Eternity to themselves à Parte ante, and to live as many years as they have read in Chronicles. And, by this knowledge of the time past, they judge of the present, and proceed to the foresight of the future: For the best Astrology in the World is to be derived from History, and from the Consideration of those Luminaries, that have moved in a Sphere above us, either in point of Time, or of Place.  
Which since we see to be the Proper ends and uses of History, without doubt that History is highly to be esteemed, which does not consist so much of Magnificent and Pompous things, as the Description of Wars, of Great Buildings, and such matters as only bring an empty pleasure to the Reader, but which does exhibit things useful and worthy his Imitation, and that will fill up his mind. Upon this account the Lives of Eminent Men, writ with fidelity and truth, have certainly the greatest use; since from thence we learn how to live well, to moderate our passions, and govern ourselves in the various Circumstances of Life. But whereas we cannot live well, unles● we live in Society, and all Societies must have Rulers and Governors over them, or else we must all disband and turn Barabbas'; there is 〈◊〉 one Higher Degree of History  we may loo● upon, as the most complete for Estimation, Pro●● and Use: And that is a Narration of the Live● of Princes, representing (withal) every action bearing a Relation and Analogy thereunto. And his kind cannot stand without the forementioned Additionals (as I may Style them) and not Essentials of History, as Arms, and Fortifications, and the like matters: Which though they do concern no man in himself, as to point of Happiness, yet together with the great Delight they bring along with them, they are mainly conducive to the welfare of mankind in general, and the Knowledge of 'em is requisite to many particular men, as immediately engaged in them, and is, likewise, universally Ornamental.  
Which things being well weighed, I think I have got under my Pen, one of the most profitable, as well as diverting Histories, the Sun ever yet saw acted: It being the Life of a Prince, which may be an Example not only to public but private men. For it affords us the knowledge of Heaven, and reads us a Lecture of Piety, Justice, Patience, Fortitude, and Clemency: Which being virtues in a Prince, have a singular Grace with 'em. It is not an account of the Robberies of an Alexander, but a Register of Providential Bounties and Appointments; beautified with the various Scenes and Landscapes of Humane Life, to instruct our Judgements, and amuse our Imagination. It teaches us the Arts of Unity and Concord, and draws out the true lines of the English Government. It cures those diseases of the mind, Insolence, self-conceit, and Ambition, and shows, that it is the Subjects Interest as well as Duty, to obey.  
These are all things but of Yesterday standing, and very well known and remembered; So that before hand, I need not make any Professions here of my truth and sincerity, in the following Relation, it being not so easy to deceive as to be refelled in things, not in the least remote from our knowledge. This indeed is all, I have the vanity to fear, that, if this Book should happen to descend to Posterity, they will rather think it the Panegyric than History of our late admirable Prince, because when I report nothing of him but what was landable, they may guess, that I have pretermitted, what was worthy reprehension.  
The most renowned and mighty Monarch CHARLES the Second, late King of England, was in greatness of his Royal Descent, Superior to all the Princes in Europe, being descended from our Royal Martyr Charles the good and great, and Henrietta de Bourbon, Daughter to Henry the Great, the Fourth of that name, of France; By descending from which two Royal Persons, he was related to all the Princes in Europe, & had some of all the Bloud-Royal of the Christian World concentered in his Princely Veins. By his Father, he derived in a lineal descent from all the British, Saxon, Danish, Norman, and Scottish Kings of Great Britain, and by his Mother from the Bourbons of France, the Austrians of Spain, the Medi●es of Florence, etc. Being also allied to all or most of them, by his own, & the Marriages of his Royal Brother our present most Glorious Monarch, his Aunt, his Sisters, and his two Nieces, their Royal Highness Mary Princess of Orange, and the Princess Ann of Denmark.  
He was born at St. James', May the 29th, 1630, it being the Birthday of St. Augustine, who was sent by Gregory the great to our Ancestors the Saxons, and was the first founder of the Archbishopric of Canterbury. At which time a new Star appeared over the Pala●● where he was born, which seemed from Heaven to congratulate his Birth, by darting its promising Influence upon the place of it, and displaying is officious Beams in the midst of that Air, wherein he first drew breath, notwithstanding the strenuous opposition of the shining Sun▪ which thing was generally looked upon as an Emblem of his future greatness and glory: The Sun likewise, soon after, suffered an Eclipse, which was a sad presage, as some even then divined, that his Glory should be for some time eclipsed. His Royal Father, having in him obtained that blessing which he desired above all things in the World, went to St. Paul's and there in a public and solemn manner gave thanks to Almighty God from whose bounty he received him.  
He was baptised in the 27th of the following June, by Dr. Laud Bishop of London. Abbot, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury, being under an Irregularity, according to the decent and laudable Custom of the Church of England, whereof he was then made a Son, that so ●he might hereafter be her Supreme Head and Mediator; His Godfathers were his two Uncles Lewis 13. King of France, and Frederick, Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine, represented by the Dukes of Hamilton and Richmond, who were then the two first Peers of the Realm and his Godmother was the Queen Mother of France, represented by the Duchess of Richmond.  
He was committed in his Infancy to the indulgent Care, and pious Tuition of the Countess of Dorset; and when his growing parts rendered him too masculine for a Feminine Conduct, he was delivered to the Earl of Newcastle, under whose Direction and Government he imbibed those Principles of Virtue, and desire of Learning, which served as an Introduction to fit and prepare him for his farther and more liberal Education, under the Learned Dr. Duppa, Dean of Christ-Church, and Bishop of Chichester, by whose extraordinary Pains and Industry his Great Soul was first seasoned with those Rudiments of Knowledge and Learning, which afterward by his own observation and experience received so vast an increase, and rendered him that sagacious and politic, as well as good and gracious, King, which the whole series of his Reign discovered him to be.  
About this time, by Order, not Creation, he was first called Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester, the Revenues belonging to each of them being assigned him for the maintenance of his Court, the several Offices whereof were pitched upon and appointed by the King his Father who, taking great delight to see his Children about him, ordered the Prince to attend him in several of his Progresses, and particularly in that to Oxford, where they were entertained with the acting of the Royal Slave, which proved too prophetic of both their approaching Calamities. During his abode there, his Discourse with several Learned Doctors was so extraordinary, and above the common capacity of his years, that it administered matter of amazement and wonder to the whole University.  
In the Parliament, which was called soon after, he took his place among the Peers, who were now his equals, but were hereafter to become his Subjects, and there he first tried how a Coronet would fit his Royal Head, before the death of his Father called him to wear the Imperial Crown; and about this time he was with great Solemnity installed Knight of the Garter, together with divers of the Nobility who were his Attendance, and received the same Honour with him.  
But after all this a sad misfortune dampt the public Joy and threatened the untimely setting of our Rising Sun, for in the year 39 he first broke his Arm and was afterward afflicted with a Violent Fever and a small spice of the Jaundice but it was not long before those Clouds of fear were dissipated by the perfect recovery of his health.  
Some unhappy misunderstandings beginning now to grow between his Father and the Parliament who, knowing a King would do no wrong himself, resolved to call some of his Council to an account for pretended miscarriages, among whom the most Eminent was the Earl of Strafford, who first led the way, being by no known Law, as that Judicious King, who was present at the Trial, declared attainted of Treason, and the King prevailed upon by the Importunity of his People, and a Letter from the Earl himself, (who rather chose to be made a Sacrifice, than to hazard his Majesty's Affairs,) to sign a Warrant for his Execution. But the King's tender Conscience, being extremely checked and troubled for that unwilling consent, presently sent a Letter to the Peers, which was written with his own Hand, to desire them to forbear, or at least delay, the Execution of his Sentence, and, that it might be the more prevalent with them, he sent it by the Prince, which was the first Public Business we find him employed in, which, being a work of Mercy, proved so good an Omen of his own Inclination, that it afterward became so predominant in him, as even to rejoice over his exactest Justice, although he could not then prevail on the behalf of that unfortunate Earl: And not long after we find him engaged in another Public Business, being one of the Chief Assistants in the performing the Solemnities of his Sister's Marriage with the Prince of Orange.  
The fatal Breach between the King and Parliament growing still wider, and hastening to an unnatural Rupture, he resolved, notwithstanding many of his Nobles and Faithful Servants proffered their Service to curb any Insolences that should be attempted on him, to remove himself some time from London, hoping that thereby their Jealousies and Rumours would waste and perish; and therefore commanded the Prince, together with his Queen, and some of his Servants, to attend him at Greenwich, and from thence to Hampton-Court, whither some Commissioners being sent to him for a Pacification, they made their first Application to the Prince, as the most proper Mediator between the King and his two Houses of Parliament: So early was it, that he began to tread in the steps and labour to imitate his Grandfather, in becoming a Peacemaker, which not succeeding according to expectation, he accompanied his Father, together with the present King to Theobalds', leaving the Rebels to fret themselves at their escape, and from thence into the North, where he beheld a black Cloud begin to gather which, though small in appearance, yet was big with that dismal Storm, that in a short time spread itself over his Father, himself, and three Nations: For the King, repairing to Hull, to take a view of that Magazine, which his Treasure had purchased, and his Crown claimed as one of its Jura Regalia, the Magistrate thereof bearing a Sword by a Power only derived from him, without which Majesty itself is but a Solemn Trifle, and Authority but a gilded Pageantry, He was by Sir John Hotham, who was sent thither by the Parliament, denied Entrance, and forced to wait with the Prince and the Duke of York at the Gate of that Garrison, and could at last prevail for nothing more, but only his two Sons being admitted as Children, to see the Town; which when they had done, they accompanied their Father to York, whom they now beheld deprived of that which Gr. Tholosanus calls the chiefest Flower in a Prince's Diadem, and disarmed of that Majesty which of right belonged to him, where the Prince was by his Father made a Captain of a choice Guard of Loyal Nobles and Gentlemen, who there repaired to him: For such was the Indulgent Care he had of his Subjects, that he resolved they should hazard themselves no farther in the defence of his Person, than he would hazard himself for the defence of their Laws & Liberties; and that his Eldest Son, who was to succeed him in his Crown & Dignity, should accompany them in all those Dangers to which they should expose themselves. In which Quality he attended his Father, through the several Stages he passed, as a Partner with him in his Troubles, the greatest whereof was, as himself declares in his incomparable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, his unhappy involving his Innocent Offspring in those Troubles, that deserved to have been born to better Fortune.  
At Edghill Fight, notwithstanding the tenderness of his years, he gave such proof of his Valour and Courage, and was so little terrified with the horrid noise of Guns, Drums and Trumpets, the prancing of Horses, and the clashing of Swords, to which he had till then never been used, that the Earl of Lindsey, who observed it, said to those about him, There is a Child born to end that War we now begin. But the Battle being lost, he returned to his Father at Oxford, where he was committed to the Care of his Kinsman, the Marquis of Hartford, than Chancellor of that University, who provided him several Tutors in each Language, Art and Science, wherein it concerned him as a Prince to be acquainted; and he applied himself to his Studies with as much pain and seriousness as the severest Gown-man in the place, his great Soul entertaining nothing but deep thoughts, profound Maxims, and Intricate Mysteries, and he would severely rebuke the unsavoury Speeches that tortured his chaster Ears, and condemn those Oaths and Curses which were too common among the vainer Scholars; during which time he was visited with the Measles, the danger whereof only served to teach us how to prise him the more for that hazard.  
But the War between his Father and the Parliament still growing more fierce, he once more left the University and took the Field, laying aside his Books, that he might handle his Arms, and endeavoured to signalise his Valour by appearing in the Head of some Forces in the North, which were conducted by the Earls of Cumberland and Newcastle, wherein he was so successful at first, that Victory seemed to wait on his Banner.  
Shortly after he marched Westward, where by order from the Court he was attended by such a Noble Retinue as was most suitable to the Grandeur of a Prince of Wales, about which time he cast off his Ich Dien, and assumed his State, setting up his Royal Court, and making choice of such Officers as were most pleasing to him; about which although his Father took some exception, yet he protested that he greatly admired the discretion of his choice in general, having so brave and well ordered a Family that it was second to none, but his Uncle Henrys; and King-ship was first exercised within the narrow compass of an Household, (saith Selden,) which increasing to Cities, Kings were content to Reign therein until those Cities, swelling into Nations, they enlarged the bounds of their Sovereign Rule.  
The King of Portugal, about this time, hoping to make an advantage of the King's necessity, offered several fair Proposals, suitable to his present exigencies and troubles, which were ushered in by the offer of a Match between his Daughter and the Prince, but for some reasons of State, his Father thought not fit to accept the offer, but yet returned such an answer as held him in suspense, being not willing either to gratify or displease him.  
The Prince, in the mean while, was busily employing himself in endeavouring to make up a much happier Match between his Father and the Parliament, by some overtures of Peace which he made to Sir Thom. Fairfax, the Chief Commander of the Parliament-Forces, but was disappointed therein, for Fairfax gave him to unstand that those Proposals were fit to be made to the Parliament, than to him, who was only their Servant: Wherefore he, seeing that Fairfax would do nothing himself towards a Peace, being resolved to try all possible means for the settling this distracted Kingdom, desired leave for the Lord Hopton and Culpeper to attend the King and mediaate with him for a treaty with the Parliament, to which Fairfax answered that he would desire the Prince to disband his Army, and promised that he would thereupon conduct him with Honour to the Parliament, to which request he commanded the Lord Capel to make the following Answer, viz.  
Sir, His Highness did not believe that his overture, in engaging himself in the Mediation of a Blessed Peace for this miserable Kingdom, would have brought him an Inhibition to quit his duty to his Father, by dividing his Interest from that of his Majesties, or hereby he should render himself unworthy and uncapable of the fruit of that Peace, which he laboured to obtain, and that of his former propositions might be consented to, he hoped God would so bless his sincere intentions and designs, as to make him a Blessed Instrument to preserve this Kingdom from desolation, but if that were rejected he should give the World no cause to believe that he would forfeit that Honour, which only could preserve him in a capacity of doing that service, and should with patience attend God's pleasure, until his endeavours might be applied, with the preservation of his Innocency.  
During his abode in the Camp, he showed himself to be of such an Heroic Temperature, that he enjoyed an equal Calm and Peace in the midst of all the Confusions of War, and enjoyed his Learned Thoughts as quietly in the Tumults of a Camp, as in the Retirements of a School. In the exercising of his Arms, he did not wholly leave his Books, nor forget his Studies, especially of the Mathematics, which, besides their general usefulness, as Refiners of the Mind, were more than ordinarily necessary to him, to assist him in carrying on the several Stratagems of War in Fortification, Sieges, battles, etc. wherein he was but little below his incomparable Father, in these things the exactest Prince in Christendom.  
But, not being able to accomplish that Reconciliation between his Father and the Parliament which he designed, he returned again to Oxford, where he was more successful in another undertaking of the like nature, viz. the reconciling his two Cousins, Rupert & Maurice, to his Father, accounting it too hard to entertain inward Broils, when outward Calamities were so heavy and pressing, and that those who had Adversaries enough already, ought not to become each others Enemies: nor did he only use his Interest with his Father, to be reconciled to the two Princes, but even to his open and professed Enemies also, notwithstanding the failure of his late undertake, as appears by his Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons of Decemb. 15, 26, & 29. and that of Jan. 25, 17, 24. and several others. But, while he was speaking for Peace, some, whose malice and interest had made implacable, & guilt rendered desperate, were preparing for the Battle, (whilst this Prince of Peace was negotiating for Peace, and in order thereunto prepared to raise the Trained Bands of his Dukedom of Cornwall, by encouragement of his Royal presence,) Fairfax and Cromwell fall with incredible fury upon his Army, commanded by the Lord Hopton, at Torrington, and vanquished it: Which news being brought to him at Launceston, he removed from thence to Pendennis, where continually receiving some unhappy news, and unwelcome Messages pursuing each o●her, so fast as the Waves do in a Storm, and coming as thick as the Messengers of Jobs calamity, was advised to consult his own safety, and (since he could not by all his suasions procure a pacification either by Art or Arguments, dint of Sword, or strength of Reason,) preserve himself, the Kingdoms growing hope, for happier days, wherein he might with more fortunate success apply his sovereign Balm to heal the bleeding Breaches of the three dying Nations.  
Whereupon he went from thence, attended by the Lords Goring and Culpepper, and Sir Edw. Hid, to the Isle of Scilly, which still remained in the King's hands; where he was no sooner arrived, but he received a solemn Invitation from the Parliament in a seeming tender & dutiful way, to come to them, and remain in such places as they should think convenient, and entertain such Attendants & Counsellors only as should be appointed by them. Upon receiving of which Invitation, he advised with those about him, what was best to be done in that case, and they returned the following Answer, viz.  
That it became not him to do any thing in a matter of that concern, without his Father's privity, advice, and free consent; and therefore, before he could satisfy the Honourable House, he desired a Pass might be granted to the L Capel to go to the King at Oxford, to take his Advice, and hearken to his Royal Pleasure, and make some overtures to him in order to a Peace. He desired likewise the assistance of the Reverend Father in God, the Archbishop of Armagh, whose deportment toward the Public was so moderate and inoffensive, that even Jealousy itself entertained not the least suspicion of him.  
But, through the ill Influence some persons had on Public Councils, there was nothing done in either of those particulars, althô, when Providence was pleased to deprive him of Civil Comfort, and Secular Attendants, it had been but charity to have supplied him with some faithful, good and able Chaplain, by whose Piety, Learning and Prayers, he might be the better enabled to sustain the want of all other Enjoyments. But they not only refused to gratify him in that reasonable Request, but also by an Ordinance barred him from all future converse with such Loyal Attendants, as would otherwise have willingly waited on him there, to deceive the tediousness of that Solitude; so that those, who would now adventure to repair to him, or supply their unhappy absence by the civil correspondence of a Letter, were to die without mercy. During his abode there, he spent a day or two in viewing the Isle of Gernsey, the only remainder of our Rights to Normandy, to try if peradventure the persons, or the place, would furnish him with the knowledge of any thing whereof he was a Stranger before, and which he might observe for the future benefit of his Kingdom: For, as he afterward wrote to the Lord Mayor and Common-Council of London, he neglected not any Maritime observations, which might be useful to English Traffic, the slands commodiousness for Shipping & Trade, from the Eastern parts to the West, in the middle way between St. Malo's, and the River Seine, the capaciousness of its Harbour, together with the smaller Islands, Alderneley, Lerke and Sarnia.  
After this, he betook himself to France, to visit his Mother in that Court, where he was received with all imaginable demonstrations of Joy, where, after having received his Mother's Blessing, and the Compliments of that Court, he retired with her to the Lovure. But, his active disposition rendering him soon weary of a tedious and easy Retirement, he desired leave of his Mother to go with the Duke of Orleans into the Field that Summer in the Head of a French Army, which then marched into Flanders against the Spaniards. The Queen wrote to the King, to know his pleasure about it, but he absolutely refused it, accounting it beneath the Princes of Great Britain to serve any, as those who understood better how to command, than be commanded, in a Field, having formerly had Kings and Emperors in pay under them; & in regard that our homebred miseries afforded Employment so agreeable with his active spirit, that he thought he ought not to spare himself for any dangerous engagements in Foreign Quarrels, and therefore advised him to expect Instructions from him how to dispose of himself more to his Kings, his Fathers, his own, and countries' Service.  
Whereupon, in obedience to his Royal Father's command, he quitted his own wishes, and waited for farther directions from the King. During which time, the varieties of Airs, he had passed through, distempered his tender body, & brought upon him an Aguish ●ever, which continued some weeks, until by the goodness of God, the care of his Loyal Attendants, and the skill of his Physicians, he was recovered to so good a temper, as to attend his Father's Affairs, according to those Instructions he received from him in an enclosed Commission, which was then sent him to be Generalissimo of all the Loyal Forces which had survived those late unhappy defects; that declared to the World, that good and ill success are no infallible demonstrations of Innocence or Gild, since there is a just man that perisheth in his Righteousness, and the wicked sometime prosper in their wickedness.  
The Kingdom of Scotland, tender of his Safety, Honour & Conscience, humbly move his Father not to suffer him, who was their present hope and their future happiness, to be exposed in his younger years, to such Foreign Temptations and Dangers, as might have those unhappy Influences upon these Kingdoms that the Child unborn might rue for, since Princes are so public, that within the Fate of their own single persons are involved the concerns of whole Nations, (Rex est publica pars major meliorque mei.) Whereupon the King wrote to him to wait upon his Mother, and obey her dutifully in all things, Religion only excepted, and that he should not stir any whither without his particular directions. But, not satisfied therewith, they writ to him themselves, by their Committee of Estates, to invite him thither, protesting that none of the present Calamities, except his Father's distress and restraint, afflicted them so much as his absence; and, seeing their Forces had at first entered England, to do their duty to Religion, his Majesty, and himself, they humbly desired his Highness to honour and countenance their Pious and Loyal Endeavours with his gracious presence, and Royal Person, for whose Safety, Honour and Freedom they engaged the public Faith of that Kingdom, which Invitation was signed by Craford and Lindsey.  
But he had learned, by too sad experience, what faithless trusties they were of Prince's persons, and thought it dangerous for the Son to trust himself with those who had betrayed his Father. Liberty being so much the desire of all men, that it is not reason Princes should hazard Captivity, since all freeborn Souls embrace a Freedom, though it be but to wander like forlorn Exiles in a strange Land, rather than a Restraint upon their Persons, their Judgements and their Consciences, within the Precincts of their own Palaces; wherefore he intended to wait with patience till Providence might find out some way for his return to his own Country, with more Safety and Honour, and sent the Earl of Lauderdale back with this Answer to the States of Scotland, That their Civility, which might well become the best Subjects, should, upon the first opportunity, have that return from him, which might become the best of Princes. And, in the mean time, in pursuance of those Instructions he had received from his Father, he negotiated his Affairs in the French Court, where, by his Mother's assistance, he prevailed for some thousands of pounds, to be advanced by that Court, toward the furtherance of his Majesty's Affairs in Ireland, as an Earnest of greater Assistance to be afforded hereafter.  
Some remainders of his Cornish Forces now getting to a head, and others upon order Marching to him out of Ireland, he met them in the Isle of Jersey, with such Forces as he had procured beyond the Seas; where he possessed himself of some Vessels which lay in the Island, & joined them to those which he had brought with him out of France: the news whereof arriving at Westminster a Letter is dispatched from the Parliament, and delivered him by Colonel Russel, Governor of Guernzey, wherein they humbly desired that, for his Fathers, his own, and for his three more than miserable Kingdom's sake, he would come among his Father's Subjects, offering thereupon to afford all that lay in their power to give, or himself could expect to receive. But not daring to trust them, he waved their Compliment, and proceeded to manage his affairs by Sea and Land to that advantage, if they had had their desired success, as might have enabled the King in the approaching treaty, to stand upon such terms as conduced most to his Honour, both as a Man, a Christian and a King. In order whereunto he came attended by the Duke of York, Prince Rupert, the Lords Hopton, Wilmot, Wil●oughby, Branford and Ruthen, and Sir Henry Palmer, with twenty Sail of Ships towards Yarmouth, and landed there with 2000 Men, where the divided multitude entertained him according to their various Inclinations, some with an Hosanna, and others with a Crucify.  
And as himself had taken care of his affairs at Sea, so he sent commissions to several Persons of Honour and Trust, whom he commanded to take care of them by Land, viz. Ormond, Inchequeen and Montgomery in Ireland, the Committee of State and their Officers in Scotland, the Lords Goring and Capel in Essex and Kent; Glenham and Langdale in the North; Hales, Lucas, Langhorn, Poyer, Owen, Buckingham, and the Earls of Holland and Peterborough, in those places where each of them resided; and Letters of correspondence passed mutually between him and the Scots, his Father and the City, in some whereof which were intercepted, the City, the Lords, and some of the Commons declared themselves ready to contribute all possible assistance for the composing of those unhappy differences.  
For whose encouragement he was graciously pleased to declare himself rather the asserter of his People's Privileges than his own Rights, as though he fought against his Subjects, not to make himself, but them, happy against their wills; for in a Declaration which he then published, he Solemnly protested 1. For the Establishment of Religion, according to his Fathers, agreement in the 26th of the preceding December 2. The performance of the said agreement and pursuance of the concessions on the King's part. 3. The restoring of the King to a Personal Treaty. 4. The just Privileges of Parliament. 5. An Act of Oblivion. 6. The liberty of the Subject, abolishing excise, contribution, forfeit, quarter, etc. 7. Disbanding the Armies and settling of Peace. 8. The Defence of the narrow Seas, the securing of ●rade, and the support of the Navy and Seamen, was all he designed in his present undertake. Which Gracious Declaration he seconded with a Letter to the Lords, wherein he required 1▪ That a Personal Treaty might be had in such place and manner as might consist with the King's Honour, Safety and Freedom, that so it might not be blemished with any Face of restraint, 2. That Scotland might be included. 3. That in the mean time there might be a cessation of Arms, and an orderly moderate subsistence, mutually agreed on for the Forces on both sides to the Soldier's content, and the Subjects ease: But such was their stubborn peevishness, that all his concessions were slighted▪ and his endeavours came to nothing.  
Wherefore seeing he could do nothing by fair means, he applied himself to Force, and made several Honourable, but unsuccessful attempts, to reduce his Rebellious Subjects to the obedience of their Sovereign. Poyer and Langhorn reduce South Wales, raise a Thousand Men, keep Pembroke, Tenby and Chepstow, beat Fleming and Horton, but soon after received a total rout at St. Fogins, Tenby and Pembroke being surrendered, and Langhorn and Poyer forced to submit to Mercy: in whose behalf he wrote to St. Thomas Fairfax from the Downs, where he than lay with his Fleet, that they might have the usage and terms of Soldiers of War, as those had who were taken by him. To which Letter the General answered with all due respects to his Highness, that it was not in his power to Act further, the Parliament having ordered their Trials, he dared not interpose their Justice; but only pray for Mercy and Peace, subscribing himself his Highness' Humble Servant. Sir John Owen likewise reduced North Wales to as little purpose.  
Nor had his affairs much better success in Surrey, Essex, Kent: And the City, who having first petitioned and then fought for their own Peace, the King's Honour, Safety and Liberty, and the Kingdom's Establishment, were able to accomplish nothing to purpose. The Kentish Men Rendezvouzed at Black-heath under Sir Edw. Hales, who commanded them as General, Sir Geo. Lisley, and others; offering a Parley to Sir Tho. Fairfax, to which he returned this Answer, etc.  
SIRS, I received a Message from you for a Pass, for some Gentlemen to come and and Treat, according to an Order of Parliament, but know of no such Order of theirs, or Authority of yours to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose; & finding you & them in Arms against the Parliament, I cannot admit of a Treaty; but if ye shall forthwith lay down your Arms, and return home, I doubt not of the Parliaments mercy, to such as have been deluded into this Rebellion, and their Exemplary Justice to the Chief Actors therein. Of which Answer having satisfied the Prince, they did by directions from him make this Reply. 1. That an universal and perpetual Dictate of Nature, even self-preservation, not to invade others Rights, but to secure their own, had drawn them together. 2. 'Twas an undoubted Power over them ordained of God they did then obey, and so did neither Tumult nor Rebel. 3. That Providence which had given them that opportunity, they dare not neglect, nor could they lay down their Arms without the forfeiture of their Reason, and their Honour; and that, as for the uncertain mercy which he offered to the deluded many, whom he thought knew not why they were come together, & the certain Justice he had threatened their Leaders withal, he might assure himself there was but one Soul in that great Body, which was therefore resolved to stand or fall together as one Man, being not tempted with any hope, except that of returning to their ancient Rights, Privileges, Governments and Settlements; and altogether uncapable of any fear, save only that of relapsing into their former slavery: And that the fair managing of their business, was a sufficient demonstration of their Inclinations to Peace, entreating him therefore rather to make the Country his Friend than his Enemy.  
The General being inexorable, and and they resolved, both Armies met at a barricadoed Bridge, between the Heart● and Gravesend, where both sides strenuously disputed the Passage, till the Countrymen retired back into their main Body, being overpowered by multitudes, rather than overcome by valour; whereupon (notwithstanding they gained another Pass, which was disputed between them and the Parliamentarians) they retired to Maidstone, which they stoutly maintained against the first and second, but yielded upon a third Assault, though with a great slaughter of their Enemies, who obtained that with great loss, which they parted with not without extreme regret; whereupon Rochester is quitted, and left to the mercy of the Enemy.  
In the mean time their General, the Prince, lay in the Downs with his Fleet in a very good condition, waiting for that supply of Land Forces, which his Brother the Prince of Orange was industriously raising for his Service in Holland, and seizing several Merchant Ships not to be released under 200000 l. Intending his Subjects future gain by that present loss, by employing of it in the defence of their Laws and Liberties: But understanding that the Castle of Deale was in danger of being taken, he Landed some Forces for its Relief, who were Vanquished almost as soon as Landed, a Rebellion seeming to have chained the Goddess Fortune, (as the Trojans did of old) to its side. For it was so deplorably successful, that whenever it met with Loyalty, it presently vanquished it.  
But, notwithstanding this loss, he would have hazarded himself for the relief of Colchester, wherein Sir Charles Lucas and the Lord Capel with their Essex-Forces were besieged, had he not been dissuaded by those about him, and informed that Coll. Scroop had undertaken the relief of that City, with a greater number of Men than was there under his Command, whereupon he desisted from his intention and reserved his hitherto unblemished Reputation, to expect a fairer opportunity: And still continued at Anchor in the Downs.  
But Fairfax, whose actions were performed as soon as thought, and whose designs did almost prevent his performances, carried on the Siege of Colchester with so much strictness and resolution, that he very much striatned those Valiant Worthies, who had somewhat weakly imprisoned themselves within a place where they would be sooner tired than overcome, when it might have been more discretion to have taken the Field, and there have improved their opportunity of performing something to the Honour of their Master, and the good of their Country, by the gleaning of those Loyal Subjects, who would have been continually resorting to them, and the taking all advantages against their Enemy, or at least they might have died Nobly and revenged. However they resolved gallantly to defend the place to the last extremity, their Valour being able to suffer whatsoever the Enemy without was able to reduce them to; but Famine within became a more prevailing Adversary than Fairfax's Army; and when Courage and Resolution would not yield to the one, Nature was forced to stoop to the other. For their want of Provisions were so great, that Dogs and Cats were accounted great Rarities, so that the Soldier thought it a Relief to be employed where he was most probable to meet with death, as weary of the lingering doom of departing by piece-meals, and dying daily. Yet they yielded not the City, till they were informed of the Scots defeat at Preston, and that the Navy was revolted from the Prince again, it being as unconstant as the Wind, and as unstable as the Water that it sailed upon: And indeed what could be expected, but that those, who were Traitors to their first, should be unfaithful to their second, Master? And then those Desperadoes resolved to make a general Sally upon the Enemy; for since there now remained no Calamity unsuffered, which they could possibly fear; they thought it was better to go forth and meet their sudden doom, than wait for it within the Town; but the Soldiers and Townsmen shrinking, they were forced to yield themselves to the General, as Prisoners of War.  
His brave and Warlike Attempts, for his Father's Restauration, having thus proved unsuccessful, he was forced to content himself with being unhappy, since he had approved himself to be Loyal; and so he retired to the Hague in Holland, where he resided with his Sister the Princess of Orange, to avoid the Treachery of Cardinal Mazarine, who was dealt withal to trapan him, and had for that purpose, as himself said, as much from those in England, as would maintain the Queen and Princess, and defray all the incident Charges which they put that Kingdom to: As also to avoid Suspicion, which the Parliament might have of him during the time of the approaching Treaty. About which having heard some uncertain Rumours, he wrote to his Father by the Lord Seymour for better satisfaction, that so he might manage his Designs and Counsels suitable to his Father's Exigencies, as he expressed in his Letter, which was to this purpose.  
SIR, Having no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesty's Affairs, but such as I receive from the Prints, or (which is altogether as uncertain) Reports, I have sent this Bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty, and to bring me an account of it; and that I may also assure your Majesty, that I do not only pray for your Majesty, according to my duty, but shall always be ready to do all which shall be in my power, to deserve that Blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty, etc.  
And being now big with expectation of the joyful News of such a settled Peace, as might be safe and honourable to his Majesty, and advantageous to the Subject, he receives Information that the Treaty was begun, and so far concluded, on such Reasonable Demands of the two Houses, and Royal Concessions of his Majesty, as upon three days mature deliberation it was resolved, that the King's Answer to the Propositions of both Houses, was a ground for them to proceed upon, for the settlement of the Nation, with his Majesty's consent; Who was in order thereunto to have been restored to the Freedom, Safety and Honour, that became his place, he thereupon assured himself, that his Majesty having now, in order to an accommodation, granted as much as modesty could ask, there would undoubtedly follow a Peace and settlement of the Kingdom, with an universal satisfaction, and that the happiness, and not the error of the Government, were some men's grievances, which proved but too true. For to such a height wa● the Malice and Impudence of Cromwe● and some other Officers of the Army, now grown, that they resolved to employ their Power against those that gave it them, and to oppose themselves against the wished for Peace and Settlement of the Kingdom; therefore finding that all the pretence of Authority now failed them by the Parliaments Resolution to set the King at Liberty, they now make use of plain Force, and boldly adventure to contradict the Resolves of the Parliament itself, from whom they had first received their pretended Commissions, and presume without Law first to imprison them in their own House, and then to sequester as many of them as they please from coming thither. Whereby, having patched a Juncto of their own, which they still ridiculously called by the name of Parliament, they renewed the Vote of Non-Addresses, declare the Treaty at the Isle of Wight dishonourable and dangerous, and therefore protest against it, and then proceeded to disarm the City and Country, that so there might not be a Sword drawn for the good and Peace of the Kingdom. Which obstacles being thus removed, the Army encouraged the Juncto with a Remonstrance, wherein they proposed that the People should agree finally to take away the Government by King, Lords and Commons, whereby they made good those Charges which had formerly been made against the Parliament, and their Army, and from which they had endeavoured by so many Oaths and Protestations to clear themselves. And that they should▪ in the name of the People, proceed against all Malefactors, from the highest to the lowest, wherein they impudently included, and chief aimed at, the King himself, who was in order thereunto closely imprisoned, and deprived by them of the comfort of his Loyal Attendants, and of the Honour of that State and Ceremony that was due to him.  
But these were but essays toward, and beginnings of, Sorrows to that Pious, though unfortunate King. First, It was moved in the House on the first of the following January, that he might be tried as a Traitor: Which horrible, as well as senseless, Vote was passed into an ordinance, and sent to the House of Lords. Upon which the Earl of Manchester, to his Eternal Honour, did declare that, in regard the King was the chief of the three States in Parliament, he could not possibly be a Traitor to the rest, since Treason always goes upward, and the lowest only are capable of being Traitors to the highest. Which Speech the Earl of Northumberland seconded by declaring his opinion, that suppose it was without question, that the King was first in the War, yet they had neither Law, Custom or Precedent, to make that War Treason in his Majesty, and the Lord Say affirmed that he knew not who should to say to Kings, Ye are unrighteous, or to Princes, Ye are ungodly. And Kings (added Pembroke) they say can do no wrong, much less can they be guilty of Treason, whereupon the Ordinance was immediately thrown out of that Honourable House.  
But the Juncto mad upon their ungodly and destructive project resolved notwithstanding that the Persons, impowered therein to try the King, should proceed accordingly, although the Lords consented not. Which unexpected News being brought the Prince by Seymour, together with the Ordinance for his Father's Trial, he was thereby surprised with so much Passion and Amazement, to see their Oaths of Allegiance, Covenants, Protestations, and Treaties for Peace, conclude in Parricide and Murder, that he knew not how to contain himself, until he began to consider with himself, that Passion must not be suffered to disturb reason in such an exigency of affairs; wherein its consultations were to be employed in the weighty business of saving a Father, a King, and three Kingdoms; and that it became him therefore to give himself rather to discreet Advice and Council, than to sullen grief: It being more Princely and Heroic, to prevent the mischief, than either to be angry at it, or revenge it when it was done. And in order thereunto he solicits Spain, France, Holland, and the Scots, to interpose themselves in his Father's behalf, who accordingly, by their respective Ambassadors and Messengers, did mediate for his Life, offering themselves, together with the English Peers, to become Pledges for him. But the Barbarous Juncto were inexorable, their guilt having made them so desperate, that they thought themselves no otherwise safe from former mischiefs committed by them, but by perpetuating a far greater and unparallelled wickedness, those Monsters of Men hurrying his Majesty from the Isle of Wight, to bring him to his Trial, as though they had designed to explain, to the wand'ring World, the meaning of that Riddle, which was contained in their pretence of defending him, whilst they fought against him.  
Being unjustly condemned by the pretended high Court of Justice, set up by the Juncto for his Trial, to lose his sacred Head, he did upon the near approach of his death take care, with good Hezekiah, to set his House in order, giving charge concerning the same to the Dutch Ambassador, with whom he was as private, as the rudeness of the Soldiers would permit him. For the most part of the Saturday in the Afternoon, ordering him to carry his Blessing to his Son, and deliver him such Instructions, as equally declare the greatness of our loss in him, and our happiness in his Successor, whose actions were always steered according to them, wherein he breathed more like an Angel than a Man, or at least, as one then already entered upon the confines of Eternity, and within view of Immortality and Perfection, as you may perceive by the Instructions themselves, which are as follow.  
Son, if these Papers with some others, wherein I have set down the private reflections of my Conscience, and my most impartial thoughts, touching the chief passages that have been most remarkable, or disputed, in my late Troubles, come to your hands, to whom they are chief designed, they may be so far useful to you, as to state your Judgement aright in what hath passed, whereof a pious use is the best that can be made, and they may give you some Directions how to remedy the present, and prevent future Distempers.  
This advantage of Wisdom you have above other Princes, that you have begun, and now spent some years of discretion, in the the experience of Trouble, and the exercise of Patience, wherein Piety and all other Virtues, both Moral and Political, are commonly better planted to a thriving, as Trees set in Winter, than in warmth and serenity of times, or amidst those delights which usually attend Princes Courts in time of Peace and Plenty, which are prone either to root up all Plants of true Virtue and Honour, or to be contented only with some Leaves, or withering Formalities of them, without any real Fruit, such as tend to the public good, for which Princes shall always remember they are born, and by Providence designed. The Evidence of which different Education the Holy Writ affords us in the contemplation of David and Rehoboam, the one prepared by many Afflictions for a flourishing Kingdom, the other softened by the unparallelled Prosperity of Solomon's Court; and so corrupted both for Peace, Honour and Kingdom, by those Flatteries which are as inseparable from prosperous Princes, as Flies are from Fruit, whom adversity, like cold Wether, driveth away▪  
I had rather you should be Charles Le bon, than Le grand, good, than great: I hope God hath designed you to be both, having so early put you upon that exercise of his Gifts and Graces bestowed upon you, which may best weed out all vicious Inclinations, and dispose you to those princely▪ Endowments and Employments which will most gain the love, and intent the welfare, of those over whom God shall place you.  
With God, the King of Kings, I would have you begin; the best Government, you can attain to, is, to be subject to his Word and Spirit swaying in your heart.  
Your Glory will be the advancement of God's Glory in the maintenance of true Religion, and of the Churches good, and in the dispensation of Civil Justice and Honour for the public good.  
Piety will make you prosperous, or at least not miserable, whereby, in the loss of all, you save a Soul, to which, as to a Creature, I see all these black Lines of Affliction drawn.  
This Cup we taste is God's Physic, having that in healthfulness, in wants and pleasure.  
I would have you, above all, well grounded in your Religion, according to the best Profession of the Church of England, which I wish may be judiciously your Religion, sealed by your Judgement and Reason, persevering i● it as the nearest to the Word of Go● for Doctrine, and the Primitive Examples for Government, with such amendment as I elsewhere expressed, and often offered, but in vain. A fixation for Religion is necessary for your Souls and Kingdoms Peace.  
The Devil of Rebellion can turn himself into such an Angel of Reformation, and the Old Serpent can pretend such New Lights, that when some men's Consciences accuse them for Sedition and Faction, they stop their mouth with the name and noise of Religion. When Piety pleads for Peace and Patience, they cry out Zeal; so that you must be settled, or you shall never want Temptations to destroy you and yours. Men are so good at putting the best of Princes for the worst of Designs, especially when Novelty prevails much, attended with Zeal for Religion; and 'tis a good way to hid their own Deformities, by severe censures upon other men's Opinions and Actions.  
Abet no public Faction against your own and the Church's settled judgement, lest the advantage you gain in some men's Hearts (who are prone to be of their King's Religion) be lost in others, who think themselves and their professions, first despised and then Persecuted by you.  
Either calmly remove the seeming differences and offences by impartiality, or order it so in point of power, that you need not fear, or flatter any, else you are undone, so quickly will the Serpent devour the Dove. There is less Loyalty, Justice, or Humanity in none than in Religious Rebels, whose Ambitious Policies march under the Colours of Piety, with security and applause. You may hear from them jacob's Voice, but you shall feel they have Esau's Hands.  
The Presbyterian Faction in England, while compliant with public order, was inconsiderable in Church and S●ate: When discontents drove Men to sideing, as ill humours fall to the disaffected part, so did all that affected Novelty, adhere to that side as the most remarkable note of difference (then) in point of Religion; all lesser Factions (until time and success had discovered to them their several advantages) being officious Servants to Presbytery.  
What may seem at first but an hand-breadth in Religion, by Seditious Spirits, as by strong Winds, are soon made to cover and darken the whole Heavens, and therefore must be suppressed or reform.  
Next to your care for Religion take care for Justice, according to the settled Laws of these Kingdoms, which by an admirable temperament give very much to the Subject, and yet reserve enough for any King, who owns his People as Subjects, and not as Slaves.  
Never charge your Head with such a Crown, as may oppress the whole Body, that it cannot return any strength, honour or safety to the head.  
Your Prerogative is best exercised in remitting, rather than exacting, the just Vigour of the Laws.  
I hope you will never think it safe for a King to gratify any Faction with the perturbation of the Laws, in which is wrapped up the public interest, and the good of the Community.  
My Counsel and charge to you is, that (if it please God to restore you) you seriously consider the former real, or objected miscarriages, which might occasion my troubles, that you may avoid them.  
Never repose so much upon any Man's single fidelity, and distraction, (in managing affairs of Religion and Justice,) as to create in yourself or others a diffidence of your own judgement which will prove more faithful to your own, and the Kingdoms, interest than any Mans.  
Exasperate no Faction by the asperity of any Man's Passions, or humours (employed by you) about differences in lesser matters, wherein a charitable toleration dissipates that strength, whom rougher opposition fortifieth; provided the differences amount not to an insolent opposition of Laws and Governments, our Religion Established, as to the essentials of them.  
Always keep up solid Piety, and those fundamental Truths which mend both the hearts and lives of men, with impartial Favour and Justice.  
Take heed that outward Circumstances of Religion devour not all the Encouragements of Learning, Industry and Piety, but with an equal Eye, and impartial Hand, distribute Favours and Rewards to all men, as you find for their real goodness, both in abilities and fidelity, worthy or capable of them. This will give you the hearts of the best and most too, who, though they be not good themselves, yet are glad to see the severer ways of Virtue at any time sweetened with Temporal Rewards.  
Time will dissipate all Faction, when the rough● Designs of some men shall discover themselves, which were at first wrapped up under the smooth pretences of Religion, Reformation and Liberty. For, as the Wolf is not less cruel, so he will be more justly hated when he shall appear no better than a Wolf under Sheep's clothing. And, as for the secluded Train of the vulgar, who, in their simplicity, follow those disguises, my charge and counsel to you is, That, as you need no palliations for any Designs; so you study really to exceed (in true and constant demonstrations of Goodness, Piety and Virtue toward the People) even those men that make the greatest noise and ostentation of Religion. So you shall neither fear any detection, as they do who have but the face and mask of goodness, nor shall you frustrate the just expectation of your People, who cannot in reason promise themselves so much good from any Subject's Novelty, as from the goodness of their King. And when Factions are by God's Mercy, and your Virtue, dissipated, the abused vulgar will then learn, that none are greater Oppressors of their Estates, Liberties and Consciences, than those men that entitle themselves, the Patrons and Vindicators of them, only under that pretence, to usurp Power over them. Let no passion therefore betray you to any study of revenge upon those, whose own sense and folly will sufficiently punish in due time. But, as soon as the Forked Arrows of Factious Emulations is drawn out, use all Princely Arts and Clemency to heal the Wounds, that the smart of the Cure may not equal the smart of the Heart.  
 it shall be desired and accepted, offer Indemnity to so great a latitude as may include all that can but suspect themselves to be any way obnoxious to the Laws, as to remove all Jealousies, not out of strict Policy or Necessity, but out of Christian Charity and Choice. For, be confident, (as I am) that the most of all sides that have done amiss, have done so, not out of malice, but through a misapprehension of things. And that therefore none will be more Loyal to you, than those, who sensible of their Errors, and our Injuries, will feel in their Souls most vehement motives of Repentance, and earnest desires to make some reparations for their former defects.  
As Your Quality sets you above any Duel with a Subject, so the Nobleness of your Mind must raise you above the meditation of any Revenge upon the many that have offended you. The more conscious you shall be to your own Merits upon your People, the more prone you will be to expect all Love and Loyalty from them; and by inflicting no punishment for former miscarriages, you will find more inward complacency in pardoning of one, than in punishing a thousand. This I writ to you, not despairing of God's mercy, and my Subjects affections towards you, both which I hope you will study to deserve, yet we cannot merit of God, but by his own Mercy.  
If God should see fit to restore me, and you after me, to those Enjoyments which the Laws should have assigned to us, and no Subject without high degree of guilt can divest us of, then may I have better opportunity, when I shall see you in Peace, to let you freely understand the things that belong to God's Glory, your own Honour, and the Kingdom's Peace. But if you never see my face again, and God will have me buried in such a barbarous Imprisonment and Obscurity, which the perfecting some men's Designs require, where in few men's hearts, that love me, are permitted to exchange a word or look with me, I do require and entreat you, as your Father, and your King, that you never suffer your heart to receive the least check against, or dissatisfaction from, the true Religion established in the Church of England; which upon trial I find to be the best, as Christian and Reformed, keeping the middle way between the pompous Superstition of Tyranny, and the meaness of Fanatic Anarchy.  
Not but that (the draught being excellent as to the main, both for Doctrine and Discipline,) some Lines, as in very good Figures, do peradventure need some sweetening and polishing, which might here have easily been done by a safe and gentle hand, if some men's precipitancy had not violently demanded such rude alterations as would have quite destroyed all the beauty and proportion of the whole.  
The Scandal of the late Troubles, which some may object and urge to you against the Protestant Religion established in England, is easily answered to them, or your own thoughts Duel with a Subject, so the Nobleness of your Mind must raise you above the meditation of any Revenge upon the many that have offended you. The more conscious you shall be to your own Merits upon your People, the more prone you will be to expect all Love and Loyalty from them; and by inflicting no punishment for former miscarriages, you will find more inward complacency in pardoning of one, than in punishing a thousand. This I writ to you, not despairing of God's mercy, and my Subjects affections towards you, both which I hope you will study to deserve, yet we cannot merit of God, but by his own Mercy.  
If God should see fit to restore me, and you after me, to those Enjoyments which the Laws should have assigned to us, and no Subject without high degree of guilt can divest us of, then may I have better opportunity, when I shall see you in Peace, to let you freely understand the things that belong to God's Glory, your own Honour, and the Kingdom's Peace. But if you never see my face again, and God will have me buried in such a barbarous Imprisonment and Obscurity, which the perfecting some men's Designs require, where in few men's hearts, that love me, are permitted to exchange a word or look with me, I do require and entreat you, as your Father, and your King, that you never suffer your heart to receive the least check against, or dissatisfaction from, the true Religion established in the Church of England; which upon trial I find to be the best, as Christian and Reformed, keeping the middle way between the pompous Superstition of Tyranny, and the meaness of Fanatic Anarchy.  
Not but that (the draught being excellent as to the main, both for Doctrine and Discipline,) some Lines, as in very good Figures, do peradventure need some sweetening and polishing, which might here have easily been done by a safe and gentle hand, if some men's precipitancy had not violently demanded such rude alterations as would have quite destroyed all the beauty and proportion of the whole.  
The Scandal of the late Troubles, which some may object and urge to you against the Protestant Religion established in England, is easily answered to them, or your own thoughts in this, that scarce any one who has been a beginner, or an active prosecutor of this late War against the Church, the Laws and me, either was, or is, a true lover, embracer, or practiser of the Protestant Religion established in England, which neither gives such Rules, nor ever before gave such Examples.  
It's true, some heretofore have had the boldness to present threatening Petitions to their Princes and Parliaments, which others of the same Faction, but worse Spirits, have now put in execution But let no counterfeit and disorderly Zeal abate your value and esteem of true Piety; both of them are to be known by their Fruits. The sweetness of the Vine and Figtree, is not to be despised, though the Brambles and Thorns should pretend to bear Figgs and Grapes, thereby to promote their Rule over the Trees. Nor would I have you to entertain any aversation or dislike of Parliaments, which in their right Constitution with Freedom and Honour, will never injure or diminish your greatness, but rather be as the interchanging of Love, Loyalty, and Confidence between the Prince and his People. The sad Effects of the Insolence of popular Dictates, and tumultuary Impressions, in this Black Parliament, will make all Parliaments after this, more cautious to preserve that Freedom and Honour which belongs to such Assemblies, (when they have once shaken off that Yoke of vulgar Encouragement,) since the Public Interest consists in the common good of Prince and People.  
Nothing can be more happy for all, than in fair, grave, and honourable ways to contribute their counsels in common, enacting all things by public consent, without either Tyranny or Tumults. And we must not starve ourselves, because some men have surfeited of wholesome food.  
If neither I, nor you, be ever restored to our Rights, but God in his severest Justice will punish my Subjects with continuance in their sin, and suffer them to be deluded by the prosperity of their wickedness, I hope God will give me and you that grace, which will teach and enable us to want, as well as to wear a Crown; which is not worth the taking up or enjoying upon sordid, dishonourable or irreligious terms. Do you always keep firm to the true Principles of Piety, Virtue and Honour, and you shall never want a Kingdom.  
It will be your honour to afford all respect, love and protection to your Mother, who hath many ways deserved well of me, especially in being a means to bless me with so many hopeful Children, and being content with incomparable magnanimity to suffer with me and them.  
May you be an Anchor of hope to these weather-beaten Kingdoms, & your Wisdom, Justice, Piety and Valour, a repairer of what the folly and wickedness of some men have so far ruined, as to leave nothing entire to the Crown, Nobility, Clergy or Commons, of Laws, Liberties, Estates, Order, Honour, Conscience or Lives. Let those that love me find me (when I am gone) in your presence and virtues. What good I intended, do you perform, when God shall put it into your power. I pray God bless you, and establish your Kingdom in Righteousness, your Soul in true Religion, and your Honour in the Love of God, and your People. Farewell till we meet, if not on Earth, yet in Heaven.  
The good King, having thus resigned himself, and all his Affairs, into the hand of God, patiently submitted to his Cross; and in a way of renunciation, as it were, and self-disposition of his Government, transferred and bequeathed the Sceptre, together with his Advice and Direction, for his wielding of it. He applied himself wholly to the making preparation for his departing from an earthly to a heavenly Kingdom, being assisted in his Piety and Devotion by Dr. Juxon, Bishop of London. And being upon the fatal 30th of January brought upon a Scaffold, erected before his own Palace of Whitehall, where he was barbarously murdered by his own Rebellious Subjects, he delivered himself in the following Speech.  
Being not likely to be much heard, I could be silent, did not silence intimate a submission to the guilt as well as to the punishment charged upon me. But in my duty to my God and Country, to clear myself an Honest Man, a good King, and a good Christian, I protest before God, to whom I must instantly give an account, that (as may appear from the date of their Commissions and mine) I begun not the War against the Parliament, nor intended I any encroachment upon their Privileges, they began with me and the Militia, which they confessed was mine, but thought it fit to have it from me, yet I charge not the guilt of these unhappy troubles upon the two Houses, for I believe ill instruments betwixt us was the cause of all this Bloodshed, however this Sentence is just upon me, for an unjust Sentence permitted by me. What Christian I am this good Man, (pointing to Dr. Juxon) and others that have been inwardly familiar with me, and know me as well as myself, may bear witness. I die in Communion with the Professors of the Reformed Religion, that hath been Established in the Church of England, in Queen Eliz. and my Father's time of Blessed Memory, and in Charity with all the World, forgiving the worst of mine Enemies, and praying God that this be not laid to their Charge.  
As a good King I advise my Subjects, not to ground yourselves in Conquests without a good cause, that you would give God, the King, and the People their deuce. You may give God his due, by the advice of a national Synod, freely chosen and freely debating among themselves. How you may give the King his due, the Law will instruct you, and the People have their due, when they have that Government and those Laws, whereby their Lives and Goods are most their own. I have delivered my Conscience. I pray God you take those courses that may be for the Kingdoms and your own good.  
