They performed these till the 10th March 1687, when the King relieved them with compliments on their 'faithfull and loyal service, with many gracious expressions to this effect', and bestowed the seal on Lord Arundel of Wardour, a zealous Roman Catholic.
In the early days of James II's reign the patronage which seemed to be coming in Evelyn's direction appears to have, not unnaturally perhaps, somewhat coloured his opinion as to the new monarch's capacity and disposition.

After a journey undertaken with Pepys to Windsor, Winchester, and Portsmouth in September 1685, whither the King went to view the state of the fortifications, he recorded that 'what I observ'd in this journey, is that infinite industry, sedulity, gravity, and greate understanding and experience of affairs, in his Majesty, that I cannot but predict much happiness to ye nation, as to its political government; and if he so persist, there could be nothing more desir'd to accomplish our prosperity, but that he was of the national church.' Biassed and prejudiced in the royal favour as he then temporarily was, this account of King James proved so totally incorrect that it is a wonder Evelyn retained it in the compilation which he left as his _Diary_.

The only explanation seems to be that he wished to record his prevision as regards Roman Catholicism proving the main rock upon which the King might come to grief, as he afterwards did.
Titus Oates' conspiracy and the Duke of Monmouth's invasion and insurrection went by without affecting Evelyn much.

He was in the latter case called upon to supply a mounted trooper, which he did rather grudgingly.

'The two horsemen which my son and myselfe sent into the county troopes, were now come home, after a moneth's being out to our greate charge.' But what concerned him much more was that matters frequently came before the Commission of the Privy Seal to which he could not, on religious grounds principally, give his assent.