THE HISTORY OF THE House of Orange; OR, A Brief Relation of the Glorious and Magnanimous Achievements of His Majesty's Renowned Predecessors, and likewise of His own Heroic Actions till the Late Wonderful Revolution.  
Together with The HISTORY of William and Mary King and Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, etc.  
Being an Impartial Account of the most Remarkable Passages and Transactions in these Kingdoms from Their Majesty's Happy Accession to the Throne to this time.  
By R. B.  
LONDON, Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside. 1693.   

TO THE READER.  
I Am very sensible that the greatness of the Subject is a sufficient reason to deter me from adventuring to publish my mean endeavours in Relating the Glorious and Magnanimous Achievements of His Majesty's Renowned Ancestors as well as His own; Or of the excellent Conduct of Their Majesties since Their happy Accession to the Throne. But because we have such a furious Generation of Murmurers, who if they had their desires would ruin both themselves and their Country, and reduce us to French Popery and Slavery: It may seem to be the Interest of every man to strive to undeceive those whom these Miscreants would delude, since both our Eternal and Temporal happiness very much depends upon the supporting the present Government against all its Foreign and Domestic Enemies. A Government founded upon Law and Justice; A Government calculated for the support of the Protestant Interest throughout the World; wherein we have a King and Queen of the same excellent Religion with ourselves, a happiness which we have been deprived of for almost an Age past; Princes of such exemplary Virtue and Piety, that they discourage Vice and Profaneness, and constantly endeavour to support Goodness and Modesty, which seemed lately designed to be hissed out of the Nation.  
God grant that our ingratitude and impenitence may never deprive us of such inestimable blessings, and that we do not fall a Sacrifice to our stupendious folly and discontents.   

THE HISTORY OF THE House of Orange.  
THE Family of Nassau, from whom our Gracious Sovereign is descended, is not undeservedly accounted one of the most Ancient and Honourable in Europe, not only for its great Alliances and Branches, but also by the Advancement of one of this House to the Empire of Germany, Adolphus Nassau by name about the Year 1200, and that there has been a Succession of the Family in a direct Line for above a thousand years past, and among them.  
OTHO Count of Nassau, who lived about six hundred years since, and had two Wives; with the first of whom he had the Province of Gueldres, and with the other that of Zutphen. About three hundred years after a second Count  
OTHO of Nassau married the Countess of Vranden, whereby he became possessed of several other Territories in the Netherlands. In the Year 1404.  
Engilbert who was his Grandchild married the Heiress of the Town of Breda and Loeke, and was Grandfather to  
Engilbert 2d Earl of Nassau, who in 1491. was by Maximilian King of the Romans, going into Hungary, made Governor, Lieutenant and Captain General of Flanders, and afterwards in 1501. Archduke Philip going into Spain, constituted him Governor General of the Netherlands, an experienced Prince both in War and Peace, but dying Childless, left his Brother  
John his large Territories; this John had two Sons, upon Henry the eldest he bestowed all his Possessions in the Low-Countries, and to his youngest Son William he bequeathed all his Inheritance in Germany; By the earnest Endeavours of Henry Nassau, Charles the 5th was advanced to the Empire, against the pretensions of Francis I. the French King, and at his Coronation placed the Crown on his Head; And yet when upon concluding Peace between these two Monarches, Henry was sent by the Emperor to do Homage to King Francis for the County of Flanders and Artois, that Prince forgetting former differences, and being fully sensible of his extraordinary Merits, married him to Claudia, only Sister to Philibert Chalon Prince of Orange, by which Marriage his only Son Revens of Orange and Chalons, became Prince of Orange.  
William Earl of Nassau Brother to Prince Henry professed the Protestant Religion, and expelled Popery out of his Territories, and was Father to the great William of Nassau, who attained to be Prince of Orange, and Lord of all the Possessions of the House of Chalens by the Last Will of Revens de Nassau who died Childless.  
The Emperor Charles the 5th having a favour for the House of Orange, and received great services from them, was concerned that the young Prince William should be educated in the Reformed Religion, and therefore took him, with much regret from his Father, and endeavoured to instruct him in the Romish Faith, but afterward the former Opinions, which he had sucked in with his Mother's Milk, prevailed upon him, so that he became an earnest Professor of Protestantism.  
William Count of Nassau his Father had five Sons and seven Daughters by Juliana Countess of Stolberg.  
WILLIAM the eldest was born in 1533. at the Castle of Dillemberg in the County of Nassau, and being taken from his Father by the Emperor Charles, as we said, he became a great Favourite by his extraordinary Wisdom and Modesty, so that the Emperor confessed this young Prince often furnished him with notions and hints he should else never have thought of, and upon giving of private Audiences to Ambassadors when the Prince would discreetly offer to withdraw, the Emperor mildly remanded him, saving, Stay Prince, and it was admired by the whole Court, that a Prince not above twenty years old, should be entrusted with all the Secrets of the Empire, and carry the Imperial Crown upon his resignation, to his Brother Ferdinand, though the Prince with some reluctancy seemed to refuse the Employment, by alleging, That it was no ways proper for him to carry to another that Crown which his Uncle Henry of Nassau had set upon his Head. Yea the Emperor had so much confidence in his Conduct, that in the absence of the D. of Savoy his General of the Low Countries, though the Prince were not above 22 years old, yet contrary to the Advice of all his Council, rejecting all other experienced Generals, he constituted him Generalissimo, who managed that great Employ with such discretion and courage, that he caused Philipville and Charlemont to be built in the fight of the French Army, which was then commanded by Admiral Castillon that great Captain.  
These Magnanimous actions caused the Emperor to recommend the Prince of Orage to Philip II. his Son, but his Virtue and Courage were so emulated by the Spaniards, that all his most innocent words and actions were misinterpreted, and the opposition that the Provinces made to the Kings Will and Pleasure in defence of their Privileges were attributed to his contrivance; which King Philip made him sensible of when he was embarking from Flushing for Spain, charging him with preventing all his private Intrigues, with a furious countenance; And when the Prince mildly replied, that all had been done by the motion of the States themselves; the King shaking him by the wrist replied? No, not the States, but You, You, You, are the Occasion of it; Which severe reproach in public, so disgusted the Prince that he suddenly left the King without further Ceremony, only wishing him a good Voyage, and so left him in the middle of Flushing, which he knew had much respect for him. And that which increased the Prince's indignation against the Spanish Government, was that he saw himself deprived of the Government of the Netherlands which his Predecessors always enjoyed, and Cardinal Granville his inplacable Adversary put in his place, which proceed of King Philip disobliged both the Nobility and People, who hated the pride of Philip as much as they admired the affability of his Father Charles, which was much increased when the States (who much dreaded the Spanish insolency,) in a full Assembly at Gaunt, desiring the King to withdraw his Foreign Troops out of the Provinces, and intrust the Natives with the Fortified places; and not advance Foreign Ministers to the Government. The King was so far incensed thereat that he ordered his Sister Margaret of Austria, to set up the Spanish Inquisition; and to make Divers new Bishops.  
And these were the principal causes of the defection and terrible disorders that followed: For the People abhorring the name of the Inquisition, and the new Bishops as members of it; and the Nobility being highly incensed at the imperious temper of Granville, after having long suffered under his Arrogance, at length the Prince of Orange, Count Horn and Count Egmont sent King Philip word, That unless he recalled the Cardinal out of the Low Countries, his violent Counsels which were so much abhorred by all, would certainly occasion a Revolt in those Provinces. This with much regret was done, but another worse than he was designed in his room, the Bloody Duke of Alva, with an Army of Spaniards and Italians, which the Prince and Nobility being sensible was to take revenge for the affront to Granville; the Prince desired the Governess to be dismissed from his Governments of Holland, Zealand, Utrecht and Burgundy, which the Duchess refused, but desired him to remove his brother Count Lodowick from his Person, as being suspected to give him bad Council, and likewise to take a new Oath of Allegiance to King Philip; both which he denied; and as to the last alleged, That such an Oath would oblige him to extirpate Heretics, and might compel him to put his own Wife to Death who was a Protestant, and that if he should take another Oath, it might be thought he had broken the first.  
But the Governess being very zealous for settling the Inquisition and the new Bishops, about 400 Gentlemen with Prince Lewis of Nassaw in the head of them, and several other Nobles; presented a Petition against it, and were those, who were afterward called Guese or Beggars, so nicknamed for their plain apparel by Count Barlemont a Favourite to the Duchess; which though given in scorn, did much advance the Confederacy that followed and strengthened he Prince of Orange's Party: For their Petition being absolutely rejected, these Gentlemen caused Medals to be made with the King's Picture on one side, and a Beggar's Dish and Wallet on the other; with this inscription? Faithful to God and the King even to the carrying of the Wallet; intimating they were better Subjects in the King than Barlemont and his Adherents. And the Prince of Orange with the other Lords perceiving their Petition slighted, consulted their own safety, most of them were for taking Arms to oppose the Landing of the Spaniards in the netherlands, since by intercepted Letters they plainly discovered the design was to ruin and destroy them. But Count Egmont Governor of Flanders and Artois opposed it, and being confident of his own good services, advised them to rely upon the King's Clemency and Mercy; To which the Prince of Ornge replied, That the King's Mercy upon which he trusted would be his ruin, and that the Spaniards would make a Bridge of him to come into the Low Countries, and then break him. At which words embracing the Count as as if foreseeing they should never meet again, they parted with Tears in their Eyes: The Prince instantly went with his Family to his Town of Breda, only he left his Eldest Son Philip to Study in Louvain, and after that to Dillemberg the Ancient seat of the Nassaws.  
Soon after the Duke of Alva with an Army of old Spanish and Italian Soldiers came into the Netherlands, and Count Egmont waiting upon him, he said aloud; Behold the great Lutheran: Yet the Count took no notice of it, but presented him with two fine Horses. The Duke being arrived at Brussels produced his Commission, whereby he was made absolute Governor in all Causes whatsoever: He than dismissed the Assembly of the States, and constituted a Court of Twelve Men, who were to inspect into the Troubles, They soon imprisoned a great number of People of all Degrees and Qualities, and 18. Lords and Gentlemen were put to death at Brussels, and the Counts Egmont and Horn imprisoned, and soon after beheaded in the Market place of that City; the first being much pitied by the people for his fond credulity, who rejoiced at the safety of the Prince of Orange: And Cardinal Granville who was then at Rome, hearing of these proceed, asked the Messenger, whether the Duke had taken Silence, which was a name given to the Prince for secrecy and few words; Who replying no; Nay says Granville, if that Fish has escaped the Net, The Duke of Alva's draught is nothing worth.  
The Cruel and Barbarous proceed of this new Governor caused a great many to leave the Country, who were summoned to appear before the bloody Council of Twelve at a certain day, and upon their refusal all their Estates were Confiscated; Among others the Prince of Orange, Count Culenburgh and other Lords were cited; The Prince refused, alleging, That being of the Order of the Golden Fleece, he could not be judged by any but the King and the Companions of that Order. He likewise appealed to the Emperor Maximilian, brother to King Philip, and other Germane Princes, imploring their aid, who approved of his reasons, and declared their dislike of the proceed of the Duke of Alva: The time for the Princes appearing being expired, his Principalities were all declared to be forfeited, a Spanish Garrison was put into Breda, and his Eldest Son Philip William was sent to Spain to be educated in the Roman Religion, and also for an Hostage for his Father.  
And thus King Philip by these cursed Counsels, and the Rigorous usage of his Subjects, was himself the occasion of the loss of the United Netherlands; who finding all their Privileges violated and their utter extirpation determined, they resolved to throw off this intolerable yoke and afterwards in some of their Ensigns had this Motto; We will either recover our Liberties or perish in  Attempt. And the Prince of Orange observing himself so roughly and unjustly used, being reproached as a public Enemy, and exposed to the malice of his implacable Adversaries, having his innocent Son, and his great Estate ravished from him, he thought it high time to defend his Honour and his Life, by force of Arms; and to engage for Religion and Liberty in the Common quarrel of his Country. And thereupon he raised an Army in Germany which he sent unto Friz and under his brother Lewis and Adolphus of Nassaw; and being met by Count Aremburgh with a considerable Force, a battle followed, wherein the Nassovians gained a considerable Victory, the Spanish Army being totally routed, and Arembergh himself with the principal Commanders slain, and all their Cannon, Baggage, and a great sum of Money sent to pay the Soldiers taken. This defeat happened in 1568. But Count Lowis enjoyed this Victory very little, for the Duke of Alva pursuing him, fell upon him just at the time when the Germans were all in a mutiny for their pay who rather chose to be miserably slain than to defend themselves, so that six thousand were killed or drowned, Adolphus hardly making his escape.  
The Prince nothing discouraged at this misfortune, raised another Army of Twenty eight thousand French and Germans, and published a Declaration wherein he cleared his Innocence of those crimes objected against him, charging the Duke and the Council of Blood with the Causes of the War, and then passing the Rhyne by tying his Horses together to break the force of the River, the Foot arrived silently in the night to the other Shore, which so surprised that Duke of Alva, that he would not believe it at first, saying, Sure you do not think them an Army of Birds. Arriving thus into Brabant, he offered Alva Battle, which the other declined; so that after 29 several attempts to engage him to a Combat, and the City's not revolting to the Prince as he expected, and the Germans being again ready to mutiny for want of Pay, it was thought adviseable to dismiss his Army, paying part of their Arreas by the sale of his Plate, Artillery and Baggage, and engaging his Principality of Orange to his chief Officers for the remainder; yet before their disbanding he routed eighteen Companies of the Enemy's Foot, and three hundred Horse of the Spaniards near Cambray, most of the Commanders being taken Prisoners, and the Duke of Alva's Son slain.  
After this with only 1200 Horse the Prince and his two Brothers went into France to the Assistance of the Protestants against the Duke of Guise and his Partisans, where he was very successful in several Encounters, and at length by the Advice of the great Admiral Coligni he gave out Commissions to several Persons of Quality, Fugitives of the Low Countries to infest the Spaniards by Sea, by which means he soon became Master of all Holland and Zealand. The Germans being driven out of the Netherlands, the D. of Alva, as if he had conspired to lose these Countries, instantly levied new Taxes, even the Tenths of all Goods and Estates, which so enraged the People that were already near ruined by the War, that upon the Privateers (who were sent abroad by the Prince's Commission) taking the Town of Brill, a Port in Zealand, eight Cities in Holland, and all the Cities in Zealand except Middleburgh, declared for the Prince of Orange, and Flushing, a considerable City, being animated by the Priest at Mass on Easter day in the Morning, turned out the Spanish Garrisons in such fury that they hanged Alvarez Kinsman to the Duke of Alva. And William Count of Bergen at the same time took several other Towns in Friezeland, and which most astonished Alva, Lewis of Nassau, by the Assistance of the French, took Mons the chief City of Heynault.  
Mean while the Prince of Orange with an Army of 11000 Foot, and 6000 Horse marches to Louvain, which presented him with 16000 Crowns, and was received into Mechlin, and from thence comes within fight of Alva's Army, which was strongly fortified, yet the Prince resolved to force his Intrenchments, or oblige him to a Battle, which whilst he was consulting he received Advice of the horrid Massacre at Paris, whereby he lost the Admiral Chastillon, and many other of his dearest Friends, together with all hopes of any more Relief from France, so that not being able to oblige the Duke to a Battle, and doubting the French Commanders manders who were his chief strength should desert him upon News of the bloody Massacre, he writ to his Brother Lewis to make Terms for delivering up Mons then besieged by Alva; and then with slow Marches retreated to the Rhyne, yet with some loss and danger, for a Detatchment of Spanish Horse and Foot, breaking into his Camp in the night, killed and burnt all before them as far as his own Tent where he was fast asleep; but a little Dog which used to lie on his Bed, never left barking and scratching his face till he had waked him, so that leaping out of his Bed, and perceiving the peril he was in, he hastened to his Men, who were now coming to his Rescue, and fell upon the Spaniards so furiously, that most of the Party, which were about a thousand Horse and Foot were cut off in their retreat.  
After which the Prince dismissed his Army and came into Holland; these States with those of Zealand having already acknowledged him for their Governor, and taken an Oath to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes.  
But though the Prince had the full power of the Government in his own hands, yet he acted all matters in the name of the States, and by his extreme diligence in four months' time he had provided a Fleet of 150 Sail well Rigged and Manned in the Port of Flushing; who for ten years after did unspeakable damage to the Spaniards, and were never but once worsted by them. He likewise banished all Romish superstitions out of the Churches, that difference in Religion might render them more irreconcilable to their old Adversary.  
But the Duke of Alva having retaken Mons, sent his Son to reduce some other Cities in Holland, and Guelderland, and because the Town of Haerlem had formerly received the Prince of Orange after the Duke had reduced it by Famine whereof near thirteen thousand died, he made a dreadful example of this place, the Spaniards first hanging the Governor, and for several days together hanging and drowning the Ministers, Magistrates, and People of the City, to the number of near two thousand, which butcheries made the Hollanders to be still more resolved and obstinate against them; so that the other Towns made a more Vigorous defence, for fear of falling into the hands of such cruel blood hounds. Soon after the Duke of Alva was recalled out of the Netherlands, and Lowis Requiesens of a milder temper was sent to succeed him. King Philip now finding that Rigour and Barbarity did but enrage the Netherlanders, and made them more averse to his Government: This new Governor had the fortune at his arrival to be an eye-witness of the deseat of his Master's Fleet, by that of the Prince of Orange; but yet was more fortunate by Land, for Prince Lowis of Nassaw having brought a fourth Army out of Germany of seven thousand Foot and four thousand Horse, was defeated by the Spaniards near Nimmeguen, the Germans according to their usual custom calling for their pay just as the battle began, and thereby were the ruin of themselves, as well as of their General's honour; Prince Lowis with his brother Prince Henry and the Count Palatine being all three killed in this fight. Upon which Victory the Spaniards besieged Leyden, and reduced it to very great extremity, so that they were ready to Capitulate: But the Prince having an account of their condition, by Letters tied to Pigeons and sent into the Town: Resolved to make the utmost effort possible to relieve it; and having provided two hundred Flat bottom Boats of fourteen or sixteen Oars, and two Guns a piece, which he filled with Seamen and Provisions, when all things were prepared the Hollanders broke down the Dam that kept out the Sea, which thereupon entered with such fury into the Country, that it was overwhelmed with water, and and the Camp of the Spaniards was overflowed, so that the City received supplies forty mile off by water, and the Spaniards having sunk their Cannon after four months' fruitless labour, were forced to raise the Siege, being pursued by the Dutch in their Boats with long grappling Irons, wherewith they drowned and destroyed a great number of their enemies. This deliverance from a Barbarous and Inhuman Enemy endeared the Prince of Orange to those of Leyden, who to recompense their losses by the inundation, erected a University there, which he endowed with ample Revenues and Privileges.  
But to recompense this loss, Requesones reduced Zurich-zee; but the Spaniards and Germans falling at variance, about their pay, and Requesones dying at the same time, the unruly Soldiers fell upon Mastriccht and Antwerp, both which Towns they plundered and ransacked of an immense Treasure, rated at above Twenty Millions. The Robberies of those Foreign Mutineers caused such an abhorrence and detestation of the Government in the People, that those which had hitherto continued obedient to the Spanish Government, now declared the Spaniards enemies to their King and Country, and called in the Prince of Orange to their assistance: All the Provinces, except Luxemburg entering into an Association, and Solemnly Swearing to assist each other in delivering their Country from Spanish Slavery. This happened in 1576. when King Philip to remedy these disorders sent Don John of Austria, to be Governor of the Netherlands, who by his Mild and Affable behaviour wheedled the Provinces for a time to desist from their gallant resolution; and though the Prince of Orange, who saw the bottom of the Spaniards designs, continually forewarned them not to be deluded with guilded promises, yet Don John having solemnly agreed That the State's General should assemble, and that the Spaniards and Germans should departed out of the Netherlands, several of the Provinces again submitted to King Philip; the Prince of Orange with the States of Holland and Zealand protesting against their proceed, especially as to the Articles about Religion: But Don John was no sooner settled in his Government, being received with much magnificence at Brussels, but he quickly made good the Prince's Premonitions, for he seized upon Namur and Charlemont, and sent for the Foreign Troops. Whereupon the States finding themselves deluded, they resolved to oppose him by Arms, and having demolished the Castle of Antwerp, they joined with the Prince of Orange, and sent to desire his presence at Brussels, where he was received with all kinds of Joy, and the Acclamations of the People, and declared Governor of Brabant, and Superintendent of the Revenues of the Provinces.  
The State's General having declared Don John of Austria the public Enemy of their Country, he thereupon recalled the Italians and other Foreigners, who were banished by the perpetual Edict, as it was called, and with them defeated the Army of the States at Gemblours, though this loss was recompensed by the surrender of the famous City of Amsterdam eight days after, which was then united to the Body of Holland.  
In the year 1579. the Prince of Orange laid the Foundation of the Republic of the Low-countrieses by the strict Union he made between the Provinces of Gueldres, Zutphen, Holland, Zealand, Friezeland, and the Ommelands, consisting of 25 Articles, the chief whereof was, That these Provinces should mutually assist each other against the common Enemy, and not treat of War or Peace without general consent: This was called, The Treaty of Vtrecht, because signed in that City; and to show that Union was absolutely necessary for their preservation, the States took this for their Motto, Concordia parvae res crescunt; By Concord little things grow great. But the Prince finding the power of these few Provinces not sufficient to defend themselves against the other Provinces that had reconciled themselves to Spain, nor against that potent Crown he thought it adviseable to choose some Neighbour Prince to be their Protector, and judged none more proper than the Duke of Anjou and Alenson, the only Brother of Henry III. King of France, and Commissioners being sent to him, it was soon agreed that these six Provinces of Holland, Zealand, Brabant, Flanders. Utrecht and Friezeland, should acknowledge him for their Sovereign, upon condition, That he should maintain them in their present Privileges and Religion, that he should assemble the State's General once a year or oftener, if they thought fit, That he should not dispose of any Offices or Preferments without the consent of the States. Lastly, That if he should endeavour to infringe or violate this Treaty, he should immediately forfeit his Sovereignty, and they be fully absolved from any Allegiance to him, and be at liberty to choose another Sovereign.  
This Agreement being made, Archduke Mathias Brother to Rodolphus Emperor of Germany, who had been sent for, some time before by some factious Lords, (who envied the Virtue and Glory of the Prince of Orange) finding that the States sought for a more powerful Protector, took his leave and retired into Germany, though not without large Acknowledgement and Presents from the State's General. The Prince of Orange hastened the March of the Duke of Alenson, whose presence he knew was very considerable, especially since in this year 1580, the King of Spain had published a most bloody Proscription against him, Reproaching him with the favours bestowed on him by his Father Charles the V, and declaring him to be a Rebel, Heretic, Hypocrite, like to Cain and Judas, of an obdurate Conscience, a Villain, the Head of the netherlands Troubles, a Plague to Christendom, and an Enemy to all Mankind; Declaring further, That he did prosecute and banish him out of his Countries and Estates, forbidding any of his Subjects to converse with, or relieve him, giving all his Estate to those that would take it, promising upon the word of a King, and as the Minister of Almighty God, That if any would deliver him alive or dead, or else take away his Life, he would give to him or his Heirs Five thousand Crowns of Gold, and the free pardon of all the Crimes that he had been before guilty of, and if they were not Noble, to make them so, and to reward all that shall assist them therein; and likewise that all his Adherents should be banished, and their Lives and Estates given for a prey to any that would take them.  
The Prince of Orange made a very smart Apology in answer hereunto, wherein he fully vindicates himself from all the Crimes objected against him, proving at large, That all the Miseries of the Netherlands ought to be imputed to the Council of Spain, who endeavoured to reduce those Countries to absolute Slavery, both as to Religion and Civil Liberties, and acting more like Madmen than Politicians, and like that foolish King Rehoboam, following the silly Advice of a weak Woman, and Cardinal Granval the Pope's Creature telling the King, That his Father had chastised the People with Whips, but the Son ought to whip them with Scorpions, and therefore they endeavoured to bring in the Inquisition, and the new Bishops which were the occasion of all these commotions. And as to his taking Arms against his Sovereign, he showeth, that Henry Bastard of Castille, the King's great Grandfather, had with his own hands slain the King Don Pedro the Cruel, his lawful Brother, and possessed his Kingdom, whose Successor King Philip was, and enjoyed it to this day. And that there was a Reciprocal Bond between a Prince and a Subject, and if the Prince infringes his Oath, the Subject is freed from his Allegiance, that the King of Spain was admitted to be Duke of Brabant upon certain conditions which he had sworn to maintain, and yet had notoriously violated; and if the Nobility did not endeavour by Arms (since no other means was to be found) to preserve and defend their Liberties, they ought to be accounted guilty of Perjury, Treachery and Rebellion to the States of the Country. And whereas the King had offered Money to take away his Life, he did not doubt of God's protection, yet certainly he could never be accounted a Gentleman by Persons of Honour, who would be so wicked and infamous to murder a Man for Money, except they were such Spaniards, who being descended from the Moors and Jews, might retain that quality from their Ancestors who offered Money to Judas to betray our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into their hands, that they might crucify him.  
The Prince concluded his Apology by telling the State's General, That since their peace and quiet seemed to depend upon his death, he was willing to lay down his life to free them from the Calamities under which they suffered, having already for their sakes lost his Estate, his Brethren, yea and his own Son, and that his Head, over which no Prince or Potentate on Earth had any power, was yet at their command, and that he would be a willing Sacrifice to procure their Tranquillity: But if they thought fit still to use his Service, he would employ his Life, Counsel, and all he had in the World for the defence and preservation of the Netherlands.  
In answer to this the States declare, That they are fully satisfied that the Crimes and Slanders charged upon the Prince are altogether false and malicious, and that all the Honours that had been conferred on him were so far from being sought for or desired by him, that he only accepted them at their earnest request and entreaty, with the full consent, and by the free Election of the Country, and therefore they humbly entreated him still to continue his Administration, and likewise to accept of a Guard for his Person against any villainous attempts upon his Life.  
The State's General of he United Provinces perceiving that notwithstanding the Intercession both of the Emperor, the French King, the Queen of England, and other Princes and States of Christendom to King Philip on their behalf, yet he still continued obstinately resolved to yield to nothing but what might reduce their Country absolutely to Popery and Slavery, thereupon in 1581. they published an Edict of Renunciation against him, wherein they declare, That it being acknowledged by all Mankind that a Prince is ordained of God to preserve his Subjects from all Injuries and Violence, even as a Shepherd defends his Sheep, and that the people were never created to be Bondmen and Slaves to his will and pleasure whether his Commands are right or wrong, but that he is advanced to that dignity to govern them by equity and reason, and to cherish them as a Father doth his Children, even with the peril of his life. If a King therefore fail herein, and instead of protecting his Subjects, shall strive to destroy them, and deprive them of their Ancient Laws and Privileges, and endeavour to make them Bondslaves; His Subjects are thereupon discharged from all Subjection and Obedience to such a Sovereign, and are to reckon and esteem him a Tyrant, and that he is absolutely fallen from his former Dignity and Sovereignty, and the Estates of the Country may lawfully and freely abandon him, and Elect another Prince to protect and defend them in his place, especially when his Subjects neither by Prayers nor Petitions can mollify his heart, nor divert him from his Tyrannical and Arbitrary courses: Since they have then no other way to preserve their Ancient Liberties, Lives, Wives, Children and Estates, which according to the Laws of God and Nature they are bound to defend, and which hath been practisied in divers Countries, especially in those where the King was obliged by Oath to govern according to Law, and was admitted to the Sovereignty upon certain conditions and special contracts.  
Now it being apparent to all the World that Philip King of Spain, giving ear to certain wicked Counsellors, hath in every particular broken all the Oaths and Obligations which he had entered into for the defence of those Provinces, and hath determined to enslave, ruin and destroy them, and all their Interests therein, etc. We the State's General being pressed by extreme necessities, do by a general resolution and consent declare the King of Spain to be fallen from the Government, Dominion and Jurisdiction of these Countries, and we are resolved never hereafter to acknowledge him for our Prince and Sovereign Lord, but do hereby declare ourselves and all the Inhabitants of these Provinces, to be for ever discharged from all manner of Oaths, and Allegiance to the said King, etc. In witness whereof we have caused our our Seals to be hereunto annexed, July 26. 1581.  
The Duke of Anjou having been in England to make a Visit to Q. Elizabeth, returned again to Antwerp, after three months splendid Entertainment in the English Court, the Queen at his departure earnestly recommending to him to govern the People with mildness, and to endeavour to gain their Affections, which would be the most durable Foundation that he could lay for the security of his Government. The Duke was received at Antwerp with all kind of Magnificence, being made Duke of Brabant with much solemnity, and having taken an Oath to protect and defend them in all their Rights, afterward the Nobility and Gentry swore Allegiance to him as their Prince and Governor.  
Soon after a Plot was laid to kill the Prince of Orange, which was thus managed; Gaspar the Anastro a Spanish Merchant living in Antwerp, finding his Affairs in a very low condition by reason of the many Debts he had contracted, and was not able to pay, he bethought himself of the great Reward promised by the King of Spain to the Murderers of the Prince of Orange, and being greedy of this prey which he thought might again retrieve his credit, he consulted with the Governor of Gravelin how to put this Fact in execution, and at length concluded to employ a wicked Boy he had called Joanille to perpetrate it, who no sooner was acquainted with it, but he readily undertook it. The day appointed for this execrable deed was on a Sunday, when the Duke of Anjou making a great Feast, the Prince of Orange was present, the Boy accordingly came to the house, where he was confessed by a Jacobin Fyrer, and promised the pardon of all his sins, the Priest likewise deluding him, and saying, that he should go invisible, having given him some Characters in Papers with Frogs Bones and other Trifles that were found in his pocket. Being thus strengthened in his Resolution, he drank a Glass or two of Wine, and the Ghostly Father having given him his Blessing at the stairs foot, left him; Joanille comes into the Room where the Prince and several Lords were at Dinner, clad like a Frenchman, and was thought a Servant to one of the French Noblemen, he endeavoured to come near the Prince, having charged his Pistol with two Bullets, designing to shoot him behind as he had been instructed, but was still hindered: The Prince having dined, went toward his Withdrawing Room, showing by the way, to a Nobleman the Cruelties of the Spaniards in the Netherlands, wrought in Tapestry, when the Murderer having placed himself in a Window of the Hall, discharged his Pistol against the hinder part of his head, but the Prince turning his face, at the same instant the Bullet entered in at the throat, it being so near that the fire entered with the wound, burning his Ruff and his Beard, and breaking one of his Teeth, the Bullet coming out at the left Cheek near his Nose without hurting his Tongue: This terrible blow being given, all present were amazed, and one of the Halberdiers in a rage thrust the Villain thorough, and a Page presently after dispatched him. The Boy was quickly known to belong to Anastro, who was imprisoned, together with the Monk, the first was released, but the Friar, together with the Carcase of the Murderer were both hanged, and after quartered. The Prince's wound was somewhat dangerous, for the bleeding of the Jugular Vein could by no art nor means be stopped, till they contrived, that for nine days together several persons appointed should hold their Thumbs upon the wound night and day, so that at length it closed, and the danger was over. At first the French were thought to have committed the Fact, but the Prince of Orange, though weak, writing with his own hands to the Magistrates of Antwerp to let them know it was a Spaniard, they at length were satisfied. The grief of that great City was extraordinary upon the Princes being wounded, the Magistrates commanding Fasts to be kept, to pray for his Recovery, and their Joy was as great when they heard he was out of danger. The Prince of Parma Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, concluded him dead, and sent mild Letters to several Cities to surrender to him.  
After this the Duke of Anjou envying the Power of the Prince of Orange, which he thought eclipsed his own, and not enduring to be a Sovereign only in name with such a limited Authority, by the Advice of some of his young Councillors, he resolved to seize upon the principal Places in the Netherlands, that is, Antwerp, Bruges, Dunkirk and Dendermond, upon pretence that the People of Antwerp had encompassed his Palace with design to murder him. The two last he took possession of, but the Citizens of Bruges and Antwerp defended themselves with so much courage, that the French were killed in such heaps before the Gates as prevented those without from enering in to their Relief. The Flemings had some suspicions, the Prince was concerned in the attempt; which was somewhat occasioned by his fourth Marriage with Lovise de Coligny a French Lady: But he perceiving it, and that the State's party grew every day weaker in the Walloon Provinces, retired into Holland where he thought himself more secure, and his Life less exposed to the Bigoted Papists; and settled at the City of Delft, where Henry Frederick Grandfather to our present Gracious Sovereign was born.  
The Duke of Anjous Party being defeated he was obliged to restore those places of which he had made himself Master. And returning into France died soon after, some say of poison, others of mere vexation for this inglorious enterprise.  
The Spaniards thinking they had no greater Enemy in the World than the Prince of Orange; and that he being gone they should attain their full purposes for enslaving the Netherlands, they used all manner of base and treacherous practices to murder and destroy him, which they too successfully effected in the manner following. In May 1584. A Young man of above twenty seven coming to the Prince's Court at Delft, delivered him a Letter as he passed along, the Prince demanding whence it came, the Youth being of a seeming innocent countenance replied, that it was his own Letter, and contained matter of concernment for the service of the Country; It was subscribed Francis Guyon. The Prince went away, and the next day the fellow desiring a Councillor of the Princes that he might be heard and receive an Auswer of his Letter, and that he had several other things of importance to discover both concerning the Country and Religion. The Prince having notice of it, commanded one of his Council to examine him; to whom he gave a large account of his pretended adventures, and that he had procured several blanks (which he produced) with Count mansfield's Seal, which were given him for the use of Passports for Victuallers, but might be serviceable to the Prince upon other occasions. The Prince recovered the blank Passports, intending to try some experiment with them: And by this means he became so familiar at Court, that the Prince some days after having an account of the death of the Duke of Anjou, he sent for this Villain into his chamber to inquire something of him while he was in bed, and the wretch afterwards confessed in Prison that if he had then had a Dagger or Penknise he would have certainly slain him then: After this he came constantly to Prayers and Sermons, and was observed to read Du Bartas Works, particularly the History of Judith and Holofernes, where there are certain persuasions and encouragements to cut off Tyrants; Sometimes he borrowed a Bible of the Porter upon pretence of Religion; so that at length he went about the Court without suspicion. A while after the Prince ordered him to be sent to Count Byron into France, to try if he could make any advantage of the Passports, upon which he desired money to buy Shoes and Stockings, being in an ill condition; The Prince ordered him ten or twelve Crowns. Next day he bought a Pistol of one of the Guard, but finding it did not shoot true he bought two more which were according to his mind: After this he watched when the Prince went down to the Hall to Dinner, and demanded a Passport of him, but in such a hollow and contused Voice that the Princess asked what he was, for she did not like his countenance; the Prince told her his business: After Dinner the Prince going out of the Hall, the Villain stood behind a Pillar in the Gallery with his Cloak on one Shoulder, having two Pistols under his left Arm, holding in his right hand a paper like a Passport as it to have the Prince sign it; As the Prince passed along having one foot upon the first step of the Stairs, the Traitor advancing drew forth one of his pistols so suddenly that he was not perceived till the blow was given; the three builets' wherewith the pistol was charged, entering in at his left side, and coming out on the right through the Stomach and Vital parts: The Prince feeling himself hurt said only thus, O my God take pity of my Soul, I am sore wounded: My God, take pity of my Soul and of this poor People. After which he began to stagger but his Gentleman Usher supported him, and set him upon the Stairs, the Countess of Swartsenburg his Sister asked him if he did not recommend his Soul to Jesus Christ? he answered Yes, and never spoke a word more, dying in a few minutes after: The Murderer endeavoured to escape, but being taken and told he was a wicked Traitor, to endeavour to kill the Prince; I am no Yraytor, said he, but have done what the King of Spain commanded me, and if I have not slain him cursed be my ill Fortune: After this he freely confessed the whole matter, and that he had done it by the instigation of the Jesuits, and the encouragement of the Prince of Parma who assured him of the reward promised to the Assassinate by the King of Spain.  
For this horrid Crime a particular and tremendous sentence was pronounced against him by the Judges That Baltazar Gerrard (which he confessed was his true name) should be la'id upon a Scaffold in the Market place of Delft, to have his right hand wherewith he committed that execrable deed, torn with two burning hot pincers, and the like to be done in six several parts of his Body, as his Arms, Sight and several other Fleshly parts; his privy Members to be cut off, and he to be Quartered alive to have his Heart plackt our and thrown in his Face, and lastly his Head to be cut off, and to be set upon a Pole upon the watch Tower behind the Prince's lodgings; His four Quarters to be hanged upon Gibbets upon the four Bulwarks of the Town. This Sentence, said the Judges, we think fit to pronounce against this wicked Murderer, for having (to the great grief and sorrow of all good men) committed a most execrable Crime, and abominable Treason, upon the Person of so Famous and Renowned a Prince as the Prince of Orange was; for which he ought in no wise to remain unpunished, but rather with all rigour and severity to be made an Example to future Ages.  
