in Conscience to defend their King and Countrey at the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes even against the Pope himself in case he should invade the Nation 8. And as for Problematical Disputes or Errors of particular Divines in this or any other matter whatsoever the Catholick Church is no wise responsible for them Nor are Catholicks as Catholicks justly punishable on their Account But 9 As for the King-Killing Doctrine or Murder of Princes Excomunicated for Heresie It is an Article of Faith in the Catholick Church and expresly declared in the General Council of Constance That such Doctrine is Damnable and Heretical being contrary to the known Laws of God and Nature 10. Personal Misdemeanors of what Nature soever ought not to be Imputed to the Catholick Church when not Justifiable by the Tenents of her Faith and Doctrine For which Reason though the Stories of the Paris Massacre the Irish Cruelties Or Powder-Plot had been exactly true which yet for the most part are Notoriously mis-related nevertheless Catholicks as Catholicks ought not to Suffer for such Offences any more then the Eleven Apostles ought to have Suffered for Judas's Treachery 11. It is an Article of the Catholick Faith to believe That no Power on Earth can Licence Men to Lye to Forswear and Perjure themselves to Massacre their Neighbours or destroy their Native Countrey on pretence of promoting the Catholick Cause or Religion Furthermore all Pardons and Dispensations granted or pretended to be granted in order to any such ends or Designs have no other validity or Effect then to add Sacriledge and Blasphemy to the above-mentioned Crimes 12. The Doctrine of Equivocation or Mental Reservation however wrongfully Imposed on the Catholick Religion is notwithstanding neither taught nor approved by the Church as any part of her Belief On the contrary Simplicity and Godly Sincerity are constantly recomended by her as truly Christian Vertues necessary to the Conservation of Justice Truth and Common Society PARAGRAPH III. Of some Particular controverted Points of Faith 1. EVery Catholick is oblig'd to believe that when a Sinner Repenteth him of his Sins from the bottom of his Heart and Acknowledgeth his Transgressions to God and his Ministers the Dispensers of the Mysteries of Christ resolving to turn from his evil ways and bring forth Fruits worthy of Penance there is then and 〈◊〉 otherwise an Authority left by Christ to Absolve such a Penitent Sinner from his Sins which Authority Christ gave to his apostles and their Successors the Bishops and Priests of the Catholick Church in those words when he said Receive ye the Holy Ghost whose Sins you shall â—orgive they are forgiven unto them c. 2. Though no Creature whatsoever can make Condign satisfaction either for the Guilt of Sin or the Pain Eternal due to it This satisfaction being proper to Christ our Saviour only yet Penitent Sinners Redeemed by Christ may as members of Christ in some measure satisfie by Prayer Fasting Almes Deeds and other works of Piety for the Temporal Paine which by order of Divine Justice sometimes remains due after the guilt of Sin and Pains Eternal are gratis remitted These Penitential Works are notwithstanding satisfactory no otherwise than as joyned and applyed to that satisfaction which Jesus made upon the Cross in vertue of which alone all our good Works find a grateful acceptance in God's Sight 3. The Guilt of Sin or Pain Eternal due to it is never remitted by Indulgences but only such Temporal Punishments as remain due after the Guilt is remitted These Indulgences being nothing else than a Mitigation or Relaxation upon just causes of Canonical Penances enjoyned by the Pastors of the Church on Penitent Sinners according to their several Degrees of Demerit And if any abuses or mistakes be sometimes committed in point either of Granting or Gaining Indulgences through the Remisness or Ignorance of particular Persons contrary to the ancient Custom and Discipline of the Church such Abuses or Mistakes cannot rationally be charged on the Church nor render matter of Derision in prejudice to her Faith and Doctrine 4. Catholicks hold there is a Purgatory that is to say a Place or State where Souls departing this Life with Remission of their Sins as to the Eternal Guilt or Pain yet Obnoxious to some Temporal Punishment still Remaining due Or not perfectly freed from the Blemish of some venial Defects or Deordinations as Idle Words c. not liable to Damnation are purged before their Admittance into Heaven where nothing that is defiled can enter Furthermore 5. Catholicks also hold That such Souls so detained in Purgatory being the Living Members of Christ Jesus are Relieved by the Prayers and Suffrages of their Fellow-members here on Earth But where this place is Of what nature or quality the Pains are How long each Soul is detained there After what manner the Suffrages made in their behalf are applyed Whether by way of Satisfaction or Intercession c. are Questions Superfluous and Impertinent as to Faith 6. No Man though just can Merit either an Increase of Sanctity or Happiness in this Life or Eternal Glory in the next Independent on the Merits and Passion of Christ Nevertheless in and by the Merits of Christ Jesus the good Works of a Just Man proceedâ—ng from Grace and Charity are acceptable to God so far forth as to be through his Goodness and Sacred Promise Truly Meritorious of Eternal Life 7. It is an Article of the Catholick Faith That in the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is Truly and Really contained the Body of Christ which was delivered for us and his Bloud which was shed for the Remission of Sins The substance of Bread and Wine being by the powerful Words of Christ changed into the Substance of his Blessed Body and Bloud the Species or Accidents of Bread and Wine still remaining Thus 8. Christ is not present in this Sacrament according to his natural way of Existence that is with extension of parts in order to place c. but after a Supernatural manner one and the same in many places and whole in every part of the Symbols This therefore is a Real Substantial yet Sacramental Presence of Christ's Body and Bloud not exposed to the external Senses nor Obnoxious to corporeal Contingences 9. Neither is the Body of Christ in this Holy Sacrament Separated from his Bloud or his Bloud from his Body or either of both disjoyned from his Soul and Divinity but all and whole living Jesus is entirely contained under either Species so that whosoever receiveth under one kind is truly partaker of the whole Sacrament and no wise deprived either of the Body or Bloud of Christ True it is 10. Our Saviour Jesus Christ left unto us his Body and Bloud under two distinct
for crimes detested by God and Nature This man surely can never die without such Conflicts of horrour and despair as will almost prevent the hand of the Executioner yet there appeared in my Lord no other Symptoms then those of a most pleasing Tranquility as if Innocence had Guarded him As if the Injustice of others had secured him As if the Holy Ghost had fortified him As if Christ Jesus had united him to his Sufferings and undertaken his conduct and defence THat very morning he was to dye he writ a Letter to his Lady which afterwards he delivered on the Scaffold to a Friend there present the contents whereof are these My Dear Wife I Have I give God humble thanks slept this night some hours very quietly I would not dress me until I had by this given you thanks for all your great Love and Kindness unto me I am very sorry that I have not deserved it from you God reward you Were I to live numbers of years I assure you I would never omit any occasion to let you know the Love I bear you I cannot say what I would nor how well and many ways you have deserv'd God of His most infinite mercy send us an happy meeting in Heaven My last request unto you is that you will bear my Death as well as you can for my sake I have now no more to do but as well as I can though not so well as I would to recommend my sinful Soul unto the mercy of the Holy Trinity who through the Passion Bloud and Merits of our Saviour I hope will mercifully grant me a place though the lowest in Heaven God grant it And bless you and Ours Your truly loving Husband W. H. St Thomas of Canterbury 's day 1680. past six in the Morning The Manner and Circumstances of my Lord 's Final End WHen the hour appointed for his