themselves Papists. Lord Tyrconnel gone to succeed the Lord-Lieutenant
[Clarendon] in Ireland, to the astonishment of all sober men, and to the
evident ruin of the Protestants in that kingdom, as well as of its great
improvement going on. Much discourse that all the White Staff officers
and others should be dismissed for adhering to their religion. Popish
Justices of the Peace established in all counties, of the meanest of the
people; Judges ignorant of the law, and perverting it--so furiously do
the Jesuits drive, and even compel Princes to violent courses, and
destruction of an excellent government both in Church and State. God of
his infinite mercy open our eyes, and turn our hearts, and establish his
truth with peace! The Lord Jesus defend his little flock, and preserve
this threatened church and nation!
24th January, 1687. I saw the Queen's new apartment at Whitehall, with
her new bed, the embroidery of which cost £3,000. The carving about the
chimney piece, by Gibbons, is incomparable.
30th January, 1687. I heard the famous eunuch, Cifaccio, sing in the new
Popish chapel this afternoon; it was indeed very rare, and with great
skill. He came over from Rome, esteemed one of the best voices in Italy.
Much crowding--little devotion.
27th February, 1687. Mr. Chetwin preached at Whitehall on Rom. i. 18, a
very quaint, neat discourse of Moral righteousness.
2d March, 1687. Came out a proclamation for universal liberty of
conscience in Scotland, and depensation from all tests and laws to the
contrary, as also capacitating Papists to be chosen into all offices of
trust. The mystery operates.
3d March, 1687. Dr. Meggott, Dean of Winchester, preached before the
Princess of Denmark, on Matt. xiv. 23. In the afternoon, I went out of
town to meet my Lord Clarendon, returning from Ireland.
10th March, 1687. His Majesty sent for the Commissioners of the Privy
Seal this morning into his bedchamber, and told us that though he had
thought fit to dispose of the Seal into a single hand, yet he would so
provide for us, as it should appear how well he accepted our faithful
and loyal service with many gracious expressions to this effect; upon
which we delivered the Seal into his hands. It was by all the world both
hoped and expected, that he would have restored it to my Lord Clarendon;
but they were astonished to see it given to Lord Arundel, of Wardour, a
zealous Roman Catholic. Indeed it was very hard, and looked very
unkindly, his Majesty (as my Lord Clarendon protested to me, on my going
to visit him and long discoursing with him about the affairs of Ireland)
finding not the least failure of duty in him during his government of
that kingdom, so that his recall plainly appeared to be from the
stronger influence of the Papists, who now got all the preferments.
Most of the great officers, both in the Court and country, Lords and
others, were dismissed, as they would not promise his Majesty their
consent to the repeal of the test and penal statutes against Popish
Recusants. To this end, most of the Parliament men were spoken to in his
Majesty's closet, and such as refused, if in any place of office or
trust, civil or military, were put out of their employments. This was a
time of great trial; but hardly one of them assented, which put the
Popish interest much backward. The English clergy everywhere preached
boldly against their superstition and errors, and were wonderfully
followed by the people. Not one considerable proselyte was made in all
this time. The party were exceedingly put to the worst by the preaching
and writing of the Protestants in many excellent treatises, evincing the
doctrine and discipline of the reformed religion, to the manifest
disadvantage of their adversaries. To this did not a little contribute
the sermon preached at Whitehall before the Princess of Denmark and a
great crowd of people, and at least thirty of the greatest nobility, by
Dr. Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, on John viii. 46 (the Gospel of the
day), describing through his whole discourse the blasphemies, perfidy,
wresting of Scripture, preference of tradition before it, spirit of
persecution, superstition, legends, and fables of the Scribes and
Pharisees, so that all the auditory understood his meaning of a parallel
between them and the Romish priests, and their new Trent religion. He
exhorted his audience to adhere to the written Word, and to persevere in
the Faith taught in the Church of England, whose doctrine for Catholic
and soundness he preferred to all the communities and churches of
Christians in the world; concluding with a kind of prophecy, that
whatever it suffered, it should after a short trial emerge to the
confusion of her adversaries and the glory of God.
I went this evening to see the order of the boys and children at
Christ's Hospital. There were near 800 boys and girls so decently clad,
cleanly lodged, so wholesomely fed, so admirably taught, some the
mathematics, especially the forty of the late King's foundation, that I
was delighted to see the progress some little youths of thirteen or
fourteen years of age had made. I saw them at supper, visited their
dormitories, and much admired the order, economy, and excellent
government of this most charitable seminary. Some are taught for the
Universities, others designed for seamen, all for trades and callings.