Having notice of his Death he was at first astonished, cursing the hour of his birth, and wishing he had never learned the wicked Principles of the Jesuits at Dole, but had been still a mean Tradesman, and not fallen into this folly; But since it is done, said he, there is no remedy, and I must now suffer for it. This dreadful Sentence was fully executed, and yet in all his torments he never cried out, nor seemed to be in any pain; Yea smiled at an accident that happened in the midst of his Tortures. Having often boasted that he would not show the least sign of fear,  
Thus died the renowned William Prince of Orange at fifty one Years of Age. He was of an active Spirit and a strong memory; and his Wisdom, Constancy, Magnanimity, his Courage, Patience, and Labours were all so extraordinary, that they are rather to be admired than described. A Person in whom concurred a solid Judgement to undertake so great and difficult an Enterprise, and an unparallelled Courage to carry it on; and a very great Constancy to finish the Freedom of his Country against the mighty power of Spain, and the Treacheries of many of his own Countrymen. So that the States and People of the Netherlands who had so often experienced his Conduct and Magnanimity in their most pressing extremities, admired his Virtues which scarce ever m●t before in one Person, bewailing him as if no greater loss could have befallen them in this World, and solemnised his Funeral with all imaginable magnificence, that being the last Honour they could pay to his glorious memory. He had four Wives by whom he had four Sons and eight Daughters.  

Philip William of Nassaw,  
Was Eldest Son to the Great W. P. of Orange; Philip II. K. of Spain being his Godfather; who when his Father was compelled to take Arms in his own defence, was a Student at the University of Louvain, and was taken thence by force, to the Infringement of the Liberties of the Place, notwithstanding all the Protestations of the Rector to the contrary, and the Complaints of the Prince his Father, who publicly exclaimed against the Cruelty of the Spaniards, since no Privilege nor Innocence of Age could secure any from their Tyranny and Injustice. He was carried from thence into Spain at 13 Years of Age, and educated in the Roman Catholic Religion, where he continued a Prisoner above 30 Years; during which, his Jailor presuming to speak abusively of the Proceed of his Father, the Prince who inherited his gallant temper, not enduring his insolent discourse, took him about the middle and throwing him out of the Window broke his Neck; The K. of Spain consulted with his Council what Punishment to inflict for this great Action; but at length, by the interposing of a generous young Spaniard who was present, and affirmed that the Captain's ill carriage was the occasion of his Death, it was passed over.  
But at length, in hope to create some Jealousies between his Brother Maurice and himself, K. Philip released him and sent him into Flanders, where he lived in great State with the Spanish Governor of the Netherlands at Brussels, and was employed by that King to conduct into the Netherlands his Bride and Spouse that was to be, the Infanta Isabel, to whom K. Philip had given in Dowry the Sovereignty of the 17 Provinces; This was a very astonishing Policy to all the Netherlands, that the Son of a Prince who was so abhorred by the Spaniards, should be chosen for this honourable Employment, and caused such a Jealousy in the States of the United Provinces towards him (the King of Spain having likewise restored to him all his Estate in the Spanish Low-Countries, and the French Comte) that they would not allow him to make any Visit, much less to reside in any of their Provinces, though he was very desirous so to do: And though his younger Brother Prince Maurice, out of his generous temper surrendered up all the great Estate that belonged to Philip his older Brother, as Breda, and other places; yet to prevent his being suspected by the State's General, he declined seeing him in Person, rendering his Respects to him constantly by Persons deputed thereunto. He married Eleonora Bourbon Sister to the Prince of Conde, and by marching with a Princess of the Blood, he was reinstated in his Principality of Orange and died without Children at Brussels in 1618. leaving his Inheritance and Title to his Brother.   

Maurice of Nassaw, Prince of Orange.  
Successor to his Father both in Conduct, Courage, and Success, who being but 17 years old at the Death of his Father was yet called to the Government, and was no ways discouraged at the great Successes of Alexander Famese Duke of Parma who in a very short time had reduced several Cities and Towns to the Crown of Spain; Nor with the insolence of the Earl of Leicester, who at the desire of the State General was sent by Q. Elizabeth to be their Governor, though by his insupportable Pride and Ambition he more endamaged the Low Countries, than the Succours he brought relieved them, so that for 4 years together that Commonwealth laboured under dreadful Convulsions, occassioned by the Intrigues of the Earl of Leicester, and the Policies of the Spaniards, till at length by the fortunate and total destruction of the nicknamed, Invincible Spanish Armada, designed to have devoured all England, the Prince of Parma lost all his reputation at once. Prince Maurice about the same time obliging him to his everlasting shame, to rise and run away from the Siege of Bergen 〈◊〉 Zoom, And for Twenty Years after, even till the time of the Truce, Fortune was so favourable to the Prince, that Victory seemed to attend him; insomuch that he recovered near 40 Cities, and many more Fortresses, and in three pitched Battles defeated the Forces of the K. of Spain; besides the Victories his Admirals obtained at Sea upon the Coasts of Flanders and Spain: The Stratagem by which he surprised Breda was very remarkable; For the Garrison of that Town being Italians, and greedy of Fuel in that cold Country, they very readily assisted the Boatman to draw his Bark of Turffs over the Ice within the Castle Walls, under which the Prince had laid several armed Soldiers, who suddenly starting up, surprised, and soon seized the Guards, taking Possession of the Castle with the loss only of one Man, though it were an Action of such Danger and Importance: Soon after the Town of Gertrudenburg was surrendered to the Prince in View of the Spanish Army consisting of 30000 Men commanded by Count Mansfield an experienced General who could not force the Prince out of his Trenches though he daily provoked him; so that Prince Maurice having sent a Trumpeter to the Count, he asked him, How his Master, being a young and fiery Prince could contain himself within his Trenches after such fair Provocations. The Trumpeter replied, That the Prince of Nassaw was a Young Prince, but as old and experienced a General as his Excellency.  
The next Year the Prince took Groaning, the Capital City of that province; also Rhineburg, Meurs, and Grave, and gained great Reputation by the defence of Ostend; for the Spaniards having made themselves Masters of it, after a Siege of three Years, with the loss of Sixty thousand Men, and the expense of above a Hundred Millions of Treasure, they were possessed of nothing but a heap of Ruins, more like a Burying place than a City; And the Prince soon after gained Sluice, a place of far greater Importance. And at the Battle of Newport he had so great Success against far more numerous Forces than his own; That the Archduke Albert, with several other Persons of Quality were wounded: All the Spaniards Cannon with above 100 Cornets and Ensigns falling into the Victor's hands, with the slaughter of 6000 of the Enemy upon the place; the Prince having before the Fight sent away all the Ships that Transported his Men into Flanders, telling them, That now there was no way to escape, but they must either march over the Bellies of their Enemies, or else drink Salt Water: After several other successes against the Prince of Parma and other Spanish Generals, whereby he raised up the sinking Republic of the United Netherlands, he died in 1625. He was never Married, and left his Titles and large Possessions to his younger Brother.   

Henry Frederick of Nassaw Prince of Orange.  
Who was third Son to the renowned W. P. of Orange; He was born in 1584. and was an excellent General, not in the least degenerating from the Courage and Gallantry of that Heroic Family, being every way equal in Fame to his Brother Prince Maurice, taking the famous Cities of Odousel and Groll in despite of the Spanish General, who with a numerous Army was not able to relieve it; Nor was he less successful at Sea, his Vice Admiral Hein taking a Fleet of the Spaniards near Cuba in the West Indies, valued at above twenty Millions. After this he took Bois le Duc which had withstood all the attempts of his Brother Maurice, and would not be drawn away till he had reduced it, though Count Henry of Bergnes the Spanish General made an Incursion into the Province of Utrecht to divert him; And afterward happily surprised the City of Wessel, where the Magazine of Provisions and all the great Artillery of the Spanish Army were laid up.  
About this time Count John of Nassaw his Kinsman upon some discontent revolting to the Spaniards, was defeated by one of the Prince's Captains near the Rhyne in the open Field, with half his number of men, himself being carried Prisoner to Wessel, from whence he could not be redeemed without the payment of 18000 Rix Dollars; To revenge which dishonour, Count John when at liberty endeavoured with a strong Navy of Ships to seize the Town of Williamstadt, but was totally defeated by the Hollanders, and 4000 Prisoners taken, and the rest either killed or drowned; He himself and the Prince of Brabancon hardly escaping.  
The State's General to testify their gratitude to Henry Prince of Orange for the great services he had performed; About this time by a public Edict declared, That all the Dignities, Honours, and Employments which he then enjoyed shall descend to his Eldest Son Prince William, the Instruments whereof being drawn up and sealed by the States, were presented to the young Prince in a Box of Gold. After this Prince Henry continued still more successful, taking the Towns of Ru●emond, Veulo and Strall, and lastly undertaking the Siege of Mastricht, where he surrounded his Trenches with such strong circumvallations that both the Spanish and Germane Forces were obliged to march away with dishonour and leave him the honour of reducing so important a place.  
Divers other prosperous attempts he made, as his retaking the Fort of Skink Scans, and regaining the Castle and City of Breda, which the Marquis Spinola had been a whole year in taking, with vast loss and expense, and yet the Prince now reduced it to his Immortal honour in four months, and answerable was his Fortune at Sea, where Admiral Trump falling upon a numerous Fleet of the Spaniards in the Downs, of 67 Men of War destroyed the greatest part of them to the number of 40 Ships sunk, wherein above 7000 men were lost and 2000 carried Prisoners into Holland, amongst whom was the great Gallion of Portugal called Maria Teresa, carrying 800 men, whereof not one escaped.  
In 1641. Prince William only Son of the Prince of Orange married the Princess Mary  Daughter to King Charles I. And soon after Prince Henry gained the strong Fort of Hulst in Flanders, which the Spaniards were not able to relieve. Thus it may be observed, That William Prince of Orange laid the Foundations of the Commonwealth of Holland, Prince Maurice his Son fixed and strengthened them by his Victories, and Henry Frederick the Younger Brother by continuing his Conquests and enlarging their Territories, at length compelled the Spaniard, to renounce his pretended right over them, and to acknowledge them an Independent State, treating with them by the title of The High and Mighty State's General of the United Provinces; So that by the Swords of the Illustrious House of Orange, this Potent Republic was first founded, which is now arrived to that Grandeur as to send Ambassadors upon equal terms with the most Potent Princes of Christendom, even to the K. of Spain himself whose Subjects they were, not above 100 years, and whose revolt has proved a great advantage to that Crown, they having been so many years a Barrier to the Spanish Netherlands against the excessive power and ambition of France, which without their assistance had long since swallowed them up.  
Prince Henry Married the Daughter of John Albert Count of Solms, who came with the Queen of Bohemia into Holland, a Lady of excellent Beauty, Modesty and Prudence, by whom he had one Son and four Daughters; The Eldest named Lovison, was Married to Frederick William Prince Elector of Brandenburg by whom he had several Children; The second Henrietia was Married to the Count of Nassaw, the third Catharina was espoused to John George Duke of Anhalt; The fourth was Married to the Duke of Simeren; Prince Henry died March 1●, 1647. and was succeeded by   

William of Nassaw Prince of Orange.  
Who was born in 1626. A Prince of worthy Hopes and Courage, but was suddenly taken away by Death in the 24 year of his Age, having been Married nine years to the Princess Mary Daughter to K. Charles the First, by whom he had Prince William Henry, who was born Nou. 4. 1650. some few days after his Father's Death, the Lords States General of Holland and Zealand, and of the Cities of Dei●e, Leyden and Amsterdam being his God fathers.   

William Henry of Nassaw Prince of Orange.  
THIS excellent Prince, our present Gracious sovereign 〈◊〉 endowed with all the Noble and Virtuous Qualities of his Ancestors of the Illustrious House of Orange which seemed designed by Heaven to be the Protectors of Religion and Liberty for several Ages, his Majesty's glorious Predecessors being the Founders and Establishers, and himself the Restorer of the half ruined Batavian Republic as well as the Deliverer of these three Kingdoms from the utmost danger of Popery and Slavery; This excellent Prince suffered many affronts by Barnevels Party, revived in the Persons of the De Wits, expecting with inimitable patience the advancement to those Honours and Dignities which of right belonged to his Family, and which by the Decree of a prevailing Faction he was deprived of, presently after the Death of his Father.  
But King Lewis his inveterate Enemy, did accidentally very much contribute to his Exaltation, for having in 1672. like a rapid Torrent overrun the flourishing Batavian Republic, he thereby gave opportunity to the Prince to discover to the World, the Spirit of his Ancestors, in recovering the United Provinces from the ruin which seemed to attend them by the success of that King, even beyond his hopes, nay almost his wishes, which put that People into such a consternation as occasioned them to complain of the unhappy Conduct of Cornelius and John De Wit, who had then the sole management of all affairs, and to believe that none but the glorious House of Nassaw was capable to support their tottering State in this Age against their Potent French Enemies, as they had formerly rescued them from the Tyranny of Spain.  
Neither was the Grandmother of the Prince wanting to engage the favourers of that Family to endeavour to remove that Eclipse under which it had so long sustered, which Her Highness managed with a courage and magnanimity above her Sex, so that being awakened by Her Remonstrances, they began to consider how they themselves had of late been slighted and neglected, whilst all the great Employments of the Commonwealth were bestowed upon the Sons of Burgomasters, and being seconded by the rage of the Commonalty, who were dreadfully terrified to see a Victorious Army in the very bowels of their Country, they obliged the State's General in the beginning of 1672. to depute Monsieur Beverning, John De Wit, and Jasper Fagel to invest His Highness the Prince of Orange in the Dignities belonging to his Ancestors, of Captain and Admiral General of the United Provinces, who having accepted the same, and taken his Oath, presently went upon action against the French: But the Province of Holland still suspected the fidelity of their Magistrates, seeing their Frontier Towns and Garrisons fall daily into the hands of their Victorious Enemies, and at Dort they raised a dangerous Mutiny, and resolved that His Highness should be advanced to the Stadt-Holdership also, as judging it absolutely necessary for the public good: Upon which an Act was instantly drawn up, and read in the public Hall by the Secretary, wherein the Magistrates declared His Highness the Prince of Orange Stadtholder, Captain and Admiral General of all their Forces by Sea and Land, with the same Power and Authority that His Ancestors of glorious Memory had formerly enjoyed; which occasioned great rejoicing in that City.  
But Cornelius De Witt, an Ancient Burgomaster of the Town, returning at the same time indisposed from the Fleet, and being desired to sign the said Act, replied, He would never do it, nor could all the persuasions of his Friends, nor the menaces of the multitude, who were ready to break into his house, nor the tears of his Wife, who was sensible of his danger, prevail upon his obstinate temper, till she threatened to show herself to the People, and declare her own and children's Innocency, and abandon him to the fury of the ungoverned Populace; which soon after occasioned his Tragical Death, for they being fully persuaded that he and his Brother John were real Enemies to the Prince, and a certain Surgeon having charged Cornelius that he had made a private Proposal to him to take away His Highness' Life, he was thereupon imprisoned and upon Trial was sentenced to forfeit all his Dignities and Employments, and to be for ever banished out of the Territories of Holland and Westfriezeland.  
The People who accounted the Prince to be their Protector and Deliverer, believed his Judges to be partial in punishing so great a Crime with so easy a Judgement, and the Trained Bands at the Hague being in Arms, they presently ran to the Prison, where while they were got together, it happened that John de Witt came in his Coach to fetch his Brother out of Prison: Upon which one of the Burgesses cried out, Now the two Traitors are got together, and it is our fault if they escape us. This had been enough to inflame the multitude, but a greater motive happened; for while they were all expecting the coming down of the two De Wits, an unhappy report was raised, that above a thousand Peasants and Fishermen were upon their March to plunder the Hague, upon which another Burger cried out, Come Gentlemen, let us pull these Traitors out by the Ears, do but follow me and I will lead the way. These words, with their great affection to the Prince, and the ruin of their Country, to both which they accounted the De Wits to be the greatest Enemies completed their Rage, so that they Immediately broke open the Prison doors, and forced down the two Brothers into the Street, where they were soon dispatched by the multitude, who after they had laid the Pensionary John De Witt sprawling on the ground, cried out, See there the Traitor that has betrayed his Country. Thus fell John and Cornelius de Witt, two violent Enemies to the House of Orange. It is said, that John was the Contriver of those Acts whereby His Highness was secluded from all the Great Employments which were due to him from his Predecessors, and that a certain Ambassador being in private discourse with him, said, Most Illustrious Sir, I have heard much of your singular prudence, and unwearied diligence, but far less than what I now observe, from whence I dare assuredly pronounce, that either you will be the ruin of the Prince, or else that one day for his sake you will come to destruction. It is likewise reported, that when he was a Youth of about eighteen years old, a certain Advocate being desired by his Father to examine him, gave this account of him; That he found in him those great Parts and that ripeness of Wit, which was rarely to be seen in others: And afterwards when he was made Pensioner of Holland and Dort the same Advocate presaged of him, That he would never die a natural death. Thus (saith a worthy Person) ended one of the greatest Lives of any Subject of our Times in the 47th year of his Age, after having administered in that State as Pensioner of Holland for about eighteen years with great Honour to his Country and himself.  
It must be remarked that the present War with the State's General was commenced in concert between the French King and Charles II. in a time of the greatest peace and security on the Dutch side, so that when the English fell upon their Smyrna Fleet, no clap of Thunder in a Frosty morning could be more surprising, both to the Hollanders, and the rest of Christendom; Yea the Court of France itself could scarce believe that we would run so great an Adventure, though our Court had obliged themselves thereto; And though in the Declaration of War which the King published, the Dutch are charged with making abusive Pictures and denying the right of the Flag, which was an undoubted Prerogative of the Crown of England, yet the Parliament and People were of opinion that this War was made in pursuance of the Instructions of the French King, sent over to Dover by the Duchess of Orleans; whereby the destruction of the Commonwealth of Holland is declared to be the only means to settle Arbitrary Government and Popery in these three Nations.  
Upon our Declaration of War, the French King began to march with his Vast Army into the Netherlands which he over-ran with such a rapid motion that the People were astonished, and the States knew not what course to take to prevent it, which occasioned those Commotions aforementioned; But his Highness the Prince of Orange being advanced to the Stadtholdership, the face of affairs began to alter, and their Courage was revived: Monsieur Fagel succeeded De Wit as Pensioner, and the Prince presently resolved to be upon action, rejecting all the applications made to him by the two Kings, of making him Sovereign of the Provinces with such disdain and greatness of Soul as is scarce to be matched, always declaring, That he would never betray a Trust that was given him, nor ever sell the Liberties of his Country that his Ancestors had so long defended.  
In pursuance of this generous Resolution his Highness took the Command of the Army upon him, who were more animated at the thoughts of being under the Conduct of so gallant a General. So that at Bodegrave an handful of men twice repulsed above five thousand of the French from the Walls of Ardenburg, and besides the slain took five hundred Prisoners with several Commanders, and Persons of Quality, through the extraordinary valour of no more than two hundred Burghers and one hundred Garrison Soldiers only that they were assisted by the Women and Children, the Women filling the Bandilcers, and the Children brought Bullets to their Parents.  
Soon after the Siege of Groningen which had been beseigned with near three thousand men by the Bishop of Munster; was by the Courage of the Citizens raised with the loss of half the Enemy's Army, and a prodigious quantity of Ammunition spent in vain in reduceing thereof, to which his Highness care in furnishing them with all necessaries for defence was highly contributing.  
About the same time the Prince resolving to dislodge the Outguards of the French, gave a strong Alarm to them, and without moving from his Saddle all night, drove them to their Trenches before Utrecht, and cartied several Lords Prisoners to Amsterdam. His Highness then resolved to attempt the reducing of Woerden, and after a bloody and obstinate Fight wherein above two thousand of the French were slain and not above seven hundred of the Dutch. His Highness finding the Garrison relieved with such a numerous supply, drew off his men and retreated to his Quarters. After which was held a Council of War of the Principal Officers of the Army, which being ended a certain Colonel would needs be impertinently inquisitive of the Prince to know what was his great design against the French at that time; His Highness demanded of him, whether he would discover to any other what he should declare to him; The Colonel said, No, he would not; Then said the Prince, my Tongue is also endued from Heaven with the same Grace, An answer becoming the wisdom of a Prince and the reservedness of a Great Commander.  
His Highness being with the Army at Mastricht, sent out a Party to reduce the strong Castle of Valcheren which was soon surrendered with a great quantity of Wheat and other Provisions. During this time the Dake of Luxemburg with fourteen thousand Horse and Foot resolved to Invade the Province of Holland, in hope to plunder Leyden and the Hague, and marched from Woerden over the Ice with 3500 of the lightest of the Infantry of  attempt his Highness having notice marched with all speed toward the French, who in the mean time had taken Swamerdam, and by the retiring of Colonel Paine Vincentio from his Post at Niewerbrong had a free passage opened for their retreat, who must also have perished in the waters, or surrendered by reason of the sudden thaw; The Duke himself was like to have been lost by a fall into the thawed water, losing in this shippery expedition above six hundred of his best Soldiers The French committed horrid ravages at Swammerdam; Ravishing Women, Stripping and Wounding the Aged and Decrepit, and throwing infants that smiled in their Faces into the fire  
And now the strong City of Coverden the Key of the Provinces of Frizeland and Groaning, which in that fatal year 1672. fell into the hands of the Bishop of Munster with great loss of men and a long Siege, was retaken in an hour and not above sixty men slain, and of the Enemy a hundred and fifty killed and 430 Prisoners; It was furnished by the Bishop with a predigious quantity of warlike Ammubition. This success highly encouraged the Dutch, and so furprized the Enemy that they instantly quitred several other Garrisons, and much advanced the Honour of the Prince, to whose prudent mannagement of affairs they attributed this happy alteration in the Fortune of their Country; Which his Highness likewise extended to pacify the Dissensions between the Old and New Magistrates of Frizeland who acted contrary to each other, but upon his Highness appearing in their Assembly, all discords vanished, and all things were settled for the defence of the Netherlands by his visiting the Frontier Fortifications of Flushing, Sluice, Ardenburg, (where the Keys of the Town were delivered him in a Silver Basin by the Young Virgins of that City, decked with Garlands of several Flowers) and several other strong places.  
In 1673. the Dutch were hetly assailed, on the one side by the French King with a puissant Army, while Conde and Luxemburg lay at Utrecht with powerful Forces to watch an opportunity to invade the very Centre of their Territories, and by Sea the King of England vigorously attacked them with his own and the French Fleet, so that the Prince of Orange was obliged not to stir abroad but to observe their designs, and prevent the threatened Descent of the English. In May the King of France with an Army of 42000 men sat down before Mastricht, the Garrison consisted of about 4000 Foot, and 900 Horse under Monsieur Farieux a resolute and experienced Commander, as appeared by the stout resistance he made against this mighty Force, so that though the French gained the place, yet it was with such a deluge of Blood, no less than 9000 of their bravest Soldiers being Slain in the Siege with an incredible number of his choicest Officers, that the purchase was sufficiently dear; And after three weeks valiant defence, with the loss of half the Garrison by innumerable essaults, Batteries and Storming of fresh Assailants night and day; The Courageous Governor would still have held it out, had not the Petitions of the Magistrates and ecclesiastics obliged him to surrender, of whose worthy conduct the Prince of Orange was so well satisfied that he instantly preferred him to be Major General of the Army. And the French King was so mortified that when he had taken the Town he broke up his Army, and returned to Paris, sending part of them to Turrenne, to enable him to harrass the Country of Treves, because that Elector had assisted the Emperor against him.  
The French Army being thus dispersed, and the Engish Fleet since the Engagement of May 28. (wherein both sides claimed the Victory) being retired from the Coast of Holland, His Highness now more at liberty, resolved not to lie still, so that calling off his Forces which lay for the defence of Zealand to join with the rest of the Army, he sat down before Naerden with 20000 Men, upon which the Duke of Luxemburg with 10000, and four Reigments of Munster Horse, advanced within view of the Prince's Intrenchments, but not daring to attempt the Relief of the Town, the Prince after three hours' resistance beat the French from their Works, and forced them to retire in great confasion into the City, and the next day they furtendred it up. The Garrison marching out, the Governor made a profound Reverence to the Prince, and it is said assured him. That he had Reasons sufficient to surrender the Town so soon: But it seems the King did not think them so, for he was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, and had his Sword broken over his head at Utrecht: For the Garrison consisted in near Three thousand Men and wanted neither Ammunition nor Provisions, and the French had much strengthened the Fortifications, yet the Prince took it in four days, and lost not above a hundred Men, and two hundred wounded.  
And now His Highness to avoid so many Sieges as the Towns they had lost would cost to recover, resolved upon a gallant Action, the boldness of which amazed all Men, but the success extolked the prudence as well as the bravery of it. For the King of Spain and the Emperor having joined in a Confederacy with the State's General for mutual defence against the French as the common Enemy of both; The Prince, that he might perform something remarkable before the approaching Winter, marched directly with his Army out of the Netherlands, and joining with the Confederates, he resolved to besiege Bonne, which had been put into the hands of the French the beginning of the War, wherein the Elector of Cologne, and the Bishop of Munster had entered jointly with France: It had a Garrison of Two thousand Men and was well furnished with all provisions; and Eighty great Guns mounted on their Walls and Bulwarks. The Marshal D'Humieres, with Seven thousand Horse, faced the Leaguer, but durst not venture to secure it, so that the Confederates having finished their Batteries, and brought three Mines to perfection, prepared for a general Storm, but willing to save their Men, sent a Summons to the Governor to surrender the Town, since they were without Relief, and if they pleased might send out some to see what Mines were ready to play upon their refusal, which would be followed by putting to the Sword all in Arms if taken by Storm. This so affrighted them, that the next day they capitulated, and 1500 French marched out of the Town, the rest being either dead or wounded.  
This successful Expedition of His Highness put the French into such a Consternation to see the reverse of their Fortune, that they who lately with insulting Pride threatened the ruin of others, were now at their wits end to save themselves; so that upon the loss of so many Men as had lately died by Sickness and the Sword, they were compelled to abandon all their Conquests in the Netherlands in less time than they gained them, retaining only Mastricht and the Grave of all they lately possessed belonging to this Republic. Woerden was the first that felt their Tyranny, and was first evacuated, but the Duke of Luxemburg extorted 16000 Livers of them, to save the Town from burning, by the King's Order. Harderwick paid 12000 Livers; Creveceur 3000 Pistols; Bommel a strong Fortress on which the King of France had bestowed 60000 Livers, gave Hostages to pay 36000 Livers to spare their Houses. Utrecht was obliged to give an hundred thousand Crowns; and the French all departing in one day, the Burgomasters absolved each other from their Oaths which they had taken against the Restoration of His Highness the Prince of Orange, to whom they sent their Deputies to acknowledge him their Stadtholder in the name of the whole Province of Utrecht. Thus His Highness may in some sense seem to have outdone Caesar himself, for he vanquished even where he neither saw nor came, but only by the Tertour of his Arms and Victories. In consideration of this happy Turn of Affairs occasioned by the prudence and conduct of His Highness, the State's General in February following published a Decree to declare their Gratitude, confirming the charge of Stad tholder of the Province of Holland and West-Friezeland on the Person of His Highness during Life, and also on the Heirs Males of his Body, as a standing Monument of his surpassing Merits. And that very day the States of Zealand likewise conferred the same Dignities upon His Highness, and made him withal Hereditary Noble of their Province.  
In the beginning of the year 1674. the Parliament and People of England being weary of the War with Holland, which was entered into without their consent or liking, were very desirous of a Peace; so that the French-Court-party having little hope of wheedling the House of Commons to give any more Money to carry on their black designs against the Religion and Liberties of the Nation under the pretence of this War, they were obliged to make a separate Peace with the Dutch exclusive of the French King, though to their great regret, that they were forced to abandon their dear Ally, from whom they had drawn such great sums of Money for secret service upon the strength and heart of this Peace, His Highness the Prince of Orange concerted with the Germane and Spanish Troops to begin an Offensive War, and in the head of an Army of 40000 Men to march into France: In pursuance hereof the three Armies being joined, arrived at Nivelle the beginning of August 1674. where they continued for some days, but finding the Prince of Conde who lay not far off encamped with an Army of Fifty thousand, unwilling to come forth and hazard a Battle in the open Field, they endeavoured by all ways imaginable to provoke and draw him out of his Trenches, but all proving ineffectual, they resolved to besiege some place of importance, believing that Conde would endeavour to relieve it: Whereupon His Highness marched from Seneffe toward Brinch, General Souches with the Imperial Forces leading the Van: Count Waldeck commanded the main Battle with the Holland Army, and Count de Monterey the Rear with the Spaniards, the Prince of Orange commanding the whole Confederate Army.  
The Prince of Conde having notice of their movement, and being sensible of the difficulty and straitness of the passages, put his Men in order, and letting the Vanguard pass, and the greatest part of the main Body some Leagues before, he then fell in upon the Rere-Guard of the Spanish Horse and Dragoons consifting of Four thousand, commanded by the Prince de Vaudemont, and broke them with great slaughter, and not much resistance, taking several Prisoners of Quality, with the Baggage, which the Prince of Orange having notice of, he sent three Battalions of Infantry to their Relief. Conde warmed with success, drew his whole Army out of their Trenches, and fell with much fury upon the Dutch Squadron, breaking them to pieces, killing or taking all their Commanders, and gaining several Standards: And here His Highness the Prince of Orange gave particular Testimonies of his undaunted Bravery, throwing himself with his Sword in his hand before the daunted Fugitives, endeavouring by all means imaginable to stop their flight, and by his own example encouraged them to renew the Battle, so that he was often in danger either of being slain or taken Prisoner? But at length His Highness joining the rest of the Dutch who stood firm, whom he made the Right Wing, with the Imperialists and Spaniards in the Left, the Fight was renewed with more fury and vigour than ever, both Armies being animated with hope of Victory, and seeming equally resolved rather to die than be overcome. His Highness omitted no pains upon this important occasion; so animating his Soldiers, that they strove with emulation to outdo one another, and both Armies fought till night with an obstinacy on both sides hardly to be paralleled, though the Fields were all strown over with the Bodies of the slain and wounded, while the Combatants covered with Blood and Sweat, encouraged each other the more by that dismal spectacle. Thus the fury of the French, which at first carried all before them, about Ten a Clock at night began to abate, the French Infantry, of which they had lost a considerable part, drawing off at a distance, notwithstanding all the endeavours of the Prince of Conde to have brought them back again, who thereupon fearing some farther mischief might befall his Army, ordered the Horse also to retire, leaving the Victory by this means to His Highness the Prince of Orange, who two hours after the Retreat of the French, drew off his Army likewise to their appointed Quarters.  
Thus ended this bloody Battle, wherein at first the French prevailed but at length lost the Victory, having 7000 men slain outright, besides the wounded, of whom the P. of Conde left above 1500 in the Villages about his Quarters at Pieton; On the Confederates side the Slain, Wounded, and Deserters, amounted to about 6500 in all. It was said that a Letter was intercepted from the Prince of Conde to the French King, giving him an account, That upon a General review of his Army he found himself but in an ill condition, having lost the flower of his Infantry, and the best part of his Horse; and therefore did not think himself strong enough to venture a second Battle. Having likewise lost a great number of Officers and Persons of Quality; and several Standards, among which was one called, the White Standard of France, (which was afterward hung up with great solemnity in the Church of the Carmelites at Brussels) richly embroidered with Gold and Silver with a Sun in the middle passing through the Zodiac, with this Haughty Motto, Nilobstabit Eunti; Nothing can stop his Course. But the principal honour of this Victory ought, next under God, to be ascribed to his Highness the Prince of Orange, of whom General Souches gives the following account in a Letter to the State's General.  
I have endeavoured to discharge my Duty in attending his Highness the Prince of Orange, during the Bloody and Famous Battle between the Confederate Army and that of the Christian King, the happy Issue of which has proved so much to the Glory of the Prince of Orange, who shown upon that occasion the prudence of an Aged Captain, the Courage of a Caesar, and the Undaunted Bravery of a Marius, all which my Lords I speak without flattery, as being contrary to my Nature. And as the Friends so the Enemies of his Highness agreed to give him equal Glory for this Adventure, the Prince of Conde himself declaring, That he had done in all things like an old Captain, but only in venturing himself too much like a Young man; Though this old General had done the same in this days action, charging into the thickest Troops like a Young Cavalier.  
The next day after the fight his Highness marched with his whole Army near Mons, and took up his head Quarters at St. Gilaine till they had recovered their disorders in the late battle, and then began to think of further action; At length it was concluded to beseige Oudenard, to draw the Prince of Conde out of his cautious marches to relieve it; The Confederates made their approaches to the Town, and were already Masters of the Counterscarp, when Conde decamped from Beumont with his whole Army of Forty thousand men either to relieve or give the Confederates Battle; His Highness advised that they should immediately fall upon the enemy weary and tired with a long March, but General Souches prevented the execution of this magnanimous resolution, for instead of ranging his men in Battalia, he crossed the River in so much haste that he left some Pieces of Cannon behind him, and thereby left a way open for the Prince of Conde to enter the Town with part of his Army, who thinking he had done enough in relieving it avoided coming to a Battle. So that his Highness finding no more good to be done, resolved to march back to Grave, where his presence would be more necessary, leaving Count Waldeck the command of the Army in his Absence. The Siege of this place had been undertaken sometime before by General Rabenhaupt, the Garrison consisted of 4000 Foot and 900 Horse, of which the Marquis of Chamilly a valiant and expert Captain was Governor, wherein were 450 pieces of Cannon, of which 100 were mounted upon the Bulwarks, besides a vast quantity of Powder, Corn, Granades, and all manner of Warlike Ammunition, for the French had made a Magazine there of all that they had brought away from their deserted Conquests. Rabenhaupt sat down before it with about twenty Regiments of Foot and some Horse, and was after reinforced by the Troops of the Prince of Courland and the Elector of Brandenbourg, who Summoned the City on every side, assaulting it with much violence, but was as vigorously defended by those within, though they were reduced to drink water; His Highness arrived there, Oct. 9 with 60 Cornets of Horse whose presence revived the Courage of the Besiegers; Yet the French held out till the twenty fifth, when Chamilly finding such large breaches made in the Fortifications, much widened by the fortunate blowing up of a Mine which almost destroyed a Covert way, so that it was impossible for him to hold out against the general Storm designed the next day, he surrendered the Town upon Honourable Articles.  
The following Winter was spent in preparing for an early Campagne, the next year 1675, in the beginning whereof the Hollanders made grateful acknowledgements to His Highness the Prince of Orange for his signal conduct and Services in redeeming them from the Calamities which they had suffered under a Cruel Foreign Enemy, offering him the Title of Duke of Guelderland, but to convince the World of the sincerity of his intentions, and how little ambitious he was to agggrandize himself by the War, His Highness refused those Honours, but being at the same time offered the command of Governor Hereditary of the same Province he readily accepted it, and in the management thereof discovered his excellent prudence in Civil as well as Military Affairs.  
But whilst His Highness was intent to oppose the designs of the French for the ruin of his Country, he was visited with the Small Pox, which struck a great damp to the proggress of Affairs, and was the more lamented, as having proved satal to his Family in the Persons of his Father, Mother, and his Uncle the D. of Gloucester, but it pleased God that by the care and skill of an able Physician, and certain peculiar Remedies sent him by the Duke of Brandenburg his Highness recovered, and within 20 days was abroad again, and hastened to the General Rendesvouze of his Army at Rosendael, in order to the relief of Limburg then besieged by the Marquis of Rochefort, the King of France with an Army under the Prince of Conde posting himself advantageously for covering the Siege; But such was the slowness of the Germans, and the weakness and disorder of the Spanish Troops that the Besieged having little hopes of relief and unable to oppose the great numbers of the French Troops surrendered sooner than was expected. After which having wasted a great part of the adjoining Country the King returned to Paris, being prevented from doing farther mischief by the diligence of his Highness, and the D. de Villa Hermosa.  
Soon after the great General Tureine being killed by a Cannon Bullet in Alsatia, the Prince of Conde was sent thither as General, and the Count de Montmorency was left to command the French Army, who though a Captain no less wary than his Predecessor, yet his Highness kept him so upon his guard that he could not disturb the Siege of Treves, which after the fatal overthrow of Monsieur Crequi fell into the hands of the Imperialists; So that Montmorency was unwilling to hazard a Battle with the Prince after two such great losses, for fear of a third, insomuch that he suffered Binch to surrender to his Highness at discretion, it being a Garrison of 350 men, and had great quantities of Provisions, even in the sight of his Army; But it appeared afterward the Count had positive Orders not to engage the Confederates, so that his Highness finding Winter approaching broke up his Army and returned to the Hague.  