Death drew near he expected with some impatience the arrival of Mr. Lieutenant telling his Friends that were about him he ought not to hasten his own Death yet he thought the time long till they came for him A Gentleman then with him in his Chamber put him in mind that it was a cold day and that his Lordship would do well to put on a Cloak or Coat to keep him warm He answered He would For said he I may perhaps shake for cold but I trust in God never for fear After some time spent in Spiritual discourses at length about Ten a Clock word was brought him That Mr. Lieutenant waited for him below upon which he sweetly saluted his Friends bidding them not to grieve for him for this was the happiest day of all his Life then he immediatly went down and walked along by the Lieutenants Chair who had the Gout through a lane of Soldiers to the Barrs without the Tower There the Lieutenant delivered him to the Sheriffâ— and they from thence Guarded him to the Scaffold erected on Tower-Hill All the way as he passed several thousands of People crowded to see him many civilly saluted him and few there were amongst that vast â—ber whose hearts were not a liâ— â—ched and mollified with Compassion for him Having mounted the Scaffold there appeared in his Countenance such an unusual vivacity such a Chearfulness such a Confidence such a Candor as if the Innocence of his Soul had shined through his Body Nothing of that Mortal paleness Nothing of those Reluctances Convulsions and Agonies incident to persons in his condition could in the least be perceived in him He looked death in the â—aâ—e with so undaunted a Resolution as gave many occasion to say Grâ—e had left in him no Resentmentâ—â—f â—ature After a short pause viewing thâ— People and finding them attendâ—â—o what he should say he stepâ— to one side of the Scaffold and with a Graceful Air and intelligible Voice pronounced his last Speech as followeth My Lord's last Speech BY the permission of Almighty God I am this day brought hither to Suffer Death as if I were Guilty of High Treason I do most truly in the presence of the Eternal Omnipotent and All-knowing God protest upon my Salvation that I am as Innocent as it is possible for any Man to be so much as in a thought of the Crimes laid to my Charge I acknowledge it to be a particular Grace and Favour of the Holy Trinity to have given me this Long time to prepare my self for Eternity I have not made so good use of that Grace as I ought to have done partly because not only my Friends but my Wife and Children have for several days been forbidden to see me but in the presence of one of my Warders This hath been a great trouble and distraction unto me but I hope God of his Infinite Mercy will Pardon my Defects and accept of my good Intentions Since my long Imprisonment I have considered often what could be the Original Cause of my being thus Accused since I knew my self not Culpable so much as in a thought and I cannot believe it to be upon any other account then my being of the Church of Rome I have no reason to be ashamed of my Religion for it Teacheth nothing but the Right Worship of God Obedience to the King and due Subordination to the Temporal Laws of the Kingdom And I do submit to all Articles of Faith believed and taught in the Catholick Church believing them to be most consonant to the Word of God And whereas it hath so much and often been objected That the Church holds that Soveraign Princes Excommunicated by the Pope may by their Subjects be Deposed or Murdered As to the Murder of Princes I have been taught as a Matter of Faith in the Catholick Church That such Doctrine is Diabolical Horrid Detestable and contrary to the Law of God Nature and Nations As for the Doctrine of Deposing Princes I know some Divines of the Catholick Church hold it but as able and Learned as they have Written against it But it was not pretended to be the Doctrine of the Church that is any Point of Catholick Faith Wherefore I do here in my Conscience declare that it is my true and 〈◊〉 Judgment That the same Doctrine of Deposing Kingâ— is contrary to the 〈◊〉 aâ— Lawpunc of this Kingdom Injurious to Soveraign Power and consequently would be in me or any other of his Majesties Subjects Impious and Damnable I believe and profess That there is One God One Saviour One Holy Catholick Church of which through the Mercy Grace and Goodness of God I die a member To my great and unspeakable grief I have offended God in many things by many great Offences but I give him most humble thanks not in any of those Crimes of which I was Accused All the Members of either House having liberty to propose in the House what they think fit for the good of the Kingdom accordingly I proposed what I thought fit the House is Judge of the fitness or unfitness of it and I
this Subject apart by it self when we come to examine the Principles of My Lords Faith and Religion Reflections upon the several above cited Depositions of Smith Dugdale Oates and Jenison LAstly The above-cited Depositions respectively made by Smith Dugdale Oates and Jenison in proof of the Plot in general are liable also to divers remarkable Exceptions And the Papists stick not here to say They wonder how so many and gross Incongruities and Falsehoods attested only by Infamous Men could pass for current Truths amongst Persons of Justice Worth and Prudence For instance Smith in his Deposition gives us to understand That being as yet a Protestant but troubled it seems with some doubts in matters of Religion He applyed himself for satisfaction to certain Priests in France They to settle his mind told him They would shortly bring in their Religion into England Right or Wrong a notable argument to convince a well-meaning Protestant But neither this as you may well think nor all the Jesuits could say or do would prevail with him so that he lived and studied with them several years a likely story remaining still a professed Protestant At length the Jesuits desponding as well they might of their own abilities herein sent him to be Converted by Cardinal Grimaldi and he it was did the Feat which none of the Priests or Jesuits could compass The Cardinal to remove all Scruples from the tender Conscience of his new Convert and further to convince his Judgment in the truth of his Religion entertain'd him one day with this Learned and Pious discourse viz That he had great assurances the Popish Religion would prevail in England and that there was but one in the way and that to accomplish their Designs they must take him out of the way Thus the young Man being now well confirmed in his Faith was made a Priest and sent into England with Instructions to teach his Countrey-men They were not obliged to obey their King and that to Murder him was a Meritorious Act. But the misfortune was that arriving in England he quite mistook his Errand And though he continu'd firm in the belief of the Popish Doctrine and Principles yet made it his whole business to root out the Jesuits the Popes chief Emissaries and disswade Roman Catholicks from sending Moneys to Colledges beyond Seas Dugdale tells us All the Jesuits Letters containing Damnable Treason and sent for the most part by the Common Post came to his hands most of which he saw and read but could never produce one single Letter He informs us also of dreadful Oaths and Sacraments of Secrecy administred to the Conspirators before they were made privy to any Dangerous Design yet with the same breath declares there were whole Armies both Privy and Ready to a Design no less then of Cutting all the Protestants Throats throughout the Nation at an hours warning Nay he assures us there was a Free Pardon of all Sins Proclaimed every where at the Chappels to all Persons Men and Women whosoever would be active in Killing the King a notable way of concealing Secrets Is it possible this Fellow should find credit in such gross such palpable Forgeries Oates likewise relates How that whilst he was Chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk the Priests attempted the utmost of their skill to perswade him out of his Religion by telling him The Church of England was upon it's last Legs Surely the Priests took him to be either a notorious Fool or Knave for otherwise they might doubtless have devis'd some more plausible and less dangerous Argument to convert a Protestant Minister Yet he feigned to be convinced by their reasons and was hereupon presently entertain'd