Title of Defender of the Faith For the accomplishing this work the Spaniard had Equipped the greatest Navy that ever before that time swam upon the Sea for though there have been Fleets far more numerous yet for Bulk and Building of the Ships with the Furniture of great Ordnance and Provisions never the like consisting in all of 130 Vessels saith the Lord Baâ—on in his Considerations touching a War with Spain p. 41. whereof seventy two mighty Galiasses and Gallions like floating Castles But Cicarella in vitâ Sexti Vâ—reckons them 150 Ships of vast burthen besides an infinite number saith he of small Vessels Amongst these to let the world know it was an Holy War as the Pope had bestowed his Benediction on the whole Fleet so Twelve of the largest Ships were called by the Names of the Twelve Apostles This Invincible Armado for so the Spanish Pride had Intituled it was manned with Thirty Thousand Souldiers and Mariners and furnisht with all sorts of Provision for six Months And whilst this should as they did not doubt ride Master of the Seas they had a vast Army Fifty Thousand veterane Souldiers saith Bucon in Flanders under the Duke of Parma ready to be Transported in Flat-bottom'd Boats into England under the wing and protection of that great Navy But we are assur'd by Authority Divine That the Curse causeless shall not come the Popes Anatheina and Spains mighty Armade proved equally ineffectual and contemptible Though his Pseudo-Holiness had made Philip a grant of England he was not able to give him Livery and Seizin thereof His boasted Navy by a few of the Queens Ships is baffled battered and dispersed and almost totally ruined God himself whose Cause indeed it was fighting against them by Fire and Seas and Winds and Rocks and Tempests scattering and destroying most of them for Offenso Creatore offenditur omnis Creatura The Creator being offended as he cannot but be at such unjust ambitious and cruel Attempts every Creature is ready Armed to revenge his Quarrel In which respect he is â—â—â—â—ed The Lord of 〈◊〉 so that the saying of Holy Scripture was here verified They came forth against us one way and fled before us seven ways being chac'd by the English Fleer till they were forc'd to give them over for lack of Powder And having not so much as fired a Cottage of ours at land nor taken a Cock-bâ—â—â— of ours at Sea wandred through the Wilderness of the North-Seas about all Britain the Oreades and Ireland grievously afflicted with all kind of Disasters and Miseries scarce Forty ships returning to their own Harbors of all that prodigious Fleet which had been at least five whole years in preparing through Spain Italy Sicily Flanders c. and had cost as Thuanus heard the Spanish Ambassadour tell the French King above Twelve Millions of Growns A loss so fatal to the Spanish Monarchy that some think it languishes under ill-Influences thereof to this very day and amongst the prime causes of its declension since may reckon that disaster SECT 6. Yet had not this signal Providence any Impression on Popish Councils but still they go on in their cruel designs with an indefatigable as well as implacable and most impious malice onely finding by this Enterprize the difficulty of Invading England by open Force waved the prosecution thereof and applyed themselves to close and insidious Arts and pitiful base unworthy and unmanly practices to trouble the Estate and take away the Life of this Triumphant Queen Thus in 1593 Hesket endeavours to perswade the Earl of Darby to assume the Crown as descended from Mary Daughter of Henry the Seventh promising large assistance of Men and Money from the Spaniard and withal threatning him with sudden destruction if he did not do it and conceal the business which he honestly revealing was accordingly 't is thought not long after taken off by Poison according to their Menaces About the same time divers persons were suborned and sent into this Realm some English some Irish corrupted by Money and Promises and Resolved and Conjured by Priests in Confession to Murder the Queen of whom several were taken as Patrick Cullen an Irish Fencer Richard Williams and Edmond York which two last were engaged by Holt a Jesuite by Oath upon the Sacrament to perform it and he himself kissing the Consecrated Host swore That as soon as she was dispatcht they should be paid Forty thousand Crowns But amongst all these Execrable undertakings they relyed most upon Doctor Lopez sworn Physician of her Majesties Houshold who was practised with by one Andrada on the behalf of the King of Spain to Poison her for which he was to have Fifty thousand Crowns but the Letters from Count de Fuentes and Secretary Juara assuring the payment of the Money being fortunately intercepted The great service whereby should arise an universal benefit to the whole world for so those Letters expressed this intended Hellish Murder was prevented and Lopez having not so good luck as some of his Quality since was found guilty and hang'd at Tyburn As was likewise afterwards in the year 1598 one Edward Squire suborned to poison her by Walpoole and other Jesuits at Vallodolid encouraged thereunto by those Fathers on the score of Merit and promises of Eternal Salvation Thus we see that for the last three and thirty years of her Reign this good Queen was never free from one kind of Treason and Conspiracy or other and in all of them the Pope and Jesuits or some Priests or others of the Popish Party evermore principally concerned as the Instruments and the advancing the Roman Catholick Religion always the end of their wicked undertakings But neither the Popes Curses nor the Spanish Arms nor the Italian Arts could prevail for this glorious Princess victorious over all her Forreign and Domestick Enemies having out-lived Philip of Spain her bitter Antagonist Four French Kings and Eight Popes and having in spight of all the powers of Hell the Plots of Rome and wicked Machinations of men of most Traiterous Turbulent and Ancichristian Spirits defended the Purity of Religion at home and succoured oppressed Protestants abroad after an Illustrious Reign of Forty four years compleat most happy in the love of her Subjects and terrible to her Enemies laden with Honours and the Applauses of good men in peace and a good old Age exchanged this Temporal for an Eternal unmolestable Crown CHAP. III. Of Popish Treasons against King James SECT 1. AS for Popish Loyalty to King James we may consider it either before his coming to the English Crown or afterwards 1. Whilst yet he was in Scotland and Queen Elizabeth living besides what has been already said we may observe That the Papists having by various Instruments sounded his inclinations and finding his Resolution firm to maintain the Protestant Religion they not regarding his undoubted right nor at all respecting him for the merits of his Incomparable Mother whom their violent Councels had been instrumental to
then the Souldiers and Projectors shall be paid out of the Confiscations If the Countrey be too hard for the Souldiers then they must consequently Mutiny which is equally advantagious for us Our Superlative Design is to work the Protestants as well as the Catholicks to welcome in a Conqueror and that is by this means we hope instantly to dissolve all Trade and hinder the Building of Ships by devising probable Designs and put the State upon Expeditions as that of Cadiz in taking away the Merchants Ships and putting them in hopes of taking the West-India Fleet which is to seek a needle in a bottle of hay His Catholick Majesty shall not want our best Intelligences besides he hath Pinaces and Advice-Boats which are still abroad to discover so that you cannot be surprized in any Harbour When Trade is ruined and Shipping decayed what will become of Excise nay what will become of Noblemens and Gentlemens Revenues the poor Yeomen and Farmers in which consists the Infantry and glory of the Kingdom they will turn Rogues and resemble the Abject Peasants in France who are little better than Slaves Trade and Shipping is so much decayed already that London is as it were Besieged for want of Fewel for Sea-coals are at 3 l. the Chaldron When things are brought to this perfection which we hope will be by the time his Sacred Majesty hath setled his Affairs in Germany all the people in general will linger for a Conquerour missing other means and Revenues which should maintain them according to their several Ranks and Qualities Then we assure our selves that the Lands which were rent and torn from the Church by that ravenous Monster Henry the Eighth shall be re-sumed and restored by our mighty Protector his Catholick Majesty to the re-calling those who are Exil'd and delivering thousands of Souls which suffer Persecution at home for the Testimony of a good Conscience Joyn your Prayers with ours in importuning the Blessed Virgin and all the Hosts of Angels Saints and holy Martyrs to intercede for us and no question but God will hast to help us Thus hoping to see Count de Tilly and Marquiss Spinola here about July come Twelve month I rest In the mean time we pray for their happy success in Germany and the Low-Countries In this Letter we may behold the Cursed Designs of the Jesuits and Romish Party portray'd ad vivum by one of their own Pencils in a private familiar Correspondence with one of their Forreign Confederates their end here as in all other their attempts is to Subvert the Government of these Nations let in a Forreign Enemy to Conquer us Re-establish Popery and destroy the Protestant Religion The Mediums projected and pursued therein were the same mutatis mutandis reading France instead of Spain as they have prosecuted since viz. Fomenting mis-understandings between the King and his Parliaments promoting and exasperating Factions destroying Trade advancing Arminianism and other divisions in the Church and Arbitrary Government a standing Army and illegal Impositions in the State thereby bringing all into confusion at home and opening a door for an Invasion from abroad And can it be imagined that a sort of people so principled and affectionated and so eagerly set on such Traiterous Designes against King Charles the First in 1627 should ever become such Innocent Faithful and Loyal Subjects to him as they would be taken for in 1642 Let us trace their practices a little and see if we can ever gather Grapes of Thorns or Fig's of Thistles SECT 2. We shall silently pass by their clandestine Machinations in several subsequent years The frequent invasions of Propriety and Liberty the violent urging of indifferent and unnecessary Ceremonies on one side and peevish opposition thereof on the other the stirs in Scotland and the Seditious murmurs in England was not the hand of Joab in all this But we hasten to a more evident demonstration A Plot of theirs striking at no less than the Sacred Life of that Glorious Prince before ever they had sufficiently prepared the Factious Rabble here to attempt any such wickedness whence it may most rationally be collected and concluded that what afterwards was villanously perpetrated was by these Romish Blood-hounds originally contrived and promoted In the Month of September 1640. two Months before the fatal Parliament began Sir William Boswel being His Majesties Ambassadour in Holland at that time Resident at the Hague receiv'd intimation of a desperate Popish Plot from a person of good Quality at first at the second-hand but soon after avowed by the principal Party and the general scope delivered to him in Writing in a Letter in Latine directed to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury taking an Oath of the said Ambassador not to discover any thing thereof to any but the Arch-bishop and His Majesty Accordingly Sir William in a Letter by an Express dated the 9th of September New stile 1640. transmitted the same to his Grace who sent it to the King then at York in a Letter which His Majesty sent back Apostyled with Instructions how to proceed therein whereupon Octob. 