The King of France at this time seemed very desirous of Peace, his Subjects being wearied and ruined with the charge of the War, and several Princes offered to interpose in the matter, and the King of England continuing still in the French Interests, seemed very zealous therein, and took upon him to be a Mediator between that King and his Enemies; At length in 1676 a Treaty was begun at Nimegen, whither the Pleinpotentiaries from all parts repaired as to the General Rendesvouz; But the preparations for War went on as vigorously as ever, and his Highness was throughly employed to get his Army ready early in the Spring, considering the formidable Musters the French made under Marshal Crequi, near Charleville, and Marshal d' Humieres having got together a Body of 15000 Men, fell into the Country of Alost, and the Spaniards being too weak to resist him, put all the Country under Contribution. Hereupon His Highness marched with all speed to join the D. of Villa Hermosa at Cambron, which he did April. 26. But before this Marshal Crequi had surrounded the City of Conde with 16000 men, and the K. of France and D. of Orleans upon notice thereof joined him with 10000 more, who incessantly battered the Town four days together with much fury, insomuch that they were forced to surrender at Discretion, though his Highness was marched as far as Granville for their Relief. After this the King of France sent the D. of Orleans to besiege Bouchain with some of his Troops, it being a strong Fortress of considerable consequence, the K. posting his Army so as to hinder the Prince from relieving it, but his Highness struggling through all difficulties of the Season, and want of Provisions and Magazines in Flanders marched with his Army in view of the French King, facing him several days together, and at length was resolved to have attacked him with a Detachment of 12000 Men, and to endeavour to have relieved the Town, but understanding the place was taken, he altered his resolution; Nor would his Highness stir till the French K. first decamped, leaving to the Prince the honour of having dared the whole Power and Fortune of France, so that if the Confederates lost a small Town, the French lost the greater Honour, of accepting so brave a challenge.  
The K. of France returning home and leaving his Army under the Command of Marshal Schomberg; His Highness concluded with the Spaniards and the Germane Princes of the Lower Rhyne, to set down before Mastricht, which though strong before, yet had been extremely Fortified since possessed by the French, and had now a Garrison of 8000 choice men under Calvo a resolute Catalonian; To divert this Siege Schomberg sends the Marshal de Humieres with 15000 men to besiege Air a City in the Province of Artois, and strongly encompassed on three sides by a Marsh, the only way to approach it being defended by a strong Fort, with five Bastions and a Mote, but the Fort not having men sufficient to defend it against the great numbers of the French, who likewise threw Bombs incessantly into the Town, and fired the Houses, the Townsmen grew so impatient that they beat a Parley, and the Articles were soon agreed by the French, because they heard the D. of Villa Hermosa was coming to relieve it, and the Governor was forced to surrender the Town.  
His Highness continued the Siege of Mastricht all this while with much vigour, and the latter end of July the Trenches were opened, his Highness assigning to every one their Quarters; and among the rest the English under three Colonels, Fenwick, Widdrington and Ashly consisting in 2500 men besides Reformades and Volunteers; who presented a Petition to his Highness, wherein they humbly desired, That all of their Nation might be assigned a particular Quarter, and be commanded apart, that if they behaved themselves like Men they might have the honour due to their Courage, but if they did ill that they only might bear the disgrace of their Cowardice, there being no reason they should suffer for the miscarriages of others. The Prince readily granted their request, and ordered them a separate Post under Fenwick the Eldest Colonel, and they accordingly signalised their valour during the Siege; Which was carried on with the utmost Conduct and Resolution, his Highness continually animating his Soldiers by his Presence, and teaching them by his example to contemn danger; Many of the Outworks were taken with great slaughter on either side, but were again supplied by the unwearied industry of the Besieged; In one of these Assaults his Highness, who continually exposed his Person, received a Musket Shot in the Arm, but to prevent his Men from being discouraged he plucked off his Hat with the same Arm, and waved it about his head. But the Confederate Army being weakened both by sickness and the many Attacks against the Town, and the Germans not bringing in their promised supplies, a Council of War was called, in the Prince's Camp, and there being advice, that Monsieur Schomberg was coming with all the French Forces for the relief of the Town, it was concluded to raise the Siege, and so this Campaign ended without success, occasioned by the weakness of the Spaniards, and the uncertainty of the Germane Councils, and soon after his Highness finding that Schomberg was satisfied with relieving Mastricht, and not to be brought to a Battle, He returned back to the Hague, where in a General Assembly of the States he gave an account of the Summer's Expedition, so much to their satisfaction, that he received their Congratulations and new returns of thanks for the many toils, hardships, and dangers, to which he had exposed his Person for the preservation of his Country; In September following his Highness received an account that the Imperial Army had taken Philipsburg, for want of being well provided, which was as unexpected as the raising the Siege of Mastricht.  
The following Winter was spent in Treating the Peace at Nimegen, which the Common People of Holland were very desirous of, the War being a great hindrance to their Trade, but the French insisted upon such high Terms that his Highness opposed it to the utmost, though K. Charles II. was still very earnest to bring his dear Ally out of his Troubles; But still the French pursued the War with their usual application, for in February 1677. though it were in the depth of Winter, their Forces marched into the Spanish Netherlands, and having provided sufficient Magazines, they in a manner blocked up Valenciennes, Cambray and St. Omers at a distance, giving out they would be Masters of two, if not of three places before the Confederates could take the Field. The French at the same time broke into Germany on the other side the Rhyne, ravaging, burning, and ruining these Countries with a barbarity peculiar to the most Christian King; Soon after the City of Valenciennes was surrounded with an Army of 40 or 50000 men, under the D. of Luxemburg, wherein was a Garrison of 2000 Foot, and about 1000 Horse and Dragoons, and the French King being arrived in the Camp, commanded that the Besieged should be kept awake all night by flinging Bombs, Granades and Fire pots into the Town, and the next morning when they were tired with the night's Toil, and gone to their repose, so that few were left to guard the Works, the Assailants carried all before them and turned the great Guns upon the Town, which so terrified the Besieged that they presently surrendered at discretion.  
Animated with this success the French King immediately sat down before Cambray a Town of great Trade and had been in the Spaniards hands about 80 years; It had a Garrison of 1400 Horse, and four Regiments of Foot, and after a few days Siege this City was, like the other Spanish Towns, surrendered upon Articles; And at the same time St. Omers was besieged by the Duke of Orleans with a very great Army; The news of this sudden progress of the French so alarmed all the Netherlands that his Highness the Prince of Orange was resolved to take the Field, the Dutch having reseived their payments from Spain, and concluded to continue the War another Campaign, being brought to this resolution by the vigour and courage of his Highness, who had begun to prepare his Troops to march upon the first motion of the French; But by the usual delays and neglects of the Spaniards, though the Prince used the utmost diligence and application, yet he could not arrive soon enough to secure Valenciennes and Cambray; But was now resolved to venture a Battle to endeavour the relief of St. Omers; At Mount Cassal both Armies met, where after a sharp encounter, wherein his Highness shown the utmost bravery, the French themselves confessing, That the Prince that day withstood no less than thirty nine Battalions of Foot, and an hundred equadrons of Horse, he made such an honourable retreat as wanted little of a Victory, which was occasioned by the plain Flight of his men, whom he was forced to resist like Enemies; Of which the State's General were so sensible that in answer to his Letter wherein his Highness gave them an account of what had passed, they sent him another, returning their unfeigned thanks to his Highness for his indefatigable pains and care, not sparing his own Person; Of which they besought him to be more tender for the future, considering the great importance thereof for the preservation of his Country. After this followed the Surrender of the Citadel of Cambray which had held out till now, though the Town was taken; And likewise St. Omers, which after a vigorous resistance wherein the French lost many considerable Officers, was surrendered upon Articles.  
After this the French King returned to Paris, leaving Crequi to oppose the Duke of Lorraine; and Luxemburg to observe the motions of the Prince of Orange, who July 23. 1677, having recruited his own Army, and received several Auxiliary supplies from the Germane Princes, marched in the Head of them (for the Confederates had all submitted to his Conduct) from Aloft to attack the French lying under the Walls of Aeth, but finding Luxemburg so advantageously posted between two Rivers that he could not be forced to a Battle, He marched to Charleroy, and instantly Beleaguered that Town, which had a Garrison of 4 or 5000 French under the command of Count Montal, who mistrusting the design had furnished it with all manner of Ammunition and Provision, and such a number of great Guns that he had sent away a good part of them; The D. of Luxemburg hearing his Highness was sat down before the City, drained all the Garrisons of the French Conquests, and having made up a Body of 40000 men, posted himself so strongly, having a Wood upon his right Wing, and a River before him, that there was no forcing his Trenches, neither could the Confederates fetch any Forage from the Country beyond the Sambre, from whence they used to be supplied; All which his Highness considering, drew off and marched to Sembreef, thereby to preserve his Army wherein consisted the safety of his Country; though no man was ever more daring when there was any probability of prevailing. His Highness finding the French were resolved not to come to a Battle, but to be upon the defensive, and secure what they had gotten, leaving the Army near Brussels under Count Waldeck, returned to the Hague, and had the thanks of the States returned him a second time for his wary and prudent Conduct.  
In October this year, his Highness went over into England, at the invitation of King Charles, in hopes that his presence would much contribute to a general Peace between France and the Confederates, which the King seemed very solicitous to have concluded, by the instigation as it was thought of the French Court, who were willing to put an end to the War for the present; The Prince Oct. 19 arrived at Harwich, and went Post to Newmarket where the Court then was, which in two or three days returned to Whitehall, where his Highness having a sight of the Princess was so pleased therewith, that he immediately made suit to the King and Duke that she might be his Bride, which they seemed well pleased with, if a Peace were first concluded; But his Highness absolutely resusing that condition, the King being very well satisfied of his Highness excellent Merits resolved to grant his request, and the next day declared in Council his design of marrying the Prince of Orange with the Princess Mary; Upon which the whole Council went in a body to compliment the Prince and Princess; and the news was received both in City and Country with Bells, Bonfires and other signs of extraordinary joy and satisfaction, and they were married accordingly, Nou. 4. 1677. being his Highness' Birthday.  
Yet amidst these Nuptial Joys and Caresses his Highness knowing how necessary his presence was in Holland made haste to return; So that he departed from London Nou. 29. with his Princess, and arriving at Homslaer dyke stayed there till they made their public entry at the Hague, which they did in a few days, in as magnificent a manner, as both the Magistrates and People could express to declare their joy and satisfaction for these happy Nuptials.  
In 1678. even in January the French King made such mighty Preparations for the ensuing Campaign, as alarmed all Europe, but more especially the Dutch and their Allies: So that the King of England sent the Earl of Feversham with a Project of Peace to the French King, consisting of several heads, which if should resuse to accept of that, than King Charles and the State's General would unite their Forces to compel him to reason; The French rejected the King's Propositions, continuing his mighty Warlike Preparations; Upon which King Charles recalled his Forces out of the French Service, who had often occasioned his gaining many considerable Victories, and the Parliament meeting soon after the King acquainted them, That he had made an Alliance with Holland to compel the King of France to a reasonable Peace; Upon which the Commons gave Money for raising 30000 Land Soldiers, and a Fleet of 90 Men of War; Though it appeared afterward the Court never intended any War, but to have used these Forces to far worse purposes, even to the advancing Arbitrary Government and Popery in these Kingdoms, of which the Dutch were so sensible that much doubting the sincerity of K. Charles his Negotiations, they were at last constrained to make Peace with the French upon disadvantageous Terms to pacify the Factions and Discontents of the People.  
The French King in March, this year came before Gaunt with an Army of 80000 Men, and by inceslant Batteries and Storming took it in nine days time; having drawn the Spanish Forces toward Mons under pretence of Besieging it; And then fell upon Ipre with such rapid violence that he soon reduced that likewise, though with such loss of Officers and Soldiers that he put his Army into Garrisons, and then returned to Paris; This gave such a mighty Alarm to the Hollanders, that all things drove on violently for a Peace; Which the French King being sensible of, and having now gained his point in Flanders, to prevent the English from being in earnest against him, He sends an Imperious Project of a Peace declaring he would admit of these conditions and no other, which the Dutch were obliged to accept of, since they could obtain no better; But before the Peace was ratified the French made several Pretensions and Delays in performing even what themselves had agreed to, as his Highness the P. of Orange foresaw and foretold they would do, insomuch that they blocked up the City of Mons a chief Frontier of Flanders; Upon which his Highness resolved to march to the relief of it, great preparations being made to that purpose, and understanding that the Confederates had joined the Holland and Spanish Forces that lay near the Canal of Brussels, he departed by Night from the Hague, and marching toward Mons with his Armv, being accompanied with the Duke of Monmouth, he fell upon the Duke of Luxemburg with such fury that he forced him to retire, and animating his Soldiers, with his Eyes sparkling like Fire, they despised all danger by their gallant General's example, who in the midst of Fire, and Smoke, and Bullets flying thick as Hail, adventured so far that he had been in eminent danger had not Monsieur Overkirk opposed himself against a daring Captain that was just ready to charge the Prince with a full Career, laying him dead on the place. The Horse all this while were lookers on, not being able to advance into the the narrow Passages and steep Descents, so that all the weight lay on the Foot and Dragoons; Night coming on, the Duke of Luxemburg drew off in great silence and confusion, leaving to his Highness, as certain marks of Victory, the Field of Battle, his Tents, Baggage, wounded Men, store of Powder and other Ammunition; The State's General appointed Commissioners to congratulate his Highness for this Victory gained, with so much reputation and glory, beseeching him withal to be careful of his Illustrious Person, considering the Tranquillity of his Country, and the repose of the Church and Protestant Religion depended so much thereon.  
The very day this memorable Battle was fought the Peace between the Dutch and French was signed at Nimegen, of which intelligence was brought to his Highness the next morning, who would else have pursued the advantages he had gained to the full relief of the Town, having already in spite of so many disadvantages, from an Army so suddenly drawn together, and so hasty a march as that of the Dutch, taken divers Posts fortified with so much skill and industry by the French, and attacked them with a resolution and vigour that at first surprised them, and after an obstinate and bloody Fight so disordered them, that though the night prevented the end of the action, yet it was verily believed, that if the Prince had been at liberty next day to pursue it with 7 or 8000 English, which were ready to join his Army, he must in all appearance not only have relieved Mous, but made such an impression into France as had been often designed but never attempted since the War began; Upon which a French Officer present said, That he esteemed this the only Heroic Action that had been done in the whole course and progress of it. The Prince having received advice of the Peace sent a Deputy with the News to the Duke of Luxemburg, who desired to see the Prince, and accordingly met him in the Field in the Head of his Chief Officers, where all Civilities passed between them proper for the occasion; and the French with great cariosity crowded about this young Prince, who had the day before engaged in such a desperate Action as that of St. Dennis was esteemed to be; So that his Highness could not have ended the War with greater Glory, nor with greater spite to see such a great occasion wrested out of his hand by the sudden and unexpected signing of the Peace, which he had assured himself the State's General would not have consented to without the Spaniards; Yet upon the certain News of it, he drew back his Army, returned to the Hague, and left the States to pursue their own measures in order to finish the Treaty betwixt France and Spain.  
During which the King of England sent over a Perfon of Honour to the State's General, to acquaint them how much he was surprised at the news of their signing a particular Treaty with France, even without the inclusion of Spain, declaring that if they would refuse to ratify what their Ministers had signed at Nimegen, His Majesty would immediately declare War against France, and carry it on with all vigour pursuant to the Treaty lately entered into with them. All men were much amazed at this sudden Turn of the Court of England, and the Prince complained, That nothing was ever more hot and cold, nor any Councils ever more unsteady than those of England, since if this Dispatch had come twenty days before, it might have changed the face of Affairs in Christendom, and have obliged the French to such Terms of Peace as should have left the World in quiet for many years to come, but would now have no effect at all; Which happened accordingly, for at last it appeared to proceed only from the discovery of the Popish Plot, which extremely alarmed the People and Parliament who were much disturbed at the Treacherous Designs of our Court, in promoting the Popish and French Interest, and thereby forcing the Dutch to comply with that King almost upon his own Terms, and therefore to divert the humour, King Charles pretended to be in earnest for engaging in a War against France; which for some time hindered the Ratification of the Treaty, and English Forces were daily transported into Flanders, as if the War were really to have been carried on, which encouraged those that were against the Peace in Holland, and occasioned the Spaniards to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the concluding it.  
But the French King being unwilling to lose the great Advantages he had obtained by this Treaty, resolved to remove all difficulties, and satisfy the States in their demands: Yea he dispatched Ambassadors to the Hague with full Authority to remit all the differences about the Treaty with Spain and himself to their Determination, which raised in the States such a good Opinion of the sincerity of that King's proceed, that they quickly adjusted all matters in contest between the two Crowns, so that the Treaty was signed September 20. 1678. The other Confederates as the Emperor the King of Denmark, the Duke of Brandenburg, etc. were very much enraged that they were left to treat singly with their potent Enemy, who demanded very severe Conditions from them, so that the Ratification of the Treaty with Spain being hereby delayed, the French King to quicken it, sent Marshal de Humieres with a great Army into Fianders, plundering and burning all before them, and putting these Countries under Contribution with so much fury and insolence, that the common people complained heavily of the Calamities and Miseries which they undeservedly suffered by the flowness of the Spanish Conncils; so that at length both the Spaniard and Emperor were obliged to comply with the offers of France, who else threatened in a few days to make the Terms much higher. The other Princes, though they very much resented this sudden Conclusion of a Peace at such disadvantage, yet knowing their own inability, were forced to be contented to make a separate Peace for themselves. The King of England observing that he could not hinder it, sent his Plenipotentiaries again to Nimegen to sign the General Treaty; but in the interval some new pretences arising between the Spaniards and French, the State's General were very diligent to compose them, the Transactions being seldom managed by them but in the presence of His Highness the Prince of Orange, whose prudence was still consulted in matters of 'gree atest difficulty; he himself discovering an extraordinary Generosity, that while others preferred Points of Honour before the public Peace, His Highness quitted his own Interest in postponing his demands for Reparation of the devastations in his own Estates and Territories, so as not to impede the Tranquillity of his Country, many of his Lands being ruined and destroyed in the Spanish Netherlands and other adjacent parts; Of which and several other injustices in seizing upon His large possessions in other places, though the Provinces of Guelderland, Zealand, and Utrecht, made loud complaints against the French in his Highness' behalf, yet could the Prince obtain no satisfaction; But the States and their Subjects being quite tired out out with the War, the General Peace was signed in January 1678. And the English Mediators were called home by that King, who was fully employed at home about the matter of the Popish Plot, which both Houses of Parliament and the generality of the Nation believed to be real, though the King and some of the Court credited no more of it than what themselves were concerned in, and the Prince of Orange at that time told a public Minister, That He had reason to be confident that the King was a Roman Catholic though he durst not profess it.  
Thus Europe for the present was left in a General Peace, though the French King soon after made such shameful pretences to the Dependencies upon his late Conquests both in Flandets and Germany, that he gained more after the Peace, than by his Arms in the War, no Prince nor State being either willing or able to oppose him therein; These disputes began in 1681 and continued some years, at which time that King likewise began to raise a violent Persecution against his own Protestant Subjects, proceeding from the Perfidiousness and ingratitude peculiar to Lewis the XIV. For it is well known that for the signal Services which they performed to Henry iv His Grandfather in asserting the Rights of the Crown against the Papists who were then in rebellion against him, that great Prince in acknowledgement thereof confirmed to them an Edict for the free exercise of their Religion, which was called the Edict of Nants, whereby they were to enjoy all Liberties and Privileges, both in Religious and Civil matters, and to be as capable of all Offices and Employments as his other Subjects. This he declared should be inviolable, and it was accordingly confirmed both by his Son Lewis XIII. and likewise by the present King upon a very remarkable occasion; For he being very Young when he ascended the Throne, the Prince of Conde soon after raised a Civil War in the Kingdom against him, but the Protestants by their unshaken Loyalty to him, defeated the designs of his enemies, and settled that Crown upon His Head which he wears this day, of which eminent Service he seemed to be so sensible that in 1652. he made a public Declaration of it at St. Germane, and every one endeavoured to exceed in proclaiming the merits of the Protestants, the Queen Mother herself acknowledging that they had preserved the State; But since by the Maxims of the Roman Religion, No Faith is to be kept with Heretics; the Jesuits and Ministers of State endeavoured to instil into the King's mind this Treacherous Notion, That since the Protestants were so potent to advance the King, they might likewise upon another occasion remove him again, from this infernal reasoning, without their having given the least umbrage or suspicion of disloyalty, it was resolved they must be suppressed and ruined.  
Therefore so soon as the Kingdom was settled in Peace the Protestant Towns of Rochel, Montauban, etc. Which had showed the greatest Zeal for the King's service, were plundered by the Soldiers and otherwise impoverished; Then their Churches and Exercises of Religion were prohibited them, under false pretences that they exceeded the Grants allowed them; Yea in matters of Law, Religion was urged by the Advocates at the instigation of the Priests, so that they cried out, I plead against a Heretic, an enemy to the State and to the King's Religion, whom he would have to be destroyed. So that the Judge durst not do them justice for fear of being counted a Favourer of Heretics, and upon complaint they were told, You have your remedy in your own hands, why do not you turn Catholics. This was succeeded by Processes throughout the Kingdom, to inquire what the Protestants had said or done for twenty years passed about Religion or other matters, and there being no want of perjured Villains to swear what was absolutely false, the Judges, though sensible of it, encouraging them therein, the Prisons were soon filled, and many innocent and virtuous Persons were whipped and sent to the Galleys for Slaves. Next they were deprived of all public Offices and employments, contrary to an express Article in the Edict of Nants, yea were forbid to exercise several Arts and Trades for maintaining their Families.  
This was in 1669. and in 1680. all Lords and Gentlemen were commanded to discharge their Protestant Officers and Servants, Nay they would not suffer Protestant Midwives to do their Office, but expressly ordained, That no Woman should receive any assistance in that condition but from Popish Midwives; And to consummate their miseries, they were forbid under severe penalties to go out of France to get their bread in other countries', whereby they were under the horrible necessity of perishing for hunger in their own; They laid severe Taxes upon them raising the sum from forty or fifty Livers to seven or eight hundred, and Quartered Dragoons upon them till it was paid; Then an Edict was published that Children of seven years old should abjure their Religion, forcing their Parents to give them allowances beyond their abilities, taking them away, and suffering them to see them no more; even Persons of the best Quality were thus used; Protestant Schoolmasters were prohibited, and three Universities suppressed, though absolutely granted by the Edict of Nants; Papists were forbid to marry Protestants or Ministers to hinder People directly or indirectly from turning Papists. These and a multitude of other cruel and barbarous oppressions they greaned under, when the Elector of Brandenburg being pleased to interceded on their behalf the King assured him, He was very well satisfied with the behaviour of his Protestant Subjects and that so long as he lived no wrong should be done them; And yet at the same instant, with his usual sincerity, he gave order for demolishing several of their Churches, and shutting up others, imprisoning their Ministers, and using divers manifest injustices against those he pretended to protect.  
At this time some of the Persecuted People sent their Children to Orange as being a Sovereign Principality to finish the course of their Studies in security. But this so displeased the King that He sent a Body of two thousand men under his Lieutenant General in Languedock, who positively commanded the Prince of Orange's Magistrates to send away all the Children home again, and not to receive any more for the future into their University or Schools, which though it appeared very unreasonable, yet the magistrates to prevent further mischief complied therewith, and thought they had thereby given full satisfaction to his demands, but were strangely surprised to hear that during the Capitulation the Lieutenant General still approached with his forces nearer the City, and that he had absolute Orders to demolish their Walls; In short he advanced, and Quartered eight Companies of Dragoons in the Citizen's Houses where they committed many disorders, constraining as well the Inhabitants as the other Subjects of His Highness in the Villages round about to assist at the ruin of their own Walls and Towers, which were blown up; At which the People laboured the more earnestly to be the sooner rid of those Arbitrary Guests, who were said to have already vitiated several Virgins. The Prince having news hereof, represented their Case to the State's General, as a breach of the last Peace, desiring them to signify their just resentment of these unreasonable proceed of the French King, and to demand reparations for such horrid violations instantly upon concluding a General Peace, and without the least provocation given.  
The State's accordingly by their Ambassador represented it as an Infraction of the Peace of Nimegen, and required satisfaction for the damages which the Prince and his Subjects had so Illegally and contrary to the Faith of Treaties and Leagues sustained. But could have only this answer from the French Court, That as to the money extorted from the Inhabitants it was done without the King's Order, and he had commanded restitution to be made; That upon the submission of the People to his will and pleasure he had withdrawn his Forces out of the Principality and restored free commerce to the Inhabitants according to their desires; And for the rest he had reason for what he had done.  
After the Peace was concluded his Highness applied himself to reform the Government of Utrecht, and other Towns, and likewise to concert matters with the State's General for the future security of his Country against the Treacheries and false pretensions of France; The Prince being usually present in the Principal Debates of the Assembly both as to Peace and War, who always appeared no less prudent and vigilant to prevent disorders at home than to repel Foreign Hostility: In July 1681. His Highness came over into England, and arriving at Whitehall Dined at Sir Stephen Foxes, and then went to Windsor where the Court then was, and having continued here about Ten Days returned back to Holland,  
In the Interval of Affairs his Highness retired to Dieren or Soestdyke to divert himself, and at other times made progresses to take a review of the Frontier Towns belonging to the State, who in 1682. had ordered the Towns of Breda, Grave, and Naerden to be strongly fortified, and it was proposed in the Assembly of the States to raise 16000 men, and incorporate them with the Old Regiments and to add a New Squadron of twenty four Men of War, both to prevent any sudden Insults of the French upon their Territories, and to assist the Spaniards if they should commit any Acts of Hostility which was much to be suspected, considering the shameful pretensions that King set up of Dependencies in the Spanish Netherlands.  
In 1682. the Marquis of Grana was made Governor of Flanders of which he gave notice to the State's General and the Prince, and soon after His Highness had an Interview with the Marquis between Breda and Antwerp, where they entered into Conferences about their future managements of Affairs; His Highness likewise visiting the Fortified Places in Flanders belonging to the States, being accompanied with the Princess, who was received with all kind of Respect and Splendour by the Cities of Brussels, Antwerp, etc. About this time the Count de Avaux the French Ambassador arriving at the Hague put in a Memorial to the Assembly of the manner how he expected to receive Audience; But the States replied, That the things which he desired were wholly new and never practised before, and therefore they can in no wise comply with them; Whereupon his Audience was put off till he was willing to receive it upon the former Terms. In November this year the Envoy of Moscovy came to wait upon the Prince then at Soestdyke to give an account that the great Czar was dead, and that the two Princes now reigning were advanced to the Throne.  
In the end of 1683. The K. of Spain being no longer able to suffer the continual Invasions of the French upon his Cities and Towns in Flanders, and his cruel Treatment of his Subjects for not paying unjust and unreasonable Contributions, he proclaimed War against him both by Sea and Land, and ordered all the Effects of the French Merchants in his Dominions to be seized; And sent to the State's General to assist him in this just defensive War, who thereupon concluded to raise a considerable Force, both for his aid and their own security, and accordingly his Highness gave out several Commissions, and sent 8000 men toward Flanders. In the mean time the French King according to his usual method, having ordered great Detachments to be sent from all the Conquered Places toward Valenciennes, in April 1684. he himself accompanied with the Dauphin and Dauphiness came from Paris thither. The P. was very desirous to have perfected the new Levies and to have marched at the Head of them to oppose him, but the obstinacy of Amsterdam and some other Towns which refused to allow their Quota for maintaining them, prevented his Highness worthy designs; The French King having mustered his Army between Conde and Valenciennes, he immediately inrested the City of Luxemburg, and though the Governor made a very notable defence, and the French lost a considerable number of Men, yet the greatness of their Army, which was posted so as to prevent any relief, at length obliged the Town to Capitulate, and June 7. following it was surrendered upon Articles, and soon after a Trace being made with Spain they were forced to suffer the loss of this City with the same temper as they had done many before.  
And as the French King continued thus Tyrannically to injure his Neighbours so he Treacherously proceeded to exercise horrid cruelties upon his own Protestant Subjects, for though he had resolved upon their destruction, yet at the same time he declared, That he had not the least intention to infringe the Edict of Nants, and accordingly in 1684. he absolutely concluded to cancel and make void that Edict, and to banish all the Ministers out of the Kingdom, and several young Priests were sent about the Country to inflame the Mobile against the Protestants; and it was declared in Print, That the Catholic Faith must be planted by Fire and Sword, alleging the example of a King of Norway who converted the Nobles of his Country by threatening them to slay their Children before their Eyes, if they would not consent to have them Baptised, and to be Baptised themselves. The Protestants were very sensible of the mischiefs designed against them, and exposed their grievances to the K. with all humility and submission, which produced no other effect upon his Tyrannical Temper than to hasten their destruction by open force and violence, in so terrible a manner as is scarce to be paralleled, At first they quartered Troops of bloody and desperate Dragoons upon them, who loudly bellowed, That the K. would no longer suffer any Protestants in his Kingdom, and that they must resolve to change their Religion or else to suffer the utmost cruelty that could be inflicted upon them, To which these innocent Souls, replied, That they were ready to Sacrifice their Lives and Estates for the King's Service, but their Consciences being Gods, they could not in the same manner dispose of them; This answer did but enrage their hellish Adversaries, so that they first seized their goods, and then fell on their Persons inflicting all the Barbarities imaginable to induce them to renounce their Religion; They hung up Men and Women by the Hair of the Head, or by the Feet within their Chimneys smoking them with wisps of wet Straw; They threw them into great fires & plucked them thence half roasted; They tied them on the Rack, & poured wine down their Throats till the fame had deprived them of their reason; and then made them say they would be Catholics; They stripped them stark naked & larded them all over with Pins from head to foot; They kept them from sleeping 7 or 8 days and nights together; They tied Parents to Bed posts and ravished their Daughters before their eyes; They plucked off the Nails from the Hands and Toes of others with most intolerable pain, and after these and a thousand other horrid indignities, if they refused to abjure their Religion, they threw them into close dark & stinking Dungeons exercising upon them all manner of inhumanity; And yet after all these barbarous usages they compelled those wretched People who had not courage and constancy enough to persist in the Faith, and therefore turned Catholics, or new Converts, as they called them, to acknowledge, That they had embraced the Roman Religion of their own accord; And had the impudence to declare even against the evidence of Millions of Witnesses; That force and violence had no share in the Conversions, but that they were soft, calm and voluntary, and that if there were any Dragoons concerned therein, it was because the Protestants themselves, desired them that they might have a handsome pretence to change their Religion. In the mean time their Houses were demolished, their Lands destroyed, their Woods cut down, and their Wives and Children seized, and put into Monasteries; and an Edict was published for plucking down all the Protestant Churches in the Kingdom; and all for promoting the Catholic Peligion; Yea the mischief did not terminate here, for the French King being too potent to be resisted by the Duke of Savoy, He compelled that Prince to publish an Edict for prohibiting the poor Waldenses and Vaudois to exercise their Religion upon pain of death, and being assisted with a great number of French Troops under Monsieur Catinat, the Soldiers committed the like Violences and Barbarities against them as they had done in France.  
His Highness the Prince of Orange highly disapproved of these Proceed, and was a silent Mourner for the miseries of the Protestant Church, which now seemed to be threatened more than ever, for King Charles II. dying in February 1685. the D. of York succeeded him, who instantly declared himself a Roman Catholic. And June 10 following the Duke of Monmouth landed with 150 Men at Lime in Dorsetshire, declaring, That he had taken Arms for the defence and vindication of the Protestant Religion, and of the Laws, Rights, and Privileges of England, from the Invasion made upon them, and for delivering the Kingdom from the Tyranny of James Duke of York; About the same time the Earl of Argile setting sail from the Vlye in Holland landed in the West of Scotland, publishing a Declaration to the same purpose, but either by weakness or treachery they were both soon defeated, and both beheaded, and a multitude of their followers executed; For which great success King James published a Proclamation for a Thanksgiving, and among other expressions says; That nothing now remained which could possibly disturb the future quiet of his Reign; In confidence whereof he with the advice of his Popish Counsellors and their Adherents, proceeded to commit several open violations upon the Laws of the Land and the Properties of his Subjects.  
Some time before, his Highness returning from Hounsleyrdike to the Hague, gave audience to several Foreign Ministers, and parted thence to visit the Garrisons of Maestricht, Boisleduck and other Places, and in his return was met by the Princess at Loo, having in his progress given all necessary Orders for the well governing and strengthening of those Places. In December 1687. the Marquis de Albeville Envoy Extraordinary from the King of England had Audience of his Highness and the States of Holland, and about the same time the States considering the danger that might arise from the great number of Foreign Popish Priests (notwithstanding the intercession of the Envoy of the Emperor of Germany on their behalf) they made a Decree commanding them to retire out of the Netherlands, and never to return again, promising a reward of 100 Ducatoons to any that should make discovery, and laying a penalty of 600 Florins upon those that should harbour or conceal any of them, for the first offence, 1200 for the second, and corporeal punishment for the third, whereupon many of them went over into England, where their hopes and expectations of having their Religion settled daily increased.  
The King of England being unwilling to afford any assistance to the Heretical States against his dear Ally the French King, published a Proclamation in March 1687. commanding the return of all Subjects then in the Service of the State's General either by Sea or Land, with no other Allegation but that the King thought it fit for his service. The States raised some dispute with the Marquis de Albeville about this matter, refusing to let them return into England, insomuch that the Marquis soon after delivered in a Memorial to the States by express Orders from the King, signifying, That his Master was much surprised to find that their Lordships persisted in their Resolution, in refusing leave to his Subjects to return into England, and that whereas their Lordships alleged that there was nothing so agreeable to nature, as that he who was born free should have the right and liberty to settle himself wherever he should think it most advantageous to him, and that it was in his power to be Naturalised and become a Subject to them under whose Sovereignty he submits his Person, and that the Government receiving him, thereby acquire over him the same Right it has over its own proper and natural Subjects. The Marquis replied, That this pretended Natural Liberty could not subsist after Obedience and Dominion had been introduced, so that the Rights of Sovereignty and Obedience were now only to be considered, and that in virtue of those Rights it had been the common opinion in all times, that no natural subject could withdraw himself from the Obedience he owed to his Lawful Prince, from whence it was that the Kings of Great Britain had in all times prohibited their Subjects to engage in any Foreign service, and had recalled them from it, when, and as often as they thought fit. The Marquis further instanced a Capitulation made between the Earl of Ossory and his Highness the Prince of Orange, That in case the King of Great Britain should recall his Subjects in the Service of the States, they should be permitted to retire, by Virtue of which Capitulation, and his Reasons alleged, the Marquis demanded their dismission, from which the King would never departed, neither was he willing to doubt of their Lordship's compliance with it. But it seems few or none were willing, for very few returned, judging it may be, that they might do more service where they were for the interest of their Country than in fight at home against their own Countrymen and Fellow Protestants, and as their unwillingness justified the resolution of the State's General so it rendered the endeavours of the Marquis ineflectual; For the States having disbanded them, the greatest part listed themselves again under their Command as well Officers as Soldiers, though the King had ordered the Masters and Captains of Ships and Vessels, to give such as would return free passage with promise of advancement when they came to England.  
In May 1688. The Prince Elector of Saxony was splendidly entertained by his Highness the Prince of Orange at Homslaer Dyke, and the next day his Highness accompanied him to Scheveling, where they went on board a small Vessel that carried them to a squadron of 17 Men of War, which arrived from Schonvelt under the command of Vice Admiral Allemond, who upon their approach sent two light Frigates and a Shallop to meet them, and they were saluted with the Cannon of all the Ships, when having dined aboard the Vice-Admiral they returned to Scheveling, and from thence his Electoral Highness went to visit Delft, Rotterdam, Dort, Maestricht, Liege, Aix and Cologne, and so returned home by the way of Franckfort; About which time the Envoy of Brandenburg acquainted the Prince of Orange and the States with the Death of the Elector his Master, a Prince extreme firm to the Protestant Interest, and whose Death was much regretted by the Protestant Princes and States; The Prince and States sending a Gentleman with Compliments of Condoleance to his Son and Successor.  
