The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

DIARY OF LONDON

17th March, 1686. I went to my house in the country,
refusing to be present at what was to pass at the Privy
Seal the next day. In the morning-Dr. Tenison preached
an incomparable discourse at Whitehall, on Timothy

ii. 3, 4-

24th March, 1686. Dr. Cradock (Provost of Eaton)
preached at the same place, on Psalm xlix. 13, showing
the vanity of earthly enjoyments.

28th March, 1686. Dr. White, Bishop of Peterborough,
preached in a very eloquent style, on Matthew xxvi. 29,
submission to the will of God on all accidents, and at
all times.

29th March, 1686. The Duke of Northumberland (a
natural son of the late King by the Duchess of Cleve-
land) marrying very meanly, with the help of his brother
Grafton, attempted in vain to spirit away his wife.

A Brief was read in all churches for relieving the
French Protestants, who came here for protection from
the unheard-of cruelties of the King.

ad April, 1686. Sir Edward Hales, a Papist, made
Governor of Dover Castle.

15th April, 1686. The Archbishop of York now died
of the smallpox, aged 62, a corpulent man. He was my
special loving friend, and while Bishop of Rochester
(from whence he was translated) my excellent neighbor.
He was an inexpressible loss to the whole church, and
that Province especially, being a learned, wise, stout,
and most worthy prelate; I look on this as a great stroke
to the poor Church of England, now in this defecting
period.

18th April, 1686. In the afternoon I went to Camber-
well, to visit Dr. Parr. After sermon, I accompanied
him to his house, where he showed me the Life and
Letters of the late learned Primate of Armagh (Usher),
and among them that letter of Bishop Bramhairs to the
Primate, giving notice of the Popish practices to pervert
this nation, by sending a hundred priests into England,
who were to conform themselves to all sectaries and
conditions for the more easily dispersing their doctrine
among us. This letter was the cause of the whole
impression being seized, upon pretense that it was a politi-
cal or historical account of things not relating to theol-
ogy, though it had been licensed by the Bishop; whichnd foot, in