Having finished this Speech and poured forth his Divine Soul to God in Prayer, it was sent by death to him that gave it, where the great Assembly in Heaven joyfully welcomed that Martyred King, and made room for Charles of Great Britain.  
The Life and Reign of Charles the first, being thus determined by this untimely and fatal stroke, his Eldest Son, who likewise bore his Name, immediately Succeeded him by the Title of Charles the Second; Who was the Lawful and undoubted Heir, not only of all his Dominions, but also of his admirable and Heavenly Virtues, being endowed with all those Qualifications, which are requisite to, or could possibly be desired in a Prince, and under the influence of whose happy Reign, these Nations might have enjoyed as much happiness and felicity as their Hearts would wish, had not their own folly and madness for a time prevented it. For no sooner had the Fatal Axe severed England and her Liberties, by cutting off the Head of her King, but the Parliament (as the Juncto still presumed to call themselves) the better to crush Monarchy, and maintain what they had now so far prosecuted, issued forth a Proclamation that none, under penalty of being deemed guilty of High Treason, should presume to Proclaim, declare, publish or any way promote the Prince of Wales, Son to the late King, or any other Person whatsoever to be King, or Chief Magistrate of England, or of any part of the Dominions, or any part thereof, by Colour of Inheritance, Succession or Election, or any other claim or pretence whatsoever without the free consent of the People in Parliament, and which Proclamation, although not published till the 2 of February, yet was in part Proclaimed on the very day of the King's Murder.  
And for the more ensuring and the better carrying on their Government with the more plausibility, they publish an Act of State, for the alteration of Writs wherein instead of King, the Name, Style and Test, and Custodes Libertatis Angliae Anthoritate Parliamenti, should be used and no other: All Writs being ordered to run so, and those concerned in the Law required to take notice thereof, yet they provided that all Patents, granted by the late King, should still stand in full force and virtue.  
And having cast off the chief of those three Estates, by which the Nation had been so long Governed, they think likewise of abolishing the second, that so they might usurp the whole power into their own hands, in order whereunto having first Voted that they would make no farther Addresses to them nor receive any from them, they made an Ordinance for abolishing the House of Lords, as dangerous and useless. And then having abolished the Ancient Governments of this Kingdom they proceeded to the consideration of Establishing another, but found it a work of so much intricacy that they could come to no resolution, but only agreed in a Negative Voice that there should, for the future, be no Government in England, either by King or House of Lords: and thereupon ordered the old Great Seal to be broken, and a new one to be made, which was delivered to the keeping of three Commissioners, viz Keeble, Whitlock and Lisly, and considered of new Oaths to be administered to the Judges, who thereupon met and upon debate six of them were contented to continue in their Employments, provided the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom were not altered. For whose satisfaction the Juncto, by their Declaration of the Ninth of February, did assure them that they were fully resolved to maintain, and would uphold, preserve and keep, the Fundamental Laws of this Nation, for and concerning the preservation of the Laws, Properties and Liberties of the People, with all things incident thereunto.  
They proceeded likewise to appoint such Persons, as they thought would be most firm to their Interest, to exercise the Offices of Justices of the Peace throughout the Nation, and constituted a Council of State, consisting of about forty in number, whereof five might be Lords. And finally, to secure all, whereas they had before only repealed, they now abolish and make void, the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy.  
But, notwithstanding all their endeavours to render themselves secure and firm in their Government, yet the People began now to be generally discontented: And those who had formerly affected them, growing sensible of the Inconveniencies that were like to ensue upon the cutting off of their Prince; beginning to abhor their practices, there was a general Plot carried on against them in all the Counties of England: Which obliged them to send Forces into most parts, to awe them, and thereby the better to keep them in order. Notwithstanding which Contrivances of theirs, to bar up the way to that Imperial Throne, which they had impudently invaded, and parted into shares amongst themselves, there were some who had Courage and Loyalty enough left them to assert the King's Right, and their own Duty, in a Printed Proclamation thrown about the Streets. And to convince the Juncto at Westminster, that all men would not be wheedled to run a gadding after their Calves at Bethel, but that there were some still left, who would tread in the old Path, and beaten Tract of Government, in the succession of Charles the Second to the Crown of England, which Proclamation was as follows.  
We the Noblemen, Judges, Knights, Lawyers, Gentlemen, Ministers, Freeholders', Merchants, Citizens, etc. and other Freemen of England, do, according to our Allegiance and Covenant, by these presents, hearty, joyfully and unanimously, acknowledge and proclaim the Illustrious Charles Prince of Wales next Heir of the Blood Royal to his Father King Charles (whose late wicked and traitorous Murder we do from our Souls abominate, and all Parties and Consenters thereunto,) to be by hereditary Birthright, and lawful Succession; Rightful and undoubted King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging. And that we will faithfully, constantly and sincerely, in our several places and callings, defend and maintain His Royal Person, Crown and Dignity, with our Estates, Lives, and last drop of our Blood, against all Opposers thereof▪ whom we do hereby declare to be Traitors, and Enemies to His Majesty, and His Kingdoms. In testimony whereof we have ordered, and caused to be published, and proclaimed throughout all Countries and Corporations of this Realm, the first day of February, and the first year of His Majesty's Reign. God save King Charles the Second.  
Which Proclamation, although without any Solemnity, or indeed open Appearance, met with the same cheerful Reception, and inward Loyal Resolutions, as if Vent had been given to a public manifestation of Duty and Joy by His Majesty's present ascending the Throne: For it revived the hearts of his mourning and disconsolate Subjects, to see the sure and certain Succession thereof asserted and continued in the same most beloved and darling Name, the Eldest Branch, and descended of their martyred Sovereign, in whose Ruins the Regicides thought to have raked up, and buried all Claims and Just Titles to the Imperial Diadem of these Kingdoms.  
The said Out-cries and lamentable Groans sent forth by all Loyal Subjects, at the Loss of their Head, together with the Martyr's Instructions and his George, (which were according to his Fathers desire sent him by the Dutch Ambassador,) found him at the Hague in Holland, where he than kept his Court, and was first saluted King; and the horror thereof so seized his great Soul with wonder and astonishment, that it had certainly sunk under the weight of it, had not the Religious Consideration, that he ought not to sorrow as one without hope, buoyed up his Spirit; and Reason forbidden him to cast away himself with grief, who was then become the only hope of three Kingdoms. Generous Rage prompting Princes to Revenge, rather than Despair, which was not to be accomplished by weeping Eyes, but by wise Counsels, and valiant Performances.  
Wherefore he bravely cheered up, and reassumed his wont Courage, Comfort, State and Majesty. And for the better managing of his Affairs, went soon after to Paris, to solicit that Court to embrace his Interest, and afford him some Assistance for the recovery of his Right, and the redressing his Subjects miseries, by discountenancing the English Rebels, and furnishing him with that competency of Money, Men, Arms and Ammunition, which might enable him not to Invade his Country, but to encourage his own Subjects to rescue themselves from a forced Slavery. But the French King being under Age, and Cardinal Mazarine, who then governed the great Affairs of that Kingdom, being no Friend to this banished and distressed King, but holding a correspondence with his rebellious Subjects, he was able to procure no Assistance from thence. Whereupon he next applied himself to Spain, whither he sent the Lord Cottington as his Ambassador, who upon his arrival there, was confronted by a Competitor, viz. Ascham, who called himself an Ambassador from the then New Majesties of England, until he was dispatched by some Switz. After which Cottington was dismissed with this Answer; That were it any thing in the King of Spain's own Dominion, which his Master of Great Britain had desired, it should have been no sooner requested than granted: But being a Foreign Quarrel, he could not interest himself therein, in regard it was not reasonable he should busy himself in other men's matters, who had so many Irons in the fire himself.  
But in the mean time, the Emperor, the Princes of Germany, the Kings of Denmark and Sweden, being acquainted with the present circumstance of his Affairs, by his several Ambassadors sent to each of them, they highly resented his deplorable condition, and resolved his speedy assistance and supply. And Holland, upon his Account, and the Interest of his Sister the Princess of Orange, did upon terms agreed on between the late King and their Ambassador, two days before his death, resolve not to veil to this younger Sisters State, as they had been wont to do to the Kings of England; but by the Forlorn of some private acts of Hostility begin that difference, which soon after broke out into an open War. Nor was he altogether void of Assistance from England, being underhand supplied with some Moneys by his Loyal Friends from thence.  
But Scotland was more entirely at his Devotion, who having showed their sad Resentment of his Father's Death, by observing a Public Fast on that occasion, on the 19th of February, and cheerfully promoted his Succession, by the Estates of Parliament there assembled, a Proclamation was issued out for the solemn proclaiming and declaring him to be their lawful King and Governor, which was as follows.  
His late Majesty being, contrary to the consent and protestation of this Kingdom, removed by violent Death, we the Estates of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland, do unanimously, in Recognition of his Just Rights, proclaim his Eldest Son Prince Charles, by the Providence of God, and undoubted Succession, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, whom we are bound by the National and Solemn League and Covenant to obey, maintain and defend with our Lives and Goods, against all his Enemies. But before he be admitted to the exercise of his Royal Power, he shall give satisfaction to these Kingdoms touching the Security of Religion, the Unity o● the two Kingdoms, and the Good and Peace of this Kingdom, according to the National and Solemn League and Covenant. God save the King.  
Which Proclamation was for the better assuring the truth of their designed Allegiance to the Crown, made in a most solemn manner at Edinburgh Cross, which was hung with Tapestry, all the Parliament-Lords attending there in their Robes, and the Chancellor himself reading the said Proclamation, and reciting the Murder of his late Majesty to the King at Arms; the night being concluded with all usual demonstrations of Joy and Gladness. Which being over, they sent an Expostulatory Letter to those at Westminster, to give them an Account of their proceed, and require their concurrence therewith. In answer whereunto they received Letters stuffed with flattery, and protestations of Amity and Friendship, if they would desist from acting any farther therein, and acquiesce and concur with their proceed in England. But they, knowing that their Countries Honour had been lost by the same Traitorous proffers, refused to hearken to their overtures, protesting in their messages directed to Lenthal, the Speaker, that they would not enter into any Treaty with them, nor own them, unless they were a free Parliament consisting of both houses without any force upon or seclusion of their members.  
Wherefore having hereby made the English Parliament implacably their Enemies, they endeavour to assure his Majesty to be their Friend, ordering Joseph Douglas to repair forthwith to him at the Hague, and acquaint him with what they had done, and were preparing to do. And presently after, sent several Commissioners to treat with him, about his repairing to them, and entering upon the exercise of his Kingly Office: Whereupon their Commissioners at London, having sent a peremptory Paper to the Juncto, withdrew themselves privately from London, intending to pass by Sea, for Scotland, but were intercepted at Gravesend, and by a Guard conveyed thither by Land; an Envoy going likewise with them to the Scottish Parliament, to know if they would justify the aforesaid Paper; who beginning now to be more than ever enraged against the Rump, dismissed him without any Answer, but prepared themselves for defence, intending to levy 17000 Foot, and 6000 Horse, against the return of their Commissioners, who landing about the middle of the Summer, though they did not bring with them a confirmation of the Agreement, yet gave certain hopes of it by a Treaty, presently to be commenced, the King offering to perform whatsoever his Father had promised for the settlement of Presbytery.  
Upon which Encouragement the Lord Liberton was presently dispatched to wait upon the King, who was then preparing for his return from the Hague, through Flanders, into France, which he did on June 15 in company with his Sister, and her Husband, the Prince of Orange in their Coach, and came early to Rotterdam, where he was received by the Burgher's in their Arms and saluted in his passing the Gates with the Artillery, Ringing of Bells and all other signs of Joy and Honour, and Nobly treated by them. From whence he went to Dort, where he was received in the same manner, and then to Breda, and then to Antwerp, where, by order of the Archduke of Austria, he was met and entertained, with all possible state and splendour, being presented likewise with a rich Chariot, with eight Horses, suitable thereunto, and particularly welcomed by his former Tutor, the Marquis of Newcastle (who had then fixed his Residence there, out of respect to the great Civility which he received from that People, who had made him Excise-free, and given him several other Immunities and Privileges.) And from thence conducted to Brussels, where he was as royally entertained, & with as much grandeur, as if he had been the King of Spain himself. And the King did afterward acknowledge that Entertainment for the most sumptuous and magnificent, and to have in it the most pleasing variety of any that he ever met withal, during the whole time of his Exile. Which Amplitudes were observed throughout his whole passage: For at his departure thence, the Duke of Lorrayn gave him the like Entertainment, and conducted him on his way toward France, where in Compaign, the French King, accompanied with the most and choicest of his Nobility, did receive and welcome him with all the Testimonies of Affection and Honour that became such a Prince, and afterward conveyed him in State to St. Germains, where the Queen his Mother then resided.  
So that although he was banished from his Throne, yet he wanted not a Kingdom all men wherever he came, being so taken with his Virtues, that they seemed willing to become his Subjects. Nor was his Court much inferior in numbers and splendour, to those of other Princes, who were in the actual possession of their Crowns. Toward the maintenance whereof, his Aunt the Duchess of Savoy assigned him fifty thousand Crowns per Annum; several others contributing likewise thereunto, according to their abilities.  
He was very much solicited about this time by the Scottish Commissioners, to repair to that Kingdom; but finding that the Conditions, upon which they were willing to admit him, were such as he could not in honour accept of, especially the parting with Montross, he resolved to steer another course, and therefore grants a Commission to Montross to Levy what Forces he could beyond the Sea, and with them go and join the Lord Seworth, Major Straughan, and others, who had got to Head for the King without the Kirk, in the North of Scotland. But they being routed before he came by Lisley, and himself, not long after his Arrival, defeated by a Party of the Kirks Forces, and taken Prisoner, & most ignominiously hanged at Edinburgh; he was, as it were, forced by the necessity of his Affairs, to comply with their demands, which was so much the easier done, in regard, that, about that time Montross was removed by an unfortunate death. Wherefore he sent Sir Will. Fleming beforehand to compliment the States; he returned them his Answer in the following Letter, which he sent back by Liberton.  
We have received your Letter by Mr. Windram of Liberton, and graciously accept your good affections towards us, your Resentment of our Condition, and our Father's Murder. And out of a gracious desire of a good understanding between us and our Subjects of Scotland, for their Peace, Happiness and Comfort, we command and desire you to send us Commissioners, sufficiently Authorized, to treat and agree with us, about those things which concern the Interest of our Subjects of Scotland, and our Interest in England, Scotland and Ireland, at Breda, on the 5th of March. That all the World may know how sincerely we desire Agreement, we have addressed these to you, under the Name and Title of Committeee of Estates of our Kingdom of Scotland, and do expect you use this Grace no otherwise for the prejudice of us and our Affairs, than for the Treaty; and in order to it, Given at our Court in Jersey, Jan. 6. 1649. Charles Rex. Another Letter to the same purpose, being likewise directed by him to the Committee of the Kirk.  
The Scots gladly received those Letters, and presently made choice of Commissioners to repair to Holland, sufficiently instructed for the concluding of a Treaty with the King, who arrived at Breda on the 16th of March, and were on the 19th conducted by the L. Wentworth, Master of the Ceremonies, to their Audience, when they delivered to His Majesty the following Propositions. 1. That the Excommunicated should be forbid the Covenant. 2. That all the Acts of Parliament be ratified, the Covenant taken, the Presbyterian Government established and practised in His Majesty's Family, and elsewhere; and that he himself swear to it. 3. That all Civil matters might be determined by subsequent Parliaments, and all Ecclesiastical matters by the general Kirk assembled. Which Propositions of theirs being delivered, he distinguished the Civil part of their Proposals, from those that concerned Ecclesiastical matters, and told them, that as to what concerned Civil Affairs, he would confirm all the Acts and Ordinances of the last Session of their Parliament: And that all Affairs concerning that Kingdom should be transacted in a Parliamentary way, as they had been in his Royal Father and Grandfather's time. And that, as long as any person did stand excommunicated, he should be uncapable of any Office or place of trust in that Nation. And, as to what concerned the Ecclesiastical matters, he told them, That the Covenant seemed more proper for Subjects, than for a King, in regard Allegiance unto Sovereignty was a considerable part of it. And that as to those parts of it, wherein he thought himself concerned, he would, upon the word of a Prince, with the limitation allowed in the Covenant, viz. as far as he did, or might in his Conscience, according to the Word of God, endeavour in his place the Reformation in Religion and Worship, in England, Scotland and Ireland. Assuring them moreover, that he would allow the Scottish Nation a Liberty as large as he enjoyed himself; And that in case the generality of the Scottish Nation assembled in Parliament, would propose unto him the Presbyterian Government as the way wherein that Nation would walk in fellowship with God, he would confirm and establish it by his Royal Authority. And finally, That in order to his making good those particulars, he would, with all convenient speed, repair to his Ancient Kingdom of Scotland, desiring to be excused, if his Fathers, and his own ancient and faithful Friends, who had constantly attended on him in all his sufferings, should come along with him thither, since he could not, in point of gratitude, discharge those from the Advantages of Loyalty, whose faithfulness to him was so great, that no hazards whatsoever, could discharge them from the Services, Employments and Dangers of it; telling them, he should be a King in vain, if Allegiance in his Court were esteemed a fault that deserved cashiering.  
These Proposals and Answers were rationally debated by Commissioners on both sides, the Scots standing very stiffly to their Principles, and the King's Commissioners resolved not to yield to all their demands, whereupon by an influence which the English had upon some of the Commsssioners (for they had their Active Agents both their and in Scotland, streneously endeavouring to countermine the honest endeavours of all sides for pacification) the treaty was like to break off as unhappily as by them it was thought to be begun, but by the mediation of the State's General, the Queen of Bohemia and the Prince of Orange, it was reassumed, and brought to a Conclusion, upon the Covenant Terms on the King's part, with the forementioned limitation, it was the Religious part of the Treaty which kept them at the greatest distance, and was the most difficult to be agreed upon, controversies of that nature being ever the most irreconcilable, the civil part ever quickly dispatched in regard he was of such a condescending temper that conld contentedly quit much of his interest for the Peace, and welfare of his People, but was unwilling to quit any of his conscience, which he knew to be a far more weighty and sacred matter.  
On the Scots side it was agreed that his Majesty should be admitted to the Throne of Scotland, and his just Rights in that Kingdoms recovered by Parliament, from the hands of those who had usurped them, and that they should assist his Majesty in bringing the Murderers of his Royal Father, to condign punishment, restore him to the Kingdom of England, and the vindicating his Right thereunto against the present Usurpers, etc.  
The Treaty being thus finished, the Commissioners both of the Kirk and the State were splendidly treated by the Prince of Orange, and highly honoured by his Majesty, after which they returned into Scotland, exceedingly satisfied in their success and entertainment.  
Nor were the Scots alone in their Endeavours at this time, to restore His Majesty to his lost Dominions: For many of the Presbyterians in England, did likewise, by their Agents at B●●da, engage all their Interest for the promotion thereof. But Cromwel's Emissaries being so thick, that three could scarcely meet together, but one of them would, in the end, prove his Spy, they were betrayed, and their Designs came to nothing. Many eminent persons, especially of their Ministers, being taken and brought to Trial, as Case, Jenkins, Jackson, Love, and others; some whereof were executed, (upon the importunity of Cromwell, who protested to the Juncto, that if they did not Justice in England, he would not fight in Scotland,) viz. Love and Gibbons.  
The Juncto were very much alarumed when they understood, that notwithstanding all their Endeavours to the contrary, the Treaty at Breda is concluded. And that among other things, the Scots had engaged to assist His Majesty to bring them, and the Rebels of their Conspiracy, to condign pnnishment, and ●o recover those Rights, which none but such Monsters as themselves would unjustly detain from so great, and so good a Prince. Wherefore being deeply sensible of their danger, they prepare for War, but whether it should be Offensive or Defensive, was yet a question among them. But at last considering that, if there must be a War, it had ever been a Maxim among the greatest Politicians, that it was most prudent to make the Enemy's Country the Seat of it. They resolved upon an Offensive War, hoping that Scotland would quickly be weary of maintaining two Armies, since it had so much ado to keep one. And that since they were informed their Levies went on flowly, they thought that their Forces, which were already on Foot, might easily go and surprise them, before they looked for them, or were half ready to entertain them.  
In order whereunto, Cromwell being called out of Ireland, was in great state made Captain General of all their Forces, raised, or to be raised in England, Scotland and Ireland. The Lord Fairfax, who had in him some sparks of Loyalty, waving at once that Employment, and his own Commission; not as some imagine, to avoid the hazard of that Expedition; for he was one that never turned his back upon danger, but because he was unwilling any longer to be subservient to those base and vile Designs, which he now began to abhor.  
Whilst these preparations were making in England, the King removed from the Hague to Diep in Normandy, and from thence to Scheveling; from whence, after a dangerous Storm, and narrow escape of some English Vessels, which lay in wait for him, he arrived safe at the Spey in the North of Scotland, which the Parliament being informed of, they sent some Lords to receive and attend him from thence to Edinburgh, where he is received by the Parliament and Committee of Estates and Kirk, with infinite expressions of Fidelity and Affection; the common people like so many Echoes to their Superiors; and the whole City sounding nothing but Vive le Roy. But Cromwell, being advanced with his Army into Scotland, and having been successful in some smaller Encounters, and given them a total overthrow at Dunbar, they found themselves in a sad and perplexed condition, having not only the Enemy raging in the bowels of that Kingdom; but being extremely divided also amongst themselves; wherefore they now thought it high time to unite among themselves. In order whereunto a general meeting was appointed at St. Johnstons', which should consist of King, Lords and Commons, and the Assembly of the Ministers, in which Assembly several Lords formerly in favour with the Kirk, were admitted to Commands in the Army, and a Liberty to sit in Parliament, as Hamilton, Lauderdale, and others. And Major General Massey, formerly Governor of Gloucester for the Parliament, but afterward reconciled to the King, was admitted to a Command in the Army. And as the perfection of all the King's Coronation was there resolved upon, so that now their wounds began to heal, and their breaches to be made up again; and it was generally hoped, that these Clouds of Division being blown over, a serene Sky would immediately follow, and the Sun of Prosperity shine on their future proceed.  
The Parliament of Scotland, in pursuance of those resolutions at St. Johnstons', having dissolved themselves in order to the King's Coronation, it was performed on the first of January at Schone in as Solemn and Splendid manner, as the exigency of the time could bear; his Majesty with a great Train of his Nobles and others went first to the Kirk, where a Sermon was Preached by a Scotch Minister whose name was Duglass, upon those words, than they brought out the King's Son, and put upon him the Crown, and gave him the Testimony, and made him King, and Jehojadah and his Son Anointed him, saying, God save the King. 2 Chron. 23, 11. Joined to these words, and Jehojadah made a Covenant between all the People, and between the King, that they should be the Lords People, v. 16. Which Sermon being ended he was conducted from his Chair of State, which was placed in the Kirk, to that erected for his Coronation, by the Lord High Constable, and the Earl Marshal, where being placed he was Proclaimed King by Herald King at Arms; and then clad with a Robe of State by the Lord Chamberlain, and the Lord Steward. After which sitting he consented to the National Covenant, the Solemn League, Covenant, Directory, and the Catechisms, and promised upon his Royal word to perform them (so far as he understood them to be agreeable to the Word of God,) in his own Family in his Kingdom of Scotland, and in all his other Dominions, as soon as it should please God to restore him thereunto: Which being done, the Coronation Oath was next read, which was Enacted in the first Parliament of King James, and is as follows.  
That His Majesty shall maintain that Religion, Discipline and Worship, that is most agreeable to the Word of God, to the best Patrons of Reformation, and is against all Heresy, Schism, Idolatry, Superstition and Profaneness, that he should govern the Kingdom by Law and Equity, and that he should maintain the just Rights of the Crown, and Privileges of the People.  
After the reading of which Oath he declared with an audible Voice, that he did promise, in the name of the great God who Lives for ever, that he would to the uttermost of his Power, endeavour to do the things contained in that Oath. Which done, Herald King at Arms went to the four corners of the Stage, and demanded of the People four times, whether they were willing that Charles the Second, Son and Heir of Charles the First, should be King over them, to which the People answered, Long live King Charles, God Save the King. Then the Marquis of Argile Presented him with the Royal Sceptre, the Earl of Eglington put on the Spurs, the Lord High Constable set the Crown upon his Head, and the Earl Marshal having unsheathed the Sword, put it into his hand to defend the Faith withal, which having held a while, he delivered it to the Earl of Glencarn to be carried before him.  
Then the Nobility, Gentry and Commons of the Kingdom, did as in the presence of the Great God that Lives for ever swear Allegiance, Fealty and Obedience, to him as to their Liege and Sovereign Lord; and the whole Ceremony was concluded, by an Exhortation of the Minister to his Majesty, to the Nobility, to the Clergy, and to the Commons, the sum and substance whereof, was in reference to the Covenant, which they then looked upon as the Centre from which every Line, both of Sovereignty, and the Subjects Duty, was to be drawn in their respective Circumstances. And for a power to perform what he then exhorted them to, the assistance of God is invoked by prayer; who being Alpha and Omega, they made him the first with whom they began, and the last with whom they finished. So soon as the Crown was set upon his Head, he made a short, but pithy Speech to the People, telling them, that he did esteem the Affections of his good People, more than the Crowns of many Kingdoms, and should be ready, by God's Assistance, to bestow his Life for their defence, wishing to live no longer than he saw Religion and that Kingdom to flourish in all Happiness; with many other expressions of like Love and Affection toward them.  
The Ceremonies of the Coronation being ended, and a plentiful Entertainment prepared, he sat down at one Table, and the Lords at another, many Caresses and Testimonies of Joy reciprocally passing between them. And Dinner being ended, they all returned to St. Johnstons', in the same Order and Pomp as they came from thence to Schone● Bonfires, Ringing of Bells, and the loud Acclamations of the People, were sufficient demonstrations of the Public Joy which the Scots were filled withal; and the great expectations they had of Happiness and Felicity under the Influence of his mild and easy Government.  
Having now obtained the actual possession of one of his Kingdoms; and being reconciled to that Parliament, he was not in the least daunted by the late Miscarriages, but as if he had been encouraged by his former Unhappiness, and raised in mind like Anteus by his Fall, he proceeded to the raising of such an Army, as might then have been rather wished for by the Affectionate, than expected by the Reasonable. And indeed such was the Confluence of Faithful Subjects, that continually resorted to him, and were resolved to carry on, and, if possible, maintain an endangered, and an endangering Cause against the most successful, and hitherto prevailing Interest, that he was in a little time Master of a greater Army in the Field, than either his own hope, or his Enemies guilty fear, could suspect. Wherefore he bravely appears himself in the management of his own Affairs, as Generalissimo of that Army, which consisted of two and twenty thousand fight Men.  
Nor was his care less employed about his Garrisons, than it was about those Forces he had in the Field, knowing that it was prudence to provide for a Retreat, though he expected a Conquest, and not neglect the providing a Refuge in the worst of Dangers; whilst, according to Reason, he need to think of nothing but Safety in the best of Victories. Wherefore to hasten the work, for every minute of delay was then fatal, and cherish the dejected Vulgar, (who were now somewhat discouraged by lying under the burden of a double Army,) with the honour and pleasure of his gracious presence: He took a progress to view the most considerable of them, and see them well fortified and furnished with all necessary Provisions, encouraging the Engineers by his Bounty, and directing and guiding them by his Skill.  
But those vast Preparations were too formidable to his Enemies for them to suffer 'em to go on without an Attempt, at least, to hinder and defeat them. Wherefore, before the Levies were well completed, Cromwell makes hard toward him, thinking each minute tedious that past without some Action. But the King prudently declined joining Battle with him, until he might, if possible, draw him, (who had a greedy desire of Fight,) into some disadvantage, which he was in a probability of doing soon after. For Cromwell, having commanded two Regiments to pass over into a narrrow Island, hoping thereby to intercept his passage, he sent against them five or six Regiments, under the Command of Major General Brown, who had certainly cut them all in pieces, had not Cromwell hastened thither with a supply in the very last minute of opportunity, whereby he rescued his own Forces, and beat back Brown, although not without a considerable loss on both sides. And, being flushed with those successful beginnings, pursued his Advantage; and transporting his Army over Fife, marched immediately unto St. Johnstons', which he took almost upon the first Summons.  
Whereupon the King, who was not able to beat them back, thought it high time to look about him. And, since Cromwell, that successful Rebel, had now gained all on the other side Fife, took the Earl of Eglington Prisoner, possessed himself of St. johnston's, and grew every day more powerful, he resolved, with all imaginable speed, to advance into England, expecting that the Justice and Equity of his Cause, together with the long Tyranny exercised over them by the Juncto, would incite his English Subjects to return to their Allegiance, and join with him against theirs, as well as his Enemies. And knowing by experience, that the Scots always expressed their Valour better in other Countries, than at home, in their own; whereupon Cromwell re-crosses Frith, and sends Lambert with a select Party of Horse and Dragoons, to fall upon the King's Rear, himself following presently after with the Body of his Army. The King entered England by the way of Carlisle; the Royal Army marching through the Country with that Civility, and exact Obedience to Military Discipline, that, as some affirm, the Country was not damaged  by them. But whether it were, that their former Villainies had left such a deep impression in the hearts of the People; or that they were now dulled and besotted with Slavery, and with Issachar's Ass, were content to couch under their Burdens, or that they were overawed by an Armed Power, which is the most probable, few or none came in to his Assistance, save only the Lord Howard's Son of Escrick, with one Troop of Horse, notwithstanding his earnest Invitation.  
The Juncto at Westminster hearing of the King's March, were exceedingly terrified therewith, and presently raised all the Countries against him, and declared it High Treason for any to assist him either with Men, or Money.  
But the Earl of Derby, who was always Loyal both to him and his Father, not fearing their  Threatening, brought him a supply of Two hundred and fifty Foot, and Sixty Horse, out of the Isle of Man. He met with no opposition till he came at Warrington in Lancashire, where some considerable Forces of the Parliament were ready to cut down that Bridge, and dispute his Passage: But the Scots falling on them, before they were ware, prevented the breaking down of the Bridge, and by their Valour, forced their way over the Planks, and put the Adversary to such a confused Retreat, that had it been pursued, as himself would have had it, but was opposed by Lesly, it might have proved the Conquest of all England; and that unhappy and miserable War might thereby have been ended much sooner than it was.  
From thence he marched toward Worcester, in such excellent Order, and with so little Damage to the Country, that it looked more like a Progress with his Nobles, than a March with an Army; which was a great demonstration of the powerful Influence of his goodness and care, which could so easily frame Rudeness itself to so smooth and even a temper, and form an unruly Camp into a well managed and orderly Court.  
In his way to Worcester he summoned Shrewsbury, by a Letter directed to Colonel Mackworth, Governor thereof, which was wholly composed of bowels, compassion and clemency, signifying to him, that being sensible of the injury done; and now, for a long time, continued to him in the unjust Usurpation of his Rights, and to his People, in the frequent and horrid breaches of their Privileges, he was willing to do himself and them so much Right, as to endeavour the Recovery of his and their Rights, which he, both by his peculiar Inclination, and his Interest, was more willing to do by Peace and Reason, than by War and Force, and therefore willed and required him to deliver up his Charge, and thereby prevent all Violence, which he conjured him to do as he was a Subject, a Christian, and a Gentleman. To which the Governor in a Reply, directed by him to the Commander in Chief of the Scottish Forces then in England, answered, That he could not, as a Christian, Gentleman, or Subject, betray the Trust his Superiors had put him in, so far as to deliver that place to any person without their consent.  
Being come to Worcester, he made a a halt, and marched his Army into that City, which was certainly a very great oversight, and proceeded from his suffering himself to be unhappily prevailed upon (as his Father had too often been,) by the light Reasons of others, more than by those that were far more weighty of his own. For if he had marched directly to London, he had certainly been successful, and would have surprised that great City, before they had been in a condition to have defended themselves. On which, the whole Kingdom would consequently have submitted to him. So that those, who advised him to stay at Worcester, seem to have accounted a few days March too great a purchase for three Kingdoms.  
The Earl of Derby, who was left in Lancashire, to raise more Men in that, and the adjacent Countries, being encountered by Lilburn, with his own, and the General's Regiment, was overthrown and routed: So that he narrowly escaped with some few only to the King at Worcester, who was now as closely cooped up in that City, by a company of fortunate Rebels, as the King of France was at Agincourt, by our brave King Henry; the whole Nation being about him, rather to swallow him up by their multitudes, than conquer him by their Valour. To whom Cromwell at last comes, as a Genius to quicken them to action, who had hitherto done nothing but look on, and spirit their grave and slow approach into a fierce Assault, and fatal Storm. The King, however, resolved to defend the City as long as possible against his powerful Attaques. The first whereof was the disputing of a Postage over the Severne, called Vpton-Bridge, by Lambert, which had been utterly impossible for him to have gained, had not either Negligence or Treachery, in those appointed by the King, to break it down, left one Plank behind, which reached from Arch, to Arch, a small Party of Horse and Foot, sent by him, under the Command of Fleetwood, to judge of the feasibleness of the Attempt, finding a Plank left upon the Bridge, immediately dismounted, and ventured over, securing themselves in a Church, on the other side; which Mosley (who lay in Vpton, with about Two Hundred Horse, and Sixty Dragoons, in abundance of Security, and without the least dread of an enemy) alarmed with assaults, whilst in the mean time Lambert passed over a considerable Party of Horse to their relief; upon which Mosley finding it was then in vain to fight, made an honourable Retreat toward Worcester, himself still bringing up the Rear, in which Service he was wounded by a shot in the head.  
The Bridge being thus gained, was immediately repaired, and Lambert's Army past all over, whilst Cromwell upon a Bridge of Boats, which he caused to be made over the Severne, on the other side, marched over with the Army under his Command, whereby the City of Worcester was very much strait'ned. There happened, for a day or two after this, several small Engagements with very doubtful success, until Victory hover, as it were, between the equal rivals, doubtful which head to Crown with Conquest, until Cromwell, rousing up his accustomed Spirit of dispatch, appeared at Red-Hill, and resolved to attack the City on all sides, commanded Fleetwood to make the Attack on one side, whilst he himself undertook to manage it on the other: Which the King perceiving, from the top of the Church Steeple, where he than held a Council of War, the better to discern the Posture of the Enemy; ordered some to draw out from St. John's, to oppose Fleetwood, others being sent in the mean time to line the hedges in Cromwell's way, who played their part so bravely, that Cromwell's Red-coats were at first glad to retire, until reinforced with fresh Soldiers. But then they were forced to retire, Whereupon the King himself marched with incredible Resolution out of Sudbury Gate, with a good Train of horse and foot to oppose Cromwell, whose invincible Lifeguard, which was therefore called Iron-sides, because it was customary to them to conquer, were very much disordered, the King performing such wonders as were almost above belief; exercising the part both of a courageous General and a valiant Soldier, having his horse twice shot under him, and rallying the disorderly Infantry, in his own Person, till they were utterly lost by the negligence of Lesley, who sordidly suffered a brave body of Horse to stand still, and look on the ruin of their King and Countrymen, unrevenged, and as it were, patiently wait for their own.  
The Field being now lost, he was forced to Retreat into the City, with the loss of Duke Hamilton, Sir John Douglass, and several other persons of note; being observed that he, like Caesar, did that day never bid his Soldiers go, but come, and that as he went first into Field, so he returned the last from it; being not without some difficulty, persuaded to retire, whereby it appeared he was not Conquered, but overpowered.  
In vain did he ride among the dejected Soldiers, with his hat in his hand, entreating them to stand to their Arms, and telling them, when he could not prevail, that he had rather they would Shoot him, than keep him alive to see the sad effects of that fatal day; for the Conquerors pursued the disorderly Scots to the Town, with such fury, that they even tired themselves with Slaughter and Execution, and became weary of Conquering, fight now, not so much against any other, as against the King himself, who was now become the only care both of his Friends and Enemies: the one crying, Save the King, for whom they were more concerned than for themselves, and the other crying out with as much earnestness, Where is the King? as if he had been the only prize they fought for.  
About six in the Evening, seeing all irrecoverably lost, he Marched out at St. Martin's Gate, leaving all things behind as a Prey to the Enemy; and indeed they were well lost, since by their loss he redeemed himself: for he was no sooner got out on one side, but the Enemy pressed in on the other to look for him, and had certainly pursued and overtaken him, had they not been stopped by the Royal spoil which was left behind, to the same purpose that Hippodame left behind her the Golden Apples to tempt the Pursuer to stay the gathering them up, and thereby save herself. And the Valour of some that still kept the Royal Fort, to reduce whom, Cromwell commanded out some Cheshire Forces, who most of them perished in the attempt, that County having never before lost so many lives in such an unworthy Service; but having at last made himself Master of it, the Defendants were all put to the Sword: whereupon the remainder of the Soldiery craved Quarter, and had it readily granted them, the Rebels being as weary of killing as the Royalists were of being killed.  
From this unfortunate Battle not above 300 Horse, and scarce any of the Infantry, escaped, who were most of them either slain or taken, near 100 Prisoners of Quality; of which, the chief were Duke Hamilton, the Earls of Shrewsbury, Derby, Cleveland, La●derdale, Rothes, Carnwath, Killy, and many more: the number of the Prisoners in the whole, being said to be 10000, together with whom, was taken the King's Standard, Coach and Horses, Collar of Sses and Star-Cloth. Major General Massey, who escaped the Battle, not knowing where to shelter himself, being grievously wounded, was forced to surrender himself a Prisoner likewise to the Countess of Stamford, being secured by the Lord Grey of Groby, her Son, by whom he was, after the recovery of his Wounds, sent up to London, from whence, not long after, he made his escape. The news of this Victory extremely rejoiced the Juncto, but the joy for their Victory was some, what allayed by the King's escape.  
Before he was got as far as Barbone's Bridge, which was not above half a Mile from Worcester, he made several stands, facing about▪ and desiring the Duke of Buckingham, the Lord Wilmot, and other of his Commanders, that they might rally with those few Forces that were yet left him, and once more try the fortune of War. But being come to the Bridge, a serious Consultation was held about it; when perceiving many of the Troopers throwing off their Arms, and shifting for themselves, their opinion was, that the day was so irrecoverably lost, that his only business now, was to endeavour the saving of himself from those ravenous Wolves and Regicides; whereupon he resolved, by the advice of his Council, to March back again for Scotland: and in order thereunto, the Duke of Buckingham demanded of the Lord Talbot, who was of that Country, if he could not Conduct them in their way Northward, who thereupon answered, that he had in his Troop one Walker, formerly a Scout-Master in those Parts, that knew the way very well; who being accordingly called to be their Guide, he performed that duty well enough for some Miles: but coming to Kinven Heath, not far from Kiderminster, he was at a loss, and knew not which way to go. Whereupon the King made a stand, and consulted with the Lords, whither he might with most safety March to take some hours rest, being almost quite worn out and spent: The Earl of Derby told him that, in his flight from Wiggan to Worcester▪ he had met with a perfect honest Man, and a great conveniency of concealment at Boscobel House; whereupon he resolved to repair thither, and Mr. Charles Gifford, who very well knew the way, was appointed to conduct him thither. When they came near Stunbrigde, it was debated by them, whether they should march through the Town or not; and being concluded in the affirmative, they resolved, that those about the King's Person should speak nothing but French, thereby the better to prevent the Discovery of his being there: Lesley having, with the Scotch Horse, in the close of the Evening, taken a more direct way Northward by Newport, he was now left attended only by Buckingham, Derby, Lauderdale, Talbot, Wilmot, and a few other Gentlemen, being in all not above sixty Horse. At a House about a Mile beyond Stunbridge, he refreshed himself a little with some small Beer and a crust of Bread, the House affording no better Provision; and as he road forward, he discoursed with Colonel Roscarrock, about the conveniency of Boscobel House, and the means of security, which he and the Earl of Derby had found there. Gifford humbly proposing to carry him first to White-Ladies, a House about half a Mile beyond Boscobel, belonging to one Fitz-Herbert, where he might repose himself a while, and then take such farther resolution as he and his Council should think fit: which was accordingly resolved on. And being come thither, and knocking at the Door, George Penderill, the youngest Brother of five, who were all severally instrumental in Conducting and Preserving his Majesty; hearing some body knock at the Gate so early, opened the Window, and seeing there Mr. Gifford and Francis Yates, who was his Brother-in-law, he asked his Brother what news he brought from Worcester, he replied, the King was defeated, and the Enemy in pursuit of him, and therefore bid him make haste and let them in: But before he could get down, the King, with most of the Lords, had entered the House, and got into the Hall, whither the King's Horse was likewise brought. And having that night road from Worcester thither, which was about twenty six Miles, he was extreme hungry, and very much tired with his long and hasty March: whereupon Gifford presently sent for Richard Penderill, who lived near hand, at Hobbal-Grange, and William Penderill from Boscobel. Richard came first, who was immediately sent back to bring a suit of his  for the King; and by that time he came with them, William was come likewise, and both carried in to the King by the Earl of Derby, who told William, that was the King, pointing to him, and that he must have a care of him, and preserve him as he had done him; Gifford laying the same charge on his Brother, which was exactly obeyed by both.  
The King was advised, whilst the two Brothers were sent for, to rub his Hands and Face with the Soot of the Chimney, the better to disguise him; and some persons likewise disorderly cut off his locks of hair: and having taken off his blue Ribbond, Buffcoat, and other Princely Ornaments, and distributed what Gold he had in his Pockets amongst his Servants, put on a course Canvas Shirt, (which was borrowed of one Martin,) which done he was to take upon him the Name and Employment of a Woodman; and having, after the Company was dismissed, a Bill brought him, he and Richard went out into the Wood: William went home, and Humphrey and George went out to scout, the better to discover if any of the Parliament Forces approached that way: And it was not above an hour, that the King had been in the Wood, before a Troop of the Enemy's Horse came to White-ladies, enquiring for the King. But being told by the Towns-folks, that there was, about three hours before, a party of Horse come thither, and, as they imagined, the King with them, but had made no stay; whereupon, enquiring which way they went, they were so eager upon the pursuit, that they made no farther search. The King had notice of this, by the two Brothers, who were often straggling into the Town for Intelligence: however he stayed all that day in the Wood, sometimes lying on the Ground, and sometimes walking, it being so rainy, that the thickest Tree therein was not able to keep him dry; and being about Noon very hungry, Richard ordered his Sister, the Wife of the aforesaid Yates, to provide him something to eat, and bring it into the Wood, which was done accordingly; which was a Mess of Milk, mixed with Eggs and Sugar, in a black earthen Dish: The King guessing it to be Milk and Apples, and saying, that he loved it very well.  
In the Evening he left the Wood, and went with Richard, Humphrey, and George, and Yates, to Richard's House, under the Name of William Jones, a Wood-cutter, newly come thither for work; being forced to content himself with a Supper of Bacon and Eggs, of which, after he had eaten a little, he asked Richard, if he would not eat? who replying, Yes, Sir: he said, than you have a better stomach than I; for you have eaten five times to day already. Being resolved to departed that Night to Mrs. Woolf's House, at Madeley, Jane Penderil, the Mother of the five Brethren came to see him; blessing God, that her Children were honoured to be the Instruments, as she hoped, of his safeguard and deliverance. At his departure, they all took their leaves of him, (except Richard, who was to conduct him thither) beseeching God to guide and bless him; and Yates freely offered him Thirty Shillings, which was all he had; whereof he took Ten, and bid him put up the rest.  
As he went toward Madeley, he met with an ill favoured Encounter at Evelin-Mill, about two Miles from that place: The Miller (as it afterward appeared, a Loyal Man, though they knew it not) had then in his House some considerable persons of the King's Army, that had just then taken shelter there, in their flight from Worcester; and being alarmed, by Richard's unhappily permitting a Gate to clap, through which they passed, was upon his watch, to spy if there was any danger, and boldly demanding, Who was there? Richard fearing he had pursued them, quitted the usual way, in some haste, and waded through a little Brook, the King thereupon doing the like, following him only by the rattling of his Leather Breeches, whereby they escaped the Innocent Miller, who not knowing but that they were Enemies, was as glad that he was rid of them.  
When they came to Madeley, they found Mr.. Woolf's Family all in bed; but Richard having knocked them up, and acquainted Mr. Woolf's Daughter, who came first to the door, that the King was there, she immediately received them into the House, where he refreshed himself for some time, but understanding the Rebels kept several Guards upon the Severn, and fearing that some of their Party (because many of them passed frequently through that Town) might Quarter at the house, as he understood they had often done, he thought it unsafe to lodge there, since they had no secret place for his concealment, but rather chose to retire into a Barn near adjoining, as a place less liable to the danger of a surprise, where he continued all the day following.  
During his stay in that Place, he conferred with Mr. Woolf, about his intended Journey into Wales, who sent a trusty Servant of his, to learn more particularly the strength and number of those Guards upon the Severn; who brought them word, that not only all the Bridges were secured, but the Passage-Boats likewise seized on; so that it would not be safe for him to prosecute his designed Journey into Wales: So that Woolf advised him rather to repair to Boscobel-house, which he assured him was the most retired place, and the fittest for his concealment in all those parts, and there stay till an opportunity of a safer conveyance could be found out. According to which advice he resolved to repair thither the night following; and in the mean time, his Hands and Face not appearing sufficiently discoloured, agreeable to his other disguises, Woolf provided Walnut-tree Leaves, as the readiest expedient for that purpose; and having boiled them, bathed his Hands and Face in the Water.  
Toward the Evening he adventured to return again into the House, and having refreshed himself, and being furnished with conveniencies for his Journey, which was conceived to be safest on foot, he departed about Eleven in the Night, with Richard, who was his faithful Guide toward Boscobel, where they arrived about Three next Morning: Being come near the House, Richard left him in the Wood, whilst he went in to see that there were no Soldiers there, or any other appearance of danger, where he found Col. Careless, who was one of the last that fled from Worcester; whereby it was not without incredible difficulty that he made his escape; and having concealed himself in Boscobel-Wood for some time, was just then come thither, to get some relief of William Penderil, his old acquaintance: And being told by Richard, that the King was without, he presently went with him, where they found him sitting on the root of a Tree; but being extraordinary glad to see the Colonel safe, came with him into the House, where he fed very hearty on course Bread and Cheese, and a Posset, which, as a rarity, was made for him by William's Wife, of thin Milk and small Beer; And his Feet being extreme dirty, and very much galled with travel, he was forced to wash them, and for want of Shoes to wear, whilst his own were dried, they were forced to put some hot Embers into his own, to dry them a little, whilst his Feet were a washing.  
Being a little refreshed, he was persuaded by the Colonel, to go back into the Wood, which he supposed was safer than the House, where the Colonel made choice of a thick-leaved Oak, into which William and Richard helped them both up, and brought them such Provisions as they could get, and a Cushion for the King to sit on, whom the Colonel entreated, in regard that he had taken little or no rest the two preceding nights, to seat himself as easily as he could, and then rest his Royal head in his Lap, assuring him, that he would be so watchful, that he need not fear the danger of falling; which he willingly accepted of, and slumbered away some part of that day, bearing all these harships and afflictions with a most incomparable patience. In the evening he returned to the House, and was Conducted, by William, to the same place wherein Derby had formerly been secured, which he liked so well, that he resolved, during his stay there, to trust only to it, and go no more into the Royal Oak, as it was thenceforward called, where he could not so much as sit at ease. And now, supposing himself possessed of a hopeful security, he desired William to shave him, and cut the hair of his head, as short on the top of his crown as the Cizers would do it, only leaving some about the ears, according to the Country mode; Careless, who stood by, told him, William was but a mean Barber: to which he replied, he was no competent Judge of that, in regard he was never shaved before. He bad William burn the hair, which was the only Command he was disobedient to, during his whole attendance upon the King: for he reserved a good part of it, and kept it as a civil Relic, with some whereof he afterwards pleasured several persons of Quality.  
Humphrey Penderil being, on the Saturday following, at Shefnil, whither he went to pay some Taxes, to one Captain Broadeway; at whose House he met with a certain Colonel of the Rebels, who was then newly come from Worcester in pursuit of the King: and being informed that he had been at White-Ladies, and that Humphrey was a near Neighbour to the place, and had some Relations lived in the House, he examined him strictly, laying before him the penalty of concealing him, which was death without mercy, and the reward promised for the discovering of him, which was 1000 l. certain pay. But so fixed was his Loyalty, that neither fear of Punishment, nor hope of Reward, was able to tempt him to a breach of that trust which the King had placed in him and his Relations; but he pleaded ignorance, and so was dismissed: And at night acquainted the King with the whole passage; at the relating whereof, and considering the price set upon his head, he looked somewhat dismayed, as having trusted his Life in the hands of such poor men, who might peradventure, for such a Sum as that, be perverted from their fidelity; which Humphrey perceiving, was extremely grieved with his rashness, in acquainting the King so unadvisedly therewith: But Careless assuring him, that altho' it was 100000 l. yet he would engage his Soul for their honesty; and Humphrey backing it with several solemn Protestations, he was pretty well satisfied. That night Richard's Wife, whom he was pleased to call his Dame Joan, provided some Chickens for his Supper, (a Dainty he had not lately been acquainted with) and a little Bed put into the secret place for him to lie on, some of the Brothers being by turns continually upon duty, watching the several Avenues of the House, and the Roadway, thereby to prevent the danger of a surprise.  
After Supper, the Colonel asked him, What Meat he would please to have provided for the Morrow, being Sunday? He told him, That he could wish they had some Mutton, if it might be had; which was somewhat difficult, in regard it was thought dangerous for William to go to any Market to buy it, since his Neighbours all knew he used not to buy any such Meat for his own Diet, and so it might have begot a suspicion in them, of his having strangers in his House; But the Colonel, willing to satisfy his Sovereign's desire, early, on Sunday-Morning, repaired to Mr. William Stanton's Sheep-Coat, who rent some of Boscobel-Ground, and having chosen out one of the best Sheep, struck him with his Dagger, and ordered William to carry him home.  
His Dormitory being none of the best, nor his Bed the easiest, he got up pretty early on Sunday-Morning, and having, near the secret place where he lay, the conveniency of a Gallery to walk in, he was observed to spend some time in his Devotions; and after his coming down into the Parlour, his Nose fell a bleeding, which put them all into a great fright, till they were pacified by his telling them, it often did so.  
As soon as the Mutton was well cold, William cut it up, and bringing a Leg of it into the Parlour, the King called for a Knife and a Trencher, and having cut some of it into collops, and pricked them with a Knive's point, called for a Frying Pan, and very artificially cooked them himself, of which, when they were ready, he eat very hearty; the Colonel in the mean time officiating as the Under-Cook, (which he looked upon as a great Honour too,) making the Fire, and turning the Collops in the Pan: Which Passage being, after their safe arrival in France, called to mind, and merrily reflected upon, he proposed it as a Problemetical Question, Whether Himself, or the Colonel, were the Master-Cook at Boscobel? And the supremacy was judged of right to belong to him. The other Brothers were, in the mean time▪ applied in their several stations, either scouting abroad, to learn Intelligence, or upon some other necessary Service; But it so pleased God, that, although the Soldiers had some Intelligence of his Majesty's having been at White-ladies, and knew that he was gone thence▪ yet they never searched the House, nor that of Boscobel.  
He spent some part of that Lord's day in reading in a pleasant Arbour, he met withal in Boscobel-Garden, planted upon a Mount, wherein there was a stone Table, and Seats about it, which he very much commended for its retiredness: And having understood by John Penderil, that the Lord Wilmot was at Mr. Whitgrave's House, he sent him thither, to let him know, he was well, and would come himself to Mosely that night: But when John came to Mosely, he was removed from thence to Bently; at which he was very much troubled: but, however, acquainted Whitgrave, and Mr. Huddleston, who was then there, that the King was returned to Boscobel, and with the ill accommodation he had there; whereupon they both resolved to go with him to Bently, where the Lord Wilmot appointed to meet them and the King, in a little Grove of Trees, not far from Whitgrave's House, about Twelve or One of the Clock that Night; and ordered John to return again to Boscobel, and acquaint the King therewith: who having not yet recovered his late foot Journey to Madeley, was not able, without a Horse, to Travel to Mosely; wherefore it was concluded, that he should ride upon Humphry's Mill-horse, (he being the Miller of White-ladies Mill) which was taken up from grass, and not accoutred with rich Trappings, or such gaudy Furniture as would have becomed so great a King, but with a sorry old Saddle, and a worse Bridle.  
When he was ready to mount, Careless being so well known in that Country, that his attendance would in all probability have proved rather a disservice than any advantage to him, he humbly took his leave of him, hearty praying for his constant preservation; with which excuse he was so well pleased, that he afterward gave him, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England, by the Name of William Carlos, which in Spanish signifies, Charles, an honourable Coat of Arms, bearing an Oak proper, in a Field Or; a Fess-Gules, charged with Three Regal Crowns of the Second; and for his Crest, a Civice Crown, with a Sword and Sceptre cross Saltier-wise; with this Motto, Subditus fidelis Regis & Regni salus.  