The King of England having obtained the opinion of his Judges for the Dispensing Power soon made use of it; For first he employed Popish Officers, and put them into chief Command, the Earl of Clarendon being recalled from the Government of Ireland, and the Earl of Tyrconnel a Papist scent to succeed him, to the great terror of the Protestants of that Kingdom. The Earl of Castlemain was sent Ambassador to Rome; An Army was raised and Mustered at Hunslow Heath; The Lord Bishop of London was convented before a New and Illegal Court of Judicature for Ecclesiastical Affairs, and suspended from his Office for refusing to suspend the Reverend Dr. Sharp, under pretence that he had uttered seditious words in his Sermons; Then a Declaration is published for Liberty of Conscience, and suspending all the Penal Laws in matters of Religion, and acquitting all Persons from taking the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, both in England, Scotland and Ireland, The Pope's Nuncio arrived in England being received with much respect by the King, and Dined with the King and the Lord Maver at Guildhall, Popish Chapels were erected in several places in London, and other Cities and Towns in England; The Charters of several Corporations that were yet unseized were now taken away; These and divers other Illegal proceed put the Nation into a ferment, and they were enraged at the Authors of them; Nay, they do not stop here, for after this the King again renewed his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience, with a peremptory Order, to command all the Clergy to read it in their several Churches and Chapels throughout the Kingdom, and that the Bishops should distribute them through their several Dioceses; But the rigorous proceed against the Lord Bishop of London the last year, and against the Vicechancellor of Cambridge and the Follows of Magdalen College in Oxford this year were such evident breaches of his Indulgence to Tender Consciences that it gave still greater dissatisfaction to the Nation, and portended some sudden alteration; The Vicechancellor of Cambridge being deprived of his Office, and suspended of his Headship, or refusing to admit one Alban Francis a Benedictine Monk to be Master of Arts without taking the Oaths, by virtue of the Dispensing power, though contrary to the Statutes which he was sworn to maintain; And the fellows of Magdalen College in Oxford being 26 in number for refusing to admit one Farmer a scandalous Popish Priest to the Presidentship of that College, and Electing Dr. Hough, were pronourced guilty of disobedience to his Majesty's Commands and deprived and expelled from their respective Fellowships; And the Bishops judging that their distributing the Declaration would be an owning and asserting the Kings assumed Dispensing Power, and foreseeing the pernicious consequences thereof, the Archbishop of Canterbury and six others drew up a Petition in behalf of themselves and their Brethren setting forth the Reasons why they could not comply therewith; This was so ill resented by the King and his Popish Councillors that the Petition was judged Tumultuary, and all the seven Bishops were committed Prisoners to the Tower; And now the Jesnits acted their Master piece of Policy, as they imagined, though it proved very fural to them; For knowing that the King grew old, and that on his life the hopes of Restoring their Religion depended, since the Heir Apparent was a Protestant who would soon ruin all their Machinations. They resolved if possible to advance a Popish Successor, and thereby ensure Popery and Slavery to the Nation; Hereupon they raised a report sometime before that the Queen was with Child though the People did not believe it, and several Lampoons were made upon that Subject; And the Bishops being now secured, this was thought the proper time for the Queen to fall in Labour, and accordingly June 10. 1683. It was published that she was Delivered of a Frince, for which the King ordered all signs of rejoicing to be made, and a day of Thanksgiving was appointed; as being a thing of mighty consequence for advancing the Catholic Cause; though the joy was somewhat abated by the Acquittal of the seven Bishops five days after, who being Tried at the King's Bench Bar were brought in Not Guilty, at which the People, yea the Kings own Army at Hounslow Heath, shouted for joy, to the severe mortification of the Court.  
The King having declared that he intended to call a Parliament to turn his Declaration of Liberty of Conscience into a Law, and likewise to abrogate all the Penal Laws and Tests both against the Dissenters and the Roman Catholics, the Jesuits had a great desire to sound the intentions and thoughts of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Orange, upon that Subject; To which purpose Mr. James Steward undertook to write a Letter to Pensionary fagel not without the knowledge and approbation of the King, which occasioned Minheer Fagels answer, to this effect.  
That Their Highnesses had often declared, as they did more particularly to the Marquis Albeville His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary to the States; That it is their Opinion that no Christian ought to be persecuted for his Conscience, or be ill used because he dissers from the Public and Established Religion; and therefore they could be content that even the Papists in England, Scotland, and Ireland might be suffered to continue to their Religion with as much Liberty as is allowed the by the States of the United Provinces; And as for the Protestant Dissenters Their Highnesses did not only consent, but hearty approve of their having an Entire Liberty, for the full exercise of their Religion without any trouble or hindrance. That Their Highnesses, were ready in case His Majesty of England should desire it, to declare their willingness to concur in the settling and confirming this Liberty as far as it lay in them, and were ready if desired to concur in Repealing the Laws, provided always that those Laws remain still in their full force and vigour whereby the Roman Catholics are excluded out of both Houses of Parliament, and out of all public Employments Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Military, as likewise all those other Laws which confirm the Protestant Religion, and which secure it against all the attempts of the Roman Catholics. But that Their Highnesses could not agree to the Repealing of the Tests, or those Penal Laws that tend to the security of the Protestant Religion, since the Roman Catholics receive no other prejudice from these than the being excluded from Parliaments or from Public Employments, and that by them the Protestant Religion is covered from all the designs of the Roman Catholics against it, or against the public safety, and neither the Tests nor those other Laws can be said to carry in them any severity against the Roman Catholics upon account of their Consciences, they being only Provisions Qualifying men to be Members of Parliament or to be capable of bearing Offices, by which they must declare before God and Men that they are for the Protestant Religion, so that all this amounts to no more than a securing the Protestant Religion from any prejudice that it may receive from the Roman Catholics. That Their Highnesses have thought and do still think that more than this ought not be asked nor expected from them, since by this means the Roman Catholics, and their Posterity would be for ever secured from all Troubles in their Persons and Estates, or in the Exercise of their Religion, and that the Roman Catholics ought to be satisfied with this, and not to disquiet the Kingdom because they cannot be admitted to sit in Parliament, or to be in employment; or because those Laws wherein the security of the Protestant Religion chief consists are not repealed, by which they may be in a condition to overturn it; That their Highnesses also believed, that the Dissenters would be for ever satisfied when they should be for ever covered from all danger of being disturbed or punished for the free Exercise of their Religion upon any pretence whatsoever.  
This was the substance of the Letter written by that Great Minister of State as discovering the just sentiments of Their Highnesses, which did no ways please the Papists who had high expectations of carrying all before them, and therefore Mr. Steward in his second Letter to the Pensioner a while after says, That the Court was quite beyond it, and had taken other measures; And what they were soon after appeared, namely to defeat their Royal Highnesses of their just Interest and Right to the Succession of the Crown, by pretending that the Queen was delivered of a Prince of Wales.  
But the Nobility and Gentry of England beholding the deplorable State of the Nation, and foreseeing the subversion of their Ancient Laws, and Established Religion to be designed by him who had largely promised the Protection of both; And at the same time seeing Popery and Arbitrary Power hover over their Heads, and ready to seize on their Liberties and Properties, and that both were designed to be perpetuated and en●ailed upon them and their Posterity by a succession of Popish Princes, Mrs. Cellier having declared in Print before the pretended Birth, That it would be a Prince, and that the Queen would likewise bring forth a Duke of York and a Duke of Gloucester; After several consultations whither to fly for succour, at length they resolved to apply themselves to His Highness the Prince of Orange, to whose Illustrious Family it had been an Inherent Glory for some Ages to relieve the Distressed, and support the Protestant Cause; His Highness they saw inherited all the surpassing Qualities of his Ancestors, Their matchless Prudence, Justice, Courage, their Truth, and Magnanimity, and besides all these excellent Endowments they were well assured of the fair Title he had to the Crown itself: To him therefore the Lords Spiritual and Temporal with a great number of the Chiefest Gentry of the Kingdom make their application, and in an humble Memorial represent their Grievances to their Highnesses, to this effect.  
That their Highnesses cannot be ignorant, that the Protestants of England, who continue True to the Government and Religion, have been many ways troubled and vexed by many Devices and Machinations of the Papists, carried on under pretence of Royal Authority, and things required of them unanswerable before God and Man; Several Ecclesiastical Benefices of Churches taken from them, without any other Reason given than the King's Pleasure; themselves Summoned and Sentenced by Commissioners appointed contrary to express Law, deprived of their free choice of Magistrates, divers Corporations dissolved; The Legal Security of their Religion and Liberty established by King and Parliament abolished and taken away by a pretended Dispensing Power; New and unheard of Maxims broached, That Subjects have no Right, but what is founded and derived from the Kings Will and Pleasure; the Militia put into the Hands of Persons unqualified by Law, and a Popish Mercenary Army maintained in the Kingdom in times of Peace, directly contrary to Law; executing of ancient Laws against several Crimes and Misdemeanours obstructed and prohibited, and the Statutes against corresponding with the Court of Rome, against Papal Jurisdictions, and Popish Priests suspended in the Courts of Justice; those Judges displaced, who acquit any whom the Court would have condemned, as happened to the Judges Holloway and Powel for acquitting the seven Bishops; the free choice of Members of Parliament wholly taken away, notwithstanding all the Care and Provision made by the Law in that behalf, by the Quo Warrantoes against Charters, and proposing ensnaring Questions; all things levelled at the Propagation of Popery, for which the Courts of England and France have now for a long time so strenously bestirred themselves; Endeavours and Practices used to persuade their Highnesses to Consent to the abolishing the Penal Laws and Tests, (though herein disappointed.) The Queens being with Child first Proclaimed, and Divulged by Popish Priests, and in the Sequel thereof, a Child produced without any clear Proof or Evidence of sufficient and unsuspected Witnesses, besides that it cannot be believed that the said Child was ever born of the Queen, by Reason of her known Sickness and Indisposition, and many other Arguments, as not being confirmed by any certain foregoing Signs of Conception, the place of her lying in being often changed, and her pretended Delivery Celebrated in the absence of the Princess of Denmark, and while the English Ladies were at Church, in a Bedstead which was provided with a Convenient Passage in the side of it, by which means the Child was conveyed to the Queen by the Ladies L' Abadie and Teurarier; that these be matters left to the Discretion of a Free Parliament, and that in the Name of your Highnesses and the whole Nation the Queen may be desired to prove the real Birth of the pretended Prince of Wales by a competent number of credible Witnesses of both Sexes, or in Case of a failure herein, that the reports of any such Birth may be suppressed for the time to come. That they humbly crave the Protection of their Highnesses in this matter as well as with respect to the Abolition and Suspension of the Laws made to maintain the Protestant Religion, their Civil Rights, Fundamental Liberties, and Free Government, and that their Highnesses would be pleased to insist that (besides the business of the Child) the Government of England according to Law may be restored; the Laws against Papal Jurisdiction, Priests, etc. be put in Execution, the Suspending and Dispensing Power be declared Null and Void, and the Privileges of the City of London, Free Choice of Magistrates, and all the other Liberties, as well of that as other Corporations be restored and maintained.  
Their Highnesses with no less Willingness than Generosity, and out of their Zeal for the Protestant Religion, and Compassion of the Oppressed, listened to their Complaints. And his Highness well weighing the justness of their Requests, and the Reality of their Grievances, instantly began to take Measures in Order to their Deliverance. And soon after his Highness went to meet the Elector of Brandenburg and some other Princes and Noblemen of Germany at Minden, which so alarmed the French King, that Monsieur D' Avaux his Ambassador presented a Memorial to the State's General intimating, that the King his Master being informed of the Motions and Conferences, that were made and held towards the Frontiers of Cologne against the Cardinal of Furstemburgh and the Chapter, He was resolved to maintain the Cardinal and their Privileges, against all those who should go about to trouble them; but herein, the Politics of King Lewis failed him, his Highness the Prince of Orange managing his Affairs with such an exact Secrecy, that neither that King nor his Sagacious Council could penetrate into the Design, till it was upon the Point of Execution, and out of danger of being Defeated. For upon his Highness return from that Conference to Lo, Orders were given for drawing the Forces the States had raised for his Highness' Assistance, and encamping them upon the Mocker Hyde, and the Forces of those other Princes, whom his Highness had engaged to aid him in this Glorious Expedition, had Orders to be upon their March, as those of Brandenburg, Hesse-Cassel, etc. And the State's General assembled at the Hague, where his Highness was present, and their Debates and Consultations having been kept very Private for some days, at length they published the following Manifesto.  
That the States had resolved with their Ships and Men to assist the Prince of Orange, who being invited by the Reiterated Importunities of the Nobility, and Gentry of England, to oppose that Arbitrary Government, which His Britannic Majesty is designing to introduce into that Kingdom, has fully determined to go over to that Country, as well for that Reason, as to save the English Religion, which his Majesty has also resolved to destroy; Both which enterprises being so contrary to the Laws of God and Man, and particularly of those of the Kingdom of which they threaten the utter Subversion; the Prince of Orange, instigated by the Motives of his own innate Piety, which will not permit him to suffer the ruin of Religion, nor the overturning of so fair a Kingdom, has resolved to call a Free Parliament, etc. For which Reasons, and because the Design of the King of England is manifestly apparent by the stri●t Alliance which he has Contracted with the most Christian King, who bears no good will to the United Provinces, and whose Proceed are justly therefore by them to be suspected; so that if His Brit●●niek Majesty should be suffered to become Absolute in his Dominions, the United Provinces could no longer be in Security, and therefore it being their Interest that the Fundamental Laws of that Kingdom, and the English Religion should be preserved, they hoped that God would bless the Prince of Orange with Happy Success.  
King James though at first, he would not believe that the Vast Preparations in Holland concerned him, though the French King had given him notice of them some time before, was now fully convinced thereof by this M●nifesto, and all of a sudden the Bells 〈◊〉 to ring 〈…〉 at White-Hall, and the first N●●● we heard, of th●●● disturbance was a Proclamation 〈…〉 28, 1688, by which it was intimated, That the King had received undoubted Intelligence, that a great and sudden Invasion from Holland was to be speedily made in an Hostile manner upon this Kingdom, under the false pretences of Liberty, Prop my and Religion, but that an absolute Conquest of his Kingdoms, and the subduing him and his Dominions to a Foreign Power, etc. However relying upon the Ancient Courage, Faith and Allegiance of his People, as he had formerly ventured his Life, for she Honour and Safety of the Nation, so he was now resolved to Live and Die in Defence thereof against all Enemies whatsoever, etc. After this, the King published a Proclamation of General Pardon, with some few Exceptions; Restored the injured Gentlemen of Oxford and Cambridge to their Rights; Dissolved the Ecclesiastical Commissions, Vacated the Quo Warranto against the City of London, and issued forth a Proclamation for restoring all Corporations to their Ancient Charters, Liberties, Rights and Franchises; In short, He undid almost in one day all that he had been doing since his first coming to the Crown.  
Yet such was the Folly of the Romish Party in the midst of this Consternation, that the show of the Prince of Wales, still went on, and Oct. 15 the ●hild was Christened, the Pope represented by his Nuncio being Godfather, and the Queen 〈◊〉 onager Godmother, and two days after the King to secure his Territories, commanded his Lord and Deputy-Leiutenants, and all other Officers concerned, to cause the Coasts to be strictly Guarded, and that upon the first approach of the Enemy, all the Oxen, Horses and , which might be fit for Draught should be driven twenty Miles from the Place where the Enemy should attempt to Land.  
Oct. 22. The King commanded a particular Assembly of his Privy Council, and sent for all such Peers, Spiritual and Temporal, as were in Town, together with the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, the Judges and several of his Council Learned in the Law, telling them, That he had called them together upon a very extraordinary Occasion, but that extraordinary Diseases must have extraordinary Remedies, that the Malicious Endeavours of his Adversaries had so poisoned the Minds of some of his Subjects, that very many of them did not believe that the Child wherewith God had blessed him was his, but a supposed Child; However he could say that by a particular Providence scarce ever any Prince was born, where there were so many Persons present; that he had taken time to have the matter heard and examined, expecting that the Prince of Orange with the first Easterly Wind would Invade the Kingdom, and therefore as he had often ventured his Life for the Nation, before he came to the Crown, so he thought himself more obliged to do the same being King, and did intent to go against him in Person, by which in regard he might be exposed to various Accidents, he therefore thought it necessary to have this done first, to satisfy his Subjects, and prevent the Kingdoms being engaged in Blood and Confusion after his Death.  
After this the Affidavits of several Ladies were produced, of which some swore that they saw Milk upon her Majesty's Smock (for they did not think fit to mince the matter;) others, that they saw the Midwife take the Child out of the Bed; another that she stood by the Bedside, when her Majesty was delivered of the Prince; another swore, that having had the Honour to put on her Majesty's Smock she saw the Queen's Milk; another deposed, that she saw the Queen in Labour, and heard her cry out much; another, that she saw the Midwife give the Prince three drops of the Blood of the Navel-string mixed with Black Cherry-water, with a great deal of other Nauseous stuff. Then the Affidavits of the Lords were produced, among whom, one swore, that he saw Mistress Labadie carry the Child into another Room, whither he followed her, and saw the Child, when she first opened it, and that it was Black and Reeking; another swore, that he saw the Child, and that it had the Marks of being new Born; another, that he heard the Queen make three Groans, or Squeeks, and that at the last of the three, the Queen was delivered of a Child; the Physicians swore, what was proper, but not fit to be repeated; However the whole was at length published to the shame and scandal of all modest Eyes and Ears.  
And now my Lords, said the King, after all the the Depositions were read, although I did not Question, but that every Person here present was satisfied before, yet by what you have heard, you will be the better able to satisfy others; Besides could I and the Queen have been thought so wicked as to impose a Child upon the Nation, we saw how impossible it would have been; neither could I myself have been imposed upon, having constantly been with the Queen during her being with Child, and the whole time of her Labour, and therefore there is none of you but will easily believe that I who have suffered so much for Conscience-sake, cannot be capable of so great a Viliany, to the prejudice of my own Children; I thank God that those that know me know well, that it is my Principle to do as I would be done by, and that I would rather die a thousand Deaths, than do the least wrong to any of my Children.  
Yet this Zealous Harangue had but little Influence upon the Generality of the People (with whom the King by his late Actions had wholly forfeited his Reputation) who daily discovered, as far as they durst, their longing desires for the Arrival of his Highness the Prince of Orange to deliver them from the apparent Mischiefs that impended over the Nation.  
His Highness' Preparations for his Expedition went on apace, and the Marquis of Albeville King James his Ambassador at the Hague, presented a Memorial to the Deputies of the State's General upon that Subject, but while he expected an Answer, the Troops Embarked, and his Highness and the Marshal Schomberg came to the Hague, and on Friday, Oct. 16. The Fleet cons●●●ing of 635 Men of War, Fireships, Tenders, etc. For the carriage of Horse, Foot, Arms and Ammunition, sailed about four Afternoon from the Flats near the Brill with the Wind at S. W. and by S. The Prince Embarked on a Vessel of between 28 and 30. Guns, with Count Solmes, Count Stirum, the Sieur Bentwick, the Sieur Overkirk, Marshal Schomberg, Count Charles his Son, with several others, as well English Noblemen as Strangers who were in the Fleet; next day they came in sight of Schevelinge, but meeting with a very terrible Storm, which continued for two days and nights together, was forced to put into Harbour again, some Ships and small Vessels on which the Horse were aboard suffering some prejudice; upon their return the Prince immediately gave an account to the State's General of the Condition of the Fleet, which was not so much damaged as was published in the English Gazette, but rather turned to the Advantage of his Highness as the Affair was managed; for to make the English Court more remiss in their Preparations the Haarlem and Amsterdam Gazettes told a most lamentable Story of what had happened, As that the Prince was returned with his Fleet so miserably Torn and Shattered that he had lost nine of his Men of War and several lesser Vessels; That 1000 of his Horse were utterly lost; that a Calenture was got among the Seamen; that Dr. Butner and several of the Princes chief Ministers were drowned and that the States had an ill opinion of the Expedition in General, so that it was a thing almost impossible that the Prince should be in a Condition to pursue his Design till the next Spring.  
This Stratagem had some effect upon the Court, for the Papists hopes hereupon began so to revive, that the King Ordered the Restoring the Charters, and the Fellows of Magdalen Colled; the Vacaring the Ecclesiastical Commission and the other Grants which he had newly made, to be suspended till he heard the Prince was again put to Sea, and thereby made the whole Nation sensible how little Trust or Credit was to be given to his most solemn Promises and Declarations; but all hands being at work the damage that had been sustained, was repaired in eight days time, so that Nou. 3. about ten in the Morning upon a signal given the whole Fleet once more set Sail; about Midnight an Advice Boat brought Intelligence, that the English Fleet consisting of thirty three Sail lay to the Westward of the Princes; upon which the Prince fired a Gun which caused a great Consternation through the whole Fleet; but the small Advice Boats Cruising for more certain Intelligence brought news, that instead of the English Fleet which had given the Alarm, it was only Admiral Herbert with a part of the Dutch Fleet which had been for some hours separated from the main Body; in the Morning the Prince gave a Signal for the Admirals to come aboard of him, and soon after the Fleet was got into the North Forelands', at what time the Fleet was Ordered to close up in a Body fourteen or fifteen Foot deep, his Highness leading the Van in the Ship called the Brill, carrying a Flag with English Colours with this Motto, The Protestant Religion and Liberties of England; and underneath, I will maintain it, in the mean time the Council of War sent three small Frigates into the Mouth of the Thames who returning brought news, that the English Fleet lay at the B●oy in the Oar about thirty four Sail, the Wind centrary at E. N. E. Upon which the Prince gave Order for stretching the whole Fleet between Dover and Calais seventy five deep, which extended in breadth within a League of each Place, the Flanks and Rear being guarded by Men of War, the Trumpet; founding and Drums beating at least three hours together; after which the Prince giving the Signal for the Eleet to close, they sailed that night as far as Beachy, and the next Morning came within view of the Isle of Wight, and then Order was given to extend the Fleet in a Line as before; the next Morning they made directly for To●●ay; upon his Highness' Arrival, the People flocking in great numbers to the Shoar signified their welcomes in loud Acclamations of Joy; soon after the Prince gave two signals for the Admirals to come aboard, and then the whole Fleet cast Anchor and Preparation was made for Landing whilst the Admirals stood out to Sea as a Guard, and the small Men of War at ended, for the Defence of those that Landed, besides six men of War that were Ordered to run in and guard the Bay itself. It is remarkable that his Highness had a brisk East and North Easterly Wind for two days which brought them directly toward Torbay, and the Wind then turning Westerly carried them into the Bay, which otherwise might have been very troublesome and dangerous.  
The Prince now displayed a Red Flag at the Mizzen yards Arm, while General Mackay with six Regiments of Foot was the first that set Foot on Shoar, under the Protection of the little Porpoise which was ordered to run herself aground to secure their Landing; this was upon Nou. 5. a day memorable to the English before, but now doubly remarkable for a second Deliverance from the Bloody Designs of the Papists. But the People were so far from making Opposition, that they only stood there to welcome their Guests with all manner of Provisions and Refreshments. So that his Highness safely Landed his whole Army consisting in 10692 Foot, and 3660 Horse, in all 14352.  
The News of the Princes being Landed was carried to the Earl of Bath at Exeter, and Captain Hicks going thither, the People flocked to him in great numbers to List themselves in the Service of the Prince of Orange, for which the Mayor of the City would have sent him to Prison, but was prevented by the People, the next day the Lord Mordaunt with Dr. Burnet came thither, with three or four Troops of Horse, and commanding the Gates to be opened, released the Captain, and going to the Mayor asked him, if he would wait upon the Prince at his Entrance, who pleading his Obligation of an Oath to King James, and desiring that his Conscience might not be imposed on, he was excused. The next day the Prince with his Guards marched into the City, and went to the Deans House where he resided during his stay at Exeter; after whom followed the whole Body of his Army, who were quartered about Tiverton, Culhampton, Honyton, and other places. The Sunday following his Highness went to the Cathedral, where his Highness' Declaration of the Reasons inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England, for preserving the Protestant Religion, and for restoring the Liberties of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was read by Dr. Burnet before a numerous Auditory, the Substance whereof was.  
That ' it was certain and evident to all men, that the public Peace and Happiness of any Kingdom and State could not be preserved, where the Laws, Liberties and Customs, established by the lawful Authority in it, were openly transgressed and annulled, more especially where the Alteration of Religion was endeavoured, and a Religion contrary to the Law Designed to be introduced, whereas they who were most immediately concerned therein, were indispensibly bound to preserve the established Laws, Liberties and Customs, and above all, the Religion and Worship of God established among them, and to take effectual Care that the Inhabitant of such State or Kingdom might neither be deprived of their Religion, nor outed of their Civil Rights; more especially since the greatness of Kings, Royal Families, and all in Authority, as well as the Happiness of their Subjects and People depended in a more especial manner upon an exact Observation of those their Laws, Liberties and Customs; upon which ground his Highness further declared, That he could no longer forbear to let the World know how apparently he saw with regret, that they who had then the chief Credit with the King had overturned the Religion, Laws and Liberties of these Realms, and subjected them in all things relating to their Consciences, Liberties and Properties to Arbitrary Government, and that not only by secret and indirect ways, but in an open and undisguised manner; that those Evil Councillors, for advancing and colouring this with some plausible pretences, did invent and set on foot the Kings Dispensing Power, by virtue of which they pretend that according to Law he can suspend and dispense with the Execution of the Laws that have been enacted by the Authority of King and Parliament for the Security and Happiness of the Subject, and to render these Laws of no effect, though it is most certain that they cannot be suspended, but by the same Authority that made them; for though the King may pardon the punishment of a Transgressor in Cases of Treason and Felony, yet it cannot with any colour of Reason be thence inferred, that he can entirely suspend the Execution of those Laws, unless he has such an Arbitrary Power that the Laws, Liberties, Honours and Estates of the Subjects depend wholly upon his good Will and Pleasure; and though they have obtained a Sentence for asserting this Dispensing Power to be a Right depending on the Crown, yet it cannot be imagined that it should be put in the Power of twelve Judges to offer up the Laws, Rights and Liberties of the whole Nation to the Arbitrary Will of the King, especially such as are first advanced, and then threatened to be turned out, if they do not comply therein, and some Papists who are incapable by Law are made Judges.  
That the King, though known to be a Papist, was yet received and acknowledged by the People to be their King, and did solemnly Swear and Promise at his Coronation, that he would maintain their Laws and Liberties, and the Church of England, as it was established by Law, and though several Laws have been lately made for preserving their Liberties, and the Protestant Religion, and to prevent all Papists from being put into any Employment, yet these evil Councillors have in effect Annulled and Abolished all those Laws, and in direct Opposition thereto, have set up as Illegal Commission for Ecclesiastical Affairs, in which one of the King's Ministers, who is a Papist sits and Acts, though by Law uncapable of any public Employment, that these Commissioners have suspended the Bishop of London, only for refusing to obey an Order to suspend a Worthy Divine without Citation or Process; they have turned out the Precedent and Fellows of Hagdalen College without citing them before any Legal Court or Comperent Judge, only for refusing to choose for their Precedent a Person recommended by these Evil Councillors, contrary to the Right of Free Election, and contrary to Magna Charta, That no man shall lose Life or Goods, but by the Law of the Land; and afterward put the College wholly into the hands of Papists. They have cited before them all the Chancellors and Arch-deacons of England, to certify the Names of the Clergy, who did not read the King's Declaration for Liberty of Conscience, though the reading of it was not enjoined them by the Bishops, who are their Ordinaries. These Evil Councillors have procured Orders for building several Popish Churches, Chapels, Monasteries, Colleges of Jesuits for corrupting of youth, and raised one to be a Privy Councillor and Minister of State, contrary to several express Laws, by the Rules of which they evidently show they are no way restrained, and wherein they are served and seconded by these Ecclesiastical Commissioners.  
They have also followed the same Methods in Civil Affairs, by procuring Orders to examine all Lord Lieutenants, Deputy Lieutenants, Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, and all others that were in any public Employment, whether they were for taking away the Penal Laws and Tests, and those who in Conscience could not comply were turned out, and divers unqualified Persons put in their Rooms; they have seized upon the Charters of several Towns, and procured the surrender of others, which Elect Parliament men, and placed new Magistrates, many of them Papists, in divers Corporations. They have removed such Judges, as would not in all things Conform to their Designs, and put in others, whose Compliance they disowned beforehand, whereby much Blood hath been shed in many places of the Kingdom against all the Forms and Rules of Law, without Suffering the Persons accused to plead in their own Defence. They have put the Administration of Justice into the Hands of Papists, though all their Sentences are Null and Void in Law, and have disposed of all Military Employments in the same manner both by Sea and Land, to Strangers as well as Natives; and Irish as well as English, to maintain and execute their wicked Designs of enslaving the Nation by their Assistance. In Ireland the whole Government is put into the Hands of Papists, so that the Protestants through terror have in great numbers left that Kingdom, and abandoned their Estates in it, remembering well that Cruel and Bloody Massacre in 1641. In Scotland the King has declared himself clothed with such an Absolute Power, as to be obeyed without Reserve.  
These great Oppressions, and open Contempts of all Laws, being insufferable, have put the Subjects under great Fears, and to look out for such Lawful Remedies as are allowed of in all Nations; but to deter them from endeavouring to preserve their Lives and Estates by Petition, or other means Authorized by Law, these Evil Councillors proceeded with all Rigour against those that used those Methods, particularly the Archbishop of Canterbury and others, who humbly offering their Reasons, why they could not Order the Declaration of Liberty of Conscience to be read in the Churches, were sent to Prison, and after Tried as if guilty of some enormous Crime, and obliged to appear before professed Papists, and those Judges that gave their Opinion in their favour were turned out. They have also Treated a Peer of the Realm, as a Criminal for saying, that the Subjects were not bound to obey the Orders of a Popish Justice of Peace, because they are put into Employments contrary to Law.  
That his Highness, and his Dearest and most Beloved Consort the Princess have signified to the King in Terms full of respect, the just and deep Regret these Proceed have given them, and in compliance with His desires have declared their Thoughts about Repealing the Penal Laws and Tests, whereby they hoped there might have been an happy agreement among the Subjects of all Persuasions, which yet these Evil Councillors have so misrepresented as to endeavour to alienate the King more and more from them, as if they designed to disturb the Quiet and Happiness of the Kingdom; and the last and great Remedy for all these Evils being the calling of a Parliament, for securing the Nation against the Practices of these Evil Councillors, cannot be easily brought about, since by a Parliament duly chosen, they doubt to be called to account, for all their open Violations of the Laws, their Plots and Conspiracies against the Protestant Religion, and the Lives and Liberties of the Subjects, their designing under the specious pretence of Liberty of Conscience, to sow Divisions among Protestants, and from their mutual quarrels to carry on their own Designs, to prevent which the Electors and Elected for Parliament men are to be beforehand engaged to comply with their wicked Desires, and the returns are to be made by Popish Sheriffs and Mayors of Towns, so that this only remedy of a Free Parliament is hereby made impracticable.  
And to Crown all, There are great and violent Presumptions inducing their Highnesses to believe that these Evil Councillors to gain more time to carry on their ill Designs, for encouraging their Complices and discouraging all good Subjects they have published, that the Queen hath brought forth a Son, though there appeared both during the Queen's pretended bigness, and in the manner in which the Birth was managed, so many just and visible grounds of Suspicion, that not only their Highnesses, but all the good Subjects of this Kingdom, vehemently suspect that the pretended Prince of Wales was not born of the Queen; and since their Highnesles have both so great an Interest in this matter, and such a Right as all the World knows to the Succession of the Crown, and since the English Nation had ever testified a most particular Affection and Esteem to them both; their Highnesses cannot excuse themselves from espousing their Interests in a matter of such high consequence, and from contributing all that in them lies, for the maintaining both of the Protestant Religion, and of the Laws and Liberties of those Kingdoms, and for securing to them the continual Enjoyment of all their just Rights. To the doing of which his Highness is most earnestly solicited by a great many Lords both Spiritual and Temporal, and by many Gentlemen, and other Subjects of all Ranks.  
Therefore it is, that his Highness hath thought fit to go over into England, and to carry over a Force sufficient by the Blessing of God to defend him from the Violence of those Evil Councillors; His Highness declaring, that this Expedition is intended for ●o other design, but to have a Free and Lawful Parliament Assembled as soon as is possible, and that in Order thereto, all the late Charters limiting of Elections contrary to Ancient Custom shall be considered as null and of no force, and all Magistrates to return to their former Employments, and particularly the Ancient Charter of London to be again in force; and none to be suffered to choose or be chosen Parliament men, but those qualified by Law, and that the Members of Parliament so chosen, shall sit in full Freedom, for making Laws to secure the Protestant Religion, and to establish a good Agreement between the Church of England, and all Protestant Dissenters, as also for the securing, and covering of Papists, and all others, who will live peaceably from all Persecution for Religion, and for doing all other things, which the two Houses of Parliament shall find necessary for the Peace, Honour, and Safety of the Nation, so that there may be no more danger of the Nations falling at any time hereafter under Arbutrary Government; to which Parliament his Highness will also refer the Inquiry into the Birth of the pretended Prince of Wales, and of all things relating to it, and to the Right of Succession.  
And his Highness declares, That for his Part be will concur in every thing, that may produce the Peace and Happiness of the Nation, which a Free and Lawful Parliament shall determine, since his Highness hath nothing before his Eyes in this His Undertaking, but the Preservation of the Protestant Religion, the covering of all men from Persecution 〈◊〉 their Consciences, and the securing to the whole Nat●on the Free Enjoyment of all their Laws, Rights, an● Liberties under a Just and Legal Government.  
His Highness further declares, that this is the Design, he has proposed in appearing upon this occasion in Arms; in the Conduct of which, his Highness' would keep the Forces under his Command unde● all the strictness of Martial Discipline, and take a special care that the People of the Countries, through which He shall March, shall not suffer by their mean● and as soon as the State of the Nation will permit i● his Highness promises, that he will send back all tho● Foreign Troops, that He hath brought along wit● him; his Highness does therefore hope, that all People will judge rightly of his Proceed; though 〈◊〉 does chief rely on the Blessing of God, for the success of this his Undertaking, in which he places 〈◊〉 whole and only Confidence.  
Lastly, his Highness doth invite and require all Per●ons whatsoever, all the Peers of the Realm both Spiritual and Temporal, all Lords, Lieutenants, Dep●● Lieutenants, and all Gentlemen Citizens, and other Commons of all Ranks to come and assist him in Order to the executing of this His Design against all su●● as shall endeavour to oppose Him, that so all tho●● Miseries which must needs follow upon the Nation being kept under Arbitrary Government and Slave● may be prevented, and that all the Violences, an● Disorders, which have overturned the whole Cons; t●tution of the English Government may be fully Redressed in a Free and Legal Parliament, his Highness likewise Resolving, that as soon as the Nations are brought to a State of Quiet, He will take care that a Parliament shall be called in Scotland, for restoring the ancient Constitution of that Kingdom, and for bringing the Matters of Religion to such a settlement, that the People may be Easie and Happy, and for putting an end to all the unjust Violences, that have been in a course of so many Years committed there; and that his Highness will also Study to bring the Kingdom of Ireland to such a State, that the Settlement there may be Religiously observed, and that the Protestant and British Interest may be secured, and will endeavour by all possible means to procure such an Establishment in all the three Kingdoms that they may all live in a Happy Union and Correspondence together, and that the Protestant Religion, and the Peace, and Happiness of these Nations may be established upon Lasting Foundations.  
Soon after his Highness published an Additional Declaration to this Effect.  
That after He had prepared and Printed the former Declaration, his Highness understood that the Subverters of the Religion and Laws of the Kingdom, hearing of his Preparations to assist the People against them, had begun to Retract some of their Arbitrary and Des; potick Powers, and vacated some unjust Judgements and Decrees, occasioned by the Sense of their Gild, and the distrust of their Force, hoping thereby to quiet the People and divert them from demanding the re-establishment of their Religion and Laws, under the shelter of his Highness' Arms; and do also give out that his Highness intended to Conquer and Enslave the Nation; though his Highness is Confident that no Persons can have such hard thoughts of Him, as to imagine that He hath any other Design in this Undertaking than to procure a Settlement of Religion and of the Liberties and Properties of the Subject upon so sure a Foundation, that there may be no danger of the Nations relapsing into the like Miseries at any time hereafter, and as the Forces that his Highness brought along with Him are utterly Disproportioned to that wicked Design of Conquering the Nation, if he were capable of Intending it; so the great numbers of the Principal Nobility and Gentry that are men of eminent Quality and Estates, and of known Integrity and Zeal for the Religion and Government of England who do accompany, and have earnestly solicited his Highness to this Expedition, will cover him from all such malicious Insinuations; since it cannot be imagined that these should join in a wicked attempt of Conquest to make void their own Lawful Titles to their Honours, Estates and Interests. His Highness is likewise Confident that all men see how little weight is to be laid on all the Promises and Engagements that can be now made, since there has been so little Regard had to them in times past; and the imperfect Redress that is now offered, as it is a plain Confession of the Violations of the Government, which his Highness hath set forth, so the defect thereof appears, since they lay down nothing, but what they can can take up at Pleasure, still reserving entire their Claims and Pretences to that Absolute Power, which has been the root of all their Oppression, and the Subversion of the Government; and it is plain, there can be no remedy, no Redress but in Parliament, by a Declaration of the Rights of the Subjects that have been Invaded, and not by any pretended Acts of Grace, to which the Extremity of their Affairs has driven them; therefore it is that his Highness hath thought fit to declare, that he will refer all to a Free Assembly of this Nation in a Lawful Parliament.  
His Highness likewise sent the following Letter, to all the Officers and Seamen of the English Fleet; Gentlemen and Friends, We have published a Declaration, containing a full and true Account of our Intentions in this Expedition; since it is evident that the Papists have resolved the total Extirpation of the Protestant Religion in Great Britain, and will infallibly reduce you to the same Condition in which you see France, if they can once get the upper hand. You are now at last sensible, that you are made use of only as Instruments to bring this Nation under Popery and Slavery, by means of the Irish, and other Foreigners, that are assembling for your Destruction. Therefore we hope that Almighty God will inspire you with such Thoughts as may facilitate your Deliverance, and preserve you, your Country and Religion from all these impending Miscries. And whereas (in all probability) this can never be effected, unless You join with Us (who labour for your Deliverance,) we do expect your Assistance herein: And shall always remember, etc.  