by the Jesuits the sottish careless Jesuits who on a suddain intrusted this Neophite with all their concerns made him privy to all their most Damnable-Intrigues And in short 't is most certain nothing of Treason Murder or Villany was contrived or even thought on by them without him By this means he became acquainted not only with the strange adventures of Pickerings loose Flint Whipping Thirty Thousand Masses c. But also with the manner of Firing the City Introducing Chimerical Armies French Irish Spanish c. Mustered up in the Deposition Nor is it a wonder the Jesuits should be so rash in discovering their Secrets to Oates Seing he himself if you will believe him here also deposeth that some of them were so desperately mad as to Preach a publick Sermon before a company of Students wherein the Kings Legitimacy was vilified and abused and it was declared His Majesties Religion entituled him to nothing but sudden Death and Destruction Is it credible a Jesuit or any other in his Wits should publickly Preach such Black Treason to a Company of Boyes But what shall we say of the Doctor 's tender Conscience and Zeal in preserving the King He tells us here he only seigned himself a Catholick on purpose to make Discoveries Alas good Man It was to save His Majesties lâ—fe made him seem to the Papists what he really was not Yet O prodigious Impudence he owns at the same time he was conscious for above a year together of the daily attempts made by Groves and Pickering to Shoot the King He hourly expected for several Months the horrid effects of Sir George Wakeman's Poyson He was privy as he ad's else-where to the designed Assassination of the King at Windsor He knew the Ruffians were actually upon the Place and ready for the Villany He saw the Money sent to them for their Encouragement and every moment waited to hear the Fatal stroke was given Nevertheless this Man of Conscience whose watchful Eye so carefully guarded the Kings Life all this while made no Discovery Though he knew for certain that the Pistols were already even at the King's Breast The Cup of Poyson at his Lip And the Dagger almost at his very Heart Yet he never cryed out Murder upon the Lords Annointed never called for Immediate Succour never warned the King of his Imminent danger never diverted the Impending Mischief never so much as opened his Mouth to disclose any of these Horrid Treasons until such time as the King might have been killed a thousand times over Is this the Doctors Vigilancy Or rather is it not perfect Demonstration that all he hath Sworn of the Plot is Damnable Perjury Jenison declares That though he often expressed to Mr. Ireland An Horrid detestation of Treason and Blood-shed Yet Ireland as if he had a mind to Hang himself was still urging this Consciencious Man to Murder the King and when he could not prevail with him herein he would needs have him at last to nominate some Irish Ruffians whom he judged most proper for this Execrable Villany And thus far indeed Jenison acknowledgeth he condescended Now one would think a Man who had taken so deep an Impression of horrour and detestation of Bloodshed should have had some scruple in concealing so Hellish a Design and much more in
to the Tower where he remain'd above two years before he could be admitted to Tryal During this interval the whole Nation was surpriz'd and allarm'd with the noise of an horrid Plot contriv'd by the Pope Priests and Jesuits wherein the King was to be Murthered Armies raised Protestants Massacr'd and the three Kingdoms destroy'd by Fire and Sword the people were affrighted searches made Guards doubled and all in an uproar The King hereupon consulted the Parliament and both Houses declar'd it a Plot Yet to strengthen the Evidence as yet but weak and make farther discoveries Indempnities are promised Rewards proposed and encouragments given by Proclamation to any who would make out upon Oath the particulars of what in substance was already declar'd By this and the like sedulity of the King and three succeeding Parliaments several new Witnesses came in First Captain Bedlow Next Dugdale Prance and two others Bolron and Mowbray out of the North Then Mr. Jennison Smith Seigneur Francisco Dangerfield Zeile Lewis c. Lastly one Mr. Turbervile who together with Oates and Dugdale gave Evidence against this Lord Stafford of whom we now treat After two years Imprisonment when many Roman Catholicks both Priests and others had been Executed and most of the rest Imprisoned or fled At length my Lord was brought to his Tryal on the 30 th day of Novemb. 1680. at the Peers Bar in Westminster-Hall the House of Commons being present and the Lord Chancellor High-Steward of England The Impeachment was drawn in the name of the Commons of England wherein my Lord was charged together with other Papists for having imagin'd and contriv'd to murther the King introduce Popery and subvert the good Government of Church and State established by Law To this Impeachment my Lord being thereupon arraigned pleaded Not Guilty Allegations in proof of the Plot in general ¶ 1. THen the Cause was opened and the Commons Learned Counsel who were appointed Managers of the Tryal set forth the Charge in most Copious and Eloquent Language And beginning first with the Plot in general they shewâ—d to the life the Wickedness the Malice the Horror of so Dreadful Bloudy and Hellish a Design They strongly insisted on the express positive Oaths of the Witnesses upon whose Testimony the credit of this Plot chiefly depended They amply dilated upon the Letters of Coleman and others clearly demonstrating the busy Designs and Activity of the Writers They pressed home the execrable Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey charged upon the Papists as well by the Oaths of Captain Bedlow and Mr. Prance self-acknowledged Partners in the Assasination as also by a certain Letter sent from London to Tixal intimating the Murder of a Justice of Peace and communicated by Dugdale to divers Gentlemen in Staffordshire the third day after the Murder was committed They displayed to the full view the Sham-Plots and Counter-Contrivances whereby 't is said the Papists would have subborned the King's Evidence and turn'd all their Guilt upon His Majesty 's known and well-experienced Loyal Protestant Subjects They urg'd the Firing the City the burning the Navy the calling in French-Armies Wild Irish Spanish-Pilgrims c. Asserted in the several Depositions and Narratives of Dr. Oats Captain Bedlow Mr. Dangerfield c. They re-capitulated the several Tryals of Ireland Whitebread Langhorn c. And alledged the Votes of both Houses of Parliament declaring it a Plot. To strengthen all this They ript up the Cruelties of Queen Mary the French and Irish Massacres the Powder-Plot c. They anatomiz'd the wicked Principles from whence spring evil Practices of Murdering Lying Swearing Faith-breaking Equivocating c. Imputed to the Papists as held by them Lawful and matters of Faith In short nothing was omitted nothing neglected throughout the whole Process But every the least Circumstance enforced and advanced to its full proportion with such vigour of Wit and Industry as fitly corresponded to so great a Cause prosecuted by so high an Authority before so Illustrious Judges and August an Assembly When the Managers themselves had made these efforts to shew the Vniversal Conspiracy as they term'd it they produc'd six Witnesses to the same effect whereby to second and confirm what they had thus in general asserted Mr. Smith's Deposition THe first was Mr. Smith who deposed That going into France he became aquainted with Abbot Montague and one Father Bennet These persons to induce him to be a Catholick told him he should have an Imployment among them and that in a few years they would bring in their Religion into England right or wrong But this was not sufficiently prevalent with him to turn Papist yet he lived with them several years That at last he went into Italy where the Jesuits perswaded him to discourse with Cardinal Grimaldi the which he did That the Cardinal made much of him and he it was perverted him to the Romish Religion That upon occasion of shewing him a pair of Hangings this Cardinal told him He had great assurance the Popish Religion would prevail in England That there was but one in the way And that to accomplish their Designs they must take him out of the way That the Jesuits there also publickly preached