A Full and True RELATION OF THE DEATH OF K. JAMES. Who Departed this Life, the 27th. of March.  
AS there is nothing so prevalent in the World, as Popular Mistakes, and Misreports; and the Generality of Mankind are but too apt, especially in matters of the greatest Moment, and relating to the greatest Men, to be imposed upon; whilst the Truth of things done, if either Foreign or Remote, is always liable to gross Misrepresentation; and Errors and Abuses in matters of most Importance; either by misinformation or uncertainty, are daily industriously handed about, and also as fond believed and swallowed; there being nothing possibly so much controverted, or variously delivered, as the Actions, the Movements, and the Conducts, and all other Particulars (whether in their Lives or Deaths) as those of Kings and Princes. For the Rectifying therefore of Faults of that kind, we think fit to Publish to the World, the full and true Relation of the Death of K. James, as we have received it from unquestioned and undeniable Intelligence and Authority.  
The particular Engagement and Alliance of King James with the French King, being to the Wise and Judicious no matter of Novelty; we shall be short therefore in that part of our Discourse; reciting no more than what necessarily Introduces to the Narration of King James his Death. After the French Provisions of Shipping and Men, for King James his Designs; and the great Hopes of Assistance, that had been given him by the French King: to deal truly with the Monsieur, he began to falter in his Promises, and (notwithstanding their Intimate Correspondence, etc.) with very slow advances in the Affairs, he made many demurs and delays; occasioned however (as we may justly impute it) not altogether from his want of good Will to King James' Cause, but rather from the Embarrasment and Encumbrance of his own Affairs at home, that indeed took up his whole care and Study. King James, to his no small disquiet and sorrow, waited only the French King's leisure; whilst the Equipment of his Shipping (as he plainly discovered) required more Speed, than the French King's faint and sickly Promises could expedite; insomuch, that truly, Dalliances and Compliments at last, were all his Performance.  
The poor King, sensibly afflicted with his many Troubles, Disappointments, etc. and the perplexity of his affairs; and finding too late, that his unhappy Alliances had only tended to his own Prejudice and Defeat, he began to entertain a very deep and radicated Melancholy. But, alas! poor Prince, he did not Live to see how all His Forces, Alds, Expectations, and truly his whole Measures dwindled to nothing. And the result of all is, that though he were a Wise Prince, yet Blessings did neither attend his Councils nor Actions: So that it is not Humane Wisdom but Divine Direction, that orders and disposes all to a good End.  
In short, this aforesaid Melancholy and Afflictions, all pressing too heavy upon him, a Load too weighty for his Great Spirit to bear, his Griefs, Disquiets, and the Rest of his Resentments no doubt not alittle contributing to His End, he fell Sick of an Ague, which afterwards turned into a  which was too Violent for him. During his Indisposition and Sickness he was attended by those Persons of Quality and Gentlemen about him, who still adhered to him; but nothing so exemplar and singular as His Darling the Duke of B—ks Assiduity, and Tenderness towards him. As the King had always treated that particular Favourite, with all the Endearments of a Gracious King, a Kind Friend and a tender Father; so there wanted not on His part, (how, Cordially we cannot say) all the Carresses, Application and Attendance as from a Creature, a Confident, and a Couneellor, due to the Obligations received from a King. etc.  
The King's Distemper increasing, and His visible Dissolution drawing nigh, he called for his Son, who rising out of his Bed something before day, and presenting himself before him the King raised himself up as if He meant to speak to him; 'tis thought to leave some peculiar Commission and charge with him: but His Spirits were so Faint, and Nature so Weak, and exhausted in him, that he had not the strength to Express himself, but immediately sinking down in his Bed, he died in his Arms, being Early in the Morning, the Twenty seventh of March.  
Is there not a Time and Period, prefixed to Earthly Things, and the all Dispensing Power, does either Infatuate or Establish Councils. The King that was very much Impatient in His Health, was very Patiented in His Sickness and Death; His Death being an Object of Universal Pity. But much more regretted of all Persons, more nearly Related to Him, and Embarqed with Him.   

London Printed for Rob. Hayhurst. 1689.   

Licenced APRIL the 2d, 1689. And Entered According to Order.