raising these Divisions and Separations and that they judge this the most effectual way to introduce Popery that they hate out Bishops and Prayers and delude innocent and unwary people into a dislike and hatred of them that there is no way to discover them but by their sowing these Seeds of Separation and Sedition and that therefore it is the Interest of all true Protestants to unite with the Church of England and thereby give that deadly blow to the Romanists which the Bishop here seems prophetically to foretel and to quit these Separations which otherwise will hazard the ruine of the Protestant Religion by the Introduction of Popery Thus have the Romanists dealt with us and perswaded many to break down the Walls of our Church to make room for the Wooden Horse of Reformation whose Belly is charged with more Sects Opinions and Divisions than that which conquered Troy was with crafty Greeks All the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James they were busie in preparing the materials and undermining the Foundations of the Church of England but in the Reign of King Charles the First thinking themselves strong enough by the assistance of the Factious they had raised to effect their designs they gave Fire to the Train and with the pretended fears of Popery and Tyranny they first set Scotland next Ireland and then England into the flames of a most horrid cruel and unnatural War which they managed by the strength and power of Dissenters from the Church of England To confirm the Truth of this I will give the Reader an account which I find in Mr. Rushworth's Historical Collections Rush Hist Col. pag. 970 971. a Book much valued among Dissenters who tells us of a Proposition made to the King of Spain and discovered about the time that the Spanish Armada came upon the Coast of England in the year 1639. where among other passages discoursing of an Enterprize upon Scotland which was then in an high Ferment of the Covenanters against the King Bishops and Common-Prayer the Proposer thus argues that there could be no Fleet set out so strong as to attempt them by Sea except all the Kingdom contribute to it which says he Cannot be done except all the States joyn of which we of the Confederacy shall be the greater Part and so the Enemy shall forthwith be forced either to give Liberty of Conscience to the Catholicks or put themselves in danger of losing all Observe first The Scots had no enemies but the King or as they pretended his evil Counsellors particularly Canterbury and Stafford who all run the same Fate which the Papists in Habnerfield's discovery of their Plot had contrived for them Secondly Liberty of Conscience was the ground of the Quarrel Thirdly They of the Confederacy were the greatest part of the States but it is evident the Covenanters were the greatest part of the States for they had turned out the Bishops at that time and if there be sense in the Words or truth in the Relation it gives a remarkable glimpse of Light into this dark Vault and imports a secret confederacy against the King and Church of England between the Papists and Covenanters and that that formidable Armada was designed for the assistance of the Covenanters and the next page gives not only a greater Light but a clear vindication of the King from any such complyances with the Papists as were suggested and made the foundation of the War As for the King of Great Britain adds he If he will not give Liberty of Conscience he shall be reduced to it with no little damage Now who were they that pressed for this Liberty of Conscience and did reduce these Nations to it all people know And a little after he urges this design from the danger if the King of England being Confederate with all the Hereticks of Holland and Germany Enemies of God and Spain should be able to carry on his Pretensions and Title to the Crown of France add to this that there is no improbality that they who would treat with France and Richelieu as was proved the Covenanters did by a Letter written by the Lord Lowdon to the French King would make no difficulty to do the same to the Spaniard then the most Potent Monarch of Europe and which confirms the Opinion I do not remember the Scots made any complaint of this great Fleet as designed against them But that which makes the thing plain is the discovery which was made to Sir William Boswell by Andreas ab Habnerfield which was communicated first by Sir William to my Lord of Canterbury and by him transmitted to the King then at York Novemb 1640. The whole is printed by it self Rush Hist Col. pag. 1314. and in Rushworth's Collections and is too long here to insert but the principal parts and matter of the Plot was this That there was a design on Foot by the Papists against the Life of the King and the Archbishop That to effect this the Scottish Commotions were raised and fomented by the Jesuits that they exasperated the English Dissenters by the severity used against Pryn Burton and Bastwick and the Scots by the Fears of Popery upon the Imposition of the Common-Prayer Book that Cuneus or Cou the Pope's Legate and Chamberlain a Scot Chaplain and Almoner to Cardinal Richelieu were the great Negotiators of this Conspiracy and that the design was to embroil these Nations in a Civil War The Troubles came on so fast as may well be supposed precipitated for fear of a further prosecution of this discovery that the Archbishop lost his Head for refusing a Cardinals Hat and opposing the Scottish Covenanters and the King this because he would not give away the Crown and pull down the Mitre by granting Toleration And however the following Distractions and Rebellion stifled the further prosecution and discovery of this Plot yet the Tragical Event justified the Truth of the Discovery What the consequences of these Proceedings would have been if Providence had permitted those Usurping Powers to come to any firm Establishment God only knows but a Tyranny in the Church like that of the Papacy is most suitable and natural to the-Tyrannical and Arbitrary Government of Rebels Regicides and Usurpers But God miraculously restoring our Gracious Sovereign King Charles the Second to his Throne and the Church of England to her pristine Splendor we were in a State of Tranquility till of late years But the Papists envious of our Happiness began or rather continued to leaven the disaffected party of men in Church and State against both and how far they had driven on their designs for a second Revolution few people can be strangers the old Stories were revived and new ones minted to raise fears and jealousies of Tyranny and Popery to set us altogether by the Ears The Scots were animated to a Rebellion and did actually break out into a form'd Rebellion the Dissenters were busie every where to calumniate the Bishops and Church
the Papists rejoycing at the conjunction of England and France by the Marriage of Charles the First and Queen Mary of France hoping thereby to raise such another claim to the Crown of Egland as France did in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by that Match of Mary Queen of Scots they contrived a way to set Ireland in an uprore for King Charles the First was no sooner setled in his Throne when Ireland was full of the rumour of Lewis the 13ths preparations and intentions for the invading of the same as appears as well by the Records of the Council if doubted as also by Sir James Ware 's Memorials The noise of these preparations caused the Lord Henry Faulkland then Lord Deputy of this Nation to advise with the Privy-Council what course to take for to oppose these French intentions They upon consultation in this affair set forth a Proclamation that the chief of the Kingdom should meet at Dublin and then to demand a general Contribution of the Inhabitants for to raise and maintain Forces to oppose that King The Castle of Dublin being first appointed for that Assembly St. Patrick's Church in Dublin was afterwards ordered for this Assembly to meet at The Papists were upon high terms The Papists would not assist their King but upon terms and would not contribute towards the safety of this Nation unless the Lord Deputy and Council would grant them a toleration for their Religion and also leave to build themselves Churches and pretended Religious Houses as many as they listed and where they pleased in all Cities and Corporate Towns These their proposals put a stop to these proceedings for the present so that this Assembly