Prince-protecting providences, or, A collection of some historical passages relating how several princes and personages (born for great actions) have had miraculous preservations : made publick upon occasion of the late memorable (and miraculous) deliverance of His Royal Highness, James Duke of York.

[And, first, Some out of Sacred Writ.]

JOseph's Brethren conspire his Death: Reuben (of all the rest) is against the Bloody Cruelty; but advises to put him into a Pit, (as a means either to be starved, or devoured by some Evil Beast.) Judah, afterward, advises to sell him to the Midianitish Merchants; and They carry him into Aegypt, and sell him to Potiphar, the King's Steward: Being in his Service, he has an unjust Accu∣sation framed against him by his Mistriss. He is imprison'd; and, in Prison, Ex∣pounding the Chief Butler and Baker's Dream, he is after made known to the King; and Expounding his Dream also, is made sole Govenour over all Aegypt. [So to save, not only the Aegyptians from starving; but also his Father, and unna∣tural Brethren.]

Moses (when Born) is hid Three Months; then exposed in a little Ark upon the River Nile: Pharoah's Daughter spies him, causes him to be taken up, and Nur∣sed as her Son; Heb. 11. •• As a Presage of his future being a Prince, and good Ju∣sticier, he kills the injuring Aegyptian; for which Pharaoh seeks to slay him: He flies to Midian; Marries the Priest (or Princes) Daughter: God appears to him, induing him with a Spirit, working Wonders; makes him the General Conductor of the Children of Israel through the Red-Sea, (a miraculous Passage!) and after∣wards institutes him their Governour.

David is deliver'd from the Paws of the Lyon and Bear, from the Sword of Go∣liah; [and after of other Philistines,] from Saul's Javelin, and his Lyings in wait, and continued Persecutions, [from the Envy of the Philistine Lords]; from all these, to fight the Lord's Battels, and be King of Israel, at the appointed Time.

Athaliah puts to Death all the King's Sons, except Joash; for his Aunt takes him, and hides him Six Years in great Privacy; [the Seventh Year the People rise unanimously, slay Athaliah, Crown Joash King.] This was that good Prince; that Repaired the Temple, and did that which was Good in the Sight of the Lord, 2 King. Chap. 11. Chap. 12.

Paul, Ordained to be the great Doctor of the Gentiles, and to die a Martyr for the Truth at Rome, (the Mistress of the World) is miraculously Converted, and as miraculously often-times Preserved. Act. 9. a Conspiracy being to Kill him, his Friends let him down over the Wall in a Basket. Act. 14. is stoned, and sup∣posed to be dead. Chap. 16. whipped and imprisoned, with a succeeding Miracle. Chap. 18. accused by the Jews, excused by Gallio. Chap. 19. escapeth the Sedition raised against him by Demetrius. Chap. 23. delivered by the Chief Captain, from a Conspiracy of Forty. Chap. 27. escapes Shipwrack: and lastly, arrives at Rome, which was his Terminus ad Quem, to Receive the Crown of Martyrdom.

Josephus tells us, The Divine Protection appear'd in Titus, the Son of Vespasi∣an, (destin'd to ruin Jerusalem, and subdue the Jews); before he besieged the Ci∣ty, he went about to discover, and fell into an Ambuscado of his Enemies: At which time (if ever) it was known; God disposeth of the Moments of War, and Lives of Princes. He had neither Helmet on his Head, nor Armour on his Body, (be∣cause he went not to Fight, but to discover,) of an infinite Number of Arrows, that were shot at him, not one lighted on him, but fell beside him, or at his Hor∣ses Feet; though the Jews, encouraging one another, Sallyed out, charging and re-charging him which way soever he turned.

Suetonius tells us, That Augustus Caesar escaped a Great Danger; for one of the Chief Men among the Gauls, confessed to some of his Friends, That he had fully resolved to make, as if he would have parlied with Augustus, in his Passage over the Alpes; and that at his coming within him, he would have thrown him down: but the Amiableness and Majesty of the Emperour, deter'd him in the very moment. Valerius Maximus, lib. 9. chap. 11. maketh mention of such another Treason in∣tended against this great Prince, which was likewise frustrated.

Gabriel Fondulo, Lord of Cremona, confessed (before his Death) That he had once resolved with himself, to throw down head-long from the High Tower of Cremona, the Emperor Sigismond, who was gone up thither, to see the City and Country thereabouts. But at the very Juncture and Moment, his Conscience was affrighted: (Historia Italica.) All Historians say, He was a most excellent Prince: He it was, that to cure the great Schism in the Papacy, procured the General Coun∣cil of Constance.