15. there was sent over a more large and particular Discovery in Latine from the Party being one Andreas ab Habernfeld a Doctor in Physick and Physician as many affirm to the Queen of Bohemia The general Contents whereof were 1. That there was then on foot a Plot laid by the Jesuits and Papists for Subverting the Realm and State of England and the destroying and Murthering his most Excellent Majesty p. 13. 2. That the Original Author of this Discovery was born bred up and had for many years been Dignified in the Romish Church and appointed by Cardinal Barberino to assist Con the Popes Legate in managing the said Conspiracy the cruelty and wickedness whereof so terrified his Conscience that he abandoned that Communion and embraced the Orthodox Religion 3. That the said Con was the chief Patron and Director of the business and had his Residence at London where he had endeavoured by various Arts to corrupt divers great men of the Kingdom and particularly sought to practice on the Arch-bishop by the offer of a Cardinals Cap but finding no good to be done upon him resolv'd to cut off both the King and him Art 6 7. 4. That in order thereunto they made it their business to inflame the Puritans in England and stir up the people in Scotland to Commotions Art 9. 5. That having thus embroil'd the Kings Affairs and reduced him to want of Money they would order things so that he should not obtain any but on condition to grant a general Liberty to Exercise the Popish Religion which if he should refuse then the King was to be dispatcht for an Indian Nut stuffed with most sharp poyson was reserv'd by the Society which Con at that time frequently in a boasting manner had shewed to the Informant wherein a Dose was prepared for the King after the example of his Father Artic. 10. 6. That the Chaplain
designed Party perceiving their Treason was openly known and fearing their just reward from some enraged hand desired a Pass to return since the work of killing the King was done beyond the Seas which that they might with less suspicion and more security pass they pretended to Banish them A Noble person of this Kingdom of Sir K. acquaintance told me That he observed him in publick to exclaim against the Hereditary Rights of Kings as a most pernicious thing to a Kingdom saying That oft-times thereby the Kingdom was Governed by Children Fools and Women And hereupon took occasion to traduce the then Prince of Wales now King saying c. The Expressions are so base and foul-mouthed that we dare not out of Reverence to Majesty go on to repeat them from our Author At the same time highly commending Cromwel as one of the ablest men in Europe and Bradshaw that sate as the Kings Judge for a gallant man Thus far that Treatise concerning the credit of which we shall onely say that the Author appears by the Work to have been a man of no vulgar Intelligence or Conversation in those times and all along expresses much Loyalty and Affection to his present Majesty 2. The Reverend and Learned Doctor Peter du Moulin hath long since declared in Print That the Roman Priest is known who when he saw the â—atal stroke given to our Holy King and Martyr flourished with his Sword and said Now the greatest Enemy that we have in the World is gone And that the year before the Kings Murder a select number of Jesuits out of England had a Consult with their Confederates at Paris where this question in writing was by them put to the Faculty of Sorbon then altogether Jesuited That seeing the State of England was in a likelyhood to change Government whether it were lawful for the Catholicks to work that change for the advancing and securing of the Catholick Cause in England by making away the King whom there was no hope to turn from this Heresie Which was answered affirmatively And afterward the same question being transmitted to Rome the said Resolution was likewise approved and confirmed by the Pope and his Council That it was both lawful and expedient for Catholicks by such means to promote that alteration of State But afterwards when the Regicide was so universally cryed down and detested his Holiness consulting his credit commanded all Papers about that question to be burnt in obedience to which order a Roman Catholick in Parts was demanded a Copy which he had of those papers but having had time to consider and abhor the wickedness of that Project refused to deliver it up but shewed it to a Protestant friend of his relating the whole carriage of this Negotiation This passage theâ— Reverend du Moulin aforesaid now Canon 〈◊〉 Christ-Church Canterbury and one of His Majestieâ— Chaplains did seventeen years ago set forth 〈◊〉 print in his answer to a scurrilous Popish pamphleâ— Intituled Philanax Anglicus and there publickly offered to justifie the truth of it if any should 〈◊〉 him to an account for it before Authority but That in all this time they have been afraid or ashamed to do onely soon after the coming forth of his Book the Gentlemen of Somerset-house who were netled one eminent person of them it seems not a little concerned actually in the story instead of having the truth thereof examined privately by interest obtained a Command from the King to the said Doctor that he should write no more Books which Prohibition the Doctor goâ— taken off Anno 1668. See the last Edition of the Doctors Answer p. 60. where likewise p. 64 we have the Testimony of that worthy judicious Gentleman Sir William Morris late Secretary of State who in a Letter to the said Doctor du Moulin concerning this matter hath these words This I may say safely and will do it confidently That many arguments did create a violent suspicion very near convincing Evidences That the Irreligion of the Papists was chiefly guilty of the Murder of that excellent Prince the odium whereof they would now file to the account of the Protestant Religion 5. 'T is notorious that no sort of men truckled more servilely to the late Rebellious Powers they adressed their Petitions to them with the Stile of the Supreme Authority of this Nation the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England First Moderator fol. 59. They affirmed That they had generally taken and punctually kept the Engagement Second Moderator fol. 41. They promised that 〈◊〉 they might enjoy their Religion They would 〈◊〉 the most quiet and useful Subjects of England First Moderator fol. 31. which they proved in these words viz. That the Roman-Catholicks of England would be bound by their own interest the strongâ—â—â— obligation amongst wise men to live peaceably and â—hankfully in private Exercise of their Consciences and becoming gainers by such compassions they could not 〈◊〉 reasonably be distrusted as the Prelatick Parâ—y that were loosers First Moderator fol. 36. 6. 'T is observable That Tho. White a Popish â—riest in the height of Olivers Tyranny set out 〈◊〉 Book Intituled The grounds of Obedience and Government purposely to confirm his usurpation another His Majesties just Tale and perswade people that they were not obliged to assist or reâ—â—ore him Who was it as Doctor Oates says in his Epistle to the King before his Narrative of the Plot printed by Order of the House of Lords â—hat broke off the Uxbridge Treaty but the Romish Interest and Policy with what zeal and Interest did they perswade the Scots in 1650. to impose that upon your Majesty which your Royal Law had forbidden others for the effecting whereof some Thousands of pounds were spent and given by them Where he likewise sets forth how they endeavoured to Betray and Sacrifice His Majesty after his miraculous escape as Worcester And that those who were to pay the 1000 l. promised for his Discovery were no other but Father Joseph Simmonds and Father Carleton Compton both Jesuits and 〈◊〉 whereas Mr. John Huddleston a Priest having 〈◊〉 instrumental in His Majesties Escape for whicâ— good Service he has been always excepted out 〈◊〉 His Majesties Proclamations against Priests and Jesuits several of the Jesuited Crew have often call'd him FOOL for his labour and said that the same was the worst days work that ever he did in his life That there is a Popish Lord not forgotten or unknown who brought a Petition to the late Regicide and Vsurpers signed by above 500 of the principal Popists in England wherein was promised upon condition of a Toleration here by a Law they would jointly resolve to Abjure and Exclude the Family of the Stuarts for ever from the Crown That a whole Convent of Benedictine Monks were Olivers Pensioners to betray His Majesties Secrets and Counsels That the Traitor Manning taken 〈◊〉 discovering such His Majesties Affairs was a Roman Catholick and had Masses sung for him after his 〈◊〉
