A LETTER Touching the present State of Affairs IN ENGLAND, WITH THE Independency OF ITS KINGS: In a LETTER to a Gentleman Beyond Sea.  
englished by J. W.  
LONDON, ●rinted for John Wells at the Crown near Temple-Bar, Anno Dom. MDCLXXXV.   

A LETTER Touching the Present State of Affairs IN ENGLAND, With the Independency of its KINGS.  
SIR,  
I Received your Letter, and do take no little pleasure in answering it, and in giving you an Account how things pass here since the Death of the late King Charles the Second of Blessed Memory: You say you cannot imagine that there should be so great quietness as is reported; and that you will not be beaten out of your Incredulity, unless I assure you of the Truth of things myself: Do not doubt therefore, Sir, seeing it is most certain, that what we have seen of late happened in this Kingdom, hath not caused any alteration in the Repose and Peace that we do here enjoy, the Expectations of many have proved false and vain, the same tranquillity continues in all parts, the Storms wherewith we were threatened are gone, and served only to trouble the imagination of those that raised them. Our Grief took beginning, and began to discipate both in one day; God was pleased to deprive us of one King, and to give us another at the same instant; and never did any Prince ascend the Throne with greater ease than the present King. He was Proclaimed to the satisfaction of all His Subjects, and if the Joy was not excessive, it was the sense of the late loss of the best of Kings, who governed His People more like a Father than a Master, was the cause that hindered the manifesting of it: However, a general Submission was given, the Sound passed from the Court to the City, and from the City was spread through the Three Nations.  
The public Profession the King made sense few days after of a Religion contrary unto that of His Subjects; was so far from changing, that it did not in the least shake the Peoples Obedience. But Sir, this need not seem strange unto you, you being of a Religion contrary unto the Principles of the Church of Rome. It is not your belief that Subjects can be freed from the Oaths of Allegiance they owe unto their sovereign, under a pretence that they are of a contrary Religion, you hate these Maxims; You as well as all Protestants do believe that the Conscience should be free, that every one should be lead by the Dictates of his own Soul; and that the difference of Religion should not serve as a Cloak to trouble the Order and Peace of the World, and violate the most Sacred and necessary Duties. As a Father cannot deprive his Son of his Birth-right, only for not being of his Belief, without violating the Laws of Nature; neither can Subjects,( without making themselves guilty by the like reason,) deny unto their sovereigns the Enjoyment of the Throne, which God and Nature bestows upon them. This is the Doctrine of Protestants.  
See here, Sir, in what manner the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches of France Expresses itself upon this matter. We believe God requires the World should be governed by Laws, to serve as a kerb to restrain the Disorders which are too rife in it: To this purpose he has established Kingdoms and Commonwealths, and all other sorts of Powers whatsoever, whereof He is the Chief Founder, putting the Sword into Magistrates Hands to punish Sins committed against both Tables of Gods Law; Therefore we should not only submit unto their Authority for Conscience sake, but also Honour and Respect them as Gods Vicegerents appointed to execute a Holy and Lawful Authority upon Earth. We believe therefore Obedience is to be given to their Laws, that Custom and Tribute should be paid unto them; And that we should give a free and voluntary Subjection unto them, although they were Infidels.  
This, Sir, is what our Doctors have, and do constantly Teach. I could allege a thousand instances of it, but I will mention but in one, which relates unto England in the present Circumstances that Kingdom is in, which all the Ministers of the Protestant Churches of France will sign with their Blood.  
Some time before K. Charles the II. was restored to the Throne of his Father, the secret Enemies he had in his Kingdoms spread abroad Rumours, That He was not of the Protestant Religion, but held correspondence with the Church of Rome; and that for that Reason it was not safe to Restore Him; because in all likelihood he would by degrees Suppress the Protestant Religion; and if he could, would Establish that of the Roman catholics.  