and privately taught That the King of England being an Heretick whoever took him out of the way would do a meritorious act That after this he studied several years at Rome And that whilst he was in the Colledge he saw several of Coleman's Letters That being made a Priest he was sent into England with instructions to inform the Papists They were not obliged to obey the King but that they should endeavour to promote the Popish Religion That upon his arrival in England he was placed with one Mr. Jenison in the Bishoprick of Durham where his main Imployment was to root out the Jesuits as men ill-principled and to disswade the Papists from sending Money to Colledges beyond seas That one Thomas Smith told him he received a Letter from the Lord Stafford wherein my Lord said He expected some suddain Change Dugdale's Deposition NExt to Mr. Smith was Stephen Dugdale who deposed That for about 15 or 16 years together he had been acquainted by several Letters and other means there was a Design carried on for the bringing in of the Romish Religion That the Papists were to have Money and Arms ready against the King's Death for he said he heard nothing of killing the King till the year 78 That in October 78. my Lord Aston and others should go to dispose of certain Arms they received to the value of 30000 l. That the King of France was acquainted with all these Designs and that he would furnish the Papists with Men and afford them other Aid and assistance if the King should die or be taken away That he saw a Letter writ to Mr. Evers for all the Jesuits Letters were returned to him wherein were these words This night Sir Edmundbury Godfrey is dispatch'd That he
himself had contributed 500 l. for Arms c. to carry on the Design That about the year 78. there was an Indulgence published at all private Chappels wherein whosoever was active for killing the King should have a free Pardon of all their Sins That he was told at Meetings That the King being an Heretick it was Lawful to kill him And that it was no more then to kill a Dog That he had heard That about the time the King should be kill'd several Parties should be provided with Arms and rise all on a sudden at an hours warning and so come in upon the Protestants and cut their Throats And if any did escape there should be an Army to cut them off in their Flight That he heard the Pope's daily In-come was 24000 l. a day And that the same Pope as he thought had promised to contribute in the whole 1000 l. for the raising Armies and carrying on the above mentioned Design Mr. Prance his Deposition THen Mr. Prance was produced who deposed That one Mr. Singleton a Priest told him He would make no more to stab forty Parliament Men then to eat his Dinner which he was then at Dr. Oates his Deposition NExt Dr. Oates gave Evidence That in the year 76 he being then a Protestant and Chaplain in the Duke of Norfolk's Family One Mr. Kemish and one Mr. Singleton Priests advised him to hasten betimes to the Church of Rome for that the Protestant Religion was now upon its last leggs That hereupon having had before some suspition of the designs of the Papists and growth of Popery to satisfie his curiosity he feigned himself a Convert was seemingly reconciled presently admitted by the Jesuits to do their business entrusted in their secrets and sent by them in April 77 with Treasonable Letters into Spain That e're he arâ—rived at Validolid there were Letters got before him from England wherein was expressed That the King was dispatch'd which was a cause of great joy to the Fathers there But that this proved a mistake That during his abode in Spain he found the Ministers of that Court were very ready to advance Money which Money was return'd into England And that the Provincial of the Jesuits of Castile had also advanced 10000 l. That soon after this he was present at a Sermon Preach'd to some Students against the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy wherein likewise the King's Legitimacy was villified and abused And it was declar'd that his Religion entitled him to nothing but Suddain Death and Destruction That returning into England in November following and bringing Letters for Mr. Strange he heard Mr. Keines say in Mr. Strange's Chamber he was mighty sorry for honest Will meaning the Ruffian that was to kill the King that he had missed in his enterprise Here Mr. Oates thought good to tell their Lordships That the Papists were not so Zealous for the destruction of the King till the King had refused Coleman the Dissolving the long Parliament Then he went on to aquaint them That in December he departed from London to St. Omers loaded with Letters from Strange and others importing the hope they had the next year to effect their Design That being at St. Omers he saw Letters out of Ireland whereby he found that there the Talbots and other persons were very zealous in raising of Forces and resolving to let in the French King That in February several of St Omers were imployed to several places in Germany and Flanders to fetch and carry correspondencies That in March Pickering attempting to kill the King the Flint of his Gun was loose and the King escap'd for which Pickering received a Discipline and the other viz. William Groves a Chiding That in April he returned to London And that there was then a Consult held first at the White-horse-Tavern and thence afterwards adjourn'd into particular Clubs where the Confederates did resolve on the death of the King And that Groves should have 500 l for his pains And Pickering being a Religious man should have 30000 Masses That in June he saw more Letters and heard new Proposals wherein a Reward of 15000 l. was offered to Sir George Wakeman for poysoning the King That in July Mr. Strange very frankly told him how London was fired and how many of those concern'd were seiz'd and afterwards discharg'd by the Duke's Guards and Order Mr. Jennison's Deposition AFter Oates Mr Jennison was called in who deposed That in frequent discourses with Mr. Ireland now Executed he heard him often say That it was necessary for the introducing of the Catholick Religion that the Government should be chang'd And that it was an easie matter to Kill or Poyson the King That he answer'd God forbid That hereupon Ireland told him he would remit the Twenty pounds he ow'd him if he would go to Windsor to assist to take off the King But he exprest a great detestation of it Then Ireland desir'd him to name some Stout Couragious Irish-men proper for the Assassination which he did and Ireland approv'd of them That he heard one Mr. Thomas Jennison a Jesuit say If C. R would not be R. C. he should not be long C. R. And that the said Jesuit added If the King were Excommunicated or Deposed he was no longer King and it was no great Sin to take him off That about two months after the said Jesuit told him there was a Design on foot and that the Queen Duke of York the Lords in the Tower and the greatest Papists in England were in It. That there was a new Army to be rais'd to bring in Catholick Religion And that he the said Jesuit would procure him from the Duke a Commission in it when the King was taken off That he being surpriz'd hereat the Jesuit told him he should receive the Sacrament of Secrecy Mr. Dennis his Deposition THe last Witness was Mr. Dennis who depos'd That he saw Dr. Oates in Spain where he seem'd to be a man of very much business and had a Bag of Money some of which he lent to Him That the Arch-bishop of Tuam told him in the presence of Dr. Oates That Mr. O. Plunket Primate of Ireland was resolv'd to bring the French Power into Ireland And that there were several Collections of Money made in Ireland to support the Plot. This is the sum of what the six Witnesses depos'd to whose Depositions were annexed and produc'd in Court in order to the same end the several Records of Attainder of Coleman Ireland Whitebread Langhorn c. That of Coleman was read at length and the others deposited on the Clerks Table to be made use of as occasion should serve The Papists Plea to the above-specified Allegations ¶ 2. THus far hath been as I may say Indicted Arraigned and Tryed the Plot in general My Lord Stafford as the Managers declar'd is not hitherto prov'd but only suppos'd a Party in the Conspiracy The Plot in