in Italy but coming home and his other Brother being unhappily Kill'd by an Accident he staid at home as an Assistant to his Father in the Shop who had a great Trade being much Entrusted with the Cash of the Roman Catholick Nobility and Gentry who upon this notice taken of the Plot calling in their money on a sudden and he as 't is said not being able readily to make up his Accounts to his Father and finding their Trade hereby like to be ruined grew so far disturb'd that on the 14th of Novemb. in the Forenoon being in the Company of one Fromante a Foreigner at a Cooks Shop in Kings-Street by Long-Acre discoursing together about the Plot c. in French the said Fromante said that the King of England was a great Tormenter of the People of God meaning the Papists To which the said Staley Answered The King of England the King of England repeating the words twice as in a great fury is a grand Heretick and the greatest Rogue Bouger the word was in French in the world There 's the heart striking his hand on his Breast and here 's the hand that will Kill him my self And then he said further The King and Parliament think all is over but the Rogues are deceived or mistaken When he spoke these words he was in a Room with the door open and just over against him in another Room on the same Floor were three Scotch Gentlemen of whom two understood French who not only plainly heard but as plainly saw him speak them and being mightily concern'd to hear such desperate expressions when he was going enquired who he was having never seen him before and set one to watch him to his Fathers where next day they apprehended him And because there were a sort of men that endeavoured to cry down the Discovery as fâ—ictitious alleadging that although Roman Catholicks in England might endeavour to promote their Religion yet it was nothing probable that they should have any design against the Kings Person Therefore it was thought fit to bring this Man to Tryal first before any of the others in Custody thereby to convince those people that there was such a design seeing the Prisoner even since the discovery of this Devilish Plot and after so many had been Imprisoned for it did persist in a Treasonable mind and a Traiterous attempt against the Kings Person a clear Evidence of which was his speaking such words Accordingly for the same on the 20th of Novemb. he was Arraigned at the Kings-Bench Bar and the 21th brought to his Tryal where a Jury was Impannell'd and the Prisoner not making any Challenge they were Sworn being all Persons of good quality viz. Sir Philip Matthews Sir Reginald Foster Sir John Kirke Sir John Cutler Sir Richard Blake John Bifield Esq Simon Middleton Esq Thomas Cross Esq Henry Johnson Esq Charles Vmfrevile Esq Tho. Eaglesfield Esq William Bohee Esq The Witnesses William Corstairs and Alexander Sutherland did both positively Swear the words before-cited for they both understood French very well having been Officers abroad and just then returned into England And the third Witness though he did not understand French Swore he heard the Prisoner speak something with great earnestness and that Capt. Corstairs at that instant told him it was in English That he would Kill the King and was so fill'd with Indignation that he said he would not endure to hear him use such Language and therefore would have drawn his Sword and run upon him presently but that Mr. Sutherland prevented him They also proved that they writ down the words in French as they were spoken and now sworn to before they came out of the said Cooks The Prisoner own'd that he was at that time with Fromante at that Cooks but denied that he spoke the words and said they only spoke of the French King and that the words Sworn by the Witness in French must signifie I will Kill my self rather than I will Kill him my self But as to this the Court observ'd First that the Witnesses Swore directly that it was the King of England he spoke of and nam'd him twice nor did he sure count the French King an Heretick And as for the Second that evasion could not be allow'd for what sense would it be to say the King of England is a great Heretick and the greatest Villain in the World and therefore here 's the hand and here 's the heart I will Kill my self The Prisoner had little more to say for himself besides general Protestations of his Loyal Intentions And therefore the Lord Chief Justice having repeated the proof to the Jury they without going from the Bar brought him in Guilty of Treason and Sentence was pronounced on him to be Drawn Hang'd and Quartered On Tuesday the 26. of Novemb. he was Executed behaving himself in his passage to Tyburn in a very sober penitent manner His Quarters upon the humble Petition of his Relations to his Majesty were delivered to See an account of digging up his Quarters Publish'd by Order of the Lord Chief Justice Scrogs them privately to be Buried and not to be set upon the Gates of the City But to the great Indignity and Affront of such his Majesties mercy and favour the Friends of the said Staley caused several Masses to be said over his said Quarters and used other Ceremonies according to the manner of the Church of Rome and Solemnly appointed a time for his Interment from his Fathers House in Covent-Garden at which time there was made a Pompuous Funeral many People following the Corps to the Church of St. Paul Covent-Garden where he was Buried which his Majesty hearing of was justly displeased and Commanded the Coroner of Westminster to take up the Body of the said Staley and deliver it to the Sheriff of Middlesex to be set upon the Gates Accordingly it was taken up and brought back to Newgate and then the Quarters exposed on the Gates of the City and the Head on London Bridge as the Limbs of Traitors usually are November the 27th his Majesty emitted a Proclamation for the further discovery of the late horrid design against his Person and Government whereby he declared That if any person before the 25th of Decemb. then next should make any further Discovery to one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State he or they should not only have and receive 200 l. immediately paid but also his gracious Pardon if a Principal or any way concernâ—d in the Treason CHAP. X. The substance of the Proceedings against Mr. Coleman and manner of his Execution with a kind of Popish Prayer made to him afterwards as a Saint MR. Staley being thus Executed Mr. Edward Coleman two days after was brought to his Tryal He was the Son of a Reverend worthy Minister in Suffolk brought up in the Protestant Religion and an Academick Education but whether by reason of any Disgust taken for missing a Preferment for which he stood Candidate at
being swayed by such powerful Inducements That he might Lawfully say he Note ☞ was Innocent and so they were all which in Popish construction is not to deny that they Killed Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey for that according to their Divinity and what the said Priests had Solemnly declared was no Sin or Crime and consequently they might All in such their Catholick sense still be Innocent Yet this he must acknowledge he somewhat doubted because he had never been at Confession and received Absolution since the Fact Committed which all the rest as some of themselves had declared had done and so might more peremptorily persist as they did in averring themselves to be Innocent and he does ingeniously declare That had he received Absolution 't is his fear he he should never or not without extream difficulty have been brought to any acknowledgment These Circumstances together with a great distemper of Body contracted by the incommodities of Consinement want of Air c. occasioned that sudden revolt of his Reason and duty under that perplexity of Spirit but as soon as he had done it Conscience flew in his face and would no longer be laid asleep with any delusive Popish Charms When he began to recollect himself the power of truth dispersed all those Temptations of Interest Fear and Superstition If it were true that he might hazard his Life and lose his Trade if he did persist in the Confession of the Murther it was as true and he found it by experience that he should never have peace of Conscience if he denyed it And therefore he was no sooner returned from the King and Council to Newgate which comeing in a Coach 't is certain was not half an hour but he most earnestly requested Capt. Richardson who had been with him and heard what he had said that Morning for God's sake to go back and assure the King and that Honourable Board from him That the first Confession which he had made on Oath was true in all Circumstances and that whatsoever he had said before them that Morning to the contrary was occasioned only by the Consternation Fear and Perplexity of mind he was under which the Capt. immediately did and hath since declared the same upon Oath Thus far the words of Mr. Prances own Narrative well worthy the Readers perusal not only for his satisfaction in this behalf but also for the several notorious Villanies of a great number of Popish Priests therein by name exposed To which as a very confirming Circumstance we may add that falling very dangerously Ill. soon after he then when he had nothing but a certain prospect of approaching Death before his eyes he declared and asserted to divers his first Confession to be true in all points and also afterwards as soon as he recovered his Health he repeated the same with all stedfastness before the Kings most Excellent Majesty and the Lords of the Council Whereupon his Majesty was most gratiously pleased to grant him his Pardon From all which 't is most plain that all this Dust which the Priests and Jesuits have raised about this matter is fairly blown away and Truth is become perspicuous to any ingenious man that will but Impartially look into these Transactions and consider them as they are and not as they are represented by their false perspectives SECT II. On the 21th of December 1678. there was some Discovery relating to this Plot given into a Committee of the House of Lords by one Mr. Edmund Everard a Scottish Gentleman who had been kept four years Prisoner in the Tower the effect of which and the occasions and manner of such his Confinement was as followeth This Mr. Everard having been concern'd with the English Forces in France and there having the Honour to be acquainted with his Grace the Illustrious Duke of Monmouth was employ'd as Agent for the concerns of the English Militia at the French Court where he became acquainted with the Lady Ann Gourdon Sister to the Marquess of Huntly in Scotland living in a Popish Convent in Paris who being a Lady very Zealous for Popery of excellent Accomplishments and great Correspondence did in the moneth of Novemb. 1673. acquaint him That there was a grand design on foot in England for settling Popery there and a project either to dissolve the then Parliament or sow mis-understandings between his Majesty and it and that there was a considerable Party labouring to make the Duke of York King and that his Majesty would be made away and shortly would not be in a case to hurt any body After this he was entertain'd to Introduce Peter Talbot Popish Arch-Bishop of Dublin to the Marshal Bellefond and the French King into whose presence he was admitted and allow'd half an hours Conference presenting that King with a Letter and other Papers That the said Talbot then told Mr. Everard that the business he had to negotiate with that King mightily concern'd the welfare of all the Catholicks in England but those of Ireland more especially being to propose ways to the French King to relieve them of their present Persecutions and undertake their Protection some of which Expedients he declared were to Arm some of the Irish and secure a Sea-port Town in Ireland for the French for which Negotiation he said he had good Warrant and Commission from some of the greatest persons in England Mr. Everard immediately discovered all this to one Sir Robert Welsh hoping for his Assistance to Communicate it to his Majesty of Great Britain but it seems Sir Robert re-acquainted Colonel Talbot the said Bishops Brother both what Everard had said of his Brother and of the Lady Huntly and that he was designing for England to make known such their Correspondencies who thereupon threatned him That if he offered to do any such thing they would infallibly procure that he should forthwith be Committed to the Tower of London or the Gatehouse That notwithstanding Mr. Everard privately getting away not without great danger being desperately sought after and pursued in France came over into England but within three or four days and before he could get to speak with the Duke of Monmouth whom he intended to have Address'd himself unto he was suddenly sent for to one of the Secretaries of State and without any Examination or Crime proved Committed to the Tower where after some moneths he was Examined by the then Lieutenant to whom he declared all the said particulars of the Traiterous Conspiracy whereof he seem'd to take little knowledge but threatned to Rack him next day and afterwards Hang him if he would not Confess some design he had against the Duke of Monmouth and several other Examinations he had before other persons to that purpose but was continued Prisoner on this false and malicious suggestion occasioned by the Malice and Interest of the said Traitors beyond the Seas and thereby their Conspiracy lay Concealed for the space of four years till after the Plot was discovered by Dr. Oates and then
