IT vvas euer the faſhion of the heathen, but much more of Apoſtatats and Heretikes reuoulted from the Church: when they deadly hated and perſecuted the CATHOLIKE CHRISTIANS, and ſpecially GODS PRIESTS: being the guides and Paſtors of that flocke they ſeeke to deſtroy, yet of purpoſe and pollicie, pretend other cauſes of their puniſhement more hateful to the world then matter of faith and conſcience.

So did the Arrian Emperors and their Biſhops accuſe Holy Athanaſius of Nigromancie, Ruffin hiſto. aduolterie and conſpiracie. So did the preſident of Pontus an officer of Valens the heretical prince,Naz. orat. De Baſilio. perſecut S. Baſil for his religion, but vnder pretence of an other crime, in ſo much that to the wonder of the world, he cauſed his chambre which the Angels of God (as S. Gregorie Nazianzen writeth) did reuerence for puritie, to be ſought by his officers for a vvoman. So did Iulianus the Apoſtata, Tripart. lib. 6. c. 27. endeuoring to extinguiſhe the Chriſtian faith, and to preferre Paganiſme, cōdemne the Clergie to death and exile: vnder pretenſe of diuers crimes, and namely of ſedition falſely forged againſt them So did the Vandals being Heretikes alſo,Victor de perſecut. Vandalic. extremely plage the Catholikes in Aphrike: accuſing them that they had ſecret conference by meſſengers and letters vvith the Romans againſt them. So did the Empereſſe Theodora a vvomā of the Eutichian hereſie, cruelly perſecut Pope Siluerius and the Clergie: ſaying that her coūſel had intercepted their letters vvhereby they called in the Goths and forraine povver to inuade the Citie of Rome & the Empire,So thy now faine interception of letters, for the condemnation of holy men. when al the world knevv ſhe perſecuted them for their religion, and that they were neue • guiltie of any ſuch offences.

This ſhamful ſutteltie and too foule and brode deceipt vvas neuer ſo notoriouſly vſed as in the late perſecutions and practiſes of proteſtants, ſpecially in England againſt the CATHOLIKES: in vvhich, ſuch as are not ſkilful in the old hiſtories of the Church, may as in a glaſſe behold at once al the miſeries that ſhe hath ſuffered in this kinde of calumniation by the Arians, the Gothes, the Vandals, the Lumbards, the Donatiſtes, Eutichians, Mahometiſts, Huſsiſts, Hugonots, and by what other ſort in times paſt or preſent ſo euer. I neede not put you in minde ho • not many yeres ſithence they arraigned to the great ſhame and confuſion, the moſt Reuerend father and Confeſſor,The arraignement of the Archbiſhop of Armakan. See the ſtorie of his death. the Arch-biſhop of Armakan for rape: or hovv the Miniſters of Satan charged of late the bleſſed Martyr & Prieſt of God M. Thomas Cottam at his execution, with adulterie committed in Fiſh-ſtreat, or ſuch like damnable fictions: which without al free of God or ſhame of men, the proteſtants print, preach, and geue out wittingly againſt Prieſts, religious and Catholikes, to beguile the poore people moſt ſubiect to ſuch trumperie, through their ſimplicitie.

The meanīg of the author in this treatiſe.My meaning is ſpecially by Gods helpe to ſet furth in Engliſh & lay befor the eyes of al thos of our realme that were not preſent at the deathes or arraignement of the late famous men and Martyrs, M. Campion and his happie fellovves: and in latine and other langages to the vvhole Chriſtian world for a ſpectacle of heretical crueltie and Macheuillian practiſes, hovv by coulor of contriued treaſon and conſpiracie (the cauſe in dede-being religion) the ennemies of the Chriſtian faith haue ſhed their innocent blood to the infinite ſhame of our Nation befor men, and no leſſe peril of deſtruction of our vvhole common wealthe, by Gods iuſt iudgement: who euer reuengeth ſuch publike iniquitie by inducing ſome great and common calamitie:NOTE. from which CHRIST of his mercie, ſaue our countrie, for their ſake (which are innumerable) that haue not conſented to this iniquitie, hovv ſoeuer it ſeeme othervviſe to proceed frō publike authoritie.

But to the matter: after that it vvas agreed vpon by ſuch as God hath geuen povver ouer vs, that the holy Confeſſors whom they had in their hands ſhould be made away, becauſe diuers of thē were farre better lerned then any of their ſect could withſtand: and al ſo zelous, as none could ſturre them from their faith and fellovvſhip of the CATHOLIKE AND ROMAIN CHVRCH, thinking it not good to kil them for their religiō, they ſought out vvith al arte and diligence hovv to find or faine handſomely any matter that coulorably might be dravven to treaſon, or any capital crime, in the old ſenſe of our lavves.

The cauſes why they would not put them directly for their faith and conſcience to death (Notvvithſtanding they had not long before made diuers lavves forcible inough for that purpoſe,The cauſes vvhy they rather executed them for pretēded treaſon, thē true religiō. whereby ſundrie principles and exerciſes of CHRISTIAN FAITH were made HIGH TREASON, a lamentable caſe, that our countrey is fallen to) were theſe, partely common to al old heretikes, partely peculier to our countrey and preſent ſtate.