Bedlow though no compartner in the Murder could tell there were Four Thousand Pounds ordered of which Two Thousand Pounds were proffer'd to him alone if he would but assist the rest to convey away the Corps This Murder is affirm'd to have been committed on Saturday the twelfth day of October 78 at nine a clock at night and the Body convey'd away on the Wednesday following about Midnight In direct opposition to which Hill Green and Bury who were Accus'd Tryed and Executed for this Fact produced these Witnesses One Mrs. Tilden and Mrs. Broadstreet attested that Hill who dwelt with them never kept ill hours but always came in by Eight of the Clock That he could not go out afterwards because he waited at Table and the Maid Catherine Lee lock'd up the doors and the Family went not to Bed till Eleven That particularly he was at home on Saturday night when Sir Edmundbury Godfrey is said to be Kill'd and on Wednesday night when carry'd away James Warrier attested That Green his Lodger was in his House and company on Saturday October the 12 th from seven till after ten at Night and that he exactly remembred it by his Work Three Centinels who Successively kept strick Guard on the aforesaid Wednesday Night at the great Gate at Someset-House through which 't is affirm'd the Body was carried out in a Sedan declar'd there went out that way no Sedan at any hour whatsoever from seven a Clock that Night to four the next Morning The Amplitude of which Testimony includes at least three hours immediately before and after the time Sworn to by Prance and Bedlow Berry's Maid attested That her Master came in that same Wednesday in the Dusk of the Evening went to Bed about 12. and could not well after that go out again without her knowledge the passage to his Chamber being through hers And it is most worthy of observation that this Bury was and professed himself to be both during his Imprisonment and at his very Death a Protestant of the Church of England Yet this Man though after Condemnation he was proffer'd his Life if he would own the Fact Nevertheless absolutely deny'd it to his last Breath And when the very Cart was drawing away from under him he lifted up his Hands and said As I am Innocent so receive my Soul O Jesus wherefore if the last words of a dying Protestant who might but would not live by a false accusation of himself or others may be credited The Papists were Innocent of this Murder and the forenam'd Witnesses Perjur'd in their Evidence As for what is objected about a Letter sent from London to Tixal c. It is answer'd supposing such a Letter was really sent and receiv'd That a Letter intimating the Murder of a Justice of the Peace might well be Writ from London on Saturday when Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was known to be missing and arrive at Tixal in Staffordshire by the common Post on Munday following and thereupon Dugdale might tell the news the self-same day to divers Gentlemen at Tixall What of all this Where 's the Inferrence against the Papists Yet this is all some Gentlemen seemed to attest whilst others denyed and all can be necessarily deduc'd from the receipt of such a Letter But that this Justice of the Peace was Sir Edmundbury Godfrey and that the Papists had Murder'd him is proved only by the Common tract of Dugdales peremptory Swearing without any rational motive of credibility Thus much of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey As for the Narratives and from them deduced Stories of Firing the City Burning the Navy Black-Balls Fire-Balls Sham-Plots Wild-Irish Spanish-Pilgrims with other the like innumerable Fopperies and known contradictions to wise men though they make a dreadful sound amongst the Mobile yet carry along with them such an excess of Gross and Ridiculous Non-sence that to sober understandings they only serve to demonstrate the Perjury of the Witnesses and need no Confutation in Equitable Courts such as ours are no wise disposed per fas nefas without appearence of Justice to oppress the Innocent And whereas it is alledged as a main Argument of Popish Guilt That the two Houses of Parliament have declar'd it a Plot and several Persons in several Courts of Judicature have been Tryed Condemned and Executed for it The Papists answer with all due Submission to the Government in defence of Innocence That it is not Impossible nor altogether without President That a Lawful Authority proceeding Secundum allegata Probata should be abused and consequently drawn into a mistake by the Malice and Perjury of Wicked Men. Those who make it their study and Trade to frame Artificial Lyes and have time assistance and all imaginable encouragement and opportunity for it may easily invent plausible Stories with more coherence then any hitherto divised such as may amuse and deceive the most just and prudent Persons especially in a conjuncture when a transporting Zeal to the Protestant and as Papists say a misconceived prejudice to the Catholick Religion influenceth the Nation Nor have all been Convicted who were Impeached and Tryed upon the Plot but as some have been Condemned so others Impeached upon the same Evidence and in the same Courts of Judicature have been acquitted the wickedness and forgery of the Witnesses detected and their Depositions rejected as unworthy of Credit It is further hoped the Wisdom Justice and Integrity of the State will at length discover the whole Imposture vindicate the Innocent and Punish the Injury herein done to God to the King to the Nation and to almost all Europe To the Instances given of Popish Malice and Bloodiness from former examples viz. Queen Mary's Cruelties the Powder Plot the Irish Barbarisms the French Massacre c. Committed by Profest Papists It is answered that by the same reason and to as good purpose the Trayterous Seditions and Outrages in Germany France Bohemia and Holland Authorized and Fomented by Calvin Swinglius Bâ—za and other Reformers The late Bloudy Wars in England the almost yesterday's Remonstrances and Practices in Scotland The even now actual Rebellion in Hungary raised and managed by Protestants for Protestanizm But above all that never to be paralelled Hellish Murder of the Lords Annointed Our glorious Soveraign CHARLES the I. in cold Blood by outward form of Justice on pretence of Reformation might be imputed to the Protestant Religion For all these now mentioned Horrid Villanies were committed by Protestants Protestants who gloried in being more then ordinarily refined from Popish Errors and Superstitions If it be said as most justly it may the Church of England never taught such Practices the same say and protest the Papists in behalf of their Church But because meer recrimination is no justification on either side And for that a full decision of this heavy charge dependeth much on the right understanding of Roman Catholick Principles in matter of obedience to God and the King We shall treat of
way of Presents from some great Persons by taking of Jesuits and Printing of Narratives But did not all these Gains accrue unto him on the account of the Plot On what other score were these Presents made by Great Persons Had he any other Trade or Livelyhood then that of the Kings Evidence Is it not too manifest those Gifts were bestowed on him as a Reward of Past and Encouragement of Future Swearing Would to God such great Persons would duly consider the Dismal Consequences which necessarily follow such Rewards THe second Exception made by my Lord against Oates's Evidence was That the said Oates had Perjur'd himself in two Depositions directly contradictory to each other For proof of this my Lord appealed to divers of the Lords themselves who were present at both the said Depositions amongst whom the Earl of Berkley being required to speak what he knew Attested That my Lord Chancellour did ask Dr. Oates at the Bar of the House this Question viz. My Lords desire to know if you can accuse any other Person or Persons of what quality soever And you are encouraged by their Lordships to Accuse them Oates his answer was My Lords I have no more to Accuse in Relation to England Notwithstanding which Deposition he afterwards in another with unspeakable Insolence expresly Accused the Queen in a matter as he thought of no less then High Treason From hence my Lord concluded if the first Deposition was True Oates was Perjured in the Latter If the Latter was True he was Perjur'd in the First So that which of the two soever is True or False he is guilty of Perjury UPon this proof the Managers made these Observations First Doctor Oates having