This noise having been spread over England and France; Monsieur De Langle, signior Minister of the Protestant Church near rouen, published a Treatise upon this Subject, entitled, The Religion of the King of England. And having refuted this Calumny by Un-answerable Proofs, he affirms, that if the King of England had Renounced the Protestant Religion, yet his Subjects ought not in Justice to oppose his Return to his Crown and Establishment in his Kingdoms. I cannot see( saith he) that it is a sufficient Warrant to deprive a man of his Right, because he is not of the same mind we are of in matters of Religion; I most willingly shun these rigid Opinions which Subvert the Foundation of Kingdoms, and make the Christian Religion incompatible with all the Religions in the World; and willingly leave them unto those deluded persons that think the Earth belongs only to the Saints, such as they fancy themselves to be; and that which is enjoyed by others who are not of the number of these deluded Brethren, is held Unjustly and by Usurpation; and therefore by consequence, I am very far from thinking that the People of England had any good ground for Deposing their Lawful Prince from his Throne under pretext that he was of a Religion contrary to theirs: I know this has not been the practise of the People of God; and under the Legal Dispensation since the Government of the Jews, was transferred over into the Hands of Kings, People never rebelled against their Princes for their being idolaters, unless they had an express Command of God for it.  
Thus far Monsieur De Langle. And it is the constant and universal Doctrine which the Protestants have taught and published to the World ever since they began to Reform the Church; This is the commendation their very Enemies give them. Cardinal Du Perron writing against the King of Great Britain James the I. acknowledges, That the Doctrine of Deposing Kings by the Pope was received in France until the Reformation, and that the heretics( so he is pleased to call the Protestants) having brought the Scriptures to Light, vindicated the Right of Kings, which before had been suppressed.  
And when Sextus the V. published his thundering Bulls against the King of navarre and Prince of Conde, wherein He by Infinite Degrees exalts the Power and Authority of the Pope above that of all the Kings of the Earth, so far as to say, That when they fail of their Duty and Obedience to him, he is able to cast them down from their Thrones by Irrevocable Decrees and Judgments, and bring them under his Power as Ministers of Satan. Who did ever more vindicate and assert the independence of Kings, in respect of their Authority, from all other Powers, except of God only, with greater Evidence, than the French Protestants have done. It may be some will reply, their Deeds has not always been suitable to their Words, having more than once preferred their Inclinations to Rebellion, before that of their Obedience- This Calumny has been often imputed unto Us and our Religion, and has been a thousand times Refuted and A●swered.  
I shall only reply in two words, and make two or three brief reflections: The first is the Testimony rendered by the Wisest King that lived in his time, Jac. 1. to our Innocence upon this Subject, in the Book he writ of the Right of Kings.  
He was a Prince Learned and Judicious, he knew perfectly well by what motive Sovereigns and Subjects did Act, and the cause and ground of their Difference. He was no way concerned in their quarrel, and doth speak only to give a public Testimony to Truth. This Prince expresses himself after this manner, I am not( saith he) of those that say the French Protestants took up Arms against their Kings in the first Troubles, they kept themselves only in a Defensive posture; Before they took up Arms they were Burnt, they were Massacred in all parts; And that the quarrel was not upon Account of Religion, but it was because Francis the II. being in Minority, the Princes of the Blood were driven from Court; the Father of the King that now Reigns, and the Prince of Conde fled to them, not knowing where else to go; And for this very reason the King ought to Consider them. It doth not appear that ever they began a War: Is it not evident that Henry the III. having taken up Arms to destroy them, nevertheless they assisted him; and seeing him in danger delivered him, and saved his Life at Tours, and never forsook him and his Successor; notwithstanding the Revolt of the greatest part of his Subjects, which had been caused and fomented by the Pope and the Clergy. Is it not plain that they assisted him in all his Engagements, and happily Contributed to Establish his Tottering Crown on his Head; And even those that persecuted Henry the IV. reaped the benefit of Services done him by Protestants, and yet they are hated, not for disputing of Religion, but because they hindered the Kings Crown to depend on the Pope; And because, if their council had been followed, there should no French-men have been excused from obeying their Prince.  