of the Marquess of Hamilton who oft was employed without effect by the King to appease the Scotish Tumults held Correspondence with Con who being once askt in joque by the Informant Whether the Jews also agreed with the Samaritans the said Con answered with a wish That all Ministers were but such as he 7. That one Tho. Chamberlain was sent over from Cardinal Richlieu and for four Months held Consultations with the Society how to exasperate these Northern heats to the best advantage 8. He discovers several of the Conspirators by name as Sir Toby Matthews a Jesuit whom he represents as a most indefatigable and dangerous Traitor one Captain Read a Scotchman dwelling near the Angel-Tavern in Long-Acre in whose House the Conspirators met usually once a day and there received and read their Letters from Rome and elsewhere and returned Answers where he saith the Gang might be surprized commonly every Friday He likewise names Porter Windebank Montague the younger and several others with divers circumstances corroborating his Information and particularly advises to intercept when the Post goes out weekly a Packet directed to Monsieur Strario Arch-Deacon of Cambray and another coming weekly from Rome which is brought under this Superscription To the most Illustrions Count Rosetti Legate for the time written in Characters but interpretable by the said Read whence farther light would be obtained All this was discovered to the Ambassador under an Oath of Secresie and the most importunate Requests to the King and Arch-bishop to keep it close till the business might be ripe and to conceal whence they had these Advertisements for otherwise the Discoverer would certainly be in danger of his life from the Confederates and their Associates And it appears by the Papers that both Sir William Boswel and the Arch-bishop were fully satisfied That it was real and of great importance care being ordered to be taken privately for the sounding the depth and further circumstances of the Design but the Disturbances in Scotland and afterwards in Ireland and England coming on apace branches of the same Treason being all assisted and fomented if not as most of them originally contrived by those Popish Incendiaries though disguised in other Factions 't is probable they might divert or forbear that part of the Poisoning the King and Bishop to attend the event of the other more general Plot of ruining these Nations which they saw then so hopefully advanced that they might conclude without haâ—arding themselves in the odium there were enough other Ill-spirits which they had conjured up â—eady to do that execrable work for them another way However the Original Papers of the Discovery and Letters relating thereto being kept by the Archbishop were when his Study was ransackt â—ound amongst his Writings and then Published and now lately Re-printed by Authority under the Title of The grand Designs of the Papists in the time of King Charles the First worthy the perusal of such as would be farther satisfied SECT 3. Next followed the horrid Butcheries in Ireland beginning 23 Oct. 1641. concerning which however some of the spawn of the barbarous Actors in that cursed Tragedy or others their Relations or Accomplices of the Roman brood would now palliate and excuse it yet nothing is more known to all the world than that it was an open direct and most Traiterous Rebellion on the score of their cursed bloody Religion against their lawful and most gracious Prince designing to usurp the whole Government into their own hands root out the English Nation and the Protestant Name and which was the main end of all establish Popery in that Kingdom as is testified upon Oath by several persons examined and their Depositions published by the Kings Warrant all this begun and continued by Papists Onely not one Protestant amongst them But the Pope himself the Head of their Church in the person of his Nuncio Rinuceini Generalissimo of all their Forces by Land and Sea and all the Tribes of his Ecclesiasticks contributing all Assistance and Encouragement imaginable thereunto proceeding with that Inhumanity that above one hundred thousand innocent Protestants were by them basely in cool blood and with exquisite Torments and un-heard 〈◊〉 Cruelties Murthered and otherwise destroyed And which was even yet worse than that to shew their malice as well as disobodience to his said Majesty with equal impudence and falshood they pretended that it was done by his Commission and vouched the Broad Seal for their Authority purposely to enrage his Protestant Subjects in England and elsewhere against him The Popes Nuncio assuming nevertheless and exercising there the Temporal as well as Spiritual power granting out Commissions in his own name breaking the Treaties of Peace between the King and as they then stiled themselves the Confederate Catholicks heading two Armies against the then Marquess now Duke of Ormond then Lord Lieutenant and forcing him at last to quit the Kingdom all which ended in the Ruine of His Majesties Government and Person which but upon occasion of that Rebellion could never have happened And was not all this a prodigious demonstration of their Obedience and Loyalty to King Charles the First and the Crown of England It was constantly observed that the lower and more unfortunate the King was in his Successes in England the higher were the demands of the Irish so that they used all their Treaties as Stratagems to trepan not to serve His Majesty In the year 1643. when a Cessation was concluded with them by the Kings Authority and both English and Irish engaged by Articles to transport their Armies to England for His Majesties Service the Irish onely pretended they would do it when the English were gone and then treacherously â—yet according to one of their old rules Nulla fiâ—â—es servanda cum Haereticis they plotted and attempted the ruine of the small remnant of English â—eft behind in Munster where the Lord Inchiquin Commanding by the Kings Commission and the English with him were necessitated to stand on their own defence against the Popish Army In 45. the said Confederate Catholicks having engaged their publick Faith to send 10000 men to serve His Majesty delayed neglected and failed â—herein to the great dis-service of His Majesty Did they not in 46. after a Peace concluded with them treacherously attempt to cut off the Lord Lieutenant and his Army who marched out of Dublin on security and confidence of that Peace did they not in 47 employ Commissioners to Rome France and Spain to invite a Forreign power into Ireland in the 9th Article of whose Instructions to be seen in my Lord Orrerey's Answer to P. W. they were ordered to make Application to his Holiness for his being Lord Protector of Ireland so that they were beforehand with the Phanaticks in England with the Title and if he should refuse then to offer the same to either of the Kings of France or Spain nay to any Popish Prince from whom to use their own words they might have
persons to be more difficult than those that are commonly exacted elsewhere He was formerly Vicar at Bobbing in Kent to which he came in the year 1672. but the Air not being good left it and was sometime Minister near Chichester in Sussex and afterwards came to be Chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk with an ample testimony of his Life and Conversation In all these stations he was a person of a sober Life and never charged with Debauchery whence 't is plain that all those scandalous Aspersions since spread abroad by the Romanists are false and raised by malice since they were never heard of before he was engaged in this Discovery Nor can it be imagined that the Jesuits would have esteemed him so much or trusted him so far as they did had they not found him a person as of good parts so of a discreet sober deportment fit to be employed in affairs of Moment The manner and occasion how he came engaged amongst them is thus related Whilst he was the Duke of Norfolk's Chaplain he over-heard some whisperings amongst the Priests with whom that Family was sufficiently haunted That there was some grand Design on foot but could not learn what it was in particular He had heard from his Protestant Friends and read in Sir Hamond L'Estrange's History of King Charles the First and other judicious Authors That the Papists had for many years carried on a Design to introduce Popery again into these Nations which created in him a longing desire to sound the depth of it and if it were possible to Countermine it To this end he entred more freely into Conversation with some of that Tribe concerning Religion who greedy of gaining such a Proselyte failed not to press him with variety of Arguments insomuch that at last he seemed as if he were dissatisfyed in some things concerning our Church and desired an opportunity to discourse with some of their Jesuits as being vogued the most Learned and able Men of that Party This on some preliminary cautions was procured and after sundry Conferences with them in which he suffered himself to be overcome he was formally reconciled to the Church of Rome Shortly after this seeming to aspire to the highest degree of perfection which to be sure the Jesuits place in their Society to which they have blasphemously arrogated the Sacred Name of Jesus he requested some of those Fathers that he might be admitted to their Order which after three days consideration they were willing to consent to And as a particular favour because he was a man of years being then about eight and twenty they told him they would not employ him as usually they did Novices for so they call their young Students in drudgery for the first two years but he should spend that time in being a Messenger for their Society This exactly fitted his Design and so soon after he was sent with Letters to Valladolid in Spain which by the way he dextrously opened and thereby began to smell something more of their Hellish Designs he dispatcht this and some other affairs so much to their satisfaction that after a little time he was taken into their Consults as they call them as a very confiding