so that the favour more than recompensed the prejudice, and it is happier to have been saved, if so we were, by the indulgence of our good and faithful fellow-subjects, than by our own deserts; because thereby the weakness of the faction is discovered, which, in us, at that time attacked the government; and stood combined, like the members of the rebellious league, against the lawful Sovereign authority.

To what topick will they have recourse, when they are manifestly beaten from their chief post, which has always been popularity, and majority of voices? They will tell us, that the voices of a people are not to be gathered in a playhouse; and yet even there, the enemies as well as friends have free admission; but while our argument was serviceable to their interests, they could boast that the theatres were true Protestant, and came insulting to the plays where their own triumphs were represented. But let them now assure themselves that they can make the major part of no assembly, except it be a Meeting-house. Their tide of popularity is spent, and the natural current of obedience is in spite of them at last prevalent: in which, my Lord, after the merciful providence of God, the unshaken resolution and prudent carriage of the King, and the inviolable duty and manifest innocence of his Royal Highness, the prudent management of the ministers is also most conspicu

I am not particular in this commendation, because I am unwilling to raise envy to your

Lordship, who are too just not to desire that praise should be communicated to others, which was the common endeavour and co-operation of all. It is enough, my Lord, that your own part was neither obscure in it, nor unhazardous. And if ever this excellent government, so well established by the wisdom of our forefathers, and so much shaken by the folly of this age, shall recover its ancient splendour, posterity cannot be so ungrateful as to forget those, who, in the worst of times, have stood undaunted by their King and Country; and for the safeguard of both, have exposed themselves to the malice of false patriots, and the madness of an headstrong rabble. But since this glorious work is yet unfinished, and though we have reason to hope well of the success, yet the event depends on the unsearchable providence of Almighty God, it is no time to raise trophies while the victory is in dispute; but every man, by your example, to contribute what is in his power to maintain so just a cause, on which depends the future settlement and prosperity of three nations. The pilot's prayer to Neptune was not amiss in the middle of the storm: Thou may'st do with me, O Neptune, what thou pleasest; but I will be sure to hold fast the rudder. We are to trust firmly in the Deity, but so as not to forget that he commonly works by second causes, and admits of our endeavours with his concurrence.

For our own parts we are sensible, as we ought, how little we can contribute with our weak assist

ance. The most we can boast of is, that we are not so inconsiderable as to want enemies, whom we have raised to ourselves on no other account than that we are not of their number; and since that is their quarrel, they shall have daily occasion to hate us more. It is not, my Lord, that any man delights to see himself pasquined and affronted by their inveterate scribblers; but on the other side it ought to be our glory, that themselves believe not of us what they write. Reasonable men are well satisfied for whose sakes the venom of their party is shed on us, because they see that at the same time our adversaries spare not those to whom they owe allegiance and veneration. Their despair has pushed them to break those bonds; and it is observable, that the lower they are driven, the more violently they write; as Lucifer and his companions were only proud when angels, but grew malicious when devils. Let them rail, since it is the only solace of their miseries, and the only revenge which we hope they now can take. The greatest and the best of men are above their reach; and for our meanness, though they assault us like foot-padders, in the dark, their blows have done us little harm: we yet live to justify ourselves in open day, to vindicate our loyalty to the government, and to assure your Lordship, with all submission and sincerity, that we are

Your LORDSHIP's most obedient,

faithful servants,

JOHN DRYDEN,-NAT. LEE.

THE

VINDICATION:

OR

THE PARALLEL

OF

THE FRENCH HOLY LEAGUE

AND THE

ENGLISH LEAGUE AND COVENANT

TURNED INTO A SEDITIOUS LIBEL AGAINST THE KING AND HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS;

BY THOMAS HUNT, AND THE AUTHORS OF THE REFLECTIONS UPON THE PRETENDED PARALLEL IN THE PLAY CALLED

THE DUKE OF GUISE.

FIRST PRINTED IN QUARTO, IN 1683.