"Then I am safe," said the protector; "for I am sure that once I was in a state of grace." His physicians were sensible of the perilous condition to which his distemper had reduced him; but his chaplains, by their prayers, visions, and revelations, so buoyed up his hopes, that he began to believe his life out of all danger.

A favorable answer, it was pretended, had been returned by Heaven to the petitions of all the godly: and he relied on their asseverations much more than on the opinion of the most experienced physicians.

"I tell you," he cried with confidence to the latter, "I tell you, I shall not die of this distemper: I am well assured of my recovery.

It is promised by the Lord, not only to my supplications, but to those of men who hold a stricter commerce and more intimate correspondence with him.

Ye may have skill in your profession; but nature can do more than all the physicians in the world, and God is far above nature."(*) Nay, to such a degree of madness did their enthusiastic assurances mount, that, upon a fast day, which was observed on his account both at Hampton Court and at Whitehall, they did not so much pray for his health, as give thanks for the undoubted pledges which they had received of his recovery.