The Prince sent a Letter also to the King's Army to the same purpose, intimating to them, What they might expect both from the Cashiering of all the Protestant and English Officers and Soldiers in Ireland, and by the Irish being brought over to be put in their places, when it should be thought convenient for themselves to be turned out; Hoping withal that they would not be abused by a false Notion of Honour, but would consider what they owed to God, their Religion and their Country, Themselves and their Posterity, which were to be preferred before all Private Considerations and Engagements whatsoever.  
Whilst his Highness continued at Exeter, the King seemed very resolute at London to oppose him in Person, mustering his Army at Hounslow Heath, and beating up for Volunteers in the Streets, though with little Success; He then sent for the Bishops, whom he had lately so contemptuously used, to advise him what measures to take in this Exigency, who accordingly came in a Body, and the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Name of the rest delivered himself to this Effect. That it was necessary for him to restore all things to the State wherein he found them, when he came to the Crown, by committing all Offices of Trust to those qualified by Law, and to redress such Grievances as were generally complained of; to put an effectual stop to all Dispensations, and recall and cancel those which had been obtained of him. To Dissolve the Ecclesiastical Commission, and Promise the People never to erect the like for the future. To restore the Universities to their Legal State, particularly both the Magdalen Colleges, and not permit any to enjoy Preferment, but those qualified by the Statutes of the University and Laws of the Land. To suppress the Jesuits Schools, and grant no more Licenses to such, being apparently against Law, and his own Interest. To send Inhibitions after those four Romish Bishops, who under the Title of Apostolic Vicars, presumed to exercise Illegal Jurisdiction within the Bingdom; to suffer no more Quo Warra●o's against Corporations, and to restore those Charters, which had been taken away. To fill up the vacant Bishoprics with Persons qualified by Law. To Act no more by Virtue of a Dispenting Power, but permit it to be settled by Act of Parliament. That upon the Restoration of Corporations, he would call a Free Parliament and suffer them to sit, to redress Grievances. Lastly, to permit the Bishops to lay such Motives and Arguments before him, as by the Blessing of God might bring him back to the Communion of the Church of England, into whose Catholic Faith, he had been Baptised. Not long after the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, presented the King the following Petition.  
WE your Majesty's most Loyal Subjects, in a deep Sense of the Miseries of a War now breaking forth in the Bowels of this your Kingdom, and of the Danger to which your Majesty's Sacred Person is thereby like to be Exposed, and also of the Distractions of your People, by Reason of their present Grievances, do think ourselves bound in Conscience of the Duty we own to God, and our Holy Religion, to your Majesty, and our Country, most humbly to offer to your Majesty; That in our Opinion, the only visible way to preserve your Majesty, and this your Kingdom, would be the Calling of a Parliament, Regular and Free in all its Circumstances. We therefore do most earnestly beseech your Majesty, that you would be graciously pleased with all speed to Call such a Parliament, wherein we shall be most ready to promote such Counsels, and Resolutions of Peace and Settlement in Church and State, as may conduce to your Majesty's Honour and Safety, and to the quieting the Minds of your People.  
We do likewise Humbly beseech your Majesty, in the mean time, to use such means for the preventing the Effusion of Christian Blood, as to your Majesty shall seem most meet.  
And your Petitioners shall ever Pray, etc. 

W. Cant.  
Grafton.  
Ormond.  
Dorset.  
Clare.  
Clarendon.  
Burlington.  
Anglesey.  
Rochester.  
Newport.  
Nom. Ebor.  
W. Asaph.  
Fran. Ely.  
Tho. Roffen.  
Th. Petriburg.  
T. Oxon.  
Paget.  
Chandois.  
Osulston.   Presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York Elect, the Bishop of Ely, and the Bishop of Rochester, the 17th. of November, 1688.  
To which the King returned the following Answer.  
My Lords,  
What You ask of Me, I most passionately desire: And I Promise You, UPON THE FAITH OF A KING, That I will have a Parliament, and such an One as You ask for, as soon as ever the Prince of Orange has Quit this Realm: For, How is it possible a Parliament should be Free in all its Circumstances, as You Petition for, whilst an Enemy is in the Kingdom, and can make a Return of near an Hundred Voices?  
His Highness lay some days at Exeter, expecting that such Gentlemen as resided nearest his Court should have come to him sooner than those at a Distance, but finding something of an unexpected slowness, he could not forbear to signify some little Resentment to some of the Principal Gentlemen of Somersetshire and Devonshire, that came to join him, Nou. 15. 1688. in the following Speech.  
THo' we know not all your Persons, yet we have a Catalogue of your Names, and remember the Character of your Worth and Interest in your Country. You see we are come according to your Invitation and our Promise. Our Duty to God obliges us to Protect the Protestant Religion, and our Love to Mankind, your Liberties and Properties. We expected you that dwells so near the Place of our Landing, would have joined us sooner, not that it is now too late; nor that we want your Military Assistance so much as your Countenance and Presence, to justify our Declared Pretensions; rather than accomplish our good and gracious Designs. Tho' we have brought both a good Fleet, and a good Army, to render these Kingdoms Happy, by Rescuing all Protestants from Popery, Slavery, and Arbitrary Power, by Restoring them to their Rights and Properties Established by Law, and by Promoting of Peace and Trade, which is the Soul of Government, and the very Life-Blood of a Nation; yet we rely more on the Goodness of God, and the Justice of our Cause, than on any Humane Force and Power whatever. Yet since God is pleased, we shall make use of Humane means, and not expect Miracles, for our Preservation and Happiness. Let us not neglect making use of this Gracious Opportunity, but with Prudence and Courage, put in Execution our so honourable purposes. Therefore Gentlemen, Friends and Fellow-Protestants, we bid you and all your Followers most hearty Welcome to our Court and Camp. Let the whole World now Judge, if our Pretensions are not Just, Generous, Sincere, and above Price, since we might have even a Bridge of Gold to Return back: But it is our Principle and Resolution rather to die in a Good Cause, than live in a Bad one, well knowing, That Virtue and True Honour is its own Reward, and the Happiness of Mankind our Great and Only Design.  
But quickly after his Highness found the English Nobility and Gentry no less faithful to him, than he had been to them, and that His several Declarations had the wished Effect; the Lord Wharton and the Lord Colchester with a strong Party, marched through Oxford to his Highness' Camp without Opposition. The Lord Lovelace with another Party out of Oxfordshire got as far as Cirencester, but were opposed and himself taken Prisoner by the County Militia, yet his whole Party, except four or five that were slain or maimed in the Skirmish, broke there way through, and his Lordship was soon after released out of Gloucester Prison, by a Young Gentleman of that County, who took up arms for the Prince, and drove out all the Popish Cr●●● that were settled in that City; the Lord Delamere having raised a Considerable Force in Cheshire, advanced to Nottingham to join the Gentlemen of that County, who were ready to receive him; And Nou. 22. at the Rendezvous there the following Declaration was published.  
WE the Nobility, Gentry, and Commonalty of these Northern Counties Assembled together at Nottingham, for the defence of the Laws, Religion, and Properties, according to those Freeborn Liberties and Privileges, descended to us from our Ancestors, as the undoubted Birthright of the Subjects of this Kingdom of England, (not doubting but the Infringers and Invaders of our Rights will represent us to the rest of the Nation in the most malicious dress they can put upon us) do here unanimously think it our Duty to declare to the rest of our Protestant Fellow-Subjects the Grounds of our present Undertaking.  
We are by innumerable Grievances made sensible, that the very Fundamentals of our Religion, Liberties, and Properties are about to be rooted out by our late Jesuitical Privy-Council, as hath been of late too apparent, 1. By the Kings Dispensing with all the Established Laws at his Pleasure. 2. By displacing all Officers out of all Offices of Trust and Advantage, and placing others in their room that are known Papists, deservedly made incapable by the Established Laws of our Land. 3. By destroying the Charters of most Corporations in the Land. 4. By discouraging all Persons that are not Papists, preferring such as turn to Popery. 5. By displacing all honest and conscientious Judges, unless they would, contrary to their Consciences, declare that to be Law which was merely Arbitrary. 6. By branding all men with the Name of Rebels that but offered to justify the Laws in a legal Course against the Arbitrary Proceed of the King, or any of his corrupt Ministers. 7. By Burdened the Nation with an Army, to maintain the Violation of the Rights of the Subjects. 8. By discountenancing the Established Reformed Religion. 9 By forbidding the Subjects the Benefit of Petitioning, and Construing them Libelers; so rendering the Laws a Nose of Wax, to serve their Arbitrary Ends. And many more such like, too long here to enumerate.  
We being thus made sadly sensible of the Arbitrary, and Tyrannical Government that is by the Influence of Jesuitical Counsels coming upon us, do unanimously declare, That not being willing to deliver our Posterity over to such a Condition of Popery and Slavery, as the aforesaid Oppressions inevitably threaten; we will, to the utmost of our Power, oppose the same, by joining with the Prince of Orange, (whom we Hope God Almighty hath sent to rescue us from the Oppressions aforesaid) will use our utmost Endeavours for the recovery of our almost ruin'd Laws, Liberties, and Religion; and herein we Hope all good Protestant Subjects will with their Lives and Fortunes be assistant to us, and not be bugbeared with the Opprobrious Terms of Rebels, by which they would fright us, to become perfect Slaves to their Tyrannical Insolences and Usurpations; for we assure ourselves, that no rational and  Person will Judge it Rebellion to defend our Laws and Religion, which all our Princes have Sworn at their Coronations; which Oath, how well it hath been observed of late, we desire a Free Parliament may have the Consideration of.  
We own it Rebellion to resist a King that governs by Law; but he was always accounted a Tyrant that made his Will the Law; and to resist such an one, we justly esteem no Rebellion, but a necessary Defence; and in this Consideration we doubt not of all Honest men's Assistance, and humbly hope for, and implore the great God's Protection, that turneth the Hearts of his People as pleaseth him best, it having been observed, That People can never be of one Mind without his Inspiration, which hath in all Ages Confirmed that Observation, Vox Populi est Vox Dei.  
The present restoring of Charters, and reversing the oppressing and unjust Judgement given on Magdalen College Fellows, is plain, are but to still the People, li●e Plums to Children, by deceiving them for a while; but it they shall by this Stratagem be fooled, till this present storm that threatens the Papists he passed, affoon as they shall be resettled, the former Oppression will be put on with greater vigour; but we hope in vain is the Ne● spread in the sight of the Birds: For (1.) The Papists old Rule is, That Faith is not to be kept with Heretics, as they term Protestants, tho' the Popish Religion is the greatest Heresy. And (2.) Queen Mary's so ill observing her Promises to the Suffolk-men that helped her to her Throne. And above all, (3) The Pope's Dispensing with the breach of Oaths, Treaties, or Promises, at his Pleasure, when it makes for the Service of Holy Church, as they term it. These, we say, are such convincing Reason's to hinder us from giving Credit to the aforesaid Mock-Shews of Redress that we think ourselves bound in Conscience to rest on no Security that shall not be approved by a freely Elected Parliament, to whom, under God, we refer our Cause.  
The Lord Delamere being assured of the Resolution and Courageous Zeal of all his Followers, continued a while in those Parts to watch the Morions of the Papists in Lancashire, who began to take Arms under the Lord Molineux, and for a time assisted to Guard Chester for the King, but upon the surprisal of that Garrison for the Prince were soon after beaten or rather run away out of the Town, and disbanded of themselves. In the North the Earl of Danby, the Lord Fairfax, and other Persons of Quality seized upon the City of York, and turned out the Lord Mayor, and other Magistrates that were Papists or ill-affected. Colonel Copley the Deputy Governor of Hull, seized upon all the Guards of that Garrison, and with the Assistance of some of the Townsmen, and some Seamen made the Lord Langdale the Governor, and the Lord Montgomery, the Marquis of Powis his Son's Prisoners, till he had secured the Citadel wherein was a plentiful Magazine of Powder, and all sorts of Provisions with a Train of Artillery ready fixed to be drawn out into the Field. Plymouth also with the Earl of Huntingdon and all the Popish Officers and Soldiers was seized by the Earl of Bath for his. Highness, and at the same time all the chief Seaport Towns in Cornwall declared for the Prince; so that there was no Enemy behind him to disturb the R●re of his advancing Army.  
But the King being as yet in hopes to force his way, through all the great Opposition made him by the whole Kingdom, having sent his Army before to Salisbury, goes thither to them; yet before he went, he thought it requisite to provide for the Safety of the pretended Prince of Wales, and not daring to trust to the Validity of the forementioned Affidavits, for more Security, he sent him away with a strong Guard to Portsmouth, that if things went ill, he should be conveyed over to France; when the King came to Salisbury, he began to bleed at the Nose; and was observed to continue bleeding for some time, which seened at that time Ominous to him; But in the midst of these sarprizes, more ill News arrives to increase his Astonishment, for besides the Lord Cornbury, who had carried off a considera●●● Party of Horse to the Prince some time before, several other Regiments of Foot had now Deserted, and were gone the same way; upon His arrival near to Salisbury, he was met by the Duke of Berwick, the Earl of Feversham, and several other Officers on Horseback, and by them attended to the Gates of the Town, being met by the Mayor and Aldermen in their Formalities and Conducted to the Bishop's Palace, but these flatte●ing appearances soon vanished, He quickly perceiving that his English Forces were generally dissatisfied, and seemed unwilling to engage in Civil Bloodshed against their own Countrymen and of their own Religion, which was to Fight with their Bodies against their Consciences, and likewise discovered the Discontents of the People, who supplied the Machels very sparingly for his Army, so that not judging himself safe among them, and upon a false Alarm that Marshal Schomberg was within thirty or twenty Miles of him, he returned back in all haste to Windsor, and from thence to London, being extremely discouraged that Prince George, and the Lord Churchil were gone both to the Prince, and that the Princess Ann of Denmark was also retired from the Court. The Prince of Denmark, and the Lord Churchil left each of them, the following Letters behind them, directed to the King.  
SIR, with a Heart full of Grief am I forced to write, that Prudence will not permit me to say to your Face. And may I e'er find Credit with your Majesty, and Protection from Heaven, as what I now do is free from Passion, Vanity, or Design, with which, Actions of this Nature, are too often accompanied. I am not ignorant of the frequent Mischiefs wrought in the World by Factious Pretences of Religion; but were not Religion the most justifiable Cause, it would not be made the most specious Pretence. And your Majesty has always shown too uninterested a Sense of Religion, to doubt the just Effects of it in one whose Practices have, I hope, never given the World cause to censure his real Conviction of it; or his backwardness to perform what his Honour and Conscience prompt him to; how then can I longer disguise my just concern for that Religion, in which I have been so happily Educated, which my Judgement throughly convinces me to be the best; and for the Support of which I am so highly interested in my Native Country; and is not England now, by the most endearing Tie become so?  
Whilst the restless Spirits of the Enemies of the REFORMED RELIGION, backed by the Cruel Zeal of France, justly Alarm and Unite all the Protestant Princes of Christendom, and engage them in so vast an Expense for the Support of it, can I Act so Degenerous and mean a part, as to deny my Concurrence to such worthy Endeavours for disabusing of your Majesty by the Re-inforcement of those Laws, and Establishment of that Government, on which alone depends the Wellbeing of your Majesty, and of the PROTESTANT RELIGION in Europe. This Sir is that irresistible and only Cause that could come in Competition with my Duty and Obligations with your Majesty, and be able to tear me from you, whilst the same Affectionate Desire of serving you continues in me. Can I secure your Person by the Hazard of my Life, I should think it could not be better employed: And would to God, these your distracted Kingdoms might yet receive that satisfactory Compliance from your Majesty in all their justifiable Pretensions, as might upon the only sure Foundation, that of the Love and Interest of your Subjects, establish your Government, and as strongly unite the Hearts of all your Subjects to you, as is that of, Sir, Your Majesty's most Humble, and most Obedient Son and Servant.  
The Lord Churchil's Le●ter, ran thus, Sir, Men are seldom suspected of Sincerity when they Act contrary to their Interests; and tho' my dutiful Behaviour to your Majesty in the worst of times, (for which I acknowledge my Poor Services much over paid) may not be sufficient so incline You to a Charitable Interpretation of my Actions yet I hope, the great Advantage I enjoy under Your Majesty, which I can never expect in any other Change of Government, may reasonably convince Your Majesty and the World, that I am acted by a higher Principle, when I offer that Violence to my Inclination, and Interest, as to desert Your Majesty at a time when your Affairs seem to challenge the strictest Obedience from all Your Subjects, much more from one who lies under the greatest personal Obligations imaginable to Your Majesty. Thi●, Sir, could proceed from nothing but the inviolable Dictates of my CONSCIENCE, and necessary concern for my RELIGION (which no good Man can oppose) and wi●h which I am instructed, nothing ought to come in Competition; Heaven knows with what Partiality my dutiful Opinion of Your Majesty hath hitherto represented those unhappy Designs, which inconsiderate and self interested Men have framed against Your Majesty's true Interest and the Protestant Religion. But as I can no longer join with such to give a pretence by Conquest to bring them to effect, so will I always with the hazard of my Life and Fortune (so much Your Majesty's due) endeavour to preserve Your Royal Person and Lawful Rights with all the tender Concern and dutiful Respect, that becomes, Sir, Your Majesty's most dutiful and most obliged Subject and Servant.  
The Princess Ann of Denmark, likewise directed the following Letter to the Queen upon her withdrawing.  Madam, I beg your Pardon if I am so deeply affected with the surprising News of the Princes being gone, as not to be able to see You, but to leave this Paper to Express my humble Duty to the King and yourself; and to let You know that I am gone to Absent myself to avoid the King's Displeasure, which I am not able to bear either against the Prince or myself: And I shall stay at so great a distance, as not to return before I hear the Happy News of a Reconcilement: And as I am Confident the Prince did not leave the KING with any other design than to use all possible means for his Preservation; so I hope You will do me the Justice to believe that I am uncapable of following him for any other End. Never was any one in such an unhappy Condition, so divided between Duty and Affect on to a Father, and a Husband; and therefore I know not what to do but to follow one to preserve the other. I see the general falling off of the the Nobility and Gentry, who avow to have no other end, than to prevail with the King to secure their Religion, which they saw in so much danger by the Violent Counsels of the Priests; who to promote their own Religion did not care to what dangers they exposed the King. I am fully persuaded that the Prince of Orange designs the King's Safety and Preservation, and hope all things may be Composed without more Bloodshed, by the Calling a Parliament: God grant a Happy end to these Troubles, that the King's Reign may be prosperous, and that I may shortly meet You in perfect Peace and Safety; till when, let me beg You to continue the same favourable Opinion that You have hitherto had of, Your most Obedient Daughter and Servant Ann. 
The King now issued out a Proclamation of Pardon to all his Subjects, that had taken up Arms under the Prince, if they returned in twenty days; but very few or none came back, and about the same time a Party of the Prince's Men being abroad, and advancing beyond their Strength, were pursued and charged by Colonel Sarsfield with seventy horse, and thirty Dragoons, and Granadiers, who overtaking them at Wincanton, they posted themselves behind the Hedges. Whereupon the King's Party dismounted, and marched up to them, and they began to Fire briskly, several being killed and wounded, But colonel Sarsfield getting into the Field with his Horse, and Charging them in the Rear, they were most of them killed or taken Prisoners, Lieutenant Cambel, who commanded them being slain, and of the King's Party four were killed, and Cornet Web mortally wounded. This slender success was soon damped, by an Address from the Fleet, for a Free Parliament; which now began to grow Cold in his Service, and the continual Desertions of his Army; So that the King not thinking it Convenient to hazard a Battle with them, upon the approach of the Prince's Forces, with whom now were a great part of the Nobility, He recalled his Remainder of them, with the Train of Artillery; and upon his return to White Hall, he appointed Colonel Beril Skelton to be Lieutenant of the Tower, in the place of Sir Edward Hales, and in pursuance of the Advice of the Lords, Spiritual and Temporal, Ordered the Chancellor Jefferies to issue out writs for summoning a Parliament to sit, Jan. 15. following; the Bishop of Exeter, who left that City upon the approach of the Prince, was likewise nominated Archbishop of York, which had been vacant for some time, and was thought to have been designed for Father Peter, if things had gone on. But the King Affairs growing daily more desperate, and the Prince of Orange marching forward with his Army; and being advanced to Hungerford, after a Consultation with the Queen, and the Jesuits, it was resolved to send the following Proposals of Accommodation to his Highness, which were soon after published with the Princes Answer thereto.  
WHEREAS on the 8th. of December 1688. at Hungerford, a PAPER Signed by the Marquis of Hallifax, the Earl of Nottingham, and the Lord Godolphin, Commissioners sent unto US from his Majesty, was Delivered to US in these Words following, viz.  
SIR, The King Commandeth us to acquaint You, That he observeth all the Differences, and Causes of Complaint, alleged by Your Highness, seem to be referred to a Free-Parliament. His Majesty as He hath already Declared, was Resolved before this to call one, but thought that in the present State of Affairs, it was adviseable to defer it till things were more Composed. Yet seeing that His People still continue to desire it; He hath put forth His Proclamation in order to it, and hath Issued forth His Writs for the calling of it. And to prevent any Cause of Interruption in it, He will consent to every thing that can be reasonably required for the Security of all those that shall come to it. His Majesty hath therefore sent Us to attend Your Highness for the adjusting of all Matters that shall be agreed to be necessary to the Freedom of Elections, and the Security of Sitting, and is ready immediately to enter into a Treaty in Order to it. His Majesty proposeth, that in the mean time the Respective Armies may be Restrained within such Limits, and at such a Distance from London, as may prevent the Apprehensions that the Parliament may in any kind be disturbed, being desirous that the Meeting of it may be no longer delayed than it must be by the usual and necessary Forms, Signed, Hallifax, Nottingham, Godolphin.  
WE with the Advice of the Lords and Gentlemen Assembled with US, have in Answer to the same, made those following PROPOSALS. 1. That all Papists, and such Persons as are not qualified by Law, be Disarmed, Disbanded, and Removed from all Employments, Civil and Military. 2. That all Proclamations which Reflect upon Us, or any that have come to Us, or declared for Us, be recalled; and that if any Persons for having so Assisted, have been committed, that they be forthwith set at Liberty. 3. That for the Security and Safety of the City of London, the Custody and Government of the Tower be immediately put into the hands of the said City. 4. That if His Majesty shall think fit to be at London, during the Sitting of the Parliament, that we may be there also, with an equal Number of Our Guards. Or if his Majesty shall please to be in any place from London, at  distance he thinks fits that We may be at a place of the same distance. And that the respective Armies do remove from London Thirty Miles, and that no more Foreign Forces be brought into the Kingdom. 5. That for the Security of the City of London and their Trade, Tilbury Fort be put into the hands of the said City. 6. That to prevent the Landing of French or other Foreign Troops, Port mouth may be put into such hands, as by Your Majesty and Us shall be agreed upon. 7. That some sufficient part of the Public Revenue be Assigned Us, for the Maintaining of our Forces, until the Meeting of a Free Parliament.  
But these Proposals of the Prince, proving of too hard Digestion at White-Hall, the Offer of Accommodation was thought to be Designed only to gain time, and the Romish Councillors perceiving that this would not obtain, began to think of other measures; So that the Child being sent for back from Portsmouth to White-Hall in great haste, the Queen having made up her Equipage Dec. 10. took her Solemn Leave of the King, and with the pretended Prince of Wales, and her Attendants (whereof it is said, Father Peter was one) but it was thought with a large proportion of Treasure and Jewels: She Crossed the Water at Lambeth, where three Coaches with Six Horses awaited them, and with a Strong Guard went to Greenwich, and so to Graves-End; where she and her Retinue Embarked in a Yatch for France, and Landed the next Day about four a Clock in the Afternoon; the Queen and several Courtiers being gone, the Popish Priests began to shift for themselves; and the same Night, the King called an Extraordinary Council, and sent for the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London, Charging them to preserve the Peace and Quiet of the City, as much as in them lay, after which they were Dismissed; But the Council continued their Debates upon the present Exigency of Affairs a great while longer, and were ordered to meet again the next Morning, when to the Surprise of the City and Kingdom: About three a Clock in the Morning, the King took Barge at the Privy Stairs, with a small Equipage, and went down the River, without being so much as known to many of the Officers of his Household, who were then in wa●ing; whose sudden Departure, may be supposed to be occasioned by the News that Alarmed the Court the Day before, that the Prince's Forces had made their way through Beading, and gained the Pass of Twyford-Bridg, without any Considerable Resistance; for about 1500 Horse, and three Troops of Dragoons being Quartered in the Town of Reading, they had notice that a Detatchment of the Prince's Army were Marching up towards them, which put them into such a Consternation, that not finding themselves strong enough to maintain the Town, the Officers upon Consultation, Concluded to draw off and make good their Post at Twyford-Bridge; out their Scouts coming in with News, that the Roads were clear, the Commander ordered a Scoten Regiment of Horse, and the Irish Dragoons to march back, and Repossess themselves of Reading, which they did, and were placed in the Marketplace, and other Posts, continuing on Horseback most part of the Night, to prevent Surprise; yet hearing no more of the Princes Advanced Party, their Officers ordered them to alight and refresh themselves and their Horses; But about ten in the Morning, the Trumpet Sounded to Horse, the Prince's Forces being at the Towns-end, almost before they were Discovered; and thereupon sharp Firing began on both sides, the Irish Dragoons bearing the Brunt of the Encounter, and though the Scotch Horse in small Detached Bodies, made some Fire; yet they were over-poured, driven out of Town, and obliged to Retreat to Twyford-Bridge; and at length, many of the King's Party Deserted, and the rest were Constrained to quit the Pass, and make the best of their Retreat, there being about thirty killed, and several wounded in this Skirmish.  
Upon this ill Success, and the King having no Considerable Forces left, the Day before his going away, he sent a Letter to his General, the Earl of Feversham to this Effect; That things being come to that Extremity, that he had been forced to send away the Queen and his Son, the Prince of Wales, lest they should fall into his Enemy's Hands: He was resolved to secure himself the best he could; that if he could have relied on all his Troops, he was resolved to have had at least one Blow for it; But that his Lordship knew, that both his Lordship, and several of the General Officers of the Army had told him, that it was not safe to venture himself at the Head of his Troops, or to think to fight the Prince of Orange with them; and therefore it only remained for him, to thank those Officers and Soldiers that had been truly Loyal to him; not expecting they sheuld farther expose themselves in resisting a Foreign Enemy, and a Poisoned Nation. In pursuance of this Letter, the Earl of Feversham sent another to his Highness the Prince of Orange, to let him understand, That he had received a Letter from the King, with the unfortunate News of his Resolution, to go out of England, and he was actually gone, with Orders to make no Opposition against any Body; which he thought Convenient to let his Highness know, so soon as it was possible, to hinder the effusion of Blood, having already given Order to that purpose, to all the Troops under his Command, which would be the last Order they should receive from him, etc.  
The King's Departure being publicly known, the Multitude got together in divers places, as is usual in such Disturbances and Dissolutions of Government, Spoiling and Demolishing the new erected Mass-Houses and Chapels, pulling down, Burning and Destroying all before them; they plucked down the New Convent for Monks at St. John's, which had been two years in Building, at vast Expense, and burned the greatest part of the Timber and Materials in Smithfield, having before Seized upon the Goods, as they were Removing, and burned them in Holborn; they likewise Defaced the Chapels in Limestreet, and Lincoln's Inn Fields, with that of the Spanish Ambassadors at Wild-House, where some common Thiefs mixing with the more harmless Boys, they got great store of Plunder in Plate, Money, and Rich Goods; They likewise committed Violences at the Lodgings of the Resident of the Duke of Florence, and much Defaced the Dwelling-Houses of several Eminent Papists, who were fled for fear of being Secured, and though the Magistrates Laboured to quiet these Tumults and Disorders: Yet they found their Authority too weak, till the Mobile had in some measure vented their Rage, they being grown so Numerous, that neither the Watches nor Trained Bands, thought it safe to oppose their Fury.  
Therefore for Redress of these Mischiefs, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal then in Town Repaired to Guild-Hall and sending for Colonel Skelton, than Lieutenant of the Tower, Demanded the Keys, which being by him readily Resigned, they committed the Charge of that Important Place, to the Lord Lucas, a Person of known Honour and Integrity to his Country; Nor were they less Active, in Suppressing those Lawless Rioters: So that in a short time, they were all Dispersed and Quelled, and some of the Principal committed to Prison; and then taking into Consideration, the Great and Dangerous Conjuncture of the Time, in regard of the Kings having withdrawn himself, they drew up a Declaration to this Effect: That they did Reasonably hope, that the King having Issued out his Proclamation, and Writs for Calling a Free Parliament, they might have rested securely under the Expectation of that Meeting; but that the King having withdrawn himself, as they apprehended, in Order to his Departure out of the Kingdom, by the Pernicious Councils of Persons ill Affected to the Nation, they cannot without being wanting to their Duty, be silent under the Calamities, wherein the Popish Councils which have so long prevailed, had miserably involved them; and therefore unanimously resolved to apply themselves to his Highness the Prince of Orange, who with so great Kindness to these Kingdoms, so vast Expense, and so much Hazard to his own Person, had undertaken (by endeavouring to procure a Free Parliament) to Rescue them with as little Effusion of Christian Blood, as possible from the Imminent Dangers of Popery and Slavery; Declaring further, that they would with their utmost Endeavours, Assist his Highness in the Obtaining of such a Parliament with all Speed; wherein their Laws, Liberties, and Properties might be secured, the Church of England in particular, with a due Liberty to Protestant Dissenters; and in General, the Protestant Religion and Interest, over the whole World, might be Supported and Encouraged, to the Glory of God, the Happiness of the Established Government, and the Advantage of all Princes and States in Christendom, that may be therein Concerned.  
This was Signed by the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, 22 Temporal Lords, and 5 Bishops; and the Earl of Pembroke, Lord Weymouth, Lord Bishop of Ely, and the Dord Culpeper were Ordered to Attend his Highness with the said Declaration, at Henly upon Thames; the same Day the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Common Council, Assembled in the same place, and Drew up an Humble Address to be Presented to his Highness in their Names, on the behalf of the City; of like Effect with the Declaration, four Aldermen being appointed to Wait upon the Prince therewith and the Lieutenancy of London meeting that Day also, Drew up an Address to his Highness, on the behalf of themselves and the rest of the Militia, to the like purpose, which were accordingly Presented to the Prince, and very favourably Received, Imploring his Highness' Protection, and beseeching him to Repair to the City; where he would be received with Universal Satisfaction.  
The next day the Tumults being somewhat allayed, search was made in divers places, for such as were fled from Justice; and among others, to the great Rejoicing of the People, the Lord Chancellor Jefferies, was taken in an obscure House at Wapping, Disguised like a Sailor, and endeavouring to make his Escape in a Vessel that lay there for Hamburg; who being brought before the Lord Mayor with a Numerous and enraged Guard of Attendants, his Lordship was suddenly Seized with such a frightful Indisposition, that he was incapable of examining the Matter: So that the Chancellor was carried to the Tower by his own Consent, to preserve himself from the Fury of the Rabble.  
Dec. 14. His Highness by easy Marches came to Windsor, where he was received with all kind of Respect and Submission by the Mayor and Aldermen in their Formalities, and Congratulated in an Elegant Speech, the Prince of Denmark's Lodgings being provided for his Reception; whilst his Highness was preparing for London, he had notice that the King designing to pass the Seas in Disguise, having betaken himself (accompanied only by two or three Persons) in a small Vessel to Sea, was forced by foul Wether, upon the Coast of Kent, near Feversham, and as soon as he came to that Town, was seized upon by the Multitude, there being a Report at that time, that several Persons were making their Escapes out of the Land, and being ignorant who he was, they carried him to a House in the Town, rifling him of some Jewels, a considerable quantity of Gold, and his Crucifix which he very much valued; but at last, the King being known by a Gentleman who came to see the Prisoners they had taken, and fell on his Knees to pay him Duty the Common People were strangely Surprised, a great number instantly retiring, and others begged his Pardon, offering to restore what they had taken from him; but the King refused to take his Gold again, giving it them freely: However his Person was detained till the News of his being there could be carried to London.  
The Lords who first Assembled in the City, being then at White-Hall, and having notice of it, sent the Lords, Feversham, Alesbury, Yarmouth and Middleton to the King, with their earnest Desires, that he would be pleased to return to his Royal Palace at London, to which, though at first he shown some unwillingness, yet being pressed thereto, he at length Condescended, the Servants of his Household, who went along with the Lords, having brought him Money and , those he had being Old, and rend in the Searching him before he was known; But His Highness the Prince of Orange, being fully Determined to come to London with all speed, it was upon Consultation thought very inconvenient, in regard it might Create daily Disputes and Quarrels between the Soldiers of both Parties, and in divers other Respects for the King and himself, to be there at one and the same time, therefore upon notice of the Kings returning, Monfr. Zalestein was sent to meet him on the way, and to entreat him to return to Rochester, which the King would certainly have done, had not Mounsieur Zulestein miss him, by taking another Road: So that the King Arrived at White-Hall on Sunday, Dec. 16. in the Evening, attended by three Troops of the Lifeguard, and a Troop of Granadeer, a Set of Boys following him through the City, and making some Huzza's, while the rest of the People silently looked on; From thence the King sent the Earl of Feversham to the Prince then at Windsor, to invite his Highness to come to St. James', and take that Palace as his Residence, with what number of Troops he thought Convenient; The Prince Deliberating with the Lords about this Message, was advised by no means to accept of this Invitation, and there being a necessity his Highness should be in Town the next Day, the following Paper Signed by the Prince, was ordered to be carried the King the next day by the Lords therein mentioned.  
We Desire you, the Lord Marquess of Hallifax, the Earl of Shrewsbury, and the Lord Delamer, to tell the King that it is thought Convenient for the greater Safety of his Person, that he do remove to Ham, where he shall be Attended by Guards, who will be ready to preserve him from any Disturbance. Given at Windsor, Dec. 17. 1688.  
And further to prevent the possibility of any disturbance, it was resolved, that his Highness' Guards should be possessed of all the Posts and Avenues about White-Hall before the Paper was delivered, and it was Computed that these Guards might have reached White-Hall by eight a Clock at Night, but they were so hindered by the foulness of the ways, that it was passed ten before they arrived, and there being difficulty made of withdrawing the King's Guards, so much time was spent that the Lords could not proceed in their Message till past twelve, so that the King was in bed; but to preserve Decency and Respect, and not break hastily in upon him, they sent the Lord Middleton, his Principil Secretary of State, the following Letter.  
My Lord, There is a Message to be delivered to his Majesty from the Prince, which is of so great importance, that we who are charged with it, desire we may be immedlately admitted, and therefore desire to know where we may find your Lordship, that you may introduce, My Lord, your Lordship's most humble Servants, etc.  
The Lord Middleton upon the Receipt hereof, came and introduced them to the King, and their Lordships having made an Apology, for coming at a time that might disturb him, the Prince's Message was delivered to the King, who reading it said, that he would readily comply; the Lords as they were directed humbly desired, that if it might be with his Majesty's Conveniency, he would be pleased to remove so early, as to be at Ham by Noon, thereby to prevent his meeting the Prince in his way to London; to this the King readily agreed, and asked if he might not appoint what Servants should attend him; The Lords replied, it was wholly left to his Majesty. The Lords than took their leaves, but were instantly sent for back by the King, who told them, He had forgot to acquaint them with his Resolution before the Message came, to send the Lord Godolphin the next Morning to the Prince, to propose his going back to Rochester, he finding by the Message Monsieur Zulestein was charged with, that the Prince had no Mind he should be at London, and therefore he now desired that he might rather return to Rochester; The Lords replied, that they would immediately send an account to the Prince, and doubted not of an Answer to his Satisfaction, and accordingly disparching a Messonger to the Prince, who was then at Ston House, the Sieur Benting by eight next Morning, sent a Letter by the Prince's Order, agreeing to the King's Proposal, and the Guards and Barges being prepared to attend him, and his Coaches and Sumpters to follow, he reached Gravesend on the eighteenth in the Evening, and passed over Land in his Coach attended by the Earl of Arran and several others, and made his Residence in Sir Richard Heads House.  
In the Afternoon of the same day, his Highness with a very splendid Equipage, and a numerous attendance arrived at St. James', and received the Congratulations of all the Nobility, and Persons of Chiefest Quality in the Town; the People crowding to see their Deliverer, and expressing their Satisfaction at so Happy a Revolution, by Ringing of Bells, Bonfires and all the public Demonstrations of joy imaginable.  
