yet, to set downe the manner of their cure, and strengthen it with such a defensive plaster, as may, for the future, prevent falling into the like, will not be thought unworthy the labour of the historian, and without which the politician shall be litle edified; who cannot pretend to a higher title than that of an emperick, if he hath not been conversant (as the pretenders by their places to reason of state are most commonly found) with other experiments then may be deduced out of the stories of antiquity, wherein all transactions, (but what passed between Greece and Rome,) had still one end of the treaty supported by a people stiled barbarous. Nor is it to be wondered at, that the ancients should exceed the moderne in repute, though short in goodnesse, since the best construction is put upon their ambiguities, and their faults mended, and imputed not to the author but transcribers: whereas, contemtoraries receive all rigor, few vouchsafeing to mend the errors of the presse; and if any inter

pretation be worse then other, he is sure to have it; wherefore, in case I die before this be finished, if posterity finds no reason to wish it otherwise, I am sure the composer shall not.

THE

PRINCIPALL HEADS

OF

THE FOLLOWING MEMOYRES

ON THE RAIGNE OF

KING JAMES THE FIRST.

1. KING James, the Occasion of his Son's Ruine. 2. The English disgust the Multitudes of Scots following him. How it might have been prevented.

3. How he stood affected at the News of Queen Elizabeth's Death, and his Proclaiming by the Mayor of London. Who were most earnest for his Reception, and who propounded it might be with Caution.

4. A Peace made with Spaine-of what Consequence to that Crown.

5. By what Gifts procured, and-The King's Counsell suborn'd.

6. The Lords Cobham, Gray, and Sir W. Rawly in
dicted of Treason. The miserable Death of the first.

7. Sir W. Rawly's History of the World. His Gui-
ana Voyage. His Triall, Condemnation, Execution,
and Character.

8 Truce made between Spain and the Dutch; the
Inconveniencies thereof to that Republick. K. James
Writings and Employment..

9. His Entry and Exit attended with great Plagues.
10. This ill Condition the Papists lay in-may seem
to have brought forth that Monster, the Powder Plôt.
11. Conjectures what its Effects might have been.
12. Miracles related of Garnet-His Execution; with
the Rest of the Conspirators.

13. The Discovery, reported as occasion'd by the
Lord Morley (Cecil's Artifice.)—

14. Came from the French King. The Spanish
flattering Congratulation. K. James's Pusilanimity and
ill Practices; their Effects. Rome's Despaire of regain-
ing England.

15. The Causes of the French King's Assassination.

16. The Papists indulg'd, and Puritans (unadvisedly)
prosecuted. The Conference at Hampton-Court. Its
Inconveniencies. By what Steps the Puritans got up,
and the old Clergy degenerated.

17. The English impoverished by Exactions to in-
rich the Scots. K. James, his Hunting Character. His
Demeanour towards Q. Anne. Her Picture.