Mormonism was then unknown. There were in existence no agents of that strangely-compounded system, inviting emigrants to the Western world; but there were people wandering about England who tried to persuade the credulous and simple to repair to the Palatinate, saying that there the kingdom of Christ was to be restored, and that England, whose sins were so great, was on the edge of destruction. These apostles framed a covenant,--which they concealed from those who were not likely to subscribe it,--to renounce such powers and rulers as were contrary to Christ, and to His Government, to refuse their money, and to separate themselves entirely from all anti-Christian religions. They promised to obey God's laws, especially those relating to the Sabbath, and never to intermarry with strangers--to devote themselves wholly to the service of the Almighty, and try to find a place where they might become a distinct people. Explanations were added to the effect, that the powers renounced were persecuting powers, but that God's laws, if practised by them, were not to be renounced; that no ruler was to be allowed by them, who did not enter into communion with themselves; and that coins bearing images or superscriptions contrary to God's Word should be cast away.[520] [Sidenote: 1667.] The Dutch, who had alarmed the Government in 1666, alarmed them again, and the whole nation besides, much more, in 1667. One division of the enemy's fleet swept up the Medway past Sheerness--the other, to divert attention, sailed up the Thames. The former burst the chain hung across the stream, fired at the batteries, reduced to ashes three first-rate men-of-war, and then returned unmolested to join the rest of their own vessels at the Nore. The influence produced by this unprecedented invasion is vividly reflected in the following letter:--"The merchants are undone. Our great bankers of money have shut up their shops. People are ready to tear their hair off their heads. Great importunity hath been used at Whitehall for a Parliament, and more particularly by Sir George Saville, but nothing will prevail; there is one great gownsman against it, and all the Bishops and Papists, and all those who have cozened and cheated the King. News came this day to the King, the French are come from Brest, and appear before the Isle of Wight; some at Court give out that they are friends, and not enemies. We expect the Dutch as far as Woolwich. People are fled from Greenwich and Blackwall with their families and children. We are betrayed, let it light where it will."[521] And a few days afterwards the nation, from end to end, was agitated by the intelligence of the Dutch attack--many Dissenters idly attributing the success of the daring manœuvre to the teaching of the Government and to Popish counsels at headquarters.[522] [Sidenote: EMPTY EXCHEQUER.]