instrument and thereby had an opportunity to see all that was on the Wheel at present and liberty without suspicion to enquire how any thing past had been carryed on More particularly he made it his business to inform himself of the beginning progress and conclusion of our late Wars in all which he found the Jesuits and Popish Party had a great hand The Rebellion that led to it being began in Scotland where it was first laid by Cardinal Richelieu His Majesties irreconcileable Enemy then it broke out in Ireland where it was blest with his Holinesses Letters and assisted by his Nuncio whom he sent purposely to tend the fire there as aforesaid afterwards they plaid their parts in disguise in England to unsettle the people start new Phanatical opinions furnish the Rabble with Arguments for Treason raise needless occasions of jealousie push on Rebellion frustrate all endeavours of Accommodation c. till they had destroyed the King the Government the Church and brought us all into confusion By this means also he understood that the City of London in the year 66. was fixed by their contrivance and was told how that Plot was laid and who were the Actors in the several Scenes Richard Strange heretofore Provincial of the Jesuits being Director in Chief thereof and how their Society got 14000 l. by the said Fire c. He kept but very privately short Notes of all things of moment that occurr'd from the time he was admitted amongst their Society with an intent to produce them when they might be of use by which means he was enabled to give an Account of so many hundred Particulars which are confirmed by other Circumstances and Collaterate Evidence and have not in the least Interfer'd with one another nor with those Papers which have been found elsewhere or with the Informations which have been given in by other Persons though wholly Strangers to him whom God hath since raised up further to clear and unmask this detestable and Bloody Conspiracy SECT 2. Doctor Oates being thus qualified and resolved though with the great hazard of his Life to prevent if possible the Ruin of these Nations by a Discovery of the Plot which was now so far advanc'd that his Majesties Life was daily in danger all their other Contrivances being ripe and only wanting that Fatal Blow to bring them into Act He therefore saw the greatest necessity of expedition lest the notice should come too late And whereas Father Whitebread the Jesuits Provincial having before his last return into England engaged him to Assassinate Israel Tongue Doctor of Divinty because he had Translated a Book Intituled The Jesuits Morals into English which severely reflected on the Society and promised him 50 l. Reward for the fame He after his coming over having acquaintance with the said Doctor Tongue and knowing him to be a person of Trust and Integrity did Communicate to him as well the said intended Assassination as also some Heads of the general Plot and they both having seriously consulted of the best method for managing of the Discovery wherein they were sure to meet with mighty Opposition and run no small hazards concluded to acquaint one Mr. Christopher Kirby with the business as one who for his firm Fidelity Zeal and Courage for the Protestant Religion and his Majesties safety and the Interest he had at Court was the most capable and likely Person they could think of to assist them and therefore on Monday the 12th of August the said Dr. Tongue See Mr. Kirbies Narrative of the manner of the Discovery shewing him 43. Articles drawn up in writing requested that without acquainting any other person there with he would make the same known to the King which Mr. Kirby generously undertook but could not
the King and inform'd him of the Business Whereupon conjecturing as well he might that they meant himself he privately got away with speed and absented himself from his Lodging in Drury-Lanâ— that night and returning thither next night for some necessaries was like to have been Assassinated by one Stratford On the 9th at Night he met Mr. Kirkby and Dr. Tonge at the Flying-Horse in Kings-Street Westminser whither for the present he had retired and then for his security went over with Mr. Kirkby to Fox-Hall where he and Dr. Tonge continued During this time Dr. Oates wrote fair Copies of his Informations and Dr. Tonge in vain sought to give in farther Informations to the Treasurer but were both and Mr. Kirkby also much perplexed with apprehensions of the danger they were in and discouragements they had met with Till on the 27th at Night one of the Treasurers Servants meeting Mr. Kirkby acquainted him he was come for Dr. Tonge to go to the Council who with Mr. Kirkby immediately went but the Council was risen before they came and order given them to attend next day Whereupon they resolved next Morning to get two more Copies Sworn unto that each man might have an Authentick Copy which accordingly they did being 28th of Sept. before Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey who would needs keep one of them having never before perused the said Informations Then first Dr. Tonge and Mr. Kirkby and afterwards Dr. Oates being sent for attended the Council who upon Examination of Dr. Oates were pleased to order both him and Dr. Tonge Lodgings in White-Hall for their Security and proceeded to examine and enquire further into the matter Post varios Casus post tot Discrimina Rerum Tendimus adversus Latium CHAP. VII The nature and scope of the Plot in general laid open SECT 1. THE design in general was by Fire and Sword when all other means fail'd to subvert the Establisht Government and Religion of these Kingdoms and to reduce the same to Popery so as no Toleration should be given to any Protestant but all to be Extirpated Root and Branch The chief Conspirators that design'd and were to carry on this were 1. The present Pope Innocent the Eleventh who in the Congregation de propaganda fide consisting of about 350 persons held about December 1677. Declared all his Majesties Dominions to be part of St. Peters Patrimony as forfeited to the Holy See for the Meresie of the Prince and People and so to be disposed of as he should think fit 2. Our English Cardinal Howard whom in pursuance of such Declaration his Holiness appointed as his Legate to take Possession of England in his Name he likewise made him Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with an augmentation of Forty-thousand Crowns a year for the maintenance of his Legantine Authority He had also Constituted Bishops and Dignitaries for all or most of the Sees and Ecclesiastical promotions in England As Perrot Superior of the Secular Priests to be Arch-Bishop of York Corker Bishop of London Whitebread of Winchester Strange of Durham Dr. Godden of Salisbury Napper a Franciscan Fryar of Norwich c. Removing all the Bishops in possession from their present Dignities 3. Johannes Paulus de Oliva Father-General of the Jesuits Society residing at Rome who was to give directions to the Provincial of the Jesuits in London how to proceed in this affair 4. Pedro Jeronymo de Corduba Provincial of the Jesuits in New Castile who was to assist with Counsel and Money and to mis-represent the Actions and Intentions of his Majesty of Great Britain in the Spanish Court to create Jealousies and Feuds between the two Crowns which likewise was to be done by a Jesuit that is Confessor to the Emperour in Relation to England and that Court 5. Le Chese a Jesuit Confessor to the French King with whom Coleman holding Correspondence discover'd to him all the Secrets of State he could and by his means endeavour'd to obtain a Pension from the French King for his good Services in betraying his Native Countrey 6. The Provincial of the Jesuits for the time being in England which of late was first Strange and then Whitebread 7. The Benedictine Monks at the Savoy ' where they had erected them a Colledge to such a degree of Confidence were they arriv'd 8. Jesuits and Seminary-Priests of whom there were about that time in England the number of Eighteen-hundred and were generally privy to the main design though perhaps not all acquainted with particulars 9. Several Lay-persons of Quality drawn in out of Zeal Ambition Covetousness Revenge c. to joyn with them to Command the Forces they were to raise and execute the great Offices of the Realm As the Lord Arundel of Warder to be Lord Chancellor of England The Lord Powis Lord Treasurer Sir William Godolphin Lord-Privy-Seal Edward Coleman Secretary of State Lord Bellasis General Lord Peters Lieutenant General Sir Francis Ratcliff Major General John Lambert Adjutant-General Langhorn Advocate-General c. who had Commissions sent them Sealed by Paulus d' Oliva from Rome The work was so great and in their apprehension so glorious that the most Eminent of the Popish Clergy in Europe were engaged in it so that it cannot be said to be an Act or Contrivance of any few particular persons but an Vnanimous undertaking of their whole Church and so it must be Recorded to Posterity to their everlasting shame SECT 2. The means whereby they resolv'd to accomplish it were 1. By Killing the King finding they could not work him to their purpose and therefore to remove him they laid several distinct Plots and all to be kept unknown to each other As 1. Grove and Pickering to Shoot him 2. Conyers and Anderton Benedictine Monks and four Irish Russians to Stab him 3. To Poison him for which purpose 5000 l. was entred in their Books as paid to Sir George Wakeman in part of 15000 l. Reward which he was to have for that Horrid work by vertue of a Contract made with him in the presence of Coleman and Dr. Fogarthy As for the Duke of York they concluded to make use of his Name and Interest if he would comply with them 1. To accept of the Three Kingdoms as a gift from the Pope and hold them in Fee of him 2ly If he would Confirm their Settlement of the Church and State 3dly If he would Exterminate all Protestants 4thly If he would Pardon the Murtherers of his Brother the Murtherers of the People and those who should Fire the remaining part of the City and Suburbs 2. For that was the second particular of their work to Fire London and Westminster and places adjoyning thereunto as also other the chief Cities and Towns of England immediately on the Killing of his Majesty and lay the whole load both of the Murther and Firing on the Presbyterians and Fanaticks thereby provoking the Episcopal men to joyn with them to cut them off that so Protestants being weakned by their own Feuds they might