said much and having many things in his Head could peradventure not remember on a sudden this particular of the Queen Secondly The Evidence which Doctor Oates gave afterwards of the Queen was not positive nor of his own knowledge but words which he heard spoken in a Room in which he was not himself but coming in afterward he saw the Queen there Thirdly It might not be so clear to Dr. Oates whether the Queen was a Person capable of an Accusation so as to be Tryed for Treason To which the Papists answer To the first 'T is an evasion contradictory to common Sense that a Man whose Business and Study it was to Discover a Plot against the Life of the King and who by several long premeditated Depositions had as he said discharged himself of all he knew should notwithstanding all this while never remember the most Essential part viz The Inhumane Murder of the King Designed and Consented to by his own Royal Consort To the second Oates Deposed upon Oath he heard such words and circumstanced them with such particulars of Time and Place as plainly denote he intended a full and home Accusation against the Queen And granted his Evidence was not positive yet the matter was of such dangerous consequence as ought not to be concealed especially at a time when he was upon his Oath to speak all he knew and when he pretended by Discoveries to Save the Life of the King To the third Though Oates left to himself be very Stupid yet he could not be so Ignorant us not to know that a Queen designing to Murder the King her Husband is guilty of Treason And whether She was liable to a Tryal or no. Oates was guilty of Perjury In that being Commanded and Encouraged by the Lords to make an entire Discovery of all he knew against any Person of what Degree or Quality soever he expresly Swore He had no more to Accuse in England Indeed the Transcendent Lustre of the Queens Vertue Innocence and Endeared Affection to His Majesty leaves no place for Calumny to fix upon And the bare Charge of so soul a Crime upon so Renowned a Goodness is of it self Independent of other Contradictions a more then sufficient Conviction of Oates's Perjury THe third Exception made by my Lord against Oate's Evidence was That though Oates in his several Depositions particularly those taken before the Privy Councel and House of Lords did often affirm he had given an entire and Faithful account to the best of his rememberance Of all whatsoever he knew as to the matters and Persons concern'd in the Plot And though he had then also time and opportunity to reflect and deliberate upon what might any wise relate to my Lord Stafford in that affair yet he never accused him of any other thing then only That he had seen beyond the Seas some Letters Signed Stafford wherein the Writer had testifyed his Zeal for the Catholick Design But when afterwards consulting with himself and possibly with some others he found this slam of his would not amount to any thing material whereon to ground an Impeachment he Invented and Imposed upon my Lord a Commission of Pay-Master-General to the Army a device he never once thought on before From which proceeding my Lord argued If there were such a Commission receiv'd by my Lord at Fenwick's Chamber in such a manner as Oates relates this Commission being a matter of so grand Importance and the Delivery of it accompanied with so many remarkable circumstances in the very presence of Oates It is impossible that the said Oates who as he said on purpose for Discovery had taken Notes and Memorials even of Trivial Occurrences should forget and by consequence omit a thing of this high concern in his former Depositions But if there were no such Commission as most assuredly there was none then is Oates Perjur'd in his present Evidence And verily added my Lord if it be permitted to this man daily to frame New Accusations If easie credit be given to all his Fables and whatsoever he shall from time to time Invent may pass for good Evidence Who can be secure At this rate he may by degrees Impeach the whole Nation for Crimes which neither he nor any man else ever yet dream'd on UPon these Arguments and Inferences made by my Lord the Managers would not and the Papists say They need not make any Remarks THe fourth Exception made by my Lord against Oates his Evidence was That whereas Oates now declares He never was really a Roman Catholick but only Feigned himself to be so My Lord often and strongly insisted That a Protestant of the Church of England who convinced in his Judgment of the Truth of his Religion shall nevertheless on what pretence soever Provoke God belye his own Conscience and violate all Sacred things So as to make a solemn Abreâ—untiation of his Faith and Church to profess himself a Roman Catholick to live amongst them to practice Religious duties with them for three years together and this to such an height of Sacriledge as frequently to receive the Sacrament and perform daily external Worship to it which in the Judgment both of Protestants and Catholicks was to him so believing direct and gross Idolatry
impossible the same should be true for Falshood may but Truth cannot be inconsistent of parts LAstly the Managers having amply dilated and discanted upon each particular Evidence and Argument alledged as well against my Lord as in his defence and making even critical remarks upon whatever might be drawn either to the advantage of the one or prejudice of the other the substance of all which hath been already specified in its proper place At length they concluded with sharp and moving Aggravations against the Popish Principles whereof also we shall by and by according to promise give a distinct account And insisting a while on this Subject with much accuteness of Wit and seeming applause they closed up their Evidence THus when there was a period put to proof in matters of Fact there began a debate as to matter of Law concerning a doubt proposed by my Lord the other of his Queries not being admitted disputable viz. Whether two Witnesses be necessary to every Overt-Act in point of Treason This Question being referred to the Judges they determined it to the Negative After this my Lord petitioned the Court as a peculiar favour That he might offer some things to their Lordships Consideration the purport of which was That he had proved direct Perjury upon all the three Witnesses against him That as well at the instance of his Wife Daughter and Friends as out of sincerity of Conscience he would in the presence of Almighty God declare to them All that he knew That he verily believ'd there had been in former times Plots and Designs against the Crown and Government as the Gun-powder-Treason c. owned by the Traytors themselves at their death wherein some Roman Catholicks as well as others might be concerned which Plots he from his heart as both his Duty and Religion taught him detested and abhorred That it was ever indeed his opinion That An Act of Comprehension for Dissenting Protestants and a Tolleration for Roman Catholicks yet so as not to admit them into any Office of Profit or Dignity would much conduce to the happiness of the Nation But this not otherwise to be procured or desired then by a free consent of the King Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That he never read or knew of Coleman's Letters or Consultations for Tolleration till he saw the Letters themselves in the Printed Tryal How far Coleman was Criminal he did not know but he believed he did that which was not justifiable by Law That as to the damnable Doctrine of King killing If he were of any Church whatsoever and found that to be its Principle he would leave it That he knew the disadvantage he was under in being forced alone to stand a contest with the Learned Gentlemen the Managers who have those great helps of Memory Parts and understanding in the Law all which he wanted That therefore he hoped their Lordships would not conclude barely upon the manner either of his or their expressions But seriously debating the merits of the Cause in it self would please to be his Councel as well as his Judges That seing he was to be Acquitted or Condemned by their Lordships Judgments He knew they would lay their hands upon their Heart Consult their Consciences and their Honours And then he doubted not they would do what was just and equitable That with submission to their Lordships he thought it hard measure and contrary to Law that any one should be Imprisoned