It is in this manner this Religious and Learned Prince doth vindicate our Ancestors; But let us suppose our Fathers should have fallen in to this Crime: should a Religion be censured by the Actions of those that profess it? If so, there is no Religion whereunto the greatest Disorders may not be imputed. We all equally condemn Adultery, Murder, Lying, Robbery, &c. And because there are some amongst us that fall into these sins, does it follow that our Religion doth Tolerate these Crimes; are they not chiefly to be imputed to the disorder and corruption of the Hearts of Men; it is the same in this rencontre. Religion enjoins Protestants to give Obedience to Princes, warns them that nothing can dispense them from their Duty; that rather then fail in it, 'twere better suffer the most Cruel Torments; Yet it falls out, that Subjects constrained by violent Persecution, have endeavoured to save their Lives by defending themselves; And this resistance, which though Natural, yet cannot be Innocent, shall it be imputed to a Religion, which, to establish the Kingdom of God, only teacheth to suffer Patiently, and even Martyrdom?  
Moreover, Sir, when these ways which somewhat resembled violence were used, it was at the beginning of the Reformation, when the Heart and Mind of Protestants had as yet some smack of these Maxims, that all means should be undertaken to preserve Religion; But now that the World is better informed, and that in the whole Protestant Body, there remains not the least drop of this corrupt Blood, with which the Veins of the Romish Clergy did over-flow: It is not to be admired if they willingly submit to the Power of their sovereign, although he be of a contrary Religion. It is what is at this time practised by the Church of England for all the Worlds Imitation, which may serve as an evident Justification from all the Calumnies which the Enemies of the Reformed Religion undeservedly spew out against them in the view of all the World.  
In effect, the Clergy is seen to Act with a Spirit of Wisdom and Moderation, full of Zeal for their sovereign, infusing Notions of Duty and Obedience into the People whose Salvation is committed to their Charge, both by their Doctrine and Example; And herein, Sir, they do but their Duty; Jesus Christ himself having taught us this Obedience by his Words and Deeds. He was the King of Kings, nevertheless he was pleased to submit unto their Power; he contented not himself to command his Disciples to render unto Caesar the things that were Caesars; he required nothing of others, but what he did himself. he was pleased herein to be their Example: The Jews being ravished with his Doctrine and Miracles, run from all parts to make him a King, but he withdrew into the desert, to show to the World that he was not come to Command, and Subvert the established Order, but to teach Obedience and Humility to his followers; this is the Doctrine was taught by the Apostles after the Example of their Master, commanding all Christians without exception, To be Obedient unto Higher Powers; It is also what was Religiously practised by Christians in the first Ages of the Church.  
It is in this Noble Path the Church of England treads at this time; and I cannot tell but its Obedience shines brighter than that which appeared after the Death of the Apostles. Those that embraced the Gospel at that time were but very few in comparison of the rest, the greater numbers were contrary to them, in regard Necessity as well as Conscience made them to submit and suffer Death Patiently: They could do no otherwise, it being in vain to resist, and a means only to double their Torments, and make their condition more Miserable: This circumstance is not to be seen in the submission of the Church of England, they are all a Protestant People, who voluntarily Obey and Submit to the Laws of a Prince who is of another contrary persuasion.  
Pardon me, Sir, for what I shall say of the Primitive Christians, it is not altogether without ground. When they began to increase and make some Figure in the World, they kept not the same moderation as at first. Tho great men, which Antiquity renders so venerable to us, were seen to forget the Respect they owed to sovereigns; and by angry and indiscreet Invectives blasted the Reputation and Honour was due to their Quality. Nothing of this kind can be imputed to the Prelates and Ministers of the Church of England. They Preach their Doctrine, they Refute that of Rome, they discharge their Duty without making any Indiscreet or hurtful Reflections, or without offending a crowned Head; in so doing, they more and more fill the Hearts of their Auditors with a Spirit of Love and Obedience for their sovereign, thereby equally maintaining the privileges both of Heaven and Earth.  