before or know how he came by it yet he began his Speech with these very words and repeated as much thereof as he had got without book but certainly a man under his Circumstances would never have troubled his mind with a parcel of formal words if the Awe of the Preist or some Absolution on that Condition had not been more prevalent with him than Truth or Conscience the strain of it shewing a malicious Spirit in the Inditer towards the Evidence and Court as it does his uncharitableness towards the Prisoner to impose thus on a poor ignorant dying man And whereas the Papists do generalâ—y report That Berry was always or at least died a Protestant The same is no toriously false for he had many Years been a Papist cheifly led thereunto for Lucre and to get an Employment as he acknowledged to Mr. Ordinary to whom 't is true he declared a little before his Execution That he did not believe many things which the Doctors of the Romish Church teach as necessary to be embraced for Articles of Faith which is no more than what many other Papists will affirm But the said Berry neither in Prison nor at the Gallows would ever disown the Romish Church nor in the least declare himself a Protestant CHAP. XV. The Proceedings in Parliament touching the Plot with the discovery of Mr. Reading's ill practice and the substance of the Proceedings against him for attempting to stifle the King ' s Evidence relating thereunto AT the beginning of March his Majesty sent his Royal Highness the Duke of York a Letter Ordering him to withdraw for some time who thereupon set forwards on the third of March towards Flanders and on the sixth of the same the new Parliament met whom the King entertain'd with a Speech setting forth what had been done in prosecution of the Plot disbanding the Army c. during the interval and concerning the Duke of York's being so withdrawn beyond the Seas his Majesty was pleased to take notice thereof in these words And above all I have Commanded my Brother to absent himself from me because I would not leave the most Malicious Men room to say I had not removed all Causes which could be pretended to influence Me towards Popish Counsels But some unhappy Traverses happened about settling a Speaker which stumbling at the Threshold was even then look'd upon by observing men as an Ominous Presage That little good would be attained or effected by that Assembly though undoubtedly it was composed as of men of the best Estates so generally of the most able Understandings and most publick-spirited Gentlemen that over served their Country in that Capacity To allay and compose these Animosities which were unhappily started by the Treasurer and his Interest purposely to render this Parliament ineffectual which he knew would otherwise prove Fatal to him There was a short Prorogation and then they fell to Business and on the 24th of March 1678. Resolved Nemine Contradicente That this House doth declare That they are fully satisfied by the proofs they have heard that there now is and for divers Years last past hath been an Horrid and Treasonable Plot and Conspiracy contrived and carried on by those of the Popish Religion for the Murthering of his Majestie 's Sacred Person and for Subverting the Protestant Religion and the Antient and well-Establisht Government of this Kingdom And the Concurrence of the House of Lords being desired herein the next day their Lordships sent a Message to the Commons That their Lordships did immediately and unanimously Concur with the House of Commons in the Declaration as to the Plot. Thus have we the Judgment of Two Parliaments in the Case solemnly and publickly declared The same 25th of March One Mr. Sackvile a Member of the House of Commons and Burgess for East Greenstead in Sussex being charg'd by Dr. Oats to have said That they were Sons of Whores who said there was a Plot and that he was a lying Rogue that said it the matter was examined and Resolved That the said Mr. Edw. Sackvile be sent to the Tower and that he be Expelled the House and made incapable of bearing any Office and though the next day on his Knees at the Bar of that House he desired to have the last part of this Sentence remitted yet the House would not Retract what they had done About the same time Mr. Bedloe made a complaint of harsh usage and discouragements to the House of Commons and upon Oath set forth That going to the Lord Treasurer for some money by virtue of an Order from the Council my Lord took him into his Closet and asked him Whether the Duke of Buckingham or Lord Shaftsbury or any of the Members of the House of Commons had desired him to say any thing against him and to tell him who they were and he would well Reward him and to know if he would desist from giving Evidence against the and the Lords in the Tower c. To which he answered That he had once been an ill man and desired to be so no more To which the Treasurer replied You may have a great sum of money and live in another Countrey as Geneva Suâ—den or new-New-England and should have what money he would ask to maintain him there But Mr. Bedloc refusing such Temptations his Lordship began to threaten him saying There was a Boat and a Yatch ready to carry him far enough for telling of Tales and after this Guards were as Spies upon him and he very ill used till by an Address to the King the same was remedied and better Care taken And at the same time Dr. Oats declared to the House That one day he being in the Privy Garden the said Lord Treasurer passing by and reflecting on him said There goes one of the Saviours of England but I hope to see him hang'd within a Month all which Complaints as to the Earl of Danby were referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Secrecy We have before Chapter the 13th set forth a kind of Counter-plot laid for opposing and vilifying the Evidence of Dr. Oats and Mr. Bedloe but now we must give an account of another kind of Design still aiming at the same end but manag'd more privately to mollifie aad sweeten Mr. Bedloe in his Evidence and stifle his Testimony by his own consent that it might not fall too heavy upon the Lords in the Tower but this too proved Abortive for though they had chosen a notable Agent for the Work viz. One Mr. Reading a Council at Law famous for his Adventures in the Isle of Axolme yet Mr. Bedloe out-witted him and brought him to deserved Infamy for that corrupt practice for after he had long held him in hand got several sums of money of him procured by a stratagem sufficient Witnesses to prove it out of his own mouth and under his hand and made the Business full ripe Then on the third of April the Committee of Secrecy to whom
says The King the House of Lords and the House of Commons have each particular Privileges And among those which belong to the King he reckons Power of Pardoning After the enumerateing of which and other his Prerogatives His said Majesty adds thus Again That the Prince may not make use of this high and perpetual Power to the hurt of those for whose good he hath it and make use of the name of publick necessity for the gain of his private Favourites and Followers to the detriment of his People The House of Commons an excellent Conserver of Liberty c. is solely intrusted with the first Propositions concerning the Levies of Money and the Impeaching of those who for their own ends though countenanced by any surreptitiously-gotten Command of the King have violated that Law which he is bound when he knows it to protect and to the protection of which they were bound to advise him at least not to serve him in the contrary And the Lords being Trusted with a Judicatory Power are an excellent Screen and Bank between the Prince and People to assist each against any encroachments of the other and by just Judgments to preserve that Law which ought to be the Rule of every one of the three c. Therefore the Power legally placed in both Houses is more then sufficient to prevent and restrain the power of Tyranny c. IV. Until the Commons of England have Right done them against this Plea of Pardon they may justly apprehend that the whole Justice of the Kingdom in the Case of the Five Lords may be obstructed and defeated by Pardons of like nature V. An Impeachment is virtually the Voice of every particular Subject of this Kingdom crying out against an Oppression by which every Member of that Body is equally wounded And it will prove a Matter of ill Consequence that the universality of the People should have occasion ministred and continued to them to be apprehensive of utmost danger from the Crown from whence they of right expect Protection VI. The Commons Exhibited Articles of Impeachment against the said Earl before any against the Five other Lords and demanded Judgment upon those Articles Whereupon your Lordships having appointed the Tryal of the said Earl before that of the other Five Lords now your Lordships having since inverted that Order gives a great cause of doubt to the House of Commons and raises a Jealousie in the Hearts of all the Commons of England that if they should proceed to the Tryal of the said Five Lords in the first place not only Justice will be obstructed in the Case of those Lords but that they shall never have right done them in the matter of this Plea of Pardon which is of so fatal Consequence to the whole Kingdom and a new device to frustrate publick Justice in Parliament Which Reasons and Matters being duly weighed by your Lordships the Commons doubt not but your Lordships will receive satisfaction concerning their Propositions and Proceedings And will agree That the Commons ought not nor can without deserting their Trust depart from their former Vote communicated to your Lordships That the Lords Spiritual ought not to have any Vote in any Proceedings against the Lords in the Tower and when that Matter shall be settled and the Methods of Proceedings adjusted the Commons shall then be ready to proceed upon the Tryal of the Earl of Danby against whom they have already demanded Judgment and afterwards to the Tryal of the other Five Lords in the Tower May 27th 1679. The Narrative and Reasons delivered at the Conference Yesterday with the House of Commons were again read and after a long Debate the Vote of this House dated the 13th of May instant and the explanation thereupon dated the 14th instant were read and the Question was put Whether to insist upon these Votes concerning the Lords Spiritual and it was resolved in the Affirmative But there were present These Dissenters Buckingham Huntington Kent Shaftsbury PR Bedford Winchester Rochester North and Grey Suffolke J. Lovelace Townsend Herbert Gray Stamford Newport Say and Seal L. Wharton Leicester Scarsdale Stafford Derby Delamer Howard Paget Clare Salisbury Falconberg Windsor CHAP. XVIII The Proceedings against Whitebread and the other Four Jesuits ON Friday the 13th of June 1679 was the grand Tryal of Five notorious Jesuits viz. Thomas White aliàs Whitebread Provincial or cheif of the Jesuits in England a comely antient man of a very grave deportment both at his Tryal and Execution William Harcourt pretended Rector of London who 't is thought after the first discovery of the Plot had been beyond the Seas and had the confidence to return hither again where being apprehended in his Lodging near long Acre he was by the Lords and Commons Committed to Newgate on the 8th of May last John Fenwick Procurator of the Jesuits in England John Gavan aliàs Gawen and Anthony Turner Committed first to the Gate-house and thence brought to Newgate There was at the same time Arraigned one James Corker a Benedictine Monk but he pretending he had not his Witnesses ready was