Having parted with the Colonel, he road toward Mosely, being led thither through Byways, altho' it was Midnight, by the five Brothers, who attended at a convenient distance, each of them having a Pikestaff, or a Bill, on their shoulders, and some of them Pistols in their Pockets; resolving, if they should have been questioned, or encountered, by five or six Troopers only, to have showed their Valour, in defending him, as well as their Fidelity, in concealing of him: He had not rid far, before he began to complain of the Horse, being never used to ride such kind of Beasts as that was, That it was the heaviest, dull Jade, that he ever road on: whereupon the owner replied, somewhat beyond the usual notion of a Miller, My Liege, can you blame the Horse for going heavily, when he had no less than the weight of thr●e Kingdoms on his back? When they were come to Penford-Mill, which was within two Miles of Whitgrave's House, his Guides desired him to alight, and walk the rest of the way, the footpath being more secure and much nearer, which he consented too; and Humphrey and George being to return with the Horse; the rest waited on him, to his Journey's end, but having forgot, upon parting, to take his leave of those that went back, he hastily turned, and called them to him again, and said, My Troubles make me forget myself; I thank you all: And so having given them his Hand to kiss, he proceeded on his Journey.  
Wilmot, according to his appointment; came to the meetingplace, at his hour, and was received by Whitgrave, and conveyed to his old Chamber, but was extremely troubled, when he found the King was not there at his prefixed time; which made him suspect the worst, and fear that some misfortune had befallen him; wherefore he desired Whitgrave to repair again to the place of meeting, where they had left Huddleston to attend the King's coming; who appearing there about two hours after his appointed time was expired, they conducted him to the House, where that disconsolate Lord had long expected him with great solicitude: so soon as he saw him enter, he kneeled down, and embraced his Knees; and in requital, the King kissed him on the Cheek, and demanded somewhat earnestly of him, what was become of Buckingham, Cleveland, and others? to which he answered, that he could give him no account, but hoped in general, that they were safe. Then the Lord addressing himself to Whitgrave and Huddleston, said, Tho' I have hitherto concealed the Name of my Friend, yet now I adventure to tell you, That it is my Master, your Master, and the Master of us all: Whereupon the King gave them his Hand to kiss, and told them, that he had received such an account, from Wilmot, of their Fidelity, that he should never forget it, desiring to see the secret place where he was to be concealed; which having viewed, he liked it very well. And then returning into Wilmots Chamber, he sat down on the Bed's side, and his Nose bleeding, he plucked out of his Pocket a Handkerchief course and dirty, being suitable to the rest of his Apparel, which was a Leather Doublet, a pair of green Breeches, and a Jump-Coat, (as the Country called it) of the same green, a pair of his own Stockings, with the tops cut off, because they were embroidered, a pair of old Shoes, cut and slashed, to give ease to his Feet, an old, grey, greasy Hat, without a lining, and a noggen Shirt, of the coursest Linen; his Face and Hands likewise being answerable thereunto, made of a rusty complexion, by the help of the Walnut-leaves. Huddleston observing the courseness of his Shirt was very troublesome to him, and hindered his rest, desired know, if he would change it? which he being willing to do, he furnished him with a flaxen one; and pulling off his Shoes and Stockings, carefully dried his Feet, where he found that somebody had innocently put white Paper next his Feet, which, with going on foot from the place where he alight, to the house, was so roul'd between his Stockings and his Skin, that it served rather to increase than assuage their former soreness.  
Whitgrave had by this time brought up some Biscuit, and a Bottle of Sack, whereof the King having eat of the one, and drank of the other, and finding himself a little refreshed, said merrily, I am now ready for another march; and if it should please God once more, to place me in the head of but Eight or Ten Thousand Men, of one mind, and resolved to fight, I should not doubt my being able to drive those Rogues out of my Kingdoms. It being now toward break of day, he was desirous to take a little sleep, in order whereunto a palate was carried into one of the secret places, where he lay down and composed himself to rest, but slept not so well as his Host wished he might, in regard the place was close and inconvenient; after he had lain some time in his hole, he got up, and was pleased to take notice of, and very familiarly salute, Mrs. Whitgrave, Mother to him who was the owner of the house; and having his place of retreat still ready, he diverted himself now and then in a Closet over the Porch, from whence he could see those who passed by on the Road.  
Not thinking it convenient to continue long there, he dispatched John Penderil to Col. Lane at Bently, with directions for him to send, or bring, the Lord Wilmots Horses that night, about Twelve or One of the Clock, to a Field near adjoining to Whitgrave's House, in order to his putting in execution a Resolution he had taken up, of going Westward, under the protection of Mrs. Jane Lane's Pass, which she had procured for herself and her man, to Bristol, it being most probable that the Rebels would pursue him only Northward, and not at all suspect his going into the West.  
In the Afternoon, on Monday, Whitgrave having notice, that some Soldiers were in the neighbourhood, intending to apprehend him, upon information that he had been at Worcester-Fight; he first secured the King, who was then lain down upon Huddleston's Bed, into his place of retreat; and then, leaving open all the Chamber-doors, he went boldly down to the Soldiers, assuring them that he had not been from home in a Fortnight before, with which Asseveration, and the Testimony of his Neighbours, the Soldiers were so well satisfied, that they departed without going up the stairs at all. The old Gentlewoman being told that Afternoon, by a Countryman, who came to her house, that he heard the King had, upon his retreat, beaten his Enemies at Warrington Bridge, and that there were three Kings come in to his assistance: As soon as he was gone, she went up, and related the story to his Majesty for his divertisement; who smiling answered, surely they were the three Kings of Cullen come down from Heaven, for he could not imagine what other Kings they should be; at which time, looking out at the Closet Window, he saw two Soldiers passing by on the Road, telling Huddleston that he knew one of them to be a Highlander, and of his own Regiment, who little imagined his King and Colonel to be so near: and thereupon entered into some discourse with him, about the particulars of the Battle at Worcester, who told him, that his Counsels had been sooner discovered to the Rebels than executed by his Loyal Subjects.  
On Wednesday, about one in the morning, Lane himself brought the Horses to conduct him to Wilmot, who went the day before to Lanes House at Bently. At his departure from Whitgraves, he acknowledged his gratuity by returning them many thanks, giving them directions to repair to a Merchant in London, who should have order to furnish them with Money and means to convey them beyond the Sea, if their entertaining of him should happen to be discovered; promising moreover, that if ever God should restore him to his Crown, he would not be unmindful of their civilities. And so being furnished with a Cloak and Boots, he went to a corner of the Orchard where Lane attended him, and went with him to Bently, where, according to his intention, he took the opportunity of her Pass, and road before her to Bristol, the Lord Lord Wilmot attending him at a distance. The King being somewhat indisposed in body, complained to Mistress Lane that his Cloak wearied him; whereupon she desired her Father, who likewise road with them, to carry it for him: but she had not road far, before she met her Brother-in-law, who demanded, if her Father must carry her man's Cloak; she replied, to wipe off all suspicion, that it was so big, that it often endangered the throwing her down, or otherwise she would not have been so uncivil. And no sooner was they rid of this danger, but they met with one far greater; for being to pass through a Town, where a Troop of Horse was drawn up, as if on purpose to oppose their passage, he began to fear the worst; but the Captain was very civil, and taking them for honest Travellers, (as indeed they were,) commanded his Troop to open to the Right and Left and give them free and quiet passage.  
To intermix so many Tragical stories with a little mirth, I cannot pass by an accident which happened to him at Leigh, which, although surrounded with so many misfortunes, made him laugh at the conceit of it. For being left there in the Kitchen, under the notion of a Servingman, the Maid entered into discourse with him, enquiring where he was born, what trade he was, how long he had lived with Mistress Lane, and several such Question, suitable to a Kitchen Maids curiosity; to which he replied, he was born at Brumingham and was a N●ylors Son. But the Jack being down, she desired him to wind it up; which task he willingly undertook, but being unskilful therein, went the wrong way about it, and was like to have spoiled the Jack: whereupon the Maid highly incensed, (it being usual with Cooks to be of choleric dispositions,) vented her passion in Billingsgate terms, ask him, Where he was bred? and telling him, he was the most ignorant fellow she ever saw in her life, that could not tell how to wind up a Jack, with other such kind of Language as came uppermost, which being uttered with much vehemence, made him, notwithstanding his present condition, walk out of the Room smiling.  
This Gentleman having great resort to his House, he feared it might occasion a discovery of his Person; he feigned himself sick of an Ague, and under that pretence, kept his Chamber all day, and came down only at nights: and that his Disease might appear real, he desired of the Butler a Glass of Wine, who courteously invited him into the Cellar, and there forced him to drink two or three Healths, one to his Majesty, and another to his Mother. But at length, by something he observed in him, notwithstanding his Disguise, he suspected him to be the King; and thereupon falling on his knees, begged his Pardon, and assured him he would be faithful to him in whatsoever he should command him: of which he took little or no notice, but having drunk off his Wine went away. Whereupon the Butler's suspicion increasing, he went up and inquired of M. Lassel, who though angry at the Butler's inquisitiveness, yet he demanded the reason of it; and the Butler, whispering him in the ear, told him, he believed it was the King: upon which unexpected accident, he sent for him up, and acquainted him with the Butler's suspicion, who though he was displeased with his not having acquainted him first with it, yet putting confidence in him, denied it not, and afterward found him very instrumental in his conveyance through the Country.  
Being desirous to free himself from all dangers of discovery, he was desirous to hasten his putting out to Sea; but though there lay a little Bark there, deemed very fit for that purpose, yet the Master would for no reward be prevailed upon to transport a single Person: whereupon, unwilling to tempt Providence too far, he resolved to go farther West, to a Noble Gentleman's House whom he knew to be a trusty friend, being accompanied thither by Mr. Lassell and Mrs. Lane, where he was concealed for about a week, and at last preparation was made for his passage. But coming to the place where it was provided, he chanced to dine with a Colonel of the Parliament Army; whereupon, fearing that his embarking singly might raise some suspicion in him, he rather chose to lose the benefit of his passage, than after so many Storms and Tempests to split upon a Rock within sight of Harbour, and therefore returned to the place from whence he came: from whence, after about three weeks longer concealment, he was conveyed through byways to a Gentleman's House in Sussex, where having continued some few days, and the heat of the search after him being now pretty well over, he was at last furnished with a small Vessel which took him in at Sharrem, a little Creek in that County, and Landed him near Haure-de-grace in Normandy. When the Skipper saw him he was a little daunted, for he presently knew him, having seen him divers times before; but having somewhat collected himself, he said, since he had undertaken so good a work, he was resolved to venture hanging rather than not perform it: to which the King replied, he need not put himself upon that hazard, for, if he pleased, he should go along with him, where he should not want as long as he was able to provide for him.  
Hamilton, Derby, Lauderdale, Gifford and the rest, having thus disposed of the King in a way of security, marched from White-Ladies Northward, by the way of Newport, in hope to overtake or meet General Lesley with the main Body of the Scotch Horse; but assoon as they were got into the Road, the Lord Leviston, who commanded his Majesty's Lifeguard, overtook them, being pursued by a Party of Rebels: whereupon the Lords, with their followers, faced about and repelled them. But when they were got a little beyond Newport, some of Lilburn's Regiment meeting them in the Front, and other Rebels from Worcester pursuing them in the Rear, themselves and Horses being very much beaten out and tired, Derby, Lauderdale, Gifford and some others, were taken and carried Prisoners first to Whit-Church, and then to an Inn in Banbury, from whence Gifford found means to escape. But Derby was conveyed to Westchester, and there tried by a pretended Court Marshal, held by a Commission from Cromwell, grounded on an execrable Rump Act, which traitorously pretended to prohibit all correspondence with Charles Stuart, under penalty of High-Treason, loss of Life and Estate; by which he was condemned to lose his Life, notwithstanding his just Plea, that he had Quarter granted him by Captain Edge, who took him Prisoner: and was shortly after Executed at Bolton in Lancashire, in a most Barbarous and unhuman manner.  
Lauderdale and others were conveyed first to the Tower, and afterward to Windsor Castle, where they continued divers years.  
But whilst the Rebels were plundering those Noble Persons whom they had taken Prisoners, the Duke, with Leviston, Blague, Darcey May and others, forsook the Road, and betaking themselves to a by-way, got into Cessardine Woods, not far from Newport, where they received some refreshment at a little obscure House; and afterward by two honest Labourers, whom they met withal in an adjoining Wood, and to whom they communicated the misery and distress which the fortune of War had reduced them to, were directed to places of safety. The Duke, in imitation of his Royal Master, quitting his Horse, and delivering his George, which was given him by the Queen Mother, to Mr. May, who having preserved it in several eminent dangers, restored it to him again in Holland; and changing habit with one of the Workmen, he was, in that disguise, conveyed to the House of one Mr. Haley, at Bistrop in Nottinghamshire: Leviston and the rest, all quitted their Horses likewise, and severally shifted for themselves.  
The King being safely Landed in Normandy, he went forthwith to deep, where he provided himself with such necessaries as might serve him until he came to his Mother in the French Court; who, so soon as they heard of his safe arrival, sent several Persons of Quality to meet him with great Pomp, as became his Person, who received him with much gladness, and very much rejoiced at his safety, conveying him to Paris in the Duke of Orleans his own Coach; where he found such a welcome as his Person and Worth deserved, and as great as that Court could express for the safety of their best Ally: and by his Mother and the two Dukes, with as great a joy as became them upon the receiving of him whom they once thought had been lost and perished.  
These Compliments being once over, he pursued his interest in Holland, by the mediation of his Sister the Princess of Orange, and his Aunt the Queen of Bohemia, endeavouring to prevail with them, according to their former promises, to undertake a War against the English Parliament, which they accordingly did: but being not able to cope with the Valour of the English, nor prevail against that success which seemed to be entailed to the Rump in all their undertake, they were unsuccessful therein, and it contributed very little toward the promoting of his designs.  
The King being once again excluded out of all his Dominions, they quickly after reduced Corn-Castle in the Isle of Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and all other places both in England, Scotland and Ireland, which stood out for him.  
Which was no sooner done, but there happened a strange alteration in the Scene of affairs in England; for Cromwell, whose ambition was now ripe, knowing that he could not expect a fairer opportunity to Usurp that supreme Power which he had so long been aspiring too, in regard every one began now to grow weary of the base actions of the Rump, whose dilatory proceed, and apparent intentions of perpetuating themselves, rendered them hateful to all Mankind: he entered into their House, attended by some of his principal Officers, where having delivered divers reasons why, he thought, that Parliament ought to be Dissolved, and a period put to its sitting: He commanded them, (notwithstanding they were his Masters, and from whom he derived his Commission,) immediately to departed, which was done accordingly; for how unwilling soever they were to obey, yet it was now out of their Power to dispute his Authority: so that those who had murdered one King, and refused to restore a second, were turned out of door, and deprived of all Authority and Power, by their own Servant. Whereat the whole Nation rejoiced, and scarce a Man grieved for their Dissolution but themselves, every one believing, that though the Nation might not peradventure be bettered by that change, yet it was almost impossible it should be worse: but however, Cromwell fearing that some might be discontented with his Proceed, Published a large and specious Declaration, showing his Reasons for his Dissolving of them.  
But his design being only to make himself great, he did not intent to give relief, by taking away the tyranny, but by changing of it only; and therefore instead of that Juncto which he pulled down, set up another of his own arbitrary election, who knowing beforehand what they had to do, after having sat a while, resigned up their power to him, who resolving to make the best of that resignation, pretended that the whole Supreme Power and Authority of the three Kingdoms, both Civil and Military, was thereby in course devolved upon him, and thereupon calling a Council of Officers, to consult about settling the Government; they resolved, after several debates, to have a Commonwealth in a single person, and that person should be Oliver Cromwell, by the name and style of Lord Protector, etc. He at first seemingly refused the Dignity, altho' it was the only thing he aimed at; but being pressed by the Officers of the Army, he consented to accept of it, and was installed with great pomp in the Chancery-Court at Westminster-hall, and shortly after concluded a Peace with the Dutch: He was afterward importuned by his Parliament, to exchange his Title of Lord Protector, for that of King; which he refused, and chose rather to continue the old.  
The King, when he came into France, found that Court very much embroiled, on the account of some misunderstandings between the Prince of Conde, and other Princes of the Blood, and the Cardinal Mazarine, which he undertook to compose, urging his own danger to the King, and advising him to beware how he provoked his Subjects; and urging the King's power to the Princes of the Blood, whereby he unhappily drew upon himself the jealousies of both parties; being suspected by the Cardinal, to be for the Princes; and by them, to take part with him, against their interest; which they were the more induced to believe, because he withdrew the Lorraine Forces from their Service, and employed them to reduce Ireland; knowing, that the winning that was the most probable way for the obtaining of England; and promising, in recompense, to make that Duke, Duke of Ireland; but they thought he only aimed at their disappointment: upon the account of which misinterpretations of his peaceable design, in his endeavours to reconcile them, he was forced to retire, for some time, to St. Germane, his Mother being scarce able to stay at the Lovure, for the unreasonable and causeless clamours of the mistaken multitude; but when their heat and fury was over, he returned thither again, where he stayed for some time longer in great esteem with that Court, until the subtle Cardinal began underhand to make a Peace with Cromwell; and when he could not, by all the means he used, prevent its taking effect, he retired toward Germany, knowing that the issue of it would be a fair complementing of him out of their Dominions, and banishing of him out of his very exile.  
Upon his arrival in Germany, he is entertained by the Elector of Cologn; and during his stay in that Court, he had an interview with the Queen of Sweden, whom, as the Report went, he was to have married, had he not disliked her light and Frenchified Deportment: In the interview, he thanked her for all those civilities which she had for his sake showed to any of his Friends, and particularly to Montross; to which she replied, their own and his worth deserved no less. There was present at this interview, the King's two Brothers, the Dukes of York and Gloucester; the latter whereof was sent for by him from Paris, upon information, that his Mother had a design to put him into the Jesuits College, and breed him up in the Popish Religion, to which he was always an irreconcilable Enemy, and therefore would not permit his Brother to be brought up in it.  
And so pregnant an instance of his entire love to, and resolution to defend, the Protestant Religion, professed in the Church of England, was his proceed in this Affair, even in those days when there was so little hopes to see it ever restored again, that I think it worthy of a perpetual remembrance, and therefore shall here insert the chief circumstances relating to it.  
Having designed to take the Duke of Gloucester with him into Germany, he was prevailed upon, by the Queen, to leave him with her at Paris, promising, that she would not permit any force to be put upon him, for the prevailing with him to change his Religion, but that he should be attended by those Protestant Servants which himself had placed about him, and have free liberty to resort to the Public Service of the Church of England, at the King's Chapel, which was then at Sir Richard Brown's house, whom he left as his Resident in Paris.  
But not long after his departure, the Duke, under pretence of weaning him from the company of some young French Gallants, who being in the same Academy, were grown into a more familiar conversation with him than was thought convenient, was removed to Abbot Mountague's house, at his Abbey near Pontoise, and after he had been there a few days, Mr. Lovel, who was his Tutor, going to Paris for one day only upon business designedly contrived, as was suspected, by the Abbot; during his absence, he was vehemently pressed, by the Abbot, with all the strongest Motives, Spiritual or Temporal, that he thought might prevail upon him, to turn Roman Catholic; and having no Protestant near him at that time to advise withal, but Mr. Griffin of his Bedchamber, a Gentleman about his own age, both of them not being able to make much more than Thirty, he doubted not but to prevail.  
But notwithstanding the greenness of his years, such was his zeal for his Religion, that after having made ingenious Replies to all the Abbot's Arguments, he told him, that he very much admired how he durst make that attempt upon him, knowing that the Queen had engaged her word to the King, that no change of his Religion should be endeavoured; And telling him, that for his own part he was resolved not to incur the King's displeasure, by neglecting to observe his Royal Command, whereby he expressly forbidden him to listen to any Arguments which should be used with him for the change of his Religion; And that as to the specious Pretences of making him a Cardinal, or procuring of him to be advanced to the English Throne, he did with indignation and contempt, deride and reject them, complaining withal of his being disingeniously dealt with, by his being thus assaulted in the absence of his Tutor, whom the King had placed over him, and who, he believed, could easily refute the strongest of his Arguments: Which, upon his return, he did so fully, that it was thought convenient to remove the Duke back again to Paris, where he was permitted to resort to the King's Chapel, and enjoy the free exercise of his Religion for the present, though it was not long that he did so; for after some little time, the Queen owned the attempt done on him, to be with her own approbation, declaring, that she could not but endeavour (notwithstanding her Promise to the King, that he should not be forced) to have her Son shown the right way to Heaven, and to have that way proposed to him, which she thought most requisite for the guiding him thereunto: And that she might, notwithstanding that repulse, prevail upon him by degrees, his Protestant Tutor was put from him, and himself hurried out of Paris in great haste, thereby to deprive him of the assistance of any Protestant, and conveyed to Mr. Croft's house, but under the care of Abbot Montague, none of his Servants, but Griffin, being permitted to attend him.  
The News whereof did deeply affect all the Loyal Protestant Exiles then in Paris, but especially the Lord Hatton, who understanding how violently that young Prince was persecuted for his Religion, he consulted with that famous Confessor, for the Church of England, Dr. Cousins, than Dean of Peterborough and Chaplain to his Majesty, and since the King's Restauration, Bishop of Durham, who thereupon drew up what Arguments and Instructions he thought convenient, to fortify the Duke in that violent assault: And knowing how strictly he was guarded from the access of any Protestant, he being by his Lady related to the Abbot, went to give him a visit; but his design was soon guessed at, and tho' he obtained, for that time, access to the Duke, yet he was so carefully watched, that it was not without much difficulty, that he unperceived, conveyed to him the Instructions that he had prepared for him, and was forced, for the future, to vary his stratagems, to procure farther Advices to be from time to time delivered to him.  
And so narrowly was the Duke eyed, by the Popish Spies set over him, and the Priests, who were uncessantly torturing of him with their pressures to change his Religion, that he had no opportunity to peruse any of those Papers sent him; so that he was constrained to deliver them to Griffin, who in the Night, as he lay in his Bedchamber, acquainted him what the scope and tendency of them was; by the advantage whereof, through the assistance of almighty God, he did so resolutely withstand all the violent shocks of his Persecutors, that they thereupon resolved not only to remove Griffin, but to shut up the Duke in the Jesuits College.  
The King being informed of all those Proceed, immediately used all possible endeavours for his relief, and sent an expostulatory Letter to the Queen his Mother, and laid his Commands on all the most eminent of his Protestant Subjects there, to be to the utmost of their power aiding and assisting to him in that great Distress; and sending another Letter likewise to the Duke himself, which was attempted some days before he was removed to the Jesuits College, to be delivered to him by Sir George Ratcliff; but though he was admitted to his presence, yet he could find no opportunity to deliver him the Letter with privacy, therefore left it with Griffin, to be conveyed to him.  
In which Letter he reminded him of the strict Command that he had left with him at his departure, to continue firm in his Religion; as also the vanity of their Motives, the emptiness of their Promises, together with the last Charge of their dead Father, which he solemnly gave him with the entail of his Blessing annexed thereunto; telling him withal, that if he suffered himself to be perverted in his Religion by any enticements whatsoever, or put himself into the Jesuits College, he had then the last Letter, that ever he should receive from him, and must never look to see his Face again.  
As soon as the young Duke had, with an unexpressible joy, received this Letter, he first, with all possible haste, transcribed a Copy of it, and and sent it immediately to the Queen, begging her leave to repair to Paris, both upon the account of those Commands of the King and the Duke of York's being then returned from the French Army. But the Queen, unwilling to desist from the prosecuting what she had began, sent him word, she could not cease wishing his so great and eternal good, as to change his Religion would be, to which she would not force him; but yet advised him however, to hearken to what the Abbot should farther deliver to him; which was, that he should at least be willing to go to the Jesuits College, where he should have as much liberty in all things, as himself could desire. It being still their resolution to have forced him thither, if he refused, had it not been prevented by the arrival of the Duke of Ormond, whom the King dispatched thither from Germany, with Letters and Instructions, for the rescuing of him from his Popish adversaries; and had he stayed but four days longer, before his arrival at Paris, he had come too late, in regard the Duke had certainly been within that time shut up in the College, from whence there had been no possibility of retrieving him; For the French Court had so zealously espoused that Affair, that he found himself necessitated to make use of all the Prudence and Policy he was Master of, before he could accomplish the business that he came about: but finding that it was not altogether too late, he so effectually pursued those Instructions he received from the King, that he procured the Duke's return to Paris, and liberty to enjoy the free Exercise of his Religion: But no sooner did he come to the French Court, to pay his respects to the Queen, but the Queen-Mother of France, and Cardinal Mazarine, pressed him with all the Allurements imaginable, to turn Roman Catholic; telling him, that they looked upon him as a Child of France, and that it was for his advantage, and the opportunity they should thereby have of doing him the greater good, that induced them to move him thereunto; adding, that since his Father was dead, he ought to obey his Mother's Commands in all things. To which, observing the King's Instructions, not to engage in any Dispute with them, he replied only in general terms, That he resolved to obey his Mother as much as any Son could, or aught to do, and thereby dissengaged himself from any farther pursuit at that time.  
But all the allurements of the French Court, and the utmost severities used toward him by his Mother, were not able in the least to shake his firmness in his Religion; which the Queen with great indignation perceiving, some few days after took him apart: and having, first, with all the sweetness imaginable, declared to him, how great and tender those affections she had for him were, and how much it grieved her, that very love itself should compel her to proceed toward him with some seeming severity. She told him that, for his ease sake, she would shorten the time of his Trial; and therefore, proposing to him, all the good she aimed at in that design, the duty he owed her, and the disability of the King to maintain him, she commanded him immediately to withdraw into his Lodgings, and there give one hearing more to Abbot Montague, and after, having sequestered himself, for a while, from all manner of diversion, to ponder seriously upon what she and he said to him, and that night either bring or send her a full and final answer.  
Whereupon the Duke, taking the advantage of the little interim of clearing the Room, sent Griffin to the Marquis of Ormond, desiring him to repair to him immediately, that he might advise with him, how he ought to deport himself, as occasion should serve, in that intended privacy with his Mother and the Abbot. But Griffin not presently finding the Marquis, the Abbot was there before him, who having expaciated upon what the Queen had but briefly hinted, he pressed the Duke for his final answer, which he refused to give, till he had first consulted with the Marquis: whereupon the Abbot for the present withdrew, desiring to be sent for so soon as he was come, telling him, that if it were not in an hours time, he would return again, whether sent for or not. But it was not long after his being withdrawn, that the Marquis came; and the Duke having acquainted him with their Proposals, and demanded his advice and directions therein, was quickly resolved what answer to make, but having been so long harrassed, was desirous to take a little breath, and therefore neglected to send presently to the Abbot, and went out of his Lodging, into the Court, to divert himself: but no sooner was he gone than the Abbot came, and missing him, sought up and down the Court for him, and having at last found him, severely rebuked him for neglecting his Mother's command, and his instructions, which was, seriously to ponderate what he had said, 〈◊〉 for neglecting to send for him according to appointment.  
Well, Sir, said the Duke, I have seriously considered of all that hath been said to me, and my final answer thereunto is, I am resolved to continue firm in my Religion. Then, replied the Abbot, I am commanded, from the Queen your Mother, to tell you, that she charges you to see her face no more. At which dismal expression, the Duke being not a little moved, begged with great earnestness, that he might be permitted, at least, to implore her parting blessing, till he could in time prevail for her pardon, but could not obtain it, though he endeavoured it again the next morning, (being Sunday, before she went to her Devotions,) by the intercession of his Brother, the Duke of York, who did, with great tenderness, compassionate his condition, and with great earnestness move on his behalf. But the Queen proved inexorable, not only to him, but to all others who spoke on his behalf; nor would she intimate her pleasure to him by any other Person than the Abbot, who solicited him again, aggravating the peril of his Mother's displeasure: and advising him, at that instant, being the most proper time, as she was going to Mass at her Monastery, to apply himself to her, assuring him, that she had those Proposals to make to him, which would set his heart at rest, though, he said, he could not name them. To which the Duke replied, if it were so, I could apply myself to her well enough, for my heart can have no rest, except in the free exercise of my Religion, but I fear her Propositions will not, I am sure yours never tended to give me any ease or quiet; at which very instant, the Queen passed by in her Coach toward her Nunnery: whereupon the Duke approached toward her, and attempted to beg her Blessing, but was with great indignation rejected. Whereat showing himself very much discomposed, the Abbot came up to him, demanding what it was her Majesty had said to him, that had put him into so great disorder; to which he briskly replied, what she said I may thank you for, Sir, and therefore it is but reason, that what my Mother said to me, I should say to you, Be sure I see your face no more, and so turned about and left him: whereupon the Abbot calling after him, said, Whither are you going, good Sir? To whom, looking over his shoulder, he answered, to Church, whither he immediately repaired, with a sad and dejected countenance, which did much abate the joy of the Congregation, who were much pleased to see him accompany his Brother the Duke of York thither; but they partook with him in his sorrow, when they understood that, after Sermon, he was to seek where to get a Dinner, for which he must send to the Cooks, or fast, for there was a very strict Prohibition given to all the Officers in his Mother's Court, that they should not furnish him with any Provisions or necessaries.  
That night, after Evening Prayer, he had hopes to enjoy one moment of satisfaction, by conversing with his Sister the Princess Henrietta, afterward Duchess of Orleans, during his Mother's absence; but as soon as the young Princess heard the news of his designed adventure, she was so frighted into shrieks and tears, that she cried out, Oh God, my Brother! Oh me, my Mother! What? I am undone for ever: What shall I do?  
Which as soon as the Duke heard, he retired, not being willing his dear Sister should, by her kindness to him, purchase her Mother's displeasure. In this disconsolate condition he went to his Lodging; when it was nine a Clock at night, his Groom came to know what he should do with his Horses, for the Queen's controller was come to him, with a charge, to remove them instantly: whereupon the Groom pleaded, it was then too late, and that on the morrow it would be time enough, but the controller replied, he should then be put out of his place e'er the morning.  
The next day the Sheets were taken off his Bed, finding therefore that he could not be permitted to stay at the Palace-Royal, he thought, until he could provide necessaries for his Journey into Germany, to retire to the House of Mr. Crofts, (afterward Lord Crofts, near Paris; whereof the Queen hearing, she checked Mr. Crofts for being willing to receive him, with which he acquainted the Duke, but submits however to his pleasure.  
In this straight the Duke betook himself to the advice of that faithful Servant to his Family, and zealous Protestant, the Lord Hatton, by whose judicious instructions, he had received much satisfaction in this his distressed condition; who, so soon as the Duke had made known to him, that he was not only turned out of his Mother's House, but that all persons, who had any dependency upon her, were forbidden to receive or assist him: his Lordship told him, if his Highness would please to honour his House with his presence, he should there be received with all the dutiful regard that could be paid to him by so ancient and faithfully devoted Servant of his Royal Family; And with an Entertainment as suitable to his Quality, as the remains of that Fortune he had spent in his Father's Service would afford.  
But this the Duke, out of great modesty, at first declined, alleging the great hazard, which he knew he would thereby run, of having his Estate again sequestered in England, as well as by incurring the displeasure of the French Court, endanger his being exiled that Kingdom, for his kindness to him, as he had been that of England, for his Service to his Father; and, perhaps, be endangered in his person too, by the fury of the Rabble, who might, peradventure, be animated by some enraged Papist, for thus disappointing them, of making a Proselyte of him as they boasted they had done, and given Public Thanks for it in divers of their Churches.  
But his Lordship assured him, that as he had hitherto spent the greatest part of his Life and Fortune in the Service of his Royal Family, and the defence of the Protestant Religion, so he would willingly sacrifice the remainder of both on so honourable an occasion as that; with which hearty invitation, he was so pleased, that he took no farther thoughts whither to go, but concluded to remain with him.  
Being thus gone from the Palace-Royal, the Queen-Mother of France came immediately thither, to try once more, if she could prevail with him, to change his Religion; and as soon as she came, sent her Son, the Duke of Anjou, to visit him; who returned with the News, that he was not to be found: but as soon as it was known where he was, she sent the Marquis of Plessis, to persuade him to comply with his Mother's advice; For the effecting whereof, he exercised all his Parts and Elocution, with the greatest earnestness; and affirming, that since the death of his Father, the Queen his Mother, had sole Power and Authority over him; disputing, whether the King his Brother, as his Sovereign, had an equal right to dispose of him.  
And the Discourse growing somewhat public, the Marquis of Ormond, and the Lord Hatton, who were then likewise present, arguing in the Duke's defence; the French Marquis finding himself overmatched by their Reasons, in great passion returned, without the success suspected at the Palace-Royal, where the French Queen stayed very late, till he came back: whose Report, when both Queens heard, they were then so fully satisfied in the Duke's firmness to his Religion, that after that time, no considerable attempt was made on him, altho' he continued for near two Months there; being nobly entertained all that time by the Lord Hatton, until, through his and the Marquis of Ormond's interest, Necessaries were provided for his going into Germany, to the King.  
From the interview of the Queen of Sweden, which was held at a small Village near Frankford, (at the same time when the Fair was there) he returned, with great satisfaction, to Cologn, where he was welcomed with all imaginable demonstrations of Joy, by the Magistrates and the whole City; where he had not stayed long, before the Duke of York came to him, being complemented away from France, upon the conclusion of the Treaty with Cromwell, notwithstanding his incomparable worth, discovered in the Court, and in the Camp; where he behaved himself so well, that the Duke of Longueville was willing to have matched his Daughter to him, altho' he was in exile; and the Marshal Turein commended him, in the time of his sickness, to the French King, as the fittest person to be Commander in chief of all his Forces.  
And so desirable was his company ●●ong all Princes, that Don Lewis de 〈◊〉, and Don John of Austria mighty importuned him to come over to ●●em in Flanders, which invitation he ●●cepted of, and he repaired thither, 〈◊〉 to promote his own cause, and 〈◊〉 King of Spain's affairs; in order hereunto he commanded all his ●●glish, Scotch and Irish Subjects in those ●●rts to be listed for his Service, which ●●ounted to about three or four thou●●●d, besides the two Regiments of 〈◊〉 and Gloucester, and maintained a ●●●nstant correspondence with his ●●iends in England, which Cromwell suspected, but had no certain knowledge ●●ereof, having now no manning's in the ●●ngs Court to betray his Majesty's secrets, wherefore he contrived a Plot, ●o which by his Emissaries he ensnared the reverend Dr. Huet, Sir Henry 〈◊〉 and others, and had them tried ●●fore a High Court of Justice, and ●●ndemned and executed for that pre●●ded Conspiracy. But though he ●as represented to the City by Cromwell 〈◊〉 be twenty thousand strong, when he ●as acquainting them with the preten●●nded Plot against him; yet he was not able to attempt any thing upon 〈◊〉 own account, in regard his Forces we●● but inconsiderable for number, 〈◊〉 therefore he joined them with t●● Spaniards, and at one attempt to 〈◊〉 the Siege of Dunkirk were defeat▪ and almost all slain, being deserted 〈◊〉 the Spaniards, who were not able to endure the hot charge that Cromwel's S●●diers gave them, notwithstanding 〈◊〉 endeavours of the undaunted York 〈◊〉 rally them, who did Wond●● with his own Regiment, putting 〈◊〉 whole French and English Army o● to a disorder, and twice to a stand 〈◊〉 his own Guard only, and some 〈◊〉 remnant of his overthrown Forces: 〈◊〉 which defeat the King's whole desi●● being disappointed, he betook him●● from his Arms to his Prayers, and appealed from Earth to Heaven. However he still remained in Flanders, 〈◊〉 kept his Court in Bruges, about 〈◊〉 Leagues from Brussels. About this 〈◊〉 Cromwell being resolved to continue 〈◊〉 Protectorship in his own Family, 〈◊〉 the matter so that his Parliament should earnestly Petition, solemnly ●●vise him to name his Successor, 〈◊〉 was the thing he chief desired, notwithstanding all his former Oaths and Protestations against suffering the Nation to be ruled by any single Person, which, when the King heard, he said to a Person of quality, who was then by him, that Cromwell had certainly laid the best Foundation that a short and troublesome reign could possibly admit of, at once to deprive him of his just and rightful Dominions, and to settle his own Posterity in his unjust and usurped Authority. And when he received the news of his death, he showed an admirable calmness and serenity of Spirit; Reason, Religion and Discretion having such a powerful command over his passions, that though it seemed in all probability to be a considerable step toward his Restauration, in regard his most implacable as well as successful Enemy was now gone, yet he did not discover any extraordinary symptoms of Joy.  
But as that great alteration in England did change all the public Counsels of Europe in general, so did it likewise somewhat alter his: for, he now set up new negotiations in most of the foreign Courts, that so he might not be wanting to himself, whilst there were the most hopeful designs that had ever yet been on foot in England for the promoting his Journeys. The new Protector being looked upon as one weary of that power which was then desolv'd upon him, in regard he knew himself to have as little ability to manage it, as he had right to enjoy it; and was supposed not to have that implacable aversation to the Royal Family, which his Father had always discovered. However, it was not long before the Army thrust him from his Throne, and set up the Rump again, which his Father had pulled down; after which there were so many alterations and new forms of Government, that it is almost impossible to give the World a particular account of them, every Week almost producing some new Model or other; and there springing up some new Heads of that Hydra-Common-Wealth.  
The King was not in the mean time idle, but laid out all his Interest and Policy for the promoting his designs, and the procuring such supplies as might encourage those Loyal Subjects that incessantly endeavoured, by his Restauration to restore their Native Country from the Paws of those Lions into which it was fallen, and themselves to the Glorious Liberty of being subject to so great and good a Prince 〈◊〉 although Holland offered fairly, 〈◊〉 some Princes with the Emperor of ●●rmany began now to pity forlorn ●●d exiled Majesty, especially dwelling 〈◊〉 a Prince of that worth, as he was accounted to be, by all those who had 〈◊〉 happiness to know him; yet the ●●eatest hope and expectation from any 〈◊〉 those Foreign Affairs was, the peace ●●at was then mediating by the Pope, between the two Kingdoms of France and ●●ain, managed by the two great Favourites of each Kingdom, the Cardinal Mazarine and the Count de Olivarez ●●on the Borders of St. Jean de Luz, ●hich if it succeed, must in all probability prove advantageous to his affairs, 〈◊〉 regard both Crowns could not upon ●●e conclusion of peace between them, ●estow their Forces upon any service ●●at would render more to their honour ●●an that, of endeavouring his Restauration; although he rather desired to ●mploy their Interest than their Arms, 〈◊〉 intended to let England know what ●●ey might do for him, rather than to ●ake them feel the effects of any thing ●one by them: And although he expected 〈◊〉 should have an Army ready to good the agreement; yet he intende● they should prevail more by their Reasons than their Forces.  
The managing of this Treaty between the two Kingdoms, being a business that so much concerned him 〈◊〉 particular, as well as Europe in general he condescended to negotiate there●● in his own person, notwithstanding 〈◊〉 had Residents in most Christian Kingdoms. And in order thereunto betook himself first to one Court, and then 〈◊〉 another, (the Duke of York acco●●● panying him) incognito, being sensib●● of the danger which might accrue 〈◊〉 to his cause and Person, upon the scr●ples of a solid interview, it being generally observed, the interviews of Prince's are unhappy. And by the way, 〈◊〉 he passed through France, he gave a 〈◊〉 sit to his Mother, intending before 〈◊〉 had undertaken the negotiation of 〈◊〉 public reconciliation between 〈◊〉 two Kingdoms, to practise a priva●● one between himself and her, who ha● declared herself very much disple●●●● with him, upon the account of his pr●ceedings in the business of the Duke 〈◊〉 Gloucester; which having accomplishe● and finding that that Court did 〈◊〉 give him the honour due to his Person, nor an entertainment suitable to his expectations; He returned with his Brother to Diep in Normandy, going thither by Post, with such haste and privacy, that some men's hopes and others fears imagined they were gone over into England; an attempt at that time too dangerous for so wise and politic a Prince to adventure on. From Diep he removed toward the Frontiers of Spain, by the way of Rouen, where he was nobly treated by Mr. Scot an English Merchant, and entertained with a Sermon suitable to his present condition; and from thence he went by post to Bajonne, accompanied by the Marquis of Ormond, and so towards the two Ministers of State that were negotiating the Peace between the two Crowns at St. Jon de Luz. The news of this approach did no sooner reach Don Lewis' Lodgings, but he prepares to meet him with as much splendour, as if our Sovereign had been his Majesty of Spain, or himself an English Subject; for when he met him, he immediately alighting from his Horse, and kneeling (though in a very dirty and inconvenient place) embraced and kissed his Majesty's Knees, and walked before him bareheaded to the place he had ordered to be made ready for him, which was the best Lodging the Town afforded; where the next day he received a formal visit from that sly, close and reserved Politician Cardinal Mazarine, whom he entertained with such a discreet wariness, as if he designed to let him know (and those that saw him understood well enough thereby) that he understood the walking Cabala almost as well as he did himself.  
Never were any of his great affairs so well carried on as that was, which he managed himself; for by the advantage of his own incomparable Prudence and sage Experience, together with his powerful Majesty and Presence, he so far prevailed in his negotiations there, that notwithstanding Lockharts' close applications in behalf of his Masters, he not only prevented any article that was offered and pressed in favour of his rebellious adversaries of England, but also procured himself to be included by Spain, as the most honourable Ally in the intended Peace, and obtained a promise from both those Favourites, that they would in pursuance of their Master's friendship with him, descended as soon as possible, to treat of such particulars that might be proposed, as the most suitable to the promoting of his Restauration, and consult what Counsels ought to be taken, what Men, Money and other supplies their respective Masters should afford, and how each should be employed for the greatest usefulness to his Service. After which he was dismissed with as much Respect and Honour as he was received.  
Whilst this Treaty was managing by the two Favourites; the Duke of York was, in consideration of his great worth, and the Service he had done for Spain, offered the honour of being made Constable of Castille, and Lord high Admiral of Spain, which he handsomely refused; that Prince having a peculiar way of denying requests as pleasantly to some, as he grants them to others. And indeed it was at that time prudence in him to wave any courtesy that might be proffered by Spain, or any other Popish Court, lest it might somewhat have retarded his Brother's affairs in England, by rendering him suspected of too near compliance with the Catholic Interest, and have rendered the attempts of those who were there, endeavouring to clear both his and the King's Integrity, and Constancy to the reformed Religion? the better to prepare the way for their Re-establishment, vain and fruitless, especially since their implacable Enemies made it their chief design and business to abuse the Credulous with false surmisings, and unjust suspicions of their faithfulness to the Protestant Religion and Interest, to which they had adhered with so much resolution and constancy that neither smiles nor frowns, the prospect of the greatest enjoyments, nor the fear of the heaviest sufferings; the highest Favours from Rome, nor the basest Affronts from England, could tempt them to the least thought of disloyalty to it.  
The King having finished his negotiations at the Treaty of St. Jan de Luz to his great satisfaction, returned with his Brother the Duke of York through France to Brussels, only staying some short time at Carentia and Paris with the Queen his Mother. And to make his advantage of these stirs and continual alterations in the Government of England, sine the death of Cromwell, which naturally tended towards the promoting his Restauration (whereby the Nation could only be settled) notwithstanding they were all designed to prevent and hinder it; he sent over divers Commissions to divers worthy and loyal Persons, to raise Forces on his behalf, and otherwise to act as they saw convenient for the promoting that grand design; by virtue of which Commissions, a general Plot was laid for the raising of Forces in all the Counties in England, to declare for him. But some part of that business being entrusted to the management of the Lady Howard, Daughter to the Earl of Berkshire, (who, though loyal enough, yet being in regard of her Sex, incapable of secrecy) it was soon discovered; and so London, which was the main place, secured, and the most considerable Persons that were to have done any thing therein, were disabled by imprisonment or otherwise; several Troops of Horse likewise commanded into Kent and Surrey, and the raising the Militia, hastened in every County, so that no considerable party was able to appear any where, except in Cheshire, where most of the Nobility and Gentry of that County and Lancashire were up, under the command of Sir George Booth with whom and General Monk from Scotland was to have joined, if they had not been so suddenly suppressed. And in North Wales were most of the Inhabitants assembled together under the command of Sir John Owen and Sir Thomas Midleton, who declared their just sense of the grievances of that Commonwealth, whereof they were Members; and their resolution to have the Laws, Liberties and Properties of the People established by a free Parliament, which was all that was intended at that time by those commissioned by his Majesty, in regard designs were to be discovered gradually, and by piece meals only, as occasion and opportunity should require.  
Notwithstanding the Rump had prevented most of those designed insurrections, yet that of Sir George Booth, who was one of their secluded Members, appeared very formidable, wherefore they resolve with all imaginable Speed to suppress it; and in order thereunto, having first proclaimed Sir Thomas Booth, Sir Thomas Middleton, Coll. Warren, and Major General Egerton, and all the rest of their Adherents, Traitors to the Commonwealth, they commanded Lambert to march with three Regiments of Horse, the like number of Foot, and some Dragoons to reduce him and his Forces to their obedience, ordering some militia Forces and some Regiments out of Ireland, under Zaachy and Axtell to join with him for his assistance therein. Coll. Desbrough being likewise sent by them with the same command, and some Forces into the West, to redeem Midleton, and a Proclamation issued out against Mordant the Earl of Lichfield, Major General Brown, and William Compton, Sir Thomas Levinthorp, and Mr. Fensher, the three last whereof surrendering themselves within the time prefixed therein, the two first fled, and the major General waiting another opportunity absconded himself at Stationer's Hall, where he was preserved by the faithful Secrecy of Captain Barrough. And the Earl of Samford, who was likewise engaged in that business was taken at his own house in Arms, and carried Prisoner to Leicester, which was at that time the condition of many other Loyal Gentlemen, the Earl of Oxford being committed Prisoner to the Sergeant at Arms, the Lords Faulkland and Dellaneer to the Tower, whither not long after was brought the Lords Faulconbridge, Bellasis, Chesterfield, Castleton and Howard.  
Lambert in his march toward the confines of Chester made no very great haste, being desirous to make a lasting war of it, whereby he hoped to settle himself the better in the affections of the Soldiers, and thereby tread the step that Cromwell had done before him; however such methods were taken by his Masters, that very few accessions of Strength came in to Sir George, more than what were at first numbered, who nevertheless bravely resolved to abide the fortune of battle, and justify the equity of their cause by the dint of Sword. In order thereunto they drew up near Nantwich, (whether Lambert was advancing) in the adjoining meadows, having the Rivers before them, and the Bridges strongly guarded; but Lambert's Horse and Foot resolutely falling on together at the Bridge, the post was soon gained, and the fight as quickly over, the chief defence being made by Memorgan, a loyal and valiant Gentleman (who with some Horse of his Troop) who presently died of his wounds. There were in the flight about 3 hundred killed, and five hundred taken prisoners, among whom was most of the Gentlemen and Officers. Lambert having obtained this victory, presently advanced with his Army to Cheshire, (where Colonel Croxton still held out the Castle) and had it presently delivered; from whence he advanced to Liverpool which was yielded likewise by Coll Ireland, and so was Chink and Harding Castles, whereby that whole design perished and came to nothing.  
Sir George himself had made his escape out of the Field, and got away, accompanied with four of his Servants only in disguise, but being discovered at his Inn in Newport-pannel, was taken, and secured. One Gibbons who immediately posted away to give the Rump an account of it, was highly rewarded for that acceptable news, and so were two or three others, who were sent before from Lambert with the particulars of the Cheshire defeat; when he was brought up to London, Fleetwood was ordered to meet him with a guard at Highgate, & secure him to the Tower, where he was the next day examined by Vane and Haz●erick as to his design and accomplices, b●t such was his reservedness and resolution, that notwithstanding their suspicion, that the restoring of the King was at the bottom of it, in regard Monk was said to be privately engaged with him in the same design. Ormond being reported to have been seen about that time at his House at Dalkeith, that they could get nothing out of him.  
When this design was about to be put in execution, the King withdrew himself privately from Brussels, and lay privately upon the coast of Britain about St. Malloes', to take shipping for England, upon the first good event of those loyal undertake of his faithful Friends and Subjects; Kent or Essex being designed for the place of his landing, one Turene the French General having engaged to wait upon him, if he would command it; but the news of this unhappy defeat reaching his Royal Ears, which had been too long accustomed to such unfortunate and unsuccesful stories, he returned again to Brussels; resolving for the present to give over the prosecuting of his Right by the sword, and attend the good effects of the Treaty between France and Spain.  
But being informed that affairs in England were as unsettled as before, and that the Rump, and the Army wholly applied themselves to undermine and subvert each other; he would not wholly desist from attempting to carry on his interest there, by the help and assistance of his Friends. And therefore wisely considering that Monk, who was then General in Scotland, had formerly been in his Father's Service, wherein he was taken Prisoner, and was thought to embrace the Parliament interest, only because his Ransom was neglected, and that during the whole time of his serving under them and the Protector, he had not discovered any particular Spleen or Malice to his Person, but had in all things carried himself as a Soldier of Fortune only, who fought for his pay; he conceived there might be some probable hopes of gaining him to his side, if a dexterous application was made to him, in regard he had not that guilt which others had contracted, either by murdering of his Father, or the malignity they had discovered against himself, to render him jealous and suspicious of him. And therefore resolving as near as possible to make use of the most peaceable and bloodless means to recover his lost Dominions, he ordered Sir John Greenvile, who was one of those Commissioners that resided at London for his service, to find out some way to treat secretly with him. But before Sir John would proceed therein, he thought it convenient to inform him by whom, and in what manner he had designed to do it, which he did in a Letter written in Ciphers, and directed to Sir Edward Hid at Brussels, with whom only he was by the King's order to correspond; wherein he proposed the sending of Mr. Nicholas Monk who was Minister of his own Parish of Kelkhampton in Cornwell, a living of about three hundred pound per Annum, which he had freely bestowed on him, without any other design therein, than only to oblige him to serve his King and Country whenever he had occasion to employ him in any thing that might tend to both their Good, having even then an eye to the General in Scotland, to whom he was Brother, which contrivance the King very well approved of, and left the whole management of the business to his secrecy and discretion. Whereupon he sent for Monk out of Cornwel● and having first obliged him to secrecy, acquainted him with the King's Commission, to treat with his Brother, the General, and his design of sending him into Scotland, to manage that treaty on the King's behalf, and gave him a Commission according to the King's directions (to offer his Brother, in case he would undertake that commendable and glorious work of restoring the King to his Crown and Dignity) leave to set down his own conditions, and assure him that the King had promised upon his Royal word to perform them.  
Monk being fraught with hopes and instructions, willingly undertook the happy Embassy, embarquing himself immediately for Scotland, and having a prosperous gale, arrived in a few days at Leith, and from thence to Dulkeith, where his Brother the General resided. And that he might remove all suspicion of the design of his coming, from those about the General, he pretended that the intent of his voyage was only to fetch away his Daughter Mary, who at that time lived there in the General's Family, in order to the bestowing her in marriage to her advantage, hoping that his Brother would make some considerable addition to her Fortune. But the General being at his first arrival engaged in business, could not entertain him himself, and therefore sent him under the conduct of an highland Footboy, to his Chaplains Chamber, which was Dr. Price, who received him with that Courtesy that became him, in regard of his relation to his Master, and so soon as he had made him sit down, began to inquire what news he had brought from England about Sir George Booth, and the rest of those loyal Gentlemen that were engaged with him, to whom Monk made such replies as were suitable to his several questions, and then having been assured before he left England of the Dr's. faithfulness and loyalty, he adventured to acquaint him with the design of his coming thither at that time, and desired his directions how he might, to be with the greatest advantage to the King's affairs, break that business, and open his message from Sir John to the General, who thereupon told him that his Brother would expect to be satisfied of his Secrecy, as well as of his Fidelity, before he would engage himself in such a hazardous affair as that was, since it was necessary that a business of that importance, should sleep in as few Breasts as possible, and he might put himself, the General and his whole negotiation into a very great hazard, should he rely too much upon the Characters given him in England of the secret loyalty of any persons amongst them, advising him therefore to make no more such rude and unadvised communications of his Embassy, and to acquaint his Brother with his having related it to him, assuring ●him for his encouragement, that he verily believed that his Brother would willingly embrace any fair overture for the redeeming of his Country from the slavery of the Army. His Wife who had always a great love and veneration for the King, having prepared him to appear in his behalf, when the first opportunity should offer itself, and the Soldiers, who troubled not their heads much about Religion, and abetting of parties, but only fought for their pay, having a general love and esteem for him, as looking upon him to be a good Soldier, and a discreet Commander, under whom they might safely engage; he might at any time make himself a good party amongst them, when he should judge it fit and safe to appear.  