But, Sir, if the meekness of our Bishops and their humble and submissive manner of acting, doth, in this behalf give Lessons to to Ambross's and Chrisostom's, doth it not also highly condemn the Opinions and practices of Rome. Should the King of Spain come to perceive that the Religion professed in his Kingdom is full of gross Superstition, and that he had courage enough to set about serving God in a purer manner in some part of his Palace? Think you that Spain would endure it? Should one see all the Bodies of the Kingdom come gravely and renew the assurances of their Zeal and Fidelity to their sovereign; would the Inquisition, without Sighing, behold this change with a good Eye? Would it spare its sovereign, who according to its opinion would be guilty of heresy; who upon bare suspicion exercised its Infernal Cruelty upon Don Carlos the next Heir of the Crown: No Sir, without any regard of Dignity all Torments must be Inflicted, Life as well as the Crown must be forfeited; and to punish such a Defection more dangerous in a Prince than a private person, I cannot tell but some Daemon might inspire those Barbarous Ministers with some new kind of Tortures to terrify Kings, and show them that the Chains which fasten them to Rome can never be broken.  
Mr. Maimbourg would be extremely pleased with Subjects, who on such an occasion would Rebel against their Prince; him who in an Iconoclastick. History, Highly praises the people of Constantinople for abusing their Emperour and Master with the highest Indignities. 
Hist. des I onoclast. lib. 1.  He would be far from blaming the Cities that should throw off their Princes sovereignty, seeing that in the same History he approves, That Rome and the other Cities in Italy refused to give Obedience to the Emperour too, and were for destroying his Effigies, because he was an Iconoclastick.  
That the Women should have Courage enough to engage in the Quarrel, and take up Arms in the Defence of Religion, should be esteemed incomparable Heroins by him, as those of Constantinople were, whom he terms Valiant Women, who having knocked down an Enemy of Image Worship, Transported( saith he) by the Inconceivable heat of an excessive Zeal, entering into the Church in great and Tumultuous numbers, armed with Stones and Clubs, they discharged them in whole Volleys upon the patriarches Head, who was an Iconoclastick, calling him Mercenary, Hireling, and a Devouring wolf in sheeps-clothing, loading him with a 1000 other Injuries as well as Blows.  
Moreover, Sir, put the Case the Inquisition could not prevail, and that a good number of Faithful Subjects should assist the King, how would this Author extol the Wisdom and Piety of the Pope, who would make sure of the Forces of Lewis the Great to Dis-inthrone him, as he does the Zeal of Gregory the II. who joined with Charles Martel to deprive lo of his Empire.  
But let us yet go further, should Lewis the Great himself, who is so much feared and loved of his Subjects; add unto the other care he takes of making his Empire Glorious, cause himself to be a little informed of the Religion which he takes so much pains to banish out of His Kingdom; should Heaven open his Eyes as it did Charles V. to aclowledge the Purity of it, and after the Example of that Great Prince, to Repent of the Evils that causes so many to suffer, and to his last gasp make profession of it in some desert. But carrying true Christian Generosity yet further, should he act with that Air of greatness and Bravery as he doth in all other things, ( viz.) To make open profession of the Truth before all the World? Think you that it would be suffered, though he should Solemnly promise unto his Subjects that he would change nothing in Church nor State; that he would protect the Romish catholics, that he would suffer none of the Huguonot Churches to be re-built, that he only desired to hear a Sermon without noise or stir in some private apartment in the Louvre. Do you think the Clergy would consent unto it? That the Bishops so naturally inclined to complying with the Times, and in following the Inclinations and Motions of their own Heart, would have so much complaisance? No Sir, all the World would presently be up in an Alarm, the League would revive worse than ever; the Heads of Factions would soon appear; the Holy League would arise and boldly require as it did heretofore, the Magistrates to join with the People to destroy the Enemy of Church and State, and to declare that the French were discharged from their Oaths of Fidelity to their Prince, and that his Name should no more be inserted in public Acts. The Pulpits would no longer echo the praises due unto the Glorious Exploits of Lewis the Great; those impudent Preachers that spawned the League would soon appear again to spread abroad Satyrs, Invectives, Seditious Libels, and to spew out the blackest Injuries, the least of which should be Tyrant and Apostate.  
