THE SPEECH OF THE Prince of Orange, TO SOME Principle Gentlemen of Somersetshire and Dorsetshire, on their coming to Join his Highness at Exeter the 15th of Nou. 1688.  
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 dwelled so near the place of our Landing, would have joined us sooner, not that it is now too late, nor that we want you 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 heartily Welcome to our Court and Camp. Let the whole World now Judge, if out 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.  
FINIS.   

EXETER, Printed by J. B. 1688.