Mr. Monk having in the Evening an oppportunity to keep private with his Brother, acquainted him with the end of his coming, and the encouragement proposed by Sir John, if he would undertake the work, assuring him that he had seen the King's Commission directed to Sir John for the impowring of him, to make those offers, wherein he promised, upon the word of a King, to perform them: Which upon mature deliberation he highly approved of, and the more, because he understood that the Presbyterians and the Lord Fairfax would be engaged with him; with whom he ever after maintained a private correspondence; and therefore from that time took up a resolution to endeavour his Master's Restauration; relying upon the Faith and Integrity of Sir John Greenvile, and confiding in the King's Word, as much as if he had actually received a Commission from him, for he soon after told his Chaplain that he was resolved to Commission the whole Scatch Nation against the English Parliament and Army, rather than suffer himself to be taken or displaced by them; although he had at time no other authority to do it by, than that airy commission conveyed unto him by word of mouth from Sir John Greenvile, who had it in writing from the King: And the happy success of that resolution was a great demonstration of the King's extraordinary prudence and discretion in pitching upon Monk as the fittest person to bring about that blessed and glorious revolution; and the wisdom of Sir John Greenvile in employing his Brother, rather than any other Person, to manage that great and weighty Intrigue.  
And being informed that there was a supplication presented to the Rump by Lambert, in the name of the Army under his command, for the bringing those to punishment who had been actually engaged in, or offered any assistance to Booth's Conspiracy, and for appointing a General over all their Forces in the three Kingdoms; which inquisition had it been made, and a sequestration passed upon it, accrding to their expectation, would have yielded them more Wealth, than all the former sales of Crown and Church Lands: He began to conclude with himself, that he should have a fairer opportunity to put his resolutions in practice, than he could have reasonably expected; for he easily foresaw what was the design and intent of that supplication, and was so well pleased with it, that he pleasantly told his Chaplain, that he perceived he should shortly have a better Game to play, than he looked for when he first engaged himself in the design; and that he knew Lambert to be of such a restless and aspiring temper that he would not long suffer the Rump to sit in quiet at Westminster.  
And therefore that he might the better make preparations for his future designs, he immediately dispatched away his Brother to London in character of an Envoy, to assure the Rump of his faithfulness and fidelity to them, and that he was resolved to stand firm to their Interest and Authority against all opposition whatsoever: And for the better wipeing away all suspicion of the true intent and design of his Brothers coming, he sent his Daughter away with him likewise.  
No sooner had the General dismissed his Bother, but he received a visit from a Scotch Noble Man, viz. the Earl of Nitsdale, who after some private discourse with him, assured him that the King would be restored within the compass of a very few months, without the shedding of one drop of Blood, or the hazard of a cut Finger in the accomplishment thereof; and that he looked upon him as the principle Instrument, by whose Wisdom and Conduct it was to be effected; which prophettick discourse contributed very much toward his encouragement, to push the business forward with the greater earnestness and speed.  
Mr. Monk being safely arrived at London, repaired privately to Sir John Greenvile, and gave him an account that he had delivered his message to the General and imparted it to none else except his Chaplain only, but told him as to the success of it, he could give him no account, being under an Oath of secrecy. However Sir John thought that was sufficient, and therefore immediately acquainted the King with it, who was so well satisfied therewith, that he ordered him to wait an opportunity as soon as possible, to treat personally with him, which he did not long after, and received a more full and satisfactory account from him how, and in what manner he intended to proceed therein. And for the discharging of this new Embassy to the Rump, he repaired to Dr. Clergies, who was Brother in Law to him and the General, and Agent for the Scotch and Irish Armies, to whom he was ordered by the General to impart his message, to be delivered by him to the Parliament, wherewith they were so highly pleased, that out of a Sense of the General's supposed Fidelity, and to require his offered kindness, (they made as it were an expiring vote of revenge, when they saw they must be forced to yield to Lambert's ambition, and have their usurped Authority suffer a second Rape) wherein they constituted him about the seventh part of a Generalissimo, which fell out very happily for the promoting his great and generous design; for it was by Virtue of that power that he seemed afterwards to act and give forth Commissions.  
And having received on the 7th of October the certain news that Lambert had by the assistance of the Army, once more unhoused the Rump, he publicly protested that he would not endure that unjust and arbitrary proceeding, and was resolved therefore to reduce the Military power to the obedience of the Civil; and in order thereunto presently entered the Stage against Lambert and his Armies proceed, (dispatching away the trusty adjutant Jeremy Smith, who was afterwards Knighted for his Fidelity) that afternoon to Edinburgh and Leith, to secure those places, and under the march of such Troops of Horse on whose Captains he could most rely; and having stopped the Packquet, which should have gone that Night for England, he followed him the next day to Edinburgh, where he reform his Army, making Captain Morgan Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Nichols Major of his own Regiment, and the next day sent a party of Horse, commanded by Captain Johnson, to secure Barwick, which he knew to be a place of great importance to his new designs; which was done in the very nick of time, for the Governor had no sooner clapped up his dissenting Officers, according to the General's directions, but Colonel Cobbit entered the Town, with instructions and Authority to assert and defend their Interest, who being brought by Johnson to the General, he sent him Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle; and having assured the Soldiers to him, he dispatched three Letters into England, directed to Fleetwood, Lambert and Lenthal, wherein he acquainted them with his resolution, to restore these Kingdoms to the free exercise of their Laws and Liberties; which expression had more included than was expressed in it, which was well enough understood by the Lord Fairfax and some others, who were privy to the design.  
These Letters gave some intimation of hope to the Rump, that they should be a second time restored to their Authority, and infinitely surprised Lambert and the other Grandees of the Army, who did not expect to meet with any such opposition, believing it diversely opposite to the interest of the Army in general, for any one part of it to be divided against, and oppose the proceed of the rest; and that although there should be any amongst the Soldiers who should love their Country better than their pay, and that Monk should undertake to back them; yet they were assured by some of his Officers, who were then at London, that his interest was too weak in Scotland, to make head against them, however to make all sure, they sent Dr. Clergies and Colonel Talbot to him, whom they entreated and conjured to use their utmost endeavours to allay those sudden heats of his, which they affirmed had been kindled by some unhappy mistakes of their proceed; and assure him that he and his army should suddenly receive a satisfactory account about them. But that attempt signified little, for Talbot could not persuade him of the sincerity of Lambert's Friendship, nor the reality of his offered advantages; and Clergies did but prevaricate with them that sent him, and informed the General of the true state and condition of the English Army, who had but little Money, and no means left of raising more, when that was spent, in regard the Rump, who saw their doom hastening, had before they were turned out by Lambert, voted it high Treason, to raise money out of Parliament, thereby covering their spite and revenge, with the shadow of a pretended tenderness for their Countries freedom. These were soon after followed by Captain Dean, Treasurer to the English Army, who was sent by Fleetwood as a special messenger of his own, with a very kind letter to the General, and an offer of what preferment in the Army he would please to accept of, if he would concur with them, which he refused. This messenger in his passage into Scotland, dispersed divers papers, where he endeavoured to seduce Monk's Soldiers, by accusing their General of a design to bring in Charles Stuart upon them, by his dividing the Army, and told the General to his Face, as he sat at dinner with him, that Charles Stuart was at the bottom of his design, upon which Dr. Price replied, no Mr. Treasurer, it is you that will bring him in, for by your late actions you have more than justified the late King, who demanded only the Members of the House of Commons, but ye have dissolved a Parliament. And passing by one morning, as a Company of Foot was drawing up, he told them them that Lord Lambert was coming upon them, and that all Monk's Army would suffice him for a Breakfast; to which he received as blunt an answer, That Lambert had certainly a very good Stomach, if he could eat Pikes and swallow Bullets.  
Lambert who waited not for the return of the messenger, but advanced presently towards the North, met with Monks Commissioners at York, and would have spared a farther Journey, by assuring them that he had power from the Committee of safety, and the general Council of Officers, to treat and conclude with them; but they resisting upon the restauration of the Parliament to their former power, they were dismissed, and so passed forward to London, whereupon Major General Morgan, who was secretly a well wisher to Monks designs but openly professed a dislike of them, told Lambert; if he would send him into Scotland, he did not doubt but he should be able to gain the General for him; which offer he gladly accepted of, in hope that he would either by his friendship with Monk, create a better understanding between them, or by his power and interest draw off a part of the Scotch Army for himself, which he could have easily done, had his dislike of the General's declarations against the Armies proceed, been as real as it was feigned, his command there being next to Monks.  
Morgan being arrived in Scotland, had the message slighted, but his Person joyfully received of the General, who much wanted him, and soon employed him in the most difficult service that yet remained unattempted, which was the reforming of his Horse, dismounting dissaffected Troopers, and setting divers Foot Soldiers, of whose Fidelity they were well assured, on Horseback. In the performance whereof, some prevented their being unhorsed, by running from their Colours, and others by conveying them over to the Enemy. So that having now prepared all things in readiness, he ordered several of his Troops to march toward the South of Scotland, intending to follow them himself with the Body of his Army.  
But before he left Edinburgh, he called a Convention of the Nobility and Burghers, and laid before them the ground of his quarrel, requiring their peaceable deportment, during his absence, and the payment of what they were in arrear to him for his Army, which they readily consented to, and appointed some of their number afterwards to wait upon him at Barwick, to desire him to furnish them with Arms, whereby they might be in a capacity to assist him in opposing Lambert's invasion, which seemed equally to threaten both him and them; but he wisely declined that request, and yet thinking it not safe to send them away discontented, granted them some things which might contribute toward a public peace without prejudice to his designs.  
When he was got as far as Haddington, he received information that his Commissioners, somewhat exceeding the limits of their Commissions, had concluded a treaty with the Officers at London, upon conditions very  and displeasing to him: The two chief whereof was, that the King's Title should be renounced, and a convention of Officers on both sides to meet by compact at Newcastle, to settle the Army, and advise about the modelling of a new Government; whereupon 〈◊〉 immediately posted back to Eden●urgh to consult with his Counsellors, ●nd the Officers of his Army, and require their sense about that agreement; the result whereof was, that they should refuse to ratify that agreement, and demand a new treaty, upon pretence that some of those Articles required a farther explanation; which being once known in London, the Members of the Rump began to take heart again, and meet in secret Cabals, to continue their own Restitution, in regard the General had engaged with mighty protestations to adhere to them; so that the Committee of safety perceiving themselves in a very unsafe and desolate condition; did with great submission send for Lenthal the Speaker, and desire him with the rest of the Members to return to the exercise of their trust, which they willingly accepted of. The news whereof reaching Lambert at Newcastle, he privately slipped away from his Soldiers, and absconded himself; Colonel Wetham Governor of Portsmouth having as well in respect to the General, as the Rump● opened the Gates of the Town to Hazelrick, Morley and Walton; three o● the seven Commissioners appointed by them for governing the Army. And the Fleet under Lawson, and the Forces i● Ireland having likewise declared for them, and had the recovery of their power congratulated, and promises of defending it to the utmost of his power made by Monk, who having thus restored them, they desired speedily to march for London, foreseeing that he was otherwise resolved to come without bidding; whereupon he advanced toward them, and was in his way thither bravely entertained by the Lord Fairfax and several others, and at Morpeth received a Letter from the Lord Mayor and common Council of London sent by their Sword-Bearer, to which he returned a pleasing though doubtful answer.  
But notwithstanding all his solemn protestations of adhering to the Parliaments interest, and the many compliments he had thereupon received from them, yet they were not well satisfied in the reality of his Intentions, suspecting still that there was something else at the bottom of his undertaking, and therefore sent Scot and Robinson to meet him at Harbour, that under pretence of congratulating with him, for the good success God had given to his endeavours; they might the better pry into his Actions, and discover somewhat if possible, of his future intentions, putting forth a declaration at the same time, for the better settling themselves in the Favour of the People, wherein they promised to perfect what they had begun, for the settling of the Nation. But they being now too long used to their fair pretences, would be deluded by them no longer, but seeing they fell to their old tyrannies, under a pretence of restoring them to their lost liberties; began to rouse up themselves, and show their universal hatred and detestation of their wicked and arbitrary proceed, by a general application to Monk, whom they looked upon as a person of a more free and English Spirit, beseeching him in divers addresses, which were presented to him in almost all the Towns he passed through, to assert their liberties, either by procuring a full and free Parliament, or else the Restauration of the secluded Members of that which was then sitting, and promising to stand by him in the maintenance and defence of their freedom.  
Being come to St. Alban, which was his last Stage, he sent Colonel Lidcot without consulting Scot and Robinson (who had all along upon the Road, taken upon them to give answers to the addresses presented to him, and for the better observing his actions, and prying into his affairs, lodged in the same Inn with him) to the Speaker, to desire that the Regiments who atended as Guards to the Parliament, might be distributed into Country Quarters, to make way for his coming to London; which was not without some difficulty obtained, although he had hitherto carried himself with so much evenness, that he had given them no reason to distrust him; and the whole Army, with which he was to enter the Town, was somewhat inferior in number, to that which was to march out, and leave their quarters to him: He entered the Town at Gray's Inn-Lane, the Bells ringing every where for Joy, and as he passed through Chancery Lane, ●he stopped at the Rolls, before the Speakers Door, who being not returned from the House, he marched forward toward White Hall, where his quarters were appointed to be, and meeting the Speaker in the Strand, he alighted and complemented him after the Soldiers Fashion. But before he had been two days at his quarters, which were the Prince's Lodgings, he was entertained with a secret information that a Son of Secretary Scot, who lodged at the House of one Sturdy in Russel-Sreet, had upon discovery about the General, assured him that his power of commanding the Army should be taken from him within a few days, and that he should be sent to the Tower, and questioned for his Life; the only fact whereof was, to make him the more circumspect and careful.  
The next day he went to wait upon the House, and received their Solemn thanks by their Speaker, for the great service he had done in restoring of them, but because he took upon him to mind them of some thing, which he judged to be for the public good, and acquaint them with the Addresses he received in every place, on his way towards London for a free Parliament, or the Readmission of the secluded Members, they Reflected upon him, as if he endeavoured to impose his own sense upon the parliament; but however they easily passed it over, and seemed to be content, to impute it rather to his affection to their service, than his distaste of their proceed, and made him one of their Council of State, who was to order and dispose of all their public affairs; but before he was to take his place amongst them, he was to have, as well as the rest, an Oath imposed upon him, to abjure the Royal Family; but that being absolutely contrary to the Noble and Generous Designs of that brave Patriot of the Royal Cause, and bold Adventurer for the interest of his injured Sovereign; he opposed it as a thing altogether unreasonable, and by his influence upon Colonel Morley procured it to be so warmly debated, that it fell to the ground, and came to nothing.  
The General resolving now to draw his business toward a conclusion, offered himself to Scot, who had several times complained to him of the malignity of the City of London, to abate their pride, and curb their insolency, as he termed it; the Lord Mayor, aldermans and Common Council of that City, having by a public Vote declared, that they would pay no more Taxes and Contributions, till the Parliament was filled up with equal Representatives of the People. A few popular tumults from thence, had formely given the Government some disturbances; but now the whole City encouraged by their hopes and expectations from Monk, rebelled against their power, and Scot who was his greatest Enemy, and had plotted his ruin, not being able to fathom the depth of his design in that offer, and hoping at once to ruin both him and the City, prevailed with a Parliament to send him thither, as well to bring the Citizens into subjection, as to create a hatred and jealousy between him and the General, by his executing that odious and detestable work, wherein they designed to employ him; wherefore being on Tuseday night detained at the Council of State till two in the Morning; he there received orders to march the next morning into the City, to execute what was there re-resolved on, which although contrary to his quiet and peaceable disposition, yet having a direct tendency to promote his great design, he willingly undertook it; and therefore in seeming obedience to their commands, early in the Morning marched his Army into the City, and having ceased on divers of their Common Council and others who had rendered themselves obnoxious to the Rump, and sent them to the Tower; he commanded his Soldiers to dig up their posts, and break down their Gates and Portcullies, which the amazed Citizens, who flocked about him, supposing it had been done to gratify the Rump, durst not complain of, but with sighs and nods only, bid an eternal farewell to their departing Liberty, as they supposed. And that the men at Westminster might the better curb him, when they had thus made use of him to curb the City, they passed a bill for the Army to be governed by five Commissioners, viz. Monk, Hazelrick, Morley, Walton and Alured, three whereof were to be a Quorum.  
Having thus performed the Task imposed on him in the City, he returned again to White-Hall, notwithstanding he was to have stayed for farther order from the Rump, who had more business for him to have done there, and took it ill that he tarried not till he had performed it; wherefore having assured the Tower by means of Coll. Morley, who was then Lieutenant of it, and had offered to give him the possession thereof; he sent a Letter to the Rump, first subscribed by himself, and then by all the Officers of his Army in their order, the tenor whereof was very peremptory, commanding them that they should by the Friday following send forth Writs, to fill up all the vacant places in the House, and when that was done, fix a time to terminate their own sitting, and give place to another Parliament to succeed them. Cromwell had outwitted and unhoused them by a power at first derived from them; but Monk forced them to unhouse themselves, and become their own executioners. And compelled them, by passing an Act for their own dissolution, and the calling a new Parliament: He set the first considerable, and the most discernible step toward the recalling their banished Sovereign, whom they had for so many Years unjustly excluded from his Throne. The Letter was sent by two Colonels, Coleberry and Lidcot; but the General without staying for an Answer, immediately put himself into the Head of his Army, and marched away into Finsbury Fields, requiring the Mayor to provide him quarters for his Soldiers within the City, who knowing not the Breach between Him and the Parliament, was somewhat astonished with the message, but being soon informed of the end of his coming, by some Citizens, who had learned that news sooner than himself, he gladly complied with that demand, and invited him to dinner at Guild-Hall, where, in the afternoon were such a conference held between him and the Mayor and Aldermen, that when he entered toward the evening, at the head of his Army, he was welcomed by the Citizens as the Restorer of his Countries Freedom, with ringing of Bells, the blazing of Bonfires, and the distributing of Wine, and Money among his Soldiers; the loud Shouts and Acclamations of the People, discovering their public joy, and the Fume of roasted Rumps, which were burnt in every Bonfire, prognosticating the downfall of their Legislative power.  
The men at Westminster having closely debated on the Letter sent them by Monk, thought it wisdom to dissemble the indignation they conceived for that Affront, and gave him thanks for his joint care with them, for the good of the Commonwealth; and to content him if possible, ordered a Committee to consider what Lands were fitting to be conferred upon him; issuing out a Proclamation likewise against Lambert, wherein he was required to surrender himself within forty days on forfeiture of his Estate; and promising with all imaginable Speed to send out Writs for a new Parliament; but resolved to tie up their hands by previous engagements against the King, the House of Lords, and whatsoever else they thought might prove injurious to them. And the Council of State invited him afresh to take his place amongst them, urging that the necessity of affairs required his presence there, and employing such means as they thought had the greatest influence upon him, to persuade him to comply therewith: Nor did he at first absolutely deny their request, but only denied the performance thereof, that so he might keep them in suspense, the better to fix his Army, and prepare them hearty to engage in his new designs, which he thought could not be brought in one day to part with all their former Principles and Prejudices. But although they still courted his return, yet fearing that he had designed nothing less, they began to court those who who had formerly appeared against them, and employed their adgitators in that Army; which was by Monks successful Artifice, dispersed into divers parts of the Country, to whisper his Treason against the Parliament, and his design to bring in Charles Stuart. Halzerick was taxed by the General as the principle Author of that device; but he denied it, and durst not adventure to Randesvouz his Country Army against Monk's City Forces. And the presses in the mean time were not idle, but produced many infamous Libels against the King, wherein he was impudently abused, and charged with many unjust Falsities, thereby to prevent the People's entertaining any desires of his Restauration, but all would not do, the Country being now too sensible of the gross abuses and cheats that had been been put upon the Nation by such kind of Articles.  
But however the General being willing to overcome them by Argument, as well as force, easily consensented to a proposition presented by the Rump; that some of them might meet a like number of the secluded Members, and argue the business in his presence; which they did at Alderman Whale's his House, which was then his head Quarters; and they having nothing to allege against the Readmission (besides their love of Power) but their own safety, the sale of public Lands, and such like things, which they feared would be disturbed by their introduction. But the secluded Members having sufficiently answered these objections, by protesting that they would disturb the properties and pretences of no Man, but amicably sit, and act for the good of their Country, till by their dissolution they had made way for another Parliament. And the General being fully satisfied in the justness of their Cause, left the City, and returned again to White-Hall, where those of the secluded Members, who were then in Town, resorted to him, and after a short Speech made by him, were conducted to Westminster, where they took their former places in the House of Commons; some of the sitting Members, immediately upon their entrance, rising up, and departing in discontent, crying out, Monk had betrayed them.  
The General having now forced the Rump to admit the secluded Members, which had been ever since forty eight forceably kept out of the House; they were no sooner seated therein, but they immediately applied themselves to such kind of work, as plainly discovered to all Intelligent and discerning Men, where those things, which were then transacting, would terminate; for they presently enlarged Monks Commission, making him General of all their Land Forces, and constituted him joint General at Sea with Montague, discharged Sir George Booth, and others Committed on account of his rising, ordering the examination of him and his Lady to be taken off the File and given to them; and released all such as had been Imprisoned for Petitioning for a free Parliament, together with the Members of the Common Council of London. And then having appointed a free Parliament to meet in the April following, they Dissolved themselves, appointing a Council of State to govern in the mean while, which consisted for the most part of Honest and Loyal Gentlemen, viz. Arthur Annesly Lord Precedent, Peirpoint, Crew, Knightly, Popham, Morley, Cooper, Gerrard, St. John, Widrington, Evelin, Waller, Onslow, Maynard, Lewis, Montague, Handly, Norton, Hollis, Temple, Tomson, Trevers, Holland, Poltis, Birch, Grimston, Swinton, Weaver, Fairfax, Rossiter, and the Lord General, which Council was so influenced by the General, that all their Proposals ran directly towards, and naturally tended to swell the Royal Stream, and make Sovereignty, which had suffered so long and fatal an Ebb, flow with that , but yet innocent and harmless force, that like a swelling Sea, it bore down all before it.  
But Sir John Grinvile being (in regard he was a known Cavalier,) unable to procure any private conference with Monk, who was so extraordinary wary and cautious, that when Sr. John had spun out his Visit to an extraordinary length, in expectation of the Room being clear, by the breaking up of the Company, yet then knowing the reason of his long Attendance, he would immediately rise up from his Chair, and say, Good night, Cousin, 'tis late; or by some such like pretence, excuse himself, and leave the Room. He was not able to give the King any farther account of the General's Intentions, and therefore growing impatient of so many delays, he bethought himself at last of making his Application to Mr. Morrice, one of the secluded Members, who was somewhat related to the General; and had a more than ordinary Intimacy with him, that ●o he might by his Mediation obtain the favour to discourse a little with him in private, concerning something of great importance to him and the Nation. Morrice was easily prevailed upon to undertake the business, and immediately repaired to the General, and acquainted him with Greenvil's desire; but he still refused to have any secret converse with him, for fear notice should be taken of it; yet ordered Morris to wait upon him, and try if he could inform himself of the nature and quality of the business, giving him leave to assure him, that he was authorized by him to receive his Message, how weighty and secret soever it might be, and promise to return the General's speedy Answer thereunto. But Greevile resolving to treat with none but himself, refused the Proposal, without giving him the least intimation of his business, telling him, that it concerned none but the General himself, and that so nearly, that it would admit of no longer delay. And if he still persisted in an obstinate refusing to admit him a private Conference, he must then be necessitated to acquaint him with it, wherever he met with him. Upon the Report whereof by Morris, he was infinitely pleased, and therefore ordered Morris to give him notice, that he would meet him at his Chamber sometime in the Evening of the next day. Greenvile, according to appointment, repaired to Morrice's Chamber, whither the General, upon intimation of his being there, came likewise soon after. To whom, after some Compliments, Greenvile declared, that he looked upon himself as infinitely obliged to his Excellency for giving him that opportunity of discharging himself of a Trust of great importance in relation to the King, the General, and the whole Kingdom, which had been long deposited in his hands by his Sovereign, adding, that he thought himself more happy in having that good occasion of performing his duty, in obeying the Commands and promoting the Interest of his Sovereign, than in any occurrence of his whole Life; presenting him at the same time with a Letter directed to him from the King, and producing another sent to himself, together with a Commission which he had received from the King to treat with him about the business of his Restauration. Whereupon the General suddenly stepped back, and holding the Paper in his hand, with a kind of a forced frown, hastily demanded of him how he durst mention a thing of that nature to him, without considering the danger he thereby run himself upon? Greenvile replied, He had long since considered that matter, and duly weighed the danger which attended an attempt of that nature; but the hazard, though great, was not sufficient to deter him from the performance of his duty. And that he was the more encouraged to adventure, by the Message which he was pleased to send him by his Brother, before he left Scotland. Upon the mention thereof, without making any reply, he presently approached towards him with a more pleasing aspect, and embracing him in his Arms, said, Dear Cousin, I return you my hearty thanks for the Prudence, Fidelity, Care and Constancy wherewith you have managed this great Affair, and your resolute Secrecy therein. For, could I have informed myself, that you had ever revealed it to any person living, since you first acquainted my Brother therewith, I would never have consented to treat with you about it, which now I shall most willingly do, and with you, rather than any other, in regard you are so nearly related to me, and I have received so many obligations both from you and your Family. And then, having read the King's Letter, and the Commission, he added, that he hoped the King would forgive what was past, according to the Contents of his gracious Letter, assuring him, that his heart was ever faithful to him, although he had never been in a condition to serve him until then, desiring Sir John, that he would in his name assure His Majesty, that he was now not only ready to obey his Commands, but to sacrifice his Life and Fortune in his Service, calling Morris, who stood without as Doorkeeper, to bear witness of that his solemn Protestation. Sir John desired him to send some Confident of his own to the King, to treat and advise with him what was fit to be done for the better carrying on their Design; to which he ●asily consented, but told him, that that Confident must be himself, for he would not, as yet, adventure to send any Letters to the King, for fear of the worst. And that, without them, the King had no reason to give any Credit to a Messenger sent from him, but might very well believe one whom himself had employed; wherefore at the next Conference he received Instructions, with a Charge not to commit them to Writing, till he came to the King at Brussels, and there to communicate them to none but himself.  
Greenvile managed this Negotiation with such Secrecy, and his Journey to Brussels was so speedy and fortunate, that few knew of it before his arrival there; and those who did, nay, that went in compan● with him thither, had not so much as the lea●● suspicion what Errand it was he went on. The King having intimation of his Arrival, went privately to his Lodgings, to whom Greenvile related the Instructions he had received from Monk, which were readily believed, although he brought nothing under the General's hand. The News whereof was very acceptable, and highly welcome to the King, whose joy upon that account was so much the greater, because the General required no Conditions of Restraint to his Royal Power, and had left the Reward of his Service wholly to his goodness, as appeared by what himself declared to Greenvile, upon the receipt of a Letter sent him by some of his Friends in England, to acquaint him with the great Service they had done His Majesty in prevailing with Monk, (notwithstanding his being so absolute a Commonwealths-man, they knowing nothing of his being pre-engaged by the King,) not to oppose his Return upon his Father's Concessions in the Isle of Wight; which Terms, though hard, and consented to by his Father only in consideration of his necessity, yet they besought His Majesty not to think hard of them now, lest his refusal might exclude him longer from the Crown.  
Little do they think in England, said the King, that the General and I are upon so good Terms; and the truth is, I could hardly believe it myself, until your Arrival with the happy News, The General's resolution to restore me to my Crown and Kingdom, without Conditions, beyond our expectations here, or the belief of all our Friends in England, except yourself, who was employed in it.  
The King having been informed by Greenvile, that Monk had declared he would not tie him to any Terms of Reward, affirming, that he took more content in doing His Majesty and his Country Service, than in the expectation of greatness, pressed Greenvile to know what he should do for himself. But he, according to the General's Example, nobly refused all Proposals of Reward for that Service, in which he had been so eminently successful, till he should have the happiness to see him at his Palace of Whitehall. But the King resolving nor to send him back without a mark of his Royal Favour, secretly put into his Pocket a Warrant under his Hand and Seal, for an English Earldom; and the assurance of three thousand pounds per Annum, to be settled upon him and his Heirs for ever, to support that Honour, with a promise moreover, to pay those Debts which either he or his Father had contracted, by engaging themselves in the Royal Cause.  
The King, upon his receiving this Message from Monk, consulted with Sir Edward Hid, whom he had then nominated for the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Ormond, Secretary Nichols, and some others of his Confidents, Greenvile likewise being present, what return he should make thereunto. In which Privy Council there was a Commission drawn up and signed by the King, for the constituting Monk Captain General of all his Land-Forces in the three Kingdoms, and Public Di●patches framed and signed according to those Directions Greenvile had brought from him. But the King, not thinking that place convenient for the Treaty, removed with great speed and privacy to Breda, a Town belonging to his Sister the Princess of Orange, being complemented at his departure from Flanders by the Spanish Governor, and honourably conveyed on his way way as far as Antwerp, from whence his Public Dispatches into England, were dated. Greenvile, upon his return, besides the General's Commission to be Captain General of all the Forces then raised, or to be raised, brought him the King's Seals and Signet, by which he was empowered to make a Secretary of State, which Honour he conferred upon Morris, who was after the King's return Knighted, and confirmed therein, in consideration of the Service he had done in introducing Greenvile to the General's presence. And besides those Public Letters, which he was to reserve to be communicated in due time, he brought a Private one, directed to the General himself, written with the King's own Hand, to which he returned an Answer by Mr. Bernard Greenvile, in regard his Brother could not then be spared, the Parliament being just ready to fit, when he was to present to both the Houses the King's Letters and Declaration; which Answer was very welcome to the King, for that it brought him an assurance under the General's own Hand, of his Resolution to adhere to him against all opposition whatsoever.  
About this time Lambert made his escape from the Tower, and endeavoured to make Parties, and draw Forces together, to oppose his Loyal and Generous Designs, which he being informed of, acquainted the Council of State therewith, and managed the business with so great Prudence, that timely scare was taken to suppress him, and that Attempt, which in itself threatened the contrary, was made by his Wisdom to advance the King's Interest, and hasten his happy Restauration. For Coll. Ingoldsby being sent against him and his Forces, which ●e had got together, forsaking him upon the Colonels approach, he betook himself to flight, but being upon ploughed Land, his Horse failed him; and notwithstanding he had by his valour in many former Battles obtained the name of Stout, he presently yielded himself, without drawing his Sword, or making any other Defence, than only crying out twice, Pray my Lord, let me escape; for what good will my Life or perpetual Imprisonment do you?  
The time being now come for the meeting of a new Parliament, both Houses repaired to St. Margaret's Church, where Dr. Reynolds preached before them, and after Sermon they repaired to their Houses: The Lords making choice of the Earl of Manchester for their Speaker: And the Commons of Sir Harbottle Grimstone. And having settled their Committees, and thereby prepared for their entrance upon business, adjourned for some few days; in the interim whereof Greenvile consulted with the General, at what time, and in what manner he should deliver his Messages from the King to the several parties to whom they were directed. That which was superscribed to the General himself, to be communicated by him to the Army and Council of State, he thought fit to have delivered to him at the Door of the Council Chamber. In order whereunto Greenvile repaired thither, when the Council were sitting, and told Coll. Birch, who was one of the Members, that he desired to speak with the General; who upon Birch's Intimation came to the Door; and in the view of his Guards, who attended there, received the Letters from Greenvile, without showing any other respect either to his Person, or his Business, than only demanding of him if he would stay for an Answer, and telling him, otherwise his Guards should secure him. And having commanded them to look to him, went in to the Council, and communicated to them the Letters; whereupon Birch being examined whether he knew any thing of the matter, & protesting he was altogether ignorant both of the Gentleman, and his Business, Greenvile was sent for i● and examined by the Precedent, from whence those Letters came, whose they were, and how he came by them, (for they had not yet proceeded to open and read them,) he answered, that ●he King His Master gave them to him with his own Hand at Breda. Having ●hereby informed themselves whence ●he Letters came, they deferred the opening of them until the Parliament sat ●gain, and would have committed Green●ile, had not the General told them, that 〈◊〉 knew him very well, and would answer for his appearance before the Parliament; which were no sooner sat, 〈◊〉 he delivered his Letters, with enclosed Declarations to both Houses, where●● the King expressed abundance of ●mpassion and tenderness to the Na●●on, which had been so long harassed 〈◊〉 a bloody and unnatural War, and promised a free and general Pardon to all, 〈◊〉 should in forty days after the pub●●ation thereof, lay hold upon that Grace, ●less such whom the Parliament should ●ink fit to be excepted from the benefit ●●ereof. And that he would preserve 〈◊〉 to the uttermost of his power, 〈◊〉 from all manner of Injuries in their ●●es and Estates, and grant Liberty for ●●der Consciences, for such as dissented 〈◊〉 the Established Religion, provided ●●ey did not disturb the Peace of the Nation. That as to Sales and Purchases, 〈◊〉 would refer himself in all matters to th● Determinations of Parliament, and consent to any Act or Acts, for the satisfying the Arrears of the Army and Navy which should thenceforward be receive● into his Service, upon as good Pay an● Conditions as they then enjoyed. Th● like Letters and Declarations being 〈◊〉 sent by the King, and delivered to Gen●●ral Mon●ague, to be by him communicated to the Fleet, and to the Lord May● and Common Council of London.  
The King's Letters and Declarati●● were received by the Parliament 〈◊〉 such an extraordinary Joy and Ven●●tion, that I want words wherewith 〈◊〉 express it; for, as if some strange 〈◊〉 had suddenly seized upon their min● every man, at the Speaker's naming 〈◊〉 King, rose up, and uncovering him●●●● desired they might be immediately 〈◊〉 which was no sooner done, but in an●●tasie of joy, they suddenly drew the ●●●tain, and exposed the beautiful and ●●rious Scene to the open view of prolonging Spectators, wherein every 〈◊〉 might plainly behold the happy Issue all those various Transactions which 〈◊〉 till then been Riddles too mysterious for vulgar understandings to unfold, or once imagine to what they tended, or where they would terminate. By the House of Lords resolving that they did own and declare, that, according to the Ancient and Fundamental Laws of England, the Government was, and aught to be by Kings; and that a Committee of eight Lords should forthwith join with a Committee of the Commons to consider of an Answer to the King's Letter and Declaration. And by the House of Commons resolving likewise to appoint a Committee to prepare an Answer to the King's Letter, and therein express their great and joyful sense of his gracious offers, and to return him their humble and hearty thanks for the same, and to assure him of their Loyalty and Duty. And that they would give him a speedy Answer to his gracious Proposals. Resolving moreover, that the sum of 50000 l. should be presented him from that House, and 10000 l. to each of his Royal Brothers, the Dukes of York and Gloucester. Which Resolves were no sooner reported in London, than the Citizens were extremely transported with Joy. The harmony of Bells, and the flaming Piles, which enlighted every Street, surrounded with incredible Shouts and Acclamations, being sufficient demonstrations of the infinite Pleasure and Satisfaction which every one took, in that no less strange than happy Revolution. And the several Countries taking Alarm from London, contended which should outvie the other in expressions of Loyalty and Joy. And General Montague having communicated to the Fleet the Letters he received from the King and the Duke of York, together with those directed to the Parliament, they unanimously declared their Resolution, to adhere to him, and to live and die in his defence, humbly desiring the Generals to present the same to the King; whereupon Montague himself immediately fired a Gun, crying, God bless His Majesty and the whole Fleet. Thereupon presently appeared in its pride and glory with Pendants lose, Guns roaring, Caps flying, and Vive le Roys loudly echoing from one Ships Company to another, which were answered by the great Guns from Dale and Sandwich Castles; nor was this Joy confined to England, but spread itself into Scotland and Ireland also.  
And now the Parliament, longing for the King's presence amongst them, as the Israelites did for the return of King David, drew up a Letter in answer to that which they had received from him, superscribing it to the King's Most Excellent Majesty; wherein they requested his speedy return to the exercise of his Kingly Office, appointing Commissioners to go over to Holland, and attend him during his stay there, and in his Voyage for England. There being six appointed for the House of Lords, and twelve for the House of Commons, to which, upon the Request of the Lord Mayor and Common-Council of London, was added twenty on the behalf of that City, who, having received their Instructions, set sail for Holland, with several Frigates appointed by the Parliament to attend them; the whole Fleet being likewise committed to the King's pleasure, the General whereof had Orders from the Parliament to obey such Orders and Directions as he should receive from His Majesty.  
The Commissioners, upon their arrival at Breda, delivered their respective Messages, with all imaginable reverence and veneration, according to the Instructions they had received from their Principals, beseeching His Majesty, in the name of his Parliament and People, to return to his Inheritance, and reassume his Crown and Sceptre, assuring him, that he should be infinitely welcome to them without any Terms, which Invitation was gladly accepted, and the Commissioners were received by him with a Grace and Port like himself, and entertained with extraordinary Magnificence and Bounty.  
The Parliament in the mean time proceeded to the Proclaiming of him, which was performed with all that Joy, Splendour and Magnificence, that their Loyalty could inspire; the Lord General, attended by all the Peers, the most Eminent of the Commons, the Lord Mayor and aldermans, with the Trained Bands of London assisting at the Ceremony: The Proclamation being, as followeth, viz.  
Although it can no way be doubted, but that his Majesty's Right and Title to these Crowns and Kingdoms, is and was every way complete by the Death of his Most Royal Father of Glorious Memory, without the Ceremony or Solemnity of a Proclamation, yet since Proclamations in such cases have been always used, to the end that all good Subjects might upon this occasion testify their Duty and Respect; and since the Armed violence and other Calamities of many years last passed, have hitherto deprived us of any opportunity, wherein we might express our Loyalty and Allegiance to his Majesty: We therefore the Lords and Commons now Assembled in Parliament, together with the Lord Mayor, aldermans and Common-Council of the City of London, and other Freemen of this Kingdom now present, do according to our Duty and Allegiance, hearty, joyfully and Unanimously acknowledge and Proclaim, that immediately upon the Decease of our late Sovereign King Charles the First, the Imperial Crown of the Realm of England, and all the Kingdoms, Dominions and Rights belonging to the same, did by Inherent Birthright, and Lawful undoubted Succession, Descend and come to his Most Excellent Majesty, King Charles the Second, as being Lineally, Justly and Lawfully, next Heir of the Blood Royal of this Realm. And that by the Goodness and Providence of Almighty God, he is of England, Scotland and Ireland, the Most Potent, Mighty and Undoubted King, and thereunto we Most Humbly and Faithfully do submit and oblige ourselves, our Heirs and Posterities for ever.  
At the reading whereof, the whole City rang with the Sound of God Save, and God Bless King Charles the Second; the Shouts and Acclamations of the crowding multitudes being so extraordinary, that although all the Bells throughout the City and Suburbs, were then Ringing, their Noise was not to be heard.  
The King having now by his extraordinary Wisdom and Conduct, thus happily contrived his return to his Crown and Kingdom, without the spilling of his Subjects Blood, and having brought his Affairs to their desired Issue, prepared to leave Holland, and after so long and tedious an Exile, returned to his Harassed and almost ruined Realms, being upon his departure, Splendidly Treated by the Dutch for a Fortnight together, with all the Pomp and Magnificence imaginable, and presented with the Richest Bed and Furniture, together with Tapestry for Hang, Embossed with Gold and Silver, and adorned with Pictures, that could be procured, and Highly Complemented by all the Foreign Ministers than Resident there. For these Noble Entertainments, which together with the Present of the Dutch, about one hundred Thousand Pounds, he gave the State's General and those of Holland, his Hearty Thanks in their Public Assemblies, whither he went on Foot; and having taken his leave of them, and commended to them the interest of his Sister, and his Nephew the Prince of Orange, they delivered their sense of the present circumstance of Affairs, and declared the greatness of that joy they conceived for his Miraculous Restauration, in the following Speech.  
If one may judge of the content which we have to see your Majesty departed from our Province, by the satisfaction we had to possess you, we shall have no great trouble to make it known to you; your Majesty might have observed in the countenance of all our People, the Joy they had in their Hearts, to see a Prince cherished of God, a Prince wholly miraculous, and a Prince that is probable to make a part of their quietness and felicity, your Majesty shall see presently all the Streets filled, all the ways covered, and all the Hills loaden with People, which will follow you even to the place of your Embarquement, and would not leave you, if they had wherewith to pass them to your Kingdom. Our Joy is common unto us with that of our Subjects, but as we know better than they the inestimable value of the Treasure we possess, so we are more sensible of this sad separation. It would be insupportable to us, Sir, if we reentered not into ourselves, and consider not that it is the thing of the World we most desired, and the greatest advantage also that we could wish to your Majesty. We acquiess therein, because we know that this removal is no less necessary for us, than glorious to your Majesty, and that 'tis not in your Kingdom, that we must find the accomplishment of the Prayers we have made, and make still for you and us, so shall we not fail to profit thence as well as from the assurances which it hath pleased you to give us of an immutable affection toward this Republic. We render most humble thanks to your Majesty for them, and particularly for the illustrious proof which it hath pleased you to give us thereof, by the Glorious visit wherewith you honoured our Assembly. We shall conserve the memory of it most dearly, and make the marks of that goodness to pass to our last Posterity, to the end they may acknowledge it with the same respect, with which we have received it. The appointment, wherein we see your Majesty ready to take Horse for the pursuit of your Journey, forbids us to enlarge ourselves upon a subject which would never weary us, if we had words conformable to our respectful sentiments: but we have no mind to increase the just impatience which your Majesty shall have to see yourself returned into your Kingdom. We pray God, Sir, that it be quiet and happy, and that as he hath disposed the Hearts and Affections of your Subjects to acknowledge their Sovereign and Lawful Prince, it will please him also to command the Winds and Seas to expedite your Voyage; and that after you have arrived on your own Coast, the same Prayers which we shall reiterate, you may enjoy in your Royal Person, and in your Posterity for ever, all the Felicity and Prosperity, which your Humble Servants shall wish unto your Majesty.  
Having now taken his leave of his Friends in Holland. He set forward towards England, in the midst of his two Brothers the Dukes of York & Gloucester on Horseback, accompanied by Prince William of Nassau, the Admiral of Holland, the Prince of Orange, and many Ladies of Quality in their Coaches, who attended him all the way to the place where he Embarked, the Horse and the Regiments of the Guards standing in Battalia, and the thundering of the Cannon being answered with Peals of Music, conveyed the like mirth to the English Fleet, then riding at Scheveling, the amazed Inhabitants flocking from all the adjacent parts, and crowding to behold the unusual sight, whilst others posted themselves more commodiously upon the Downs and Sand-Hills, from whence they might view the Fleet, see the King Embarquing, and please themselves with beholding how he was Entertained by the General at his first going on Board the Charles, which had formerly been called the Naseby. so that it was a difficult thing to determine, whether the Wonder of the Dutch, or the Joy of the English exceeded: He was attended by his Aunt, his Sister, and some other Illustrious Persons on Board in a Boat prepared for him by the States, whose Streamers and Flags had this impress, Quo fas et fata, alluding to, Dieu et mon droit; but upon the approach of a Brigandine sent from General Montague to receive him, he entered therein, and so went on Board the Charles, the Seamen at his Entrance seeming to be in an ecstasy, for their being now actually possessed of their Beloved Prince. After he had been some little while Entertained by the General, he returned to the Poop, to view again, and take his last Farewell of those almost innumerable multitudes that crowded on the Downs and Sand Hills of Scheveling, saying merrily that he thought his own Subjects could scarce have more tenderness and veneration for him, than those Strangers, in whose Affections he believed he Reigned no less, than he was going to Reign in the Wills of the English. Much ado he had to part with the Princess of Orange, whom many other considerations besides that of Birch, had rendereth most dear to him, till at last the General having all the King's Retinue on Shipboard, caused the Anchors to be weighed, and the Sails to be spread, and then with Tears and Embraces she left him, and Rowed back again with the same Company to the Dutch Shore, and there lost sight of her Brother and the Royal Fleet about the Evening.  
No sooner was the Fleet under Sail, but the Cannon began to roar, giving notice that the Lord of the Sea was in his Rightful Possession, which thundering continued till Night. Next day they had little wind, but so much as on Friday Morning they came within sight of Dover; whereupon an Express was sent to the▪ General then at Canterbury, to hasten to Dover, which he did accordingly; and about One of the Clock with a gallant Train came thither: About three of the Clock in the Afternoon his Majesty landed at the Beach near the Peer of Dover, with the Dukes and his Nobles. Every man now put themselves into a posture to observe the meeting of the best of Kings and the most deserving of all the British Subjects, than the King dignified him with a George, which he put about his Necks with his own Hand, & the Garter was tied on by the two Dukes: which Solemn and unexampled meeting, did together with the joy thereof infuse a kind of fear, lest the King and the General Congress should fail in one part or other in affection or Ceremony; but when they met, their Interview dispensed with all punctilio's, except the General, kneeling, and the Kings kissing and embracing of him, to the most pleasing Satisfaction both of Nobility and people.  
These compliments being over, he walked upon foot with the General under a Canopy, a Chair of State being likewise carried by his Coach-side. The Mayor and Aldermen of Dover, great numbers of Gentry, met him without the Town; and after a short Speech presented him a rich Bible with Gold Clasps. Yet he stayed not long there, but took Coach for Canterbury; and when he was got about two Miles out of Town he left his Coach and Mounted on horseback, the Duke's riding on his Right hand, and the General on the left. Bare, followed by Buckingham and the rest of the Nobility and Gentry, and uncovered. In which posture they came to Canterbury, where he was met and complemented by the Mayor, aldermans and Recorder of that City, who having presented him with a Gold Tankard, conducted him to the Palace, where he stayed Saturday and Sunday, and departed early on Monday morning for Rochester. And arriving there early that afternoon went to Chattam, to see the Sovereign and other Ships of the Royal Navy, and returned again in the evening to his Lodgings, where he was welcomed by an Address from Gib. his Regiment delivered to him by the Colonel himself, which was graciously accepted; and the next Morning being the 29th of May, which was his Birthday, he set forward from Rochester, the Militia forces of Kent lining the ways and the Maidens strowing herbs and Flowers, and adorning the houses through all the streets he passed. And being come to Dartford, the Officers of the Regiments of Horse presented him with an humble Address, wherein they declared their readiness to Sacrifice their Lives in defence of his person & Government: the Army being drawn up at Black-Heath he there took a view of them, and used many gracious expressions towards them, which were answered by them with loud and joyful Acclamations; and the several Regiments being placed in order, he advanced toward London, and came about one of the Clock to St. George's Fields, where the Lord Mayor and Aldermen who waited there in a Tent to receive him, delivered him their Sword, which he re-delivered, and Knighted Sir Thomas Allen who was then Mayor. After a short repast, he proceeded into London through Southwark, and so from the Bridge to Temple Barr, the Streets being Railed on one side with stand for the Liveries, and on the other with the Trained bands, through which he passed in a splendid and Triumphant manner to Whitehall. A Troop of about 300 Gentlemen in Doublets of Cloth of Silver, led by Major General Brown marched first, brandishing their Swords in token of Triumph, being followed by another of the like number in Velvet Coats, with their Footmen and Lackeys, in Purple Liveries: then marched the Troop led by Coll. Robinson in Buff-Coats with Cloth of Silver sleeves and green Scarves, followed by another in blue Liveryes and Silver Lace, their Colours being Red fringed with Silver. Then marched a Troop with six Trumpets and seven Footmen before them in Sea-green and Silver, their Colours being pinck fringed with Silver; followed by another Troop whose Liveries were grey and blue, under the Earl of Northampton, having 30 Footmen & Trumpets four, their Colours being Sky, with Silver fringed. Then marched a Troop in Grey Liveries of about an hundred and five, led by the Lord Goring, having six Trumpets and Colours of Sky and Silver; followed by another of about Seventy. After these marched a Troop of about three hundred Noblemen and Gentry led by Cleveland, followed by another of about one hundred with black Colours, and after them marched a Troop of about three hundred Horse, led by the Lord Mordant.  
These being all past, two Trumpets with his Majesty's Arms advanced with the Sheriff's Men, being about Seventy-two in number, in red Cloaks and Silver-Lace, and carrying half Pikes. Then followed the Gentlemen that road out of the several Companies of London, with their respective Streamers, in Velvet Coats and Gold Chains, every Company haing its Footmen with different Liveries, being about six hundred. After them came a Kettle Drum and five Trumpets, followed by twelve Ministers, than his Majesty's Lifeguard advanced, being led by Sir Gilbert Gerrard, and Major Rascarrock, who were followed by the City Marshal with eight Footmen, and the City Waits and Officers in order, and they by the two Sheriffs, and all the Aldermen of London in their Scarlet Gowns and Rich Trappings, attended with great numbers of Footmen in Red Coats laced with Silver and Cloth of Gold. Then followed the Maces and Heralds in their Rich Coats, the Lord Mayor bare, carrying the Sword, and the General and the Duke of Buckingham bore also, after whom as the chiefest Ray of Lustre to all this Splendid Triumph, road the King himself, between his two Royal Brothers, having observed that order all along from the very first overture of his return. After them marched a Troop bare with white Colours, than the General's Lifeguard, and another Troop of Gentry, and last of all marched five Regiments of the Army Horse, with Back, Breast and Headpieces, which diversified the show with delight & terror. This was the manner of his passing through London, for it is impossible for the most florid and Ingenious Pen, to express those loud Musical and Ravishing Notes of Acclamations, and Vive-le-Roy's which then filled the Mouths and charmed the Ears of all his transported Subjects.  
Being in this manner brought to Whitehall, and the Lord Mayor and Citizens having taken their leave of him, he went to the Banqueting House, where both Houses of Parliament waited his Arrival, and received him with those demonstrations of joy and expressions of Reverence & humility that became them. The Speakers of each House in elegant Speeches acquainting him with the felicity and happiness they conceived in that happy revolution, and the pleasure they took to behold his return in safety, and thereby putting an end to that Tyranny and Slavery which his Kingdoms had so long endured.  
He thanked them for their expressions of love and Loyalty, and told them that he was so disordered by his Journey, and with the noise still sounding in his ears, which he nevertheless confessed to be pleasing to him, in regard it expressed the affections of his People, that he was thereby unfit to make them such a Reply as he desired; adding, that the greatest Satisfaction he took in that change, was the finding his heart fully set to endeavour by all means the Restoring the Nation to its freedom and happiness, which he hoped by the advice of his Parliament to effect; assuring them that next to the honour of God from whom principally he derived his restoration to his Crown, he would study the welfare of his people, and not only approve himself a true Defender of the Faith, but also a just Assertor of the Laws and Liberties of his Subjects. And having taken leave of them, he retired to Supper, and soon after to his rest, where it was time for him to find a sweet and sedate repose free from the confused noise and clamours of War, wherewith he had been for twenty years together strangely tossed upon the boisterous Waves of fickle and unconstant Fortune.  
On the Friday following, he went by Water in the Brigandine, which brought him on board the Charles from Holland, to the house of Lords, the Yeomen of the guard making a lane for him to pass through, and the Heralds at Arms in their Rich Coats, the Maces and the Lord General bareheaded going before him. As soon as he was seated, he commanded the Commons to attend him, and having in a short, but elegant speech, pressed them to hasten the Act of oblivion, he signed several Bills which they had made ready against that time for the Royal assent; the First whereof was an Act for the confirmation of that Parliament; a second for a Tax of seventy thousand pound per mensem for 3 Months, and a third for the continuance of Process and Judicial proceed. And then he returned to White-Hall, where he chose the Lords of his Privy Council, amongst whom were several of the long Parliament, that had given sufficient, Testimony of their sincere repentance, and their resolution to be Loyal for the future, and he appointed Judges for the Benches and Courts of Judicature. Several Addresses were likewise made to him from the Nobility and Gentry of all the Countries in England, wherein they congratulated his Restitution to his Crown and Kingdom, assuring him of their exceeding Joy and willingness to maintain his Royal Person and Authority. Divers persons that had been eminent for their service and affection to him, were about that time also dignified with the honour of Knighthood. And several men guilty of his Father's murder, having made their escape beyond-Sea, a Proclamation was Issued forth, wherein all those persons who had ●ate, gave Judgement, or any way assisted in that horrid and detestable fact, were commanded to surrender themselves within fourteen days to the Speaker or Speakers of Parliament, to the Lord Mayor of London, or the Sheriff of that County, wherein they then resided, forbidding all persons to conceal or harbour them, under misprision of Treason; whereupon divers submitted themselves, and were secured in the Tower.  