And the people inspired with the same Spirit, with the greatest brutality of rage would soon vent their fury upon his Arms, his Statues, Effigies and Pictures, which they would tear, break to pieces, tread underfoot, drag through Kennels, burn and fling into the River, with a thousand Execrations. This is the usage France heretofore gave its Sovereign, although he was a Zealous Papist, only for making an Alliance with Protestants, which Mr. Maimbourg relates in his History of the League: I have recited the very words. The which usage a Protestant King would also at this time be sure to find, and 'tis not much to be wondered at; for the Pope Excommunicating those Princes that are not of his Belief, doth free their Subjects from the Fidelity they owe unto him, exposing their Persons and Kingdoms unto those can first seize them, promising Plenary Indulgence of all Sins, and even Heaven itself unto those that shall deprive him of Life, as appears by the Bull of Paul the III. which declares Henry the VIII. King of England to be fallen from his Kingdom and Estates, unworthy of Christian Burial, and adjudged to Eternal Damnation by the virtue of his Power, if he dies before he be Absolved; and unless he Repeal the Laws he had Enacted against the Authority of the See of Rome. And by another Bull of Gregory the XIV. wherein this Pope having taken much pains to show his great Power, and how God had established the Bishop of Rome Prince over all Nations and Kingdoms, to destroy, to pluck up, discipate, consume, plant and build, he adds, That by Virtue of this Power, he did Anathematize, Degrade and Depose, Elizabeth Queen of England, Absolve her Subjects from their Oath of Fidelity, and absolutely forbids them not to give her any further Obedience: Who doth not see that a Prince that Reigns over a People that enter into these engagements and Opinions of Rome, cannot live in any safety of his Life, and is necessitated to live always in continual Fears and Dangers.  
The Example of Henry the Great may fully serve to justify what I affirm; the Crown of France was his undoubted Right after the Death of Henry the III. his pretensions unto it were undeniable. Nevertheless, was not he constrained to abandon his Religion to obtain the quiet possession of it. Some of his Intimate Friends, whom this Prince much relied upon, and who were sensible of his Valour, advised him to persevere; and that notwithstanding all oppositions God would set him on his Throne. But there were others that whispered him, that if he persisted in his Religion, he must expect to take Arms again, and wade through a longer and greater War then was past, that he must expect to give Battles and prepare for Sieges, which so dis-heartned him, that love of rest and the Pleasures of a Crown prevailed with him to agree to change, more than the other good Instructions, to persevere in the Truth.  
It's most certain, Sir, this Prince his perseverance in his Religion would have exposed him unto unavoidable dangers; for after this comantory Libel of Gregory the XIII. dated the 1st. of May, Directed first to all the Clergy of France, whom he Suspends and Excommunicates, if in 15 days they do not retire from Obeying and following Henry of Bourbon King of France and navarre: And moreover; declaring that in other 15 days, if they did not wholly forsake him, they should be deprived of their Estates and benefice: After this Comantory, he writes of the same date unto the Nobility, the Magistrates and the three Estates of France, wherein he Invites them to do the like; threatening, if they did not, to change his Fatherly Clemency into the Severity of an Angry Judge: Declaring moreover, Henry of Bourbon to be Excommunicate, fallen from his Kingdoms and Estates for being a heretic and relapse. After all this, what safety could this Prince hope to find in his Kingdom?  