was for the present dismissed it being about Michaelmass Term anno 1626. And another day was nominated for them to meet again until they had acquainted his late Majesty with their demands yet in the interim James Vsher late Primate of Ardmagh assembled all our Protestant Bishops together and so prevented these Popish demands by this their protestation as follows The Protestant Clergy of the Church of Ireland their protestation against these Popish terms The Religion of the Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous Their Faith and Doctrine Enormous and Heretical Their Church in respect of both Apostatical To give them therefore a toleration or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion and profess their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sin and that in two respects For first it is to make our selves accessary not only to their Superstitions Idolatries Heresies and in a word to all the abominations of Popery but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the deluge of the Catholick Apostacy For the second to grant them toleration in respect of any Money to be given or Contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the Souls of people whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious Blood And as it is a great sin so also a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we commend to the Wise and Judicious beseeching the Great God of Truth to make them who are in Authority zealous of God's Glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery and Idolatry Amen Signed Ja. Armachanus Anto. Midensis Ro. Dunensis Coronensis Richard Cork Cloyn Roscensis Tho. Killmorensis Ardahensis Mich. Waterfordensis Lismorensis Mal. Cassilensis Tho Fernensis Laughlanensis George Derensis Andr. Aladensis Theo. Dromorensis Franc. Limiricksensis This being confered and agreed upon the 26th Novemb. Anno 1626. Upon the 23d of April following Doctor George Downham then Bishop of Derry the next Assembly being then to meet in the midst of his Sermon in Christ-Church Anno 1627. Dr. Downham then Bishop of Derry his protestation against these terms in Christ-Church in Dublin took occasion to speak something to this purpose saying that many amongst us for gain and outward respects were ready to consent to a toleration of a false Religion which if they did they were guilty of putting to sale not only the souls of Papists but their own souls also This is not my opinion said he only but the opinion of the Archbishops Bishops and of the Protestant Clergy of his Majesties whole Kingdom which I think fit to publish He had no sooner uttered these words when all the Protestants then in that Church cried out aloud Amen Amen Then making a respit till the people had done crying out Amen I spoke nothing to hinder the Kings Service for we all of the Clergy desire not only the sole Army of 5500 men that being the number may be maintained but also a far greater Army besides the Trained-Bands and could wish that his Majesty would reserve to himself the most of those particular Graces of late offered and granted to the dishonour of God and to himself the prejudice and impeachment of true Religion and what was wanting might be supplied by the Countrey to which he exhorted all true Christians and faithful Subjects The people upon this cried unanimously Our Lives and Fortunes be at his Majesties command for the good of the Protestant Faith of England The next day the late Lord Primate Primate Vsher his words against the same toleration Vsher Preached before the same Auditory and took these words for his Text Love not the World nor the things that are in the World Which words he applied according to those times These two Sermons so prevailed with the Protestants so strengthened their resolutions that they proposed so largely towards a maintenance for an Army to oppose the French King that these Popish Proposals which we have already mentioned fell and the Papists much ashamed and discontented then the Lord Deputy and Council dismissed this Assembly There is one material thing to be observed by the Reader The Lord Faulklands Lady known to be a Papist that this Lord Faulklands Lady was a great Heiress to an Estate in England which caused her Husband to seek all means the more to please her she being a fickle minded woman in her judgment The Papists of this Kingdom depended much on this Ladies being of their own Religion although outwardly whether out of compliance to her Lord or by the advice of Popish Policies she went to Church but going out of this Kingdom into England she returned unto her Popish inclinations which then was a signal testimony of her Religion all along These Jesuitical projects were not sufficient to satisfie a Romish appetite A Riot committed by the Popish Clergy anno 1629 seeing that these devices could take no effect the Jesuits and Friars of Dublin out of spleen began to Preach Sedition unto the Papist Inhabitants within that Metropolis continuing after this method for certain days it came at last to Lancelot Buckley alias Bulkley his ears then Archbishop of the same See who
his life the Chirurgion said so It is impossible he replied I had the force of forty men assisted by him that guided my hand And being interrogated to several questions he made these answers That he was named John Felton heretofore Lieutenant to a Foot-Company under Sir James Ramsey That he had endeavoured for a Commission to be Captain in this Expedition and failed therein but without any regret upon the Duke from whom he had found respect nor for any private interest whatsoever that the late Remonstrance of Parliament published the Duke so odious that he appeared to him deserving death which no Justice durst execute That it was not many days since he resolved to kill him but finding the Duke so closely attended that it should be his business to pass a Voluntier and do it in this Voyage Somewhat he said of a Sermon at St. Faiths Church under Pauls where the Preacher spake in justification of every man in a good cause to be Judge and Executioner of Sin which he interpreted to be him That passing out at the Postern-Gate upon Tower-Hill he espied that fatal Knife in a Cutlers Glass-case which he bought for sixteen pence It was the point end of a tuff Blade stuck into a cross Haft the whole length handle and all not twelve inches fastned to his right pocket and from that time he resolved therewith to stab him That some days after he followed the Train to Portsmouth and coming by a Cross erected in the High-way he sharpned the point thereof upon the Stone believing it more proper in Justice to advantage his design than for the Idolatrous intent it was first erected That he found continual trouble and disquiet in mind until he should perform this Fact and came to Town but that morning That no Soul living was accessary with him by any ways or means of the Dukes execution That he was assured his Fact was justified and he the Redeemer of the peoples sufferings under the power of the Dukes Usurpations c. And his Paper tackt in the Crown of his Hat seemed to satisfie his Conscience that he was thereof well pleased This unhappy Murther caused great distractions especially in State-affairs so that the House of Parliament and his Majesty differed very much in setling the Customs and other matters which in conclusion was the chief Instrument or cause of this Parliaments dissolution Anno 1652. There chanced to come unto Collonel Richard Lawrence then Governour of Waterford under Oliver Cromwell one Nugent who seemed to be a fair conditioned man and so was hired by the Collonel to work in his Garden but knowing the Collonels temper and Principles in Religion he strove to please him all he could not missing Prayers in the Family or Meetings when-ever appointed Thus he continued with the Collonel for several years At last it chanced that Justice John Cook who was executed for the late Kings Murder took a great liking to this Nugent and begged of the Collonel for to let him go over with him into England which the Collonel easily granted to oblige Justice Cooke Nugent staying for a while with Justice Cooke returned into Ireland and came to his old Master Collonel Lawrence where he remained for a while and upon the Kings happy Restauration this Nugent became the Popish Confessor and Priest at Leislepp some 6 or 7 miles distant from Dublin and hath seen the Collonel several times since and laughs at