The girls are instructed in all such work as becomes their sex and may
fit them for good wives, mistresses, and to be a blessing to their
generation. They sang a psalm before they sat down to supper in the
great Hall, to an organ which played all the time, with such cheerful
harmony, that it seemed to me a vision of angels. I came from the place
with infinite satisfaction, having never seen a more noble, pious, and
admirable charity. All these consisted of orphans only.[63] The
foundation was of that pious Prince King Edward VI., whose picture (held
to be an original of Holbein) is in the court where the Governors meet
to consult on the affairs of the Hospital, and his statue in white
marble stands in a niche of the wall below, as you go to the church,
which is a modern, noble, and ample fabric. This foundation has had, and
still has, many benefactors.
[Footnote 63: This is by no means the case now.]
16th March, 1687. I saw a trial of those devilish, murdering, mischief
doing engines called bombs, shot out of the mortar piece on Blackheath.
The distance that they are cast, the destruction they make where they
fall, is prodigious.
20th March, 1687. The Bishop of Bath and Wells (Dr. Ken) preached at St.
Martin's to a crowd of people not to be expressed, nor the wonderful
eloquence of this admirable preacher; the text was Matt. xxvi. 36 to
verse 40, describing the bitterness of our Blessed Savior's agony, the
ardor of his love, the infinite obligations we have to imitate his
patience and resignation; the means by watching against temptations, and
over ourselves with fervent prayer to attain it, and the exceeding
reward in the end. Upon all which he made most pathetical discourses.
The Communion followed, at which I was participant. I afterward dined at
Dr. Tenison's with the Bishop and that young, most learned, pious, and
excellent preacher, Mr. Wake. In the afternoon, I went to hear Mr. Wake
at the newly built church of St. Anne, on Mark viii. 34, upon the
subject of taking up the cross, and strenuously behaving ourselves in
time of persecution, as this now threatened to be.
His Majesty again prorogued the Parliament, foreseeing it would not
remit the laws against Papists, by the extraordinary zeal and bravery of
its members, and the free renunciation of the great officers both in
Court and state, who would not be prevailed with for any temporal
concern.
25th March, 1687. GOOD FRIDAY. Dr. Tenison preached at St. Martin's on 1
Peter ii. 24. During the service, a man came into near the middle of the
church, with his sword drawn, with several others in that posture; in
this jealous time it put the congregation into great confusion, but it
appeared to be one who fled for sanctuary, being pursued by bailiffs.
8th April, 1687. I had a rehearing of my great cause at the Chancery in
Westminster Hall, having seven of the most learned Counsel, my adversary
five, among which were the Attorney General and late Solicitor Finch,
son to the Lord Chancellor Nottingham. The account was at last brought
to one article of the surcharge, and referred to a Master. The cause
lasted two hours and more.
10th April, 1687. In the last week there was issued a Dispensation from
all obligations and tests, by which Dissenters and Papists especially
had public liberty of exercising their several ways of worship, without
incurring the penalty of the many Laws and Acts of Parliament to the
contrary. This was purely obtained by the Papists, thinking thereby to
ruin the Church of England, being now the only church which so admirably
and strenuously opposed their superstition. There was a wonderful
concourse of people at the Dissenters' meeting house in this parish, and
the parish church [Deptford] left exceedingly thin. What this will end
in, God Almighty only knows; but it looks like confusion, which I pray
God avert.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
11th April, 1687. To London about my suit, some terms of accommodation
being proposed.
19th April, 1687. I heard the famous singer, Cifaccio, esteemed the best
in Europe. Indeed, his holding out and delicateness in extending and
loosing a note with incomparable softness and sweetness, was admirable;
for the rest I found him a mere wanton, effeminate child, very coy, and
proudly conceited, to my apprehension. He touched the harpsichord to his
voice rarely well. This was before a select number of particular persons
whom Mr. Pepys invited to his house; and this was obtained by particular
favor and much difficulty, the Signor much disdaining to show his talent
to any but princes.