The Famous Emperour, Charles the Fifth, (born for Great Actions) escaped just such a Designe of being thrown from the Top of the Temple of Pantheon in Rome, by a certain malevolent Italian; but his Heart failed him in the Nick of Time. (Camerarius.)

Henry the Third, Emperour, (a Famous Prince, and a Manager of great Wars) was Entertained and Lodged very sumptuously by the Countess Richilda; and as she was making a Request to the Emperour, and he reaching his Hand to her, in token of Appeal, the Chamber-Floor suddenly brake under them; the Emperour fell into a Bathing-Vessel, that was in the Room underneath, and had no Harm:

But Bruno, Bishop of Virtsbourgh, Alemannus, Bishop of Eversbourgh, and the Coun∣tess, were so bruised, they died in few days. (Aventinus.)

Frederick the First, Emperour, being in St. Peter's Cloyster in Erford, had Occa∣sion to go the Privy, (some of Quality accompanying) suddenly the Floor sunk, and the Emperour had miscarry'd, if he had not suddenly taken hold of the Grates of a Window, where he hung till some came, and relieved him. Some Gentlemen fell to the Bottom, and perished; among others, Henry Earl of Swartzenbourgh, who carryed the Presage of his Death in a common Imprecation; which was this, If I do it not, let me die in a Privy. [This was that Famous Emperour, stiled Barba∣rossa, (recommended to the States by his Predecessor Conrade) famous for his Wars in Italy, Sicily, and Armenia; and who also 'scaped a great Danger, accompanied only with one Servant; for a desperate Fellow of a sudden rushing upon him, (out of an Ambuscado) close by a River, endeavoured to cast him in: but not prevailing, leapt himself into the River, and swam away. Albertus Crantzius.]

Henry the Fourth, Emperour; This famous Prince was fain to put his Hand to the Sword at Fourteen years of Age, and fought Sixty-two Battels, ere he laid down. Aventine writes of him, he escaped a great Danger, near to Spire; for having been by the Plotting of Hanno, (Arch-Bishop of Collen) brought into a sumptuous Boat, trimmed and provided to carry him away Prisoner; misdoubting that some ill Turn was meant him, he cast himself into the Rhine; where he had been drown∣ed, but for the kind Endeavour of his Kinsman Egbert, who got him a Shoar.

This same Emperour used to go often to Prayers in St. Maries Church, in Mount Aventine. Pope Gregory the Seventh, (who carried a watchful Eye over this great Princes Actions) commanded one to take notice of the Place where he was wont to pray, and got a certain Fellow to go up upon the Top of the Church, and there upon the Beams, to place certain great Stones, which should be so fitly laid, that with the least touch they should fall down upon the Emperour's Head, and brain him at their Fall. The Villain went so hastily to work, that as he thought to have rowled down a very great Stone, the said Stone (with his weight) drew him too: So that Man and Stone came down together upon the Temple-floor; where the Man was killed with the Stone that fell upon him, and the Emperour escaped. The good Emperour notwithstanding, would have the Wretch to be buried.

Bodin tells of a certain Gentleman of Normandy, who once resolved to have killed King Francis; but the Divine Power operating, he repented him of his wicked Purpose. This was that Famous Francis, the great Emulator of Charles the Fifth, and opposing him in all his Ambitious Undertakings.

Justin tells us, Astyages, upon a Dream, caused his Grand-Son to be delivered to Harpagus, to be made away; which he unwilling to do himself, delivers him to the King's Shepherd; he also unwilling to kill the Infant, exposes him in the Woods, and afterwards finds a Bitch suckling of him, and defending him from Beasts and Birds. His Wife perswades him to expose her own Son, and bring up the other; which is consented to. Thus was that great Conquerour of Asia (Cy∣rus) preserved, whose Birth was foretold by Isaiah Three Hundred years before it happened. Isa. 44. 28.

Justin telleth us also, Gargoris (King of the Curetes) his Daughter was got with with Child; he commands the Innocent to be made away: First, It was exposed in Solitary Places; and the Wild Beasts they suckle it, instead of devouring it. Se∣condly, It is laid in a narrow Way, where droves of Beasts went to, and return∣ed from the Field; they trod not on him, but contrary, Goats and Cows stand still, and suckle him. Hungry Dogs spare him: And cast to Sows, they suckle him. Then he is cast into the Sea, where he floats, and the Waves carry him a Shoar; and a Hinde nourishes, and brings him up. Finally, After sometime, he is taken in a Toil, or Net, and presented to his Grand-Father; and known by certain Marks, is proclaimed Heir, and proved an Excellent Prince.