him to this day when he sees him considering how he had plaid the Dissembler with him as if he had been one of the Collonels Fraternity which is of the Anabaptists Thus it is evident how Dissenters have been mightily gull'd since the years 1640 and 1641. especially by the Church of Rome purposely to make Separation in the Church of England This the Collonel himself cannot deny for he told the Author this Story on the 28th day of March 1682. besides to others yet living in the City of Dublin who can testifie this Narrative for a truth Hitherto we have shewed how the Papists have acted under the disguised habits of Presbyterians and Independants with a design to ruine the Church of England It will not be now unseasonable to shew further how they have assembled themselves among the Quakers and Preached in their Meeting-Houses with a design of inlarging and continuing the divisions of Protestants To which purpose I shall subjoin a passage out of a small Pamphlet published by Mr. Prynne called The Quakers unmasked Which runs thus The Information of George Cowlishaw of the City of Bristol aforesaid Ironmonger taken the 22th day of January 1654. WHo informeth on his Oath that in the Month of September ber last this Informant had some discourse in Bristol with one Coppinger an Irish-man formerly a Schoolfellow of his that came purposely thither for his passage into Ireland who told this Informant that he he had lived in Rome and Italy eight or nine years and had taken upon him the Order of a Friar of the Franciscan Company And he told this Informant that he had been at London lately for some months and whilest he was there he had been at all the Churches and Meetings publick and private that he could hear of and that none came so near him as the Quakers And being at a Meeting of the Quakers he there met with two of his acquaintance in Rome the which two persons were of the same Franciscan Order and Company that were now become chief Speakers amongst the Quakers and he himself had spoke among the Quakers in London about thirty times and was well approved of amongst them And this Informant further saith that the said Mr. Coppinger asked him what kinds of opinions in Religion there were in Bristol And this Informant told him that there were several opinions and judgments and not naming any opinions of the Quakers the said Mr. Coppinger asked him whether there had been any Quakers in Bristol And the Informant answered him No. Whereupon the said Mr. Coppinger told him the said Informant two or three times that if he did love his Religion and his Soul he should not hear them Whereupon this Informant told him that he thought none of them would come to Bristol Who expresly replied that if this Informant would give him five Pounds he would make it five hundred Pounds if some Quakers did not come to Bristol within three weeks or a month then following And on the morrow following the said Coppinger departed this City for Ireland his native place and about eighteen days after there came to this City Most likely his two fellow Franciscan Friars fore-mentioned who have there done much hurt and gained many disciples some whereof disturbed two of the Ministers publickly in the Church and assaulted and reviled one of them in the Streets very lately two persons that bear the name of Quakers This is a true Copy of the original Information taken upon Oath at Bristol as aforesaid the 22th of January last From
of the Nation which the King with the advice and by the consent of the wisdom of the Nation has judged and therefore established for the publick good So that the Contest of Dissenters appears to be for Empire and Sovereignty and who shall be the Supreme Judge of the Goodness and Expediency of Laws Answer to Dr. Stillingfleet's Sermon and they do very ill to quarrel at Clergie-mens Coaches and Liveries who themselves are grasping at Crowns and Scepters And if any or many private men shall not judge these Laws so good as those they would have imposed they ought to submit and study to be quiet and not make the greater Duty of Mercy and Peace of the Church submit to the Sacrifice of what may be is but Opinion and still sub Judice I have a Theme before me too copious for an Epistle and shall therefore that I may not transgress the bounds of one dismiss the other I only offer these following discoveries of the Danger to which Protestant Religion and these Nations are exposed by obstinate Separation to your cool and retired thoughts and hope you are too good men and Christians to esteem me Your Enemy because I tell you the Truth Philirenes ERRATA PAge 34. line 24. for her read his p. 39. l. 1. for Cecil read Civil p. 69. l. 6. for Coronensis read Connorensis p. 80. l. 14. for their read you p. 129. l. 26. for Lord read Letter FOXES AND FIRE-BRANDS c. THat the Papists have ever since the Reformation of Religion in Europe The restless design of Papists to regain England to Rome been most invincibly industrious in these Kingdoms to bring the Church of England to ruine and a total subversion there cannot remain the least doubt or scruple For besides apparent matter of undeniable Fact during the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth King James and King Charles the First and our present Gracious Sovereign whom God long preserve there are these Reasons which have and do animate them in the repeated prosecution of that desperate Enterprize First A vain Enthusiastick Opinion The Reasons moving them vigorously to prosecute their wicked Design which in this last Century they have generally embraced That there shall be a Fifth Monarchy of their Church For the erecting of which they embroil their Brains 1. An Enthusiastick Belief of the Fifth Monarchy of the Church of Rome and the whole Christian World wrest the Prophecies of the Scripture and the pretended Writings of the Sybils to countenance this beloved Chymaera Now they look upon the English Nation become Heretick and revolted from the Faith as too potent and considerable in this part of the World to permit them to hope for any success till that Church and State be either so broken as to be disabled to oppose them or be reduced to the Roman Faith and Obedience Secondly 2. The Church of England the only Bulwork of the Protestant Religion and their most potent Enemy They look upon the Church of England therefore as the only Bastion or Bulwork of the Protestant Religion and Interest from whence there have sprung so many and such a constant succession of able Champions for Truth and so long as that Church continues are like to do as will eternally baffle all the Arguments and Reasons they have hitherto or can produce to support their tottering Cause and in all probability will in time so expose them as to convince the World of the Apostacy of Rome from the ancient Primitive Christianity and induce them to knock off the shackles of blind Obedience which their Ignorance and the Romish Artifice have fastened upon the hands of all Princes and People under the Papal Jurisdiction and whatever some people may imagine * This is apparent because they raise them themselves there is nothing formidable to Rome in these little Sects of Separatists who being by their own Eternally sub-dividing Principles like the Sheaf of Arrows in the Apologue unbound will be broken without any great difficulty but the Church of England being a Body compact firm and well put together and wearing so much of the Primitive Purity and Antiquity both in Doctrine and Discipline is the Gordian knot which till by the Sword of Pope Alexander they can untie they can never hope to conquer the World by that of Peter and therefore that Church is the constant mark of their Hate and Envy and to undermine her Foundations they set themselves and all their Engines to work with all possible Diligence and Application I remember to have heard a pretty odd Relation An Instance of a Pope's Charity to the English Hereticks which came from a Person of Quality of this Nation who was at Rome in the time of our late Troubles This Noble Person having demanded liberty to have an Audience of his Holiness obtained it and was treated with great Civility and Respect After the Formalities of the Visit were over the Pope enquired what News from England to which the Gentleman replied with great testimonies of Compassion and gave him a short recital of the Tragical Adventures of the Civil War at which the Pope fell into such an indecent laughter