24th April, 1687. At Greenwich, at the conclusion of the Church service,
there was a French sermon preached after the use of the English Liturgy
translated into French, to a congregation of about 100 French refugees,
of whom Monsieur Ruvigny was the chief, and had obtained the use of the
church, after the parish service was ended. The preacher pathetically
exhorted to patience, constancy, and reliance on God amidst all their
sufferings, and the infinite rewards to come.
2d May, 1687. I dined with Mynheer Diskvelts, the Holland Ambassador, a
prudent and worthy person. There dined Lord Middleton, principal
Secretary of State, Lord Pembroke, Lord Lumley, Lord Preston, Colonel
Fitzpatrick, and Sir John Chardin. After dinner, the Ambassador
discoursed of and deplored the stupid folly of our politics, in
suffering the French to take Luxemburg, it being a place of the most
concern to have been defended, for the interest not only of the
Netherlands, but of England.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
12th May, 1687. To London. Lord Sunderland being Lord President and
Secretary of State, was made Knight of the Garter and Prime favorite.
This day there was such a storm of wind as had seldom happened, being a
sort of hurricane. It kept the flood out of the Thames, so that people
went on foot over several places above bridge. Also an earthquake in
several places in England about the time of the storm.
26th May, 1687. To London, about my agreement with Mr. Pretyman, after
my tedious suit.
2d June, 1687. I went to London, it having pleased his Majesty to grant
me a Privy Seal for £6,000, for discharge of the debt I had been so many
years persecuted for, it being indeed for money drawn over by my
father-in-law, Sir R. Browne, during his residence in the Court of
France, and so with a much greater sum due to Sir Richard from his
Majesty; and now this part of the arrear being paid, there remains yet
due to me, as executor of Sir Richard, above £6,500 more; but this
determining an expensive Chancery suit has been so great a mercy and
providence to me (through the kindness and friendship to me of Lord
Godolphin, one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury,) that I do
acknowledge it with all imaginable thanks to my gracious God.
6th June, 1687. I visited my Lady Pierpoint, daughter to Sir John
Evelyn, of Deane [in Wilts], now widow of Mr. Pierpoint, and mother of
the Earl of Kingston. She was now engaged in the marriage of my cousin,
Evelyn Pierpoint, her second son.
There was about this time brought into the Downs a vast treasure, which
was sunk in a Spanish galleon about forty-five years ago, somewhere near
Hispaniola, or the Bahama islands, and was now weighed up by some
gentlemen, who were at the charge of divers, etc., to the enriching them
beyond all expectation. The Duke of Albemarle's share [Governor of
Jamaica] came to, I believe, £50,000. Some private gentlemen who
adventured £100, gained from £8,000 to £10,000. His Majesty's tenth was
£10,000.
The Camp was now again pitched at Hounslow, the Commanders profusely
vying in the expense and magnificence of tents.
12th June, 1687. Our Vicar preached on 2 Peter ii. 21, upon the danger
of relapsing into sin. After this, I went and heard M. Lamot, an
eloquent French preacher at Greenwich, on Prov. xxx. 8, 9, a consolatory
discourse to the poor and religious refugees who escaped out of France
in the cruel persecution.
16th June, 1687. I went to Hampton Court to give his Majesty thanks for
his late gracious favor, though it was but granting what was due. While
I was in the Council Chamber, came in some persons, at the head of whom
was a formal man with a large roll of parchment in his hand, being an
ADDRESS (as he said, for he introduced it with a speech) of the people
of Coventry, giving his Majesty their great acknowledgments for his
granting a liberty of conscience; he added that this was not the
application of one party only, but the unanimous address of Church of
England men, Presbyterians, Independents, and Anabaptists, to show how
extensive his Majesty's grace was, as taking in all parties to his
indulgence and protection, which had removed all dissensions and
animosities, which would not only unite them in bonds of Christian
charity, but exceedingly encourage their future industry, to the
improvement of trade, and spreading his Majesty's glory throughout the
world; and that now he had given to God his empire, God would establish
his; with expressions of great loyalty and submission; and so he gave
the roll to the King, which being returned to him again, his Majesty
caused him to read. The address was short, but much to the substance of
the speech of their foreman, to whom the King, pulling off his hat, said
that what he had done in giving liberty of conscience, was, what was
ever his judgment ought to be done; and that, as he would preserve them
in their enjoyment of it during his reign, so he would endeavor to
settle it by law, that it should never be altered by his successors.
After this, he gave them his hand to kiss. It was reported the
subscribers were above 1,000.