I know very well that these two Bulls being brought into France, the Parliament then sitting at Chaalons, at a motion made by the Kings attorney General, they were declared Injurious, Difamatory, Scandalous, tending to Sedition, and to the ruin of the Kingdom, of the House and Crown of France, and to the introducing of Strangers. Defence was made to all persons of what condition or quality soever, to publish or or use the said Bulls Directly or Indirectly. Neither am I ignorant, how the Court sitting at Towers, proceeded yet further, for the 5th. of August in the same year, it caused the Popes Bull to be publicly Burnt by the common Hangman, forbidding any to obey it, or keep Copies of it, declared Gregory an Enemy of the Peace and union of the catholic and apostolic Roman Church, of the King and his Kingdom, an Adherent unto the Conspiracy of Spain, a Favourer of Rebels, guilty of the most Cruel, inhuman and Detestable Murder committed in the Person of Henry the III. of Glorious Memory, most Christian and catholic. ordered that Marcellinus Adrianus the said Gregory's Nuncio, bearer of the said Bulls, should be seized and sent Prisoner to the Palace-Prison, that his Process and Sentence might be dispatched in due form; enjoining all Governours to Aid and Assist in Executing this Sentence; and to all Archbishops and Bishops to signify It unto the Clergy of their Respective dioceses.  
I confess this proceeding is Generous, Bold, and Worthy so August an Assembly, but would all France have followed these Dictates, and would it have been of this Humour; if Henry the Great had persevered in his Religion; would not the Directors of Consciences, Confessors, Preachers and Doctors have inspired the People in their private Conferences, Confessions and Sermons, other contrary Notions; as they did a little before in the Reign of Henry the III. as is declared by the said Mr. Maimbourg in his History of of the League. The Sorbon itself, would it not have authorized them; she who being Interrogated upon these two great Cases of Conscience: First, if the French were effectually freeed from their Oaths of Fidelity and Obedience? And in the second place, if they might take up Arms and Unite, Raise Money and Act for the Defence of the catholic apostolic Roman Religion in France, to oppose the detestable Designs and Endeavours of the King and all his Adherents. They concluded on these two points with one accord Nemine Contradicente in the Affirmative, and that their Resolution should be sent to the Pope, that he might approve and confirm it by his Authority: and that he would be so kind to assist the Gallican Church that suffered very much and was sore oppressed.  
Believe me, Sir, all the light and force of this Decree would not have removed the Scruples and dissipated the fears that the thunder of the Vatican had raised in the minds of men: On the contrary, all the Orders of Priests and Friers would with one accord have esteemed it a point of Honour and Religion to have opposed it, and so the K's Life had not been in safety had he 100000 men in Arms for his Defence, all his care would have been in vain, there would soon have been seen many furies animated with an Infernal Zeal that would have past through his Guards to Stab him, and stop the course of his Life, together with his Conquests and his Glory; imagining for so doing to die happy and increase the Catalogue of Saints.  
A Prince of the Communion of the Church of Rome Reigning over Protestant Subjects, stands not in any such danger, because the Principles of their Religion is quiter different, so that he may safely employ himself in making his Reign Glorious: It is what the King has taken notice of in his Declaration, and which makes him protect a Church, whose Fidelity he can in no way mistrust, by the Experience he has had of its constant adherence to the Interests of the Crown in the time of the late Usurper. The King is pleased, Sir, to renew the assurance of His Royal Favour unto His Subjects, and especially unto the Arch-Bishops and Bishops, whom he continues to Honour by admitting them into his weightiest Affairs and Councils, mutually acting in Business without any suspicion on either part; the King fully Confiding and Relying upon the Clergy, and the Clergy full of Obedience and Zeal for their sovereign.  
