A Reply to that malicious LETTER, pretended to be sent from Brussels, by a near Attendant on his MAJESTIES Person, &c.

Dear Cousin,

I Was extreamly surpris'd, when upon the receipt of the inclos'd, I perceiv'd by an expression of yours, as if some sober persons had been abus'd, and taken umbrage at that malicious Paper, Intituled, News from Brussels, a pre­tended Letter from so near an Attendant on his Majesty, &c. Certainly, they are of the least discerning, that can possibly subject their credits to an imposture so obnoxious, and so fertile of a Diabolical Spirit breathing in that vile Letter: But, to disabuse those tender Gentlemen, and all other good men who may haply suffer some delusion by it; know, from a Hand whose Intelligence, commerce and often presence at Brussels does inable him to distinguish and pronounce concerning things of this nature, That this pretended Letter was written, and contriv'd in London, by the malicious instigation of T. S. the assistance of Col. B. I. Har. some of their profligate gang, and the Pen of that property to all disloyalty, and inhumanity, Ne. who, as God would have it, set fall some of the very expressions, and comical periods, since published in it, to an ingenuous Friend of ours, who had casually discourse with him, a little before it came forth in print. Thus, the vanity of the Fool, betray'd his own stratagem. But to assure you that it is spu­rious, and the product of a devilish malice, it begins with a lye. The K. swore—&c. You, and I, and all the world do know, what an instance his Majesty is of the highest temperance in this kind; and, that for his reverence in that particular, he is an example even to admiration. But these vile Monsters, whose despe­rate fortunes, and affrighted consciences begin now to lash them, and present them with the antepasts of Hell, for their intolerable Villanies, contrive by all the artifice and means they can, to sow Tares in the beau­tiful Field they see springing, and to discompose the happy union, and blessed Settlement of these miserable Nations, by lying, and scandalous reproaches, and such as have the father of lies and discord for their Author. The comfort is, half an eye will serve to penetrate into this wretched piece, that either consider the Style, or the Persons about the King; or his innate, religious and severe propensity to lenity, moderation, friendliness, and whatsoever may denominate a virtuous Prince, and the most dispos'd to confirm, and make good whatsoever shall be tendred to him for the composure of these mis-understandings. Of this, Dear Cousin, how many of us are witnesses, who have so frequently admired at the tenderness of his expressions, even against his bitter­est Enemies! I do protest before Almighty God, that I think his Majesty as far from any thoughts of future revenge, as the most meek, and consummate Christian upon earth: And for his fidelity, his Word is a Law of the Medes and Persians; whosoever shall obtain it, has an assurance irrefragable; for all the world, that have at all practis'd and observ'd his Majesty, know, that it is a principle radicated in him, and to have cost him sufficiently dear in the judgment of less severe persons, who have sometimes thought, one of the most Princely virtues, a disadvantage to his proceedings. But consider yet a little, and was there ever such a Rhapsody, so maliciously comprehensive of every Article, that could be imagin'd might abuse, and give jealousie to men whose fortunes and whose persons will be as secure and dear to his Majesty as the most loyal of his Subjects: For what breaths he after so passionately, as a perfect oblivion of what is past; and that he may be united to his own flew and blood, in all the bonds of charity, and princely relations? But, is it possible to imagine, that at this time, on such a conjuncture, so open and universal an affection as every where discovers it self a­mongst all the people of this Nation (the Phanatick and some desperate wretches excepted) such a Letter should be sent from Brussels? It is ridiculous, it is all together impossible: Cousin, I trouble you no longer with this idle Affaire, Wise men will not be so mistaken, Good men cannot; The easie and the credulous may be cured by this Antidote, and men must look for the efforts of an utmost rage, whilst such implacable and hel­lish spirits cannot abandon their fears, and their despairs; and that (with Kain) they dispise mercy, and think their sin greater then can be forgiven. To conclude, Cousin, I may be sorry to tell you, that his Majesty has not in all his Retinue, an Attendant so universally intelligent, and that could devise half those particulars, so domestick, and so personal; but as he has indeed none so informed; so, neither has he any about him so in­discreet and malicious. But I have already discovered you the Sourse and the Imposture; by the date, print­ing, and several particulars ill-tim'd in the Letter, I could illustrate more, and more confound it; but it is not worth it: Have patience, Dear Cousin, God will bring all to the day shortly; and it will not be in the power of wicked men (the prudence of those in Authority continuing) to frustrate his designs of mercy towards us, so long as we have a Prince thus qualified, a People so inclin'd, and Persons in power so able and so dispos'd, after all our revolutions, and deviations, to take the only just and right expedient, to render us happy and secure.

Let us beg of God that he will convert our Enemies, and make us worthy of these blessings; For so prayes

(Dear Cousin)
Your most Affectionate, and Humble Servant, N. P.

LONDON, Printed by D. Maxwell, 1660.

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