Firſt, the caſes of religion are diuers, according as euery mans conſcience is informed where other crimes of what ſort ſo euer are agreed vpon of al hands to be puniſhable. Secondly, religion to wordly men ſpecially to many Athieſts novv a daies whom men cal, honeſtly politikes: ſeemeth not material any farther then as it pertaineth to the preſeruation or deſtruction of the ciuil ſtate. Thirdly, for that it is impoſſible or exceding hard to perſvvad men of any wit or capacitie that, to profeſſe that religion ſhould be an offence worthie death, which al our ovvne aunceſters and al nations round about vs ſo many hundereth yeres together vvere chriſtened in and haue liued, died, and been ſaued in, and is defended at this day as cleerely as the ſunne againſt the proteſtants, both in our realme and al the Chriſtian world beſide. Fourthly, for that they can not put vs to death by any coulor of equitie as for our religion, hauing no lavv nor determination of councel, ſchole or parlement, that hath made it hereſie, and to cal it treaſon, though them ſelues haue made it ſo, is to much mockery. Fifthly, for that our heretikes hold for their ovvne ſpecial ſaftie, that none ſhould be executed for their conſcience, & that they would be counted both at home and abrode in ſuch caſes meeke and clement, and not blouddy as they ſay the Papiſts were towardes them, when the ſtaffe was in their handes.

Sixtely, for that the executing of them for the CATHOLIKE RELIGION, whereof daily more and more are zelous fauorers in England: might bread great daungers and diſcontentement to the euident peril of the whole ſtate, which they haue brought into ſuch ſtraite tearmes by this nevv religion, that it can not be vpholden but by much iniuſtice. Seuenthly, the pretence of other crimes ſpecially of the inuaſion of the realme,Seeking the deſtruction of both ſorts they would put at variance the Catholikes amongeſt thē ſelues. bringeth the zelous Catholikes and namely Gods Prieſts into great hatered not onely amongeſt the proteſtants, but among others wel affected in religion, though not ſo ſtrong to ſtand to the loſſe of their life and goods: whereby they ſubtily ſeeke to make a diuiſion betvvene the tvvo ſorts of weaker and ſtronger Catholikes, for the eaſier ouerthrovv of them both, in deede hating and fering no leſſe the cloſſe diſſembler, then open profeſſor.

Laſtely, they thought good rather to charge them vvith treaſon then religion, thereby to haue better coulor to afflict and ſpoile more deeply al ſuch of the Nobilitie or worſhip, as they found or fained or hereafter ſhal forge to haue harbored and relieued them, or conuerſed with them. And then to terrifie al Prieſts as they thought aftervvard for entering into the realme, & the ſubiects within for receiuing them or ſending their ſonnes to be brought vp in the ſocietie or ſeminarie.

Vpon theſe and ſuch like wordly conſiderations they did not onely pretend to endite condemne and execute them for contriued treaſon againſt the Q. ovvne rial perſon and realme: ſpecifying for the better couloring of the colluſion, daies, places, perſons and maner of executing their intents: but therevvith denounced and proteſted publikely, both in open court and printed proclamation and bookes, that they ment nothing in al this bloddy purſute for any matter of religion or conſcience.

But God that ſtreight diſcouered this cruel ſtratageme,The perſecutors put to double ſhame. and eaſely ouer-reacheth the wiſedom of the wiſe, ſpeadely hath met with their humane counſails and put the perſecutors, to double confuſion in the ſight of the whole world. once for making them avvay in deede for religion, for which they vvere neither arraigned nor condemned: & ſecondly, for killing them for that offence which at the racke, barre, and their death, they inuincibly ſhevved them ſelues in the ſight and conſcience as wel of Proteſtants as Catholikes, to be as innocent as any Sainct or Angel in heauen. Vvherevpon though ſome fevve hote Puritans, were wel contended to ſee them by what meanes ſo euer out of their way: yet the more prudent of euery ſort marueled much at that vnvvonted impolitique proceding,Error in gouernement. being very ſorovvful to ſee thereby her M honorable iuſtice, and her moſt graue counſellers actions, ſo notoriouſly and coulorably ſubiected to reprofe, as in no caſe in mans memorie, or in the records of antiquitie, hath been lightely marked the like. Vvhereof I could report the very words and communication of certaine principal perſons of ſeruice the day of arraignement, and actors in that bloddy tragedy, complaining after their departure thence one to an other of the matter and of the ſhame of that daies worke.

But I may not name them, leſt they ſhould incurre daunger thereby: though if any of our aduerſaries ſtand with me againſt the truth thereof, I wil not ſticke, though to their ſome litle rebuke, to vtter to Gods honor and theſe his bleſſed Sainctes, who for the double confuſion their perſecutors haue receiued,By their practiſe the Saints of God, haue receiued double honor. are doubly glorified, firſt with the crowne of Martyrdom for cōfeſſion of their faith, which was the true cauſe of their death: and alſo with the noble renome and revvarde of ſuch, as be innocēt of the fault: whereof they were executed, which was the caſe of Abel, and others murdered through enuie or malice of man, ſpecially as Naboth was by falſe accuſation, that he had ſpoken wordes againſt God and the king.