that the English Gentleman smartly repartee'd Sir Certainly this is a Scene for Pity not for Laughter Well young man said the old Pope having gravely composed himself you say true and I take your reproof in good part but added he I cannot forbear this testimony of Joy when I consider that God is about to convince you of your Errors by these severe Methods and by their own hands to destroy one of the best drest Heresies that ever appeared in the World since that of the Arians Thirdly 3. Secular Interest Ambition and Honour the Romish Clergy look upon themselves to be extreamly injured in point of Interest and that they are unjustly and violently dispossessed of all the Dignities and Revenues of the Bishopricks Cathedrals Abbeys Monasteries and other religious Houses and these Promotions Dignities and Revenues are from time to time conferred by the Pope upon titular Bishops Deans c. who de jure pretend a Right to them and hope de facto to possess them so soon as they can by any Arts or Ways reduce these Nations to the Obedience of the See of Rome Nay the Pope himself has the Vanity or Impudence to be tickled with the sweet imagination of Sovereignty and to pretend from the Resignation of King John to Pandulphus his Legate a Title to the Imperial Crown of these Realms Now ambitious men animated by these Hopes and professing as matter of Faith that they are free from all the Obligations of Duty and Allegiance to Heretical Princes and Vsurpers as they term ours and at least in pretence being inflamed with an ardent Zeal for the conversion or confusion of us poor Hereticks and having always the dazling beams and lustre of Interest and secular Advantage in their eyes together with the hopes of Heaven as the merits
of such Industry to blear the eyes of others I say such men and such principles must of necessity lay them under the constant and restless temptations of attempting all things to regain their earthly and gain a heavenly glory into the bargain Nor can it be supposed that they will stick at the violation of any Laws Divine or Humane by Treasons Perjuries Wars or Bloodshed which they think so far from sinful that they esteem them meritorious and acceptable Services to God being done in order to the Salvation of Sinners and the Exaltation of their Church Now the ways and methods by which they propose to effect these The methods Papists use to convert Hereticks as they think and stile them glorious Undertakings are these First 1. To divide Protestants amongst themselves Since they are hopeless to convince or perswade by force of Arguments they endeavour to divide Protestants among themselves and this they have done ever since the Reformation by raising Sects and Separations from our Church in matters of Doctrine and Practise and again subdividing these into lesser Parties and Fractions under pretence of greater advances to Purity and a thorough Reformation and as this Principle may proceed to no doubt they will pursue it in infinitum Thus I have been credibly informed that a St. Omers Jesuit declared that they were twenty years hammering out the Sect of the Quakers and whoever considers the Positions of those People will easily be induced to believe them forged upon a Popish Anvil They refuse all Oaths a neat covert for Priests and Jesuits to evade the Tests of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and avoid the punishment which follows their discovery the despise the Scriptures so do Papists they contemn our Sacraments especially the Eucharist so do Papists they do above all things vilifie the Ministers so do Papists and in many other Doctrines they bear a great Analogy and Conformity one with the other The opinion of a Fifth Monarchy looks extreamly like another Spawn of the Jesuits and had that prevailed as it once was in a fair way to do that would have done their business and indeed was the last Sect I think started among us as if designed for their purpose for it would have been an easy translation of that Monarchy to the Papal Throne till Christ should come in person to have exercised it himself and I find a remarkable hint of this in Dr. Oats's Narrative and Depositions Parag. 34. where the Jesuits and one Green with eight other Fifth Monarchy men club together for the firing of the City of London And indeed herein the Papists have been most industrious and it is but just to fear they are so still to animate those Separations they have created with Principles of Hatred and Animosity against the Church of England as will admit of no reconciliation nor any lower terms of Satisfaction than her utter Ruine and intire Subversion and they move every stone that not one stone must be left upon another in that glorious building for this purpose they have endeavoured to perswade the people into an hatred of the Governors of the Church by telling them of their near approaches to Popery against which and the Pope himself to cover the Artifice it is no matter how bitterly they inveigh so long as by this Stratagem they divide men from the Church Thus have they drawn off the people from the love of the stated and authorized publick Prayers and Service of the Church by introducing practising and commending that Novel-way of Praying Extempore to which Gavan the Jesuit was so inured that he could not at his Execution forbear running into an Enthusiastick Fit of it This has been a Key which has opened the doors of many lips to blaspheme God and Religion to utter vain idle impertinent seditious heretical and impious Harangues the very froth of Fancy and the scum of Effrontery which yet they have dedicated to God Almighty and though it was really a Sacrifice of Fools have fathered it upon the Spirit of Wisdom and of this the Papists have made no small advantage to proselyte people from ours to the Romish Communion and yet they first recommended this Engine to the people they have opposed it too and exalted it above the Common Prayers as more Spiritual and prevailing branding those with all the titles of Infamy and which has succeeded to their wish and is now generally taken up as a great truth by all Dissenters that the Liturgy is nothing but the Mass-Book in English and the very dregs of Popery Idolatry and Superstition Secondly 2dly Having divided us to destroy us by those Divisions Having thus successfully divided us and inflamed Dissenters with a Zeal so hot against the Church of England as is fit upon all occasions both to take and give fire they endeavour to blow up those Sparks into a Flame they perswade Dissenters Episcopacy is guilty of most intolerable Ambition Pride Avatice and Tyranny they press them to maintain their liberty of Conscience against the Antichristian Yoke of Ceremonies and to pull down Babylon and take hold of all occasions to run them into open Hostilities and Rebellion against the Civil as well as the Ecclesiastical Power and Government and all this in hopes to destroy us with our own Weapons that then they may erect their Church Triumphant upon the Ruines of ours which they have rendred truly Militant En quo discordia Cives Perduxit miseros The sincere and tender love I have for my Dear and Native Countrey the compassion I have for the wounds of a Bleeding Church and Nation and the great Honour and Esteem I have for the Protestant Religion as professed and practised in the Church of England which I have not embraced out of the complyances of Education but the Force and Conviction of Reason grounded upon deliberate Debates and a near Examination oblige me to contribute all I can to rectifie the misunderstandings which have occasioned our unhappy breaches and divisions nor could I think of any expedient more conducive to the attaining my design than the exposing to the open view of the World the Artifices of these our inveterate enemies wherewith they have given us so many both secret and open wounds as have once already proved almost mortal and incurable for the poyson of Asps is under their lips and they shoot sharp and envenomed Arrows which wound at a distance and kill by degrees and if we give them opportunity to redouble their blows they will in all humane apprehension lay us weltring in our own and one anothers blood without the assistance of any other Massacre than what we execute upon our selves And now in regard that Generals are rarely so forcible or convictive though never so true as particular matters of Fact These Practices proved by particular Instances and matter of unquestionable Fact in hopes of doing a charitable office to those who have been hurried down this Popish
