these fell into poverty, and others were dicontented because they saw that those whom they had cruelly persecuted, now enjoyed an undisturbed liberty; for the king who was now on the throne, continued to give liberty to those that had been oppressed for religion.

But before I say more of this I cannot but mention something of the design of the unhappy duke of Monmouth, who at the death of his father king Charles the second was gone to Brussels; and being come from thence into Holland, he was spurred on so vigorously by some hot headed Englishmen, that having got money and assistance of mal-contents, he went over to England with three men of war and some forces, having given forth a declaration against king James which vented a fiery passion towards that prince, and was written, as I have been credibly told, by the violent Robert Ferguson. Monmouth being landed with his forces in the west of England, near Lime, and afterwards routed by the king's troops, was taken prisoner by the perfidiousness of a certain lord, who thereby obtained pardon for himself; but Ferguson escaped by a cunning artifice, crying along the road where he came galloping on horseback, the rebels are routed, the rebels, are routed, just as if he had been a courier sent on purpose to court and elsewhere. But thus he escaped, and being come again into Holland

he told this crafty trick to his acquaintance. Monmouth having been declared guilty of high treason by a bill of attainder, as soon as the news came of his design, was but two or three days after his arrival at London, beheaded. I count it not unworthy to be mentioned, that he undauntedly received the news of the death warrants being come; and on the scaffold on Tower Hill he told the bishops that accompanied him, "If I had no true repentance, I should not be so free from the fear of death." And when it was objected, that he ought not to rely too much on that, since that might be the effect of natural courage, he said, "No; I do not ascribe this to my nature; for naturally I am more fearful than others; but now I am freed from fear; because I feel something in me, which gives me assurance that I shall go to God." The executioner gave him several strokes with the axe, before the head was severed from the body; and some ecclesiasticks afterwards said, he died an enthusiast: for not shewing himself very ready to comply with their service, and his saying, that something within him, assured him that he should go to God, seemed to them an enthusiastical tenet. But whatever it was, yet it seems very probable to me, that he was a true penitent, and so died in peace; for though I cannot but disapprove his design, yet by true repentance he might not

only have obtained forgiveness of God, but also have had a full assurance of it.

The earl of Argyle, who rebelled in Scotland against king James, had no better lot: but I will not detain my reader therewith, neither with a relation of the dismal execution of many, who having been found guilty of high treason, either for actual rebellion, or for having been abetters of Monmouth, were sentenced to death by the infamous Jefferies, who then was lord chief justice, and afterwards chancellor; the fierceness or cruelty of this judge being such, that some lost their lives only for having given some hay or victuals to Monmouth's soldiers. But this not being within my circuit, I will pass it by, and go over to the year 1686.

Therefore leaving England, I will take a turn to Embden, in East Friesland, where a small company of those called Quakers had been under a severe persecution for several years, as I have hinted before. But the magistrates having persecuted by the instigation of their preachers, the citizens began to be displeased with it. And since the Protestants in France were now persecuted violently, and a popish prince had mounted the English throne, those at Embden grew more inclined to moderation. Probably the decay of trade also contributed a little to this change; for it appeared that the magistrates were for getting more inhabitants into their

town, though they should be Quakers; and this was counted a matter of such moment, that the common council deliberated on the subject; and two of the members of that board, viz. Polman and Bonhuyren, were sent to Magdalena van Loar, an inhabitant of Embden, desiring her to write to England and Holland, that the magistrates of the city had resolved to give liberty to the people called Quakers, to live, trade, and traffic there; which grant they proffered to confirm with the city seal. According to their desire notice was given to those of that persuasion at Amsterdam, from whence an answer being returned to the said Magdalena van Loar, she gave it to the counsellor Polman, and he delivered it to the senate. After some deliberation, the magistrates with the council of forty, and the ecclesiastical court met together, and came to a resolution, of which a copy was sent to Amsterdam. In this writing were mentioned some conditions on which the magistrates at Embden were willing to grant liberty to the Quakers to live in their city. But those of that society at Amsterdam, having weighed and duly considered the thing, found that the proposal contained some expressions, which by others, who afterwards might come to the helm, and not to be so moderate as these at present, might be used as snares against the Quakers, if they now should enter upon such terms as were pre

scribed. Therefore it was thought more safe not to enter into any engagement, whereby great inconvenience might afterwards attend their friends, when the magistracy came to be in other hands. Yet the conclusion was, to acknowledge the good intention of the magistrates of Embden, by drawing up the following letter, and sending it to them.

To the Lords, Burgomasters, Counsellors, and Rulers of the City of Embden.

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"These are to acquaint you with due respect, that a scheme or plan of yours, dated the 16 of February, 1686, is come to our hands, which having been perused by us, we have thought it, convenient in the fear of the Lord, to send you the following answer.

"First we thank God Almighty for the ease and liberty which our friends at present enjoy under your government, and are like to enjoy in the future. And, secondly, we cannot but acknowledge very acceptably your clemency and meekness, which ye shew by taking notice of the state of a despised and oppressed people, who because of their way and worship, differing from the many ways in the world, are gainsayed every where. And therefore it is that we are the more stirred up in our minds to pray fervently to the Lord God