A Remarkable Accident happened between the King's first going to Rochester, and his return to London, a general Alarm being given one Night about Midnight, at almost one and the same time in the most considerable Cities and Towns in England, upon pretence that the Irish were Killing, Burning and Destroying all before them, which seemed to be carried on industriously by Persons set on purpose to spread that false Report, or else it can hardly be imagined, how it should have been done at so many distant places at once, which threw the People into a great Surprise, and Consternation, till the day appeared and Convinced them of the Fallacy; But the real occasion hereof was never yet generally understood.  
Upon the Arrival of his Highness, the Common Council of London assembled, and unanimously agreed, that the Sheriffs and all the Aldermen of the City with their Deputies, and two Common Council Men for each Ward, should wait on and Congratulate his Highness, upon his Happy Arrival in the Name of the City of London, and accordingly Dec. 20, the Lord Mayor being indisposed by Sickness, Sir George Treby the Recorder, in a most Elegant Speech, thus Addressed his Highness.  
MAy it please your Highness; The Lord Mayor being disabled by Sickness, your Highness is attended by the Aldermen and Commons of the Capital City of this Kingdom, Deputed to Congratulate your Highness upon this Great and Glorious Occasion, in which labouring for Words, we cannot but come short in Expression, Reviewing our late Danger; we remember our Church and State overrun by Popery and Arbitrary Power, and brought to a point of Destruction, by the Conduct of men that were our true Invaders, that broke the Sacred Fences of our Laws, and which was worse the very Constitution of our Legislature, so that there was no Remedy left us; The only Person under Heaven that could apply this Remedy was your Highness; You are of a Nation, whose Alliance in all times has been agreeable and prosperous to us; You are of a Family most Illustrious Benefactors to Mankind; To have the Title of Sovereign Prince; Stadt-holder, and to have worn the Imperial Crown are among their lesser Dignities; they have long enjoyed a Dignity Singular and Transcendent, that is, To be Champions of Almighty God sent forth in several Ages, to vindicate his Cause against the greatest Oppressions; To this Divine Commission our Nobles, our Gentry, and amongst them, our brave English Soldiers render themselves, and their Arms upon your appearing.  
Great Sir! when we look back the last Month and Contemplate the Swiftness and Fullness of our Deliverance, Astonished, we think it Miraculous; Your Highness led by the hand of Heaven, and called by the Voice of the People has preserved our dearest Interest, the Protestant Religion, which is Primitive Christianbity; Restored our Laws, which are our Ancieut Title to our Lives, Liberties, and Estates, and without which the World were a Wilderness; but what Retribution can we make to Your Highness? our Thoughts are full charged with Gratitude; Your Highness has a lasting Monument in the Hearts, in the Prayers, in the Praises of all good men amongst us, and late Posterity will celebrate your ever Glorious. Name, till time shall be no more.  
At the same time, the High Sheriff, Nobility, and Gentry of the County of Cambridge, presented another Address to his Highness; wherein they implored his Protection and aid to rescue the Nation from Popery and Slavery, and assared him; they would Contribute their utmost endeavours, for perfecting so glorious a work, returning his Highness their unfeigned Thanks, for the progress he had made therein with so much cost, labour, and hazard both by Sea and Land.  
But in the midst of these Transactions, the King having continued some days at Rochester, Dec. 23. between two and three in the Morning, going a back way with great Secrecy and Caution hastened to the Seaside, taking only with him, Mr. Ralf Sheldon, and Mr. Delabody with whom he embarked in a vessel that lay for his Transportation to France, to follow his Queen as had been agreed betwixt them leaving the following Paper of Reasons behind him, for withdrawing himself from Rochester, said to be written by his own hand, and ordered by him to be Published.  
THe World cannot wonder, at My withdrawing Myself now this Second Time. I might have expected somewhat better Usage after what I writ to the Prince of Orange by my Lord Feversham, and the Instructions I gave him; but instead of an Answer, such as I might have hoped for, What was I to expect after the Usage I received by the making the said Earl a Prisoner, against the Practice and Law of Nations; The sending his own Guards at Eleven at Night to take Possession of the Posts at Whitehall, without advertising Me in the least manner of it; The sending to Me at One a Clock, after Midnight, when I was in Bed, a kind of an Order by Three Lords, to be gone out of Mine Own Palace before Twelve that same Morning? After all this, How could I hope to be safe, so long as I was in the Power of one, who had not only done this to Me, and Invaded My Kingdoms without any just Occasion given him for it, but that did by his first Declaration lay the greatest Aspersion upon Me that Malice could invent, in that Clause of it which concerns My Son? I appeal to all that know Me, nay, even to himself, that in their Consciences, neither he nor they can believe Me in the least capable of so unnatural a Villainy, nor of so little common Sense, to be imposed on in a thing of such a Nature as that. What had I then to expect from one who by all Arts hath taken such pains to make Me appear as black as Hell to My Own People, as well as to all the World besides? What Effect that hath had at Home all Mankind have seen, by so general a Defection in My Army, as well as in the Nation amongst all sorts of People.  
I was both Free, and desire to continue so; and though I have ventured My Life very frankly, on several Occasions, for the Good and Honour of My Country, and am as free to do it again, (and which I hope I shall yet do, as Old as I am, to redeem it from the Slavery it is like to fall under;) yet I think it not convenlent to expose Myself to be Secured, as not to be at Liberty to effect it; and for that Reason do withdraw, but so as to be within Call whensoever the Nations Eyes shall be opened, so as to see how they have been abused and imposed upon by the specious Pretences of Religion and Property. I hope it will please God to touch their Hearts, out of his Infinite Mercy, and to make them sensible of the ill Condition they are in, and bring them to such a Temper, that a Legal Parliament may be called; and that amongst other things which may be necessary to be done, they will agree to Liberty of Conscience for all Protestant Dissenters; and that those of my own Persuasion may be so far considered, and have such a share of it, as they may live Peaceably and Quietly, as English Men and Chrissians ought to do, and not to be obliged to Transplant themselves, which would be very grievous, especially to such as love their own Country; and I appeal to all Men, who are considering Men, and have had Experience, Whether any thing can make this Nation so great and flourishing as Liberty of Conscience? Some of our Neighbours dread it. I could add much more to confirm all I have said, but now is not the proper time.  
Rochester, Decemb. 22. 1688.  
Upon these Reasons, we may make these few Cursory Remarks; That as to the detaining of the Earl of Feversham, who was sent without a Pass in a time of open War, it may be very well justified; He having likewise disbanded the Army, and left them at large to lie upon the Country; The Message for his removal from Whitehall was managed, as we have heard, with all the respect and decency imaginable, and absolutely necessary upon several accounts, as well as for the preservation of his own Person, whose late Actions especially his extraordinary Severity in the West, had raised him many inveterate Enemies, who now might have taken the opportunity of offering Violence to him; that his Highness had sufficient Reason for this Glorious Expedition, the King had made the Nation too sensible of; and as to the business of the Child, it is well known that his Zeal for the Catholic 'Cause made him shut his Eyes to all other Considerations whatsoever, and besides it was managed with such a number of Suspicious Circumstances, that we are told one of his own Commanders in Ireland should say, That the Prince of Orange had one plausible pretence for his Invasion, namely that of the Prince of Wales, since if it was a real Birth, the Court managed the matter so, as if they had Industriously contrived the Nation should give no Credit to it; as to his Hopes of Conquering is, we have as great Hopes and better Reason to believe the contrary, since the People will scarce be ever fond of giving up their Religion, Laws, Liberties, and Estates to the Will of an Arbitrary Prince, or ever submit to a French Government; as to a Parhament, we may think he did not design to call any, since some time before his departure, he ordered all the Writs that were not sent out to be burnt, and a Caveat to be entered against the making use of such as were already sent into the countries'; as to Liberty of Conscience, which he seems so much to value, his Proceed in freland, and against the Universities, together with his recalling the Protestant Ministers from Preaching to the English Merchants in Popish Countries, with many other Instances that might be given, are sufficient Demonstrations of the reality of his Intentions therein.  
Soon after we had an account, that the King was arrived in France, and gone to the Court, where his Queen came some time before, having as soon as she landed sent, as it is said, the following Letter to that King.  
An unfortunate Queen all bathed in Tears, has Deemed it no trouble to expose herself to the greatest Perils of the Sea, on purpose to seek an Asy lum and Protection in the Dominions of the greatest and most Glorious Monarch in the World; Her bad Fortune has procured her a Happiness, which far distant Nations have sought with eagerness; nor does the necessity lessen the value, while she makes choice of this same Sanctuary before any other, that she might have found in any other place; She is persuaded his Majesty will look upon it, as a Demonstration of the singular Esteem she has of his Great and Royal Qualities, that she entrusts him with the Prince of Wales, who is all she has most dear, and precious in the World; He is too Young to partake with her in the acknowledgements due for his Protection; that acknowledgement is entirely in the Heart of his Mother, who in the midst of all her sorrows enjoys this Consolation, to live sheltered under the Laurels of a Prince, who surpasses all that ever was of most Exalted, and Mighty upon Earth.  
These fulsome Flatteries, which are so admired by that King, doubtless moved him to entertain her with great Tenderness, and made way for the Reception of the King her Husband; who soon after Arrived there, and had St. Germains allowed for their Residence, with such a Revenue, as that King can spare from his other mighty Expenses, for their Subsistance; though it is a question, whether King James consulted his own Interest, in Flying to the French King; for certainly after all that he had done at home, to see him Harbour himself with the Enemy of the English Name, the Contriver and Adviser of all the Mischiefs for several years, perpetrated in the Kingdom, what could more Convict him of the Oppressions of his Reign, or more Inveterately Alienate the People's Affections from him? Upon the King's second withdrawing, Portsmouth that held out with some Obstinacy under the D. of Berwick, and Sir Edward Scot Deputy Governor, submitted and Received a Garrison sent thither by the Prince's Order.  
And now to fill up this Breach and Rupture in the Government, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal immediately met in the House of Peers at Westminster, where they drew up an Humble Address, which they presented to his Highness, Requesting him in this Conjuncture, to take upon him the Administration of Public Affairs, both Civil and Military; and the Disposal of the Public Revenue, for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion, Rights, Laws, Liberties, Properties, and the Peace of the Nation, and to take into his particular Care, the present Condition of Ireland, and to use Speedy and Effectual means to prevent the danger threatening that Kingdom.  
At the same time, these Honourable Lords further Humbly Requested; That His Highness would please to cause Letters to be Written, Subseribed by himself, and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Protestants, to the several Counties, Universities, Cities and Boroughs, etc. directed to the Chief Magistrates of each, within Ten Days after the Receipt thereof, to choose such a Number of Persons to Represent them, as are of Right to be sent to Parliament. Both which Addresses were Presented to the Prince at St. Jamese's, who answered, that he had considered their Advice, and that he would endeavour to secure the Peace of the Nation till the meeting of the Convention, Jan. 22. next, and that he would forthwith Issue out Letters to that purpose; and that he would apply the Public Revenues to their proper use, and likewise Endeavour to put Ireland into such a Condition, as that the Protestant Religion, and the English Interest, might be maintained in that Kingdom; Further assuring them, that as he came hither for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion, and the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, so he should always be ready to Expose himself in any Hazard for the Defence of the same.  
His Highness likewise sent for all such as had been Members of Parliament, in the Reign of Charles the II. together with the Aldermen and Common-Council of the City of London, to meet him at St James', to advise the best manner how to pursue the ends of his Declaration, in Calling a Free Parliament, for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion, the Restoring of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom, and Settling the same, that they may not be in Danger of being again Subverted. Upon which, they met accordingly, and after his Highness had thus Graciously expressed himself to them, they instantly Concluded to go to the House of Commons, where being Sat, they chose Henry paul Esq; their Chairman, and then drew up an Address to the Prince, returning his Highness their hearty Thanks, and expressing their Extraordinary Acknowledgement; for the Care he had taken of their Religion, Laws and Liberties, Humbly Entreating him to take upon him the Administration of the Government, etc. which being presented to his Highness at St. James', he returned the same answer, as he had done to the Lords.  
The News of his Highness' Snccess, and Prosperous proceed Arriving in Holland, all the Persons of Quality that were at the Hague, appeared at Court to Compliment Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange thereupon, and soon after their Electoral Highnesses of Brandenburg arrived there, and were Entertained very Splendidly upon that Occasion; And the State's General, sent three Deputies to England, to Congratulate his Highness, who Landing at the Tower, were received with the Discharge of the Cannon, and Conducted to the Lodgings appointed for them, with a very Spleudid Equipage.  
Dec. 30. His Highness Issued out a Declaration, to Authorise Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, and all other Officers, except Papists, to Continue and Act in their Respective Places, till further Order; And a second Declaration, for the better Quartering of Soldiers: That none should be Quartered upon Private Houses, without the free and voluntary Consent of the Owner; And a while after, the following Association for the Preservation of his Highness' Person, which had been promoted, and Signed through most Counties of England, with great Cheerfulness and Alacrity, was Signed also by several Noblemen and others, at St. James'.  
We whose Names are hereunto Subscribed, who have Joined with the Prince of Orange, for the Defence of the Protestant Religion; and for maintaining the Ancient Government, and the Laws and Liberties of England, Scotland and Ireland: Do engage to Almighty God, to his Highness the Prince of Orange, and to one another, to stick firm to this Cause, and to one another in Defence of it; and never to departed from it till our Religion, our Laws and Liberties are so far secured to us in a Free Parliament, that we shall be no more in Danger of Falling under Popery and Slavery; And whereas we are engaged in this Common Cause, under the Protection of the Prince of Orange; by which means his Person may be exposed to Dangers, and to the Desperate and Cursed Attempts of the Papists, and other Bloody Men: We do therefore Solemnly engage, both to God and to one another, that if any such Attempts are made upon him, we will pursue not only those that make them, but all their Adherents, and all that we find in Arms against us, with the utmost Severities of a just Revenge to their Ruin, and final Destruction; and that the Execution of any such Attempt (which God of his Mercy forbidden) shall not divert us from prosecuting this Cause, which we do now undertake; but that it shall engage us to carry it on with all the vigour that so Barbarous a Practice shall deserve.  
After this, His Highness published a Declaration, to Command all Papists to departed within three Days out of London and Westminster, and Ten Miles about, under penalty of Suffering, the utmost Severity of the Law, and about the same time, the Country People Seized a great number of Persons in Kent and other places, endeavouring to make their escape beyond Sea, who were committed to several Prisons, till further Order. And to show the readiness and zeal of the People to Support his Highness: He had no sooner signified to the City of London, that the necessary Expenses he had been at, had near exhausted the public Revenues; but that they instantly ordered a Committee to attend him, to know what Sum might be necessary, and 100000 l. being Named, the Generous Citizens immediately came to Guild-Hall, and made Subscriptions for 300000 l. which was paid in to Admiration, within a very few days.  
Affairs being now in a promising way of settlement in England, let us take a brief view of Scotland, to whom his Highness before his arrival had likewise sent a Declaration to the same effect with that sent to England, some Expressions only being varied according to the different Circumstances of both Nations; his Highness declaring, That by the influence of those evil Counsellors, who designed to render themselves the absolute Masters of the Lives, Honours, and Estates of the Subjects without being restrained by any Rule or Law, a most exorbliant Power had been exercised in imposing Bonds and Oaths upon whole Shires; In permitting Free Quarters to Soldiers; In imprisoning Gentlemen without any Reason, forcing them to accuse and witness against themselves; In imposing Arbitrary Fines, frighting and haressing many parts of the Country, with intercommuning, making some incur the forfeiture of Life and Fortune for the most general and harmless converse even with their nearest Relations Outlawed; Impowering Officers and Soldiers to act upon the Subjects, living in quiet, and full Peace the greatest Barbarities, in destroying them by Hanging, Shooting, and drowning them without any Form of Law, or respect to Age or Sex, not giving some of them time to pray to God for Mercy; and this for no other Reason, but because they would not answer or satisfy them in such Questions, as they proposed to them, without any warrant of Law, and against the common Interest of mankind, which frees all men from being obliged to discover their secret Thoughts, besides a great many other Violences and Oppressions, to which that poor Nation hath been exposed, without any hope of having any end put to them, or to have relief from them. And that the Arbitrary and illegal Proceed of there Evil Counsellors might be justified, such a Declaration hath been procured by them, as striketh at the root of the Government, and overturns the most Sacred Rights of it; in making all Parliaments unncressary, and taking away all Defences of Religion, Liberty, and Property. 〈…〉 assumed and asserted Absolute Power, to which Obedience is required without reserve, Which every good Christian is persuaded is due to God Almighty alone, all whose Commandments are always Just and Good, etc.  
Upon his Highness' Arrival, and Happy Progress in England, the Terror thereof wrought so effectually upon those Popish and Arbitrary Ministers of State in Scotland, who were sensible of their own guilt, that they thought of nothing, but to make their escape from Justice, which some had the luck to do, others were seized, and the Multitude rising in divers places, demolished the Mass Houses, and burned the Popish Trinkets, yea proceeded to several Violences and Disorders, which occasioned the Death and Wounding of many Persons, even in Edenburg itself; of which the Scots Noblemen and Gentlemen in London, having notice, they resolved to attend his Highness the Prince of Orange, and lay before him the willingness of the People of Scotland to submit to his Protection, and his Highness having notice of their Intentions caused such of them, as were in Town to be advertized to meet him at St. James', Jan. 7. to whom he made the following Speech.  
MY Lords and Gentlemen, the only Reason that Induced me to undergo so great an undertaking was, that I saw the Laws, and Liberties of these Kingdoms overturned, and the Protestant Religion in imminent Danger, and seeing you are so many Noblemen and Gentlemen, I have called you together, that I may have your Advice what is to be done, for the securing of the Protestant Religion, and restoring your Laws, and Liberties, according to my Declaration.  
After which, the Lords and Gentlemen went to the Council-Chamber at Whitehall, and choosing Duke Hamilton their Precedent, they drew up an Address, which they presented to the Prince to this Effect, That they rendered his Highness their humble Thanks, for his pious and generous Undertaking, etc. Desiring him to take upon him the Administration of Affairs, Civil and Military in Scotland, till the general Meeting of the Estates, which they humbly prayed his Highness to call to be held at Edenburg. March 14. following. This Address was subscribed by thirty Lords, and eighty Gentlemen; his Highness assured them, that He would do all that they required, and the news thereof coming to Edinburgh was received with the utmost Demonstrations of Joy and Satisfaction.  
The Elections for the Convention at Westminster, had in some places been generally made without those strive and hairs that are usual upon such Occasions, and seemed to be a good Prognostic, that their Debates would be calm, and tend to a speedy Settlement, and accordingly the 〈◊〉 of January being come, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Assembled at Westminster, the Lord Marquess of Hallifax Officiated as Speaker in the House of Lords, and the Commons chose Henry Poule Esquire, to be their Speaker, after which a Letter from his Highness the Prince of Orange was read in both Houses on the Occasion of their Meeting, wherein his Highness declared, That he had endeavoured to the utmost of his Power to perform what was dented of him in Order to the Public Peace, and Safety, and that he did not know any thing, which had been omitted, that might tend to the Preservation of them, since the Administration of Affairs was put into his hands, and that it now lay upon them to lay the Foundation of a firm Security for their Religion, Laws, and Liberties; That he did not doubt, but that by such a full and free Representative of the Nation as was then met, the ends of his Declaration would be attained, and since it had pleased God hitherto to bless his good Intentions with so great Success He trusted in Him that he would Comple●● his own work by sending a Spirit of Peace and Union to influence their Councils, that no interruption might be given to a Happy and lasting Settlement; He then represented to them the dangerous Condition of the Protestants in Ireland, and the present State of things abroad, which required their early Assistance against a Powerful Enemy, who had declared War against them, and which he did not doubt but without any unseasonable Divisions among themselves, they would take that Effectual care about.  
This Letter being read and approved of the Lords and Commons presented an Address to his Highness; That being highly sensible of the great Deliverance of this Kingdom from Popery and Arbitrary Power and that their Preservation next under God was oweing to his Highness, they returned Him their humble Thanks as the glorious Instrument of so great a blessing, and did further acknowledge the great care he had taken in the administering the public Affairs to that time, humbly desiring that his Highness would continue the Administration thereof, till further Application should be made by them, which should be expedited with all convenient speed. This Address being presented, Jan. 23. 1688. His Highness returned them this Answer.  MY Lords and Gentlemen, I am glad that what I have done hath pleased you, and since you desire me to continue the Administration of Affairs, I am willing to accept it, I must recommend to you the Consideration of Affairs abroad, which maketh it fit for you to expedite your business, not only for making a Settlement at home upon a good Foundation, but for the Safety of all Europe. 
After this the Lords and Commons Ordered a day of public Thanksgiving, to be kept throughout the Kingdom, to render Praise to Almighty God, for having made his Highness the Prince of Orange, the glorious Instrument of the great Deliverance of this Kingdom from Popery and Arbitrary Power.  
As to the Condition of Ireland, the Earl of Tyrconnel a violent Papist, being made Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom by King James, as a fit Instrument to carry on his Designs, gave the Irish great Hopes of Subduing the English, by his first Cashiering the Protestant Officers and Soldiers that were in Arms, and then by turning out the Officers and Ministers of Justice; and though Complaints were made against his proceed in the Court of England; yet they were not regarded, but he rather encouraged in his Erterprises, which occasioned such Dread of future Mischiefs, that divers left the Kingdom, some going for Holland, others for Scotland and England; things continued in this Dangerous posture, till the News of the intended Enterprise of the Prince of Orange Arrived there, upon which Tyrconnel was very active to secure the Roman Catholic Interest in Ireland, Imprisoning and Disarming the Protestants, and sending over 3000 of the Choicest Irish Soldiers to Assist King James. But upon notice of his Flight into France, he called his Popish Council together, and told them, That now was the time for their standing up for their Country, to secure it against all their Enemies; and as for his part, if his Master himself, should command him to deliver up the Sword, he should think it his Duty to refuse it in this Juncture; and thereupon spreading the News all over the Country, he caused the Irish every where to Arm themselves with such Weapons as they could get; This Tumultuous Rabble Herding together, plundered the Protestants Houses, drove away their Cattle, fired their Stack; of Corn and Hay, Murdered some, and Barbarously used others; insomuch, that the Protestants being extremely affrighted, many of them fled for their Lives, leaving their Estates behind them, and though several of the Protestant Nobility and Gentry made Head in the North: Yet they found themselves unable to Resist the Fury of their Numerous Adversaries; However they Defeated several Parties of Irish, and Fortified London-Derry, Slego, the Isle of Inniskilling, and other places which they thought Tenable; For now Tyrconnel gave Order for stopping the Ports, to prevent any more from going away, and made many large and plausible Proposals, to induce them to join with him, though they had very little effect upon them.  
The Convention at Westminster, were still upon serious Debates about the present Condition of the Kingdom, and in the mean time it was thought necessary, to have the Presence of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange in England; Whereupon a Squadron of English and Dutch Men of War, were Ordered to wait upon her, till her Equipage could be got ready, and the Wind served to bring over her Highness; And after the Lords and Commons had duly weighed the Circumstances of the King's Departure, they at length came to the following Resolution.  Resolved that King James II. Having endeavoured to Subvert the Constitution of this Kingdom, by breaking the Original Contract between King and People; and by the Advice of Jesuits, and other wicked Persons, having Violated the Fundamental Laws, and having withdrawn himself out of this Kingdom, hath Abdicated the Government, and the Throne is thereby Vacant. 
In pursuance of which Resolution, the following Declaration was drawn up in Order to such an Establishment, as that the Religion, Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, might not again be in Danger, and for Vindicating the Ancient Rights and Liberties of the People in these words.  
Whereas the Late King James the Second, by the Assistance of divers Evil Councillors, Judges and Ministers Employed by him, did endeavour to Subvert and Extirpate the Protestant Religion, and the Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom; By Assuming and Exercising a Power of Dispensing with, and Suspending of Laws, and the Execution of Laws, without Consent of Parliament. By Committing and Prosecuting divers Worthy Prelates, for humbly Petitioning to be Excused from Concurring to the said Assumed Power. By Issuing and causing to be Executed a Commission under the Great Seal, for Erecting a Court called, The Court of Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes. By Levying Money for and to the Use of the Crown by Pretence of Prerogative, for other Time, and in other Manner than the same was Granted by Parliament. By raising and keeping a Standing Army within this Kingdom in time of Peace, without Consent of Parliament, and Quartering Soldiers contrary to Law. By Causing several good Subjects, being Protestants, to be Disarmed at the same time, when Papists were both Armed and Employed, contrary to Law. By Violating the Freedom of Election of Members to serve in Parliament. By Prosecutions in the Court of King's Bench, for Matters and Causes cognizable only in Parliament; and by divers other Arbitrary Illegal Courses.  
And whereas of late years, Partial, Corrupt and Urqualified Persous, have been Returned and Served on Juaries in Trials, and particularly divers Jurors in Trials for High Treason, which were not Freeholders. And Excessive Bail hath been required of Persons Committed in Criminal Cases, to elude the Benefi● of the Laws made for the Liberty of the Subjects, and Excessive Fines have been imposed. And illegal and cruel Punishments inflicted. And several Grants and Promises made of Fines and Forfeitures, before any Conviction or Judgement against the Persons, upon whom the same were to be Levied. All which are utterly and directly contrary to the known Laws and Statutes, and Freedom of this Realm. And whereas the said late King James the Second having Abdicated the Government, and the Throne being thereby Vacant,  
His Highness the Prince of Orange (whom it hath pleased Almighty God to make the Glorious Instrument of Delivering this Kingdom from Popery and Arbitrary Power) did (by the Advice of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and divers Principal Persons of the Commons) cause Letters to be written to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, being Protestants; and other Letters to the several Counties, Cities, Universities, Boroughs, and Cinque-Ports, for the Choosing of such Persons to represent them, as were of right to be sent to Parliament, to meet and sit at Westminster, upon the Two and twentieth day of January, in this Year One thousand six hundred eighty and eight, in Order to such an Establishment, as that their Religion, Laws and Liberties might not again be in danger of being Subverted: Upon which Letters Elections having been accordingly made,  
And thereupon the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons, pursuant to their respective Letters and Elections, being now assembled in a full and free Representative of this Nation, taking into their most serious Consideration, the best means for attaining the Ends aforesaid; Do in the first place (as their Ancestors in like Case have usually done) for the Vindicating and Asserting their Ancient Rights and Liberties, Declare that the pretended Power of Suspending of Laws, or the Execution of Laws by Regal Authority, without Consent of Parliament, is Illegal. legal. That the pretended Power of Dispensing with Laws, or the Execution of Laws by Regal Authority, as it hath been assumed and exercised of late, is Illegal. That the Commission for Erecting the late Court of Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes, and all other Commissions and Courts of like nature, are Illegal and Pernicious. That Levying Money for or to the Use of the Crown, by protence of Prerogative, without Grant of Parliament, for longer time, or in other manner, than the same is, or shall be granted is Illegal. That it is the Right of the Subjects to Petition the King, and all Commitments and Prosecutions for such Petitioning, are Illegal. That the raising or keeping a standing Army within the Kingdom in time of Peace, unless it be with Consent of Parliament, is against Law. That the Subjects which are Protestants, may have Arms for their Defence suitable to their Conditions, and as allowed by Law; That Election of Members of Parliament ought to be free. That the Freedom of Speech, and Debates or Proceed in Parliament, ought not to be impeached or questioned in any Court or Place out of Parliament That Excessive Bail ought not to be required, nor Excessive Fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual Punishments inflicted. That Jurors ought to be duly Impanelled and Returned, and Jurors which pass upon Men in Trials for High Treason ought to be Freeholders. That all Grants and Promises of Fines and Forfeitures of particular Persons before Conviction, are Illegal and Void. And that for Redress of all Grievances, and for the Amending, Strengthening and Preserving of the Laws, Parliaments ought to be held frequently.  
And they do Claim, Demand, and Insist upon all and singular the Premises, as their undoubted Rights and Liberties; And that no Declarations, Judgements, Do or Proceed, to the Prejudice of the People in any of the said Premises, aught in any wise to be drawn hereafter into Consequence or Example. To which Demand of their Right, they are particularly Encouraged by the Declaration of his Highness the Prince of Orange, as being the only means for obtaining a full Redress and Remedy therein.  
Having therefore an entire Confidence, That his said Highness the Prince of Orange, will perfect the Deliverance so far advanced by him, and will still preserve them from the Violation of their Rights, which they have here Asserted, and from all other Attempts upon their Religion, Rights and Liberties; the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons Assembled at Westminster, do Resolve, That William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange be, and be Declared King and Queen of England, France and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, to hold the Crown and Royal Dignity of the said Kingdoms and Dominions ' to them the said Prince and Princess, during their Lives, and the Life of the Survivor of them; And that the sole and full Exercise of the Regal Power be only in, and executed by the said Prince of Orange, in the Names of the said Prince and Princess during their joint Lives; And after their Deceases, the said Crown and Royal Dignity of the said Kingdoms and Dominions to be to the Heirs of the Body of the said Princess; And for default of such Issue, to the Princess Ann of Denmark, and the Heirs of Her Body; and for default of such Issue to the Heirs of the Body of the said Prince of Orange. And the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, do pray the said Prince and Princess to accept the same accordingly. And that the Oaths hereafter mentioned, be taken by all Persons of whom the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, might be required by Law, instead of them▪ And that the said Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy be Abrogated.  
I A. B. Do sincerely Promise and Swear, That I will be Faithful, and bear true Allegiance to Their Majesties, King WILLIAM and Queen MARY; So help me God.  
I A. B. Do Swear, That I do from my Heart Abhor, Detest and Abjure, as impious and Heretical this damnable Doctrine and Position, That Princes Excommunicated or Deprived by the Pope, or any Authority of the See of Rome, may be Deposed or Murdered by their Subjects, or any other whatsoever.  
And I do Declare, That no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State or Potentate, hath, or aught to have any Jurisdiction, Power, Superiority, Preeminence or Authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual, within this Realm; So help me God.  
This Declaration being Presented to their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Orange, in the Banqueting House at White-Hall on Wednesday Feb. 13. 1688. and their Consent thereunto Received, they were both the same Day Proclaimed King and Queen of England, France and Ireland, etc. at White-Hall Gate, Temple-Bar, and the Royal Exchange, many of the Lords and Commons attending, and the People proclaiming their Joys, by Repeated Shouts and Acclamations; The Tenor of the Proclamation was as followeth.  
Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God in his great Mercy to this Kingdom, to vouchsafe us a Miraculous Deliverance from Popery and Arbitrary Power, and that our Preservation is due next under God, to the Resolution and Conduct of his Highness the Prince of Orange; whom God hath chosen to be the Glorious Instrument of such an Inestimable Happiness to us and our Posterity; And being highly Sensible, and fully persuaded of the Great and Eminent Virtues of Her Highness the Princess of Orange, whose Zeal for the Protestant Religion, will no doubt bring a Blessing along with her upon this Nation; and where as the Lords and Commons now Assembled at Westminster, have made a Declaration, and presented the same to the said Prince and Princess of Oran●e, and therein desired them, to accept the Crown, who have accepted the same accordingly: We therefore the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons, together with the Lord Mayor and Citizens of London, and others of the Commons of this Reaim, do with full Consent, Publish and Proclaim according to the said Declaration, William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange, to be King and Queen of England, France and Ireland, with all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging; who are accordingly so to be owned, Deemed and taken by all the People of the afore said Realms and Dominions, who are from hence forward, bound to acknowledge and pay unto them, all Faith and True Allegiance; Beseeching God by whom King's Reign, to Bless King William and Queen Mary, with long and Happy Years to Reign over us; God Save King William and Queen Mary.  
John Brown, Clericus Parliamentorum.  
It is Reported, that his Majesty should thus generously express himself upon this Occasion: That though the Regulations seemed somewhat harsh, they were easy to him that desired only to be a great King; But in respect to one that Aimed to be a Tyrant, they were not strict enough.  
Having thus brought their Majesty to the Throne, let us make a few Remarks upon this Wonderful and Unparallelled Revolution, and so conclude the History of the House of Orange;  
Had a Prince of less Secrecy, Prudence, Courage and Interest, undertaken this mighty Affair, it might probably have miscarried; but as his Cause was better, so his Reputation, Conduct and Patience, infinitely exceeded that of King James; He would not stir till he saw the French Forces sit down before Philipsburg, and that he was sure France and Germany were irrecoverably engaged; and that he should have no other Opposition, than what the Irish and English Roman Catholics could make against him; For no English Protestant would fight his Country into Vassalage and Slavery, to Popish Priests and Italian Women; when a Parliament sooner or later must have Determined every thing in Controversy, except they were Resolved once for all, to have given up their Religion, Laws, Liberties and Estates, to the Will of their Arbitrary Kings, and submitted for ever to a French Government; and indeed, a Nation of less Sense than the English, might have been imposed upon; Of less Bravery and Valour, might have been frighted; Of a more Servile Temper, might have neglected their Liberties, till it had been too late to recover them again; And none but a parcel of Jesuits, unacquainted with their Temper and Constitution, would ever have hoped to have carried two such things as Popery and Arbitrary Power, both at once, upon a People so Jealous as the English are; and who hate Idolatry and Tyranny, above any Nation in the World.  
As for King James II. had he undertaken any thing but these two, his vast Revenue, his Reputed Personal Valour, and the Fame he had gained both at Home and Abroad, by the Defeat of Monmouths' Invasion, would have gone near to have effected it; And after all, if he had in the beginning of October, freely granted all the Proposals made him by the Nobility, and suffered a Parliament to have met, and given up his Evil Ministers to Justice, and permitted the Birth of the pretended Prince of Wales to have been freely Debated and Determined in Parliament, it would in all probability, have prevented this Expedition of the Prince of Orange; But whilst he thought to preserve the pretended Succession, the Dispensing and Suspending Power, and the Ecclesiastical Commission, to promote his future Designs, when he had once baffled the Prince of Orange, the Nation saw through the Project, and he lost all.  
As for the English in general, their Interest Centres in the maintaining the Rights and Franchises of their Kingdom; which renders them this Day the freest Nation in Europe; A Character so far from supposing them to be like other Nations, a People Headstrong and unconstant, that it shows them to be the most Considerate and Understanding People in the World; in short, though the example of a Neighbouring Prince, had served for a Platform for other Crowned Heads, to enlarge their Power beyond the Limits prescribed by the Constitutions of the Kingdom: We see that at the very Moment, that the King began to act like his Neighbour, they presently put a S●op to his Designs, without the least respect to his Dignity; They saw how Sovereign Authority Reigned in France, as Independent from the Laws, as in Turkey: They beheld the face of the Kingdom of Sweden and Denmark, changed by Introducing Hereditary Succession, whereas they were Elective before; They viewed the Face of the Kingdom of Hungary, heretofore the Seat of Liberty, Disfigured by the same Innovation; and Poland that boasts to have preserved the Ancient Laws entire, has notwithstanding suffered Injurious Alterations; In short, which way soever we cast our Eyes, we shall find Attempts of the same Nature prosper, only in England they have failed; whence we may conclude that maugre all which has been said of the English Nation, they are the Wisest, and most Prudent People that we know of under the Sun.    

THE HISTORY OF King William & Queen Mary.  
King William and Queen Mary, being Proclaimed in all the Counties and chief Cities of England, with the general Joy of the People, Addresles were daily presented them from several Parts to testify their extreme Satisfaction and Content in their being advanced to the Throne; and the Convention being by an Act figned by the King turned into a Parliament, in the same manner as the Convention was, upon the Restoration of Charles II. 1660. They proceeded to enact several Laws for settling the Government upon its true and ancient Basis; and several vacant Offices and Employments were supplied by their Majesties, and Dr. Gilbert Burnet was made Bishop of Salisbury in the room of Dr. Seth Ward Deceased.  
I have been very brief upon the Affairs in England, till the Happy Revolution in 1688. because I have lately Published a Book of the same value with this, Entitled.  The History of the two late Kings, Charles II. and James II. being an Impartial Account of the most Remarkable Transactions, and observable Passages during their Reigns; and the secret French and Popish Intrigues managed in those Times. 
Neither shall I enlarge upon the Affairs of Ireland, intending suddenly to publish the History of that Kingdom from the first Conquest thereof by King Henry II. to its total Reduction by the Arms of their present Majesties.  
And now both Houses of Parliament present an humble Address to his Majesty about the speedy relief of Ireland; in pursuance whereof the King sent over a Proclamation of Pardon to all the Irish Papists, that would lay down their Arms, and live Peaceably under the Government, with the full enjoyment of their Estates, and the private Exercise of their Religion, which if they refused, they were declared Rebels and Traitors to the Crown of England, and their Estates to be forfeited and distributed among those that should and and assist in reducing them to Obedience; but Tyrconnel endeavoured to hinder the effect thereof, by promising them speedy succours from France, and that King James would come in Person with a numerous Army to their Assistance, and sent several Detachments of his tattered Regiments to seize divers considerable Protestants in their Houses, who upon notice escaped into the North, and strengthened their Party; the Priests stirred up these Raseally Vermin, that were armed with Pitchforks, Bills, Staves, and other weapon's, to commit all manner of outrages, to the damage of some Papists, as well as Protestants, and it was reported that at a Consult in the Council, wherein some Popish Bishops assisted, it was moved that the only way to clear the Country of Heretics was by a general Massacre, but Tyrconnel opposed it. In March the late King James took Post from Paris to Breast, and soon after landed in Ireland, with a numetous Train of Officers but very few Soldiers.  