Flood of Calumnies with which the Romish Dragon has persecuted our Church and driven her into the wilderness I will prove the truth of my Charge by such undeniable matter of Fact as shall leave no excuse for non-conviction to any persons to whose hands these Papers shall come except such who have resolved not to acknowledge any conviction and who by a resolute persisting in a seeming Infidelity properly called a wilful Obstinacy justly render themselves suspected if not evidently guilty of a confederacy and downright combination with the Papists to introduce Popery and Tyranny upon the ruines both of Church and State I will begin then with a remarkable Narrative of a Dominican Fryer A notable relation of a Dominican Frier who pretended himself a Puritan in Qu. Elizabeth's time being an Extract out of the Memorials of the Lord Cecil an Eminent Statesman in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth from whose Papers it was transmitred to the Reverend Bishop Vsher some time Lord Primate of Ireland whose Name so Venerable even to many Dissenters may possibly influence them to sober considerations of the danger to which they expose the Protestant Religion by their separation whilst thereby they give opportunity to these Ravening Wolves in Sheeps Clothing to enter in among them and scatter those Souls from Christs Fold who otherwise would be one Flock under that one great Bishop and Shepherd of Souls The Papers of the Lord Primate coming to the hands of Sir James Ware Knight late one of his Majesties Privy Council in Ireland Observe how early the Papists began to act Nonconformists who then were called Puritans from their pretending to a purer reformation as presently you will find this Friar do his Son Robert Ware Esq has obliged the Publick by the communication of them In the year 1567 being the ninth year of the Reign of Queen Eliz. one Faithful Commin a Friar of the Order of St. Dominick a person generally reputed a zealous Protestant and much admired and followed by the people for his seeming Piety but more particularly for inveighing in his Pulpit most bitterly against Pius Quintus then Pope was accused by John Clerkson Chaplain to the A. B. of Cant. Nicholas Draper and Mary Dean who being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists before her Majesty and the Lords of the Council deposed that the said Faithful Commin was no true Protestant but a false Impostor a Sower of Sedition among her Majesties Loyal Subjects upon which the fifth of April being Monday the said Faithful Commin was brought before the Queens Majesty and the Honourable Lords of the Privy Council and there examined by his Grace Matthew Parker Lord Archbishop of Canterbury as followeth L. Archbishop Faithful Commin of what Profession art thou Fa. Com. Of Christs Order L. Archbishop What Order is that Fa. Com. * The very same Answer which all unordain'd Speakers who are Preachers at large and run before they are sent made at this day A Preacher of the Holy Gospel L. Archbishop What Gospel is that you call the Holy Gospel Fa. Com. The Gospel of Jesus Christ L. A. B. Under what Power do you own to hold that Gospel Fa. Com. Under Christ and his Saints L. A. B. Do you acknowledge any other Power save Christ to be on Earth Fa. Com. Yes I do L. A. B. What Power is that Fa. Comm. The Holy Catholick Church L. A. B. Do you not acknowledge a Defender of the Holy Catholick Faith Fa. Comm. * Papists and Dissenters both disown Supremacy or equivocate and dissemble about it God is the only Desender Hereupon the Archbishop addressing himself to Her Majesty said Your Gracious Majesty may perceive that either this man hath been instructed what to say or otherwise he must be by his Answers a man of Craft to which the Queen replied I suppose so my Lord. Then Commin was ordered to withdraw and her Majesty and the Council were some time debating how to proceed in this Affair After which John Clerkson the Archbishops Chaplain was called in before the Board the Queen demanded his Name which he told her then she further enquired whether he was acquainted with Faithful Commin to which he answered he was the Queen asked him how long he had known him to which he replied about a year or more Queen What have you to say against Faithful Commin that he is suspected to be an Impostor J. Clerkson Three things Queen What be they J. C. First Let him prove his Ordination since he fell from the Church of Rome Secondly Why he never cometh to the Prayers of the now established Church of England but starteth up and Preacheth to the people †The exact mode of most Dissenters who will come to our Churches not coming into the Church till the Prayers be finished Thirdly Let him prove that ever he received the Sacrament according to the Church of England from any of our Orthodox Clergy-men Her Majesty and the Council having considered of these three Points sent for the said Faithful Commin to come in again who appearing the Archbishop demanded of him A. B. Were you ever ordained Fa. Com. Yes I was ordained A. B. By whom Fa. Com. By the Cardinal meaning Poul A. B. Had you no other Certificate under any of the Bishops hands since the Reformation Fa. Com. Not any A. B. Wherefore would you dare to Preach having not got a * Observe the reason and necessity of all Preachers having License to Preach and of setled Parochial Congregations as also the great care the Church of England takes to keep Papists from creeping in disguised among us and the opportunity Separation gives them to come among Dissenting Congregations License of Permission under some of our Bishops hands How shall we be assured that you are not of the Romish Church Fa. Com. There are several have heard my Prayers and Sermons and can testifie †they that rail most bitterly against Rome and the Pope may be Papists notwithstanding that I have spoken against Rome and her Pope as much as any of the Clergy have since they have fallen from her I wonder therefore why I should be suspected A. B. By your answer Mr. Commin I perceive you would have any one Preach so that he speak but against the Pope in his Sermons F. C. Not every one but he whose Function it is and he who hath the †Look here a Friar in Masquerade of a Dissenting Protestant one of the first Pretenders to this extraordinary gift of the Spirit Spirit A. B. What Spirit is this you mean F. C. The Spirit of Grace and Truth A. B. ** A Question worthy of the most deliberate Consideration of all Pretenders to the Spirit and all those who follow them for if they cannot by the fruits of the Spirit mentioned Gal. 6. prove it the Spirit of Truth or if it produces the fruits of the Flesh there mentioned Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions
reading of it instantly caused the said Heth to be apprehended and the next day being Monday Novemb. 22. brought him to Examination Bishop Mr. Heth how long have you Preached in England Heth. About six years and more Bishop Were you of any certain Order formerly before this late Reformation of the Church of England Heth. Yes I was Bish What was that Heth. It was the Order of Jesus Bish Are you not still of that Order and have you not now and then some correspondence with that Order Heth. The Ministry will venture to instruct one another but your Lordship seeth how I have retired my self from those whom you call Jesuits Bish We suppose Mr. Heth you have not totally forsaken their Tenents though you have their Persons Heth. Wherein may I be suspected not to forsake their Tenents as well as their Company Bish There is great suspition that you are not of the Church of England by the words which you spoke yesterday in your Sermon Heth. What words were those my Lord Bish You said that it was not those Prayers of the Church of England as are now established that brought Peter out of Prison but * Observe the Design of the Papists from the beginning of the Reformation to bring the Prayers and Church into contempt not being spiritual Prayers and how well the Dissenters have copied this Original spiritual Prayers Heth. And were they not spiritual Prayers that availed him And where have we (a) The Language exactly of Separatists Scripture for any set Form in the Church Bish (b) A good answer to both Papists and Dissenters Quare whether the Directory were warranted by express Scripture If there be