put off and happy it was for him who since was acquitted with Wakeman whereas if he had then been tryed 't is most probable it would have prov'd as Fatal to him as the rest Whitebread and Fenwick pleaded that they were tryed before for the same Fact but the Court answer'd That though they were indeed once Arraign'd yet the Jury was discharg'd of them and they not then in any Jeopardy of their Lives and therefore must plead to this Indictment Then the Prisoner made a general Challenge That none should be of their Jury that were of any of the former Juries concerning the Plot Those now sworn were Thomas Harriot William Gulston Allen Garraway Richard Cheney John Roberts Thomas Cash Rainsford Waterhouse Matthew Bateman John Kaine Richard White Richard Bull. Thomas Cox The Proofs were long and consisting in divers particulars As 1. Dr. Oats Swears That the Consult of the 24th of April was by the Order of Whitebread the Prisoner at the See the Tryal of Whitebread c. P. 12. Bar as Provincial and that then the said Whitebread and Fenwick and Harcourt and Turner did all in his presence Sign the Resolve for the King's death 2. That Whitebread after his return back again to St. Omers did say That he hoped to see the King's Head laid fast enough only he had not the manners to give him the Title of King but shew'd his spight by calling his Majesty opprobriously These are those that speak evil of Dignities 3. That in July Ashby alias Timbleby brought over Instructions from Whitebread P. 13. to offer Sir George Wakeman 10000 l. to poyson the King and also a Commission to Sir John Gage to be an Officer in the Army which they design'd to raise which the Witness himself delivered to him the said Sir John 4. That Turner was at the Consult and at Fenwick's Chamber he saw him
death of His Majesty and a vindication of the justice on those Traitors already Executed Particularly by an Affidavit taken the eighth of September 1679. before the pre-named Justice Warcup he corroborates the Testimony of the said Mr. Jennison junior as to his seeing Ireland in London at the time before-mentioned for that soon after viz. in September he going into the North young Mr. Jennison did relate the same and acquainted them therewith at his Fathers house and likewise of so much of the said Irelands discourses to him touching taking off the King c. as gave them cause to believe that there was a Jesuitical Plot the apprehension whereof put Loyal old Mr. Jennison at that time into a great passion c. He likewise in his Narrative p. 23. sets forth That he being not long since at Rome heard the Jesuits affirm That the Pope had power to depose Kings and that it was lawful nay meritorious to kill any Prince or person Excommunicated and declared an Heretick and that he being then to return to England ought not to pay Obedience to any Heretical or Excommunicated Prince and that Father Anderton Father Campian and Father Green did then and there as likewise Abbot Montague at Paris assure him there would suddenly be great alterations in Church and State in England and that there was but one man in the way meaning the King who might soon be removed and that they were assured from the most eminent persons of this Nation That their Religion should be Establisht again here in as great glory as at any time heretofore and whoever opposed it should be removed And that particularly they bottomed their hopes on the Duke of York's being a Papist who they declared was brought over by the Jesuits and that they had the greatest influence over him And p. 30. as a pregnant Circumstantial Evidence of the Plot he sets forth an universal collection of Money made to his knowledge though he discouraged it amongst the Papists under pretence of repairing Doway Colledge but so general and in such large sums as twenty pound and ten pound a man that it was apparent to be for the carrying on some greater design c. Furthermore as Mr. Jennison in his Narrative hath answered all Objections as why he did not come in sooner c. so it thereby appears that he hath reserved some farther particularities to be yet discovered in time convenient In the interim upon such his information his Majesty was graciously pleased to issue forth his Royal Proclamation commanding the before-named Four Irish Gentlemen or rather Russians to render themselves and proposing rewards to any that shall seize them or any of them but they are fled or abscond a shrewd Argument of their guilt and the truth of his information so that at the time of writing hereof there was none of them come in or apprehended CHAP. XXIII The endeavours of the Papists to cast the Guilt of their Plot on the Protestants and the Providential Discovery of such their Designe in several Particulars An Account of the Rebellion in Scotland The Attempt on Colonel Mansel c. THat it was part of the Original Popish Plot when they had Murder'd the King to cast the odium thereof on the Dissenters from the Church of England thereby at once to have shifted off the scandal of the horrid Treason from their own Party and heated the Episcopists with a colourable pretence to have fallen upon and with their help to have destroyed all that they should think fit to call Presbyterians or Fanaticks under which ignominious Titles the soundest Protestants and most regular Sons of the Establisht Church should at last have suffer'd is apparent from what we have recited of Doctor Oates's Depositions and Master Dugdale's Testimony Which is no more than what their Predecessors intended For even their Gunpowder-Plot if it had succeeded was to have been charged on the then Puritans as the famous Thuanus in his History testifies Now in order to plaining the way for this suggestion in the present Case it must be noted that some time before the first Discovery of the Plot which was about August 1678 as aforesaid the Conspirators had fixt a groundless Accusation on one Mr. Claypool who though a Gentleman of a most innocent peaceable Deportment and far enough from intermeddliug with Intrigues of State having for many years wound himself up in a private Recess devoted to Books and Study yet he having formerly been Married to a Daughter of the quondam Protector Cromwel they fancied from the prejudice of that Alliance he might be a person fit for them to designe upon and make him a property for Suspicions Having therefore Charg'd him with high Crimes in general against the Government they caused him to be clapt up in the Tower And had not the Hand of Heaven soon after confounded their measures would no doubt have prosecuted him by suborn'd Witnesses But being so happily intercepted after a long Durance and no particular Crime chargeable he obtained his Liberty About the same time also they endeavoured to Trepan an eminent worthy Citizen of London under pretence of doing a kindness for an unknown Gentleman viz. To convey certain Letters to be left with him to a place beyond the Seas but he discreetly mistrusting the Project open'd one of them in presence of substantial Witnesses and finding therein Expressions of a dangerous nature communicated the same to a Magistrate and thereby frustrated their devilish Designe Nor is it to be forgot that near the same time there were certain riotous persons who with Horse and Arms were said to come out of Scotland represented for Presbyterians flying from the Justice of that Kingdome committing some Violences in the Marches of England of whom a dreadful Account was published in the Gazette but no more Tydings heard either of the Men or the matter These were some of their specious Preparatives that whenever they should strike the Accursed Blow their Clamours against the Fanaticks might appear credible And though their Plot in general was soon after so Miraculously discovered and the reality thereof confirm'd as well by their Murther of Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey as by several fresh Evidence that came in yet they resolved still to push on the same Contrivance Nor had they indeed any way to amuse the People startle Authority and divert just Prosecution against themselves other than by starting a fresh scent and raising imaginary Jealousies But such was the peaceable Loyal temper of people in general in England that they could not yet hope to brand them with any such Imputation Towards the North therefore they must plant their Engines Scotland must be made the Scene to begin the Tragedy And this too Doctor Oates if you remember had before set forth and told us what and how many Jesuitical Instruments those common Boutefeus and Nursers of Rebellion had thither been delegated and fet on work Under what Circumstances that Kingdome had lain for some
would swear such things he should have enough to maintain him with his Footboy and sets forth the dictating of the said intended Depositions or Informations by Knox and that they are of the Examinants writing from his mouth and the dropping of the Guinny the taking of Lodgings for them c. The Copies of these Depositions justifying likewise Dr. Oates's sober pious Life and modest Christian Behaviour towards his Servants by giving them good Counsel c. See in the Narrative p. 15 sequentibus 4. This was in the beginning of May last and who would have imagined that after such a plain Discovery and full Confession on Oath of their former Villanies the same persons should have the face to attempt playing over again the same Game But what will not Popish Impudence suggest or desperate Varlets for Money undertake After these acknowledgments they continuing in Prison Mr. Dangerfield who was now come into the Service as you have heard is imployed by the Lady Powis the Lord Castlemain and the rest to keep them still in heart feed them with Money and endeavour to get them out and at last he procured Lane's Liberty and Nevil and his Friend Knox's Then Lane was harbour'd for a while at Powis-house by the name of Johnson and 10 s. per week allowed by that Countess for Diet and thither also Knox repaired to consult how to new-charge Dr. Oates and then the Papers before-mentioned were handed to the Lords in the Tower the Lord Castlemain and Nevil in the Kings-bench to be altered and corrected so as to make them most serviceable for their devilish purpose See Mr Dangerfields Narrative p. 12 13 and 14. 5. After much charge and pains in this kinde having as they imagined brought their Design to some perfection and seeing some of their Intrigues miscarry they resolv'd to push forwards This hoping it might at least slur and scandalize if not ruine the King's Evidence and therefore on the 19th of Novemb. last the said Lane is prevailed with notwithstanding all such his Confessions on Oath to prefer an Indictment against Dr. Oates for attempting to commit upon him the horrid and detestable sin of Sodomy but the Grand Jury by reason of the incoherence and slightness of his Evidence did not think fit to finde it but returned an Ignoramus 6. Hereupon the Dr. to vindicate his Credit and justly to punish such wicked Insolence brought an Indictment of Conspiracy and Misdemeanour against the said Lane and Knox for Osborne absconded and could not then be found which on the 25th of Novemb. 