above two years without being admitted to Tryal And that it was of evil consequence for any one to have Justice denyed him so long till his Opponents had found occasion to gain their ends That however those large Allowances and Rewards granted to the Witnesses for Swearing might peradventure be an effect of His Majesties Grace and Bounty yet it was not easily conceivable how the hopes and promises of so great Sums should not prove to dissolute indigent Persons â—ong Allurements and temptations to Perjury Finally That the defence he had made he owed it to the worth and dignity of his Family He owed it to his dear Wife and Children at which words he was observed to weep He owed it to his Innocence He owed it to God the Author of Life That he confided their Lordships would duly reflect what a dreadful thing Murder is and the Bloud of Innocents And that he verily believed none of the House of Commons desired his Death for a Crime of which he was not Guilty That he hoped their Lordships would not permit him to be run down by the shouts of the Rable the Emblem of our past Calamity It began in the late times with the Lord Strafford and so continued till it ended in the Death of the King the most execrable Murder that ever was committed And where this will end said he God knows To conclude He again declared in the presence of God of his Angels of their Lordships and all who heard him That he was entirely Innocent of what was laid to his charge That he left it to their Lordships to do Justice and with all submission resigned himself to them To this discourse of my Lord's the Managers returned for answer That his Lordship's last Address was not regular nor according to the due method of proceedings for if after his Lordship had summed up his Evidence and the Prosecutors had concluded theirs he should begin that work again and they by consequence be admitted to reply he might still rejoyn upon them and so there would be no end of proceedings They therefore desired this Indulgence granted to my Lord might not serve for a future Precedent The Conclusion of the Tryal ¶ 5. HEre then the Lord High Steward wholly terminating all further process on either side The Court gave final Judgment And the Lord High Steward collecting the Votes my Lord Stafford was Pronounced Guilty by fifty five Votes against thirty one When the Votes were pass'd the Lord High Steward declar'd to the Prisoner He was found Guilty of High Treason whereof he was Impeached To which my Lord Stafford answer'd God's holy name he praised my Lord for it Then the Lord High Steward ask'd him What he could say for himself why Judgment of Death should not be given upon him according to Law He replyâ—d My Lord I have very little to say I confess I am surprized at it for I did not expect it But Gods will be done and your Lordships I will not murmer at it God forgive those who have Falsly Sworn against me WE are now come to the final Sentence of Death For a Prologue to which the Lord High Steward made a short â—athetick Speech wherein after some reflections upon the Plot in General he descended to my Lords Case in particular And then advised his Lordship as now a supposed guilty Person to bethink himself of the State and Condition he was in Of his Religion and Guides that t is said had seduced him Of the repentance due to
of Sorbon in the Vniversity of Paris against a Book of Anthony Sanctarelus treating of Heresie Schism c. Particularly against the 30 th and 31 st Chapters of the said Book The Censure of the Faculty my Lord produced in Court and is as followeth Upon the first of April in the year of our Lord 1626. after Mass of the Holy Ghost the usual Assembly of Doctors being met in Solemn manner in the Hall of the Sorbon Colledge was heard the relation of the Masters of the same Faculty deputed for that end who declared That in those two above-mentioned Chapters these propositions were contained That the Pope can punish Kings and Princes with Temporal Penalties and Depose and Deprive them of their Kingdoms for the crime of Heresie and free their Subjects from their obedience And that it had been always the custom in the Church And for other causes also as for faults if it le expedient If the Princes be negligent For the insufficiency and unprofitableness of their Persons Likewise that the Pope has right and power over Spirituals and all Temporals also and that both the Powers Spiritual and Temporal are in him by Divine right That it was to be believed that Power was granted to the Church and its Chief Pastors to punish with Temporal Penalties Princes the transgressors of Divine and Humane Laws especially if the Crime be Heresie They said likewise that the same Sanctarelus did affirm That the Apostles were subject to secular Princes de facto non de jure by Fact not by Right Moreover That as soon as the Pope is installed all Princes begin to be subject unto him Lastly they related that he Sanctarelus expounded the words of Christ Whatsoever ye shall bind upon Earth c. To be understood not only of the Spiritual but of the Temporal Power That he imposes upon St. Paul changing his words by withdrawing the Negation and upon many Authors cited by him They related many other things out of the said Sanctarelus which seemed to them very well to deserve the grave Animadversions and Censure of the Faculty The matter therefore being brought in to debate by the Dean the mature deliberations of all and every Master being heard the Faculty hath dissapproved and condemned the Doctrine contained in these propositions and other like expressions in the same Chapters as new false Erroneous contrary to the word of God drawing hatred upon the Pontificial Dignity giving occasion to Schism Derogatory from the Supreme authority of Kings dependent on God alone hindering the conversion of Heathen and Heretical Princes disturbing the publick Peace Destructive to Kingdoms States and Common-wealths withdrawing Subjects from Obedience and Subjection and exciting to Factions Rebellions Seditions and Murder of Princes Given in the Sorban the 4 th of April 1626. Taken out of the Archives of the aforesaid Faculty by me Secretary thereof the 26th of September 1679. MASSIN MY Lords fifth Testimony was taken from a little Treatise writ as my Lord said by a Priest of the Church of Rome and entituled Roman-Catholick Principles in Reference to God and the King The chief Contents of which Treatise Because it in short explains the above-named Principles and clears the Objections usually made on this Subject I shall here insert in the Authors own Words for the Readers more ample satisfaction IS it not strange and severe saith this Author That Principles of Treason Rebellion Murder c. and those pretended of Faith too should be imposed upon Men which they themselves renounce and detest If the Tuâ—k's Alcoran should in like manner be urg'd upon us and we hang'd up for Mahometans all we could do or say in such a Case would be patiently to die with Protestation of our own Innocence And this is the posture of our present Condition We abhor we renounce we abominate such Principles We protest against them and Seal our Protestations with our Dying Breaths What shall we say What can we do more To accuse Men as guilty in matters of Faith which they never own'd is the same thing as to condemn them for matters of Fact which they never did You press the Question and say some of our General Councils several Papal Decrees and many of our Doctors and Divines assert the forementioned Principles Sir I have been instructed in the Articles of my Faith and I acknowledge the lawful Authority of General Councils Yet I profess I never learnt or found asserted in any of them any such Principles And I propose unto you this plain and short Dilemma Either the above-named Principles are esteem'd by us as matters of Faith or not If they be what further can be required of us then to deny and forsake such a Faith And this we constantly do But if they be not matters of Catholick Faith nor owned by us as such why are Catholicks as Catholicks punished for them why is our Religion persecuted on that account Let those in God's Name if any there be of what Religion soever who hold such Tenents suffer for them Why should the Innocent be involv'd with the Guilty there is neither Reason nor Justice in it Hereunto some Persons I hope out of zeal and mis-information rather than malice stick not to say that Dispensations