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days; and after much search, and many surmises,his body was found lying in a ditch at Primrose-hill: The marks of strangling were thought toappear about his neck, and some contusions onhis breast : His own sword was sticking in thebody ; but as no considerable quantity of bloodensued on drawing it, it was concluded, that ithad been thrust in after his death, and that hehad not killed himself: He had rings on his lin-gers and money in his pocket: It was thereforeinferred, that he had not fallen into the handsof robbers. Without farther reasoning, the cryrose, that he had been assassinated by the papists,on account of his taking Oates’s evidence. Thisclamor was quickly propagated, and met withuniversal belies. The panic spread itself on everyside with infinite rapidity; and all men, astonishedwith fear, and animated with rage, saw in God-frey’s fate all the horrible designs ascribed to theCatholics ; and no farther doubt remained ofOates’s veracity. The voice of the nation unitedagainst that hated sect; and notwithstanding thatthe bloody conspiracy was supposed to be nowdetected, men could scarcely be persuaded, thattheir lives were yet in safety. Each hour teemedwith new rumors and surmises. Invasions fromabroad , insurrections at home , even privatemurders and poisonings were apprehended. Todeny the reality of the plot was to be an accom-plice : To hesitate was criminal: Royalist, .Re-publican; Churchman, Sectary; Courtier, Patriot;all parties concurred in the illusion. The cityVol XI. X

CHAP,

LXVII.

1678 .

General

constermt*

lion.