no Scripture for any set Form in the Church of England much less for any set Forms among your Fraternities for what we have established is out of the written word of God (c) Diversity and Variety of publick Prayers taken from a Popish Pattern no where warranted in Scripture But as for your Popish Orders viz. Augustines Dominicans Franciscans Jesuits c. you all differ in the Prayers of the Mass one from another where then is your Scripture for so many Varieties of Prayers and Masses Heth. They have Antiqiuty on their side and for the alteration of Prayers every Fraternity and Convent hath power among themselves as is most fit for that Congregation assembled Bish Now seeing you have begun to talk of Antiquity pray Mr. Heth tell me (d) The Jesult entrapped by his own Plea Were all the Orders of the Church of Rome ordained at once No surely for some Orders are ancienter than others by reason they have been allowed by several Popes But as for yours that Order was but of late days established therefore you have little or no Antiquity to plead Heth. My Lord You see I am fallen from that Society which I perceive by your passages in examining me so strictly you suspect me to be one of them still I confess (e) Observe that the Jesuits are enemies to Episcopacy and for a purer or in the language of Dissenters a thorough Reformation I am not so totally of the Episcopal Party of England (f) A Jesuit pretends to refine but intends to destory and it is evident that whoever do so do their work because I have laboured to refine the Protestants and to take off all smacks of Ceremonies that in the least do tend to the Romish Faith Bish Hath our Gracious Queen by her Learned Council and Assembly of Divines who several times sate for the Reformation of Religion now declared and confirmed by Her Highnesses High Court of Parliament established the Forms and Manners thereof (g) An unanswerable Question to all Dissenters who are no more but private persons what hath any particular man to meddle any further Heth. (h) From the good will of such Pretenders whether Papists or Dissenters Good Lord deliver us For we know by woful Experience the fire of Reformation pretends to refine but being over-hot does consume It was but my good will in endeavouring to make it purer Bish You are a pure Steer I must needs say in pretending that you are reformed yet let me ask you one Question Mr. Heth Had not you of late any Letters from any of your Society Heth. I might have had Letters must I therefore be of their Order still because they write to disswade a man from his Principles No sure my Lord. Bish Your Society write Mr. Heth not to disswade you but that you may disswade others However tell me Did you ever know or hear of a man called Samuel Malt Heth. I have heard of such a man Bish Yes and you know him full well Heth. It may be so my Lord. Bish Mr. Dean Shew Mr. Heth the Letter and let him tell whether he knows the hand-writing and call in Richard Fisher to come into the Court. Richard Fisher Here my Lord. Bish How came you by this Letter R. F. I found it yesterday after Even-song in the Pulpit Bish You know it if you see it is this the same R. F. The very same The Letter was as follows Brother THe Council of our Fraternity have thought fit to send you David George Theodorus Sartor and John Huts their Collections which you may distribute where-ever you may see it may be for your purpose according to the peoples inclinations These mixtures with your own will not only a little puzzle the Understandings of the Auditors but make your self famous We suppose your wants are not considerable at present by what we have heard how your Flock do admire you every day more and more Be not over-zealous in your proceedings in the beginning but gradually win on them as you visit them and according as you find their inclinations bend to your Design let us hear how you have proceeded for it will satisfie your Brethren much and inable them the better to instruct you for the future Hallingham Coleman and Benson have set (i) (i) The Original of the Sects in Germany among the Protestants from the Jesuits a Faction among the German Hereticks so that several who have turned from us have now denied their Baptism which we hope will soon turn the scale and bring them back to their old Principles This we have certified to the Council and Cardinals (k) (k) The Reader is desired seriously to observe that the Jesuits Pope and Cardinals have laid this down as a Maxim that Divisions and Separations are the most effectual way to introduce Popery and ruine the Protestant Religion That there is no other way to prevent people from turning Hereticks and for the recalling of others back again to the Mother Church than by the Diversities of Doctrines We all wish you to prosper Madrid Octob. 26. 1568. Sam. Malt. Bish Look here Mr. Heth here is a Letter and it is to be supposed to drop from you when you Preached yesterday for none stood in the Pulpit but your self
Revenue that my Brother Edward and his Council had seen this Letter nay rather than twice my Revenue I had seen it sooner and so caused me to lay it where I found it The Councils opinion The Council upon her Highness discourse concluded that Calvin would have established Episcopacy beyond Seas had he been consulted herein and that the hindrance of this offerture caused much animosity between Reformers Having no more of Sir Henry's words of this nature in this Memorandum we shall go forward in the Memorials of other learned men of this kind You have seen already our Narrative of Faithful Comin and Tho. Heth formerly mentioned in the Book entituled Foxes and Firebrands Printed at London anno 1680. and also the Life and Death of George Browne with the Confession of Philip Corwine which Confession was formerly written by John Garvey some time Primate of all Ireland which we have already put out to publick view We shall therefore also lay before you the Confessions of two great Penitents viz. the one of Samuel Mason some time bred up with the Jesuits at Paris the other of Malachias Malone a Carmalite Friar who were converted to the Protestant Church of England the former being converted an 1566 the latter an 1584. the former being a memorial of that Learned Statesman Sir Henry Sidney as also written by John Garvey the latter a memorial of that Eminent Statesman the Lord William Cecill as follows Samuel Mason his Conversion to the Protestant Church of England now established by her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth our Gracious Sovereign Lady of England France and Ireland together with his Speech in the Cathedral of Christ-Church Dublin June the 6th 1566. and also his Narrative presented to Sir Henry Sidney on the 25th of August following being made before him being then Lord Deputy the Archbishop Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Dublin formerly written by John Garvey Primate of Armagh and Dean of the said Cathedral It is usual upon Confession to shew some sorrow for sins committed The Converts Speech and also to promise an amendment for the future But that sorrow without a performance is the committing of Sin afresh besides the committing of the sin of lying when the party performeth it not These sorts of sorrows and promises be odious both to God and Man But my Confession is not Auricular as I publickly here declare it therefore I hope to be the more credited and it would redound to my disgrace from henceforth to dissemble either with God or Man So that I shall not make a rash vow that I will not return to my evil ways yet with Prayer I shall seek my God for his assistance lest I be led into temptation reserving within my self this saying in my mind Teach me O Lord to number my days that I may apply my heart unto Godly wisdom It was not want drove me hither for had I complyed at Paris where I abode about eight years I might have been entertain'd yet my frailties were such I here openly declare for two years and upwards before I departed from thence I dissembled with the Society called the Society of Jesus But spending my time partly in learning the Language of that Kingdom and also by searching the Records and Libraries of the Vniversities there I found out variety to disswade me from that impious way of living Therefore I have come hither to acknowledge both mine ignorance and perversness when I was of a contrary opinion for to embrace the truth which I have for a long time scandalized