and I know not what Indulgences and Pardons whereby to legitimate the Crimes of Lying and Forswearing when the Interest of our Church requires it is a main part of our Religion and by consequence the denial of our Principles is no sufficient Justification of our Innocence I answer First It is in the highest measure censorious in any one to impose upon all our Ancestors and the greatest part of mankind who are or have been so long together Members of our Religion such an excess of Folly and Wickedness as must needs have perverted all Humane Society Secondly If we could lawfully deny the Principles of our Faith when Interest requires why have we lost our Estates our Liberties our Lives for the profession of it To what purpose are Oaths and Tests devised to entangle us How impertinently is the frequenting the Protestant Church and Receiving the Communion proposed unto us and refused by us Thirdly Though many men may be induced to Lie and Forswear when they have some hopes or prospect thereby of Temporal Advantage yet that Persons dying for their Conscience and Religion as divers have done and those no Fools even by the Confession of our Adversaries should be so stupendiously sottish and mad either to imagine that Lies and Perjuries for concealment of Treason Murder Massacre and Destruction of others by Fire and Sword should be Acts of Virtue pleasing to God dispensable by the Pope and Meritorious of Heaven or that on the contrary knowing and believing as needs they must such Monsters and Horrours to be odious and detestable in the sight both of God and Man they should nevertheless upon the very brink of Eternity wittingly and willingly cast themselves headlong into an assured
in sign they Accorded to what he said Others by distinct Acclamations answered We believe you my Lord God bless you my Lord Pray God forgive him his Sins c. In this conjuncture a Protestant Minister accosted him saying Have you received no Indulgences from the romish-Romish-Church Have you received no Absolution To which my Lord answered What have you to do with my Religion However I do say the Roman Catholick Church allows of no Indulgences or Dispensations Authorizing Treason Murder Lying or Forswearing Nor have I received any Absolution for such ends Pray do not trouble your self nor me Then turning from the Parson he applyed himself to his Friends about him whom he lovingly embraced and with a pleasant Voice and Aspect Bid them adieu for this World Next he delivered his Watch two Rings off his Fingers his Staff and his Crucifix about his Neck as Legacies to several Friends He desired the Sheriffs that such Persons as he nominated might have leave without the Executioners Intermeddling to assist him and to take care of his Body which was accordingly done And his Gentleman Stripping him of his Coat and Peruke put on his head a Silk Cap and accommodated his Hair Shirt and Waistcoat for the Execution And he now being ready for Death both in Body and Mind he chearfully submitted himself to the Block before which first kneeling down and making the Sign of the Cross he recommended himself with raptures of Devotion to the Divine Mercy and Goodness After this he lay down as it were to try the Block And then who could imagine it with a Stupendious Courage embraced the fatal Wood as the dear Basis or Point from whence his Soul was now to take its flight to Immortal Glory The Heads-man put him in mind that his Shirt and Waistcoat came too high Whereupon he raised himself up upon his Knees and bid his Gentleman cut them lower Whilst this was pâ—rforming he was heard continually to breath forth several Acts of Prayer as Sweet Jesus receive my Soul Into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit c. When his Gentleman had finished He again laid down his head upon the Block persevering still his Prayer and expecting the suddain and dismal arrest of Death with a courage say the Papists Divinely Elevated a constancy more then humane No change in his Countenance no Quaking or Trembling in any one Joynt of his Body could be discerned Thus he lay or rather quietly rested upon the very Brink between Time and Eternity a good space Till at length finding the Head's man delayed the Execution of his Office He once more raised himself up upon his Knees and with an aspect Grave but still serene and lively asked Why they staid It was answered For a Sign What Sign will you give Sir He replyed None at all Take your own time Godâ—s will he done I am ready The Head's man said I hope you will forgive me He answered I do Then Blessing himself again with the Sign of the Cross he reposed his Head upon the Block never more to lift it up in this Mortal State The Head's man took the Ax in his hand and after a short pause Elevated it on high as it were to take aim and set it down again A second time he did so and Sighed The third time he gave the Fatal Blow which severed my Lords Head from his Body save only a small part of the Skin and Wind-pipe which was immediatly cut off with a Knife The Body after Seperation from the Head Trembled a little and Stirred no more The Head was received into a Black Silk Scarf by two of my Lord's Friends and retained by them till the Sheriff called for it and commanded the Executioner to hold it up to the view of the Multitude The which he did at the four Corners of the Scaffold Crying aloud This is the Head of a Traytor But however the People had been formerly possessed with prejudice both against my Lord's Practices and Principles Yet now they made no Acclamations at the sight of the Ploud-droping Head nor seemed much taken with the Jollity of the Spectacle Some went away with Confusion and Remorse for their past hard censure of him Others conceived strange apprehensions and fears of God's Judgements ensuing Perjury and Bloud-shed Some again said My Lord was Drunk with Brandy Others said Verily This was a just Man The Papists who best knew his Innocence And who looking upon themselves as in some measure Parties in his Sufferings beheld this whole Tragedy with most tender Resentments They regarded him as a Victim of Religion and Innocence They mutually accompanied him with their Prayers and Supplications to God in his behalf They seemed to receive new Comfort and Courage from his Christian Magnanimity They Wept They Smiled They Sympathized with him both in his Dolours and Joyeâ— They Blessed and Praised Almighty God for his goodness to Him and to Them in Him They Glorified his Holy Name who often sheweth the strength of his Power in the weakest Subjects In fine many did and still do believe the peculiar grace and presence of Cod's Spirit had some Effect and Influence upon all in a manner that saw him And few there were of his Religion who did not wish themselves in his Place No sooner was Execution done but the Sun which before was obscured and secluded from our sight on a suddain dissipating the Clouds sent forth it 's Clear and Illustrious Beams Upon which accident different Parties have since made different Reflections My Lord's Adversaries say The Sun before frowned at Popish Guilt but seemed pleased when Justice was done The Papists say The Heavens Mourned and were ashamed and unwilling to be Spectators at the Shedding of Innocent Bloud but appeared in Joy and Splendour at the Reception of a New and Glorious Inhabitant into their Coelestial Mansions When the Head had been publickly exposed it was returned back into the Silk Scarf held by a Youth that had waited upon my Lord and so laid into the Coffin together with the Body vested For out of Modesty my Lord had desired he might not be stripped naked on the Scaffold In the interim divers Persons threw up their Handkerchiefs to have them dipt in my Lords Bloud wherein some were Gratified and others had their Handkerchiefs thrown with Derision over the Scaffoldâ— After this the Coffin was taken down from off the Scaffold by several Bearers and by them carried to the Bounds of the Tower where a Velvet Herse-cloath being spread over it It was carried in order to its Interment into the Tower A place say the Papists as it hath been Enobled by his Sufferings so will it remain to future Ages a Triumphal Monument of his Fortitude and Victory Thus Lived thus Dyed this Famous Nobleman to whose Memory I shall only adde of my own That if his Cause was Innocent and his Religion wrongfully Traduced He is Happy and we unfortunate by his untimely Death 1 Ep. Cor.