But this is not so remarkable as an address of the week before (as I was
assured by one present), of some of the FAMILY OF LOVE, His Majesty
asked them what this worship consisted in, and how many their party
might consist of; they told him their custom was to read the Scripture,
and then to preach; but did not give any further account, only said that
for the rest they were a sort of refined Quakers, but their number very
small, not consisting, as they said, of above threescore in all, and
those chiefly belonging to the Isle of Ely.
18th June, 1687. I dined at Mr. Blathwaite's (two miles from Hampton).
This gentleman is Secretary of War, Clerk of the Council, etc., having
raised himself by his industry from very moderate circumstances. He is a
very proper, handsome person, very dexterous in business, and besides
all this, has married a great fortune. His income by the Army, Council,
and Secretary to the Committee of Foreign Plantations, brings him in
above £2,000 per annum.
23d June, 1687. The Privy Seal for £6,000 was passed to me, so that this
tedious affair was dispatched. Hitherto, a very windy and tempestuous
summer. The French sermons to the refugees were continued at Greenwich
Church.
[Sidenote: WOTTON]
19th July, 1687. I went to Wotton. In the way, I dined at Ashted, with
my Lady Mordaunt.
5th August, 1687. I went to see Albury, now purchased by Mr. Finch (the
King's Solicitor and son to the late Lord Chancellor); I found the
garden which I first designed for the Duke of Norfolk, nothing improved.
15th August, 1687. I went to visit Lord Clarendon at Swallowfield, where
was my Lord Cornbury just arrived from Denmark, whither he had
accompanied the Prince of Denmark two months before, and now come back.
The miserable tyranny under which that nation lives, he related to us;
the King keeps them under an army of 40,000 men, all Germans, he not
daring to trust his own subjects. Notwithstanding this, the Danes are
exceedingly proud, the country very poor and miserable.
22d August, 1687. Returned home to Sayes Court from Wotton, having been
five weeks absent with my brother and friends, who entertained us very
nobly. God be praised for his goodness, and this refreshment after my
many troubles, and let his mercy and providence ever preserve me. Amen.
3d September, 1687. The Lord Mayor sent me an Officer with a staff, to
be one of the Governors of St. Thomas's Hospital.
PERSECUTION RAGING IN FRANCE; divers churches there fired by lightning,
priests struck, consecrated hosts, etc., burnt and destroyed, both at
St. Malos and Paris, at the grand procession on Corpus Christi day.
13th September, 1687. I went to Lambeth, and dined with the Archbishop.
After dinner, I retired into the library, which I found exceedingly
improved; there are also divers rare manuscripts in a room apart.
6th October, 1687. I was godfather to Sir John Chardin's son, christened
at Greenwich Church, named John. The Earl of Bath and Countess of
Carlisle, the other sponsors.
29th October, 1687. An Anabaptist, a very odd ignorant person, a
mechanic, I think, was Lord Mayor. The King and Queen, and Dadi, the
Pope's Nuncio, invited to a feast at Guildhall. A strange turn of
affairs, that those who scandalized the Church of England as favorers of
Popery, should publicly invite an emissary from Rome, one who
represented the very person of their Antichrist!
10th December, 1687. My son was returned out of Devon, where he had been
on a commission from the Lords of the Treasury about a concealment of
land.
20th December, 1687. I went with my Lord Chief-Justice Herbert, to see
his house at Walton-on-Thames: it is a barren place. To a very ordinary
house he had built a very handsome library, designing more building to
it than the place deserves, in my opinion. He desired my advice about
laying out his gardens, etc. The next day, we went to Weybridge, to see
some pictures of the Duchess of Norfolk's, particularly the statue, or
child in gremio, said to be of Michael Angelo; but there are reasons to
think it rather a copy, from some proportion in the figures ill taken.
It was now exposed to sale.
12th January, 1687-88. Mr. Slingsby, Master of the Mint, being under
very deplorable circumstances on account of his creditors, and
especially the King, I did my endeavor with the Lords of the Treasury to
be favorable to him.
My Lord Arran, eldest son to the Duke of Hamilton, being now married to
Lady Ann Spencer, eldest daughter of the Earl of Sunderland, Lord
President of the Council, I and my family had most glorious favors sent
us, the wedding being celebrated with extraordinary splendor.
15th January, 1688. There was a solemn and particular office used at
our, and all the churches of London and ten miles round, for a
thanksgiving to God, for her Majesty being with child.