and rejected hoping all here present will be pleased as Christians to take this my Recantation for a real and true one So the Lord of his mercy recall Sinners to his Church duly from henceforth Amen After this Recantation of Mr. Masons Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy took him for one of his Chaplains after which Adam Loftus after Primate of Armagh upon the resignation of Hugh Corwine Archbishop of this See Adam our Primate resigning up the Primacy to succeed Hugh Corwine in this Diocess he preferred this Convert to the Parish of Finglas two miles distant from this City of Dublin After the Recantation of this Convert upon the Feast of St. Bartholomew soon after his Conversion he presented Sir Henry Sidney with this Narrative following The covetousness of the Bishop of Rome for these several hundred of years past have increased more than ordinary The Converts Narrative after his Speech given to Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy of Ireland First their covetousness caused them to forget God by neglecting his Will and Commandments Secondly it hath caused them to accept of the earthly pleasures of this world which Satan offered to our Saviour but Christ rejected his offerture by rebuking him and shewed that he cared not for the riches therein by his saying My Kingdom is not of this World hath not only caused the Bishops of Rome to assume to themselves the Titles due to Emperors Kings and Princes but above all to assume the name of God to them and their Successors which in a word is Blasphemy At Paris during my stay there I improved my self by searching the Records and viewing the Books in that University amongst which I lighted upon the Clergy of Leige their Apology to Pope Paschal the Second as touching the Oath of Allegiance which he had granted against the then Emperor Henry the Fourth The substance of this Clergies Apology being thus translated out of French Who can justly blame a Bishop for favouring his Lords party The Clergy of Leighs their apology against Pope Puschal the Second circa ann 1105 or near that time to whom he oweth Allegiance and hath promised by Oath to observe it No man doubts but that Perjury is a grievous offence God only sweareth and repenteth not because wisdom keeps the commandment of Gods Oath But for us who often repent that we have sworn we are forbidden to swear If a man swears God enjoyns him to perform his Oath unto the Lord which is not unknown to those that rend the Kingdom and the Priesthood by a new Schism and with their upstart Traditions promise to absolve from all sins such as incur the crime of Perjury towards their Sovereign never reading what God said to Zedekias by the mouth of Ezekiel the Prophet who had committed Perjury against his Sovereign Nebuchadonozor He that hath broken the Covenant shall he escape Which St. Hierome expounds thus Hence we may learn that we ought to keep touch even with our enemies and not consider with whom but by whom we have sworn Considering on this Apology my soul was smitten within me and such a terror seized on my Conscience that I said within my soul surely that if Paschal was thus reproved by this Clergy so long since how wicked are his Successors grown by this time At this time Pope Pius the 4th his contrivance against the Protestants of England anno 1560. viz. anno
do present weekly methods ways and contrivances for the Church of Rome which hold the great Council for the week following in employment how to order all things for the advancement of the Romish Faith Some of these contrivances coming to my hands by the help of the Silver key be as follow 1. The people of England being much averted from their Mother-Church of Rome they have thought fit sounding out their inclinations how the common sort are taken with the Liturgy in English for to offer her Grace to confirm it with some things altered therein provided that her Grace and the Council do acknowledge the same from Rome and her Coucil which if it be denied as we suppose it will then these are to asperse the Liturgy of England by all ways and conspiracies imaginable 2. A Licence or Dispensation to be granted to any of the Romish Orders to Preach speak or write against the now established Church of England amongst other Protesters against Rome purposely to make England odious to them and that they may retain their assistances promised them in case of any Princes invasion and the parties so licenced and indulged dispenced with to be seemingly as one of them and not to be either taxed checkt or excommunicated for so doing and further for the better assurance of the party so licenced and indulged the party to change his name least he be discovered and to keep a quarternal correspondence with any of the Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors or others of the chief Monasteries Abbeys c. At which quarternal correspondence shall not only give the Pope intelligence of Heretical conspiracy but be a full assurance of their fidelity to Rome This proposal was much debated in the Council which caused some of the Council to say how shall we prevent it in case any of the parties so licenced flinch from us and receive a good reward and fall off from our correspondency 3. It was then ordered that there should be several appointed for to watch the parties so licenced and indulged and to give intelligence to Rome of their behaviour which parties are sworn not to divulge to any of those so licenced or indulged what they be or from whence they came but to be strange and to come in as one of their Converts so that the party shall be cautious how and which way he bendeth It was afterwards debated how it should be ordered in case any of the Heretical Ministry of England should become as they who had these Licences and what should be done in that case 4. It was then answered by the Bishop of Mens that that was the thing they aimed at and that they desired no more than separation amongst the Hereticks of England and by so doing in case any animosity be amongst them the Church established by the Heretick Queen as they so termed her Grace there would be the less to oppose the Mother-Church of Rome when-ever opportunity served This reason of the Bishop pacified the whole Council 5. It was granted not only Indulgence and Pardon to the party that should assault her Grace either private or in publick or to any Cook Brewer Baker Physitian Vintner Grocer Chirurgion or any other Calling whatsoever that should or did make her away out of this World a Pardon but an absolute Remission of Sins to the Heirs of that parties Family sprang from him and a perpetual Annuity to them for ever and the said Heir to be never beholding to any of the Fathers for pardon be they of what Order soever unless it pleased himself and to be one of those Privy-Council whosoever Reigned successively 6. It was ordered for the better assurance of further intelligence to the See of Rome to give Licences to any that shall swear to that Supremacy due Obedience and Allegiance to her Powers to dispence with Sacraments Baptism Marriages and other Ceremonies of our now established Church in England that the parties so obliged may possess and enjoy any Office or Employment either Ecclesiastical Military or Civil and to take such Oaths as shall be imposed upon them provided that the said Oaths be taken with a reserve for to serve the Mother-Church of Rome when-ever opportunity serveth and thereby in so doing the Act in Council was passed it was no sin but meritorious until occasion served to the contrary and that when it was so served for Rome's advantage the party was absolved from his Oath 7. It was also ordered that all the Romish Orders as well Regular as Secular to cherish all the Adherents of the Mother-Church of Rome whenever occasion serveth to be in readiness at the times that shall be appointed and to contribute according to their capacities what in them lieth for the promotion of the Romish Cause 8. It is ordered that the Romish Party shall propose a Match for the Queen of the Catholick Princes for to further or promote the Romish Faith 9. It is ordered upon pain of Excommunication and of a perpetual Curse to light on the Families and Posterities of all those of the Mother-Church of Rome who will not promote or assist by means of Money or otherwise Mary Queen of Scotlands pretence to the Crown of England 10. It is also ordered that every Romish Catholick within England