Procus Silvius had two Sons, Numitor and Amulius; Amulius having chased his Elder Brother, Numitor, out of the Country, caused also his Daughter Rhea to be∣come a Vestal-Virgin; she becomes great of two Sons, and delivered. These A∣mulius exposes; Fortune provides 'em for Nurse a Shee-Wolfe, bereaved of her Whelps, and willing to have her Duggs drawn, who often suckles them. Fau∣stulus,

the King's Shepherd, takes notice of this wond'rous Accident, and brings them up in a Country way. At length, they revenge the Injury done to Numitor, and restore him. [These Miraculously nourish't-Twins, were ordained to be Founders of the City Rome, (the future Lady of the World:] And so by an unex∣pected Providence, were preserved, (as Justin, and other Authors.)

Hiero, King of Sicily, was a Bastard, and exposed by his Father Hieroclitus. Wan∣ting Humane Helps, the Bees nourish him; which his Father knowing, and con∣sulting the South-sayers, holds it for a good Omen; takes him home, and gives him agreeable Education. This was he, that succeeded the Great Pyrrhus, (in the Sicilian Kingdom, and of whom Justin gives a most Royal Character.

Homay, Queen of Persia, left with Child by her Husband, at five Months end is deliver'd of a Son. The Astrologers are conven'd, who consult the Stars, and find, He should cause great Miseries and Ruin to his Realms; so as many were of opinion, he should be put to Death. The Mother would not yield to that; but caused him to be put in a little Cradle, enclosed within a Coffer or Ark of Wood; in which she put many precious Jewels of great value; to the end, if any poor Man found him, he might the rather afford to bring him up. He was carried far from thence, upon the River Jehun; and was taken up by a poor Landerer, or Washer of Linnen. He brings him up; when he was grown Great, nothing would serve him but the Profession of Arms. He enters into the Army of his unknown Mother; performs Wonders; is brought before her; and after Questions aks't, is by her acknowledg'd, and succeeds in the Kingdom. [Exceeding all his Prede∣cessors in Bounty and Wisdom, contrary to the Opinion of the Chaldeans or Astro∣logers, who do not always Preach the Gospel.] Ex Chronio Persico.

Kozrar. King of Persia, (upon a Dream) caused Jazdegard, his Grand-Son, to be carried into a Solitary and Desart Place; exposed to the Mercy of Wild Beasts; where certain Herdsmen passing by, took him, and gave him Breeding according to their poor Quality. Coming to Age, he found means to know his Beginning; and having a Mind agreeable to his Birth, he went to Court; where he carried himself so bravely, that at length he was acknowledged for what he was; so as after he was made King, and Governed exceeding well.

On St. Dunstan's Day, 1251. E••••anor, the Queen, (Wife to Henry the Third) sit∣ting with her Children in a Chamber at Windsor-Castle, a marvellous Tempest of Thunder and Lightening beat down to Dust the Chimney of the said Chamber where they were, they receiving no harm. She was a devout and good Queen, (and the Children are supposed to be Prince Edward, then some Twelve Years old, Edmund Earl of Lancaster, Margaret, after Queen of the Scots, Beatrix, afterwards Dutchess of Britain.) Stow.

Anno 1287. The fore-said Prince Edward, (now become King) sitting with the Queen together in a Chamber, a Thunder-Clap entring the Window, passed be∣tween them, and slew two of their Houshold Servants; they remaining unhurt. Stow. This was that Famous Edward, that tamed the Scots and Welch: See Wea∣ver, pag. 456, 457, 458, 459. During his being in the Holy-Land, he was woun∣ded by a Saracen, with a venom'd Knife, the Poison whereof was sucked out by his Queen, otherwise the Wound thought uncurable.

Fox the Martyrologist, in the Beginning of his Discourse of this Princes Reign, has a Memorable Passage: That he once playing at Chess with a certain Souldier, suddenly (upon no occasion given) rose up, and went his way; when presently a mighty Stone fell down from the Vault, directly upon the Place where he sate, which had undoubtedly brained him.