The Estates of Scotland met the same Month at Edinburgh in pursuance of his Majesty's Circulary Letters, and King William sent them the following Letter.  
MY Lords and Gentlemen,  
We are very sensible of the kindness, and concern which your Nation has evidenced towards us, and our undertaking for the Preservation of your Religion and Liberty, which were in such imminent danger. Neither can we in the least doubt your Confidence in us, after having seen, how far so many of your Nobility and Gentry have owned our Declaration, countenancing and concurring with us in our endeavours, and desiring us that we would take upon us, the Administration of Affairs Civil and Military, and to call a Meeting of the Estates for securing the Protestant Religion, and the ancient Laws and Liberties of that Kingdom, which accordingly we have done. Now it lies on you to enter upon such Consultations as are most proper to settle you on sure and lasting Foundations, which we hope you will set about with all convenient speed, with regard to the public good, and to the general Interest and Inclinations of the People; that after so much Trouble and great Suffering, they may live happily and in Peace, and that you may lay aside all Animosities and Factions, that may impede 10 good a Work, we are glad to find that so many of the Nobility and Gentry when here in London were to much inclined to a Union of both Kingdoms, and that they did look upon it, as the best means for procuring the Happiness of both Nations, and settling of a lasting Peace among them; which would be advantageous to both, they living in the same Island, having the same Language, and the same common Interest of Religion and Liberty, especially at this Juncture when the enemies of both are so ressess in endeavouring to make and increase Jealousies and Divisions, which they will be ready to improve to their own advantage and the ruin of Britain; we being to the same oprnion as to the usefulness of this Union, and having nothing so much before our eyes as the Glory of God, establishing the Reformed Religion, and the Peace and Happiness of these Nations, are resolved to use our utmost endeavours in advancing every thing, that may conduce to the effectuating the same. So we bid you hearty Farewell.  
From our Court at Hampton, March 7. 1689.  
This Letter being read, Commissioners were named to draw an Answer full of Acknowledgement and Respect; the late King James had likewise sent a Letter to the Estates, but before they proceeded to read it, they passed an Act, that notwithstanding any thing that might be contained in the Letter, for Dissolving or impeding their Procedure, yet they were a Free and Lawful Meeting of the States, and would continue undissolved till they had settled the Government; which done, the Letter was read, but the Convention took so little notice of the late King's Exhortations, to declare for him, that the Messenger was first secured, and then not being thought worthy detaining dismissed with a Pass instead of an Answer.  
After this, Commissioners were chosen for drawing up the Settlement of the Government, out of which the Bishops were lest, as having disgusted the Generality of the States, by their Prayers at the beginning of the Session, That God would have Compassion, on King James, and restore him, and other Passages, which discovered their disaffection to their Majesties, and the Government then about to be erected. The Duke of Gordon, who had the Command of Edinburgh Castle, after he had, for sometime amused the Convention by his delays, so soon as he heard the late King was arrived in Ireland set up his Standard to signify his Resolution, to hold out that place, and fired all the Cannon without Bullets to the g●●●● Terror of those that lay under the Mercy of his great shot.  
A●● 12. Both Houses of Parliament in England, presented an humble Address to the King, wherein they declare that being highly sensible of their late great Deliverance from Popery and Arbitrary Power, whereof it had pleased God to make his Majesty the glorious Instrument, and desiring to the utmost of their abilities to express their Gratitude, for so great and generous an Undertaking, no less necessary for the support of the Protestant Interest in Europe, than for recovering and maintaining the Civil Rights and Liberties of these Nations, so notoriously invaded and undermined by Popish Councils and Counsellors, and being likewise fully convinced of the restless Spirits, and the continued endeavours of their Majesties and the Nations Enemies, for the Extirpation of the Protestant Religion, and the Subversion of our Laws and Liberties unanimously declared, that they would stand by and assist his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes in supporting His Alliances abroad, in reducing Ireland and in defence of the Protestant Religion, and of the Kingdom.  
In answer hereto, the King assured them of his great esteem and affection for Parliaments, especially for this, which would be much increased by the kindness they shown to him, and their zeal for the public good, and that he would never abuse the Confidence they put in Him, nor give any Parliament cause to distrust Him, because he would never expect any thing from them, but what it was their Interest to grant; that He came hither for the good of the Kingdom, and since, by their desire, he was in that Station, he would full pursue the same ends that brought him; that God had been pleased to make him instrumental to redeem them from the Ills they feared, and it was still his desire as well as his duty to endeavour to preserve their Religion, Laws, and Liberties, which were the only inducements that brought him into England, and to those he did ascribe the Blessings that had attended this undertaking; he than remainded them of Assisting his Allies, especially the Dutch, and to consider the Deplorable Condition of Ireland; which by the Zeal and Violence of the Popish Party, and the Assistance and Encouragement of the French, required a considerable force to Reduce it, etc. and that a Fleet may be likewise provided, which in Conjunction with the States, might make us entire Masters of the Seas; and as they freely offered to Hazard all that is dear to them, so he should as freely expose his Life for the Support of the Protestant Religion and the Safety and Honour of the Nation.  
In Scotland, the Viscount Dundee having made his escape from Edinburgh, went to the North, where he stirred up the Highlanders to join with him, and declare for King James; upon which the Convention ordered a number of Horse, Foot and Dragoons to march against them, and in the mean time, the Lord Ross, who was sent with a Letter to King William in England, returned, and brought an answer thereto; After which, the Estates drew up an Instrument of Government, for Settling the Crown upon King William and Queen Mary; Wherein they Recapitulate their Grievances, and propose Remedies for the same; And then declare; That King James the 7th. being a professed Papist, did Assume the Royal Power, and acted as King, without ever taking the Oath required by Law, and hath by Advice of Evil and Wicked Councillors, Invaded the Fundamental Constitutions of the Kingdom, and altered it from a Legal Limited Monarchy, to an Arbitrary Despotic Power, and did exercise the same, to the Subversion of the Protestant Religion, and the Violation of the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, inverting all the ends of Government, whereby he hath Forefaulted the Right to the Crown, and the Throne is become Vacant; And they do pray the King and Queen of England, to accept the Crown and Royal Dignity of the Kingdom of Scotland, etc.  
And an Oath of Allegiance was drawn up, to be taken by all Persons to them, together with a Coronation Oath, and April 11. being the Day of the Coronation of their Majesties at Westminster, they were Proclaimed at Edinburgh, with universal Joy and Acclamations; Commissioners were also Dispatched for London, that is, the Earl of Argyle, Sir James Mountgomery of Skelmerly, and Sir John Dalrymple of Stair younger, from the meeting of the Estates, with an offer of the Crown of that Kingdom to their Majesties, and May 11. 1689. They accordingly at three of the Clock met at the Council Chamber, and from thence were Conducted by Sir Charles Cottrel Master of the Ceremonies, attended by most of the Nobility and Gentry of that Kingdom, who resided in and about this place, to the Banquetring-House, where the King and Queen came, attended by many Persons of Quality, the Sword being carried before them by the Lord Cardross, (and their Majesty's being placed on the Throne under a rich Canopy) they first presented a Letter from the Estates to His Majesty, than the Instrument of Government; thirdly, a Paper containing the Grievances which they desired might be Redressed; And lastly, An Address to his Majesty, for turning the Meeting of the said Estates into a Parliament: All which being Signed by his Grace the Duke of Hamilton, as Precedent of the Meeting, and Read to their Majesties, the King returned to the Commissioners the following Answer.  
When I Engaged in this Undertaking, I had particular Regard and Consideration for Scotland, and therefore I did emit a Declaration in relation to that as well as to this Kingdom, which I intent to make good and effectual to them. I take it very kindly, that Scotland hath expressed so much Confidence in and Affection to Me; They shall find me willing to assist them in every thing that concerns the Well and Interest of that Kingdom, by making what Laws shall be necessary for the Security of their Religion, Property and Liberty, and to ease them, of what may be justly grievous to them.  
After which the Coronation Oath was tendered to Their Majesties, which the Earl of Argile spoke word by word distinctly, and the King and Queen repeated it after him, holding their Right Hands up, after the manner of taking Oaths in Scotland.  
The Meeting of the Estates of Scotland, did Authorize their Commissioners to represent to his Majesty, That that Clause in the Oath in relation to the rooting out of Heretics, did not import the destroying of Heretics; and that by the Law of Scotland, no Man was to be Persecuted for his private Opinion; and even Obstinate and Convicted Heretics, were only to be Denounced Rebels or Outlawed, whereby their Movable Estates are Confiscated. His Majesty at the repeating that Clause in the Oath, did declare, That he did not mean by these words, that he was under any Obligation to become a Persecutor. To which the Commissioners made answer, That neither the meaning of the Oath, or the Law of Scotland did import it. Then the King Replied, that he took the Oath in that Sense, and called for Witnesses, the Commissioners and others present; and the● both their Majesties Signed the said Coronation Oath, After which the Commissioners and several of the Scotch Nobility Kissed their Majesty's Hands.  
The Parliament in England, proceeded to enact many Laws for the ease of the People, and Security of the Kingdom; One for taking away the Revenue, arising from the Hearth-Money, by his Majesties own desire, who willingly resigned up his Right therein, because it was found grievous to the People, though it occasioned a great Diminution to the Revenue of the Crown; another Act was passed, for exempting their Majesty's Protestant Subjects, Dissenting from the Church of England, from the Penaltier of certain Laws; another for Abrogating the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and appointing other Oaths; another for Prohibiting all Trade and Commerce with France, with divers more, and about the same time, the House of Commons presented His Majesty the following Address.  
We your Majesty's most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects, the Commons in Parliament Assembled, most Humbly lay before your Majesty, our earnest Desires, that your Majesty would be pleased to take into your most Serious Consideration, the Destructive Methods taken of late years by the French King, against the Trade, Quiet and Interest of your Kingdom, and particularly the present Invasion of your Kingdom of Ireland, and Supporting your Majesty Rebellious Subjects; and we not doubting in the least, but through your Majesty's Wisdom, the Alliances already made, as well as those that may be hereafter concluded on this occasion by your Majesty, may be effectual to Reduce the French King to such a Condition, that it may not be in his Power hereafter, to violate the Peace of Christendom, nor prejudice the Trade and Prosperity of this your Majesty's Kingdom. To this end, we most humbly beseech your Majesty, to rest assured upon this our Hearty and Solemn Promise and Engagement; That when your Majesty shall think fit to enter into a War with the French King, we will give your Majesty such Assistance in a Parliamentary way, as may enable your Majesty (under the Protection and Blessing that Almighty God has ever afforded you) to support and go through with the same.  
To this Request and Resolution of the House of Commons, which was so graceful to the Nation in general, his Majesty was pleased to return this Answer.  
Gentlemen, I receive this Address, as a Mark of the Confidence you have in me, which I take very kindly, and shall endeavour by all my Actions to Confirm you in it, I assure you, that my own Ambition shall never be an Argument to incline me to engage in a War that may expose the Nation either to Danger or Expense; but in the present Case, I look upon the War so much already declared in effect by France against England, that it is not so much an Act of Choice, as an inevitable necessity in our own Defence; I shall only tell you, that as I have ventured my Life, and all that is Dear to me, to rescue the Nation from what it suffered, so I am ready still to do the same, in order to the preserving it from all its Enemies; and as I doubt not of such an Assistance from you, as shall be Suitable to your Advice to me, to Declare War against a powerful Enemy, so you may Rely upon me, that no part of that which you shall give for the carrying it on with Success, shall by me be Diverted to any other use.  
Soon after a Declaration of War was published against France, and the Reasons thereof, Namely, The unjust Methods of the French King, these late years to gratify his Ambition, by Invading the Territories of the Empire now in Amity with us, and in manifest Violation of the Treaties Confirmed by the Guaranty of the Crown of England: His Majesty therefore can do no less than join with his Allies, in Opposing that King's Designs, as the Disturber of the Peace, and the Common Enemy of the Christian World; Likewise the many Injuries done to his Majesty and his Subjects, are a sufficient Justification for their taking Arms, since they have called upon his Majesty so to do; and though no notice has been taken, nor Reparation demanded of late years, for Reasons well known to the World; yet his Majesty will not pass them over, without a public and just Resentment of such Outrages. Also the Encroachments and Invasions of the French on our Trade and Fishing of Newfound Land, and their Hostilities upon the Charibbee Islands, New York, and Hudsons-Bay, Seizing the Forts, burning the Houses, Robbing the English of their Goods, imprisoning some, inhumanly killing others, and driving the rest to Sea in a small Vessel, without Food or Necessaries, and this even at a time when that King was Negotiating a Treaty in England. of Neutrality and good Correspondence in America; also his Countenancing the Seizure of English Ships by French Privateers; His Disputing the Right of the Flag in the Narrow Seas; which in all Ages, has been asserted by his Majesty's Predecessors, and which he is resolved to maintain for the Honour of the Crown, and of the English Nation, And that which most nearly touches his Majesty, is, His Unchristian Persecution of many English Protestants in France, contrary to the Law of Nations, and express Treaties, forcing them to abjure their Religion, by strange and unusual Cruelties, imprisoning some English Masters and Seamen, and Condemning other to the Galleys, upon pretence of having on Board either the Persons or Goods of some of his own Miserable Protestant Subjects; Lastly, as he has for some years past, endeavoured by Insinuation and Promises of Assistance to overthrow the Government of England, so now by Open and Violent Methods, and the actual Invasion of Ireland, and Supporting the Rebels there, he is promoting the utter Extirpation of the Protestants there. His Majesty being therefore thus Necessitated to take up Arms, and Relying on the help of Almighty God, in his just undertaking hath thought fit to declare War against the French King, and will in Conjunction with his Allies, vigorously prosecute the same by Sea and Land (since he hath so unrighteously begun it) being assured of the hearty Concurrence and Assistance of his Subjects, in Supporting of so good a Cause; forbidding all Correspondence or Communication with that King or his Subjects; and that all the French Nation in his Majesty's Dominions, who shall Demean themselves Dutifully, and not Correspond with his Enemies, shall upon the King's Royal word, be safe in their Persons and Estates, and free from all Molestation and Trouble of any Kind.  
About the same time, the King of Spain proclaimed War against France, and the Emperor of Germany sent a Letter to his Majesty, wherein after he has returned thanks to the King for taking care that no Violence should be offered to the Roman Catholics, he promises the same thing in respect to the Protestants; His Majesty gave Advice to the Swissers, of his Advancement to the Throne; So that now King William and Queen Mary, were acknowledged for lawful Sovereigns of Great Britain by all the Protestant, and the greatest part of the Roman Catholic Princes and States, for (besides the Emperor and the King of Spain) the Duke of Bavaria, the three Ecclesiastical Electors, the Duke of Newburg, the Elector Palatine, and the Bishops of Liege and Munster, all Roman Catholics, declared themselves Enemies to France, and by this we may observe, that the French Politicians were greatly deceived in their Measures, for upon notice of the Prince of Orange's Expedition into England, it is reported, some of them thus Discoursed King Lewis, Sir, said they, There is a Civil War kindling in England, which will last this two or three years, and Disable that Island, and the United Provinces from Acting; In this time, your Majesty will have Conquered all, or the greatest part of Germany; If King James has the worst, we will persuade all the Catholic Princes to Unite, and Restore him; All this while, your Majesty will be Head of the League, will preserve your Conquests, and King James cannot refuse you Ireland, or any other portion of his Kingdom, for the Expenses of the War. This done, your Majesty shall fall upon Holland, which will be weak, and unprovided of Men and Money, and shall be able in a little time, to oppress the Remainder of the Protestant's. and so become Emperor of all Europe. But (unfortunately for them) King James II. too soon forsook his Country, and then they cried, Religion is ruined, unless all endeavours are used for his Restoration; Upon which some would fain know what Religion the French King is of, who persecutes and invades Papists▪ as well as Protestants; and think that he must be either a Pagan or Mahometan, or else of a Christianity all of his own Contriving, to carry on his Perjuries and Usurpations upon his Neighbours.  
May 1. A Squadron of English Men of War under Admiral Herbert, Sailing toward the Coast of Ireland, to prevent the French from Landing Forces and Provisions there, understanding they were got to Sea under favour of the Night, they got sight of them lying in the Bay of Bantree in the West of Ireland, and resolved to Attack them with Nine Ships in the Harbour, they being about 44 Sail in all, whereupon the next Morning the Fight began, we continued Fattering upon a Stretches, till five in the Afternoon when the French Admiral Tacked from us, and stood farther into the Bay; In this Action, Captain A●lme●, and 94 Seamen were killed, and about 250 wounded; but the Enemy were Reported to have 200 Slain, and many more Wounded, and having Landed some few Men, for fear of a second Engagement, Retreated; after which our Squadron returned to Portsmouth, whither His Majesty came soon after, and declared his Royal Intention of Conferring the Title of Earl upon the Admiral, and accordingly he was afterward Created Earl of Torrington, Baron of Torbay, etc. and the Captain shovel and Ashby were Knighted, and Ten Shillings a Man was given to those Seamen that had been engaged against the French.  
King James found himself at this time greatly mistaken in Scotland, which he called his Ancient Kingdom, where he thought himself absolute Master, by making so many Creatures and Friends, whereas that Kingdom in general, now owned King William, and the Rebels whose number is inconsiderable, and Discovered and Secured; The Lord Dundee only escaped who roamed about the North parts, with some few followers, and General Mackay at his Heels; Letters about this time were intercepted from the late King and his Secretary Melfort, to the Lord Belcarris and others, wherein were some Expressions that highly incensed the Scots against them; You will ask me without question, says Melfort to Claverhouse, How we intent to pay our Army; but never fear that, so long as there are Rebels Estates, we will begin with the Great Ones, and end with the Little Ones; In another Letter to Belcarris, says he, The Estates of the Rebels will Recompense us; Experience hath taught our Illustrious Master, that there are a good Number of People that must be made Gibeonites, because they are good for nothing else; you know, there are several Lords that we marked out, when we were both together, that deserve no better; These will serve for Examples to others; after the Reading of these Letters, the Precedent of the Convention Addressing himself to the Members of the Assembly; You hear Gentlemen, said he, Our Sentence Pronounced, and that it behoves us either to Defend ourselves or Dye; Upon which the Lords Belcarris and Lochore, and Lieutenant Colonel Balfour, were Committed to Prison, and being thus forewarned, they Resolved to keep the Army afoot, which they thought of Disbanding; As to the Hopes of the Enemies of that Kingdom, that the Abolishing of Episcopacy may occasion another Revolution, there is no reason to believe it, since the late Carriage of the Scotch Bishops, has utterly Alienated the Affections of the greater part of the People from them, so that if they were Protestants at the bottom of their Souls, yet they appeared to be Men of no Policy nor Conduct; For they sent an Address to King James; wherein they Highly Congratulated the Birth of the pretended Prince of Wales, they read that King's Declaration for Liberty of Conscience, in favour of the Papists, and for the Abolition of Penal Laws; and how could they imagine, that when they knew it was a long timebefore they could gain that single Point of the Superiority of Bishops, above private Ministers, that the Scots would ever endure Popery and Arbitrary Power to Domineer over them; Experience shows us, that they only wanted a Leader before this time: So that when the Prince of Orange's Design was once Discoursed of, it caused an Universal Joy over Edinburgh, and the whole Kingdom, only the Prelates writ to King James, That they looked upon this Enterprise as a Detestable Invasion; and after the same manner they behaved themselves, to the end, some Absenting from the Convention, others attending only to Thwart their Proceed, and show their Disaffection by their public 〈◊〉 So that some wise Men have affirmed, Had th'bishops of Scotland showed the same Constancy 〈◊〉 those of England, their Zeal and Virtue had gained the Hearts of the Scots, and given them opportunity to continue Episcopacy; but their ill Conduct during the two last Reigns in their Obstinate Supporting the Roman Catholic Party, that had already Invaded all the Liberties of the People, annulled their Privileges, and changed a Government, limited by Law into Arbitrary Power, rendered them the Abomination of the People, who were convinced that their Dignities were the only things they regarded, which made them deviate from the Rules of the Gospel, looking no farther than their present enjoyments, little minding the betraying the Interests of Religion and the Kingdom, out of a Treacherous Compliance with the Will and Pleasure of a Popish Court, to whom they made themselves Slaves.  
June 15. The Estates of Scotland met after their late Adjournment, and the Duke of Hamilton acquainted them, that his Majesty had been pleased to send him a Commission to represent his Royal Person, and that he had Orders to give his Consent to an Act for the turning the Meeting of the Estates into a Parliament, which was done accordingly, and soon after they made an Act for Recognising and Asserting their Majesty's Royal Authority and Right to the Crown, and another for all Persons to take an Oath of Faith and Allegiance to them; and about the same time the English Forces under General Mackay, and others being entered that Kingdom, the Duke of Gordon, who till this time had Possession of the Castle finding no hopes of Relief, surrendered it upon Articles to Sir John Lanier, and so that important place, which so long had been a Terror to the City of Edinburgh was put into safe hands, the Duke casting himself upon the King's Mercy without making any Article for himself, and it was reported he said, That he had so much respect for all the Princes of King James VI line, as not to make Conditions with them for his own particular Interest; after this a Reward of 18000 Marks was by Proclamation promised to those that should apprehend Dundee dead or alive, and indeed he survived not long after, for July 26. Major General Mackay Marching from St. Johnstown with 4000 Foot, and 4 Troops of Horse and Dragoons, and coming within two Miles of the Blair of Athol, had notice that Dundee advanced toward him, with 6000 Foot, and 100 Horse, the Fight began between four and five of the Clock in the Afternoon, and lasted till Night, with great Courage and Resolution on both sides, but at length Mackay's Forces being overpowered with number, he retired toward Sterling, with a Body of 1500 men in good Order, many were killed on both sides, but the Enemy's loss was greater by the Death of Viscount Dundee, who charging furiously in the Head of the Highlanders to inconrage them, was slain with a shot, though he had Armour; after which, a Division happened between the Lord Dumfermling and Colonel Cannon, who shall succeed in the Command of the Rebel, at which time Major General Mackay hearing that 500 of their Foot, and two Troops of Horse were sent to St. Johnstown to surprise the Stores of Provisions there, resolved to be revenged for his late loss, and Marching out of Sterling with a Party of Horse and Dragoons, met the Rebels, and gave them a total Rout, killing and taking Prisoners, the greatest part of them and Captain Hacket their Commander. Soon after another Defeat was given to Colonel Cannons men, consisting in about 4000, with the Addition of the Country, by the Earl of Angus his Regiment under Lieuterant Colonel Cieland who after three hours sherp dispute forced the Rebels to fly back with the loss of abo●e 300, and not above thirty of the King's men, among whom was the Li●utenat Colonel; this Defeat put an effectual stop to the Incursions of the Highlanders, who lost all their Courage with the Death of their Commander, being never able to make any considerable Head afterward, and though the Earl of Damfermling pretended to manage them yet several of the Chief Nobility and Gentry came in and craved the Benefit of the Proclamation of Indemnity, which the King had Published some time before, to all those who before September third, should lay down their Arms, and swear Fidelity to King William and Queen Mary; and Colonel Cannon, who only maintained the Interest of the late King, retreated with his few Followers to the Isle of Mall, doubtful whether to continue longer there, or return to Ireland; Lieutenant General Mackay having put a Garrison into the Castle of Blair, returned to Edinburgh, where several Earls that were in Prison had their Liberty, giving sufficient Security for their Peaceable Behaviour; so that several Troops of the King's Forces in that Kingdom were embarked for heland; and about the same time the Parliament there puffed several Acts which were touched with the Royal Sceptre, by the Lord High-Commissioner, and among others, An Act for abolishing Prelacy, purporting, That whereas the Estates of the Kingdom by their Claim of Right, April 11. last had declared, That Prelacy and Supremacy in any Office in the Church above Presbytery, had been a grievous burden to the Nation ever since the Reformation, That therefore the King and Queen's Majesty did abolish Episcopacy, etc. and would establish that Church Government, which was most agreeable to the People.  
And now the Parliament of England, having given the King plentiful supplies for the Reduction of Ireland, the Army Marched from all Parts toward Chester, and Highlake to embark under the Duke of Schomberg, consisting in near 30000 men, with great store of all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions, and considerable sums of Money, and His Majesty appointed a Camp on Hounslow Heath for the Remainder of the Forces; Aug. 14. which continued only two or three days, and in the mean time a Declatation of War, was Published against France in Scotland; and now several English Protestants in the North of Ireland, having got Possession of the Isle of Innis-killing, and the City of London-Derry, they resolved to defend them against King James, and his Army of Irish Papists, who were Marching from Dublin against them, and hearing that Lieutenant General Macarry was abroad with a strong Detachment, Plundering and Ravaging the Country, Lieutenant Colonel Berry fell upon them with such Vigour, that it is judged 3000 of the Irish were slain and drowned in the Lough near Newton-Butler, into which they desperately threw themselves, to escape the Sword. King James arriving at London-Derry, imagined the Terror of his Arms would oblige the English to surrender the Town upon his first Appearance, and tho' Colonel Lundy and others despaired of holding it against an Army of 40000 men, with a Train of Artillery and divers Mortars, yet the enraged People resolve to Defend it against the utmost Efforts of the Enemy, and having declared Mr. George Walker a Minister, and Major Baker their Governors, they chose Colonels and other Officers, and Regimented their men consisting in the whole of 7020 Soldiers, and 341 Officers, and rejecting all the Terms of Surrender offered them, they fired upon the Enemy and much astonished King James, who was within reach of their Can●on, and expected they would have opened their Gates to him, who thereupon resolved to reduce them by force, and within a day or two broke ground, and run their Trenches within a Furlong of the Walls, where placing a Demiculverin, they battered the Town, but with little Success, unless some small damage to the Market House, the Cannon from the Town in the mean time killing many Irish, and to prevent their further approach, the English made a Salley, killing 200 of the Enemy, with Mamow the French General and other Officers of Note; Several other gallant Sallies were made out of the Town, in one of which above 200 were killed and 500 wounded with the loss of three English, and 20 wounded, June 4. the Besieged made an Attack upon the work near the Windmill, and though the Irish came upon them with loud Huzzaes', and though the Foot had Faggots, and after those failed, took up dead Bodies to defend themselves, and the Horse were mostly in Armour, yet they were beaten off, and 4000 of them killed, and but a few English; in some of these Attacks Lieutenant Douglas and Captain Cuningham were taken Prisoners, and after Quarter given, barbarously killed; in the Night the Enemy played their Bombs of 273 pound weight, which ploughed up the Streets, and killed several sick People, and in the day time their Cannon played incessantly against the Walls, insomuch that the Garrison by Sickness more than shot of the Enemy was reduced to 6185 men, and began to be distressed; but June 15. a Fleet of 30 Sail under Major General Kirk with Men, Provisions and Ammunition for their relief came into the Lough, and though some Ships attempted to Sail up the River, yet the Fire of the Enemy from the Batteries on Sho●●, and also a Boom made of Timber, Chain and Cable, cross the narrowest part of the River prevented their Design, however they contrived to give Major General Kirk an account of their Extremity, and he sent an Answer, assuring them, that they should suddenly be supplied with all necessaries which he had aboard in abundance; the Enemy being sensible of their exigencies, pressed on the siege with more vigour, under their new Fench Marshal, General Rosen, who by threats and promises used his utmost efforts to reduce the Town; June 30. Major Baker died to the great regret of the besieged, and soon after the Garrison was reduced to 4892 Men, yet than they made a vigorous Sally to fetch in some , but did not succeed, losing a great number of their men; this made the Famine Increase in the City, so that Horseflesh was sold for 20 d. per Pound, the quarter of a Dog for 5 s. and 6 d., a Dog's Head 2 s. 6 d. a Cat, 4 s. and 6 d. and other things proportionably, as Rats, Mice, Tallow, Greves, etc. But now when all hope failed them, July 13. the Montjoy and Phoenix, conveyed by the Dartmouth Frigate, and other men or War, came up to the Town with little loss, when they reckoned but upon two days Life, having only nine lean Horses left, and one Pint of Meal to each man, 4200 only being left, whereof a fourth part were rendered unserviceable; the Enemy perceiving that these Ships had furnished the Besieged with Provisions; July 31 they raised the Siege in some Disorder, blowing up several Castles with all the Houses down the River, and setting the Country for ten Miles in a Flame in their Retreat.  
Aug. 13. 1689. the Duke of Schomberg Landed at Carrickfergus with all the Forces under his Command, and the Protestants joining with him in great numbers, he soon reduced that Town, and sent two Regiments to Belfast, and the General having made Proclamation; That if the Enemy continued to burn as they had begun, if any of them fell into his Hands they must expect no Quarter; They thereupon quitted Dundalk without any damage; after this, about 5000 Irish attempted to take Sligo which was in the Hands of the English, but the Inniskilling Men with about 1000 Horse, Foot, and Dragoons charged them with such Celerity and Courage, that 700 of them were cut off, and 400 taken Prisoners, and besides Arms and Ammunition 18000 Head of Cattle were taken from them, which they had plundered the Country People of; in November the English Army decamped from the Plains of Dundalk to Lisne-garvee and Lisburn, the Enemy though Superior in number, having of late attempted little; only one Morning early, they had hopes of surprise our advanced Parties at Newry, Killing the Out Sentinels, and getting into the Town, but were soon beaten out again by a Party of Colonel Ingoldsby's Regiment; and several other Parties beat the Enemy in divers Places, and gained great Booties of ; Colonel Woolsey Defeated the Irish at Cavan, though the Duke of Berwick was sent to enforce them, so that though the Garrison consisted of 4000 men; yet 300 of the Enemy were killed, and among them many Officers, 200 taken Prisoners, and Cavan taken and burnt which the English were constrained to do to get the Soldiers out of the Town to resist the Irish, who made a strong Salley out of the Fort.  
In England her Royal Highness, the Princess of Denmark was delivered of a Prince in August, who was Christened by the Lord Bishop of London and Named William, His Majesty being Godfather, and Her Majesty and the Queen of Denmark Godmothers; Oct. 19 the Parliament met at Westminster, and granted His Majesty two Millions Sterling towards the expense of the next years War; in Scotland Colonel Cannon continued still in the Isle of Mull, with an inconsiderable Party of Islanders and others; some few Rebels appeared about this time under the Land of Lochelly, burning and plundering wherever they came, about 800 Marched out of Innerlochy thinking to have surprised the Fort of Inverness; but were defeated of their Design. The Earl of Pembroke upon his return from being Ambassador in Holland to England, was made a Privy Councillor; some Persons were seized about this time for endeavouring to raise distutbances against the Government.  
Dec. 16. 1689. An Act was passed Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and settling the Succession of the Crown; That whereas the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Assembled at Westminster, Lawfully, Fully and Freely representing all the Estates of the People of this Realm, did on Feb. 13. 1688. Present to their Majesties, then called and known by the Names and Style of William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange, being present in their proper Persons, a certain Declaration in writing, made by the said Lords and Commons; (Of which you have already an account) Upon which their said Majesties did accept the Crown and Royal Dignity of these Kingdoms, according to the Resolution and desire of the said Lords and Commons contained in the said Declaration, and thereupon their Majesties were pleased, that the Lords and Commons being the two Houses of Parliament should continue to sit and with their Royal Concurrence, to make effectual Provision for the settlement of the Religion, Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom, so that the same for the Future, might not be in danger again of being subverted. Now in pursuance of the Premises, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament Assembled, for the Ratifying, Confirming and Establishing the said Declaration, and the Articles. Clauses, Matters and Things therein contained, by the Force of a Law made in due Form by Authority of Parliament, do pray, that it may be Declared and Enacted, That all and Singular the Rights and Liberties Asserted and Claimed in the said Declaration, are the true Ancient and Indubitable Rights and Liberties of the People of this Kingdom, and so shall be esteemed, allowed, adjudged, deemed, and taken to be, and that all and every the particulars aforesaid shall be firmly and strictly holden and observed, as they are expressed in the said Declaration, and all Officers and Ministers whatsoever shall serve their Majesties and their Successors according to the same in all times to come; and do further declare, that King James II. having Abdicated the Government, and their Majesty's having accepted the Crown and Royal Dignity as aforesaid, did become, were, are, and of Right aught to be, by the Laws of this Realm, our Sovereign Liege Lord and Lady, King and Queen of England, France, and Ireland, etc. And for preventing all Questions and Divisions, by Reason of any pretended Titles to the Crown, and to preserve a certainty in the Succession, the Lords and Commons beseech their Majesties, that it may be Enacted, Established and Declared, that the Crown and Royal Dignity, shall be and continue in their Majesties during their Lives, and the Life of the Survivor of them; and after their Deceases to the Heirs of Her Majesty, and in default of Issue to the Princess Ann of Denmark and her Heirs, and for default of such Issue, to the Heirs of the Body of His Majesty, and that the Parhament in the Name of the People will submit themselves and their Heirs and Posterities for ever, and stand by, Maintain and Defend this Limitation and Succession of the Crown to the utmost of their Powers with their Lives and Estates, against all that shall attempt any thing to the contrary; and whereas it hath been found by Experience, that it is inconsistent with the Safety and Welfare of this Protestant Kingdom to be governed by a Popish Prince, or by any King or Queen Marrying a Papist; they do further pray, that it may be enacted, that all Persons that are or shall be reconciled to, or hold Communion with the See of Rome, or shall profess the Popish Religion, or shall Marry a Papist, shall be Excluded, and be for ever uncapable to possess, inherit or enjoy the Crown and Dignity of this Kingdom, or Ireland, etc. And that in all such Cases, the People are absolved from their Allegiance, and the Crown shall descend to the next Heir being a Protestant, as should have inherited and enjoyed the same, as if the Person so reconciled, or marrying, were naturally dead; and that every King and Queen that shall succeed hereafter shall on the first day of the meeting of their first Parliament, sitting on the Throne in the House of Peers, in the Presence of the Lords and Commons, or at their Coronation, which shall first happen audibly repeat the Declaration in the Statute of the 30 King Charles II. Entitled, an Act for the more effectual preserving the King's Person and Government, etc. But if such King and Queen shall be under the Age of Twelve years, then to perform the same, the first Parliament after that Age; all which are by their Majesties; by and with the Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons declared, Enacted, and Established to stand, remain, and be the Law of this Realm for ever.  
About this time the Queen of Spain was Convoyed by a Squadron of English Men of War from Holland to the Groin in Spain, Feb. 6. The Parliament was Dissolved, and another summoned to appear at Westminster, March 20. following, who accordingly met, and confirmed all the Acts of the Preceding Parliament, passing many others, both for raising Money, for carrying on the present War; and for the Benefit of the People; in Scotland some attempts were made by the Rebels, for in May 1690, the Colonels Bucan and Cannon being with 2000 men (which they expected to be 4000 in a few days) at their Rendezvous at Stratspey, Sir Thomas Levingstone upon notice thereof Marched toward them with his Forces, and surprising them in the Night in their Camp, killed 400, and took 100 prisoners, most Gentlemen and Officers, Bucan and Cannon hardly escaping, upon which the Castle of Lethindy in which the Enemy had a Garrison under Colonel Bucan's Nephew, surrendered at Discretion, in which was found store of Arms, and Ammunition, with 400 Bolls of Meal, and the Standard designed to have been set up by the late King James; and yet in this whole Action it was very remarkable, that the English lost not one man, and had only four or five wounded.  
