With the restoration of the king a spirit of extravagant joy being spread over the nation , that brought on with it the throwing off the very professions of virtue and piety : all ended in entertainments and drunkenness , which overran the three kingdoms to such a degree , that it very much corrupted all their morals . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.2) Under the colour of drinking the king's health , there were great disorders and much riot every where : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.3) and the pretences to religion , both in those of the hypocritical sort , and of the more honest but no less pernicious enthusiasts , gave great advantages , as well as they furnished much matter , to the profane mockers at all true piety . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.4) Those who had been concerned in the former transactions thought they could not redeem themselves from the censures and jealousies that these brought on them by any method that was more sure and more easy , than by going in to the stream , and laughing at all religion , telling or making stories to expose both themselves and their party as impious and ridiculous . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.5) The king was then thirty years of age , and , as might have been supposed , past the levities of youth and the extravagance of pleasure . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.6) He had a very good understanding : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.7) he knew well the state of affairs both at home and abroad . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.8) He had a softness of temper , that charmed all who came near him , till they found how little they could depend on good looks , kind words , and fair promises , in which he was liberal to excess , because he intended nothing by them but to get rid of importunity , and to silence all further pressing upon him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.9) He seemed to have no sense of religion : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.10) both-1 at prayers and sacrament he , as it were , took care to satisfy people that he was in no sort concerned in that about which he was employed : so that he was very far from being an hypocrite , unless his assisting at those performances was a sort of hypocrisy , as no doubt it was ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.11) but he was sure not to increase that by any the least appearance of devotion . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,166.12) He said once to my self , he was no atheist , but he could not think God would make a man miserable only for taking a little pleasure out of the way . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.13) He disguised his popery to the last : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.14) but when he talked freely , he could not help letting himself out against the liberty that under the Reformation all men took of inquiring into matters : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.15) for from their inquiring into matters of religion , they carried the humour further , to inquire into matters of state . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.16) He said often , he thought government was a much safer and easier thing where the authority was believed infallible , and the faith and submission of the people was implicit : about which I had once much discourse with him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.17) He was affable and easy , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.18) and loved to be made so by all about him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.19) The great art of keeping him long was , the being easy , and the making every thing easy to him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.20) He had made such observations on the French government , that he thought a king who might be checked , or have his ministers called to an account by a parliament , was but-3 a king in name . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.21) He had a great compass of knowledge , though he was never capable of great application or study . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.22) He understood the mechanics and physic ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.23) and was a good chemist , and much set on several preparations of mercury , chiefly the fixing it . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.24) He understood navigation well : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.25) but above all he knew the architecture of ships so perfectly , that in that respect he was exact rather more than became a prince . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.26) His apprehension was quick , and his memory good ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.27) and he was an everlasting talker . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.28) He told his stories with a good grace : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.29) but they came in his way too often . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.30) He had a very ill opinion both-1 of men and women ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,167.31) and did not think there was either sincerity or chastity in the world out of principle , but that some had either the one or the other out of humour or vanity . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.32) He thought that nobody served him out of love : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.33) and so he was quits with all the world , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.34) and loved others as little as he thought they loved him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.35) He hated business , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.36) and could not be easily brought to mind any : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.37) but when it was necessary , and he was set to it , he would stay as long as his ministers had work for him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.38) The ruin of his reign , and of all his affairs , was occasioned chiefly by his delivering himself up at his first coming over to a mad range of pleasure . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.39) One of the race of the Villiers , then married to Palmer , a papist , soon after made earl of Castlemaine , who afterwards , being separated from him , was advanced to be duchess of Cleveland , was his first and longest mistress , by whom he had five children . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,168.40) She was a woman of great beauty , but most enormously vicious and ravenous , foolish but imperious , ever uneasy to the king , and always carrying on intrigues with other men , while yet she pretended she was jealous of him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.41) His passion for her , and her strange behaviour towards him , did so disorder him , that often he was not master of himself , nor capable of minding business , which , in so critical a time , required great application : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.42) but he did then so entirely trust the earl of Clarendon that he left all to his care , and submitted to his advices as to so many oracles . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.43) The earl of Clarendon was bred to the law , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.44) and was like to grow eminent in his profession . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.45) When the wars began he distinguished himself so in the house of commons , that he became considerable , and was much trusted all the while the king was at Oxford . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.46) He stayed beyond sea following the king's fortunes , till the restoration ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.47) and was now an absolute favourite , and the chief or the only minister , but with too magisterial a way . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.48) He was always pressing the king to mind his affairs , but in vain . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.49) He was a good chancellor , only a little too rough , but very impartial in the administration of justice . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.50) He never seemed to understand foreign affairs well : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.51) and yet he meddled too much in them . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.52) He had too much levity in his wit , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.53) and did not always observe the decorum of his post . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.54) He was haughty , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.55) and was apt to reject those who addressed themselves to him , with too much contempt . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.56) He had such regard to the king , that when places were disposed of , even otherwise than as he advised , yet he would justify what the king did , and disparage the pretensions of others , not without much scorn ; which created him many enemies . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,169.57) He was indefatigable in business , though the gout did often disable him from waiting on the king : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.58) yet , during his credit , the king came constantly to him when he was laid up by the gout . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.59) The man next to him in favour with the king was the duke of Ormond : a man every way fitted for a court , of a graceful appearance , a lively wit , and a cheerful temper : a man of great expense , decent even in his vices , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.60) for he always kept up the forms of religion . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.61) He had gone through many transactions in Ireland with more fidelity than success . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.62) He had made a treaty with the Irish , which was broken by the great body of them , though some few of them adhered still to him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.63) But the whole Irish nation did still pretend , that , though they broke the agreement first , yet he , or rather the king in whose name he had treated with them , was bound to perform all the articles of the treaty . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.64) He had miscarried so in the siege of Dublin that it very much lessened the opinion of his military conduct : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.65) yet his constant attendance on his master , his easiness to him , and his great sufferings for him , raised him to be lord steward of the household , and lord lieutenant of Ireland . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.66) He was firm to the protestant religion , and so far firm to the laws that he always gave good advices : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.67) but even when bad ones were followed , he was not for complaining too much of them . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.68) The earl of Southampton was next to these . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.69) He was a man of great virtues , and of very good parts : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.70) he had a lively apprehension , and a good judgment . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.71) He had merited much by his constant adhering to the king's interests during the war , and by the large supplies he had sent him every year during his exile ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.72) for he had a great estate , and only three daughters to inherit it . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.73) He was made lord treasurer : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.74) but he grew soon weary of business ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.75) for as he was subject to the stone , which returned often and violently upon him , so he retained the principles of liberty , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.76) and did not go in to the violent measures of the court . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,170.77) When he saw the king's temper , and his way of managing , or rather of spoiling , business , he grew very uneasy , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.78) and kept himself more out of the way than was consistent with that high post . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.79) The king stood in some awe of him , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.80) and saw how popular he would grow if put out of his service : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.81) and therefore he chose rather to bear with his ill humour and contradiction , than to dismiss him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.82) He left the business of the treasury wholly in the hands of his secretary , sir Philip Warwick , who was an honest but a weak man ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.83) he understood the common road of the treasury ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.84) but , though he pretended to wit and politics , he was not cut out for that , and least of all for writing of history . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.85) But he was an incorrupt man , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.86) and during seven years management of the treasury he made but an ordinary fortune out of it . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.87) Before the restoration the lord treasurer had only a small salary , with an allowance for a table , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.88) but he gave , or rather sold , all the subaltern places , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.89) and made great profits out of the estate of the crown : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.90) but now , that being gone , and the earl of Southampton disdaining to sell places , the matter was settled so , that the lord treasurer was to have a year , and the king was to name all the subaltern officers . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.91) And it continued to be so all his time : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.92) but since that time the lord treasurer has both the and a main hand in the disposing of those places . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,171.93) The man that was in the greatest credit with the earl of Southampton was sir Anthony Ashley Cooper , who had married his niece , and became afterwards so considerable , that he was raised to be earl of Shaftesbury . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.95) Since he came to have so great a name , and that I knew him for many years , and in a very particular manner , I will dwell a little longer on his character ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.96) for it was of a very extraordinary composition . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.97) He began to make a considerable figure very early . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.98) Before he was twenty , he came into the house of commons , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.99) and was on the king's side , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.100) and undertook to get Wiltshire and Dorsetshire to declare for him , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.101) but he was not able to effect it . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.102) Yet prince Maurice breaking articles to a town that he had got to receive him , furnished him with an excuse to forsake that side , and to turn to the parliament . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.103) He had a wonderful faculty in speaking to a popular assembly , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.104) and could mix both the facetious and the serious way of arguing very agreeably . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.105) He had a particular talent of making others trust to his judgment , and depend on it : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.106) and he brought over so many to a submission to his opinion , that I never knew any man equal to him in the art of governing parties , and of making himself the head of them . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.107) He was , as to religion , a deist at best . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,172.108) He had the dotage of astrology in him to a high degree : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.109) he told me , that a Dutch doctor had from the stars foretold him the whole series of his life . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.110) But that which was before him , when he told me this , proved false , if he told true : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.111) for he said he was yet to be a greater man than he had been . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.112) He fancied that after death our souls lived in stars . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.113) He had a general knowledge of the slighter parts of learning , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.114) but understood little to bottom : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.115) so he triumphed in a rambling way of talking , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.116) but argued slightly when he was held close to any point . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.117) He had a wonderful faculty at opposing , and running things down ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.118) but had not the like force in building up . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.119) He had such an extravagant vanity in setting himself out , that it was very disagreeable . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.120) He pretended that Cromwell offered to make him king . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.121) He was indeed of great use to him , in withstanding the enthusiasts of that time . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.122) He was one of those who pressed him most to accept of the kingship , because , as he said afterwards , he was sure it would ruin him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.123) His strength lay in the knowledge of England , and of all the considerable men in it . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.124) He understood well the size of their understanding and their tempers : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.125) and he knew how to apply himself to them so dexterously , that , though by his changing sides so often it was very visible how little he was to be depended on , yet he was to the last much trusted by all the discontented party . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.126) He had no sort of virtue , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.127) for he was both-1 a lewd and corrupt man (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.128) and had no regard either-1 to truth or justice . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.129) He was not ashamed to reckon up the many turns he had made : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.130) and he valued himself on the doing it at the properest season , and in the best manner : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,173.131) and was not out of countenance in owning his unsteadiness and deceitfulness . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.132) This he did with so much vanity , and so little discretion , that he lost many by it , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.133) and his reputation was at last run so low that he could not have held much longer , had not he died in good time , either for his family or for his party . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.134) The former would have been ruined if he had not saved it by betraying his party . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.135) Another man very near of the same sort , who passed through many great employments , was Annesley , advanced to be earl of Anglesea ; who had much more knowledge , and was very learned , chiefly in the law . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.136) He had a faculty of speaking indefatigably upon every subject : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.137) but he spoke ungracefully , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.138) and did not know that he was ill at raillery , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.139) for he was always attempting it . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.140) He understood our government well , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.141) and had examined far into the original of our constitution . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.142) He was capable of great application , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.143) and was a man of a grave deportment , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.144) but stuck at nothing , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.145) and was ashamed of nothing . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.146) He was neither loved nor trusted by any man or any side : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.147) and he seemed to have no regard to the common decencies of justice and truth , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.148) but sold every thing that was in his power : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.149) and sold himself so often , that at last the price fell so low that he grew useless , because he was so well known that he was universally despised . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,174.150) Holles was a man of great courage , and of as great pride . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.152) He was counted for many years the head of the presbyterian party . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.153) He was faithful and firm to his side , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.154) and never changed through the whole course of his life . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.155) He engaged in a particular opposition to Cromwell in the time of the war . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.156) They hated one another equally . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.157) Holles seemed to carry this too far : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.158) for he would not allow Cromwell to have been either wise or brave ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.159) but often applied Solomon's observation to him , that the battle was not to the strong , nor favour to the men of understanding , but that time and chance happened to all men . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.160) He was well versed in the records of parliament , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.161) and argued well , but too vehemently ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.162) for he could not bear contradiction . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.163) He had the soul of an old stubborn Roman in him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.164) He was a faithful but a rough friend , and a severe but fair enemy . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.165) He had a true sense of religion , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.166) and was a man of an unblameable course of life , and of a sound judgment when it was not biassed by passion . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.167) He was made a lord for his merit in bringing about the restoration . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.1,175.168) CHAPTER IX . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.171) THE POPISH TERROR AND THE IMPEACHMENT OF DANBY . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.172) DISSOLUTION OF THE PENSIONARY PARLIAMENT . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.173) Three days before Michaelmas Dr. Tonge came to me . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.175) I had known him at Sir Robert Moray's . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.176) He was a gardener and a chemist , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.177) and was full of projects and notions . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.178) He had got some credit in Cromwell's time , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.179) and that kept him poor . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.180) He was a very mean divine , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.181) and seemed credulous and simple , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.182) but I had always looked on him as a sincere man . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.183) At this time he told me of strange designs against the king's person ; and that Coniers , a Benedictine , had provided himself of a poniard , with which he undertook to kill him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.184) I was amazed at all this , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.185) and did not know whether he was crazed , or had come to me on design to involve me in a concealing of treason . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.186) So I went to Lloyd , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.187) and sent him to the secretary's office with an account of that discourse of Tonge's , since I would not be guilty of misprision of treason . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.188) He found at the office that Tonge was making discoveries there , of which they made no other account but that he intended to get himself to be made a dean . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.189) I told this next morning to Littleton and Powle , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.190) and they looked on it as a design of Danby's , to be laid before the next session , thereby to dispose them to keep up a greater force , since the papists were plotting against the king's life . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.191) This would put an end to all jealousies of the king , now the papists were conspriring against his life . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.192) But lord Halifax , when I told him of it , had another apprehension of it . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,156.193) He said , considering the suspicions all had of the duke's religion , he believed every discovery of that sort would raise a flame which the court would not be able to manage . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.194) Two days after that , Titus Oates was brought before the council . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.195) He was the son of an anabaptist teacher , who afterwards conformed and got into orders , and took a benefice , as this his son did . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.196) He was proud and ill natured , haughty , but ignorant . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.197) He conversed much with Socinians , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.198) and had been complained of for some very indecent expressions concerning the mysteries of the Christian religion . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.199) He was once presented for perjury , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.200) but he got to be a chaplain in one of the king's ships , from which he was dismissed upon a complaint of some unnatural practices , not to be named . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.201) He got a qualification from the duke of Norfolk as one of his chaplains : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.202) and there he fell into much discourse with the priests that were about that family . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.203) He seemed inclined to be instructed in the popish religion . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.204) One Hutchinson , a Jesuit , had that work put on him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.205) He was a weak and light-headed man , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.206) and afterwards came over to the church of England . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.207) He was a curate about the city near a year , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.208) and came oft to me , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.209) and preached once for me . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.210) He seemed to be a sincere , devout man , who did not at all love the order , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.211) for he found they were a crafty , deceitful and meddling sort of people . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.212) They never trusted him with any secrets , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.213) but employed him wholly in making converts . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.214) He went afterwards back to that church . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.215) So all this was thought a juggle only to cast an odium upon Oates . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.216) He told me that Oates and they were always in ill terms . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,157.217) They did not allow him above ninepence a day , of which he complained much , and Hutchinson relieved him often . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.218) They wished they could be well rid of him , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.219) and sent him beyond sea , being in very ill terms with him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.220) This made him conclude , that they had not at that time trusted him with their secrets . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.221) He was kept for some time at S. Omer's , and from thence sent through France into Spain , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.222) and was now returned into England . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.223) He had been long acquainted with Tonge , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.224) and made his first discovery to him , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.225) and by the means of one Kirby a chemist , that was sometimes in the king's laboratory , they signified the thing to the king . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.226) So Tonge had an audience , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.227) and told the king a long thread of many passages , all tending to the taking away his life ; of which the king , as he afterwards told me , knew not what it could amount to , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.228) yet among so many particulars he did not know but there might be some truth . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.229) So he sent him to Danby , who intended to make some use of it , but could not give much credit to it , and handled the matter too remissly : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.230) for , if at first the thing had been traced quick , either the truth or the imposture of the whole affair might have been made appear . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.231) The king ordered Danby to say nothing of it to the duke . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.232) In the mean while some letters of an odd strain relating to plots and discoveries were sent by the post to Windsor , directed to Bedingfield , the duke's confessor ; who , when he read them , carried them to the duke , and protested he did not know what they meant , nor from whom they came . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.233) The duke carried them to the king : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.234) and he fancied they were writ either-1 by Tonge or Oates , and sent on design to have them intercepted for giving credit to the discovery . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.235) The duke's enemies on the other hand gave out that he had got some hints of the discovery , and brought these as a blind to impose on the king . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,158.236) The matter lay in a secret and remiss management for six weeks . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.237) At last , on Michaelmas eve , Oates was brought before the council , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.238) and entertained them with a long relation of many discourses he had heard among the Jesuits , of their design to kill the king . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.239) He named persons , places , and times , almost without number . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.240) He said many Jesuits had disguised themselves , and were gone to Scotland , and held field conventicles , on design to distract the government there . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.241) He said he was sent first to St. Omer's , then to Paris , and from thence to Spain , to negotiate this design ; and that upon his return , $that he brought many letters and directions from beyond sea , there was a great meeting of the Jesuits held in London , in April last , in different rooms in a tavern near St. Clement's ; and that he was employed to convey the resolutions of those in one room to those in another , and so to hand them round . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.242) The issue of the consultation was , that they came to a resolution to kill the king by shooting , stabbing , or poisoning him . That several attempts were made , all which failed in the execution , as shall be told when the trials are related . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.243) While he was going on , waiting for some certain evidence to accompany his discovery , he perceived they were jealous of him , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.244) and so he durst not trust himself among them any more . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.245) In all this there was not a word of Coniers , of which Tonge had spoke to me : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.246) so that was dropped . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.247) This was the substance of what he told the first day . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.248) Many Jesuits were upon this seized on that night , and the next day , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.249) and their papers were sealed up . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.250) Next day he accused Coleman of a strict correspondence with P. de la Chaise , whose name he had not right , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,159.251) for he called him Father le Shee : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.252) and he said in general that Coleman was acquainted with all their designs . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.253) Coleman had a whole day to make his escape , if he had thought he was in any danger . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.254) And he had conveyed all his papers out of the way : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.255) only he forgot a drawer under a table , in which the papers relating to 74 , 75 , and a part of 76 were left : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.256) and from these I drew the negotiations that I have formerly mentioned as directed by him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.257) If he had either left all his papers or withdrawn all , it had been happy for his party . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.258) Nothing had appeared if all had been destroyed : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.259) or if all had been left , it might have been concluded that the whole secret lay in them . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.260) But he left enough to give great jealousy , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.261) and no more appearing all was believed that the witnesses had deposed . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.262) Coleman was out of the way the second day , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.263) but hearing that there was a warrant out against him , he delivered himself next day to the secretary of state . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.264) When Oates and he were confronted , Oates did not know him at first : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.265) but he named him when he heard him speak , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.266) yet he only charged him upon hearsay : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.267) so he was put in a messenger's hands . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.268) Oates named Wakeman , the queen's physician , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.269) but did not know him at all , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.270) and being asked if he knew anything against him , he answered he did not , adding , God forbid he should say any thing more than he knew , he would not do that for all the world . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.271) Nor did he name Langhorn , the famous lawyer , that indeed managed all their concerns . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.272) The king found him out in one thing : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.273) he said , when he was in Spain , he was carried to Don John , who promised great assistance in the execution of their designs . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.274) The king , who knew Don John well , asked him what sort of a man he was : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.275) he answered , he was a tall lean man : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.276) now Don John was a little fat man . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.277) At first he seemed to design to recommend himself to the duke and the ministers : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,160.278) for he said he heard the Jesuits oft say , that the duke was not sure enough to them : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.279) and they were in doubt whether he would approve of their killing the king : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.280) but they were resolved if they found him stiff in that matter to despatch him likewise . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.281) He said they had oft made use of his name , and counterfeited his hand and seal without his knowledge . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.282) He said the Jesuits cherished the faction in Scotland against Lauderdale ; and intended to murder the duke of Ormond , as a great enemy to all their designs : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.283) and he affirmed he had seen many letters in which these things were mentioned , and had heard them oft spoke of . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.284) He gave a long account of the burning of London , at which time he said they intended to have killed the king : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.285) but they relented when they saw him so active in quenching the fire , that , as he said , they had kindled . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.286) The whole town was all over inflamed with this discovery . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.287) It consisted of so many particulars that it was thought to be above invention . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.288) But when Coleman's letters came to be read and examined , it got a great confirmation ; since by these it appeared that so many years before , they thought the designs for the converting the nation , and rooting out the pestilent heresy that had reigned so long in these northern kingdoms , was very near its being executed : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.289) mention was oft made of the duke's great zeal for it : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.290) and as many indecent reflections were made on the king , for his unconstancy , and his disposition to be brought to anything for money . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.291) They depended upon the French king's assistance : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.292) and therefore were earnest in their endeavours to bring about a general peace , as that which must finish their design . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.293) On the second day after this discovery , the king went to Newmarket . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,161.294) This was censured as a very indecent levity in him , to go and see horse races , when all people were so much possessed with this extraordinary discovery , to which Coleman's letters had gained an universal credit . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.296) While the king was gone , Tonge desired to speak with me . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.297) So I went to him to Whitehall , where both he and Oates were lodged under a guard . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.298) I found him so lifted up , that he seemed to have lost the little sense he had . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.299) Oates came in (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.300) and made me a compliment , that I was one that was marked out to be killed . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.301) He had before said the same of Stillingfleet , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.302) but he made that honour he did us too cheap , when he said Tonge was to be served in the same manner , because he had translated the Jesuits' morals into English . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.303) He broke out into great fury against the Jesuits , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.304) and said he would have their blood : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.305) but I , to divert him from that strain , asked him , what were the arguments that prevailed on him to change his religion , and to go over to the church of Rome ? (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.306) He upon that stood up , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.307) and laid his hands on his breast , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.308) and said , God and his holy angels knew that he had never changed , but that he had gone among them on purpose to betray them . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.309) This gave me such a character of him , that I could have no regard to anything that he either said or swore after that . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.310) A few days after this a very extraordinary thing happened , that contributed more than any other thing to the establishing the belief of all this evidence . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.311) Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey was an eminent justice of peace , that lived near Whitehall . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.312) He had the courage to stay in London , and keep things in order , during the plague , which gained him much reputation , and upon which he was knighted . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.313) He was esteemed the best justice of peace in England , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.314) and kept the quarter where he lived in very good order . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.315) He was then entering upon a great design of taking up all beggars , and putting them to work . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.316) He was thought vain and apt to take too much upon him : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.317) but there are so few men of public spirits , that small faults , though they lessen them , yet ought to be gently censured . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.318) I knew him well , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,162.319) and never had reason to think him faulty that way . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.321) He was a zealous protestant , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.322) and loved the church of England , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.323) but had kind thoughts of the nonconformists , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.324) and was not forward to execute the laws against them : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.325) and he , to avoid the being put on doing that , was not apt to search for priests or mass-houses : so that few men of his zeal lived in better terms with the papists than he did . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.326) Oates went to him the day before he appeared at the council board ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.327) and made oath of the narrative he intended to make , which he afterwards published . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.328) This seemed to be done in distrust of the privy council , as if they might stifle his evidence ; which to prevent , he put it in safe hands . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.329) Upon that Godfrey was chid for his meddling in so tender a matter ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.330) and it was generally believed that Coleman and he were long in a private conversation , between the time of his {COM:Coleman's} being put in the messenger's hands and his being made a close prisoner : which was done as soon as report was made to the council of the contents of his letters . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.331) It is certain Godfrey grew apprehensive and reserved : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.332) for meeting me on the streets , after some discourse of the present state of affairs , he said he believed he himself should be knocked on the head . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.333) Yet he took no care of himself , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.334) and went about , according to his own maxim , still without a servant , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.335) for he used to say that the servants in London were corrupted by the idleness and ill company they fell into while they attended on their masters . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.336) On that day fortnight in which Oates had made his discovery , being a Saturday , he went abroad in the morning , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.337) and was seen about one o'clock near S. Clement's church , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.338) but was never seen any more . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.339) He was a punctual man to good hours : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.340) so his servants were amazed when he did not come home : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.341) yet , he having an ancient mother that lived at Hammersmith , they fancied he had heard she was dying , and so was gone to see her . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.342) Next morning they sent thither , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.343) but heard no news of him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.344) So his two brothers , who lived in the city , were sent to . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.345) They were not acquainted with his affairs : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,163.346) so they did not know whether he might not have stepped aside for debt , since at that time all people were calling in their money , which broke a great many : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.347) but no creditor coming about the house , they on Tuesday published his being thus lost . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.348) The council sat upon it , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.349) and were going to order a search of all the houses about the town ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.350) but were diverted from it , by many stories that were brought them by the duke of Norfolk : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.351) sometimes it was said he was indecently married , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.352) and the scene was often shifted of the places where it was said he was . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.353) Norfolk's officiousness in this matter , and the last place he was seen at being near Arundel house , brought him under great suspicion . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.354) On Thursday one came into a bookseller's shop after dinner , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.355) and said he was found thrust through with a sword . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.356) That was presently brought as news to me , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.357) but the reporter of it was not known . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.358) That night late his body was found in a ditch , about a mile out of town , near St. Pancras church . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.359) His sword was thrust through him , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.360) but no blood was on his clothes or about him . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.361) His shoes were clean , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.362) his money was in his pocket : (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.363) but nothing was about his neck , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.364) and a mark was all round it , an inch broad , which shewed he was strangled . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.365) His breast was likewise all over marked with bruises , (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.366) and his neck was broken . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.367) All this I saw ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.368) for Lloyd and I went to view his body . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,164.369) There were many drops of white waxlights on his breeches ; which he never used himself ; (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,165.370) and since only persons of quality or priests use those lights , this made all people conclude in whose hands he must have been . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,165.371) And it was visible he was first strangled , and then carried to that place , where his sword was run into his dead body . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,165.372) For a while it was given out that he was a hypochondriacal man , and had killed himself . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,165.373) Of this the king was possessed , till Lloyd went and told him what he had seen . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,165.374) The body lay two days exposed , many going to see it , who went away much moved with the sight . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,165.375) And indeed men's spirits were so sharpened upon it , that we all looked on it as a very great happiness that the people did not vent their fury upon the papists about the town . (BURNETCHA-E3-H,1.2,165.376)