The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

1672 JOHN EVELYN

accordingly, his Majesty made use of infinite treasure
there, to prepare for an intended rupture); "but, says he,
it will soon be open again, and everybody satisfied; for
this bold man, who had been the sole adviser of the
King to invade that sacred stock (though some pretend
it was Lord Ashley's counsel, then Chancellor of the
Exchequer), was so over-confident of the success of this
unworthy design against the Smyrna merchants, as to
put his Majesty on an action which not only lost the
hearts of his subjects, and ruined many widows and
orphans, whose stocks were lent him, but the reputation
of his Exchequer forever, it being before in such credit,
that he might have commanded half the wealth of the nation.

The credit of this bank being thus broken, did exceed-
ingly discontent the people, and never did his Majesty's
affairs prosper to any purpose after it, for as it did not
supply the expense of the meditated war, so it melted
away, I know not how.

To this succeeded the King's declaration for an uni-
versal toleration; Papists and swarms of Sectaries, now
boldly showing themselves in their public meetings. This
was imputed to the same council, Clifford warping to
Rome as was believed, nor was Lord Arlington clear of
suspicion, to gratify that party, but as since it has proved,
and was then evidently foreseen, to the extreme weaken-
ing of the Church of England and its Episcopal Govern-
ment, as it was projected. 1 speak not this as my own
sense, but what was the discourse and thoughts of others,
who were lookers-on; for I think there might be some
relaxations without the least prejudice to the present
establishment, discreetly limited, but to let go the reins
in this manner, and then to imagine they could take
them up again as easily, was a false policy, and greatly
destructive. The truth is, our Bishops slipped the occa-
sion ; for, had they held a steady hand upon his Majesty's
restoration, as they might easily have done, the Church
of England had emerged and flourished, without interrup-
tion ; but they were then remiss, and covetous after
advantages of another kind while his Majesty suffered
them to come into a harvest, with which, without any
injustice he might have remunerated innumerable gallant
gentlemen for their services who had ruined themselves
in the late rebellion.specially medals, books, plants, andd for the bill, of which