22a HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

6 H A P.LXVI.I674.

Remoa-Rrances ofSir W.Triple*

would be inclined to refuse it. In order to givea sanction to his new measures, the king invitedTemple from his retreat, and appointed (himambassador to the States. That wife minister,reflecting on the unhappy issue of his formerundertakings, and the fatal turn of counsels,which had occasioned it, resolved, before heembarked a-new, to acquaint himself, as far aspossible, with the real intentions of the king, inthose popular measures, which he seemed againto have adopted. After blaming the dangerousschemes of the Cabal, which Charles was desirousto excuse, he told his majesty very plainly, thathe would find it extremely difficult, if not abso-lutely impossible, to introduce into England thesame system of government and religion, whichwas established in France : That the universalbent of the nation was against both.; and itrequired ages to change the genius and sentimentsof a people: That many, who were at bottomindifferent in matters of religion, would yetoppose all alterations on that head; because theyconsidered, that nothing but force of arms couldsubdue the reluctance of the people against po-pery; after which, they knew, there could beno security for civil liberty: That in Franceevery circumstance had long been adjusted tothat system of government, and tended to itsestablishment and support: That the commonalty,being poor and dispirited, were of no account;the nobility, engaged by the prospect or possessioncf numerous offices, civil and mijitary, were