1679. came to be Tryed at the Kingsbench-Bar where upon a full hearing the several matters before-related being evidently proved against them and their Abettors to the entire satisfaction of all the numerous Audience divers Peers of the Realm and Persons of Quality being come thither on purpose to hear the same The Jury found the said Knox and Lane Guilty who immediately were secured but by reason it was so near the end of the Term Sentence according to the practice of that Court in such Cases was deferr'd till the next Term they in the mean time being kept in Custody And since the said Osborne hath been taken in the Countrey and being brought up and Examined hath voluntarily confessed all the before-mentioned Ill Practices and several other notorious Circumstances CHAP. XXIV Some necessary Reflections on several late Popish Libels as the Address to both Houses of Parliament The Cloak in its Colours The new Plot of the Papists to transform Traitors into Martyrs The Compendium of the Plot c. WE conceive we cannot sufficiently discharge this undertaking of giving a satisfactory account of this Popish Plot branched out into so many various sorts of villanies without taking some particular notice of several of their most effronted Pamphlets wherewith they endeavour'd to poyson the minds and dazle the eyes and divide the affections of his Majesties good Protestant Subjects This you have heard was one of their principal projects contrived by the Tower-cabal and Consults of their Priests which most industriously they pursued We shall not waste time in a tedious confutation of all the lies and slanders therein contain'd for that most of them have already particular Answers but shall offer some brief Remarques which may sufficiently antidote the people against their infection 1. Consider the Authors They are written either by desperate Bigots deeply and principally concern'd in the Plot or else by debauch'd mercenary villains kept in pension by the great ones for that purpose Thus Mr. Dangerfield proves the Compendium to be the work of the venomous Pen of the Lord C. The New-plot to be written by Dormer a supposed Priest several others by Nevil who haunting the Play-houses too much and thereby neglecting to scribble so fast as they would have him when he was at liberty some of their Lordships advised that he should be clapt up again and thereby be made more industrious in doing their drudgery Now what credit is there to be given to what such people shall write Can it be imagined that they will make any conscience of venting the most impudent Lies and Scandals who have already plung'd themselves into the most detestable Treasons and whose writings are no more but their own Neck-verses having no way to save their heads but by that ingenuity of their fingers 2. The main scope of all these Libels is to perswade the world that there neither is nor was any such thing as a Popish Plot. Now 't is left to all considerate men in forraign parts which they will chuse to believe the King and the two several Parliaments and all the Judges of the Land who upon notorious evidence of matter of fact have solemnly declared that there is such a damnable Hellish Popish Plot both against his Majesties Life and Government as well as against the Protestant Religion or these wretched Traitors who by fantastick flourishes impudent denials shameful falshoods and surmises would suggest there is none 3. The Mediums they proceed upon which are loading the Kings Evidence with opprobrious language and calumnies and in this Billingsgate-rhetorick the Author of the Compendium hath not his Peer yet have they not at any time been able to prove any of the Crimes with which they charge them but on the contrary their slanders have most fully and satisfactorily been refuted by the several answers and proofs that have been made in justification of the Witnesses integrity and innocency 4. The sly manner and subtle titles whereby they publish these mischievous Libels to insinuate as if they were written by loyal Protestants In many of them pretending a great veneration for the Church of England railing at Presbyterians and suggesting fears and jealousies of ill designs hatcht by them against the Government on purpose to amuse people and cause rancour and divisions amongst Protestants But blessed be God providence hath now laid that part of their villanous malice so bare and naked to the
triumphed at the Murder of King Charles the first telling us that it was one Sarabrass the then Queens Confessor who being present at the Kings death tossed up his Cap in the air and brandished his sword and being with admiration askt what he did there answered that there were twenty more Priests there besides himself and that the greatest Enemy to their Religion fell that day SECT 2. In page the 30. he recites the methods to be used for restoring Popery in England from Father Contzen's printed directions for that purpose in his Politicks l. 2. p. 16 17 and 18. in these words 1. That things be carried on by slow but sure Proceedings as a Musician tunes his Instrument by degrees lose no opportunity but yet do not precipitate the work 2. Let no Prince that is willing despair for it is an easie thing to change Religion For when the common people are a while taken with Novelties and diversities of Religion they will sit down and be aweary and give up to their Rulers wills 3. The Doctors and leading Pastors must be put out if it may be all at once sure he means some Bartholomew-business but if this cannot be let it be by some and some When the Leaders are down all will submit 4. The purpose of changing Religion and extirpating Lutheranism must be concealed not but that some of the wiser sort Coleman and a few more may know but the people must not lest it should move them 5. Some must be suborn'd to beg importunately of the Prince for liberty to exercise their Religion and that with many and gentle words that so the people may think the Prince is not enclined to novelty but onely to lenity and to a tenderness for tender consciences and that he doth it not as from himself For the vulgar use to commend a Prince that cannot deny the Subjects their desires though they are such as were fit to be denied 6. One or two Churches onely must be desired at first for the exercise of Popery he means as being so small a matter that the people will not much regard 7. When the zeal of Professors begins to rise against the Change they are to be pacified by admitting both Parties to a Conference before the Governours 8. Let there be a Decree for Pacification that one Party do not rail at the other nor calumniate them And so the Doctrines that are to be brought in will have great advantage when they are covered and may not be contradicted or so much as named And so the Rulers will be thought to be onely lovers of Peace and not to intend a change of Religion 9. Next that let there be some publick Disputation between the Parties but with some disadvantage to them that are to be outed 10. Let all this be done but on pretence that the several Parties may be joyned lovingly together in Peace And when the Ministers refuse this let them be accused of Unpeaceableness and Pride and Obstinacy and Disobedience against the Magistrate and not for their Religion When it comes to the putting out of some Ministers and the People begin to Petition for them let the matter be carried silently and in the mean time let the People be told that it is because those Ministers are heady obstinate men that the people may be perswaded that the Ministers are faulty and have deserved it and may be put only to desire Liberty for the more peaceable men 11. When thus the People are deluded and there is no danger of a Resistance then turn the Ministers out of the Churches and put in those that you would set up in their stead 12. Then change the Vniversities and tell all the Fellows and Scholars that they shall hold their Places if they will turn else not many will change Religion with the Rulers Next he instanceth in Asia where a Prince pretended that all the Professors and Ministers places were void at the Death of his Predecessor and he had the disposal of them by Law And the Change was there made as he saith by slow degrees one or two Opinions of Religion quarrel'd at first and so the people will think it but a small matter to yeild in one or two Opinions and be easily brought to obey At last let them fall to writing against each other but be sure let those that have the Court-favour be cryed up as Victors and that the others are ignorant and shamefully baffled 13. To put out of Honours Dignities and publick Offices all those that are most adverse to Popery it is just that those that hinder the safety of the Common-wealth should be deprived of the Honours and Riches of the Common-wealth If men are deposed for heynous Crimes why not for Blasphemy and contempt of Truth you must believe the Jesuite that this is the Protestant case If those of a contrary Religion be left in Honour and Power they will be able to cross the Prince in many things and encourage the people of their own Religion 14. That when a Heresie that is the Protestant Religion is wholly to be rooted out and that this must be done by degrees and in a way of reason and cannot be done by meer Command and Power by a Massacre he means or so forth then you must first fall on those Opinions that the common people are most against and which you can quickly make them think absurd So he instanceth in some that would work out Lutheranism that speak honorably of Luther but fall on his followers only under the name of Flaccians So the Arminians at Vtrecht when they would extirpate Calvinism made a Decree that no man should Preach any thing that seemed to make God the Author of sin Thus a Magistrate that would bring in Popeny must impute to the opposers fall upon such heinous Opinions which the impudent themselves are half ashamed of bring these into he light that they may be odious and so the Teachers will lose all their Authority when the people imagine that they are taken in a manifest fault 15. To make use of the Protestants Contentions How easie is it saith he in England to bring the Puritans into order if they be forced to approve of Bishops or to reduce the Puritans in the Low-countries if the Prince adhere to the Arminians For the variety of Opinions makes them doubtful that before seemed certain so that when the Magistrate joyneth with one side he easily overturns the other and leaves the whole obnoxious As Paul did by the dissention between the Pharisees and Sadduces joyning to one side he escaped This saith he I would principally perswade an Orthodox Magistrate to that is a Papist for he may to as much advantage make use of the Protestants Disagreements as of the Papists Concord to extirpate Protestants As in Wars it is not onely the skill and strength of the General but often also the carelesness of the Enemy or his mistake that gives very great advantages for success To