[The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part F. by David Hume]@TWC D-Link bookThe History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part F. CHAPTER LXXI 7/82
He revived some complaints of the East India Company with regard to the affair of Bantam,[*] He required the six British regiments in the Dutch service to be sent over.
He began to put his navy in a formidable condition.
And from all his movements, the Hollanders entertained apprehensions that he sought only an occasion and pretence for making war upon them. The prince, in his turn, resolved to push affairs with more vigor, and to preserve all the English Protestants in his interests, as well as maintain them firm in their present union against the Catholics.
He knew that men of education in England were, many of them, retained in their religion more by honor than by principle;[**] and that, though every one was ashamed to be the first proselyte, yet if the example were once set by some eminent persons, interest would every day make considerable conversions to a communion which was so zealously encouraged by the sovereign. * D'Avaux, 21st of January, 1687. ** Burnet. Dykvelt therefore was sent over as envoy to England; and the prince gave him instructions, besides publicly remonstrating on the conduct of affairs both at home and abroad, to apply in his name, after a proper manner, to every sect and denomination.
To the church party he sent assurances of favor and regard, and protested, that his education in Holland had nowise prejudiced him against Episcopal government.
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