The Commons in drawing up the Act of Oblivion, ordered, that some others besides those who had actually sat in Judgement upon the late King, should be excepted out of it, viz. Broughton, Phelps, Cook, D●nby, and Hugh Peter, which so affrighted others who had a hand in that execrable murder, that Col. John Hutchinson, a Member of that Parliament, and Coll. Fr●. Lussels presented their Petition to them, wherein they confessed their guilt, and declared the artifices which were used to draw them in, by which submission they obtained pardon upon some small forfeitures only. But Peter's being shortly after taken in Southwark, was clapped up into the Tower. And the Parliament not looking upon themselves, nor the people of England, free from the guilt, nor safe from the punishment which in those unhappy times they had contracted, unless they laid hold of the Kings offer of Grace in his Declaration from Breda, did therefore resolved in a full house, that they did in the name of themselves, and of all the Commons of England, lay hold on the gracious pardon mentioned in that Declaration, with reference to the exclusion of such as should be excepted in an Act of Pardon; and they ordered a Declaration, that their Resolution should be drawn up, which was done accordingly, and presented to the King by Denzell afterward Lord Hollis; some of the most eminent in Office under the late Usurpers, having in the mean while, to make sure of that Grace, gotten their particular pardons exemplified under the great Seal of England: To prevent which trouble the King was more than ordinary pressing for the speedy passing the Act of Oblivion; taking care to express his grateful sentiments of the Loyalty, and services of several Illustrious personages, that were principally instrumental in accomplishing his Restauration, by dignifying them with Places and Titles of honour. And to show how highly the General's Loyalty had advanced him in his good Opinion, he was dignified by him with the Titles of Duke of Albemarle, Earl of Torrington, and Baron of Potheridge Beauchamp & Teyes, & had his Temples deservedly encircled with a Ducal Coronet by the hand of his Majesty, being thereby invested with the right of Peerage in all the three Kingdoms: whose equal Felicity, and Honour▪ he had preferred before his own, and therefore now most deservingly shared with them therein by his Investure in those Dignities, which were completed on the 13th of the following July, by his taking his place in the House of Lords, being attended by the Commons, and introduced by the Duke of Buckingham. Montague was made Earl of Sandwich, Ormond Earl of Brecknock, and Lord Steward of the King's Household, the Earl of Lindsey, Lord High Chamberlain, Manchester, L. Chamberlain of the King's Household, Southampton, Lord High Treasurer, Greenvile, Earl of Bath, and Groom of the Stole, Sir Frederick Cornwallis, Treasurer of the King's Household, by an old grant, and Sir John Berkley Controller.  
Divers rich Presents were now made to him from the several Cities and Burroughs of the Kingdom in Gold and Plate, and the resignation of several Feefarm Rents, which had been purchased from the Usurpers, the City of London among the rest, with a Compliment of their good Stewardship, rendered their grant of new Perk in Surrey, and all the Rents accrueing at Michaelmas Day, were now secured from the late Purchasers of Crown and Church Laws, to the utter disappointing of their unjust and covetous expectations from such base and unwarrantable Pennyworths.  
A Peace was now made & Proclaimed between us and Spain, and a Splendid Embassy dispatched from Denmark to congratulate his happy Restauratian. The Court of Soissons, who had Married Cardinal Mazarines' Niece, being sent from the French King on the same Errand, entering London with all the sumptuous, and extraordinary Magnificence imaginable; and there was no Prince nor State in Europe, but what sent an Ambassador thither to congratulate him upon that happy and wonderful occasion.  
And the Parliament having after many debates and disputes, alterations and insertions, at last finished the long desired Act of Oblivion, which was extraordinary comprehensive, and indulgent, (even to the regret of many injured Loyalists, who found no better Argument to persuade their acquiescing therein, than their unchangeable Loyalty to the King, whose special Act that was▪) There were no more excepted out of it, but only the Regicides and Murderers of the late King, only Lambert, Vane, and twenty more were thereby reserved to such forfeitures, as should be afterward declared by Parliament, the principal whereof was Hazelrick, St. John Lenthal, the Speaker, Philip Nye, Burton of Tarmouth, and some Sequestrators Officers, and Major Generals of the Army, among whom was Desbrough, Pine, Butler, Ireton, etc. They likewise past an Act for the perpetual Anniversary Thanksgiving on the 29 of May, which was the day both of his Birth and Restauration, and therefore deserved a perpetual memorial, and to be made by a Parliamentary Canonization, the most auspicious in the English Calendar: to both which he gave his Royal assent, and shortly after, at their adjournment to another, for disbanding the Army, and paying off the Navy; which, although they once threatened us with a perpetuating our slavery, yet were now forced by the happy conjunction of his Fortune, with his Wisdom and Goodness, after many models, to submit to its last desolation. And the Commons having after the passing of their Bills, acquainted him that they had nothing more to ask or offer at that time, but that if his Majesty's occasions would permit, they might adjourn and go into their own Countries, where they should endeavour to make his subjects sensible of their extraordinary happiness in having such a King to Rule and Govern them; He consented to it, telling them, that no man had longed with more impatience, to have those Bills past, than he had done to pass them; in regard he looked upon them as the Foundation of the Nations Peace and Security, and that he did very willingly pardon all that were pardoned in the Act of Indemnity; but assuring them withal, that for the time to come the same discretion and conscience which had disposed him to the clemency that he had therein expressed, and was most agreeable to his nature, would oblige him to all Rigour and Severity how contrary soever it were to his Disposition, towards those who should not now acquiesce, but continue to manifest their Sedition and dislike of the Government, not knowing any more probable way to assure himself of his people's affections, than by rendering himself just, as well as kind to all.  
The confluence of his felicities were about this time somewhat abated, and the Joy of his Restauration somewhat allayed by the immature and much lamented Death of his younger Brother Henry Duke of Gloucester, a Prince of such extraordinary hopes, that my silence will be his best Commendation, since his virtues far transcend the highest expressions of my Pen. He died of the small-Pox, and was privately buried in Henry the 7th's Chapel: The Princess of Orange soon after dispelling the grief which had been conceived upon the account of his death by her Arrival from Holland, to Joy and Felicitate her Brothers in the Recovery of their Rights.  
About this time the King knowing that the Common wealth never thrives so well, as when the Church and State are equally Interested in the Prince's care, applied himself to settle the Mitre as well as the Crown, and provide for the well ordering of Ecclesiastical affairs, as well as he had done for the Civil, by reestablishing Episcopcay, and restoring the Bishops to their ancient Rights and Privileges. So that the Ecclesiastical Regiment by Bishops recovered its self by the King's piety and prudence, near as soon, and in almost as Triumphant a manner, as Monarchy itself, appointing Dr. Juxon, that ancient and excellent Prelate, that had been in his Father's Reign Bishop of London, and had assisted him at the time of his death on the Scaffold, to the Arch-Bishopprick of Canterbury, whose Translation was performed with great Solemnity. And not long after several new Bishops chosen from among the eminent and valiant asserters of the Church and Law● of England, were consecrated in the Abbey at Westminster, and all the Vacant Dioceses filled up with men of the greatest Learning and Piety.  
And now divine vengeance having with a sure, though a slow foot, traced the Murderers of the Royal Martyr through several Mazes, at last overtake them. For the Parliament having in detestation of their Crime, and to wipe away the stain of that most accursed Pollution, given them up as Sacrifices to the Law, and the Honour of their Country, the King ordered their Trial by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer, to begin on the Ninth of October, that so his Justice might appear equally as Respondent in the punishment of their Parricide, as his Clemency, had done in the pardon of all other Crimes. They were all of them convicted according to Law, the full benefit whereof was allowed them, (being tried by a Jury of their Peers, against whom they had the liberty of excepting) and Condemned to be Drawn, Hanged and Quartered: and Harrison, Carew, Scot, Clement, Scrope, Jones, Peter, Hacker, Axtell, and Cook, were Executed accordingly. The last of whom acknowledged, that the Person of the Prince they had Murdered, was beyond any Parallel, being most Virtuous, most Innocent, most Religious; and that his Judges were for the most part mean and desperate Persons, whose Hands were lifted up by Ambition, Sacrilege, Covetousness, and success against the Life of that incomparable Prince, whose lamented and barbarous death God would not suffer to go unrevenged. Their quarters were disposed of to the several Gates, and most of their Heads set on Poles upon the Bridge: but the rest of the Prisoners that had surrendered themselves on Proclamation, were respited from Execution till the farther pleasure of the Parliament was known, and after Sentence passed upon them, remanded to the Tower, from whence they came.  
And, having now in some measure revenged his Father's Death, his next respects were due to his Mother, who being about that time come over from France, he could not better welcome her to his Kingdoms, than by rendering his Entertainments of her Innocent, and free from that horrible guilt which had Divorced her from her Husband, and for so long a Tract of time estranged her from his People, since he could neither with Justice nor civility have received her here without satisfaction, and expectation of those Crimes, which had so rudely driven her to seek her safety abroad. He brought her back to his Palace at Whitehall on the Second of November, after she had been nineteen Years absent from them, together with his Sister the Princess Henretta, who had not been suffered to breath in English Air above two years after her Birth. This meeting, after so tedious and desperate an absence, was very joyous, and the Entertainment highly Magnificent.  
The Marquis of Argile, upon the King's Restauration, had the confidence, [notwithstanding all the base Treasons he had covertly acted in that Kingdom, since the King's departure thence] to come up from Scotland, in hopes, by his fair and specious pretences, to obtain his pardon; and that the King, according to his Gracious Inclination, would have passed by those many undutiful and Irreverend usages he had received from him, and the rest of his Associates whilst he was there amongst them. But such was the general hatred and detestation of that People (and especially the Nobility) against him, that he was committed to the Tower, and from thence by Sea conveyed to Edinburgh, where his process was making ready. The Earl of Middleton, the King's great Commissioner for that Kingdom, following him thither about the end of December, in order to his Trial, where he was convicted and Executed for those many Treasons he had perpetrated against both Kings.  
Death having tasted of the Bloud-Royal, by cutting off the Duke of Gloucester, as though there were a circulation of the very same in every individual, and it naturally ran in the same distemper, through a whole Family; the Infection by a kind of Sympathy, in the same disease of the Smallpox, seized the vitals of the Princess of Orange, and in spite of all art and remedy, hurried her to the grave, leaving her Brother and the whole Court, filled with grief and sadness, and her Son the young Prince, not above ten years and a month old, she was privately buried by her Brother, in Henry the 7th● Chappel.  
And now the happy Parliament, which rendered itself deservedly Famous by rebuilding the glorious structure of the English, Ancient and Renowned Government, and assured the Foundation thereof, in the establishing the Throne of their rightful Sovereign, came to its final period: But that no revolution of time might obliterate or blot out the memory of those worthy and excellent things done by it. The King, at the time of his dissolution, honoured it by his Royal Mouth, with the Epithet of the Healing Parliament, which will undoubtedly recommend it to posterity, and aught always to provoke that great assembly to an imitation of them, in their endeavour to heal and close the breaches of the Nation.  
On the 30th of January, the day on which his Father was murdered, he commanded Cromwell, Ireton and Bradshaw, to be taken out of those sumptuous monuments, which they had usurped in their Death, as they had done the Throne in their Life-time, and drawn in a Cart from Westminster, to the Red Lion in Holborn, and from thence on Sledges to Tyburn, where they were hanged, from ten of the Clock till Sun set, and then cut down, and their Bodies buried in a deep hole under the Gallows, their heads being cut off, and placed upon Westminster●Hall, where they will continue the brand-marks of their posterity▪ and the expiatory remains of their horrid and abominable Crimes.  
About this time also, notwithstanding Overton, Courtney and other Fifth Monarchy-men had been taken up and secured, yet those mad and hare-brained People, still persisted in their designed Insurrection, which strange and unheard of action, will afford the truest fight, and judgement of that Brainsick Crew, since a handful of those wild People, presumed to attempt the whole City of London. For having armed themselves, they came to St. Paul's in the dusk of the evening, and having ordered and mustered their small party, placed Sentinels, one whereof killed an innocent Person, as he was accidentally passing by, for saying upon their demanding of him, who he was for, that he was for God and King Charles; and having created great disturbance, they killed some of the City Watch, and repulsed a party of the Train-bands, that were sent to charge them, and marched through Aldersgate, (which they forced the Constable to open) to Cane-wood, where they lurked for some time, with a resolution to make another Insurrection in the City, till they were routed by a party of Horse and Foot, and about thirty of them taken Prisoners, who being carried before the General, (the King being at that time from London) was sent by him to the Gatehouse; Notwithstanding which defeat, those who escaped, after they had quitted the Wood, returned for London, with assurance of success in their Hellish Enterprise. Venner, who was a Wine-Cooper by Trade, telling them in his Sermon, which he Preached to stir them up, and encourage them therein; That he was assured, No Weapon framed against them should prosper, nor a hair of their heads perish; which their Impunity in their first attempt deluded them to believe: And therefore, so soon as the Watches & Guards were removed: On Wednesday morning they reinforced their first enterprise, appearing at Thread-needle-Street, and giving an Alarm to the Trained-Bands, which was appointed to watch all that day: A party of whom being sent against them, were forced to retreat to their main Guard. Whereupon the whole Company marching in a body towards them, they fled into Bishops-gate-Street, where happened a sharp dispute between them, wherein two were killed, and as many taken; the like number being killed and wounded of the trained-bands. Their next appearance was at Colledg-Hill, from whence they Marched up into Cheapside, and so into Wood-street: Venner himself with a Murrain on his head, and a Halbird in his hand, being their chief Leader, where there was the fiercest action that happened during the whole Insurrection; for they fought it out stoutly with two Companies of the trained-bands, and some of the Life-Guards Commanded by the Duke of York, and the General, in very good Order and Discipline, putting them at first to the retreat; till being overpowered, and Venner knocked down and wounded, and Tufney and Cragg, two more of their principal Teachers; they began to give ground, and soon after fled in great Confusion, dispersing themselves several ways; but the greater of them went down Wood street towards Cripplegate, firing in their retreat at the Trained-Bands of Yellow, who followed them in close pursuit; ten of them took into the Blue-anchor Ale House by the Postern, which they briskly maintained for some time; and when some of the Yellow, having possessed themselves of the next adjoining House, broke down some part of it, and fired in upon them, they notwithstanding desperately refused to accept of Quarter: And when another File of Musqueteers, firing their way up stayrs, had shot down the door, and entered the Room upon them, six of them being killed before, and one upon refusing quarter then knocked down and afterward shot with a Musket, the rest being demanded, why they craved not Quarter before, answered, That it was because they durst not, for fear lest their own fellows would have shot them; to such a prodigious height had their resolution and desperation carried them.  
The whole number of those who made this last Insurrection amounted not to about fifty Persons, twenty whereof were taken (besides those killed) who were soon after brought to their Trial; at which it was proved, that Venner, Tufney and Crag, had several times persuaded their Congregation, to take up Arms for King JESUS against the Powers of the Earth, meaning thereby, the King, the Duke of York, and the General; and that they were to have killed all that opposed them; sixteen of them were found guilty, and Condemned to be drawn, hanged and quartered; and eleven of them were executed accordingly, the other five being repreived by the King's Mercy.  
And now, lest any of the scattered Rays of the Imperial Brightness and Glory that belong to him, as a Monarch of Great Britain, France and Ireland, should suffer a diminution, or be obscured by too long an interval, greater preparations were made for the settling the Crown, (which alone of all the Ensigns of Majesty had escaped the Usurpation of Cromwell, when he had impudently assumed all the other Regalities of his Rightful King and Sovereign, but could not way fit this Sacred Symbol of Majesty to his impious and aspiring designation; although he had made the most holiest things, and even Scripture itself to truckle thereunto) with all imaginable splendour, upon his head; a Ceremony that serves not so much for an excess of Pomp, as a boundary of Government, and was contrived at first, more out of profoundness of State-Reason, than for the transient Glory of the Ceremony itself. In order whereunto, the City of London Erected four Magnificent and tryumphal Arches; the first whereof was in Leaden-hall-Street, after the Doric order; on the North side whereof on a Pedestal before the Arch, was placed a Woman personating Rebellion, Mounted on a Hydra in a Crimson Robe torn in several places, Snakes crawling on her habit, and in her hair; her Loins girt with Serpents, a Crown of Fire on her head, a bloody Sword in one hand, and a charming Rod in the other; being attended on by Confusion, represented in a deformed shape, having on a Garment of several ill-matcht Colours, put on the wrong way; on her Head Ruins of Castles and torn Crowns, and in her Hand, broken and shattered Sceptres. On the South Pedestal was a Representation of Britain's Monarchy, supported by Loyalty, with Women; Monarchy arrayed in a large Purple Robe, adorned with Diadems and Sceptres, and over that a lose Mantle edged with blue and silver Fringe resembling Water; the Map of Great Britain being drawn on it: Upon her head was the City of London; in her right hand Edinburgh; in her left Dublin. Loyalty was all in white, with three Sceptres in her right hand, and three Crowns in her left.  
The first Painting on the South side was a prospect of His Landing at Dover, Ships at Sea, great Guns going off, one kneeling and kissing the King's hand, attended by many Soldiers both Horse and Foot, and great numbers of People gazing above; and beneath this Motto, In Solido Rursus Fortuna Locavit, alludeing to that of Virgil, thus Rendered. 
Fortune Reviving, though she tumbled down  
Sporting, Restores again unto the Crown.   
Above the Arch on the North and South-Sides, stood the Statues of James and Charles the first, and between them somewhat higher, and just over the Arch, that of the Restored King, with this Inscription. 
D. N. Carolo D. G. Britanniarum 
 Imp. Opt. Max. ubique venerando 
 Semper AUG. Bretissimo ac piissimo, 
 Bono Reip. Nato. De avita Britannia 
 Et Omnium Hominum Genere 
 Meritissimo. P. P. Extinctori 
 Tyrannidis, Restitutori Libertatis, 
 Fundatori Quietis ob Felicem Reditum. 
 Ex Voto L. M. P. S. P. Q. L.   
The Second, which was a Naval Representation, was erected in Cornhill near the Royal-Exchange; on the East side whereof two Stages were erected, on each side of the Street one; in that on the South side, a person representing the River of Thames; and on that on the North side, which was made like the upper deck of a Ship, were three Seamen, whereof one was habited like a Boat-Swayn, and upon the Shield or Table on the front of the Arch a Latin Inscription: the first painting on the North side over the City Arms represented Neptune, with his Trident advanced, with this Inscription: 
Neptuno Reduci.   
On the South side opposite to Neptune, was Mars represented with his Spear Inverted, having his Shield charged with a Gorgon, and by his knees this Motto, 
Marti Pacifero.   
Over the Arch, the Marriage of Thame and Isis. The painting in the North side over Neptune, represented the Exchange, with this Motto: 
Generalis Lapsi Sarcire Ruinas.   
The uppermost great Table in the fore ground represented Charles the first, with the Prince his Son, who was the then Restored King, in his hand, viewing the Sovereign of the Sea; the Prince Leaning ●n a Canon with this Inscription, 
O Nimium dilecte Deo cui militat aequor,  
Et conjurati veniunt ad Classica ventt.  
For Thee O Jove's delight, the Seas engage,  
And mustered Winds drawn up in battle Rage.   
The third, which represented an Artificial building of two Stories, the one after the Corinthian way of Architecture, the other after the Composit, with a Latin Inscription upon a Shield, was Erected near Wood-street end, not far from the place where the Cross formerly stood: In the spanderills of which Arch, two Figures in Female habit, and a leaning posture, represented Peace; whose Shield was charged with a Helmet, and Bees issuing forth and going into it, with this Motto: 
Pax bello Potior.   
And Truth clothed in a thin habit; on her Shield, Times bringing Truth out of a Cave, with this Motto: 
Tandem Emersit.   
Over the great Painting upon the Arch of the Cupula, was Represented a large Geryon with three heads Crowned: In his three right hands, a Lance, a Sword, and a Sceptre; in his ●hree left, the Escutcheons of England, Scotland and Ireland, having before him the King's Arms with three Imperial Crowns, and beneath him in great Letters Concordia Insuperabilis.  
The fourth Triumphant Arch, which represented the Garden of Plenty, and was of two Stories, one after the Doric Order, the other of the Jonick, was Erected in Fleetstreet near the turning into White-friar's, and had upon the great Shield over the Arch, in Large Capitals, this Inscription, 
Ubertati AUG. extincto belli 
 Civilis incendio clusoq Jani 
 Templo arum celsis construxit. 
 S. P. Q. L.   
Over the Postern on the South side of the entrance, was represented Bacchus drawn in a Chariot by Leopards; his Mantle a Panther's skin, a Crown of Grapes on his head, a Thyrsis with Ivy in his left hand, and underneath, Liber Pater.  
The Painting over this represented a Vineyard, with Silenus▪ on his Ass, with Satyrs dancing round about him in drunken and antic Postures▪ And on the North side opposite to Bacchus, was represented Ceres drawn in a Chariot by winged Dragons, and Crowned with Ears of Corn; having in her left hand Poppyes, and in her right a blazing Torch; the Painting over her, being the description of Harvest.  
Ceres AUG.  
And the King having created six Earls, as many Barons, and Sixty Eight Knights of the Bath, to assist at that Ceremony, and appointed the 23d. of April, which was St. George's day, for the Consummating thereof, the Glory and Splendour of it commenced the day before, when he passed through the City to White-Hall, in a most Magnificent and Triumphant manner; For the Streets being all gravelled, and filled with a vast multitude of wondering Spectators, as well out of the Country as the City, and some Foreigners who acknowledge themselves never to have seen amongst all the great Magnificencies of the World, any that came near, or equalled that; and even the Vaunting French were forced to confess, that their Pomp of the late Marriage with the Infanta of Spain, upon their Majesty's entrance into Paris, was far inferior in its State, Gallantry, and Riches, unto that most Illustrious and dazelling Cavalcade, which proceeded after this manner.  
First went the Horse Guard of His Illustrious Brother the Duke of York, the Messengers of the King's Bedchamber, the Esquires and Knights of the Bath, being One Hundred and thirty Six in number; The Knight Harbinger, the Sergeant Porters, the Sewers of the Chamber, the Quarter Waiters, the Six Clerks of the Chancery, the Clerks of the Signet, the Clerks of the Privy Seal, the Clerks of the Council, the Clerks of the Parliament, the Clerks of the Crown, the Chaplains in Ordinary bearing Dignities ten in number; the King's Advocate and the Remembrancer, the King's Council at Law, the Master of Chancery, the King Puisne Sergeants, the King's Attorney and Solicitors, the King's Eldest Sergeants, the Secretaries of the French and Latin Tongues, the Gentlemen Ushers daily Waiters, the Sewers, Carvers, and Cupbearers in Ordinary, the Masters of standing Officers being no Councillors, viz. Of the Tents, Revels, Ceremonies, Armoury, Wardrobe, Ordinance, the Master of Requests, Chamberlain of the Exchequer, Barons of the Exchequer, and Judges of the Law according to their several Dignities, Trumpets, Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, Knights of the Bath, the Knight's Marshal, the Treasurer of the Chamber, the Master of the Jewel House, the Knights of the Privy Council, the Comptrollor, and the Treasurer of the Kings-Household, two Trumpets and Sergeants; Trumpets, two Pursivants at Arms, Barons Eldest Sons, Earls Youngest Sons, Viscounts Eldest Sons, Marquis' Youngest Sons, Earls Eldest Sons; two Pursivants at Arms, Viscounts and Duke's Eldest Sons, Marquis' Eldest Sons; two Heralds, Earls, Earl Marshal, and Lord Chamberlain of the Household, Duke's Eldest Sons, Sergeants at Arms on both sides; the Nobility, Clarencieux and Norroy, Lord Treasurer, Lord Chancellor, Lord High-Steward, the Duke of Ormond, and two persons representing the Duke● of Normandy and Aquitain, Gentleman Usher, Garter, Lord Mayor, (His Royal Highness, the Duke of York alone) the Lord High Constable of England, which was the Earl of Northumberland, the Lord Great Chamberlain of England, which was then the Earl Lindsey, and the Sword carried by the Duke of Richmond.  
Equeries and Footmen followed next, and about the King himself, Gentlemen and Pensioners; without them, Master of the Horse, which was the Duke of Albemarle leading a Spare Horse, the Vice-Chamberlain to the King, the Captain of the Pensioners, the Captain of the Guard, the Guard, the King's Life Guard, Commanded by the Lord Gerrard, the General's Life Guard by Sir Philip Howard, a Troop of Volunteers, Troop, and a Company of Foot by Sir John Robinson.  
The way from the Tower to Aldgate, was guarded by the Hamblets, from thence to Temple-Bar by the Train-Bands on the one side, and by the Livery on the other, with the Banners of each Company; the Windows were all along laid with Carpets and the best Tapestry, Bands of Music in several places, and the Conduits running with Wine. In St. Paul's Churchyard stood the Blewcoat-Boyes of Christ-Church Hospital, one whereof in the Name of the rest, declared their joy for his Majesty's wonderful Preservation and Restauration, Humbly beseeching his Gracious Favour and Indulgence, according to the example of His Royal Ancestors, and his Father of Blessed Memory. With which Speech he was well pleased, and testified his being so, by his rewarding the Boy that spoke it.  
In the Strand, and through Westminster, the ways were likewise gravelled and railed, and guarded on both sides with the Trained-Bands of that City, and the Kings two Regiments of Foot under the Command of Albemarl, and Colonel Russel, and the Houses adorned with Carpets and Tapestry like those in London: When he came through Temple-Bar, the Head Bailiff and High-Constable in Scarlet, met and received him with loud Music, and alighting off their Horses, and kneeling down, the Head Bailiff on behalf of the Dean and Chapter, City and Liberty, signified their Joyful Reception of His Royal Person into that Liberty; Declaring how much their happiness exceeded any other part of the Nations in that their Sovereign Lord and King was come among them, and humbly desiring His Majesty to continue his Grace and Favour to them, whereby they might still be enabled to do His Majesty service.  
Infinite and Innumerable were the Shouts and Acclamations from all parts as he passed along, to the no less Joy, than amazement of the Spectators: And the Pomp of this Solemnity was so great, that it is vain to attempt the describing it; it being not only unutterable, but almost Inconceivable; and many outlandish Persons, who beheld it, admired how it was possible for the English, after such horrible confusions, to appear in so rich and stately a manner. It is incredible to think what costly Robes were worn that day, it being scarcely discernible what their Cloaks were made of, for the Gold and Silver Laces and Embroidery that was laid on them, besides the inestimable treasures of Diamonds, Pearls, and other Jewels, and the Rich Liveries of their Pages and Footmen, some suits whereof were so very rich, that they amounted to near 1500 l.  
In this order he arrived at White-Hall, where having retired himself to supper, and so to Rest; he came the next day, (which being St. George's day, was to consummate the Coronation,) from his privy Stairs to the Old Palace; where in a Room behind the House of Lords, called the Prince's Lodgings, he stayed till the Lords and the rest of his Train had Robed and Ranked themselves in Westminster-Hall, and, so soon as they were ready, descended the Stairs, that went down into the Hall, and placed himself in a Throne, in the upper end thereof; Then came the Dean and prebend's of Westminster in their Rich Copes, each of them having a part of the Regalia, and delivered them to the Lord High Constable; who delivered them to the Lord Great Chamberlain, and being by him set on a Table, the King immediately distributed them, St. Edward's Staff to the Earl of Sandwich, the Spurs to Pembr●ke, the Sword called Curtana to Oxford, the pointed Sword carried on the Right Hand of it to Shrewsbury, that carried on the left to Derby, and the Sword of State to Manchester, the Sceptre with the Dove to Albemarle, the Orb with the Cross to Buckingham, St. Edward's Crown to Ormond; and the Pattina and Chalice to the Bishops of London and Exeter: And having thus bestowed the Regalia, he set forward on foot much after the same order, which was observed the day before, upon blue Cloth spread on the ground from the Hall to his Chair in the Abbey, supported by the Bishops of Bath and Durham, and having his Train carried up by the Lords Mandevill, Cavendish, Ossery and Piercy, assisted by the Lord Viscount Mansfield Master of the Robes; All the Peers with their Coronets in their hands, went up along with him till he was placed in the Chair of State: Then the Bishop of London, on behalf of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury told the People, he did there present them King Charles the Second, the Rightful Inheritor of the Crown of this Realm, and demanded of all those that came thither that day to do their Homage, Service and Bounden Duty, whether they were willing to do the same? Whereupon all the Peers in their Parliament Robes, and People gave a shout testifying their willingness: Then the King rising from his Chair, turned himself to the four sides of the Throne, and speaking to the People, who again with loud Acclamations signified their consent, all in one voice: After which the Choir sung an Anthem; in the interim whereof, he went supported by the Bishops of Bath and Durham, attended by the Dean of Westminster, to the steps before the Communion Table; where upon Carpets and Cushions he offered a Pall and a piece of Gold, and then removing to the right hand kneelled down during a short Collect; then the Sermon began, being Preached by the Bishop of Worcester; which ended, the Bishop of London on behalf of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, asked Him, If He would be pleased to take the Oath, that was wont to be taken by his Predecessors? Whereupon rising out of the Chair, He was led by His two Supporters to the Communion Table, where he made a solemn Oath, to observe those things he had before promised; and then returning to his Chair again, kneeled at the Footstool, while the Hymn of the Holy Ghost was Singing.  
Then he arose from his Devotion, and disrobed himself of his upper Garment; and his under Garment being so contrived, that the Places to be Anointed might be opened by undoing certain Loops: The Arch Bishop proceeded to that Ceremony; after which the Coif was put on his head, and the Dalmatica, the Super-Tunica, of Cloth of Gold, and the Tissue Buskins and Sandals of the same; And the Spurs being put on by the Peer that carried them; the Archbishop took the King's Sword, and laid it on the Communion Table, which after Prayer was restored to him again, and girt on him by the Lord Great Chamberlain; then the Armil and the Mantle or Open Pall was put on; after which the Archbishop taking the Crown into his hands laid it on the Communion Table, and having prayed took it up again, and set it on the King's head; whereupon all the Peers put on their Coronets and Caps, and the Choir Sung an Anthem; Then the Archbishop took the King's Ring, and having prayed put it on the fourth finger of the King's hand; after which the King took off his Sword, and offered it up, which the Lord Great Chamberlain having redeemed, drew it out, and carried it naked before him: Then the Archbishop delivered the Sceptre with the Cross into his Right, and the Rod with the Dove into his Left hand, and the King kneeling blessed him; after which the King ascended His Throne Royal, attended by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, where after Te Deum Sang, all the Peers did their Homage Kissing his le●t Cheek, and afterward standing all round about him, they every one in their order touched the Crown upon his head, promising their readiness to support it to the utmost of their Power; and then proceeding to the Communion, the King having received and offered, returned to his Throne till Communion was ended; after which he went into St. Edward's Chapel, and taking his Crown from his head, delivered it to the Bishop of London; who having laid it upon the Communion Table, the King withdrew into a Traverse, where the Lord Great Chamberlain disrobed him of St. Edward's Robes delivering them to the Dean of Westminster, and arrayed him with those prepared for that day; and then being conducted to the Communion Table in St. Edward's Chapel, the Crown Imperial, provided for him to wear, was set up ●n his head: After which, taking the Sceptre and the Rod, and his Train being set in order before him, he went up to the Throne, and so through the Choir and Body of the Church, out at the West door to the Palace at Westminster, the Peers according to their Rank going before him with their Coronets on, and in the great Hall, (at the upper end whereof was a Table and Chair of State, raised upon an ascent for the King, and below Tables for the Nobility, the Lord Mayor and Citizens, the Officers at Arms, etc.) they were entertained with a Noble and Magnificent dinner; after which he returned in his Barge to White-Hall.  
It is very observable, that altho' it had reigned for about a month before, yet it pleased God, that not one drop fell upon this Splendid Triumph, which appeared in its full Lustre and Grandeur; but was no sooner over, and the King and his Train sat down to Dinner, but it fell a Thundering, Lightning and Raining, with the greatest Force, Vehemency and Noise, that was ever known at that season of the Year; the Thunder and Lightning seeming, as it were, to imitate the Fire and Noise of the Cannon, which then played from the Tower; it being observed, that they exactly kept time with that loud Music; so that they were easily distinguishable from each other; the Thunder and lightning still intermitting between each firing of the Canons, as if they had waited to receive and answer the Reciprocated and echoed Boation and Clashes of the Guns; which was taken by the most Judicious and discerning part of Mankind for a very auspicious and promising Omen, notwithstanding the mad Remnant of the Rebellion would have had it paralled to saul's Inauguration, without reflecting upon the Season, or the Different case between the Ancient Kingly Right and Descent in Christendom; and that new Title and Government in Jewry, which in regard of the peculiar presence of God amongst them before, was a kind of casting him off, and declaring they would not have him to Reign over them.  
There was not only in London, but through the whole Kingdom great rejoicing for the King's Coronation, which was manifested by Feasting, and other Public shows; as training the several Bands of the Countries with the additional Voluntary Gentry, in a new and gallant Cavalry; And so there was in Scotland and Ireland, in each whereof there was likewise the same kind of Triumphs, in resemblance of this Magnificence.  
And having with as much Brevity as possible glided through this Sphere of Glory, in which the Ancient honour of the Government and Kingdom was refixt, and given the World the full and complete View of that wonderful Revolution, which will undoubtedly be the amazement of all succeeding Ages, each Luminary being thereby placed and shining in their proper Orbs and degrees, the Sovereign, Nobility, Clergy, Gentry and Commonalty, having by that blessed change recovered their former and distinct Lustre, and from being the scorn and derision, were once again become the Envy of the World: I shall proceed to show by what Rules and Methods, he managed the Government throughout his whole Reign, and therein shall begin; First with his Calling a Parliament, with whom he desired to meet and consult for the more effectual healing the Breaches, uniting the Differences, and redintegrating the mutual Affections and Endearments, which the unnaturalness and perverse malignity and divisions of the late times had abrupted and hitherto discontinued.  
When he dissolved that Parliament or Convention, which was sitting when he came in; He promised the calling of a new one, and accordingly Issued out His Writs soon after for their sitting down the Eighth of May; a little before which several Musters had been made in England of the Militia, and a General Train in Hyde-park, of all the Forces about London, both Horse and Foot; Fifteen Regiments whereof he there took a view of. The chief Stickling in the Election of Members for this Parliament, was between the Episcopal and Presbyterian Parties; the Latter whereof notwithstanding their Numbers, found themselves greatly mistaken in the suffrages of the Kingdom, when under no Awe, nor distempered with a Frenzy, and a misguided Zeal; For although several Letters were dispatched by the chief Ministers of that Persuasion to their Correspondents, wherein they exhorted them to do their utmost in procuring such persons to be Elected for Members of that Parliament, as were known to favour their Discipline; yet that no part of the Government might be left unjustified and unreared, the greater part of those, chosen for Members of the House of Commons, were as well affected to the Restoration and Settlement of the Church, as the former had been to the Restoration and Settlement of the Crown.  
The Eighth of May being come, when they were to sit, according to the Splendid Custom of opening those great Assemblies, He road in State and Triumph from White-Hall to Westminster, being arrayed in his Royal Robes, and his Crown on his head; and having placed himself on His Throne in the House of Peers, commanded the Commons to attend him there, and in a most pleasant and obliging manner, declared his great Content in meeting them, Telling them, that he was very confident, that it would prove a happy Parliament, and acquainting them with his design of his Marrying the Infanta of Portugal, which Match having been proposed to his Privy Council, and highly approved of by them, he thought none there present would willingly have him live and die a Bachelor: In confidence whereof he had newly made and signed a Treaty with that King by his Ambassador Don Francisco de melo, who was then ready to departed with the said Treaty, in which the Article of Marriage was inserted. The King's Speech being ended, and the Lord Chancellor Hid having given them a further account of the Reasons, why they were called, and the happy Effects his Master expected from their Sitting: The Commons made Choice of Sir Edward Turner the Duke's Attorney General for their Speaker; who in his Speech upon his being presented to, and accepts of by the King, expressed the hopes of that House: That as His Majesty had manifested his great Indulgence to their former, which was but his Adopted, So he had a fuller Blessing for that present, which was his Natural Parliament, being called by His immediate Writ. The Convocation of the English Clergy, being all Eminent, Learned, and Pious Persons, met likewise on the Sixteenth of that Month at Westminster; and a Parliament began about the same time in Ireland.  
The Parliament at the special instance, and desire of the King, who was willing to give the highest demonstration of his Care and Resolution, for the assuring to his Subjects whatsoever was contained and promised in His Declaration from Breda, and the Act of Pardon, first began with an Act for the Confirmation of the Act of Oblivion, which being done by the Free Parliament not called by the King's Writ, was thought by the Guilty not to be valid▪ and secure enough to them; and that they might by a wise provision before hand, prevent all Objections and Scruples which might otherwise have been raised upon that account; They Ratified and Confirmed all the other Laws made therein, and then proceeded to frame such new ones as were necessary for the better settling and maintaining the Public Peace; wherein that for Regulating Corporations, as the most necessary, had the Precedency, wherein Commissioners were Impowered to displace all such as bore Offices, and were any way suspected to be ill-willers to the Government and the King's Authority, or should refuse the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy, or the Oath of Abjuration; which was indeed at that time the only, or at least the chief Test of Loyalty, in regard they were therein to renounce the Solemn League and Covenant, as unlawful in itself and illegally imposed. But during the Houses Debate about that Bill, Mr. Prin, who had always indulged himself the liberty of Quarrelling with every thing that any way ran counter to his inclinations, could not refrain against the Privilege of the House, whereof he was a Member, from publishing his Reasons against the said Bill, affirming it was contrary to Magna Charta; but the Commons having Commanded their Sergeant at Arms, to Seize the Printer, and Prin owning himself to be the Author; he was brought to the Bar, and severely rebuked by the Speaker; but upon his humble submission, and the House's favourable reflection upon his great Endeavours for the Restitution of the King; he was remitted the Censure and Punishment which he had incurred by that oversight. And that they might show their respect and veneration to the Prelacy, by relieving it from the Oppressions, and justifying of it from the Calumnies and Reproaches of the late times, they Repealed the Act of the 1 Caroli. 7. which forbidden the Bishops meddling in Civil affairs and debarred them from their Privilege of Peerage in the House of Lords; to all which Honours they were by this Repeal restored as fully as ever they had been before.  
The free Parliament, having before their dissolution, respitted the punishment of several of the Regicides; the Parliament next reassumed the Consideration of that matter, and having caused the Lord Manson, Sir Henry Mildmay and Mr. Robert Wallop, to be brought to the Bar, declared their Estates to be confiscated, and their Persons and Posterity degraded from all Titles and Arms of Gentility; and that they should be carried back again to the Tower, and from thence be drawn through the City of London to Tyburn on the 30th. of the following January, and so back again with halters about their necks upon Sledges, and after that, to suffer perpetual imprisonment. And having now done as much as could be expected from them for the present, they were adjourned by the King, who declared his great satisfaction in what they had done; and that his confidence i● them had not in the least deceived● him. About which time the Duke o● York having been chosen Captain to the Artillery Company in London▪ honour them with his Presence and led them in their Ground: And in the August following, the King's Solicitor, Sir Heneage Finch, being chosen Reader of the Inner-Temple, he was pleased to indulge him a Favour, never granted before by any of his Royal Progenitors, to any of those famous Societies, accepting of an invitation to dine with him in that Hall.  
These endeavours of the Parliament to settle the Nation upon the Foundation of a well-grounded and lasting Peace, by excluding from all Offices, as well Sacred as Civil and Military, those that refused to take the aforesaid Oaths, did highly urge the Discontented of the late Anarchy; whose anger suggested to them some hopes of undoing all again: In order whereunto, they laid new designs and Conspiracies, and had several meetings to consult about them; but their designs proved Abortive, by a timely discovery, Barbone, Moyer, Salmon, Wildman, Haynes, Ireton, and others were seized and Committed to safe custody.  
The King out of a Noble and generous inclination to show Respect and Veneration to the Memory of his Friends, when it was out of his power to reward their Persons, and considering likewise that the Living are usually very much taken with kindnesses expressed to the dead; did about this time give order for the Re-interring those two Loyal Commanders Sir Charles Lucas, and Sir George Lisle, which was performed with abundance of splendour at Colchester; the place which they had bravely defended for him, and where they were at its Reduction basely shot to death; all the Gentry of those Parts, together with the Townsmen in Arms and Mourning attend their Hearses: As he had done a little before for the Earl of Montross in Scotland.  
Count Coningsmark, who was sent hither from the Young King and Queen of Sweden, being upon his departure, another more splendid Embassy was sent from thence, at whose Reception near the Tower, a Fray or Conflict happened between the French and Spanish Ambassadors, upon a Quarrel for Precedency, whose Coach should follow next after that wherein the Swedish Ambassador road: Both Parties came prepared for the Encounter, but the French were basely worsted, and seven or eight of them slain, which was like to have proved the ground of a new War between those Crowns; the French King sending a Messenger to Madrid to demand satisfaction: But at the entreaty of the new married Queen, and the Spanish King consenting, that the French Ambassador should for the time to come have the Precedency upon such occasions; the difference was composed: Now also several Prisoners in the Tower, Regicides and others, were by reason of the unwearied Practices of their Parties abroad, sent to several remote Castles and Islands for securing the Peace.  
The adjournment being expired, the Parliament met again, on the 20th. of November, when the Lords Spiritual the Bishops, by virtue of the Act of Repeal made in the former Session, took their places again in Parliament; which the King was very much pleased to behold; and in his Speech to both Houses, did Congratulate with them for their enjoyment of their former privileges, as a Felicity he had much desired, to see accomplished in that goodly restored and reestablisht Fabric of the Government; and the Regicides that came in upon Proclamation, and were upon that account respited after Sentence to the Pleasure of the Parliament, being brought to the Bar of the House of Lords, and demanded what they had to say, Why Judgement should not pass upon them, according to Sentence? pleaded the Proclamation: Harry Martin adding, that he never obeyed any Proclamation before; and therefore hoped he should not be then hanged for taking the King's word; whereupon they were remanded back again to the Tower, till further Order. Ireland having been hitherto governed by three Lords Justices: The Duke of Ormond having been a faithful Servant, and constant Attender upon the King in all his Troubles, was now nominated Deputy of that Kingdom; and Episcopacy, after it had been so long banished out of Scotland, and so many Miseries and Confusions had befallen that Kingdom through the Fury and Zeal of the Kirke, was reduced with all gladness and sufficient testimonies, of a welcome reception, the four Bishops that had been a little before Consecrated at Lambeth; restored, whereof Dr. James Sharp Archbishop of St. Andrews, and Metropolitan of Scotland was one, who Consecrated others in that Kingdom, the whole Order being defunct by the long Usurpation of the Presbyterian Discipline.  
A Fleet was at this time sent to fetch home the Queen from Portugal, and carry Forces to Garrison Tangier, which being part of the Queen's Dowry, was delivered by them to Sir Richard Stayner, who with Five Hundred Men had taken possession of it in his Master's behalf; and was to maintain it till the Earl of Peterborough, who was nominated for Governor, should arrive; and the King supposing her to be by this time at Sea, on her way for England, acquainted the Parliament therewith, and desired that as a Compliment to her, they would cause the Streets and Highways of London, to be fitted and cleansed against Her Reception.  
This Royal Bride seems to have been fitted and predisposed by Heaven, for his Princely Embraces; for besides being designed for him by her Father in the beginning of the late Troubles, her Family had suffered a long Eclipse by the interposition of the Spanish Monarchy for the space of near one hundred Years, and had now newly recovered its Splendour by her Father's assuming the Crown, which was almost as miraculous a Revolution, and as strange a turn of Providence, as that of our Captivity, by his recovery of his Dominions. On the 14th. of May, She arrived safe at Portsmouth, (in the Charles, which had brought the King over to England) after a tedious and dangerous Voyage; the joy whereof served to alleviate the grief, and wipe away the Tears occasioned by the death of his Aunt, the Queen of Bohemia, who died a little before; having lived to survive all the Misfortunes of her Family, which almost from the very time of Her Marriage, in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Twelve, had fallen very thick upon it. Her death was followed with a most violent and Tempestuous Wind, whereby divers Persons were killed, and much damage done, as well in Foreign parts as in these Kingdoms, as if Heaven had designed thereby to intimate to the World, that those Troubles and Calamities, suffered by that Princess and the Royal Family, and by which most parts of Europe had been tempested, were now all blown over, and was like her to rest in a perpetual Repose. Several Bills which were ready for His Royal Assent detained him at White-Hall, somewhat longer than he was willing, had their weight and tendency been of less importance, but in regard their being passed into Acts, would set the Nation right, where it was before the Troubles began, by providing remedies against those mischiefs which had then unhinged the Kingdom's happiness; such as the Forbidding armed or tumultuary Petitions, and ordering that not above Twelve shall resort together at any time, to deliver Petitions to the King, whereby they provided so far as Humane Wisdom could foresee against the like dangers, by insensible degrees brought upon the Nation in the late Confusions:  
But having once signed those Acts, and thereby furnished his Subjects with so many good and wholesome Laws, as no Age of our forefather's could ever boast of, he posted away to Portsmouth, having sent the Bishop of London thither before Him, who was to consummate the Sacred Rights of Marriage, which was performed in private; and the Queen Conducted soon after by Him to Hampton-Court; and from thence to London in great Pomp and Splendour. The Parliament of Ireland, having about that time, for the better defraying his necessary Charge given him a subsidy of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Pounds to be raised in two Years.  
The African Potentates, alarmed by the Arrival of the English, and terrified by the Fame of those Warlike and Martial Achievements, began to fear, that if they suffered them quietly to possess Tangier, they should thereby give them encouragement to encroach farther upon them; which consideration drew thither Gayland, a Warlike Prince, but then a Rebel against the Emperor of Fez and Morocco, having usurped part of his Dominions, who continued there about for some time upon pretence of entering into a League of Friendship with them; but meeting of a sudden, as he was ranging with his Horse (who are accounted the swiftest in the World) with some of our Forces, who were foraging for Provisions and Horse-meat; he surprised and defeated them; their manner of Fight being to take and leave as they find advantage, which they do with very active and quick Force and Resolution; but the English were not long before they requi●ed him, and revenged the injury upon some of his adventurous Stragglers; after which he freely entered into, and finished a Treaty of Peace with them: And the King not long after made it a free Port; and endowed it with all the Privileges of a Merchant City, being very conveniently Situated for Commerce and Trade, especially in regard of the Security thereof.  
The great discourse and expectation at this time was, what the Presbyterians would do after the Act of Uniformity was passed; which provided, that by St. Bartholomews' day, their Ministers should renounce the Covenant, read Divine Service and Common-Prayer in Church Vestments, as the Surplise, which was the main thing they pretended to scruple, or else forsake their Liv●●gs.  
Many endeavours there had been ●●ed before to prevail with the Parliament for some Toleration; but ●ot being able to carry it there, they afterward applied themselves to the King and His Council; but upon 〈◊〉 full Debate of their Petition, and ●s full a hearing of what they had ●o say; the business was laid aside, ●n regard there was none present, who could answer and dispute their pretences, for the Superseding the express meaning of that Act. But the Bishop of London, by his Prudence and foresight had provided Pious and able Ministers to succeed them in their Cures; and for the better security of the public Peace for times to come, the Commissioners for regulating Corporations, besides the displacing such Officers as were ●ill affected, ordered the Walls of such Towns and Cities, as had been the reception of, and maintained the late Rebellion, to be demolished as examples and security to succeeding Ages, viz. Gloucester, Coventry, Northampton, Taunton, and Leicester, which was done accordingly.  
And the Town of Dunkirk, which was taken from the Spaniards by Cromwell, and had ever since been kept at a vast charge; was now also by the Advice of His Council, in regard it had never been Annexed by Act of Parliament to the Crown of England, returned to the French King, upon the valuable Consideration of Five Hundred Thousand Pounds.  
And there having been great talk, and long suspicion of a Plot, secretly carried on against the Government, insomuch that the most part of that Summer the Trained-Bands had watched every night; the design now appeared, being carried on by Ludlow, Danvers, Lockyer, Strange, and others, for the overthrowing of the Government; in order whereunto they were to have seized the Tower, Deal-Castle, and other places of Strength; and were ●o have had the word given them ●he night they were to have fallen ●n, which was the last of October, by George Phillip's a Sergeant in the Colonels' Company of the White Regiment. But being discovered by ●ne of their number, they were ●any of them taken, and by sufficient Witnesses Convicted of the Conspiracy, four whereof, viz. Phil●ips, Tongue, Gibbs and Stubbs were Executed according to Sentence, and ●he rest pardoned by the King, who always loved to mix Mercy with his Executions.  
The Emperor of Russia about this ●ime sent hither a very Splendid Embassy, by three of his Chief Princes, one whereof came some time before the other, and had Audience of the King in Private at Hampton-court; they were received in greater State, than any Ambassadors ●ad been, that Arrived before them; ●he whole Military Force of the City being in Arms, and several of the Companies in their Liveries, ●nd the Aldermen with their Gold Chains, riding before them. They had about thirty Servants, that road on Horseback with Hawks on their fists, as Presents.  
And being Conducted on the New-Years-Day following, to their Audience at White-Hall, they delivered their Presents, which were very rich, consisting of Furs, Beavers, Ermines, and the like, together with Persian Carpets, three Persian Horses, Arg●marick, and other Commodities of that Country, as Damasks, Silks, and Embroideries, and a whole Ship load of Hemp; there were likewise of the same nature, sent from the Empress to the Queen, and from the Prince of Russia; all which were received with that affection and kindness, which the King discovered upon all occasions toward that great and Potent Monarch.  
The King having ordered the Earl of Rothes to succeed Middleton, as Chief Commissioner in Scotland▪ went in the Vacation time on Progress Westward from London to Bath, and from thence through  to Oxford, being presented at Reading, and Newbury with Purses of Gold, and receiving wherever he came, very high and Splendid Entertainments.  
At Oxford, He was met half a Mile from the City, by the Doctors and Scholars in their Formalities: and upon His entering the Suburbs by the Militia of that City, through which he passed to his Lodgings.  
During his stay there, he visited the Scholars, and was Nobly Enrertained: But not long after His return, notwithstanding all those Provisions for peace, he was informed of a Plot discovered in the North, to involve his Subjects in a War again, which was to have begun first in Ireland, and so to have been brought into England, and several of the Conspirators being taken, he sent down a Commission to York in the midst of Winter to try them; Fifteen whereof were found Guilty, the Chief of them was Captain Oats; and shortly after divers more were arraigned, the chief whereof were Cotton, Denham, and Atkins; some of them were executed at York, some at Leeds, and some at other places; nor wanted they some in London, to abett and favour their designs, by Libels and such like Methods, for which a Printer was Apprehended, Tried and Execued, and others pilloryed and Fined.  
The Dutch having notwithstanding all their great pretences of Love and Friendship to the King, been guilty of many Injuries, and depredations to the English Nation; the King and Parliament in the following Spring, took into their Consideration, the many Complaints that were made against them; and both Houses Petitioned the King to take a speedy and effectual course for the redressing thereof, promising to assist him therein with their Lives and Fortunes. But he always preferring Peace before War, when it may be had upon Honourable Conditions resolved to see what he could do with them by fair means, before he let things come to extremity, and therefore by his Agent there demanded satisfaction for the injuries done by them: But that subtle people not willing to return a speedy answer, resolved to send their own Ambassador into England; which, as it was a way of answering more Magnificent, so it occasioned the greater delay of time, which was the thing they chief aimed at, that so they might be the better able to entertain War, when they had made provisions for it: And he being sensible of their drift therein, thought it not convenient for him to be altogether idle, and therefore resolved so to order his Affairs, as to be in as good a readiness as they, whensoever the War should commence. To which end he required the City, to lend him One Hundred Thousand Pound, referring them to the Lord Treasurer for Terms of Repayment; which Request was received with such a dutiful compliance by the Common-Council, that it was presently granted, thereby acquitting themselves at once, both in point of Loyalty and Prudence, by serving the KING'S present Necessity, and providing for their own future Safety. This Money he employed in fitting out two considerable Fleets: and intending to employ Sir John Lawson, who then blocked up Argier, and some of the Ships under his Command therein, he commanded his Return for England; Captain Allen being ordered to succeed him there; who brought these Pirates into such distress, that shortly after they were forced to accept of Peace upon terms advantageous enough for England.  
The Dutch Ambassador propounding such conditions as were not to be accepted, he sent back Sir George Downing thither, with full Instructions how to behave himself towards them; who had upon his Arrival several Conferences with the States, about Satisfaction for Damages received but could not prevail with them to return a positive Answer to any thing he propounded, nor come to any terms of Agreement: which they were the more willing to delay, in regard they expected the speedy Arrival of a vast Treasure in several great Fleets of Merchant's Ships. But this being not unknown to him, and he being a Prince that well enough understood, how strong the Nerve of War, Money, was, resolved to waylay those vast Masses of Wealth as they passed homeward through his own Channel, especially being informed by secret Intelligence, that they were resolved in contempt of his Power to send their Guiney Preparations by Sea, and that Opdam should convey them through the Channel. To which end and purpose, that he might be beforehand with them in their preparations, he endeavoured with all imaginable speed and diligence to make his Navy ready, not sparing to oversee and order things with indefatigable pains and industry in his own Royal Person, which was abundantly answered by the success. For such was the Alacrity of his Subjects when they saw him continually Travelling from place to place, to forward the work, and see all things effectually and speedily performed, encouraging them by his Presence; that the City at the very first mention of it by the Earl of Manchester, [Chamberlain of His Household,] supplied him with a second Loan of One Hundred Thousand Pounds.  