22d January, 1688. This afternoon I went not to church, being employed
on a religious treatise I had undertaken.
_Post annum 1588--1660--1688, Annus Mirabilis Tertius._[64]
[Footnote 64: This seems to have been added after the page was
written.]
30th January, 1688. Being the Martyrdom day of King Charles I., our
curate made a florid oration against the murder of that excellent
Prince, with an exhortation to obedience from the example of David; 1
Samuel xxvi. 6.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
12th February, 1688. My daughter Evelyn going in the coach to visit in
the city, a jolt (the door being not fast shut) flung her quite out in
such manner, as the hind wheels passed over her a little above her
knees. Yet it pleased God, besides the bruises of the wheels, she had no
other harm. In two days she was able to walk, and soon after perfectly
well; through God Almighty's great mercy to an excellent wife and a most
dutiful and discreet daughter-in-law.
17th February, 1688. I received the sad news of my niece Montague's
death at Woodcot on the 15th.
15th March, 1688. I gave in my account about the sick and wounded, in
order to have my quietus.
23d March, 1688. Dr. Parker, Bishop of Oxford, who so lately published
his extravagant treatise about transubstantiation, and for abrogating
the test and penal laws, died. He was esteemed a violent, passionate,
haughty man, but yet being pressed to declare for the Church of Rome, he
utterly refused it. A remarkable end!
The French TYRANT now finding he could make no proselytes among those
Protestants of quality, and others, whom he had caused to be shut up in
dungeons, and confined to nunneries and monasteries, gave them, after so
long trial, a general releasement, and leave to go out of the kingdom,
but utterly taking their estates and their children; so that great
numbers came daily into England and other places, where they were
received and relieved with very considerate Christian charity. This
Providence and goodness of God to those who thus constantly held out,
did so work upon those miserable poor souls who, to avoid the
persecution, signed their renunciation, and to save their estates went
to mass, that reflecting on what they had done, they grew so affected in
their conscience, that not being able to support it, they in great
numbers through all the French provinces, acquainted the magistrates and
lieutenants that being sorry for their apostacy, they were resolved to
return to their old religion; that they would go no more to mass, but
peaceably assemble when they could, to beg pardon and worship God, but
so without weapons as not to give the least umbrage of rebellion or
sedition, imploring their pity and commiseration; and, accordingly,
meeting so from time to time, the dragoon-missioners, Popish officers
and priests, fell upon them, murdered and put them to death, whoever
they could lay hold on; they without the least resistance embraced
death, torture, or hanging, with singing psalms and praying for their
persecutors to the last breath, yet still continuing the former
assembling of themselves in desolate places, suffering with incredible
constancy, that through God's mercy they might obtain pardon for this
lapse. Such examples of Christian behavior have not been seen since the
primitive persecutions; and doubtless God will do some signal work in
the end, if we can with patience and resignation hold out, and depend on
his Providence.
24th March, 1688. I went with Sir Charles Littleton to Sheen, a house
and estate given him by Lord Brounker; one who was ever noted for a
hard, covetous, vicious man; but for his worldly craft and skill in
gaming few exceeded him. Coming to die, he bequeathed all his land,
house, furniture, etc., to Sir Charles, to whom he had no manner of
relation, but an ancient friendship contracted at the famous siege of
Colchester, forty years before. It is a pretty place, with fine gardens,
and well planted, and given to one worthy of them, Sir Charles being an
honest gentleman and soldier. He is brother to Sir Henry Littleton of
Worcestershire, whose great estate he is likely to inherit, his brother
being without children. They are descendants of the great lawyer of that
name, and give the same arms and motto. He is married to one Mrs.
Temple, formerly maid of honor to the late Queen, a beautiful lady, and
he has many fine children, so that none envy his good fortune.
After dinner, we went to see Sir William Temple's near to it; the
most remarkable things are his orangery and gardens, where the
wall-fruit-trees are most exquisitely nailed and trained, far better
than I ever noted.
There are many good pictures, especially of Vandyke's, in both these
houses, and some few statues and small busts in the latter.
From thence to Kew, to visit Sir Henry Capel's, whose orangery and
_myrtetum_ are most beautiful and perfectly well kept. He was contriving
very high palisadoes of reeds to shade his oranges during the summer,
and painting those reeds in oil.
[Sidenote: LONDON]