and Ireland or any of Englands Territories to contribute to those Romish Bishops Parish Priests c. that are privately or shall be by Rome set over them to pay all the Church duties as if they were in possession upon pain of Excommunication of them and their Posterity 11. It is ordered that the See of Rome do dispence with all parties of the Roman Faith to swear against all Hereticks of England as elsewhere and that not to be a crime or an offence against the soul of the party the Accuser taking the Oath with an intention to promote or advance the Roman Catholick Faith The Original being kept private in her Majesties secret Closet amongst other Papers of secrecy at that time not to be published having a Correspondent at that time in Italy to send her Majesty Intelligence of forreign conspiracies and contrivances This same noble Peer mentions in the same Book of his Memorials this relation which is also suitable for our purpose In the month of June A Relation of a Puritan Preacher permitted by the Jesuits to Preach dissention at Norwich Anno 1584. was Francis Throgmorton seized on in London and several Treasons were laid to his charge although he was a Papist yet he was a great friend to one Samuel Harper who several times Preached after a Puritannical manner in the Town of Norwich This great conversation of his with this pretended Minister caused great suspitions to arise in that Town amongst the Inhabitants there being more than ordinary betwixt these two It chanced that one Richard Cade an Inhabitant of the same Town being present then at London How it came to be discovered and at the Trials of Edward Arden and
John Summervile who were both condemned but the year before for Conspiracy and Treason against the Queens Majesty at which Trial he heard Edward Arden confess that this Throgmorton was engaged in the same Conspiracy Now this Mr. Cade being well acquainted with Throgmorton informed the Lord Mayor of London of what he had heard who upon this Information apprehended Throgmorton but treasonable Papers being found then in his Pocket verified Mr. Cade's Evidence Amongst the Papers was found a Letter dated at Norwich the second of June from the above-named Richard Harper By Harper's Enquiry it is plain that the Plot of 1588 was then a hatching with these expressions Let us know how our Friends from Spain and yours in London do correspond and whether that King continues his purpose that the Engagers may be satisfied and have notice Upon these words exprest Mr. Cade advised that his Chambers both at Norwich and in London might be searched and that Samuel Harper may be seized on which was approved of and so ordered but Samuel Harper by some notice having warning fled not above three hours before the Pursuivant could come to Norwich yet several Papers of Treason were found in this Throgmorton's Chamber The treasonable Papers that were found in Throgmorton's Chamber amongst which there were Licences and Pardons from the Jesuits Convent at Sevill The undertakers were to be of what Trade or Calling soever they pleased to teach what Doctrine to be of what Opinion or Religion soever provided that they assembled quarterly together and keep a monthly correspondence with that Convent Papers to the same effect from that Societies Convents at Paris and at Rome were found dated from thence How the Jesuits stiled the D. of N. touching the D. of N. who was only stiled by the name of Thomas Howard Gent. our very good Friend Had these Papers been extant at his Trial they would have satisfied her Highness and her Council very much yet being discovered at this present they give us great insight how Rome contrived the Wars of Scotland and so many Traytors against her Highness and that Queen Mary of Scotland was correspondent with them The Originals her Highness is loath to have published for several reasons best known to her Majesty This Francis Thogmorton being condemned for High Treason was drawn from Newgate unto Tyburn where he was hanged bowelled and quartered on the 10th of July following Observe how the Pope licences Jesuits and Friars to Preach in a Dissenters Habit to make a faction with Protestants before his Execution he confessed that there were in England above a dozen that he knew who were permitted to Preach by the Jesuits Licences purposely to breed a Faction in these Dominions but by reason that he was condemned and to be hanged he thought he was not bound to discover their names This account I have from the Sheriffs certified from the Records of Guild-Hall where he was Tried and received his Sentence Many more things of this nature may we bring during this gracious Queens days but we shall abbreviate and draw nearer to her Successor King James of happy memory Pope Clement the 8th consulting with his Emissaries how this King had married into a Protestant Monarchy Pope Clement the 8ths project to hinder King James his succession to Queen Elizabeth set all his Engines at work to defraud this Monarch of the succession after Queen Elizabeth for about the year 1601. this Pope sent his Breves as they call them into England warning all the Clergy and Laity that professed the Roman Faith not to admit after the Queens death any Prince how near soever in Blood to the King of England unless he should bind himself by Oath to promote the Catholick Roman Religion to the utmost of his power To promote this their wicked conspiracy at the same time came into Scotland two factious and wicked spirited Jesuits viz. John Hamilton and Edmond Hay the first especially for that he was known to have been a chief Instrument of the Seditions raised in the City of Paris in the time of the league King James having intelligence of their repairing into his Dominion set forth a Proclamation inhibiting their resort under the pain of Treason In which Proclamation to make them the more odious these two were compared to Bothwell and Gowry his Majesty declaring at that present that he would judge no otherwise of their Receptors than of those that did treasonably pursue his own life yet notwithstanding this Kings Proclamation they found holes to lurk in amongst those of their own Religion in the Northern parts and by this means kept in the Countrey till after some years that John Hamilton was apprehended and carried to the Tower of London where he died before he came to Trial. Still they continued their projects against this King and his Title to England knowing they had lost all hope of gaining his affection or obtaining any promise of the toleration of their Religion when he should come to that Crown Thereupon they fell to treat of a Marriage betwixt the Lady Arabella and Robert Prince of Savoy and that not succeeding then they proposed a Match betwixt the said Lady and a Grand-child of the Earl of Hartfords judging by this conjunction many would befriend them to the excluding of this King from the succession of the Crown of England but the Queens Majesty who truly favoured the Right of this Monarch though she would not openly profess so much dashed all these Jesuitical projects and so caused an eye to be kept upon the Lady Arabella as also upon all who resorted unto her by whose Majestick wisdom this high Monarch came peaceably and was invited by an unanimous consent of her Majesties Privy-Council to his Crown of England as may appear by that Councils proceedings after the Queens death by their Letter subscribed by that Council then in being which Bishop Spotswood specifies in his History of the Church and State of Scotland pag. 473. This King was scarcely setled in his Throne to settle the affairs of his Realm of England when this Papal Society contrived to have executed a quick dispatch of King and State as appears by their bloody contrivance of the Gun-powder Plot which being already set at large to publick view the Narrative we refer to the Reader and so omit it Many more Jesuitical Plots of this nature we could bring in during this Kings days contrived as that of Gundymores and others but shall lay them aside and treat of matters of this nature contrived during the Reign of his Son Charles the First of happy Memory We have already mentioned the Papal contrivance for a Match for the Lady Arabella How the Papists thought by the late Kings Marrying of Qu. Mary to bring in the French Kings Forces into Ireland to invade that Nation and so to claim a Title to that Crown as a means to defraud the Kings of Scotlands Right to the Crown of England