Henry the Eighth, following his Hawk, leapt over a Ditch with a Pole, which broke; so that, if Edmund Moody (a Foot-man) had not leapt into the Water, and lift up the King's Head, which stuck in the Clay, he had been drown'd. (This Foot-man was rewarded both with Means and Arms, speaking his Service done to his Prince.) And the King lived to perform afterwards a Deed of grand Concern.

I could mention some notable Deliverances of Queen Elizabeth; but her Suffe∣rings and Life having been Printed not long since, I shall forbear.

But I will recite what Camerarius says concering King James. His words are: We must not forget the Divine Protection, and miraculous Deliverance of James the Sixth,

late King of Scotland, and Now King of Great Britain, upon the Fifth of August 1660. This Prince giving Credit to the Words and Protestations of Alexander, Brother to the Earl Gowry, fell into an Ambush, laid for him by these two Brethren, and other their Con∣federates; where, being unarm'd, and assaulted by two (that were intent to Murder him) he so defended himself for a while by his Royal Port, and forcible Speech, they had no Power to bind him. And adds, That Andrew Hinderson (appointed to be the chief As∣sassine) seeing Alexander, the Earl's Brother, with his naked Ponyard threatning the King, he lost all Courage, and fell into an exceeding Horrour and Fear, &c.

I might mention here the Miraculous Restoring of the Royal Family: I shall on∣ly mention some Verses of a Panegyrick to his Royal Highness, upon His Majesty's late Declaration, concerning the said Duke's Pretensions; which Verses hint the said Restauration:

God's wond'rous Hand, after a long Exile, Them hand in hand reduc'd to Native Isle: When Wisest Men esteem'd Their State forlorn, They saw Them stated in the Land where Born. A strange Agreement They have underwent, Sometimes of Bliss, sometimes of Discontent!

Viz. The King and Duke.

Day-Fatality, pag. 7. says thus of his Royal Highness his going to Holland:

The Gods Thy Exit have Ordain'd; and also They, Thy Blest Return have 'firm'd, Born on a Lucky Day.

He adds also, The Third of March, the Day of his Departure, was Dedicated to St. Maximus, St. Marinus, St. Lucius; and says, Quod hic Maximus princeps, gestis Marinis Maxime Lucet, & alias Lucebit; This most Great Prince is extream∣ly Illustrious in Sea-Matters, and shall yet be otherways most Conspicuous.

I think the Late Shipwrack has made him so; and proves, God has set his Titu∣lar Angels over him. 'Tis true, he lost his Ship; but that is like the Snakes cast∣ing off his Skin, (foreboding a Renovation of Felicity.) St. Paul religiously boasts of his Shipwrack; 2 Cor. 11. 25. Thrice (says he) have I suffered Shipwrack: And why may not his Royal Highness rejoyce in this Disaster, as St. Paul does Ver. 20. of the said Chapter?

Great JAMES, whom Shipwrack lately hath assail'd; But whom, Divine Protection never fail'd; And upon whom, great Glory is entail'd; And at whose Presence, all his Foes are quail'd: Still Trust in Him, who is of Kings the Shield, And to Good Princes, always Help doth yield. Those that presum'd, thou wer't of God forsaken; Must now confess themselves Fools, and mistaken. The Malice of the Devil, Wind, and Sea, To check Thy Fortunes, can hold forth no Plea. Good Omens still, accompany Thy State; And God himself forbids Distast'rous Fate. The Malice of Thy Foes has now an End; And They, with the lost Frigat, downward tend. But Thou (buoy'd up with Providence Divine,) Shall float above, [and fear no Ʋndermine.]

He whom the Seas did dare, but could not harm, Need not to fear the mean Phanatick Swarm. A Signe from Heaven has those Jews confounded, Whose Cancre once against Thy Face rebounded.

Tutus sit Augustissimus Rex Carolus (Sancti Foelicis Festo prospere natus) Celsissi∣mus Illustrissimus Dux Jacobus; (Quem stellam Borealem ante multos annos Praedixe∣re Vates) & Ʋniversa Stirps Regia a turba Phanatica Anti-monarchica. [Introduct. ad Latinam Blasoniam, pag. 165.]

It's remarkable, His Royal Highness Arrived safe at London, on Saturday the Twenty-Seventh Day of May, after his so Memorable Escape; which Day is De∣dicated to Venerable Bede: A good Omen, that hence-forward the People shall Eum Respicere & Venerari, quem non ita pridem visi sunt Despicere & Venari; Reve∣rence and Respect Him, whom so lately they Despised and Persecuted.