This, Sir, is the State this Kingdom is in at present; quiter contrary as you see, from what 'tis represented unto you: Believe not therefore all that is Reported, give no Credit unto Flying News that's spread abroad, the most part is only Forgeries, given out on purpose to discourage Protestants, and to breed Divisions in England: The King will Defend them he has taken into his Protection, it is his Promise, and he has reiterated it again at His Coronation in the most Solemn and August manner in the World, and He will Infallibly perform it: He ever made it a point of Honour to keep His Word in matters of less Importance; and he will not fail in this, and will preserve the Repute now He sits on the Throne, which He so punctually observed before he ascended thither. He will never be persuaded by any Whispering Romish Emissaries, that his Faith and Promise ought not to be kept with heretics and Infidels; His Heart is seasoned with Juster and better Principles; and He is very sensible nothing has more dishonoured Christian Religion than these Pernicious Maxims and Breaches of Promise, which has drawn upon it many great Evils and Heavy Reproaches from its Enemies.  
Moreover, every body knows there's nothing more contributes to make a Kingdom flourish and Happy, than a right understanding betwixt the sovereign and His Subjects; the Kings own Interest will oblige Him to preserve things in the State they are in. He is sensible that His Peoples Religion being secured unto them, there is not one of His Subjects but will readily Sacrifice his Life and Fortune for the Defence of His Kingdoms, and also to enlarge the Bounds of it. What danger is there, that a Prince whose whole Life has been Eminent by many Glorious Actions, now that he is mounted on the Throne, and in a condition of showing unto the World the value of so War-like a People as his, being conducted by the Bravest Prince in the World: What danger is there I say, that He will do or Attempt any thing that should be contrary to his Inclination and Honour. He is very sensible how prejudicial this Zeal for the Romish Religion has formerly been to the Crown of Spain, He knows it has lately reduced the Emperour to those miserable Straits, from which he is not yet recovered; and doubtless He perceives as well as all the World, that it is the same Blind Zeal that is preparing the way to the Miseries that threaten France, and which is almost inevitable to all Kingdoms when they have attained the highest degree of Prosperity.  
Yes, Sir, and I don't pretend to be a Prophet in saying it, seeing it is obvious to every body; what all the World joined together could not effect, France is doing of itself; it is its Fate to sink under its own greatness, and to procure and work its own ruin and Destruction.  
The Protestants for above an Age ago were not so Inconsiderable in this Kingdom, as to be cut off without doing it a great prejudice: It is the smallest, but the most Loyal Party of the State; and has been always ready to oppose the Parties that have been contrary to the Crown. It is They that have caused traffic and the Arts to flourish, and have more than once produced Generals, Great Commanders, and Valiant Troops that have preserved France when it was at the brink of Ruin: Nevertheless these Protestants are Assaulted, they are Persecuted in all parts in the cruelest manner that can be. Were they more despicable than they be, were they the least and vilest part of the State; yet common sense would require that they should be preserved, least this Empire should like the King of Babylon's Image, see the destruction of his more Noble parts, his head and Arms of Gold and Silver, by his Feet of Iron and day. As in the human Body, the parts the least Honourable, ought sometimes to have the greatest Honour; so also in a Political State, all the Members whereof it is composed, ought to be cherished and preserved. There is no question then to be made Sir, but the King will according to his Promise, be inclined to protect His Subjects, and will make good use of his Neighbours Miscarriages: He Loves His People, He will employ His Forces to preserve them, He Loves His Glory, and will do nothing that shall diminish it; the Bonds of Nature is Dear unto Him, He hears its voice, and will maintain the Religion that His Glorious Father Sealed with His own Blood.  
I cannot pass further, and end my Letter, without intimating unto you the wonders of the Mercy and Providence of God towards the last two Kings. All the World knows the Tragical end of the Glorious Prince their Father. A company of Rebels by an audacious Attempt pronounced or rather Hell by their mouth pronounced a Barbarous Sentence, which caused the Glorious Head that governed three Kingdoms to be cut off by Violent Hands; And Heaven to Reward his Patience and Virtues, not only gave him an Eternal Kingdom of Glory, but also is pleased to suffer, that two Branches proceeding from him, should successively Ascend his Throne; that living and Reignin them, he should in some sort be recompensed for the loss of those days which Violence and tyranny deprived Him of, &c.  
farewell.  
FINIS.