By which means, while the Dutch flattered themselves with suppositions of his want of Men and Money, and his being broken with the Calamities of the Raging Pestilence (which happened about this time, and was the severest that ever was known in England,) they were only forced to look on and with Envy behold his Vigorous preparations, and see the Sea covered with such a Magnificent Navy, as the Ocean had scarcely ever supported in any former Age. However having duly considered the dangers of the Northern passage, they seemingly laid aside all thoughts of going about by Scotland, and continued firm to their former Resolution of forcing their passage though the Channel. In order whereunto, having Revictualled Opdams' Fleet, they commanded him to hasten to Sea, with the first Wind, and conduct the Guiney-Succors through the Channel, having ordered some other Ships from the Vlie and Texel to Join with him, and sent a Galliot before to give notice to their Director General, in Guinea of their Proceed therein. Which Resolution taken and carried on with so much Vigour, most men Imagined to have been extorted from them by the exigency of their present condition; for they had scattered many base contempts upon the King and Subjects of England. Nor was the Issue of that Bravado, other than what their Fears presented: For about the middle of October, Prince Rupert appeared at the Spitt-Head with sixteen Sail of Ships, who was not long after joined by the Duke, than Lord High Admiral of England, and the Earl of Sandwich; so that it was a matter of the greatest difficulty and hazard for them to unlock the narrow Seas. And great dispute there was amongst them, whether Opdam, who lay with his Fleet in the Gore, should adventure out or no; but the Wind continuing cross put an end to that dispute, and furnished them with a plausible excuse for their not appearing at Sea upon so great disadvantages as they would in all probability have met withal: However Prince Rupert kept the Sea with the English Fleet to attend their Motion, and was rewarded by all or most of their Bourdeaux Fleet falling into his hands, which with other Prizes taken that Year by the English, amounted to about One Hundred Thirty Five.  
There having been as yet no Public Declaration of War on either side; the King still continued to Treat for Peace, with His Arms in His Hand, and ordered Sir George Downing to press, in the heat of all that preparation and action, for satisfaction of Damages: And finding that they were not like to be brought to such terms as he expected, and knowing that it would mightily advance his Credit, and strike Terror into his Enemies to be always before hand with them, he caused an Embargo to be laid upon their Ships, with so much Secrecy, that His Ambassador there had notice of it, at least eight days before the States, that so he might give secret Intelligence to the English, and hasten their departure; by which means, when their Embargo came, it found only two small inconsiderable Vessels, and an Oyster Boat to seize. And the King acquainting the Parliament (which met in November,) how unkindly he had been Treated by the Dutch, and what preparations he had thereupon made for War, and telling them he had out of his own Credit set forth a Navy, which he was sure would not decline meeting with all the Power of the Dutch; for the Finishing where of, he had borrowed so liberally out of his own stores, and of the City of London, that to discharge the one, and replenish the other, would require little less than Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds; They to demonstrate their Love and Affection to their Sovereign, and how hearty they were in their Resolutions to support His Honour, and their Country's Rights against Foreign Encroachments; gave him more than thrice that Sum in an Act Entitled, An Act for granting a Royal Aid of Twenty four Thousand Threescore and Seventeen Thousand and Five Hundred Pounds. And finding that the Dutch did but trifle with him, in hopes of gaining time, he resolved to forbear them no longer, and therefore in the February following denounced War against them by a Public Declaration, prohibiting all Manufactures coming from thence, and granting Letters of Reprisal to divers of his injured Subjects. And to increase his Fleet, a Peace being now made, both with Gayland and the Algerines, he commanded his Ships in those parts to return home, and with most indefatigable diligence Journeying himself from Port to Port, to hasten his preparations and encourage the Seamen by his presence, he got his Fleet ready to take the Sea by the 25th. of March, which did not a little terrify the Hollander, who had been the Week before put into a very great disorder and consternation upon the appearance only of a small part of the English Navy under the Earl of Sandwich.  
That his preparations for War might meet with their desired success, the blessing of God, who is the Lord of Navies as well as of Hosts, was implored by a general Fast enjoined by Proclamation, and observed with Reverence suitable to the Solemnity of the occasion, which was answered with the happy Omens of future Victory, from the fair success of smaller enterprises, three of their Men of War being shortly after taken.  
His Royal Highness the Duke of York, who as Lord High Admiral of England commanded that Fleet, growing impatient of the Hollanders stay, resolved to give them a visit upon their own Coast, and One Hundred and Fourteen Sail of Ships made for the Texel, within five Leagues of which place he came to an Anchor, where he took a full view of their Fleet, some of the smallest of his Ships running within two Leagues of the Shore: and some few days after, he shown himself before the Mouth of their Harbour; which gave them so great an Alarm that they presently erected Beacons all along the Coasts to give notice if he should make any attempt to Land. He stayed somewhat longer than he intended, in hope to provoke them to come out and engage; but not succeeding therein, he commanded seven of his Ships to sail in quest of a Fleet of Merchantmen, who were then coming home from Bourdeaux, and had certainly fallen into their hands, had not a great fog which arose about that time prevented it: however, ten of them were taken, and as many more at several times afterward.  
However the Dutch finding their Ambassadors in Swedeland and Denmark able to effect little, meeting with Ceremonious entertainments, but no Assistance, resolved to show their own strength; and their Navy appeared upon the Ocean in all its Glory and Splendour, divided into seven Squadrons, being in all about One Hundred and Three Men of War, Eleven Fireships, and seven Yatches: About which time the English suffered some loss; for their Hamburgh Fleet desiring a Convoy of the Duke, when he lay before the Texel, he sent them some Ships for their Conduct and Security, with a Caution, that if they were not ready to Sail within ten days, they should not after that time adventure to Sea; but the ten days being over before they could get ready, and the Catch ordered by him to give them notice of his removal from the Texel missing them, they adventured to Sea, contrary to his Instructions and Orders, and so fell into the Enemy's hands. But that loss was abundantly compensated by the Victory which soon after ensued, wherein the Dutch lost eighteen of their best Ships which were taken by the English, besides ten more which were sunk and burnt. Which ill success caused many disorders and complaints among the Common People in Holland; for the appeasing whereof, and the revenging themselves upon their Officers, that were accused of Cowardice, or ill management in that Engagement, they questioned several of them for their Lives, and caused three of their Captains to be Executed at the Helder, two to have their Swords broken over their heads, and the Vice-Admiral Cortinaer to stand upon a Scaffold with a Halter about his neck.  
But the Joy of this Victory was somewhat allayed by the Sickness which now began to grow very hot in London and its Suburbs; insomuch that the Queen Mother, to avoid its Fury returned to France, being attended to the Kentish Coast by the King, who having taken his leave of her, went on board the Royal Charles, where he Knighted several Captains, that behaved themselves Valiantly against the Dutch, and afterward visited most of the Flagg Ships, giving all necessary directions for the repairing and refitting out the Fleet, and so returned by Water to Greenwich; from thence to Hampton Court, and afterward to Salisbury: But the Plague increasing in London, so that it was dangerous returning thither, he repaired to Oxford, which proved so happy a Receptacle for him, that notwithstanding the vast concourse of People which resorted to his Court the approaching Parliament, and the Term which was likewise kept there; the place Continued in health, and was not in the least visited with that Distemper that then raged in London, and some other parts of the Kingdom. At this place was made that Law which is commonly known by the name of the Five-Mile Act, forbidding all such Dissenting Ministers as would not take the Oath, and make the Declaration and Abhorrency therein provided, to live within five Miles of any Corporation, thereby the better to prevent the spreading of their Infection, and increasing the number of their Proselytes. The Oath and Declaration, being as follows, viz.  
J. A. B. Do Declare, That it is not Lawful upon any pretence whatsoever to take up Arms against the King: And that I do abhor that Traitorous position of taking Arms by his Authority against His Person by His Commission. Or those that are Commissioned by Him in persuance of such Commission. And I do swear that I will not at any time endeavour any alteration of Goaernment either in Church or State.  
But though during the time of that Visitation, he removed His Court to Oxford, yet for the security of that City, and that he might not be thought wholly to withdraw his beams from her disconsolate Walls; He left there the Duke of Albemarle, who in all the heat of the Distemper continued at White-Hall, with a Courage equal to his Dignity. And knowing that as the Affliction came from the hand of Heaven, so none but the Almighty was able to mitigate or remove it, He commanded by Proclamation a general Fast to be observed throughout the whole Kingdom, for the confessing and bewailing those sins that had brought that heavy Judgement upon the City, and by Prayers and Supplications implore the Divine Goodness for the removal thereof; commanding his Bishops to direct and Publish such forms of Prayer, as were most suitable not only for the Service of that Particular day, but likewise of all the succeeding Wednesdays, so long as the Contagion should last; having commanded that day in every week to be observed as a Fast for the removal of that desolating distemper, according to the Apostle's Rule, praying always and with all manner of Prayer.  
The English Fleet having now repaired their Damages, and several of the Dutch Prizes being fitted for Service, put to Sea again, and stood over for the Holland-Coast; the alarm whereof brought back Bankert, who had been about three Weeks at Sea with some of their Ships, and caused them to make de Ruyter, after his long expected arrival from the West, Admiral of their Fleet. But the Bishop of Munster's Drums (who then likewise threatened them with a War) sounding in their Ears, almost as terribly as the English Cannon, made them order a flying Army to the Frontiers, tho' with little satisfaction to the fearful Inhabitants, who daily fled to the fortified Towns for their security.  
In the mean while, the English Fleet, in three Squadrons, sailed towards Norway; and the Earl of Sandwich having notice, that fifty Hollanders had sheltered themselves in Berghen, sent a Squadron of twenty two Men of War, under the Command of Tyddeman, to attack and fire them in the Harbour; which Enterprise had proved very fatal, had not the Wind befriended them, and the Dane permitted them to plant their Guns on shore, against the resolute English; however, they received very great damages, and had many of their best Ships in that Harbour dissabled; And the Earl himself meeting with a Convoy of theirs, who had several Merchants, and some East-India men in his Company, attacked them with so much resolution, that notwithstanding the storminess of the Wether did much favour them, yet he took Eight of their Men of War, two of their best East-India Ships, and twenty Sail of their Merchants; and some few days after, the Fleet encountering with eighteen Sail of the Enemy, took the greatest part of them, with above one thousand Prisoners. However, the French King, supposing the Balance of Affairs not yet even enough, and affecting a Sovereignty in the Mediterranean-Sea, not only continued his friendship to them, but, in their behalf, declared War likewise against England, upon pretence of succouring them, according to the Conditions of the Treaty in 1662.; which Declaration the King, who, although? he was as great a lover of Peace, as any Prince in the World, yet being provoked, would not be behind hand with his Enemies, soon returned with the like denunciation of War against him; protesting, that he was resolved to prosecute that War against France, with his utmost force by Land and Sea: And it was admirable to behold the cheerfulness and alacrity wherewith the Maritine Countries offered him their Service, upon their first receiving his Orders to put themselves into a posture of defence; but being unwilling to continue them under the trouble and charge of a needless Duty, he dismissed them for the present, and only ordered them to be ready, if there was occasion.  
The Pestilence being now pretty well abated, he returned again to London, where he was joyfully received and welcomed by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen; about which time eight persons, formerly Officers or Soldiers in the Rebellion, were Indicted at the Old-Bayly, for conspiring the Death of the King, and the Alteration of the Government; having, in his absence from the City, plotted the surprisal of the Tower, killing the General, Robinson and Brown; and then, according to their old levelling humour, to have declared for an equal division of Lands: The better to effect which Design of theirs, the City was to have been fired, the Portcullises to have been let down, to keep out all assistance, and the Horse-guards to have been surprised in their Quarters; the Tower having been viewed by them, and its surprisal ordered by Boats over the Moat, and so to scale the Wall. One Alexander was the chief Conspirator, having distributed several Sums of Money amongst them; and he told them, for their encouragement, of several great ones, that sat continually in London, and issued out all necessary Orders; which Counsel, he said, received their Directions from another in Holland, who sat with the States: The third of September being found, by a Scheme erected for that purpose, a lucky Day, a Planet then ruling, whose direful effects, portended the downfall of Monarchy, was pitched upon for the Attempt: They were found guilty of High Treason, and executed at Tyburn.  
Prince Rupert, and the Duke of Albemarle, being made joint Generals at Sea, for that Summer's Expedition, divided the Fleet; the Prince commanding the blue Squadron, wherewith he sailed toward France, upon intimation that the French were hasting to join the Dutch Fleet, and the Duke the other two, who meeting the Hollanders, on Friday, about 4 or 5 Leagues from the North Foreland, courageously attacked them, notwithstanding he had not above half their number, bravely maintaining the Fight two days, and part of the third, when he had been hardly put to it, had not the Prince, hearing the Guns, tacked about, and made towards him. Upon his approach, de Ruyter sent out 30 stout Ships, to intercept him, and prevent his joining the Duke; but avoiding them, he hastened forward, and sent Albemarle word, that if he liked the design, he would keep the wind of them, and engage the 30 Ships de Ruyter had sent against him; but the Duke not liking his purpose, advised him rather to join the Fleet, which he did, and the approaching night, soon after put an end to their farther proceed. And the next morning, so soon as it grew light, they perceived the Dutch to be fled, and gotten almost out of sight, St. George's Channel having proved too dangerous and stormy for them; but making all the sail they could, they pursued them, and the Prince with his fresh Squadron, falling in with them, with an undaunted courage and bravery, passed five several times through the whole Body of their Fleet; so that not able longer to endure it, with all the sail they could make, they began to run, and sheltered themselves in their shallows. But both Fleets having repaired their damages, got out to Sea again, and meeting soon after, begun a second Engagement, no less bloody than the former, both sides fight with all the Courage and Valour, that could be expected from the most inveterate and enraged Enemies, de Ruyter resolving to revenge his lost disgrace, and recover, if possible, his lost honour; and the Prince, to maintain his former, by obtaining a second Victory; They began to fight about Nine in the Morning, pouring Broadsides upon each other, with such fury, that the roaring Canon seemed to outvie the Thunder, and the Smoke clouded the Sun, and rendered the Air more dark and dismal, than was black Monday. There might have been seen the Heads of some, the Arms, Legs and Thighs, of others, shot off; some divided in the middle with Chain-shot, breathing out their last in anguish and pain, or burning in Fired Ships: whilst others, exposed to the mercy of the Liquid Element, implored pity from their very Enemies, whom they entreated to save their Lives, although with the loss of their Liberties. But in the midst of all those deplorable miseries, the survivers fought with as much resolution and fury as ever; their Courage and Valour being rather heightened than daunted thereby: For which Victories, a solemn thanks giving was observed throughout the whole Nation.  
But to abate the joy of the English, London which had flourished throughout so many Ages, and been accounted one of the goodliest Cities in the World, was about this time destroyed, and burnt down to the ground, by a most dreadful fire; which began on Sunday, September the ●econd, about two in the morning, 1666. a Year that, in regard of its agreement with the number of the Beast mentioned in the Revelations, had filled all Men with great expectations of some memorable accident that would fall out therein: many eminent Writers having, with more confidence than truth, Predicted the fall of Antichrist, and the utter ruin and desolation of Rome, which they affirmed to be the Apocalyptical Babylon. It began at a Baker's House, in Pudding-Lane near new Fish-street, a place very close, and for the most part consisting of old Timber Houses, which burned like so many pitched Barrels; whereby it spread itself with such an impetuous and  fury, that notwithstanding all endeavours to extinguish it, it extended itself to all the several quarters of the City, and by Wednesday night consumed that goodly Pile: The King and the Duke, during all that time, riding from place to place, and by their personal care and labour, encouraging all Men to attempt the putting a stop to its fury and rage, which was at last happily performed at the Temple-Church, Pie-corner, Holborn-Bridg, Aldersgate, Cripplegate, at the Church in Fenchurch-street, at Cloathworkers-Hall in Mincing-Lane, in the middle of Mark-Lane, the lower end of Coleman-street, the upper end of Bishopsgate-street, and at the Tower-Dock. But on Thursday in the evening, it unfortunately broke out again at the Temple, by the accidental falling of some sparks upon a Pile of Timber Buildings, and might have done much more harm, had not the Duke, who watched there in Person all that night, and so encouraged the People with his presence, that by blowing up the Houses about it, it was extinguished before day. It consumed, acc●●●ing to the best computation of Surveyors▪ employed by the King for that purpose, 373 Acres of Buildings within the Walls, and more than 63 Acres without the Walls, 87 Parish-Churches, six Consecrated Chapels, the Royal Exchange, the Guild-Hall, and many other stately Buildings belonging to the several Companies, and, according to the best account, about 13000 and 200 Houses: the total sum, of which loss, was valued at nine Millions, and nine hundred thousand pound Sterling.  
In so deplorable and amazing an accident, it is not difficult to imagine how many Persons were constrained, in haste and confusion, to remove their Goods into the Fields, and take up their Lodgings in the open Air; which gave the King (whose heart was ever open to compassionate the distress and miseries of his Subjects) an opportunity of exercising his commiseration, by commanding the Justices of the Peace to send Provisions into the Markets, and opening his Sea-stores for the supplying of the poor and necessitous.  
The Fire, happening at a time when England was engaged in a War with France and Holland, was thought, by many, to be a treacherous Act contrived and perpetrated by the French, which some were the more induced to believe, in regard one Hubert, a melancholy Frenchman, confessed he did the fact, by putting a Fireball into the House of the Baker where it began. And Oats, the Discoverer of the Salamanca Plot, lays the guilt of that action, upon a knot of Jesuits and Irishmen; who having laid the project long before, could not put it in execution till that time: notwithstanding which [for we are not to believe all that the Doctor has been pleased to swear] it is uncertain, to this day, whether some casual accident, or the malice of those who envied the happiness and grandeur of that City, were the immediate occasions of it. But however it were, it was permitted by Heaven for a Punishment, of its Pride, Luxury and Rebellion.  
London being thus consumed and laid in Ashes, the grieved Inhabitants looked upon its Rebuilding as so weighty and ponderous an undertaking, that they despaired of ever living to see it begun, much less finished, and therefore took Houses, in the outparts, at vast Rents and Fines, and for a long term of Years. Nor might their fears have been altogether groundless, had it happened in a time less happy and fortunate: but living in a Reign of Wonders, they found, contrary to all men's expectations, that it suddenly started up rather than was gradually built, in far more splendour and beauty than ever it was before. And that fire, wherein all their happiness seemed to have been for ever buried, proved a real advantage, by reason of that provident care which was thereupon taken by the King, to prevent such fatal accidents for the future, by commanding all the buildings, which were for the most part before of Timber, to be now made of Brick or Stone; and so contrived, that if a Fire happened in any of them, it might be hemmed in, within the Walls of that particular House, without endangering the adjoining Buildings, by putting the Inhabitants of each Parish, and divers principal Merchants and Gentlemen, that live in that City, upon providing greater plenty of large and hand Engines, Buckets, and other such like things necessary for the quenching of Fires; And by making Men more expert in the methods of stopping the progress of any Fires that shall happen for the future; and finally, by putting several ingenious Persons upon contriving and setting up an Office, for the Ensuring of Houses from being destroyed by fire for thirty one years, at five pence per pound for Brick Houses, and ten pence per pound for Timber Houses, which is to be discounted by way of purchase, and five years only paid down for eight; seven for twelve; nine and one half for twenty one; eleven for thirty one years' Insurance: so that it is in reality but little more than three pence per pound for Brick Houses, and six pence per pound for Timber Houses, only requiring ten pounds in Money to be paid to the Insurers toward the defraying of their Charges in Re-building the House so often as it shall happen to be burnt down, within the term insured. And because many Persons take Leases of Houses for different terms of Years, they do not tie any Person to Insure for thirty one, but so many Years only as themselves please, settling several Ground Rents, and making other sufficient Provisions for the security of the Subscribers. This Office they settled in Thredneedle-street, in the backside of the Royal Exchange, and it is certainly one of the greatest designs that any Age hath ever produced, and will prove more universally advantageous than was at first believed, the severe strokes falling more light on particular Persons now, than in former Ages, in regard they are, by virtue of this contrivance, supported by a public stock, & those whose houses escape, made by that means, to contribute toward the repairing of those that are burned.  
In order to the re-building London, the King, according to his accustomed Wisdom, foreseeing it would otherwise be impossible to have it uniform, and decide the Controversies which would arise about dividing the Ground belonging to each House, and oblige the Repairers to build with Brick or Stone, provided an Act of Parliament, for the settling all things in relation thereunto, and the erecting a Court of Judicature, to judge and determine all Differences that might arise between Party and Party; prohibiting in the mean time the hasty building any public Edifices, and proclaiming a general Fast through England and Wales, ordering the distresses of those who were ruined thereby to be then recommended to the Charity of all well-disposed persons; and the Money so gathered, to be afterward distributed by the hands of the Lord Mayor. The Act was passed in the approaching Parliament; wherein, besides the provision for the building the Houses of Brick or Stone, it was enacted, That the most eminent Streets should be of a considerable breadth; and those toward the Watersides, wide enough to render Passages convenient; that a fair Wharf should be left all along the River's-side, and no Houses built thereon, but at a convenient distance appointed therein; none whereof were to be inhabited by Dyers, Brewers, or Sugar-Bakers: And that an exact Survey should be made of the Ruins, for the satisfaction of particular Interests, and a Model framed of the whole Building, the better to understand if it were convenient for them to appoint any alterations therein.  
And to show his Pious Care for the Rebuilding of the Churches for the Service of God, as well as Houses for his Subjects to dwell in, he recommended that Work to the Charity and magnanimous Bounty of public spirited Persons; and for an encouragement to others, promised to Rebuild the Custom-house, and Enlarge it for the Benefit of Merchants, at his own Charge, which he afterward performed, engaging to part with all his Right and Benefit arising from his own Lands within the City; for the Public Good, and to remit the Duties arising from Hearth-Money, to those who should Erect any New Buildings, according to his Declaration, for Seven Years: And to demonstrate his Resolution to perform whatsoever he had promised in his Declaration, commanded one Knight to be committed to Prison, for presuming to Print certain Propositions for the Rebuilding the City, with considerable Advantages to the Crown, which were repugnant to his gracious Offers in that Declaration.  
So that London being ashamed to lie longer smothered under Ashes, when all those Provisions were made for its Resurrection, was by Sir Ionas Moor, according to the appointed Model, first roused in Fleetstreet; and from that beginning, grew so hastily towards a perfection, that within the compass of a few years, it outvyed all its ancient Glory and Splendour, and appeared far more beautiful in its rise, than its fall had rendered it abject and desolate.  
But the burning of London was not the only unhappy Accident that fell out in that Year of Wonders; for the Fire, which had laid the City in Ashes, threatened the Court with the like dissolation; for having, by the misfortune of a Candle falling into the straw, violently seized upon the Horse-Guard, in the Tiltyard, over against White-Hall, it burned down the North-West part of that Building, but being so close under the King's own eye, it was by timely help in a little time mastered: And at a place called Welbourn, in Lincolnshire, after a prodigious Thunder, with Hailstones of a more than ordinary bigness, there followed such a Storm and Tempest, that its violence threw down most of the Houses to the ground, tore up Trees by the Roots, and dispersing several Ricks of Corn and Hay, passed to the next Village, called Willington, where it threw down firm Houses, and going forward to Nanby, it fell so violently upon the Church, that it dashed the Spire in pieces, and so tore and rend the Body of the Church, that it almost leveled it with the ground. And that Scotland might likewise bear a share in that Year's Calamities, a Seditious Zeal, having inspired some Malcontents, with revenge against Sir James Turner, for executing (too vigorously, as they pretended) the Laws against them, they committed an insolent Riot upon his person, taking him out of his Bed, and carrying him naked into the Marketplace, where they were hardly restrained from cutting him in pieces, which Tumult was first raised by a small and an inconsiderable Rabble, but in a short time increased to a Body of One thousand six hundred Men, who marching toward Edinburgh, were encountered and defeated near Glencarn, many of them being slain, and more taken; the Ringleaders whereof were executed, and most of the rest pardoned.  
But in the midst of all these unhappy Distractions, he did not neglect the making all necessary Preparations for carrying on and maintaining his War with Holland, France, and Denmark; the latter whereof was now entered into a League offensive and defensive with the States of the United Provinces, upon pretence of the Assault made upon the Dutch, in his Port of Berghen, although he had the freedom of that Port frankly offered him by the King of Denmark himself, at a time when he thought nothing of it; and that in order to the doing those very Acts of Hostility, wherewith he was then unjustly reproached by that King, as he declared in his Declaration of War against Denmark, published about that time; And for a good Omen of his future success, he not long after his Declaration of War, received News, that the Vice-Admiral of Denmark was taken by some of his Frigates, upon the Coast of Scotland.  
However, the King of Sweden having become a Mediator for Peace, between him, and the States-General, and prevailed with him to condescend thereunto, and appoint Breda for the place of Treaty; the Dutch, notwithstanding, busied themselves in making Preparations for continuing the War, resolving to treat of Peace, in a posture and condition to fight, if it succeeded not, and (he not being ignorant of their intentions) to make him spend that Summer in needless Expenses for War, and only keep himself upon his own guard. But we having therefore but a small Fleet abroad, the Dutch, upon intimation thereof, got out to Sea betimes, and finding no Enemy to resist them, made an attempt on  Island, but being beaten off with loss, they next attempted the Fort of Sheerness, which being then a place of small force, was after a short, but stout resistance, abandoned by Sir Edward Spragg, and so the Mouth of that narrow River was left open to them: And being encouraged by this success, they landed about three thousand men near Felton-Cliff, and with two thousand of them adventured to make two Assaults upon Languard-Fort, but were beaten off, and forced to retire in such haste, that they left their Scaling-Ladders behind them, and had about one hundred and fifty slain upon the place; the other thousand, which were left behind the Cliff, to secure their retreat, being encountered by the Trained-bands, under the Command of the Earl of Suffolk, a smart Skirmish passed between them, and continued till Ten at Night, when it was renewed again by the return of the beaten Companies from the Fort; but the English Horse not being able to come up, there was not that execution done upon them, which otherwise might have been. However, the Dutch liked not that hot Service well enough, to abide their coming, but as soon as their Boats were afloat, embarked with all haste, and returned to their Ships, and sailing for the Humber, they engaged a Squadron of the English, which they found there; but being worsted, shown themselves before Portsmouth, and made some slight Attempts in Devonshire, and Cornwall: And after de Ruyter, their Admiral had been civility treated in the West, by the Earl of Bath, and Sir Jonathan Trelawney, and received advice, that the Peace was concluded, they sailed back for Holland.  
This Peace was concluded at Breda, upon the twenty first of June, in the Year 1667. when the Articles were signed by the several Plenipotentiaries, and upon the fourteenth of the following August, the Ratifications thereof interchanged, the Mediators first bringing the Ratifications and other Instrustruments of the Dutch, French and Danes, into the English Ambassadors Lodgings, and received theirs in exchange: which done, the English Ambassadors went into the apartments of the Dutch and their Allies, where they made and received the Compliments usual in such cases, and the Peace was thereupon immediately Proclaimed before the Doors of the several Plenipotentiaries; and on the twenty fourth of that Month at the Exchange, which was then kept at Gresham College, and other places in London. But the Foundation of the Royal Exchange, in Cornhill, being about that time appointed to be laid, the King was pleased to show his readiness to countenance that Work, by being present at, and assisting in the solemnity thereof, with his own Royal hands; as his Brother, the Duke of York, did, shortly after, who laid the first stone of the second Pillar: which Edifice was in a short time finished, and is now the most curious Fabric of that kind in the whole World.  
About this time, that wise and useful Statesman and Privy-Counsellor, Edward Hid, Earl of Clarendon, and Lord High-Chancellor of England, who had always behaved himself with abundance of Loyalty and Faithfulness to his Master, as well before, as after his Restauration, falling into disgrace with the Parliament, was forced to abscond; and leaving that Office, which he had so long managed, with advantage to the King, and honour to himself, retired into France, where he lived in a voluntary Exile till he died.  
A sort of idle and licentious Persons, getting together in the holidays at Easter, and pretending former custom, took the liberty to pull down some Houses of bad repute, about the Suburbs of London, under the notion of Apprentices; yet others being found guilty of it, four of them were apprehended, Tried, Condemned and Executed, and two of their Heads set upon the Bridge for a terror to others.  
Having dispatched the Earl of Carlisle, as his Ambassador Extraordinary to the Court of Sweden, with which King he always maintained a friendly correspondence, he directed a Letter for the Earl, when he was at Copenhagen, on his way to Sweden, to be by him delivered to the King of Denmark, in answer to an obliging Letter he had a little before received from him; which Letter of the King's, was so acceptable to the Dane, that upon the Earl's request, he immediately dispatched orders to all his Ports and Towns of commerce, especially those in Norway, for restoring the English to the same Freedom and Privileges in Trading thither, as they had before the War. And the Earl, upon his arrival in Sweden, presented that King with the George worn by the Knights of the Garter; and after his having been entertained in that Court with all imaginable respect, upon his Master's account, and dismissed with particular marks of the King of Sweden's favour, and testimonies of the acceptableness of his Embassy, he was, upon his return home, solemnly Installed in that Order at Windsor.  
While the King was diverting himself this Summer, with the Duke and others of his Nobles, in the new Forest in Hampshire, he received the doleful tidings of his Mother's death at Columbe, the thirty first of August, she being nobly buried, in the December following, at St. Dennis. And to close the public affairs of this Year, the restorer of the Crown to the King, and happiness to the Kingdom, George Duke of Albemarle, and Lord General of all the King's Land Forces, exchanged his temporary Coronet for an Eternal Crown; and the King, as a mark of Gratitude to the Father, sent his Garter to his Son and Successor, the present Duke of Albemarle, whom he continued in many of his Honours and Preferments, promising withal, that himself would take care of his Father's Funeral which he accordingly did: and after he had publicly lain in State at  for some time, caused his Funeral to be solemnised with that Pomp and Splendour, that, it is verily believed, no Subject was ever honoured with the like.  
In the following Spring, the King having a great desire to unite Scotland and England into one Kingdom, endeavoured to have it accomplished, by procuring an Act of Parliament, in order thereunto, and nominating Commissioners for each Kingdom, to meet and treat about it: But they not being able to agree, it was wholly laid aside, and came to nothing.  
The King's Wisdom and Conduct being famed throughout all parts of the World, like a second Solomon, drew to his Court several Foreign Princes, to see and admire him; And about this time the Prince of Tuscany came upon the same Errand, and was by him treated both at London and Windsor, with great Respect and Splendour, and by several of his Nobles, in his Progress through England, the chief Cities whereof he was desirous to take a view of; after which he departed for Holland, and so returned into his own Country: where, not long after, besides his splendid Entertainment of the Earl of Northumberland, in acknowledgement of the King's Kindness and Affection expressed to him, when in England, he built, and gave to the King, two very stout Galleys, for a guard of the Coast about Tangier, which were of great importance to his Service in those parts. But altho' the King was well pleased with this Princes visit, yet he shortly after received a more welcome one from his Sister, the Duchess of Orleans, who came to Dover, to pay him her last Visit, and was there entertained by him with as much Affection and Bounty, as the time of her stay (which was but short) would permit. Nor was her stay in this World much longer; for soon after her return, she died suddenly, to his unexpressible grief.  
The King being now at peace at home, employed his Naval Forces against the Algerines, a People that never keep Peace longer than till they can have an opportunity to break it: and they having taken some of our Merchant's Ships, Sir Thomas Allen was sent to revenge the Injury, who coming before the Town, they desired a Treaty, offering to make restitution of what Money they had taken from an English Ship, bound for the East-Indies; but not agreeing to some other Demands, he resolved to beat them into a compliance; and having seized a Bark, loaden with Corn, and a Brigantine, which rowed in the Harbour, in view of the Town, departed to Tripoli; the Bassa of which place, sent him an assurance of his readiness and resolution to preserve a Peace, and continue a good Correspondence with his Master: And the Hampshire, Portsmouth, Jersey, and Centurion Frigates, under the Command of Captain Beach, not long after meeting with Seven of the Algerines, notwithstanding the least of them had Thirty eight Guns, and were all full of Men, forced them to run their Ships on shore, which were all burned, two by themselves, and the rest by the English: in which Action most of their Men were lost, and Two hundred and fifty Christian Captives redeemed. But Sir Thomas Allen, after having made many Attempts upon those Pirates, whose Cowardice still shun the Fight, returned home, and left Sir Edward Spragg to Command in his room; who meeting with Nine of their Men of War, and three Merchantmen, near Bugia, they retired, upon his appearance, under the shelter of the Castle, and put themselves into the best posture of defence; but Spragg in the mean time attacked them with so much Valour and Success, that he set most of them on fire; and those which escaped the flame, fell into his hands, and were made Prizes of: And to complete the Victory, Captain Beach brought him another Ship, which he had newly taken, of Forty Guns, and Three hundred and fifty men. So that Spragg believing that this Loss might dispose the Algerines to accept of Terms of Peace, made a speedy return to his station, before that Port; whereupon, constrained by necessity, they concluded a Peace, as honourable and advantageous as any we ever had with those Rovers.  
About this time a strange and odd kind of Action happened, which for its unusualness, was the matter of much wonder and discourse: For one Thomas Blood, commonly called Captain Blood, being discontented, upon pretence of an Estate, detained from him in Ireland, and having a little before, with five persons in his company, armed and mounted, seized the Duke of Ormond, as he was going home, between St. James' and Clarendon-house, forcing him out of his Coach, and attempting to have carried him away, had he not been rescued by others coming in to his assistance, (a Fact which rendered him not more bold in the undertaking, than the Duke memorable in forgiving:) But not being able to carry off the Duke, he next adventured to attempt the Crown; In order whereunto, he coming to the Keeper of the Jewelhouse, and desiring to see the Crown and Jewels; which being showed him, he gratified the Keeper more liberally than it was usual for others to do in such cases; telling him, that he had some Friends who were very desirous to see them, and that he would bring them the next Morning. Accordingly he came with three others with him; and the old Gentleman, being prepared by Bloud's liberality, gave them a ready admittance into the Jewelhouse; but their design being to take, and not to see, they gagged and secured the Keeper; and then putting the Crown and Ball into two Bags, which they brought with them for that purpose, fairly walked away, and had certainly carried them off, (having passed most of the Sentinels with them) had not the Keeper's Son-in-law accidentally came by, and seeing the condition his Father lay in, run out hastily, and cried to the Guards, to stop them. Whereupon fear making them to mend their pace, they became the means of their own discovery; and being thereupon suspected, and commanded to stand, they fired a Pistol at the Centinel; but others coming in to his assistance, two of them were seized, and carried to White-Hall, and after examination, sent Prisoners to the Tower, where they had committed that bold Attempt.  
The King now finding himself at leisure, resolved to look after the condition of his Western Seaport Towns, and spend the Summer in a kind of Sea-Progress; For going first to Portsmouth, he went in his Yacht to the Isle of Wight, and took a view of most of the considerable Ports in that Island; from whence he returned to Hurst-Castle, and from thence to Corfecastle, and having viewed, and taken order for the furnishing those places with all necessary Provisions, returned again to Portsmouth; and from thence, attended with five Frigates, sailed to Dartmouth, Plymouth, and other places in those parts, knowing that according to the ancient Proverb, the Master's eye quickens the Servant's diligence.  
Notwithstanding the many Losses sustained by the Dutch in their former War with England, and the difficulty they met withal in attaining a Peace, yet they took no care to preserve it, but by new Affronts laid a foundation for a second War; and therefore the King having long concealed his just Displeasure against them, resolved now to let them know his ill Resentments of their unworthy Deal towards him; Pursuant to which he declared in the following Spring, That seeing his Neighbours were making great Preparations, both by Sea and Land, He thought himself obliged to appear in such a posture as might best secure his own Government, and his People's peace; to make such Preparations as should be answerable to the preservation of both, which could not be done, without fitting out a considerable Fleet against the approaching Spring; In order whereunto, Money being at that time wanting, he was forced to put a stop to the payment of any Money then brought in, or to be brought into the Exchequer, for the space of one whole Year, declaring that nothing could have moved him thereunto, but the looking upon his Government as unsafe, under the threatening Preparations of the State's General, and other neighbouring Princes, without appearing in the same posture: And that therefore seeing the necessity was inevitable, some extraordinary course must be taken, until Money could be otherwise procured.  
However, before he would enter into War with them, he endeavoured to bring them to terms of Peace by the threatening of it; and therefore ordered Sir George Downing, who was his Ambassador to the States, to be very urgent with them on the Affair of the Flagg: which, notwithstanding it had ever been accounted a Ceremony due to the Kings of England, as an acknowledgement of their Sovereignty in the narrow Seas, had been for some time denied by them. But having, by several Instances and Memorials, pressed for an Answer to his Demands; and finding nothing but delays, and several personal affronts to him, he returned, without Orders, for England, and was, for so doing, after a private Examination by some Lords of the Council, and Report thereof made to the King, Committed to the Tower for not observing the Orders sent him. At which Proceed of the States, the King being ●ustly enraged, resolved to trifle with them no longer, but make them feel the effects of his Indignation. And knowing that whilst he had Wars abroad, it was necessary to have Peace and Union at home, he put forth a Declaration of Indulgence to all Dissenting Persons, promising, notwithstanding that Indulgence, to maintain the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England as it was then established.  
Sir Robert Holmes Cruising with five of the King's Frigates near the Isle of Wight, about the middle of March met with the Dutch Smyrna and Streight Fleet, Convoyed by six of their men of War, and standing with them, gave them a Gun to strike and lower their Flag; which they refusing, he poured a Broadside upon them: whereupon, their Convoy coming up, the Fight began about two in the afternoon, and continued until night, and the next morning was again renewed, five of their richest Merchantmen being taken, their Rear-admiral sunk, and the rest made their escape for want of more assistance.  
The first blow being thus given, the King denounced open War against them, by Publishing his Declaration, wherein he gave the World an account of the Grounds and Reasons of his Quarrel with them; which, together with the French Kings preparations and proceed towards them, in laying great Impositions upon their Manufacture, which they foresaw tended to a rapture with them, they fortifiing themselves with all imaginable speed and diligence, endeavoured to procure Allies abroad, and made the Prince of Orange their Captain-General at Land, and Admiral at Sea: And looking upon Maestricht, as the first place that would in all probability be attacked by the French King, they repaired the Fortifications thereof, and reinforced that City with Men and Provisions.  
The King resolving to prosecute the War with all imaginable resolution and vigour, provided for the security of his own Subjects, by allowing them sufficient Convoys, and giving them liberty to make use of what Foreign Mariners they could procure. And his Fleet being now ready to put to Sea, he went to Rye to see them join with a Squadron of French Ships, which that King, according to agreement, was to furnish him with, under the Command of the Count d' Estree, Vice-Admiral of France. And so soon as he was returned, the two Fleets being now joined, stood over for the Coast of Holland, Commanded by His present Majesty, than Duke of York, whose very name was terrible to the Dutch. And on the twenty eighth of May meeting with the Enemy's Fleet, about five Leagues off the Wheelings, there ensued a very fierce and bloody Engagement, both sides being emulous for Honour, and desirous of Victory, fight with extraordinary eagerness: But the night coming on, and the Dutch finding themselves unable to bear up against the Valour of the English, stood towards their own Coasts, and were pursued by the Duke, who resolved to have renewed the Engagement the next morning, had not a Fog prevented, and favoured their securing themselves in their Shallows: The loss on the Dutch side was very great, both as to Men and Ships, but on the part of the English, there was little Damage, beside the loss of the Earl of Sandwich and the Royal James.  
This loss at Sea was attended with many more on Land, the French King having taken several of their Frontier Towns, which possessed them with such a Consternation, that many of the wealthy Inhabitants forsook their Habitations, resolving not to hazard their Persons and Estates in a Country falling into the hands of a Victorious Foreigner; And the States not thinking themselves secure enough at the Hague, removed to Amsterdam: and to impede the French King's approach, cause● the Sluices to be opened, and the Country be put under Water, to the incredible Prejudice and Damage of the miserable Inhabitants. Which Distraction of theirs, the King of England wisely improved, to the strengthening himself and the weakening of them, by putting forth a seasonable Declaration; wherein he promised, That if any of their Subjects, out of affection to him or his Government, or to avoid the oppression they met with at home, would take refuge in his Kingdom, they should be protected in their Persons and Estates, and have an Act pass for their Naturalisation, and that such Ships as they brought with them should be accounted as English Built, and enjoy the same Privileges and Immunities, as to Trade, Navigation and Customs, as those of his own Subjects.  
Yet, commiserating the deplorable condition into which the States were reduced, and supposing their misfortunes had rendered them more humble, he sent the Duke of Buckingham, and the Earl of Arlington, to try if they would at length offer any reasonable terms of Peace; who were received, by the Common People, with great joy and satisfaction, crying out, God bless the King of England, and God bless the Prince of Orange, but the Devil take the States. But their Pride being not sufficiently abated, the Ambassadors returned without bringing them to any Conclusion; which, together with the French King's taking Nimeguen, and the English Fleets appearing upon their Coasts, so enraged the People, that they broke out into tumultuous Insurrections: and there was scarce a Town in Holland, where they were not masterless. And therefore the States, that they might appease them, commanded their Fleet to go out and beat the English from their Harbours; which De Ruyter attempted with all the force that Courage and Resolution could inspire him with: but finding himself overmatched, was forced to retire with considerable loss. The Fleets having both repaired the Damages of this Fight, hastened to try their fortune in a second Engagement: which being as unsuccessful to the Dutch as the former, De Ruyter stole away in the night: But having increased his Fleet, was not long before he got to Sea again, and meeting about the middle of August with the English Fleet, endeavoured to get the Wind of them, which then blue North-East, resolving, if possible, to redeem his lost reputation: but night coming on, both Fleets came to an Anchor. The next day., the Fight began with the morning; wherein the Dutch sustained a very great loss, and the greatest part of their Fleet had in all probability been destroyed, and the contest about the Dominion of the Narrow-Seas ended, had not the Cowardly French, who were then Masters of the Wind, behaved themselves as though they had been sent thither only to be spectators of the Bravery and Valour of the English: Whereupon, the States-General, finding they could no longer withstand the successful Arms of that fortunate King, sued for Peace by their Ambassador, and had it granted, as well out of Pity to them, as Jealousy of the French King's too growing greatness, whose Progress they were now at leisure to oppose.  
The King having now consented to admit the Hollanders to terms of Peace, became a Mediator for the like accommodation between the Crown of France and Spain, endeavouring by his Ambassador, the Lord Lockhart, to compose the differences between them; and resolving, whether he succeeded in that Mediation or not, to be no partaker with them in their Quarrels: and Commanded, by Proclamation, that none of his Subjects should enter into the Service of any Foreign Prince. And for the better securing of Trade to and from his Ports (which was much disturbed by the Insolency of several Dutch, Spanish and French Privateers, betwixt whom the War still continued) he Published a Proclamation, wherein he declared, That all Ships, to what Party soever they belonged, should be under his Protection, during their stay in any of his Ports or Harbours; Commanding the Officers of his Navy, to use their utmost endeavours, to hinder the Roving of any Private Men so near his Coast, as to give apprehension of danger to Merchants. And that if a Man of War, of either Party, and one or more Merchantmen of another, should come into any of his Ports, the Merchantmen should sail out two Tides before the Man of War should be permitted to stir; forbidding his Seamen to List themselves on Board any Foreign Man of War, or other Ship designed for Traffic, or the Fishing-Trade without his Licence: laying down several other Rules in Relation to the security of Trade, and the Maintaining his Sovereignty in those Seas, which were punctually observed, and thereby many Merchants and Traders preserved from being made prize of by their Enemies. And that he might secure the Peace of his Kingdom for the future, as well as for the present, he procured the Parliament to give him the sum of five hundred eighty four thousand nine hundred and seventy eight Pounds, for the speedy building thirty Ships of War, which he caused to be built so large and substantial, that they cost him one hundred thousand Pounds more than they gave him.  
And now beginning to reflect upon the success of the French King's Arms; and fearing lest the growing Greatness of that Monarch might too much obscure his own Glory, and threaten the future Peace of his Kingdom, resolved with himself, by entering into an Alliance with some Princes and States abroad, to put a stop to his further Conquests in Flanders: And that the French might not think him in jest only, he immediately applied himself to the raising of Forces, and in a short time had a brave Army on Foot, ready to be transported into Flanders, and Married his Niece, the Lady Mary (eldest Daughter to his only Brother the Duke of York) to the Prince of Orange.  
The Parliament having, at their last sitting, desired him to hasten his entering into such Councils and Alliances as might save what remained of Flanders from being devoured by the French; he acquainted them, at their next Meeting, with what he had done, telling them, that he had made such an agreement with Holland, and the rest of the Confederates, that if seconded by plentiful supplies from them, and due care from the Spaniards for their own Preservation, he doubted not but to restore such an Honourable Peace to Christendom, as might not be in the Power of one Prince alone to disturb, which he had endeavoured by a fair Treaty: And was resolved, if that succeeded not, to enter into an actual War with France, laying before them the expenses he had been at already, and what sums of Money such a War would necessarily require. And to remove all sorts of Jealousies, he had Married his Niece to the Prince of Orange, thereby giving full assurance, never to suffer that Prince's Interest to be ruined, if assisted by them as he ought to be to preserve it.  
To Alarm the French King the more with a noise of War, the Parliament, made several Addresses to the King; wherein they entreated him to enter into an Actual War with that Crown, promising to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes to that end: And a Book was Published, Entitled, Christianissimus Christianandus, wherein reasons were given for reducing the most Christian King to a more Christian state in Europe. And finding that the French King still went on in his Conquests, he sent some Regiments of his new raised Forces over into Flanders, to secure the places of greatest consequence there, and Commanded a Fast, on Wednesday the tenth of April, to be kept in London, and on that day fortnight throughout the whole Kingdom, to implore the blessings of Heaven on his undertake. And the Parliament to assist him with Money, which is the sinews of War, raised him a liberal sum by a Pole-Bill; and that they might weaken the French as well as strengthen him, Prohibited French Wines, and other things of the Growth and Manufacture of that Country, a contrivance that would certainly have reduced him to terms of Moderation and Peace, had the rest of the Confederates done the like, but for want of that, the design of the Prohibition fell, and he received little or no damage thereby. However, remembering how fatal the Arms of England had formerly been to France; and being Thunderstruckk with the Fame of the King's having in forty days raised an Army of thirty thousand Men, and fitted out a Navy of ninety Ships, he durst not adventure (notwithstanding his success in Flanders) to run the hazard of a War with that Nation. To prevent which, he resolved to consent to a Peace with some of the Confederates, hoping thereby to break the measures already taken by King Charles, and therefore presently offered a separate Treaty with Holland; which People, according to their usual (though unjust and base Custom, of serving themselves and leaving their Confederates in the lurch) without acquainting the King of England therewith, accepted of, and afterwards concluded, upon condition that he would give up Maestricht, and other places which he had taken from them during the War. But besides their usual custom of waiting the first opportunity of slipping their own necks out of the Choler, they being informed, that the League Offensive and Defensive, which the King of England had entered into with them, was not well understood at home, and had met with some unfitting and very undeserved Reflections, and that the Parliament had taken up a Resolution of giving no Money, till satisfaction was first had in some Matters of Religion, and those Jealousies removed, which they had without all ground taken up of his Proceed, very much influenced their entrance into that Treaty; concluding, that it was now vain to rely any longer upon England, since England was no longer itself, by reason of those Divisions and Misunderstandings between the King and his Parliament.  
But the King, who was not ignorant of what the Dutch were doing, resolving to save Flanders either by a War or Peace, persuaded the King of Spain, and the rest of the Conferates to accept of the same Treaty with them, endeavouring to procure a Cessation of Arms on all sides, during the time of the Treaty, the better to make way for the desired Peace. However, considering the influence that Peace would have upon England, was altogether uncertain, and knowing that by his late Preparations and Alliances, he had provoked a mighty and a warlike King, he thought it convenient to provide for his own security, if the worst should happen, by keeping up his Army, and continuing his Fleet at Sea; especially since that was the most probable means to make the French King account it his interest to hasten the Peace, and procure to himself the more advantageous Terms therein, telling his Parliament, which met soon after, That although they would peradventure account the Peace he was endeavouring to procure, as ill a bargain as War, because it cost them Money; yet if they seriously considered, that Flanders might have, perhaps, been lost by that time, he believed, they would give much greater Sums than all the Charge he he had been at, amounted to, rather than the single Town of Ostend should be in the French King's hands, and Forty or Fifty of his Ships of War in so good a Haven, over against the River's mouth: adding, That he could not but be very well pleased, to understand the Reputation he had gained abroad, by having in so short a time raised so great an Army, and fitted out so brave a Fleet; and hoped that they were so too, since it so much redounded to the Honour of the English Nation, desiring them therefore, if they had any respect to their own Welfare, and the Peace of Europe, or were willing he should pass any part of his Life in quiet, and all the rest in confidence and quietness with them and other future Parliaments, to take care for the maintaining Peace and Union at home, and the settling the same Revenue he had the Christmas before, (some of it being then fallen off) upon him for Life, and add 300000 l. per Annum thereunto, to enable him to maintain the Navy and Ordinance, and keep his Word with the Prince of Orange, in the payment of 40000 l. as his Niece's Portion; the first Payment whereof was then become due, and demanded by that Prince.  
But the French King, notwithstanding the Cessation of Arms, endeavouring to enlarge his Conquests, and possess himself of several considerable Towns, he resolved to prevent him; and therefore commanded the Duke of Monmouth, who was at that time General of all his Land Forces, and the Earl of Ossery to join the Prince of Orange, and attempt the beating of him from the Siege of Mons, which was then very much straitened by him, and would in all probability have been lost within a few days: The French, who lay encamped between two Woods, the right Wing posted at St. Dennis, and their left at Mamoy St. Pierre, with such advantage, that besides the Woods, there was only a Precipice led to them, which made them almost inaccessible, thought themselves secure; but the Cannon playing briskly upon St. Dennis, and the valiant English, commanded by the Earl of Ossery, fal●ing on with their accustomed Courage and Fury, soon forced the Abbey, and compelled the French, posted there, to fly in great disorder to their main body, many of them being slain in the dispute, which was very hot: And the Duke of Luxenburgh, who was Commander there, as the French King's General, notwithstanding he had upon their first approach, (on a presumption that he lay encamped in a place which was impregnable) laughed at, and derided the vain Attempt, as he imagined, of forcing his Camp; finding he had now to do with the resolute English, and not the timorous Spaniards, or wary Germans, dislodged in great confusion, leaving his slain and many wounded Men behind, and the Tents standing as they were, to the Plunder of his victorious Enemies; whereby the relieving of Mons, a work thought little less than impossible, was easily performed, and the French King disappointed of his hopes: And had that succeess been followed and improved, the French King would in all probability have been reduced to great extremities, and have been glad to have accepted of Peace upon any Conditions he could have gotten; but the Peace which he had, upon the march of the English, hastily concluded a few days before at Nemeguen, put a stop to all farther hostilities.  
Things being brought to this happy conclusion abroad, new Stirs and Commotions begin to appear at home; For one Titus Oats, who had received Education & Orders in the Church of England, and was afterward (seemingly, or God knows how) reconciled to the Church of Rome, going first into Flanders, and then into Spain, ingratiated himself with the Jesuits and Priests in those parts, with a design, as he afterward pretended, to discover what they were plotting against England, returning about this time, informed the King of a Plot, carried on by the Jesuits, and others of the Roman Catholic Religion, against his Person and Life, the Protestant Religion, and the Government of the Kingdom; And that his Information might appear the more plausible, and be the more readily believed, he named divers Persons of Quality engaged in the Design, and what Instruments had been provided for his Assassination; affirming, that when he was once taken off, the remaining part of the Work, was to have been carried on by Arms, Foreign Assistance, and such other Expedients as they should have judged necessary for the success of their Enterprise. Whether there was any truth at all in this Relation, or how much there was, or whether the King at all believed it, is none of my business to determine, since I design as an Historian, only to relate matter of Fact; but certain it is, that many Troubles and Combustions were occasioned thereby, and several great and threatening Mischiefs have since fallen so thick upon these Kingdoms, that one hath ever trod upon the heels of another.  
Upon this Information the Privy-Councel sat twice a day, to consider and examine that Plot, and Sir George Wakeman, one of the Queen's Physicians, Mr. Coleman, the Duchess of York's Secretary, Mr. Langhorn of the Temple, and several others were committed close Prisoners; and the Lords Bellassis, Powis, Peter, Arundel of Warder, Castlemain, and Stafford, were secured in the Tower. And the Parliament sitting soon after, the King told them in his Speech, That he had been informed of a Design against his Person, carried on by the Papists, whereof he should forbear to give his opinion, lest he should seem to say too much, or too little, but would leave the matter wholly to the decision of the Law, without prejudging the persons accused: But the strict inquiry into that Matter having discovered many unwarrantable Practices of theirs, he thought he had reason to look to 'em. Although this Plot, in all the parts of it, was a complication of Mysteries, yet the greatest mystery of all seems to be the business of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, who being a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex, and a severe enemy to the Papists, as was generally supposed, took the Depositions of Oats and Tongue, and was soon after found dead in a Ditch, not far from Hampsted, with his Sword run through him, appearing to the Coroners Inquest, to have been first strangled, before he was brought thither; which was sworn by Bedloe, who came in upon the King's offer, in his Proclamation, of 500 l. to any that would discover the manner of his death; and Prance, who was apprehended by him, as he was attending in the Lobby of the Lords House, to be done by the Papists.  