In Ireland, Affairs proceeded very successfully, for May 11, the strong Garrison of Charlemont surrendered upon Articles, the Governor Teage of Regan, and the Irish, about 800 strong, havingal most consumed all their Provisions, marched out, leaving a good quantity of Ammunition, 17 Brass Cannon, and two Mortars; the King now resolved, if possible, to make a sudden Feduction of Ireland, that it might no longer be a Diversion from his attacking the French vigorously in Flanders; and in pursuit of this magnanimous design, his Majesty concluded to go thither in Person, by his Presence and Conduct to facilitate the same, and accordingly, June 4, 1690, with a splendid Equipage, parted from Whitehall, and coming to Chester, Emb●●●ed on the Fleet attending him, and June 14, landed at Carickfergus, being received by Duke Schomberg, the army and all the Protestants, with general Joy, and loud Acclamations; and from thence His Majesty marched with his Forces in two bodies, and encamped at Dundalk, intending to go for Dublin, or else oblige the Enemy to a battle; which the late King James was ware of, and therefore with his Army, which consisted of about thirty-six thousand Irish and French, besides 15000 in Garrisons. He marched from Dublin towards Drogheda, but seemed to distrust his success, for to provide for the worst, he sent an order to Waterford, to prepare Ships for carrying him off▪ June 31, King William resolving to force the Enemy to Fight or Retreat, marched by break of day from his Camp at Ardee toward Drogheda, and found the Irish Army encamped along the River Boyne, above the Town, and according to his usual Conduct, with undaunted Resolution; he passed the River, notwithstanding the utmost Opposition of the Enemy, and fell upon them with such fury, that in a few hours their whole Army were utterly routed and dispersed, about 3000 being killed and divers Prisoners of Note taken, most of the Enemy's Baggage, as Chariots, Tents, Arms, Cannon, Ammunition and Provisions, and some Money falling into the Hands of our Soldiers; the late King James, who had stood at a distance to see the fight, perceiving the defeat of his Forces, fled with all speed toward Dublin with a very few Attendants, and having stayed there one Night, filling the place with Fear and Confusion, upon an Alarm that King William was on his way thither; accompanied with the Duke of Berwick, the Marquis of Powis and some others, he left the City and hastened to Waterford, where a Ship lay ready for him, having neither slept nor eat till he got out to Sea, and stood away for France. Upon this the Protestants at Dublin, who were imprisoned, had their Liberty, and a few days after the King arrived there to the unspeakable Joy of the People. The loss of the English in obtaining this great Victory was not considerable, only Duke Schoniberg and Doctor Walker were both slain; after this Waterford, Wexford, and several other places were reduced, and upon a Proclamation of Pardon, many of the Irish laid down their Arms, and returned to their former Places of abode.  
This Glorious success was somewhat clouded nearer home, for the French King to favour his design in Ireland, had now set forth the greatest Fleet that ever sailed on the Ocean out of France, and stood toward our Coast, as if they designed to fight our Navy under the Earl of Torrington, who June 24 Sailed from St. Helen's toward them; they were seen the Night before off of Freshwater gate in the Isle of Wight, but the Wind taking them short the Admiral came to an Anchor off Dunnose, five Leagues off the French, so that a battle was soon expected which the Enemy did not seem to decline, the English Seamen were also full of Courage and desirous to engage; but the French being much stronger both for number and bigness of Ships, consisting in 82 Men of War, besides Fire Ships and Tenders, it was not thought fit to fight in the open Sea, so that the Earl of Torrington avoided it, till he was came to Bevesire off Beachy, which was favourable for his purpose, and there he received the Queens Order not to delay engaging, if the Wind and Wether would permit, which was the Reason, that we went to seek the Enemy, who expected us in Order of Battle, and about nine in the Morning, the Engagement began, the Dutch that had the Vanguard fought bravely, and both sides fired desperately three hours, till the French not liking their entertainment bore away with all speed, but about one a Clock, there happened a Calm, which not only prevented the Hollander pursuit, but put them into a little disorder; the French not being able to get away were constrained to begin the Fight again, which lasted till five in the Evening with extraordinary fury; as for the English, some few fought well; but the Admiral's unexpected standing away prevented them from seconding the Dutch, so that the rest stood Looker's on while the main Body of the French fell into the Rear of the Dutch, who having fought from Morning till Night, and defended themselves so long against a prodigious number of the Enemy that assailed them on every side, they were so much battered that hardly three were capable of making any defence, which constrained them to make their way through the French Fleet to the Coast of England; The Hollanders lost two Admirals and a Captain, and some of their Ships that could not be got off were burnt, the English lost two Sea and two Marine Captains; Admiral Evertson declared, that all the Dutch Officers, and Seamen had done their Duties, and had ours engaged Hearty, no doubt the French had gone home in a worse Condition than the Spaniards did in 1588. After the Fight the French Fleet sailed Westward, and sent their Boats Ashore at Tingmouth a small Village of Fisher men's Cotts, which they set on Fire, with two or three small Vessels in the Harbour, and stealing a few Sheep, after having lain some time on our Coast to little purpose, they returned to Breast.  
At the time the French lay off the Coasts of Kent, one Godfrey Cross an Innkeeper in that County was seen to go aboard one of their Boats, which carried him to the Fleet, whereupon at his return, he was seized and Treasonable Letters being found about him, he was committed Prisoner, and soon after tried for High Treason at the King's Bench Bar Westminster, and being Convict was Hanged and Quartered for the same; and care was taken by Her Majesty, in whom the Regency resided, during the King's absence, to put the Militia of the Counties into such a posture as to defeat any evil designs of the Enemies to the Government; and the Militia of London, consisting in about ten thousand men made a gallant appearance before her Majesty at Hyde Park, and declared their Cheerful Resolution to defend their Majesties and the Government against all its Opponents, and the whole Militia of England computed to be about one hundred and fifty thousand Horse and Foot showed he same forwardness. Upon Complaint against the Earl of Torrington for the Miscarriage of the Fleet, he was committed by the Council to the Tower; after the French had quitted our C●●sts, and were gone into Harbour, the Militia were discharged and all diligence w●s u●s; ed to repair and equip the Fleet to Sea.  
About this time, w●●h 〈◊〉 News of the great Success of the English against the French in the West Indies, having beaten them out of St. Christopher's, and many other considerable places, and taken great B●●tie● of , Corn, and other Stores and Provisions, and that we had reduced the Fort in the Island of Statie, and two of our Privaters falling in with twelve French Merchant men bound for St. Maloes' under the Convoy of a Frigate of 12. Guns, took four of them, forcing the rest ashore about Cherbourg, where they were all shipwrackt except the Frigate, and most of the men drowned:  
The Rebels in Scotland, promising themselves great advantages from the French being on our Coasts, and being deceived by false reports, 1500 of them got together in the County of Murray under Bucan and Cannon threatening the People to burn and destroy their Houses and Goods, if they did not join with them, but Sir Thomas Levingstone advancing by speedy Marches, came upon them so surprisingly that they made little Resistance, but fled with all imaginable Confusion, and being pursued, 400 of them were killed, and the rest totally routed and taken Prisoners with a great quantity of Claret and other Provisions, and a great number of Officers were brought to Edenburg and committed to the Tolbooth; soon after the remaining Rebels who escaped, designed to have surprised the Garrison of Inverness, but were happily prevented and defeated by the Earl of Drumlanerig, and Major General Mackay.  
In Ireland, the King having secured Dublin in safe Hands, caused his Army to march toward Limerick, where Tyrconnel and Lauzun had drawn together the late King's broken Forces, and having made their approaches against all Opposition, His Majesty ordered the Trenches to be opened, and planted several Batteries of Cannon, which made great breaches in the Walls, and a general Assault was expected, but Aug. 28. at Night the Rains fell so excessively, that the Rivers overflowed, and the Garrison being extreme strong the King to spare his Men, and to avoid the many Inconveniences of the approaching Season, was pleased to Order the raising the Siege, and refer the reducing the City, till a more favourable opportunity; after which His Majesty returned for England, and was received with all imaginable Expressions of Joy throughout the Kingdom.  
About this time a Fleet was prepared by His Majesty's Order, consisting in thirty two English, and twenty eight Dutch men of War, aboard of whom were embarked eight Regiments of Foot, besides the Marine Regiments, commanded by the Earl of Marlborough as General, and Mr. Trelawny as Major General, who Sept. 21. arrived at Cork in Ireland, which was obliged to surrender upon Articles, and soon after Kingsale ran the same Fate; an horrible design of the Irish, was now discovered to have set the City of Dublin on Fire, but it was happily discovered and prevented.  
In October, the Parliament met again at Westminster, and Congratulated His Majesty's safe return, and likewise returned their humble acknowledgements to Her Majesty for Her Goodness, Wisdom and Courage manifested in the greatest Dangers, even when a powerful Enemy was upon the Coasts; the Earl of Torrington was tried on board the Kent in the River Medway by a Jury of Sea Captains, and after a long hearing of the Witnesses, and his Defence upon a long debate, he was acquitted. The Parliament continued to sit, and passed many Acts both for supplying His Majesty for the War, and settling the Kingdom, to whom the King gave an account that the posture of Affairs abroad required his Presence at the Hague; and accordingly Jan. 6. His Majesty left White-Hall attended by the great Officers of his Household, and divers others of the Nobility and Gentry, and soon after arrived in Holland, though with some difficulty by reason of the Ice; at the Hague His Majesty was received with great Joy, which they expressed by erecting several Triumphal Arches redounding to the Glory of his Gallant Achievements, since His Majesty left that Country.  
And now a Conspiracy was discovered, managed by several Persons; for introducing our former Bondage and Slavery, and the Lord Preston, John Ashton and Edmond Eliot were seized, as they were designing to go for France, with Letters and Papers of Pernicious Consequence; and Jan. 17. the Lord Preston was Tried for High Treason at the Old-Bailey, and two days after Mr. Ashton, and were both found Guilty; and Mr. Ashton was Executed for the same, but the Lord Preston was Reprieved, together with one Crone formerly Sentenced upon the same account, and the Trial of Eliot was deferred; after which a Proclamation was issued out, for apprehending Dr. Turner late Bishop of Ely, William Pen and James Graham, Esquires.  
The Duke of Savoy, whose Family had for above an hundred years passed been trampled on by France, and would at this day have been entirely enslaved by that King, took this favourable occasion to set himself at Liberty, while all Europe almost lends him a helping hand, and thereupon some Months, since he declared openly against that Crown and Released and gave Liberty to all his Protestant Subjects, and entertained them into his Service, entering likewise into the Confederacy with the Princes and States of Christendom, now in Arms to reduce that Grand Usurper to Reason, and incapacitate him from being any longer dangerous to his Neighbours; and in the latter end of 1690. His Highness sent an Envoy to Congratulate their Majesty's Accession to the Throne, and to express his Passionate desire to unite himself to His Majesty's Friendship by an indissoluble Union.  
Upon the King's Arrival at the Hague, several Princes daily came thither, as well to have the Honour to wait upon his Majesty as to confer about the state of Affairs; March 5. the King accompanied by the Duke of Zell, and several of his own Nobility, departed for Loo and by the way had news, that the French had invested the City of Mons the day before; upon which his Majesty ordered the Dutch Troops to march immediately into Flanders to the general Rendezvous, and soon after followed in Person, being received in the Camp with extraordinary Joy, that they should fight under the Banners of so undaunted a Prince; the French King arrived before the Town five days after the Siege began, having amassed all his Forces together upon this Enterprise, leaving only sufficient to defend their Garrisons, so that by their continual firing and attacks, and the Folly of the Burghers, who would not admit above 6000 men into the Town, whereas they ought to have had at least 4000 Horse, and 10000 Foot, this important Place was taken in eight days time, the Governor not being able to make such vigorous Sallies as he might have done, because he was willing to spare his men, but the Burghers being by this means stronger than the Garrison, obliged the Prince of Berghes to a surrender before the Confederates could possibly have leisure to relieve the Town, after which the French King returned to Versailles; and King William came back to England, viewing some part of the Fleet in his return; and arrived safe at White-Hall, where His Majesty nominated several new Bishops to succeed those that had forfeited their bishoprics by refusing to swear Allegiance to their Majesties; he likewise took a view of the Troops that were to go to Flanders, and having provided for the Security of the Kingdom and happily settled all affairs in Scoland and Ireland, His Majesty declared his Resolution of returning into Flanders, and arrived, May 2, 1691. in the Army Encamped within two Miles of Brussels, being about 70000 strong, and the French under the Duke of Luxemburg no less numerous. And in July Baltimore and Athlone in Ireland, were taken by General Giukle, and the Prince of Wirtemburg; Monsieur St. Ruth, the French Kings General being killed in the great Battle at Agram soon after, with the loss of 7000 of the Irish, and the taking of Galloway which followed, with most of the other Forts, and Castles, and Towns, except Limerick, which was also invested the latter end of August, upon which Lieutenant General Sarsfield, who was retired to the Mountains with 4000 Horse and Dragoons, resolved to return to that City, but was met by General Ginkle, and a Party of the English, who so vigorously charged them, that they instantly fled, and were pursued to the very Gates of the Town, above 600 Irish being slain, and 70 Officers taken Prisoners, The Besieged seeing themselves shut up within the Walls of one single Town, which was now almost battered down about their Ears, hopeless of Succour, and reduced to the last extremities, Oct. 13. Surrendered up Limerick upon Articles, whereby all Ireland was wholly reduced to their Majesty's Obedience.  
In Flanders, Sept. 19 there happened an Engagement between the French and Confederate Armies; in the absence of the King of England, who finding he could not oblige the Enemy to a Battle departed to Brussels, and from thence to Loo, in order to his return for England, leaving the Command of the Army to Prince Waldeck, who decamping from Leuse to retire to Cambron, the Enemy having notice thereof, detached about 30. Squadrons, who marched all Night, and by the favour of a thick mist unexpectedly fell upon 15. Squadrons of the Confederates Rereguard, the conflict was very Sharp, and though Inferior in number yet the Allies made a vigorous Defence, till several other Regiments came up to their relief; which caused the Enemy to retreat; The French lost near 700 men with many Officers, and the Confederates about the same number; after which both Armies went into Winter Quarters.  
The English and Holland Fleets under the command of Admiral Russel, had in vain sought to engage the French this summer at Sea, and having lain some time on the Coast of Ireland to prevent the French from sending Forces thither; came now into Harbour after a very tempestuous Season, and the Holland Fleet separated and safely arrived in their several Ports, and the French Fleet returned to Breast; His Majesty being returned to England, Oct. 19 and the Parliament sitting, the King declared himself to them, who thereupon unanimously resolved to raise such supplies as should enable him to continue the War with France; and in March following, His Majesty arrived again in Holland, and from thence went to Lo, where several Princes met him to concert the Affairs of the next Campaign, He having an Army of 30000 English in Flanders this Summer, March 26. 1692. The Elector of Bavaria, who was made Governor of the Spanish Netherlands during Life, arrived at Brussels being received there with much Joy and Solemnity.  
His Majesty having designed to make a Descent upon France this Summer, the News so alarmed the French King, that he resolved to land some Forces in England, and King James in the Head of them, some Jacobites and Discontented People here, having given him Assurance of joining with him upon his Landing; to which end the French King supplied Ships, Troops, and Lovis d'ores, so that nothing was wanting but to cross the Seas, and a Squadron of sixteen Ships and two Bombing Vessels were sitting at Toulon under Count d'Estree, to convoy the Transport Ships thither under the Protection of the French Fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Tourvile in the Channel, to prevent the joining of the Dutch and English Fleets and to fight all that should oppose their Passage, but Providence ordered the Winds and Recks to fight D' Estree, he losing two of his largest Ships near Centa on the Coast of Africa, and the rest miserably shattered, went to Portugal to refit, so that instead of being at Breast the beginning of April, he did not arrive there, till the beginning of July, and came a minute too late, as he said, to join Torville, The Q. of England upon notice of the embarking of so many men, gave out all necessary Orders for securing the Coasts, and several Horses were seized, whose owners designed to have joined the Enemy upon their Descent, which was intended to be about Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight; K James with his Irish Forces were come to Cherbourg upon the Ceased of Normandy, and Monsieur Torville had great Confidence in the Courage of his French Mariners, upon King James assurance that the English would not fight, but be Spectators only; The English and Dutch Fleets being happily joined without any Obstruction from the Enemy, Admiral Russel set sail from St. Helen's, and May 19 get sight of the French Fleet near Cape Barfleur; Admiral Torville having the Wind, hastened up to the English, but the Wind slackening, the French Vanguard of 15. great men of War, could not come up to the English, till Eleven next Morning, five of the fifteen did their Duty, but the other ten kept out of Cannon shot; the Dutch were not able to come up, the Wind being in their Teeth, the fight lasted between them that could engage about three hours, and then the French made all the Sail they could to get away, and the Dutch bade much ado to turn their Ships to follow them by Reason of the Calm, during which the two main Bodies of the Fleet laboured to the utmost to come up with the Enemy, and being happily got up with them, engaged resolutely for four hours, and then Torville, as his Vanguard had done before, retreated with all speed and by the favour of a Mist got out of sight; in the Afternoon the English Blue Squadron, which could not come up for the Calm, fell upon the Blue French Squadron, where the most obstinate fight was maintained, till the Night and Mists gave opportunity to the Enemy to hasten toward their own Coasts. The next day being clear, Admiral Russel discovered them two Leagues off, but could not come up by Reason of a sudden Mist; about eleven at Night the French weighed Anchor by Moon light, and the Confederates pursued them, who to save themselves ventured among the Rocks of Jersey and Guernsey; May 21. The Admiral discovering several men of War upon a Bank near Cape Barfleur, detacht Vice Admiral De la Val with eight or nine Vessels, and three Fireships to set fire to them, which the next day was happily effected; the Royal Sun, that magnificent Ship, commanded by Admiral Torville, which was the wonder of the World, both for the exquisiteness of her carving and the beauty of her Shape, being 20 Years in Building by the most skilful Shipwrights in Europe carrying 110 Guns, the Admirable, of 102, and the Strong of 80 Guns, with two less Frigates and three Transport Ships were all sacrificed to the Flames, and the next day 12 more were burnt in a Bay behind the Isle of Aldernay, and this without the loss of one English or Dutch Ship, the rest of the French Fleet fled to Breast, St. Maloes, and Other Ports to secure themselves. King James was upon a Hill, and through a Perspective Glass saw the fight, and upon the first firing of the English, he declared; that it was only a Signal for them to come over to the French but he soon found himself deceived, and that it was Admiral Russell he had to do withal, and that the Intriagues of his Jacobites had not succeeded. Thus it pleased Heaven to Crown their Majesty's Navy with a Glorious Victory, and to preserve us from the Chains prepared for us by the two dear Allies; for notwithstanding the specious Declaration published by King James, upon his Assurance of being restored, yet we have all the Reason in the World to believe, his Pardon would not have secured the Nation from Popish Vengeance, but that we should have all felt the utmost effects of his Rage and Fury, as well as the Honourable and Worthy Persons following, whom he excluded from all hopes of Mercy, that is, the Duke of Ormond, the Marquis of Winchester; the Earls of Sunderland, Bath, Danby, and Nottingham; the Lords Newport, Delamere, Wiltshire, Colchester, ●●●●bury, Dumblane, and Churchill; the bishops of St. Asaph and London; Dr. Tillotson, and Dr. Burnet; Knights, Sir Ro. Howard, Sir J. Worden, Sir S. Grimston, Sir S. Fox, Sir George Treby, Sir Ba●il Dixwel, and Sir John Oxenden; Esquires F. Russel, R. Levison, J. Trenchard, C. Duncomb Citizens of London; Edwards, Napleton and Hunt, Fishermen, with all others that offered Indignities to him at Feversham, with Ashton and Crosses Judges and Jurymen; also all Spies, and those that have betrayed his councils in his absence.  
May 15, 1692. The French Army, after having made many Marches and Countermarches invested the strong Fortress of Namur, being encouraged thereto by the treacherous Baron de Bersey, who being born a Subject of Spain, and having received some disgust from that Court, was corrupted by the French, and making his escape out of the Town, informed the Enemy of the Condition thereof, which he had got full Information of by his Intimacy with the Governor, the Prince of Brabancon, so as to inform them of the best places for the attack, which was strong, and which weak, so that the Town was surrendered in five days; and awhile after. William's Fort and the Castle were likewise delivered up: It is very well known that the King of England took all the pains imaginable to get his Army of several Nations together before the Siege; and that the Duke of Luxemburg, who lay with a strong Detachment to cover the Besiegers, used all manner of Caution to avoid a Battle, by Encamping in places where he could not be assaulted, being sufficiently acquainted with the temper of King William, to whom it was natural to despise danger, and who pushed onthe relief of the Place to the utmost, for as soon as be came to Mehaine, he instantly caused Bridges to be built in the Night to cross the River next Morning, and to attack Duke Luxemburg in the Morasses: which he had certainly done, if a very extraordinary Rain had not fallen, and if all the Generals had not unanimously dissuaded him from it, because of the impossibility of forming a Line of Battle in a place so full of Water; after the surrender of Namur, the King being informed, that the Duke of Luxemburg was upon his March from Enguien, resolved to advance with all speed to the same place, but the French got there before him, and posted themselves between that place and Steinkerken, among Hedges and Woods, however King William resolved to attack him there, which much surprised Luxemburg, who upon view of the advantageous Seituation of his Camp, had said, That none but an Alexander or a Caesar durst attack him in that place; but it was William the Great who performed that part, and marching silently all Night, fell upon the French with such fury next Morning, that in a few hours, above 7000 of the Enemy were slain, with a great number of Nobility and Officers; and afterwards retreated at leisure, the French not having the Courage to follow them. So that the attack and retreat were equally Glorious, the King having exposed himself amidst the Cannon and Muskets shots where the fight was hottest, riding continually from one end to the other to give necessary Orders, so that it was next to a Miracle that his Sacred Person was preserved among so many imminent dangers. Thus His Majesty gloriously ended this Campaign by a Signal Victory over the French at Sea, and by having several times braved his Enemies by land, harassing them by his continual Marches, and attacking them in their Retrenchments, seeking only an opportunity of putting an end to the War by a General Battle, and so to procure to Europe, a solid and durable Peace,;  
On the Contrary, the French King dares never to appear in the Head of his Troops, but endeavours to make himself renowned by Treachery and Violation of Oaths; These are his Fortress, and Assassinations, and Poison are Crimes, which in that Court are not prohibited, Witness the Valet de Chambre, who poisoned the Duke of Lorraine; the French Cook, who, at the Instigation of the French Ambassador, poisoned Mr. Harboured, at Belgrade, for being vigorous in procuring a Peace betwixt the Emperor and the Turks; and lastly the Sieur de Granval, who with some others was hired by the Marquis of Barbesieux, Secretary to the French King, to Murder King William, being also encouraged hereto by K. James, and his Queen, who told him. If you and the rest do me this service, you shall never want; but this horrid Villainy being happily discovered, Granval was about this time deservedly executed for the same. In October, His Majesty returned again to England, and the Parliament being met, he made a Gracious Speech to them; after which, they unanimously Voted a supply of near five Millions, for carrying on a vigorous War against France;  
Having thus given a brief account of the most considerable Transactions in these Kingdoms, till the beginning of the year, 1693. and the fifth of their Majesty's Happy Reign, I shall here conclude; and that they may continue to Reign long and prosperously over us aught to be the Prayer of every good Protestant throughout these three Nations.  
FINIS.   

A Catalogue of Books Printed for N. Crouch, at the Bell in the Poultry, near Cheapside.  

History.  
I. Englands' Monarch: Or, A Compendious Relation of the most remarkable Transactions, from Julius Caesar to this present; adorned with Poems, and the Picture of every Monarch from King William the Conqueror to the third year of K. William and Q. Mary. With a List of the Nobility, the Knights of the Garter, the number of the Lords and Commons, who have Votes in both Houses of Parliament; and many other useful particulars. Price One Shilling.  
II. THE Wars in England, Scotland and Ireland containing a particular and Impartial Account of all the Battles, Sieges, and other Remarkable Transactions, Revolutions and Accidents which happened from the beginning of the Reign of K. Charles I. 1625. to His Majesty's happy Restauration: The illegal Trial of K. Charles I. at large, with his last Speech at his suffering; and the most considerable matters till 1660, with Pictures of several accidents. Price One Shilling.  
III. THE History of the two late Kings. Charles the Second, and James the Second: Being an Impartial Account of the most Remarkable Transactions, and observable passages, during their Reigns; and the secret French and Popish Intrigues and Designs managed in those times. Together with a Relation of the Happy Revolution, and the Accession of their present Majesties, King William and Queen Mary to the Throne, Feb. 13. 1688 9 Price One Shilling.  
iv THE History of Oliver Cromwell, being an Impartial Account of all the Battles, Sieges, and other Military Achievements, wherein he was engaged in England, Scotland and Ireland; and particularly all the Sea Fights with the Dutch and French, with the Siege and taking of Dunkirk; and likewise of his Civil Administrations, while he had the Supreme Government of these three Kingdoms, till his Death Relating only matters of Fact, without Reflection or Observation. R. B. Price One Shilling.  
V HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Ancient and Present State of London and Westminster, showing the Foundations, Walls, Gates, Towers Bridges, Churches, Rivers, Wards, Halls, Companies, Government, Courts, Hospitals, Schools, Inns of Courts, Charters, Franchises, and Privileges thereof; with an account of the most remarkable accidents, as to Wars, Fires, Plagues and other occurrences, for above 903 years past, in and about these Cities, to the year 1681. Illustrated with Pictures. Price one shilling.  
VI ADmirable Curiosities, Rarities and Wonders in England, Scotland, and Ireland; or an account of many remarkable persons and places; and likewise of the Battles, Seiges, prodigious Earthquakes, Tempests, Inundations, Thunders, Lightnings, Fires, Murders and other considerable Occurrences and Accidents for many hundred years past. Together with the natural and artificial Rarities in every County in England, with several curious Sculptures. Price One Shilling.  
VII. THE History of the Kingdom of Scotland, Containing, An Account of the most Remarkable Transactions and Revolutions in Scotland for above 1200 years past, during the Reigns of 69 Kings, from the year of the our Lord 414, to this present; Intermixed with Variety of Excellent Speeches, and several Prodigious Accidents, and other Matters both Delightful and Prefi●●●le, with a List of the present Scots Nobility, Illustrated with Pictures. Price one Shilling.  
VIII. THe History of the Kingdom of Ireland, being a Succinct Relation of the most considerable Passages and Occurrences in that Kingdom, since the Conquest thereof by King Henry II. With an Account of the Rebellion, and Horrid Cruelties of the Irish in 1641. Likewise the late Battles of the Boyne, Aghrim, etc. With the Siege of Lymerick, Price one Shilling.  
IX. THE English Empire in Ameri●●, or a prospect, of His Majesty's Dominions in the West-Indies, namely, New-sound-land, New England, New-York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Mary-land, Virginia, Carolina, Bermudas, 〈◊〉, Anguila, Monserrat, Dominica. St. Vincent, Antego, M●vis, or Nevis, St. Christopher's, Barbadoss and Jamaica: With an account of their Discovery, Situation and product: The Religion and Manners of the Indians, and other excellen●●s of these countries'. Illustrated with Map●, and Pictures, Price one Shilling.  
X. A View of the English Acquisitions in G●inea and the East-Indres: With an account of the Religion, Government, Wars, strange Customs, Beasts, Serpents, Monsters, and other Observables in those Countties. Together with a description of the Isle of St. Helena and the Bay of Souldania; intermixed with pleasant Relations. Price one Shilling.  
XI. THE English Hearse: Or, Sir Francis Drake Revived. Being a full Account of the dangerous Voyages, admirable Adventures, of that Valiant and Renowned Commander. As, I. His Voyage in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the W●st Indies, where they saw a Pile of Bars of Silver near 70 foot long, 10. foot broad, and 12. foot high. II. His encompassing the whole World in 1577. gaining a vast quantity of Gold and Silver. III. His Voyage into America in 1585. and taking the Towns of St. Jago, St. Domingo, Cartragena, and St. Augustine. iv His last Voyage into those Countries in 1595. with the manner of his Death and Burial. By R. B. Price One Shilling.  
XII. TWo Journeys to Jerusalem. Containing first, the Travels of two English Pilgrims, some years since, and what Admirable Accidents befell them in their Journey to Jerusalem, Grand Cairo &c 2. The Travels of 14 English Merchants in 1669. from Scanderoon to Tripoli, Joppa, Ramah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, the River of Jordan, the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah, and back again to Aleppo. To which is added, a Relation of the great Council of the Jews assembled in the Plains of Ajarday in Hungary 1650. to examine the Scriptures concerning Christ. By S. B. an Englishman there present: With the notorious Delusion of the Jews, by a false Christ, at Smyrna in 1666. Lastly, The Extirpation of the Jews throughout Persia in 1666. Price One Shilling.  
XIII. EXtraordinary Adventures of several Famous Men; with the strange Events, and signal Mutations and Changes in the Fortunes of divers Illustrious places and persons in all Ages; Being an Account of a multitude of stupendious revolutions, accidents, and observable matters in divers States, and Provinces throughout the whole world; With Pictures. Price One Shilling.  
XIV. THE History of the Nine Worthies of the World; Three whereof were Gentiles; 1. Hector of Troy. 2. Alexander the Great. 3. Julius Caesar. Three Jews. 4. Joshua Captain General of Israel. 5. David King of Israel. 6. Judas Maccabeus. Three Christians. 7. Arthur K. of Britain. 8. Charles the Great K. of France. 9 Godfrey of Bullen King of Jerusalem. Being an account of their Lives, Victories and Deaths. With Poems and the Picture of each Worthy. By R. B. Price One Shilling.  
XV. FEmale Excellency, or the Lady's Glory, Illustrated in the Worthy Lives of Nine Famous Women, As, I. Deborah. II. Judith. III. Q. Esther. iv Susanna. V Lucretia. VI Voadicia Q. of Britain. VII. Mariam Wise to K. Herod. VIII. Clotilda Q of France. IX. Andegona Princess of Spain. Adorned with Poems and Pictures to each History. By R. B. Price One Shilling.  
XVI.  Prodigies of Judgement and Mercy, discovered in above 300 memorable Histories, containing, 1. Dreadful Judgements upon Atheists, Blasphemers, and perjured Villains. 2. The miserable ends of many Magicians, etc. 3. Remarkable predictions and presages of approaching death, and how the event has been answerable. 4. Fearful Judgements upon bloody Tyrants, Murderers, etc. 5. Admirable Deliverances from imminent dangers and deplorable distresses at Sea and Land. Lastly, Divine goodness to Penitents, with the Dying Thoughts of several famous Men, concerning a future State. Price one shilling.  
XVII. Unparallelled Varieties, or the Matchless Actions and Passions of Mankind; displayed in near four hundred notable Instances and Examples, discovering the Transcendent Effects, 1. Of Love, Friendship and Gratitude. 2. of Magnanimity, Courage and Fidelity. 3. Of Chastity, Temperance and Humility: And on the contrary, the Tremendous consequences, 4. Of Hatred, Revenge and Ingratitude. 5. of Cowardice, Barbarity and Treachery. 6. Of Unchastity, Intemperance and Ambition. Embellished with proper Figures. Price one shilling.  
XVIII. THe Kingdom of Darkness: Or the History of Demons, Spectres, Witches, Apparitions, Possessions, Disturbances, and other wonderful and supernatural Delusions, Mischievous Feats, and Malicious Impostures of the Devil. Containing near Fourscore memorable Relations, Foreign and Domestic, both Ancient and Modern. Collected from Authentic Records, Real Attestations, Credible Evidences, and asserted by Authors of Undoubted Verity. Together with a Preface obviating the common Objections and Allegations of the Sadduces and Atheists of the Age, who deny the Being of Spirits, Witches, etc. With Pictures of several memorable Accidents. Price One Shilling.  
XIX. Surprising Miracles of Nature and Art, in two parts, containing, 1. The Miracles of Nature, or the wonderful Signs and Prodigies, Aspects and Appearances in the Heavens, Earth and Sea, with an account of the most famous Comets, and other prodigies, from the Birth of Christ to this time. 2. The Miracles of Art, describing the most Magnificent Buildings, and other curious Inventions in all Ages, as, the Seven Wonders of the World, and many other excellent Structures and Rarities throughout the Earth. Beautified with Pictures. Price One Shilling.  
XX. MEmorable Accidents, and Unheard of Transactions, containing an account of several strange Events and Historical Passages which have happened in several Countries in this last Age. Printed at Brussels in 1691. and Dedicated to His present Majesty, William, King of England, etc. Published in English by R. B. Price one shilling.  
XXI. Martyr's in Flames, or Popery in its true Colours being a brief Relation of the horrid Cruelties and Persecutions of the Pope and Church of Rome, for many hundred years past, to this present time in Piedmont, Bohemia, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Ireland, and England, with an Abstract, of the cruel Persecutions, lately exercised upon the Protestants in France and Savoy in the years 1686. and 1687. Together with a short account of God's Judgements upon Popish Persecutors. Price one shilling.   

Miscellanies.  
XXII. DElights for the Ingenious, in above Fifty Select and choice Emblems, Divine and Moral, Ancient and Modern, Curiously Engraven upon Copper Plates; with Fifty delightful Poems and L●ts, for the more Lively Illustration of each Emblem; Whereby Instruction and good Counsel may be promoted and furthered by an honest and pleasant Recreation. Collected by R. B. Pr. 2 s. 6 d.  
XXIII. EXcellent Contemplations Divine and Moral, Written by the Magnanimous and truly Loyal A. L. Capel Baron of Hadham; Together with some Account of his Life, and his affectionate Letters to his Lady the day before his Death, with his Heroic Behaviour and last Speech at his Suffering; Also the Speeches and Carriages of D. Ham. and the E. of Holl. who suffered with him: With his pious Advice to his Son. Price 1 s.  
XXIV. Winter Evenings Entertainments in 2 Parts Containing, 1. Ten Pleasant Relations of many Rate and Notable Accidents and Occurrences; with brief Remarks upon every one. 2. Fifty Ingenious Riddles, with their Explanations, and useful Observations; and Morals upon each. Enlivened with above 60 Pictures, for illustrating every Story and Riddle. Excellently Accommodated to the Fancies of Old or Young, and useful to cheerful Society and Conversation. Price One Shilling.  
XXV. DElightful Fables in Prose and Verse, none of them to be found in Aesop, but collected from divers ancient and modern Authors, with Pictures and Proper Morals to every Fable. Several of them very applicable to the Present times. By R. B. Price bound one Shilling.   

Divinity.  
XXVI. THE Divine Banquet, or Sacramental Devotions, consisting of Morning and Evening Prayers, Contemplations and Hymns for every day in the Week, in order to a more Solemn Preparation for the worthy Receiving of the Holy Communion, Representing the several steps and degrees of the Sorrow and sufferings of our blessed Saviour, till he gave up the Ghost. Together with brief Resolutions to all those Scruples and Objections usually alleged for the omission of this important Duty. With Eight curious Sculptures proper to the several parts, with Graces. Imprimatur. Z. Isham, R. P. D. Hen. Epis. Lond. à Sacris. Price One Shilling.  
XXVII. A Guide to Eternal Glory: Or, brief directions to all Christian how to attain everlasting Solution: To which are added several other small Trusts. Price One Shilling.  
XXVIII. YO●●ths Divine Pastime, containing torty remarkable scripture histories, turned into common English Verse, with forty Picture, proper to ea●● story, very delightful for the virtuous, employing the vacant ●ours of young persons, and preventing vain and vi●ions divertisements. Together with several scripture hymns upon divers occasions. Price 8ds.  
XXIX. THE young man's calling, or the whole duty of youth, in a serious and compassionate address to all young persons to remember their Creator in the days of their youth Together with remarks upon the lives of several excellent young persons of both Sex's, as well ancient as modern, who have been famous for virtue and piety in their Generation, etc. With twelve curious Pictures, illustrating the several histories. Price 1s. 6 d.  
XXX. THE vanity of the life of man represented in the seven several stages thereof, with pictures and poems exposing the follies of every Age. Price eight pence.  
XXXI. MOunt Zion, or a draught of that Church that shall stand for ever; together with a view of that World w●●● shall be broken in pieces and consumed. By William Dyer, Author of Christ's famous Titles, and a Believers Golden Chai● P●●●e one shilling.  
XXXII. Distressed Zion relieved, or, the Garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. A Poem. Wherein are discovered the grand causes of the Church's trouble and misery under the late dismal dispensation; with a complete history of, and lamentation for those renowned Worthies that fell in England, by Popish rage and cruelty from the year 1680. By Ben. Keach. Price 1s.  
XXXIII. ANtichrist stormed, or the Church of Rome proved to be mystery Babylon the Great Whore, Rev. 17. by many and undeniable arguments answering all the objections of the Papists, and all others. Together with the Judgement of many ancient and modern Divines, and most eminent writers concerning the rise and final ruin of the Beast and Babylon, proving it will be in this present Age. By Ben. Keach. Price One shilling.  
XXXIV. THE Devout Souls daily Exercise in Prayers, Contemplations and Praises, containing Devotions for Morning, Noon, and Night, for every day in the week, with Prayers before and after the Holy Communion: And likewise for Persons of all Conditions, and upon all occasions: With Graces and Thanksgivings before and after meat. By R. P. D. D. Price bound six pence.  
XXXV. SAcramental Meditations upon divers select places of Scripture, wherein Believers are assisted in preparing their hearts, and exciting their affections and graces when they draw nigh to God in that most awful and solemn Ordnance of the Lords Supper. By Jo. Flavel Minister of Christ in Devon. Price One Shilling.  
XXXVI. JAcob wrestling with God, and prevailing: Or, a Treatise concerning the Necessity and Efficacy of Faith in Prayer: Wherein divers weighty Questions and Cases of Conscience about praying in Faith, are stated and resolved: For the comforting and satisfying of weak and scrupulous consciences, the conviction of formal Hypocrites, awakening of all Saints, both weak and strong, great and small, to this great duty of Prayer. By Thomas Taylor, formerly at Edmunds-Bury, now Pastor to a Congregation in Cambridge. Price one shilling.  
All Printed for Nath. Crouch, at the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside.  
FINIS.