The examination of this Plot, and the Murder of Godfrey, which they looked upon as a sufficient confirmation of its truth and reality, employed the Commons so assiduously, that they sat whole days to consult about it, without stirring from Morning till it was late at Night; the product whereof was, a Fast enjoined by Proclamation, throughout the Nation; the Minutes of that House, forbidden to be divulged; a Resolution entered by them in their Journal, That it was their Opinion, upon the Evidence that had already appeared to that House, there had been and was an execrable and hellish Design, contrived and carried on by the Papists for assassinating the King, subverting the Government, and destroying the Protestant Religion; a Proclamation, which banished all the reputed Papists ten Miles from London and Westminster, except Householders, who were obliged likewise to take the Oaths, or suffer the Penalties inflicted by Law upon the refusers of them; and another for the turning all Roman Catholics out of the Horse and Foot-Guards, wherein 20 l. was promised to those who should discover any Officer or Soldier who had formerly taken the Oaths and Test, and had since turned Papist.  
But the Commons not yet satisfied, it was moved in that House, That an Address should be made to the King, to remove the Duke of York from his Presence and Counsels, but he being informed of their intention, resolved to prevent them, and endeavour to take them off from their unseasonable heat, by assuring them of his steadfast Resolution to defend them in their just Rights and Privileges, and comply with any reasonable offer they should make for the security of the Protestant Religion; in order whereunto, he went the next day in his Robes to the House of Peers, and having commanded the Commons to attend him, in a Speech to both Houses, he gave them his hearty thanks for their extraordinary care, for the preservation of his Life in that time of danger; telling them, that he was as ready to join with them in all ways and means that might conduce to the establishment and security of the Protestant Religion, as their own hearts could wish, and that not only during his Life, but in future Ages, even to the end of the World; and therefore was come thither at that time, to assure them that whatsoever reasonable Bills they should at any time present to him, to be passed into Laws, for the rendering them safe in the Reign of his Successor, so as they tended not to impeach the Right of Succession, nor the Descent of the Crown in the true Line, and so also as they did not restrain and limit the just Rights and Power of the Throne, should find from him a ready concurrence: And to demonstrate his reality therein, when he had about the latter end of that Month a Bill presented to him, for the dissabling all Popish Members to sit in either House of Parliament, he gave his Royal Assent thereunto, tho' at the same time he refused another, which was for raising a third part of the Militia to be in constant Arms for a time; telling them, that that were to put the Militia out of his own power, which thing he would not do, no not for one hour; but promised, if they would assist him with Money for that purpose, to raise such a part of the Militia, as should secure the Peace of the Government and his own Person.  
And now several of those accused by Oats, and others, (for the Witnesses were by this time increased) were brought to Trial before Sir William Scroggs, than Lord Chief Justice of the King's bench; And those that gave evidence against them, being very positive in their Depositions, Coleman, Ireland, Pickering, Groves, Whitebread, Fenwick, Langhorn, and divers more, were at several times condemned and executed; and so was William Staley, a Goldsmith's Son in Covent-Garden, for speaking dangerous words against the King's Life; and three more, whose Names were Green, Berry, and Hill, upon the evidence of Bedloe and Prance, for the Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, Prance affirming, he was murdered in , and that himself assisted in the murdering of him: They every one died, denying what they were charged withal, and asserting their innocency with all the Solemn Protestations imaginable, which was credited, or disbelieved, according to people's various inclinations. And now some Members of Parliament began to accuse each other; Mr. Montague, who had been a little before Ambassador to the French King, carried up five Articles against the Treasurer Danby; and Sir John Ernly, another of the Commons, accused Montague, of holding a correspondency with the Pope's Nuncio at Paris, but for his good service, in accusing Danby, that was overlooked, and a resolution taken to proceed with severity against the Treasurer.  
This Parliament, which first began on the 8th of May, in the year 1661. and had now been continued, by several Prorogations and Adjournments, for 17 Years, 8 Months, and 17 Days, began to grow so presumptuous, that upon an Information, that Sir Joseph Williamson, than Secretary of State, had counter-signed several Commissions for Officers, who were Roman Recusants, with a Non obstante to the Oaths and Test, they took the boldness to commit him prisoner to the Tower; whereupon the King commanding them the next day to attend him in the Banqueting-house, briskly told them, That tho' they had committed his Servant, without acquainting him, yet he would deal more freely with them, in acquainting them with his intentions to release his Secretary; which he immediately ordered to be done, and finding there was but little good to be expected from their proceed, he prorogued them on the 30th of Decemb. and on the 24th of the following January, dissolved them by Proclamation, and called a new one, to sit on the 6th of the next March, issuing out Writs for the speedy choosing of them.  
From the Counsels and Debates of this new Parliament which met at the time appointed, the King expected more felicity than he had met with from those of the former; and therefore to prevent all occasions of disgust, and hinder them from falling with the like heat upon his Brother, desired the Duke to retire for some time beyond the Seas: for the Reasons expressed in the following Letter.  
The King's Letter to His Royal Highness.  
I Have already given You My resolves at large, why I think it fit You should absent Yourself for some time beyond the Seas: As I am truly sorry for the occasion, so may You be sure I shall never desire it longer than it will be absolutely necessary for Your Good and My Service. In the mean time, I think it proper to give You under My Hand, that I expect this compliance from You, and desire it may be assoon as conveniently You can. You may easily believe with what trouble I writ this to You, there being nothing I am more sensible of, than the constant kindness You have ever had for Me: I hope you are as just to Me, to be assured that no absence, nor any thing else, can ever change me from being truly and kindly Yours.  
and their advantage: Telling them moreover, that since his Neighbours were making Naval Preparations, he thought it necessary still to maintain a Fleet at Sea, and that it highly concerned them to provide a constant establishment for the Navy: And concluding his Speech, with his earnest desires to have that Parliament prove a Healing one, assuring them, that it was his constant resolution to defend with his Life the Protestant Religion, and the Laws of the Kingdom: and that he expected, in so doing, to be by them defended from the Calumny, as well as danger, of those worst of Men, who endeavoured to render both Him and his Government odious to his People. Advising them likewise by his Chancellor, the Earl of Nottingham, not to suffer their Zeal to outrun their Discretion, lest by being too far transported with the fears of Popery, they over-did their business, and by neglecting the opportunities of making sober and lasting Provisions against it, render themselves the unhappy occasion of making their own Counsels abortive.  
The Commons, as soon as they were returned to their House, made choice of Mr. Seymour for their Speaker, whom they looked upon as the fittest Person for that employment, in regard he had officiated therein in the former Parliament; but the King refusing to admit him, they chose Sergeant Gregory. And to convince the World that they were Leavened with the same Principles, and resolved to thwart the King's Designs for settling the Nations as much as the former had done, begun where they ended, ordering a Committee to inquire into the manner how Danby had sued out his Pardon which was granted him by the King, to secure the Earl, for whom he had a particular affection, having always found him faithful to his Interest, from all fear of Punishment for any pretended Crimes, supposing, as well he might, that they would not dispute his Power of Pardoning, since it was by the Law invested on him as one of the chiefest Jewels of his Crown. But finding, upon search, that the Pardon was not entered after its passing at the Secretary's Office, in any other Office, till it came to the Lord Chancellor, and so dispatched in a private manner; They Resolve upon an Address to the King, to represent to his Majesty the illegality and the dangerous consequence of granting Pardons to any Persons who lay under an Impeachment of the Commons, and desired the Lords, that he might be sequestered from their House, and put into safe Custody: who accordingly ordered the Usher of the Black Rod to take him, which he had done, had he not absented himself. Whereupon, a Bill was ordered to be brought in, to Command his surrendering himself by a certain day, or in default thereof, to stand attainted. And the Lords having in the mean while passed a Bill for Banishing and disabling of him, and sent it down to the Commons for their concurrence, it was rejected as a Censure too favourable; and a Vote passed for an Address to the King, that he would not permit him to reside in any of his Palaces of White-Hall,  or St. James': and another Address to be made for a Proclamation to apprehend him, and forbidden all the King's Subjects to harbour or conceal him. In the mean while, the Bill of Attainder was highly canvassed, at several conferences, between the two Houses, till at length the Earl saved them the labour of passing a Bill for his Attainder, by surrendering himself to the Usher of the Black-Rod.  
The Lords in the Tower were, at their first Imprisonment, found Guilty upon special indictments, by the Grand Jury of Middlesex, before special Commissioners sitting at Westminster. But that way of proceeding being for some Reasons waved, they were severally impeached by the Commons, and their Impeachment carried up to the Peers by Five Members of the House of Commons; to which they gave in their Answers in person, all but Bellafis, who being ill of the Gout, sent his in writing.  
The King, to content the Faction, if possible, on the 2d of April declared his pleasure to dissolve his Privy Council (with which they had showed themselves displeased), and constitute a new one; which for the time to come should consist of Thirty persons, Fifteen whereof were to be certain, viz. the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Lord Chancellor, one of the Chief Justices, the Admiral, the Master of the Ordinance, the Treasurer, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Privy Seal, the Master of the Horse, the Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, the Groom of the Stool, and the Two Secretaries: And the rest to be Elective at his pleasure; Ten out of the Nobility, and Five Commoners, besides such Princes of the Blood as should be at Court, A Lord Precedent, and a Secretary of Scotland. And according to that new Model, as many of them as were in Court, met the next morning in the Council-Chamber, and were sworn Privy Councillors: The King going the same day to the Parliament, acquainted the Two Houses with what he had done; and assured them he was resolved in all weighty and important Affairs, next to his great Council in Parliament, to be advised by that Privy Council. And it being his custom, as it had been his Fathers before him, to take off some hot Spirits, whose Parts and Abilities he judged might be improved to his own and the Publicks advantage, by promoting them to some Place or Office of Trust, or otherwise winning them to his Friendship, unless they were such whose Natures, corrupted by their designs, had rendered obstinate and implacable, as the Earl of Shaftsbury afterward appeared to be; he for the most part chose the other Fifteen, which were to complete his Council, out of their number, and made Shaftsbury Lord Precedent of it.  
The Parliament resolving to hasten the Trial of the Lords, Danby and Bellaasis, appeared in person at the Bar of the Lords House; where the former put in his Plea, and the other his Answer. And the next day Stafford, Arundel and Powis, appeared there likewise; and having retracted their former Pleas, which appeared insufficient to the Commons, they put in their further Answers.  
And the King commanding the Commons to attend him in the House of Lords, renewed the Assurances he had formerly given them, of his being ready to assent to any Laws they should provide for the security of the Protestant Religion, so that the Descent of the Crown in the Right Line, were not thereby defeated: And that he was willing a provision should be made to distinguish a Popish from a Protestant Successor; and limit the Authority of the former, if any such should be, by providing that all Church-preferments should be conferred on Pious and Learned Protestants: That the Parliament which should happen to be in being at his own Death; or if none, the last that sat, should thereupon assemble without any new Summons or Election: That during the Reign of any Popish Successor, no Privy Councillor, or Judge of the Common Law, or Chancery, should be put in, or displaced, but by consent of Parliament: That none should be Justices of Peace but Protestants; and that the Lord Lieutenants, and Deputy Lieutenants of Counties, and Officers in the Navy, should not be put in, nor removed, but by the Authority of Parliament: Telling them, he conceived it hard to invent any other Restraint to be put on a Popish Successor; Yet if any thing did occur to their Wisdom, whereby their Religion and Liberties might be better secured, he was ready to consent to it.  
Whereupon the Commons, after they had several times adjourned the consideration of this Speech, on the 11th of May, resolved, That they would stand by His Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes: And that if he should come by any violent Death, which they prayed God to avert, they would revenge it to the utmost upon the Papists; According to which Vote an Address was drawn up, and presented by them to the King, with this Variation in the form of words, We shall be ready to revenge upon the Papists any violence offered by them to your Sacred Majesty; which words were neither expressed nor intimated in their Vote, although absolutely necessary and essential to the Justice of their designed Revenge.  
And without taking the least notice of the Resolution expressed in his Speech, Not to suffer any alteration in the Descent to the Throne, brought in a Bill to disable his Royal Highness to inherit the Imperial Crown of England; which being put to the Vote, was carried in the Affirmative by One and Twenty Voices; but being prorogued soon after, it proceeded no further.  
In the mean while the Two Houses were very earnest in debating the methods, whereby they should bring the Lords in the Tower to their Trials: And Danby being demanded at the Bar of the Lords House, Whether he would rely on, and abide by the Plea of his Pardon, returned for answer; That having been advised by his Council, his Pardon was good in Law, he would insist upon his Plea; and requested his Council might be heard: And the Lords acquainting the Commons with his desire, instead of granting it, they in the Names of the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in Parliament, and all the Commons of England, demanded Judgement against him upon the Impeachment, affirming his Pardon to be illegal and void. However, the Lords appointed him a day to argue his Plea, and ordered the Five Lords to be tried the Week after, and an Address to be made to the King for the appointing a Lord Steward for their Trials. But the Commons not satisfied with their proceed, desired a Committee of both Houses might consider of the most proper methods of proceeding upon Impeachments, according to the usage of Parliament; but the Lords refused it, as contrary to the known Rules and Orders of their House, which ever was, and aught to be tender in matters relating to their Judicature. Whereupon the Commons resolved, That no Commoner should presume to maintain the Validity of the Pardon pleaded by Danby, without the leave of that House: And that the persons so doing, should be accounted Betrayers of the Liberties of the Commons of England. Upon which the Lords, to take away all occasion of disgust between the Two Houses, receded from their former resolution, and appointed a Committee to treat with them: but a difference arising in that joint Committee, about the Bishops Right to be present at Trials in capital cases; the Lords affirming, they might stay till the Court proceeded to the Vote of Guilty, or Not Guilty; and the Commons denying it, the Bishops endeavoured to find out a Medium which might satisfy both; and therefore desired leave of the Lords to withdraw themselves from the Trials, with liberty of entering their usual protestations. But this not satisfying the Commons, they resolved not to proceed to the Trial of the Five Lords, before Judgement given on Danby's Pardon; and to insist upon the Bishops having no Right of Voting in capital Offences; which made the King, who saw that these heats took up their whole time, and prevented their entering upon such Debates as more nearly concerned them, and would have conduced more toward the settling of the Nation, thought it best to prorogue them, in hopes that in their next meeting their Debates might be more happy and unanimous.  
About this time the Faction ran higher in Scotland, and boiled into an open Rebellion, which took its first beginning from the barbarous Murder of Dr. Sharp, Archbishop of St. Andrews, and Primate of that Kingdom, on the 3d of May, 1679. by a company of inve●●●ate Covenanters, as he was travelling from Edinburgh to his own Residence; who had born him an immortal hatred, because having formerly been one of their Party, he had revolted, as they termed his honest Reformation: But appeared more visible toward the latter end of that Month in the Western parts of Scotland, when a party of Rebels, well mounted and armed, coming to Rugland, proclaimed the Covenant, burned the following Acts of Parliament, viz. Those which concerned the King's Supremacy, the Establishment of Episcopacy, the appointing the Anniversary of the 29th of May, and the Recissory Act; by which all the Mock-Laws made in the late Anarchy, were repealed: And published an insolent Declaration, full of Treason, and stuffed with the very Spirit and Quintessence of Rebellion, inviting others to join with them; which the Covenanters (commonly there called WHIGS; from whence the Name was afterward brought into England, and applied to all the Dissenting Party) accepted of, and flocked so fast to them, that their Army increased daily to such a considerable number, that they became formidable. Whereupon the King hastened away the Duke of Monmouth, as his Generalissimo, to suppress them; which with the Assistance of the Loyal Gentry and Herritors of that Nation, he easily performed in one Battle at Bothwell-Bridg: For having forced his passage over the Bridge, and seized the only piece of Cannon they had, they fled toward Hamilton-Park: And although they afterward rallied again, and Faced about, upon the advantage of a rising ground, yet so soon as the Cannon began to play on them, they all fled in disorder and confusion; Robert Hamilton, who was their chief Commander, being one of the first. There were many of the Rebels killed in the place, and several hundreds taken Prisoners, whereof some few were Executed.  
The King, who was willing to try all means to please and satisfy his people, fearing the Animosities of that Parliament were too great to admit of a Reconciliation, and would prevent their doing any thing which would tend to his, or the Kingdom's benefit, on the 10th of July dissolved it by Proclamation, and declared his Resolution to call a new one, which should sit on the 17th of the following October.  
In the mean while Sir George Wakeman, with Marshal, Rumley and Corker, three Benedictine Monks, were tried before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, for High Treason, relating to the Plot: But the Evidence of Oats and Bedlow, beginning now to be less credited than formerly, and the ferment of people's fury being somewhat abated, the Jury brought them in Not Guilty; and Wakeman was thereupon discharged from his Imprisonment, as the other Three had likewise been, had they not in their Defence upon their Trials, acknowledged themselves to be Priests.  
Wakeman's being thus acquitted, startled the Mobille, who expected all that were accused of that Plot, should have been condemned of course, without respect to the Truth or Falsehood of the Accusation. And the Faction endeavoured to improve their dissatisfaction into Rage and Sedition, by several scurrilous Libels, wherein they accuse Scroggs of perverting Justice, and taking a Bribe of several thousand Guinneas from the Spanish Ambassador, to save Wakeman's Life; from which Aspersions he sufficiently cleared himself in a Speech which he made in the Kings-Bench-Court, on the first day of the ensuing Michaelmas-Term.  
During this interval of Parliament, the King was violently taken ill of an Ague at Windsor, insomuch, that his Life was thought to be in some danger: Whereupon the Duke (as well to demonstrate his Affection to his Brother, as to prevent the danger which, as things than stood, might peradventure have happened to him in case the King should have died in his absence) came Post from Flanders to Windsor. But Heaven designing to lengthen out his Life, till he had reduced the great Affairs of the Nation to a better Settlement, and could leave his Succession more safe and secure; it pleased God that he recovered his Health soon after to the great Joy of all the whole Nation. And the City to express the pleasure they took therein, sent the Lord Mayor, and the Court of Aldermen, with a Train of thirty Coaches, and about a hundred Horse, to Congratulate him upon his Recovery; and when he returned soon after to White-Hall, many Bonfires were made throughout the whole City, attended with great Acclamations of Joy, and Expressions of Loyalty.  
Whilst he lay Sick at Windsor, the Duke of Monmouth, who had been by the King's favour raised to as high a Station as a Subject was well capable of (being then Lord General of all His Majesty's Land Forces, Master of the Horse, and Captain of the King's Life-Guards) not content with the Honours already heaped upon him; but aspiring, as was thought (although without all Reason, in regard of his Illegitimacy) to the Crown itself; endeavoured to prevail with some great Men at Court, to take part with his Interest; which being made known to the King by the Earl of Oxford, who having for his eminent Loyalty, a considerable party of Horse under his Command, commonly called the Lord of Oxford's Troop; was importuned by Sir Thomas Armstrong (as was reported, either in direct terms, or so as his meaning might easily be understood) to declare himself for Monmouth, in case the King should die. He conceived a just Indignation against him for that bold and audacious Attempt, and discovered his incensed Majesty, by taking away his Commission of Lord General, and soon after of his remaining places of Captain of the Lifeguard, Master of the Horse, Governor of Hull, etc. And to prevent Peoples being deluded by his Chimerical Fictions, published a Declaration, wherein having first taken notice of the great Industry and Malice wherewith men of seditious and restless Spirits spread abroad a most false and scandalous Report of a Marriage or Contract of Marriage at least, between Mrs. walter's (who was that Duke's Mother) and him; designing thereby to fill the minds of his loving Subjects with doubts and fears, and divide them if possible into Parties, by bringing into question the clear and undoubted Right of his true and lawful Heirs and Successors to the Crown; he did, to obviate the fatal consequences▪ so dangerous and malicious a report might have in future times upon the Peace of his Kingdoms, assure them, That having found a former Rumour that there was a writing yet extant, and lately produced before several Persons▪ whereby that Marriage or Contract at least would appear, was not only revived again, but improved also wit● new Additions, by insinuating tha● several Lords and others were yet living, who were pretended to b●● present at the Marriage; h● had (notwithstanding, he knew fu●● well it was impossible there should b● any truth in this Report, since no●● thing in the World could be mor● false and groundless, than the pretence of such a Marriage or Contract b●●tween him and the said Mrs. Walter● alias Barlow) called before him, an● caused to be interrogated in Council such Lords and other Persons, as the common rumour surmised to have been present at the pretended Marriage, or to know something of it, or of the said writing. And that, though it than appeared to all his Council upon their hearing the said Persons severally Interrogated, and their denial to have been ever present at any such Marriage, or to know any thing of it, or of any such writing; that the raising and spreading that Report, which was so inconsistent with itself, was the effect of deep malice in some few, and of lose and idle discourse in others; yet he thought it requisite for the satisfying all in general, to publish a Declaration he had made in the January was Twelvemonth, written with his own Hand, in the following words.  
There being a false and malicious Report, industriously spread abroad by some who are neither Friends to me, or the Duke of Monmouth; as if I should have been either Contracted or Married to his Mother; and though I am confident that this idle Story cannot have any effect in this Age; yet I thought it my Duty in relation to the true Succession of this Crown, and that future Ages may not have any pretence to give disturbance upon that Score, or any other of this nature, to declare, as I do here Declare in the Presence of Almighty God, That I never was Married, nor gave any Contract to any Woman whatsoever, but to my Wife Queen Katherine, to whom I am now Married. In Witness whereof he had set his Hand at White-Hall, the 6th of January, 1678-79. In the Presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the two Secretaries, Coventry and Williamson.  
And assured them, that to strengthen that Declaration, he had in the March following, made a more public and solemn Declaration to the same purpose in his Privy Council written, likewise, with his own Hand, and had caused a true Transcript thereof to be entered into the Council Book, which for the better Confirmation he Signed with his own hand, and caused the Lords of the Privy Council then present, to do so too, and had ordered the Original to be kept in the Council Chest, where it still remains.  
This Declaration was likewise inserted, as it was entered in the Council Books, and was as follows.  
For the avoiding of any Dispute which may happen in time to come, concerning the Succession of the Crown; I do here Declare in the Presence of Almighty God, That I never gave nor made any Contract of Marriage, nor was Married to any Woman whatsoever, but to my present Wife Queen Katherine. White Hall the 3d day of March, 167 ●/●. CHARLES R.  
And that no●e might still remain doubtful, or question the Truth of his former Declaration, he concluded that Declaration with the following Protestation.  
And we do again upon this occasion call Almighty God to Witness, and declare upon the Faith of a Christian, and the Word of a King, That there was never any Marriage had or made between us, and the said Mrs. walter's, alias Barlow, the Duke of Monmouths' Mother, nor between Us and any Woman whatsever, our Royal Consort Queen Katherine, that is, only excepted. Requiring and Commanding all his Subjects of what degree soever, that they should not presume to utter or publish any thing contrary to the Tenor of that Declaration at their Peril, and upon pain of being proceeded against according to the utmost Severity and Rigour of the Law.  
Whereby all the groundless hopes of that Duke, and the idle and ridiculous Expectations of many factious and designing Persons were wholly disappointed. And he was moreover commanded by the King to departed the Land, which he did on the 23d of September, and went over to Vtrecbt, but returned again privately and without order, about the latter end of the next month.  
About this time there was much discourse of a new Plot, and several Narratives published about it, wherein the Papists, as was affirmed, had contrived to charge the Presbyterians with a conspiracy against the Government; the chief Discoverer whereof was one Dangerfield, who had formerly been a vile and profligate Fellow, and was then newly got out of Newgate. Several Persons were accused by him as Conspirators therein, the chief whereof was the Countess o● Powis, Sir Robert Payton, Gadbury, and one Cellier, a Widwife, in whose house Sir William Waller pretended to find some Papers that related to the Conspiracy, from whence it was called the Meal-Tub Plot, and the Effigies of the Pope in all his Pontificalibus, was on the Birthday of Queen Elizabeth, which is the 17th of November, Burned with much more Pomp and Splendour than it had been in former years (it having been a custom for several late years so to do.) The Effigies of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was carried on a Horse, with a Bellman to mind the people of his Murder; several Priests in Copes, with a large silver Cross, six Jesuits, divers Bishops, some in thin Lawn Sleeves, and others with their Copes and Mitres on, and six Cardinals going in procession before him.  
The King having according to his promise, called a new Parliament to meet on the 17th of October, Prorogues it to the 26th of the following January; and toward the latter end of November, the Duke of York went into Scotland, where his Presence was very acceptable, and all Persons declared the great satisfaction they took in having him amongst them.  
The appointed time of the Parliaments sitting drawing near, great endeavours were used for the procuring a multitude of Hands to Petitions, which were to be presented to the King for his permitting the Parliament to Sat on the 26th of January, according to the last prorogation; which petitioning being unwarrantable and tumultuous, he ordered the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to take care for the preservation of his Honour, and the Peace and safety of the City, and not suffer such Persons that should sign such Petitions, or go about to get hands to them, to escape unpunished; and issued out a Proclamation to forbid all such kind of petitioning; and another to declare his Resolution for the farther prorogation to the 11th of November; notwithstanding which, some resolutely went on with their petitioning; and not long after, one from London, subscribed with many Thousand hands, and others from York, Essex, Surrey, and Wiltshire, were presented to Him, which he received indeed; but knowing that such kind of Petitions were rather Commands than Requests, resolved not to gratify the unruly Petitioners, and therefore on the 26th of January, when those Members who were in Town, met according to custom at the Parliament-House, he acquainted them, That when he declared in Council his Intention of putting off the Parliament to a time so remote as November, it was not without mature Consideration; and that he saw nothing which had happened since in reference to the Affairs within the Kingdom, which gave him occasion to alter or repent that Resolution; and that although he would in regard to the present danger which threatened some of his Neighbours and Allies, appoint a day for their meeting again in April, yet the Distractions and Jealousies at Home were of such a nature, and had been so heightened and improved by the malice and industry of ill men, that he was unalterably of an opinion, that a longer interval would be absolutely necessary for composing men's minds, in order to which he feared the most proper Remedies would prove ineffectual without the assistance of some farther time; and therefore resolved, that at their meeting in April, there should be a farther prorogation unless the condition of his Allies abroad, did then require their immediate assistance.  
In the mean while Articles of high Misdemeanour were offered by way of complaint to the King and Council against the Chief Justice Scroggs, by Oats and Bedlow, to which he returned his Answer, and so the business fell. And in Hillary Term Sir Thomas Gascoigne a Yorkshire Gentleman of 85 Years of Age was arraigned at the King's Bench Bar, on an Information of High Treason; the Witnesses against him, being Balron, and Mowberry two of his own Servants; but their Evidence being somewhat doubtful and improbable, he was acquitted.  
The King opened the Year 80, (which was remarkable for many revolutions, though all in the end concluded peaceable and well) with calling the Duke out of Scotland, who was upon his arrival complemented by the Mayor, aldermans, Recorder, and Common-Council of London: About which time also, Secretary Coventry having resigned his office, the King made choice of Sir Lionel Jenkins to succeed him, and on the 15th of April the King being absent at Newmarket, ordered his Chancellor Finch by virtue of a Commission under the great Seal to prorogue the Parliament to the 17th of May, from whence it was afterwards prorogued to the first of July.  
And now several Countries which had been active in promoting petitions, began to be ashamed and recant their Actions; the City of Westminster leading the way, their Grand-Jury by a public and formal act disowning the Action, and charging it on certain factious persons unknown to them, which they desire Mr. Withins, Steward of that Court, to represent in their Names to the King, which he accordingly did, and received the Honour of Knighthood as a Reward of his Loyalty. After which several such like addresses were directed from many of the Counties; and that from Norfolk had a farther acknowledgement of their humble thanks to the King for calling home the Duke. And the Lord Shandois having been elected by the Turkey Company to go Ambassador to Constantinople, and desiring the King's approbation; the King 〈◊〉 him, that having been concerned in promoting petitions, which were derogatory to his Prerogative, and tended to sedition, he could not think him fit for his Favour; whereupon he humbly acknowledged his fault to the King in Council, protesting ●●at he had been misled and drawn into it, by being persuaded it was for his Majesty's Service; but being now better informed, he abhorred and disowned all such Practices, and humbly begging his Pardon, he as freely obtained it.  
Upon the 18th of May so great a Storm of Hail fell in London and the adjacent parts, that the like had not been seen in many Years before, the Stones being of an extraordinary bigness, and very hard till they had lain a while, many of them being as large as Pullet's Eggs. One which I saw measured was somewhat more than Nine Inches about; several Rooks in the Temple Garden being beaten down and killed with them, and the Glass of many Sky-lights battered and broken to pieces.  
And now the Parliament which had been several times this Summer prorogued, met on the 21st of October, according to ●he King's Declaration to them at their meeting in April; to whom he declared, in a Speech to both Houses, That he had, during that long prorogation, made Alliances with Holland and Spain, and desired money of them for the relieving Tangier, the defence whereof had very much exhausted his Treasure; and advising them not to meddle with the Succession of the Crown, but proceed to the discovery of the Plot, and the Trial of the Lords.  
The Commons having chosen Mr. Williams, a Barrister of Gray's Inn, and Recorder of Chester, for their Speaker, to convince the World, that the King had not without Reason deferred their sitting so long; and that neither he, nor the Nation would have been losers if they had not sat then, fell to purging their house, expelling Sir Robert Can, a Burgess for Bristol, for having said, there was no other Plot but a Presbyterian one; and Sir Francis Withins, for having declared himself an Abhorrer of the late tumultuous Petitions for the Parliaments sitting. The former was committed by them to the Tower, and both ordered to receive their Censure on their knees from the Speaker: Several other Members were likewise declared guilty of the same Offence with Sir Francis Withins. And not content with punishing their own Members, they take notice of others, who were without their Walls, amongst whom Sir George Jeffries, Recorder of London, one of the King's Sergeants at Law, and Chief Justice of Chester, became the Object of their displeasure, and was Voted a Betrayer of the Subject's Rights; and an Address was made to the King to remove him from all public Affairs: and Impeachments Voted and drawn up against Sir Francis North, Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, Sir William Scrogs, Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench, Sir Thomas Jones, one of the puisny Judges of that Court, and Sir Richard Weston, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, for several pretended misdemeanours; that of Sir Francis North being the advising and drawing up of the Proclamation against Petitions.  
But not contenting themselves to deal with Subjects, they proceeded next to a matter of a far greater concern: For on the 11th of November, notwithstanding the King's desire at their opening, That they would not meddle with the Succession; a Bill passed in the House of Commons, entitled, An Act for securing the Protestant Religion, by disabling James Duke of York from inheriting the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland, and the Territories thereunto belonging: which notwithstanding all the opposition made against it by the  and Judicious Loyalists (who though their Reasons were strongest, yet their number were fewest) was carried up to the Peers by the Lord Russel, attended by almost all the Commons, who gave a Hum at the delivery of it. The Lords having ordered it, upon their departure, to be read, put it to the Vote, whether it should be read a second time; which being carried in the Affirmative by Two Voices only, after the second reading it was debated till Eleven a Clock at night, the King being present all the while; and then thrown out of the House by a Majority of about Thirty Voices; in which number were all the Bishops then present, to show how careful the Prelacy is to promote Monarchy.  
Soon after the Parliament proceeded to the Trial of William Lord Viscount Stafford, which began in Westminster-Hall on Tuesday the 30th of November; and the Impeachment and Evidence upon the same were managed by a Committee of the Commons; and the Witnesses against him were Oats, Turberville, and Dugdale. The Lord Chancellor Finch was created Lord High Steward for the solemnity of his Trial, which lasted a whole week; and being found Guilty by the Majority of Four and Twenty Voices, he received Sentence on the 17th of December; and on the 29th of that Month was beheaded on Tower-Hill, protesting his Innocency with his last breath; as all those had done who died for the Plot before him. Some were so bold as to question the King's power to dispense with the Rigour of the Sentence; and the unhappy Lord Russel was said to be one of them.  
During these public Transactions, a large and prodigious flame of Light appeared in the West: The Star from which the Blaze proceeded, was but small; and when first discovered, seemed to be not much above the Horizon; but every night after appeared somewhat higher in the beginning of the night, and consequently set later, its lustre and magnitude decreasing by degrees. Whether this finger of the Almighty so visibly seen in the Heavens, portended good or bad Events to the World in general, or England in particular, is a matter too mysterious for me to unfold; and therefore shall I leave it till made more plain by the Effects, which will be the best Commentatary thereon.  
The King finding the Commons taken up with other business, without taking the least care of providing him Money for the supplying his pressing wants, and the relieving Tangier, then besieged by the Emperor of Morocco, recommended the matter more seriously to them, in his Speech on the 15th of December: But all the Answer he could obtain from them, was an Address, complaining of several pretended Grievances, and refusing all supplies of Money for the Relief of Tangier, or any other use, unless he would pass a Bill for the Exclusion of the Duke; and to enable all Protestants to associate themselves for the security of the Protestant Religion: which Address he answered by a message to the Commons, wherein he let them know, That he had received their Address with all the disposition they could wish to comply with their reasonable desires; but upon perusal of it, he was sorry to see their thoughts so fixed on the Bill of Exclusion, as to determine all other Remedies for the suppressing of it, to be ineffectual; telling them, That he was confirmed in his Opinion against the Bill by the Judgement of the Lords, in their rejecting it; advising them to consider of all other means for preservation of the Protestant Religion, to which they should have no Reason to doubt his concurrence; and urging them again to make some speedy provision for the preservation of Tangier.  
Upon the consideration of which Speech, they were so far from complying with his reasonable desires, that they Resolved, as the Opinion of the House, That there was no security for the Protestant Religion, the King's Life, or the well Constituted and Established Government of this Kingdom, without the Bill of Exclusion; and that to rely upon any other Remedy, were insufficient and dangerous: That till such a Bill was past, they could give the King no supply without danger to his Person, hazard to the Protestant Religion, and unfaithfulness to those by whom they were trusted: And that all persons who advised him in that Message to insist upon an Opinion against the Exclusion-Bill, had given him pernicious Counsel, and were promoters of Popery, and Enemies both to him and the Kingdom; naming Hallifax, Worcester, Clarendon, Feversham, and Laurence Hid, Esq against whom they Voted an Address to the King, to remove them from all Offices of honour and profit, and from his Councils and presence forever: Voting moreover, That whosoever shall Lend, or cause to be Lent by way of Advance, any Money upon the branches of the King's Revenue, arising by Custom, Excise, or Hearth-Money, should be adjudged to hinder the sitting of Parliaments, and should be responsible for the same. But their presumption running so high, the King resolved, by a Prorogation, to give them time to cool themselves, which he did on the Monday following, being the 10th of July; when he past Two Bills, one about Irish , and the other for burying in Woollen; the latter whereof proved very advantageous to the Nation by the advance of Wool, which is accounted the most staple Commodity of this Kingdom. The Commons, by some means or other, were informed of the King's design of proroguing them; and therefore so soon as they were set that morning, the very first thing they did, was to thunder out their Threatening Votes, That whosoever advised the King to prorogue that Parliament, to any other purpose than in order to the passing the Bill of Exclusion, should be looked upon as a Betrayer of the King, the Protestant Religion, and the Kingdom of England, a promoter of the French Interest, and a Pensioner to France.  
And in a Common-Council, assembled 'bout Two or Three days after in London, a Petition was ordered to be drawn up, and presented to the King, wherein they set forth, That the Parliament having convicted One of the Po●ish Lords, and being about to convict the other Four; and having impeached the Chief Justice, and being about to impeach other Judges, and all in order to the preservation of his Life, etc. they were much surprised to see it prorogued in the height of their business: and that their only hope was, its being done with a design to bring such Affairs about again, as were necessary to the settling the Nation: Praying that they might therefore sit at the day appointed, and so continue till they had effected the great Affairs before them. But before the 20th of January arrived, to which they had been prorogued, the King declared them dissolved by Proclamation, and intimated his pleasure to call another, to sit on the 24th of March, at Oxford. After which a Petition was delivered him by Essex, and some others of the popular Lords, for the altering his Resolution for the Parliaments sitting at Oxford, upon pretence, That neither himself nor they could be in safety there, but would be daily exposed to the Swords of the Papists and their Adherents; whereby their Liberty of Speech would be destroyed, and the Validity of their Acts and Proceed left disputable. Urging likewise the straitness of the place, which they affirmed was altogether unfit for the entertaining such a concourse of persons as now followed every Parliament: And that the Witnesses which were to give Evidence upon the Commons Impeachment, were unable to bear the charges of that Journey, and unwilling to trust themselves under the protection of a Parliament, which was itself under the power of Guards and Soldiers; praying it might therefore sit at Westminster.  
The Parliament which met at Oxford, was for the most part made up o● Old Members, which were chosen again for the same places for which they had served before: And contrary to the ancient custom of their Treating th● Country, the Country now in many places Treated them; or at least, every man bore his own charges. Abou● Eight days before their sitting, the King having appointed certain Companies of Foot, and several Troops of Horse to keep Guard in the Mews during his absence, removed to Oxford, where he was received and presented by the Mayor and Body of that City, at the East-Gate, and from thence attended with great Acclamations, and all other demonstrations of Joy; and was the next day waited on and complemented by the body of the University, who presented him with a large Oxford-Bible, and the Queen with the Cuts belonging to the History and Antiquity of the University; both richly bound.  
Most of the Members, as well Commons as Lords, went thither, attended with a numerous Train of Friends. At the opening of the Sessions, the King told them, That the unwarrantable proceed of the last House of Commons, was the only Reason why he had dissolved them: And that ●s he would never use Arbitrary Government himself, so he was Resolved never to suffer it in others. That whosoever should calmly consider the proceed in the last Parliament, might perhaps wonder at his patience so long, rather than that he grew weary at last. That it was as much his interest and care as theirs, to preserve the Liberty of the Subject, since the Crown could not be safe when that was in danger: And that neither Liberty nor Property could long subsist, when the just Prerogatives of the Crown were invaded, or the Honour of the Government brought low, and into disreputation: Assuring them, That he had called them so soon, to show that the Irregularities of Parliaments should never make him out of love with them: And that he thought the just care they ought to have of Religion, should not be so managed and improved into unnecessary Fears, as to be made a pretence for changing the Foundation of the Government: and therefore hoped the Example of the former ill success which had attended such kind of Heats, would dispose them to a better Temper, and prevent their laying so much weight upon any One Expedient, as to refuse all others as ineffectual and to no purpose; advising them to remember, that without the Safety and Dignity of the Monarchy, neither Religion nor Property could be preserved, which was the Reason why he had not, nor could not departed from what he had formerly so often declared touching the Succession. But to remove all reasonable Fears which might arise from the possibility of a Popish Successor's coming to the Crown, if means could be found out, that in such a case the Administration of the Government might remain in Protestant hands, he should be ready to hearken to any such Expedient, whereby Religion might be preserved, and Monarchy not destroyed; wishing them to provide for both, because they supported each other. And that they would make the known Established Laws of the Land the Rules and Measures of all their Votes; assuring them, that he would ever make them the Rules of his Actions.  
After the Speech, the Commons repaired to their House, and chose for ●heir Speaker, Williams, who had ●een Speaker of the last Westminster-Parliament. And being informed upon the 26th, That the Lords had refused to proceed upon the Impeachment of Edward Fitz-Harris (who having been seized upon the Information of Everard, one of the Evidences about the Po●●sh Plot, and Sir William Waller, for having framed an Impudent and Damnable Libel against the King and Government, had in hopes of saving his Life by that means, confessed himself Guilty of what he was charged with; and had the confidence to say, he was employed by the King: pretending moreover to make several considerable Discoveries about the Popish Plot; and accusing the Earl of Danby of having a hand in the Murder of Godfrey; whereupon he was impeached by the Commons of High Treason, upon a pretence, that there were matters of too high a Nature in his Trial to be managed in an Inferior Court)▪ and had directed, that he should be proceeded against at the Common Law. They with the usual Hea● wherewith the Affairs of that Hous● had been for some time managed, Volted that Refusal of the Lords, to be ● Denial of Justice, a Violation of th● Constitution of Parliaments, an Ob●struction to the Discovery of th● Plot, and of great danger to His Ma●jesties Person, and the Protestant Reli●gion; And that for any Inferior Court to proceed against him, or any other person impeached by Parliament, was an high Breach of the privileges of Parliaments. And notwithstanding the many mischiefs that had always followed upon, and were the Natural Consequences of such Attempts, on Monday following a Bill was brought likewise into that Parliament against the Duke's Succession: And having been read once, was ordered a second reading. Whereupon the King perceiving it would be impossible for them to do any thing that might tend to the Honour and Settlement of the Nation, whilst the Two Houses were so divided with Heats and Animosities; and the Commons time wholly taken up in debating a matter that no way concerned them, resolved to interpose his power for deciding the quarrel, and convince them, That he would no longer endure to be trifled with and affronted: And therefore having sent for the Commons to the House of Lords, he told them, That to prevent the ill Effects he foresaw would follow upon the Heats between them and the Lords, he had ordered the Chancellor to dissolve them, which was done immediately, and the King returned the same night to Windsor, and the next morning to White-Hall. And knowing how industrious some ill minded persons would be to improve that Dissolution for the misrepresenting his Actions; to prevent his Subjects being deluded by their fair pretences, and bold, though false Affirmations, he published a Declaration, wherein he acquainted them with the Reasons which induced him to dissolve both that and the last Westminster-Parliament: and assured them, That he was not however out of love with Parliaments, notwithstanding the unwarrantable proceed of the Two former; but would frequently advise with them, as his great Council, in hopes ere long to find his people in a better Temper.  
As the dissolution of this Parliament was accounted by the more Intelligent a very wise and politic Act, from whence he might expect many good effects; so the consequence answered the Expectation: for now all the Weekly Intelligences, and the factious and scurrilous Libels, which the Pres● had vomited out in great Numbers whilst they expected impunity from the Parliament, were suppressed, and easily bushed into silence by an Order of Council.  
Sir Francis Pemberton succeeding Scroggs in the Chief Justiceship, great Expectation there was to see what would be done in the case of Fitz-Harris; but all the Judges of England having met about it in the Exchequer-Chamber, they resolved that they might notwithstanding the Impeachment and the Commons Vote, proceed to try him: And the next day a Bill was preferred and found by the Grand-Jury of Middlesex, and thereupon he was on the last day of the Term arraigned at the Bar of the Kings-Bench. But being Three several Times bid to hold up his hand, he refused, insisting upon his impeachment in Parliament, and his right to be tried before them; but being at last prevailed upon to hold up his hand, and hear his Indictment read, which was for High Treason, expressed in a certain Writing, called, The True English Man, full of most horrid Expressions against the King, as if he had been a Conspirator in the Plot against himself, and thereupon exciting the Nation to rise against him as one man; he put in a dilatory Plea against the Jurisdiction of the Court; alleging, that having been impeached by the Commons in Parliament, he could not be tried there; but the Plea being not under Councils Hand, was refused. However he had Time given him to consider whether he would stand by such a Plea, in regard it might prove fatal to him, in case it should be overruled; and Winnington, Williams, Pollixfen and Wallop were assigned him for Council according to his desire, to argue the said point of Judicature the next Wednesday, if he resolved to persist in his Plea; which he resolving to do on Wednesday, was brought again to the Bar, attended with his Council, when the Attorney-General entered a Demurrer to his Plea, and Saturday Morning was appointed for his Council to maintain his Plea by Argument, if they could; and the Court having then heard what could be said on both sides, declared that they meddled not at all with the Privilege of the House of Commons, or the Jurisdiction of the Lords in Parliament, but only with the Form of the Plea; and after the debate was over, the Chief Justice declared they would take a convenient time to consider, before they would give their Judgement.  
On the Wednesday following being brought again to the Bar, the Court declared they had considered the Plea, and consulted with other Judges about it; and were of opinion, it was insufficient; and was therefore overruled, and the Prisoner ordered to plead over; Whereupon he pleaded Not guilty, and had till the first Thursday in the next Term allowed him for his Trial.  
In the mean while many Loyal Addresses flowed from all parts of the Nation full of Congratulations and Thanks to the King for his late Declaration. And in Trinity-Term, Dr. Oliver Plunket was Tried for High-Treason, the Evidence against him being all professed Papists, affirmed he was made Primate of Ireland by the Pope at the French Kings Recommendation; and that he having thereupon engaged to do that King all the Service he could, had actually levied amongst his Popish Clergy great Sums of Money to introduce the French Dominion, and extirpate the Protestants out of that Kingdom; upon which evidence he was found Guilty, and was together with Fitz-harris, who received his Trial the next day, executed at Tyburn on the first of the following July, protesting his innocency, and praying for the King, Queen, and Duke.  
Presently after the Trial of Fitz-Harris, his Wife and Maid accused the Lord Howard of Escrick of contriving the Treasonable Libel for which he was convicted, who was thereupon committed to the Tower: And in a Paper delivered at his Execution to Dr. Haukins Minister of the Tower, for his Wife, he confirmed that accusation, denying what he had formerly confessed about Danby and the Plot; affirming he was drawn into that confession only through hopes of saving his Life thereby. But a Bill of Indictment against Howard being delivered on the last day of the Term to the Grand-Jury of Edmonton Hundred, sworn to by Fitz-harris's Wife, and Maid, and by some others, that Jury pretending to be unsatisfied with the Evidence, would have endorsed it with an Ignoramus, had not one of the Clerks of the Crown, who attended them, withdrawn it from them, for which notwithstanding they were told by the Court, the King's Attorney might stop such proceed as he saw occasion; they preferred a Bill of Indictment against the Clerk to the Jury of Oswelston Hundred there attending, for that pretended Misdemeanour.  
The Reason why some Persons went so well attended to the Oxford Parliament began now to appear; for about this time there was discovery made of a design of seizing the King's Person whilst he was there, and several factious People were thereupon committed to the Tower, viz. Rouse, Haynes, White, College, and the Earl of Shaftsbury, whose Papers were likewise seized. At the Sessions which began soon after, he and Howard moved to be bailed, but the Judges told them, it lay not in their power to bail out of the Tower.  
At this Sessions, and Indictment of High Treason was preferred to the Grand-Jury of London against one of those lately committed to the Tower, whose Name was College: But in regard he was a busy factious Fellow, and ever loved to meddle most with that he lest understood, and pass his ignorant censures upon the great Affairs of State, He was the more commonly known by the Name of the Protestant Joiner. But notwithstanding the Evidence against him was full and clear, they returned an Ignoramus upon the Bill; whereupon part of the Treasonable Words and Matters, for which he was there Indicted, being transacted at Oxford whilst the Parliament sat there, the Cause was removed to that Assizes; where he was before the Lord Chief Justice North tried upon the same Evidence, and condemned and executed.  
In a Parliament held at this time in Scotland, the Duke of York presided as the King's High Commissioner, and an Act was past which asserted the Right of Succession to the Imperial Crown of Scotland; asserting it to be by inherent right, and that the nature of the Monarchy was such, that by the fundamental and unalterable Law of the Realm it transmitted and devolved by Lineal Succession according to proximity of Blood; and that no difference in Religion, no Law, nor Act of Parliament could alter or divert the Right of Succession of the Crown to the nearest and lawful Heirs, and declaring it High Treason either by Writing, Speaking, or any other way to endeavour the least Alteration therein.  
The French Protestants being greatly oppressed and persecuted by that King, flocked into England in great multitudes, and were received by the King of England with abundance of Kindness and affection, ordering that his Officers and Magistrates should give them the same Countenance and Favour with his own Subjects; assuring them he would take them into his Royal Protection, and grant 'em his Letters of Dennization; and promising to procure in the next Parliament an Act for their Naturalisation.  
A special Commission of Oyer and Terminer being granted by him for the Trial of Shaftsbury and others at the Old Bailie, the Bill of High Treason preferred against Shaftsbury, notwithstanding the Evidence swore very full to the Treason, was returned by the Grand-Jury (the Foreman whereof was Sir Samuel Barnardiston) Ignoramus, as a former Jury had done that of College. Whereupon the people, whose Idol he was, gave a great Shout, and assaulted those who were Witnesses against him with that violence, that the Sheriffs to prevent mischief, were forced to guard them as far as the Savoy homeward. Bonfires were that Night made by the Rabble almost in every Street; at one whereof Capt. Griffith was knocked down, and wounded in the Head, for endeavouring to put it out: And a rout of people marching down Warwick-lane, one whereof had his Sword drawn, sometimes cried, No York, no Popish Successor, and then bawled out, a Monmouth, a Shaftsbury, a Buckingham, till they were stopped by the Watch at Ludgate.  
But though the factious Rabble were thus overjoyed at the acquittal of their Idol; yet the sober and Loyal part of the Nation, had other sentiments about it, and declared their Indignation in several Loyal Addresses against the most Execrable and Traitorous designed Association, which was discovered in Shaftsburys Closet, amongst his other papers, which threatened not the King alone, but Monarchy itself.  
In February, 1682, there happened a strange and Barbarous Murder, which for the boldness of the Attempt, and the baseness of the manner wherein it was perpetrated, is scarcely to be parelleled in any History. For Thomas Thin of Long-Leat Esq, a Gentleman of an Estate of about 10000 l. per annum; having privately married Elizabeth, Daughter and sole Heir of Jocelin Earl of Northumberland, and Relict to Henry Earl of Ogle, Son and Heir apparent to the Duke of Newcastle. And some of her Friends, who were not so well satisfied with the Match as her Grandmother was, by whose means it was said to be made up, having persuaded her, before ever her New Husband had bedded her, to withdraw herself secretly into Holland, the Town was thereupon alarmed with the approach of a mighty Suit in Law concerning the Validity of the Match, the best Civilians being engaged on the one side or the other: And Count Conings●ark, a Germane Lord, who had formerly endeavoured to obtain her, came over again to London in disguise, and one ●ratz, who had formerly been a Captain under him, sent a Challenge to Thinn, with a Threat, That in case he refused to meet him at the Time and Place appointed, he should be pistoled. And finding, that notwithstanding that Threat, he still slighted his Challenge, and refused to hazard his Life against (he knew not whom, nor upon what ground of quarrel); he with two more well mounted and armed, road up to his Coach as he was passing homeward near the Hay-market, and having stopped the Horses, another of those desperate Villains, whose Name was George Boroskie, a Polander, discharged a Blunderbuss, or Musketoon at him, charged with six Bullets, which were all lodged in his Belly; and then they setting Spurs to their Horses made their escape; but the next Morning they were so closely sought after that they were all three taken, and being brought to a Trial Trial before the Lord-Chief-Justice Pemberton, were all three condemned and executed upon a Gibbet erected near the place where they committed the Murder; and Borasky to terrific others from such barbarous Attempts● was hung up in Chains between 〈◊〉 and London. The Count was likewise tried the same time as an accessary to the Murder; but for want of sufficient Evidence was acquitted by the Jury.  
A strange Accident happened not long after this, which had like to have proved fatal to these Nations, by depriving them of the Inestimable Blessing which they now enjoy; for his Royal Highness, the Duke of York, our Present Sovereign, going about the beginning of May into Scotland to fetch home his Duchess, whom he had left there at his last return, the Gloucester Frigate, in which he sailed, unfortunately striking on the Lemon-ore in Yarmoth Road, was lost with about an hundred men, and some Treasure. But Heaven designing the Royal Passenger to be the occasion of many future Blessings to these Kingdoms, and reserving him for a more honourable Funeral, he was miraculously preserved by going off into a Yatch, which came up to his relief just before the Ship sunk: And returning toward the latter end of that month with his Duchess and the Lady Ann to Whitehall, the King and Queen came from Windsor to congratulate his safe arrival, and express their Joy for his miraculous preservation.  
And the King, who went back again that Night to Windsor, was the next Day taken very ill, occasioned as it was generally thought, by some cold taken the day before; but upon bleeding, and the use of some other proper means, he recovered his former health within a few days, to the great joy of his Subjects.  
Sir John Moor, an Honest Loyal Gentleman, and an Addresser, coming this Year to be Lord Mayor of London, which City was then somewhat distempered by reason the Chair had for the Two preceding Years been enjoyed by Sir Robert Claton, and Sir Patience Ward, who inclining to the Fanatic Party, had promoted such Sheriffs and other Officers in that City, as were no way pleasing to the King, (as appeared by the Answer he returned to the Message from Sir John to him, to invite his Majesty to dine with him, and the City, on the day of his Inauguration, viz. That he liked the Message, but not the Messengers, who were the two Sheriffs, Pilkinton and Shute); and therefore having now the Power in his Hand, as Chief Magistrate, he resolved to restore London to its Loyalty, and leave it in a condition more to the King's content, than he found it. And in order thereunto, it being an ancient Custom for the Lord Mayor at a Feast kept Yearly at the Bridghouse, to drink to him whom he designed to be one of the Sheriff● for the Year ensuing, he drank to Mr. Dudley North, Brother to the Lord Keeper, and since Knighted. And on the 24th of June, which being Midsummer-day, was customary for the Electing the Sheri●f of London; he summoned the several Companies to appear at Guildhall, and confirm North, and cause another Sheriff; but instead of proceeding according to the Ancient c●stom and method of the City, ther● appeared two parties; the Lord Mayor and his Party, and the two Sheriffs and their Party, who refused to confirm North, and would have both Sheriffs elected by Vote. After some contest, it was agreed to be decided by pol: But those who polled for the confirmation of North, and th● Election of Box, a Drugster in Cheapside, who was proposed by Moor for the other Sheriff, being refused, and several men's Names entered for Papillion and Dubois, that were put up by the Two Sheriffs, and their Party, who had no Right to Vote; the Lord Mayor adjourned the Court by Proclamation, till the 27th; and so departed out of the Hall, although not without some abuses by the disaffected party.  
However, the Sheriffs would not obey the Adjournment, but upon pretence that the business belonged properly to them, and not at all to the Mayor, went on with their Poll till night. The next day being Sunday, admitted of no Action; but on Monday morning, the King, who had been informed of all those Tumutuous Proceed, ordered the Lord Mayor, the Court of Aldermen, and the Two Sheriffs to attend him at the Council-Chamber; and after a full Examination and Hearing of all that could be said on both sides, committed the Sheriffs to the Tower, for their Riotous Proceeding; whither they were carried through the City in their own Coaches. But having obtained a Habeas Cor●us, to be brought up to the Kings-Be●ch-Bar, they were admitted Bail, having first pleaded Not Guilty to an Information exhibited against them for a Tumultuous and Riotous Assembly, in holding the Common-Hall after it had been adjourned, and the Assembly discharged.  
The Sheriffs having thus obtained their Liberty, met again on the 5th of July; and notwithstanding the Mayor, who was then sick, sent the Recorder to adjourn the Common-Hall to the 7th; yet they and the Multitude proceeded in the Election, and declared their Choice of Papillion and Duboise. But some Disputes arising when the Mayor and his party met on the 7th, according to the Adjournment, about the Legality of that Adjournment, Four Lawyers were sent for to the Court of Aldermen, to argue the Validity of the thing; but coming to no Resolution, the Court was adjourned to the 14th of that Month. When the King, designing, if possible, to set all things to rights, issued out an Order of Council, wherein he commanded them, since all their Proceed hitherto had been irregular, to begin all Proceed anew, and carry them on in the usual manner, as they ought to have been upon Midsummerday. This Order was read in the Common-Hall; but opposed by the adverse Party with Noise and Clamour. However, Moor declared North duly elected by him; and that he would Poll for the other Three; viz. Box, Papillion, and Duboise: and thereupon caused Books to be fitted with Three Columns only: But Pilkinton and Shute refusing to join with him therein, went on by themselves, and polled for Four Heads, with a Salvo Jure to their former Election. The next day the Mayor having caused his Books to be cast up, and finding the Majority of Voices to be for Box, he declared North and him to be Sheriffs. But Box refusing to serve, and paying in his Fine according to Custom, the Mayor called another Common-Hall on the 19th of September, and proposed Peter Rich, Esq to be chosen in his stead, who having the Majority of Voices, and being declared Sheriff, the Mayor dissolved the Court, and returned home. But the Two Sheriff's, notwithstanding the Mayor's dissolution, continued this Assembly as they had done the former; and demanding of their own Party (the rest being departed with the Mayor), whether they would abide by their former Choice for Papillion and Duboise, proceeded likewise to a Poll; and having cast up their Books, declared them to be Sheriffs Elect. Whereupon the Mayor acquainting the King with their Proceed, he commanded them to attend him in Council, where they were severely checked, and not dismissed without giving sufficient Bail to answer to an Information which should be exhibited against them for their unwarrantable proceed.  
But notwithstanding this ill success, they were not so discouraged as to desist from the like practices for the future: For on Michaelmas-day, when the Citizens met for the Election of a Mayor, they mustered up their utmost strength, and appeared with as much Violence against Sir William Pritchard, the next in course, as they had done against North and Box, setting up Gold and Cornish against them, although Cornish had been Sheriff but the very year before. However, Pritchard carried it by the Majority of Voices.  
In this year died the Illustrious Prince Rupert, in the 63d year of his Age: The Constableship of Windsor-Castle, which had been enjoyed by him for many years, being after his Death conferred by the King on the Earl of Arundel. And on the 18th of December died Hen●eage Earl of Nottingham, and Lord High Chancellor of England, who had enjoyed that place ever since it was taken from Shaftsbury, in the year— 73. and was succeeded by Sir Francis North, Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas.  
This year was very remarkable also for the Arrival of Two Extraordinary and Famous Embassages from Two Princes never known to have sent any into England before, one from the Emperor of Fez and Morocco (who in his Letter expressed much Kindness, and a great Veneration to the King): His Name was Hamet Benhamet Benhaddu Otter; a man of a Majestic Presence, and great Wisdom: His business was about settling a Peace in relation to Tangier; and his Person and Conversation was so pleasant and taking, that he was received and caressed with more Honour and Respect, both by the King and his Nobles, than any Ambassador I ever knew at Court: And so he was by both Universities, which he visited; seeming to have an equal Esteem and Valuation for our Nation. Nor was there ever any Ambassador before him so much admired by the common people, great multitudes always attending before his House, which was near Katherine-street in the Strand, to gaze upon, and wonder at the strange Garb worn by him and his Attendants, one whereof was an English Renegado, formerly a Barber somewhere about Temple bar; but being afterward a Soldier in Tangier, he ran away from that Garrison to the Moors, and was by them highly advanced for his perfidious directing them in their Wars against that Town.  
The other Embassage was from the King of Bantham, in the East-Indies, whose business was about the East-India Trade, who would have been as much admired as the former, if he had come another time; but all men's Eyes were so generally fixed upon the Morocco, that they were less minded than otherwise they would have been. They brought the King several rich presents of Diamonds, and other things of great value. But not long after their return, we received ill news when we least expected it; For the Dutch having under pretence of assisting the Rebel Prince, who was commonly called, The Young King of Bantham, against his Father, the Old King, seized upon that Town, turned out the English whom they found there, and seized on their Factory, to the great damage of the English Nation.  
On the 24th of April happened one of the most famous and extraordinary Exploits that was ever known in London: For one Broome, Clerk of Skinners-Hall, and Coroner of Landon, having a Latitat out of the Kings-Bench, in an Action upon the Case, at the Suit of Papillion and Duboise, against the Lord Mayor, Sheriff North, and several Loyal Aldermen; Upon acquainting them therewith, they all submitted to his Arrest, and went with him, as Prisoners to Skinners-Hall, where they remained till about midnight; Eight Companies of the Trained Bands being raised by order of the Lieutenancy, upon that altogether new and unusual attempt, to prevent Tumults. But one Fletcher, a Sergeant of the Poultrey-Compter, having an Action of Debt, upon a Bond of 400. l. against Broome, who had the Week before promised to give Bail to it; but neglecting it, and seeing him act so imperiously against the Chief Magistrate of the City, took him into custody, and carried him forthwith to the Compter. The Mayor, and his Fellow-prisoners, seeing Broome carried away by a Sergeant, demanded if there were any in the house who had Orders to detain them; which being answered in the Negative, they all peaceably departed to their several homes.  
In the next Month was tried at Guild-Hall, before the Lord Chief Justice Saunders (Pemberton having been removed to the Common-Pleas upon North's receiving the Seal), the great Riot committed the year before at the Election of Sheriffs, Fourteen being found Guilty thereof, and Fined.  
And the better part of the City, both for Number and Quality, Resolved at a Common-Council, held on the 22d of that Month, That notwithstanding the Action in which the Mayor was Arrested at the Suit of Papillion and Duboise, was said to be prosecuted at the Instance of the Citizens of London, yet they to deliver themselves and the said Citizens from that false imputation, did declare, they were no way privy or consenting to that Action; and therefore did disown and disapprove the same.  
But the City having in the Judgement of Lawyers, forfeited their Charter by several illegal proceed, the King thought the best way to prevent such kind of Tumults, which might be of ill consequence to the Nation in general for the future, would be the taking that Forfeiture, that so by having the Charter delivered up into his hands, they might by a more absolute dependence upon his Goodness, be obliged to a stricter performance of their Allegiance, and take the greater care to preserve the public peace and quiet. Whereupon he ordered a Writ of Quo Warranto to go out against their Charter, which was grounded chief on their illegal exacting of Tolls in their Markets, and their having framed and printed a scandalous Petition, wherein the King is charged with obstructing the Justice of the Nation by proroguing the last Parliament.  
Whether these were sufficient grounds of seizing their Liberties, were argued Pro & Con, first by the Solicitor General and the Recorder of the City, and then by the Attorney General and Mr. Pollixfen. And Judge Jones (the Lord Chief Justice being then sick) having summed up all the proceed in a very significant and solid Speech, gave Judgement upon it; and declared it to be the unanimous Opinion of that Court, That the Liberties and Franchises of the City of London should be seized into the King's hands. But Judgement was not entered up, in regard the King had expressly commanded that should not be done till his pleasure was further known.  
The City now finding the King was in earnest, and that their Charter was condemned by Law, began to think of humbling themselves at his feet, and sue for Mercy: And therefore at a Common-Council called for that purpose, a Petition was ordered to be drawn up and presented to him at Windsor, where he than was; in which they acknowledge their hearty and unfeigned sorrow for the misgovernment of that City, which had occasioned the Quo Warranto to be brought against them, and Judgement to be passed thereupon: And thankfully acknowledged his great Favour in not requiring Judgement to be immediately entered thereon; in which distressed condition they humbly cast themselves at his Royal Feet, imploring his Princely Compassion and Grace; begging his pardon for all Offences, with most solemn promises and assurances of constant Loyalty and Obedience to him and his Successors, and of a Regular Administration of his Government in that City for the future; humbly begging his Commands and Directions therein. This Petition was carried and presented by the Mayor, and several Loyal Aldermen and Citizens. Upon the Receipt whereof, the Lord Keeper, by the King's Command, declared, That for the sakes of so many of the present Magistrates, and other Eminent Citizens, who were of undoubted Loyalty and Affection to his Service, he would show the City all the Favour they could reasonably desire, if they would submit to such Regulations as he thought necessary forth assuring the Loyalty, and preserving the Peace of that City; viz. That no person should be admitted to be Mayor, Sheriff, Recorder, Common Sergeant, Town-Clerk, or Coroner of London, or Steward of Southwark, before they were approved by him under his Sign Manual: And that after he had Twice disapproved the Mayor whom they should present to him, he might, if he pleased, nominate one himself: and so also for the Sheriff; the Election being nevertheless to be still continued according to the ancient Customs and Usages of the City, with some small Restrictions only then specified: which gracious Offer was accepted by a Common-Council assembled on the 20th of June; where the Question being propounded, it was carried in the Affirmative by the Majority of Eighteen Voices.  
And now came to light one of the basest and vilest pieces of Treachery that was ever hatched in the World; which seemed to point out and explain whereto the Bill of Exclusion, and the Treacherous Association tended: For those Factious and Designing Wretches having failed of accomplishing their Designs by those specious pretences, resolved to attempt that by force which they now found they could not effect by Fraud: and therefore entered into a Damnable Plot and Conspiracy to Murder the King and His Brother, and alter the Government. To effect which, they had at several Treasonable Consultations, resolved to Levy men, and make an Insurrection. For the management whereof they made choice of a Council of Six, that were to direct and order the chief matters relating thereunto; viz. the Duke of Monmouth, the Earl of Essex, the Lord Howard, the Lord Russel, Mr. Hambden, and Colonel Sidney: Besides which, there was another Council of more Inferior persons, whose business was to consult chief about the Assassination of the King and the Duke.  
The King and the Duke being both at Newmarket, they resolved to prevent their ever coming to London again, by cutting them both off in their return: To which end, West, by the appointment of the rest, had provided several Muskets, and other Arms▪ which were to have been sent down to a House called the Rye, inhabited by one Rumball, about three Miles beyond Hodsden, which was looked upon as the most convenient place for that monstrous and hellish design, in regard therewas by the house a narrow passage, through which the King usually came, when he went to and from Newmarket; so that it would have been hard for him to have escaped: But Heaven having preserved him from the many former Attempts of Men of the like Principles, and disdaining that Hell should frustrate its designed blessings to these Nations as well in the remainder of his Reign, as in his next Successors, by cutting off its Principal Favourite, resolved to render former Mercies the more complete and full, by adding a new one to their Number, no less apparent and visible than his Preservation in the Oak had been: And therefore a Fire which happened there, and consumed the greatest part of the Town, forced him to return sooner than they expected, and before they were ready for him; whereby they were disappointed of their Barbarous Purpose, and not a little confounded at the Strangeness of the Thing, which although it appeared at first sight to be purely accidental, yet afterward was generally looked upon to fall out by the special designation of Divine Providence.  
But notwithstanding this remarkable disappointment, and the consternation which at first seized them upon the news of it, they still went on with their Plot, and consulted about some other Time and Place for their Assassination: But before they could bring their distracted Counsels to any conclusion, Providence spoiled their Plot: For, one of the Conspirators, whose Name was Keeling, being convinced of the Wickedness of the design, through the care of Heaven to prevent it, by the remarkable Fire at Newmarket, was so terrified, that he could not rest till he had made a discovery of it: Whereupon West, a Councillor of the Temple, was apprehended, and a Proclamation issued out for the declaring Rumsey, Rumball, Nelthrop, Wade, Goodenough, Wallcot, Thompson, Burton, and Hone, Traitors; offering 100 reward to any that should discover them; and another against Monmouth, Grey, Armstrong, and Ferguson; Rumsey, the Lord Russel, Essex, Colonel Sidney, Mr. Hambden, the Lord Howard, Walcot, Rouse, Hone, and some others were taken, but the rest made their escape beyond the Seas: The Lord Grey indeed was taken, but being after Examination by the King and Council committed to the Tower, he found means to make his escape out of the Coach, just as he came almost at the Tower Gate, having made Deering the Messenger who had him in Charge, so drunk, (as it was reported) that he fell fast asleep, and left him wholly unguarded.  
The Lord Russel, and Colonel Sidney were beheaded; and Walcot, Rouse, and Hone executed at Tyburn for this Plot. The Earl of Essex prevented the Hand of Justice by cutting his own Throat; Mr. Hambden against whom there was but one Evidence, was only indicted, and found guilty of a high Trespass and Misdemeanour, and condemned in a Fine of 40000 l. to the King, to find Sureties for his Good Behaviour during Life, and to stand committed till that was paid and done. The Lord Brandon, Major Wildman, Mr. Charlton, Mr. Trenchard, and some others for want of sufficient Evidence, were first admitted to bail, and afterward discharged: Mr. Wade and Sir Thomas Armstrong being both taken beyond the Seas; the first at Mevis, and the other in Holland, were brought into England, and condemned and executed upon an Outlawry.  
The King to show his Sense of the Divine Goodness for his wonderful and Gracious Preservation from that horrid Plot and Conspiracy, published a Declaration for a solemn Day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God, to be celebrated throughout the Kingdom on Sunday the 9th of Septemb. commanding that Declaration, which contained a short Narration of the Treasonable Conspiracy, and the Persons concerned therein (some whereof were not mentioned in either of the Proclamations) to be read on Sunday the 2d of September, as well as on the Day of Thanksgiving, which was observed with great Seriousness and Devotion throughout the whole Kingdom, every one looking upon himself to have a particular Interest in the Benefit of that Preservation.  
It is observable, that there was this remarkable difference between the two Plots; all those who died for the first, protested their Innocency with their last breath, denying that they had any knowledge of a Plot or Conspiracy carried on against the King or the Government; and all those who died for the Second did acknowledge something, though they denied the greater part of what they were accused of.  
About this time the Lady Ann, Second Daughter to his Royal Highness the Duke of York, was married to Prince George, Brother to the King of Denmark, the Ceremony being performed by the Bishop of London in the Presence of the King, Queen, Duke and Duchess, with most of the Great Persons about the Court; and that Night was observed with great Joy and Splendour; and the next, 〈◊〉 Bells proclaimed the public Joy▪ which every one took for her being so happily bestowed upon a Protestant and Religious Prince, who was afterward installed Knight of the Garter at Windsor.  
The Day for the Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex, which of course used to be the 24th of June, was this Year adjourned to the 5th of September, when the Livery-Men assembled at Guild-Hall, without the least Hesitation confirmed the Mayor's choice of Peter Daniel, and chose to serve with him, Francis Dashwood, Electing likewise Mr. Deputy Aleworth into the Office of Chamberlain in the Room of Sir Thomas Player, who being one of the Rioters in the last Years Proceed, was then removed; and performing all the other Elections of Bridgmaster, Ale conner, etc. with the ancient Gravity and Moderation; and a Choice of Mayor on Michaelmas-day was likewise adjourned for six Days. But in the mean time, the King being highly displeased with the City's delays in signing the particulars formerly accepted of, and promised by the Common-Council, in Relation to the Charter, caused his Attorney to enter up Judgement against it, and thereupon gave his commission to Sir William Prit●hard to execute the Office of Lord Mayor of that City during pleasure; granting the like Commissions also to the two New Sheriffs, Daniel and Dashwood, who were thereupon sworn with the usual Oaths, and Mr. Jenner of the Inner Temple, knighted at the same time by the Name of Sir Thomas Jenner, the King's Recorder of London.  
On Sunday the 7th of October, the Mayor and Sheriffs appeared at Guildhall Chapel as formerly in their Gowns and Chains, but the Aldermen only in their ordinary habits, being by virtue of that new Commission, only made Justices of the Peace; eight of the Factious ones being left out, and their Number supplied by as many Worthy and Loyal Gentlemen; viz. Sir Benjamin Newland, Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Sir John Buckworth, Sheriff Dashwood, Charles Duncomb, Jacob Lucy, Peter Palavazine, and Benjamin Thoroughgood. But on the 13th of that Month the King sent them a new Commission, wherein he impowered them to act as Aldermen in their several Wards, and accordingly divers of them attended the Mayor the next day to Chapel after their usual manner in Gowns and Chains; and the next Week assembled a Court of Aldermen as formerly: And upon the 29th of October, which is the Annual Day for swearing the Lord Mayor of London, the King having appointed Sir Henry Tulse to execute that Office by Commission during his pleasure; he was after the usual manner attended to Westminster by the Companies, performing the accustomed Ceremonies in Westminster-Hall, and making the usual Cavalcade through London, but without any Pageants.  
The Duke of Monmouth being accused as one of the Conspirators in the late Plot, absconded, and lay concealed for some time; so as he could not be found by all the search that was made for him: But having privately made his Application to the King in an humble and submissive Letter, wherein he entirely resigned himself to his Majesty's Disposal; the Duke thereupon went down to Secretary Jenkins his Office, to whom he had voluntarily surrendered himself, and upon showing himself very sensible of his Crime in suffering himself to be drawn into a Conspiracy against the King and Government, and making a full Declaration of it, and a particular Submission to his Royal Highness for his misbehaviour toward him, he did upon the request and Mediation of the Duke obtain his Pardon, and the Attorney-general was ordered to stop all further Proceed against him; But refusing afterwards to make the promised Discovery, or to sign what he had confessed, he fell again into the King's High Displeasure, and was thereupon banished the Court, and expelled the Royal Presence.  
About the middle of December this Year, began a very extraordinary Frost, which lasted till the 5th of February; during which time the Thames was frozen over with solid and contiguous Ice, with thousands of People walking thereon, and whole streets of Booths built quite a cross, and shops of almost all manner of Trades on each side, as in the high streets of London, and Coaches running almost as thick as in Fleetstreet. The extremity of the Wether was such, that great numbers of poor and indigent People, who at other times could but just live, were now (in regard they could not follow their employment) brought into great necessities, and many of them must have starved if the charity of others had not relieved 'em; whereupon the King, who always loved to take all opportunities to express his charity and affection to his Subjects, especially those that were poor and indigent among them, granted his Letters Mandatory to the Bishop of London to make a Collection in all Parishes in the City and Suburbs for the Relief of many Thousand miserable Wretches, who would otherwise have perished; and to encourage others to so needful a charity by his own example, ordered several great Sums of Money to be issued out of his Treasury for that Purpose. On the 23d of January, being the first day of Hillary Term, the Lawyers went over the Ice to Westminster, and back again as familiarly as on the Land, some on Foot, and others in Coaches; and there was for above a fortnight together a Fair or Mart kept between the Temple, and that part of Southwark which is opposite to it.  
This Year Vienna the Imperial City of Germany, was closely besieged, and greatly distressed by the Turks, who brought it to the very last extremity, but were then beaten off, and forced to raise their siege, by the Blessing of God, upon the Valour of the King of Poland, and the Duke of Lorraine; in which Action, the Lord Landsdown, Eldest Son to the Earl of Bath, behaved himself with so much Valour, that he was afterward, as a Reward of his Courage, created a Count of the Sacred Empire.  
And Tangier, having cost the King abundance of Treasure to defend it against the Moors, and make the Mole there, he now resolved in regard the charges were so very great, and the Expectation of Advantage very uncertain, to relinquish it; and therefore ordered the Lord Dartmouth to repair thither with about 20 sail of Ships, and demolish the Town, Castle, and Mole, choke up the Haven (to render it useless to any who might otherwise have thought the Town worth rebuilding) and bring off the Inhabitants, which was done accordingly.  
About the middle of February, 1684. was the Earl of Danby, after a long and tedious Imprisonment, admitted to Bail, by the Eminent and Loyal Sir George Jeffrys, who succeeded Sir Edward Sanders in the Lord Chief Justiceship of England, all the Judges of the Kings-Bench having first given their several opinions about it, and delivered their Reasons why he ought to be bailed; and the other four Lords (one of them, viz. Peter, being dead sometime before, having just before his Death, in a Letter to the King, denied upon his Salvation, his being any way Guilty of what he stood accused of) being within the like Reasons, were admitted to the like advantage; and so was the Earl of Tyrone, who had been almost as long a Prisoner in the Gatehouse, as they had been in the Tower.  
The King having about the Year 81 appointed under him certain Deputies or Commissioners of Ecclesiastical Offices; viz. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Lord Radnor, Hallifax, Hid, and Mr. Seymor; to whom he delegated his Power to dispose of all such Ecclesiastical Preferments as were within his immediate Patronage, was pleased this Year to revoke their Commission, and take those preferments again into his own immediate disposal; as likewise a commission formerly granted to several Persons to execute the Office of Lord High Admiral of Eugland, which was now again fully enjoyed and exercised by his Royal Highness.  
Acts of Hostility being this Spring-fiercely pursued between the French and Spaniards by Sea and Land, he commanded by Proclamation, that being at Amity with both those Nations▪ the Peace should be kept inviolably by them, whilst they were in any Roads, Creeks, and Ports of his Dominions, and that his Commanders and Officers should oppose themselves against those who should presume to assault any of the Ships of his Allies in any of his Roads or Places under his Protection.  
Oats the Salamanca Doctor, and Plot-Master-General, not content with having falsely charged his Royal Highness, the King's only Brother and Heir, with divers base and improbable Stories, as though he had plotted with the Papists against the King his Brother, suffered his Spleen to boil to such an exorbitant degree, that he saucily and impudently abused him with base and scurrilous Language; calling him Traitor, declaring, That he hoped to see him hanged, with divers horrid devilish, and abominable Expressions; The Duke's patience not being easily provoked, bore long with him; but finding that forbearance did but render him more bold, and increase his malignity, at last he brought his Action of Scandalnm Magnatum against him, upon which he was arrested at the Amsterdam Coffee-house on the backside of the Royal Exchange, and carried to Woodstreet Compter, and from thence removed by Habeas Corpus to the King's Bench; and having let Judgement go in the next Term by default, a Writ of Enquiry was issued out and executed before the Lord Chief Justice in the Kings-Bench Court, when the Jury upon hearing the Evidence, to show their detestation of such an unheard of impudence, gave 100000 Damages.  
The Hambrough Company out of Gratitude for some great Favour received from the King, did this Spring erect a most elaborate and curious Statue of him in Grey Marble, in the very middle or Centre of the Royal Exchange; cut by Mr. Grinlin Gibbons (the most Famous Statuary that England ever produced; and equal, if not superior to the best at this Time in Europe) in the Garb and Habit of a Roman Caesar: It was placed upon a curious Pedestal made of the same Marble; upon which was the following Inscription.  
Carolo TWO Caesari Britanico Patriae Patri.  
Regnum optimo, Clementissimo, Augustissimo 
 Generis Humani Deliciis, 
 Vtriusque fortunae Victori, 
 Pacis Europae Arbitro, 
 Maris Domino & Vindici, 
 Societas Me●catorum Adventur Angliae, 
 Quae per CCCC jam prope Annos 
 Regia Benignitate floret 
 Fidei Intemerata, Gratitudinis Aeterna● 
 Hoc Testimonium 
 Venerabunda posuit, 
 Anno sal. Humanae, 
 MDCLXXXIV.  
The Council sitting on the 28th of May, at Hampton Court, as it used frequently to do when he was at Windsor, as the most convenient place for his coming to it, he told them that he thought it fit, and did intent his Brother should be present at the Meetings of the Council, who accordingly took his Seat that Day, and ever after during his Brother's Life.  
And in October following, the King made a Review or Muster of his Land-Forces upon Putney Heath, where there was a most gallant Military Appearance, the Horse consisting of the Three Troops of Guards, the Granadeer, the Earl of Oxford's Regiment of Horse, and the Lord Churchels' Regiment of Dragoons, and the Foot of two Battalians form, and the Regiment of Guards, with their Granadeer, one from the Coldstream Regiment of Guards and Granadeer, one from the Earl of Dumbartons Regiment, and another from the Admiral Regiment with their Granadeer; the whole Number of Horse and Foot, between 4000 and 5000, being all exactly trained, and well clothed, most of the Horse marched in the morning in Gallant Order through the Streets of London, and so over the Bridge to Putney.  
This Michaelmas Terms, several Factious Persons were convicted of speaking scandalous and seditious Words against the Government; for which one Best, commonly called the Protestant Hop-Merchant was fined 1000 l. and ordered to stand in the Pillory thrice, and find security for his Good Behaviour during Life: And one Butler of Northamptonshire, for Presenting and Reading to the Knights of the Shire (at the last Election for that County), a seditious Paper of Address, was fined 500 Marks, and ordered to find Sureties for his Good Behaviour during Life: And Dalby and Nicholson, two Retainers to the Salamanca Doctor, were ordered to stand in the Pillory for several false and scandalous Speeches uttered by them: But the most remarkable of all, was the Business of one Roswell a Conventicle-Preacher, about Redriff, who was this Term tried and convicted of High Treason, in certain treasonable words spoken b● him in his Preachment, on the 14th of September: But some question arising about the Form of his Indictment, which was argued by Council on both sides, the Court took time to consider of their Judgement till the next Term, before which time Roswel obtained the King's Gracious Pardon, who ever loved to endear his Subjects by Acts of Kindness, rather than to terrify them by Examples of Justice.  
In this Term also was Oats indicted for Perjury, in relation to Ireland's being in London at the time sworn to by him at Ireland's Trial; and being brought up to the King's Bench-Bar to hear his Indictment read, and pleading Not guilty, his Trial was appointed the next Term; and at the Sessions, which followed soon after at the Old-baily, he was again Indicted upon a second Indictment for Perjury, and upon pleading, Not Guilty, that was also appointed to be Tried the next Term at the King's Bench Court.  
The Roads being now exrteamly infested with Robbers, the King ordered, for the ease and safety of his Subjects, that all his Officers of Justice, and others, should with their utmost diligence endeavour the apprehending of Highway men and other Robbers, promising, That those who should apprehend any of them, should have a reward of Ten Pounds for every Offender taken by them, and delivered into Custody.  
A little before Christmas, when the minds of men, in regard they were then to celebrate the Commemoration of the Incarnation and Nativity of the Prince of Peace, should have been wholly taken up with thoughts of Peace, the restless and implacable Spirits of the factious and designing crew, that were not yet so depressed as to be deprived of all hopes of reviving their Game, were notwithstanding, otherwise employed; for about this time, they dispersed in a secret and clandestine manner, a most wicked, false and treasonable Libel, relating to the Death of the late Earl of Essex: Wherein they would have born the World in hand, that he did not murder himself: Strict enquiry was made after the Author, and several of the Books seized, but the Author could not be discovered; only Henry Danvers, commonly called Colonel Danvers, an Anabaptist by Profession, and a Principal Officer in the late Rebellious Army, was found to be the Author of a certain Sheet, which was an abstract of that Libel, wherein the very Quintessence and Venom of it was crowded into a smaller Compass; and a Warrant thereupon was sent out for his Apprehension; but being an old cunning Fox, he fled upon the discovery, whereupon the King gave Public Notice in the Gazette, That whosoever should apprehend him, and cause him to be delivered into safe Custody, that he might be proceeded against according to Law, for those dangerous and treasonable Practices, should have a reward of 100l. to be immediately paid by the Lords of the Treasury.  
In the beginning of this Hillary Term, Sir Scroop How, one of the Knights of the Shire for the County of Nottingham in the late Parliaments, appearing in the King's Bench to answer to an Information exhibited against him for Words spoken against the King and his Brother, pleaded Guilty, confessing his Offence, and with much sorrow cast himself upon the Kings and the Duke's Mercy; whereupon being the next day introduced to them, he was after his humble submission to them, and promises of future Loyalty and Obedience, received to Grace; and being deeply affected with that unmerited favour, acknowledged that he did in point of Gratitude for the King's Goodness therein, own him his Life and Estate, and would for the future dedicate Both to the service of him, and the Royal Family.  
But England's Glorious Sun of Happiness and Tranquillity, which had shined bright and resplendent for near Five and Twenty Years together, must now suffer a fatal Eclipse, and be for some few days wrapped up in Black and Mournful Clouds, and have its Glory totally, though not finally obscured by the Lamented and much Deplored Death of this happy and wonderful Monarch; for upon Monday the second of February, he was suddenly taken with an Apoplectic Fit, which was so violent, that in all probability he would never have revived again, had not Doctor King, (who being one of his Physicians, was then present, having been that morning with some others of the King's Physicians to look upon a sore Heel which he had for some time) immediately let him blood; by which and other proper means afterward used he seemed to be in so fair a way of recovery, that the Lords of the Council thought fit, for the preventing of false Reports, to publish on Thursd●y, That some Hours after the Kings being first taken, an amendment appeared, which wlth the Blessing of God improved by the Application of proper and seasonable Remedies, was then so far advanced, that the Physicians conceived him to be in a condition of safety, and that he would in a few days be freed from his Distemper.  
The People in divers Places of the Country where it had been positively reported he was dead, received this news of his Recovery with incredible joy, expressed by the Ringing of Bells, and Bonfires; but in few days all was dampt again by the certain and unwelcome news of his Death; For when neither the endeavours of men, nor the invocations of Heaven could prevail, he expired on Friday the Sixth of February, having lain all that time in abundance of pain and misery, which he endured with incredible Patience, often lifting up his hands and eyes to Heaven, and breathing forth the fervent desires o● his Holy and Pious Soul, in several Short but sweet and Pathetic Ejaculations. Kings in respect of their Office are styled Gods in the Sacred Writ, and are, like him, immortal, and therefore can never die; but their Persons being made of the same mouldering Principles with the meanest of their Subjects, they must die like men; and when the time appointed for their dissolution is come, it is impossible either for men or Angels, Physic or Physicians to detain them longer here; for they may with as much ease dissolve the Covenant of the Night and Day, keep the Sea from flowing, and the Sun from shining, as preserve Kings from being hurried, as well as the rest of mankind, to the place appointed for all Living.  
As no King was ever better beloved by his Subjects whilst living, so none ever died more lamented than he; for an Universal grief possessed the minds of all men, and like a Cloud suddenly spread itself over the whole Nation, upon the arrival of that doleful Tidings. He died in the Fifty fourth Year of his Age, after he had reigned Thirty six Years and some few days; leaving his Kingdom, which he found almost ruined with a bloody and unnatural War, in a state of Tranquillity and Peace; Which as it magnifies the happiness of his Subjects by comparing their present felicity with their past Troubles, so it lays the highest obligation imaginable upon them for ever to entertain the sacred Memory of his Name with the greatest Love and Veneration▪ His reducing a People plnnged, and almost swallowed up in confusion, into a quiet not to be expected, and scarcely to be hoped for, and assuaging by his incomparable Prudence a Faction blown up into atempestuous flame more violent and deaf than either the Winds or the Seas, rendered him the most Glorious and Admired Prince, and his Subjects the most happy People in Christendom; and therefore in what Words, or rather with what Deeds can they ever expect to express a Gratitude any way equal to his merits? Statues of Marble, and tryumphal Arches may indeed be an acknowledgement of our Veneration, but these are Trifles too mean to discharge our debt, and therefore all true Englishmen shall raise him a more lasting Monument, by entombing him in their Hearts, and expressing their love to their Dead Sovereign, by their unfeigned Loyalty to their Living One, our present Gracious King and Governor James the Second; who immediately upon his Death succeeded to his Throne. For Nature is not more careful to prevent a Dissolution of being, than the Constitution of England to prevent an Inter-Regnum of Government; so that the same minute which seems to threaten the involving our Isle in Darkness and Confusion, by the setting of one, really revives our dying-hopes, and dispels our sable Clouds by the rising of another Sun, for whom I shall pray as the Israelites did for King Solomon, That God, by whom alone King's reign, and have their Governments Crowned with Peace and Felicity, may pour upon him the Blessings of Heaven in as great a measure as upon his Royal Predecessor, and make his Throne greater than the Throne of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles, and grant him long to Live and Reign over us in Peace and Tranquillity.  
His Funeral was privately Solemnised on the 14th of February, with as much Decency and Splendour, as the greatness of the Sorrow for his Death would permit; His Corpse being conveyed sometime before to the Painted Chamber in the Palace at Westminster, was carried from thence to the Abby-Church, under a Velvet Canopy, born by Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber, the Pall being supported by six Earls. The proceed begun with the Servants of the Nobility, Their Royal Highnesses, the King and Queen, the Queen Dowager and His own, after whom followed the Barons, Bishops, and others of the Nobility, according to their respective Degrees, together with the great Officers, and the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: His Royal Highness the Prince of Denmark was chief Mourner, supported by the Dukes of Somerset and Beaufort, in the Colours of the Order, as were all the rest of the Knights of the Garter then present; and his Train born by the Lord Cornbury. The Assistants to the chief Mourner, were sixteen Earls. The Crown and Cushion was carried by one of the Kings of Arms: The rest of the Heralds and their Officers Attending and Directing the Ceremony, which was closed with His Majesty's Band of Gentelmen-Pensioners, and the Yeomen of the Guard.  
As soon as they entered the Church, the Dean and prebend's of Westminster, with the whole Choir met the Body, and went before it to Henry the Sevenths' Chapel, where it was interred in a Vault, under the East end of the South Isle.  
THUS have I endeavoured to present the World with a Brief draught of the Life of this most Excellent King, from the Time of his Birt●, to the never-enough lamented and most deplorable Murder of his Royal Father, and of his Reign from that Time until the hour of His Death. And having now traced him through all the stupendious Labyrinths, and wonderful Revolutions of His Life, to his exchanging a Crown of Gold for one of Glory; I shall close my History with his Character. A Character, which were I able therein to represent him to the Life, and give him his Just and deserved Praise, would not be paralleled in Ancient, and remain a Wonder to all succeeding Generations. But his Perfections were so sublime and rare, that my Representatious of him will no more bear Proportion to his real worth, than the twinkling Figure of the Sun shining in the Water (wherein he views himself as in a Looking-Glass) is adequate to the Greatness of that real body of Fire and Light, whereby he claims the Regency of Heaven.  
This Monarch as to his Person, was of a tall and goodly Stature, and so exactly formed, that the most curious and penetrating Eye, after the exactest Scrutiny, could not discern the least Error in his Shape; his Countenance very Majestical, 
His Person.  and the Visage of his Face, rather Grave than Severe, being very much softened whenever he spoke. His Complexion somewhat dark, but much enlightened by the brightness of his Eyes, that were quick and sparkling. His Hair, which before he wore a Peruke, in great plenty, was of a shining black, not frizzled, but naturally Curling into large Rings, and very Ornamental. But as the Jewel is more valuable than the Casket that contains it, so the perfections of his Mind did much exceed those of his Body (if we can allow the same Man any Pre-eminence over himself) in respect whereof he seemed to be a perfect Miracle of Art and Nature, having in the Mysteries of Both, a most capacious and profound Knowledge, or one of the best sort of Wonders, both in respect of his Virtues and his Fortune; a Wonder to Wise men, who admired his vast Parts; a Wonder to His Enemies, who admired at His Preservation from their Snares; a Wonder to his Friends, that admired at the Adversity of his Fortune, and the Patience wherewith he endured it; a Wonder to the World, which admired the strangeness of His Restoration, and were astonished to see him, (notwithstanding there was at that Time an Army on Foot, to keep him out, which had been flushed with so many Victories, and (as it were) by Prescription was able to beat the World, or at least had Courage and Confidence enough to attempt it) return without spilling one drop of Blood, or having an Hand held up against him to oppose his Entrance.  
He had been himself a Sufferer, and had thereby learned to Govern his Subjects with Moderation. He had been in Misery, and that taught him to be Merciful. He had been unjustly dealt with, and that made him the more careful to see right done to all men, 
His Justice.  and measure his own Prerogative, and his People's Properties by the just Dimension of his Laws; so that Justice was impartially administered throughout his whole Reign, unless where himself was party, and there he would rather lose his own Cause, than have his Subjects seem oppressed; nor was there ever known so few Executions in so long a Reign. And truly when we (especially for the first Eighteen Years after the Interregnum) consider his great. Mercy to Traitors, it looks as if he designed not to spare himself, provided he could but people again, or at least keep as full as possibly, a Nation, which had been so monstrously emptied of men, by a long unnatural and sanguinary War. For he was ever unwilling to inflict the least Severities upon his offending Subjects, unless when necessity of State, or the nature of the Crime did bind the hand of Mercy, and render Severity absolutely necessary, rather for the public, than his own Secuirty.  
He always professed to love and seek Peace, and prefer it before the Troubles and Hazards of War; wherein he was like Solomon rather than David, and imitated our Blessed Saviour, who styles himself the Prince of Peace, ever bearing it in his Princely mind, that when Christ came into the World, Peace was sang by the Holy Angels, and when he made his Exit, Peace was the Legacy he bequeathed. Nor can it be imagined, That his desire of Peace was the effect of softness or fear; for he was both Active and Valiant: but he had a Conduct peculiar to himself in bringing about his Purposes, 
His peaceable disposition.  and accomplishing his designs by the most easy and gentle means, and would do that by Peace which others could not perform by War, and effect more by showing his Sword, than others could do by using it: He knew the way to preserve and obtain Peace, was sometimes to pretend an inclination to embrace War, and therefore would, when provoked, make offers of the latter, till he had mended the Conditions of the former. By which means he was more absolutely, and with far less charge to his Subjects, the Arbitrator of Europe, than any of his Predecessors had ever been, and could at his Pleasure dispense War and Peace, where, and to whom, he pleased; which makes it the greater Wonder, That He who was so great a Lover of Peace, should be so successful in War: for his Arms were always fortunate, nor did he ever after his Restauration, know what a miscarriage meant. The Two Rebellions in Scotland were ended by Victory, as if raised industriously to increase the Fame of his Arms, which after so long an interval of Peace, wanted exercising; and in his Wars with Holland, France, Spain and Denmark, he was always sued to for peace, before he granted it; and the French King did ever fear his Threaten more than other Prince's performances.  
In the exercising his Sovereignty, he consulted his own Judgement rather than other men's Affections or Interests, and always reserved the disposal of his Royal Favours to his own Will and Pleasure; and to avoid the fate of too many Princes, who are ruled by their Favourites, and Governed by those whom they themselves have raised, he never admitted any of his Nobles to so familiar an intimacy with him, 
His care to maintain the Prerogatives of the Crown.  as to give others occasion to account them his Favourites: For although he had many Noblemen about him, whom he greatly loved, and upon whose Advice and Counsel he much relied, as Clarendon, Buckingham, Lauderdale, Danby, and others; yet none of them could be properly called his Favourites, as Gaveston and Spencer were the Favourites of Edward the Second; or the Duke of Norfolk of Richard the Second: And although he would frequently acquaint his Parliaments with his Intentions, and require their advice and assistance for the executing of them, yet he would not endure they should be too positive or peremptory therein, accounting that too great an Invasion of his Prerogative; and would tell them, The Right of making and managing War and Peace, was invested in Him, and if they thought he would departed from any part of that Right, they would find themselves mistaken; for having the Reins of Government in his own hands, he would have the same care to maintain them there, as he would have to preserve his own Person.  
His Prudence and Conduct in managing the great Affairs of his Kingdom was so admirable and successful, that it is rather to be wondered at, than believed, and he made so many good and wholesome Laws, every one whereof was grounded upon the most searching Maxims of State for the Welfare and security of His Subjects and the maintaining the prerogatives of the Crown, as no Age before him could ever boast of, which begot in all men the greater Awe and Veneration of him; and yet there is nothing more certain, than that his Reputation was as great (if not greater) abroad than at home, 
His Prudence and Conduct.  though perhaps not so well grounded: for Foreigners could not see at that distance the passages of Affairs, nor discern by what Secret Councils he always attained his own ends and disappointed the Expectation of his Enemies abroad, and the Factions at Home, and were therefore forced to make their Judgement upon the Issues and Success of them: No Prince ever had a Wiser Council than He, and yet no Prince ever needed it less, for he was Himself a Counsellor to his Council, and was able to direct those of whom he asked advice. For he was as well skilled in the Art of Kingship (as His Royal Grandfather was wont to term it), and had as great an insight into, and understood as well the best Rules and Methods of Government, as any Prince that ever swayed a Sceptre; which rendered him more capable of exercising his Kingly Office to the greatest advantage of Himself, his Kingdom, and the Protestant Religion, and enabled Him to govern His Subjects for so long a Tract of Time with so much exactness, that by his Wise and Prudent Management he so poized all jarring and different Interests, as to preserve the public Peace and Tranquillity of his Kingdom to the very last Minute of His Life, notwithstanding the many restless Attempts of unruly and designing Men, to disturb it; and left things in so good a posture at his Death, that his most Illustrious Brother, and Royal and Lawful Successor, ascended his Imperial Throne with as much Facility and Applause as any of his Predecessors.  
He loved so well to see his Subjects thrive, that he coveted not so much to fill his Exchequer, as to reign over a Rich and Wealthy People; and thought Money as well bestowed, when laid up in their Coffers, as when it filled his own.  
He was Religious toward God, as well as just towards man, and took care to promote the Interest of the Church as well as the State. At His Restoration he found the Church involved in Trouble, but left her possessed of Peace; he found her rob and spoiled, but left her Wealthy and Rich. Her Prelates He restored to their Ancient Rights and Dignities, and filled Her Converts with Joy and Gladness. 
His Religion and Piety.  He did not, like most Princes, make Religion an Artifice of State only, but accounted it the Glory and Comfort of his Life: His Soul in His private Devotion soared so high, that he seemed to be wholly swallowed up with the Contemplation of the Holiness and Majesty of the God whom he adored, and with whom he would plead in Prayer so earnestly, and with such Affection, as though he were resolved to take no denial. And one of the Presbyterian Ministers, who attended the Commissioners (sent over by the Parliament) at Breda passing accidentally by, when he was private in his Closet, he was so astonished at the Ardency and Zeal wherewith he offered up his Sacrifices of Prayer and Praises to Almighty God, that he suddenly clapped his hand upon his Heart, and with a kind of Emotion of Spirit, cried out to those that were with him, We are not worthy of such a King. And that which was the perfection of all, his piety and zeal proceeded not so much from a desire to seem Religious, as from a solemn Dedication of his great Soul to the Honour and Glory of his God, by whom alone he knew Kings reign, and Princes decree Justice: Accounting himself (like Theodosius the Emperor) more happy in being a servant of Christ than in his being King of great Britain and Ireland. He was from his Infancy Eduducated in the Protestant Religion, and Instructed by the Royal Martyr in the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England. And yet he was not a Protestant so much by Education as Choice, as appeared by his constant adhering to the Church of England in the time of his unhappy Exile, when he was absolutely free to have professed what Religion he pleased, and had so many Temptations (from the baseness and villainy of his own Subjects, and the kindness of those Popish Princes by whom he was entertained, and from whose Assistance he expected relief against the unjust Oppression of those that had Usurped his Throne) to embrace the Doctrine of the Church of Rome. And the reason why he so strenuously endeavoured to promote and maintain an Uniformity in Religion through all his Dominions, was not so much to Justify his own Supremacy in Ecclesiastical Causes, as thereby to strengthen the Protestant Interest, knowing that the safety of England consisted chief in the Union of her Inhabitants. So that his knowledge in the sacred Mysteries of Religion, was the Crown and Glory of all his other Perfections; and the great end and design whereat He aimed in all his other Studies, was the improving them to the Glory of God, and the increasing in Himself the knowledge of more sublime and heavenly things, wherein He so much excelled, that He might have said with King David, I am wiser than all my Teachers. Knowing likewise that nothing obstructed the growth of Piety, and the power of Godliness, more than the wasting those parts, and spending that time in disputing about Forms, which ought wholly to be employed in promoting Holiness of Life, and Sincerity of Heart.  
He had, during his Exile, visited the Courts, and Traveled through the Countries of the three greatest and most Potent Monarches of Christendom, 
His Travels.  viz. Germany, France, and Spain; and had by his Observation made himself Master of what was excellent and worth learning in their Forms and Methods of Government, and exactly informed himself what were the Excellencies, and what the defects of each of them: And to the Admiration of those who had the Happiness to converse with him, had by that means obtained an universal insight into all the great and weighty Affairs of Europe, and understood by what Principles they were first moved, and by what Counsels, and to what ends they were afterwards carried on; which though he chief learned from themselves, yet what he gathered from them all in General, was strange and surprising to every one of them in particular, who greatly wondered at the Comprehensiveness of his Knowledge: So that as he had by right of Nature, a Power of Empire over the Bodies of one Part of Europe, He might seem by a Natural and acquired right, to claim an Universal Monarchy over the Intellectual Powers, the Minds and Wills of Mankind, in all the Parts of it besides.  
He understood Spanish and Italian, and spoke and wrote French correctedly; was well versed in Ancient and Modern History, and had read the choicest Pieces of Politics and Divinity, and understood the fundamental Laws of England so well, 
His skill in Arts and Sciences.  that he could readily answer the most difficult Queries, and resolve the greatest Mysteries and Critical Niceties that were at any time started about them; and had his mind so well furnished with the knowledge of Nature, and the Reasons of Things, that He comprehended almost all kind of Arts which contributed any Thing either to the Delight or Service of Mankind.  
He understood the truest and best Method for Building of Ships; and could, better than those who pretended themselves the greatest Crafts-masters therein, direct the making them far more useful both for Strength and Sailing, than any which had been formerly built; and was as well acquainted with Rigging and Fitting forth a Fleet for Sea: He had great Skill in Guns, knew all that belonged to their casting; and could tell upon first view, whether they were mounted to do Execution, or not.  
He was a great Lover of stately Buildings, and several Curious Edifices were either built or repaired by Him: But his greatest Cost and Care in that kind was laid out in Windsor-Castle, which he took more delight in, than in any other of His Palaces. Nor were His Buildings all for Pomp, but some for Charity; witness that Curious and Stately Fabric of Chelsey-Colledg for the Entertainment of decayed Soldiers. He understood Navigation, Astronomy, and all the parts of the Mathematics to such a Degree that he is supposed to have attained a greater Perfection therein, than any Prince ever did before Him; and took so much delight in those Pleasant and Useful Studies, that he endeavoured, as much as possible, the promoting them in others; Witness His Worthy Gift to the Hospital of Christ-Church for the Annual breeding up a certain Number of the most Ingenuous of their Children in the Mathematical Studies; and the Liberal Rewards which were frequently bestowed by Him upon Ingenious Men, that had any way contributed toward the making those Studies more easy and delightful, or had been employed by him in any thing relating thereunto.  
His Recreations, for the most part, were very stirring, and such as tended to the making his Body more Robust and strong, 
His Recreations.  and maintaining it in Health (which he enjoyed to as great a degree as any Prince in the World ever did), such as Riding, Hunting, Fishing, Tennis, and the like. He loved Walking extremely, which he would do so fast, that his Courtiers were sometimes forced to run, that so they might keep pace with him: It being his constant Custom every morning when he was in Town, to Walk an hour or more in St. James' Park; and he designed to have done so that very morning he fell into his Fit. He took great pleasure likewise in Swimming, which he could do incomparably well to the Pleasure and Admiration of those, that beheld him. And indeed all his Recreations, as well as those public and private Actions, which had a more direct tendency to the great concerns of his Life, as a King, gave delight and satisfaction to those who communicated in the sight of them: And his very Diversions were so serious and pleasing, that every part of his time was thought to be well spent, and to deserve Commendation.  
Never was Prince more loving and affectionate to his Queen than he; for he ever resented Affronts offered to her, 
His Love and Affection to his Queen.  as ill as if they had been offered to himself; And was as tender of her Honour as of his own. He was observed by the Courtiers to be more Rich and Splendid upon her Birthday than upon his own, and to keep it with greater Joy and Solemnity.  
The vast Treasure of Learning and Knowledge which he had acquired by his long Study and Experience, was richly set off and adorned by a curious, smooth, and charming Eloquence, whereby he could readily express his Sentiments of things in so good a Language, as that with a pleasing kind of Magic, it enchanted the listening Ears of those that heard him, as sufficiently appeared by his Letters, Declarations and Speeches.  
And to conclude all, He was every way fitted, and made for Government, as well as born to be a King; and was possessed of all those excellent Qualifications, which were we to have had a liberty of choice, would certainly have constrained us to have pitched upon him for our Sovereign. For the valour of Edward the 3d, The Conduct of Henry the 5th, the Wisdom of the Seventh Henry, the Majesty of his Great Son, the Learning of James the 1st, and the Justice and Piety of the Royal Martyr, and (I had almost said) the Mercy of God himself, all met and were conspicuous in him.  
FINIS.    

EPIGRAPHE.  
Aevitati 
 S. 
 Numinis Majest. CAROLI II. 
 Inclyti Magnae Britanniae Genii 
 ac Regis, 
 Divi CAROLI Martyris F. 
 Qui 
 Ex Prosapia Deorum oriundus, 
 Et ad Anglicani Nominis Aeternitatem Natus, 
 Patriae fuit Parens, Pius, Paciferus, & semper Augustus. 
 In Exilio, frendente Rebelli Barbary, Magnanimus. 
 Sub Reducis Fortunae auspiciis, Albionum Fundator Imperii, 
 Literarum Maecenas, 
 Factionis Stator, Defensorque Fidius. 
 Tam Virtute Fortis, quam Pietate Clemens, 
 Supra omnes retro Principes, 
 (Prope XXV. Annorum Spatio) 
 Amplificatam toto Orbe dedit Remp. 
 Factis Consiliisque. 
 Paucis; Nihil non inlustre fuit, nisi Immortalis: 
 Obiit igitur, ut Immortalis esset, 
 Sexto die Mensis Februarii, 
 Anno Regni sui Tricesimo-Septimo Ineunte, 
 Annoqque Sospitatoris Nostri 1684. 
 Triumphate tamen, etiam Pullati Brittones, 
 Neque, dum Terram defuncto Principi vovetis Levem, 
 Sub onere doloris vestri ingemiscite: 
 Vivit enim CAROLUS in Superstite JACOBO, 
 Et, ut Diu vivat, strenuè Precaminor. 
 Adesto, FAMA; 
 Multum tibi Negoti video dari. 
 Contemplare JACOBUM II. Reg. Opt. Max. 
 Mavortem Britanicum, 
 Et cogita Novam Fatorum Seriem. 
 O Referant Divi, quoniam non possum Ipsi!   

A Prayer for the KING's Most Excellent Majesty taken out of the Liber Regalis.  
GOd the unspeakable Author of the World, Creator of Men, Governor of Empires, and Establisher of all Kingdoms who out of ●he Loins of our Father Abraham didst choose a King that became the Saviour of all Kings and Nations of the Earth, Bless, we beseech thee, thy Faithful Servant, and our Dread Sovereign Lord King JAMES with the Richest Blesssings of thy Grace: Establish him in the Throne of His Kingdom by thy Mighty Aid and Prote●ion: Visit him as thou didst visit Moses in the Bush, Joshua in the Battle Gideon in the Field, and Samuel in the Temple. Le● the Dew of thine abundant Mercies fall upon his Head, and give him the Blessing of David and Solomon: Be unto him an Helmet of Salvation against the Face of His Enemies, and a strong Tower of Defence in the Time of Adversity: Let his Reign be prosperous, and His Days many: Let Peace, Love, and Holiness; let justice and Truth, and all Christian Virtues flourish in His Time: Let His People Serve Him with Honour and Obedience, and let Him so duly serve thee here on Earth, that He may hereafter everlastingly Reign with thee in Heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN.  
THE END.