Vvhich kinde of iniquitie vſed againſt innocent men, maketh their deaths alſo pretious in our Lords ſight. And men alſo of what religion or conſcience ſo euer, when they ſee any man (hovvſoeuer he othervviſe deſerueth) to be guiltles of the crime for which he dieth, they pitie the caſe naturally, and condemne in their harts and deteſt, that iniurious courſe of proceding in place where iuſtice and iudgement ſhould raigne.

Vvhich alſo hath dravven many (thankes be to God) to conſider better of the true cauſe of their puniſhement, which was the CATHOLIKE RELIGION, and of the proteſtants actions and conſcienceles faith,Proteſtants conſcienceles. that can not be vpholden but by ſuch ſinful pollicie and patchery. Trevvly for vs that through CHRISTS grace be Catholike, if they had not vſed this matter in ſuch an odde ſort, to bring not onely theſe men of God,They them ſelues haue miniſtred the cauſe of al theſe vvritings in defence of Gods Saints. but the vvhole Catholike flocke of Chriſts afflicted CHVRCH in our countrey, into the ſclaunderous ſuſpitiō & obloquie of crimes neuer thought of: but onely executed their nevv lavves againſt them, and made them avvay for religion without more a doe, we ſhould neuer haue complained of any farther iniquitie or violence done againſt vs, but haue compted it as an act proceding of their erronious conſcience and vnſkilful zele in condemning the profeſſors of truth, for falſe teachers. But novv vpon this double witting and wilful iniquitie, if we ſhould hold our peace, heauen & earth would condemne vs, and we ſhould be partakers of the vengeance that the cry of this innocent and ſacred bloud calleth for at Gods hand againſt their perſecutors.

Alas we that knevv them to the very bottome of their harts,The teſtimonie of Ca • holikes with whom they liued. with whom they conuerſed ſo ſincerely and confidently, in vvhoſe hovvſes they were harbored ſo often, what they daily talked in al familiaritie and ſecrecie, heard our confeſſions, deliuered vs the holy Sacraments, preached to vs ſo commonly, and yet neuer heard word nor half vvord of theſe ſuppoſed intentions againſt her M. and the ſtate: though their falſe accuſers ſay it was their proper commiſſion to deale vvith vs for to admit inuaſion of ſtrangers, and to with dravv our ſelues from our ſoueraines obedience: vve therfor for their cleering and our ovvne in that caſe, and al the Catholikes in the realme, cal God and his holy Angels to vvitnes, that theſe men of God vvere moſt iniuriouſly, and vvilfully murdered.

And as we their frends in England acquainted with al their actions ſithence their repaire into the realme, can teſtifie this vpon our ovvne certaine knovvledge:Teſtimonie of forreiners. and the forraine Princes whoſe inſtruments they were fained to be for inuading the land, and the Superiours of their Societie and Colledges by whoſe appointement and direction they came in, can and wil, if neede be, giue authentical intelligence vpon their honors and conſcience of the truth hereof. So may euery man that was preſent either at their examining, racking, arraigning or death: or that hath heard of the ſame, or of the ſtrange courſe of proceding tovvards them either before their condemnation or aftervvard, cleerely behold the ſame.

The effect of the enditement.To proue that they practiſed the Q. death at Rome and Remes, and inuaſion of the realme by forraine povvers in the xxij yere of her M. raigne, the laſt of March and laſt of May and diuers other times, which was the effect of their enditement: there was neither witnes, confeſſion of the parties, probable preſumptions, nor any word ſpoken, or euidence in the world, that was to the point of the enditement, or that could touch any of them that vvere vpon the ſame enditement arraigned the ſecond day.

They charged them al vvith one crime of conſpiracie: diuers of them neuer ſeeing one an other before they came to that barre in their liues, nor neuer writing one to an other, nor proued by any teſtimonie or preſumptiō that euer any tvvo of them together, or any one alone had any ſuch talke or • ntention of conſpiracie.

The Q. counſel charged them vvith no other • hing al that day long, but vvith other mens fauts,They were charged only vvith other mens faults. • ot being able to proue that they al, or any of them, • uer conſented vnto them: yea and vvith diuers • hings, whereof they could none of them poſſibly • e partakers. As the inſurrection of the North, the Commotiō in Irland, the Popes excommunication • f the Q. D. Saunders writings, D. Briſtovves motiues D. Allens approuing the booke, letters intercepted of I can not tel whom, of what, or to whom: with • iphers and charecters that could not be read, but yet muſt needes meane ſome perſons, places, and • reparations for inuaſion.

And when the poore innocent men cried for • uſtice to the Q. counſel that they would not am • lifie againſt them to the abuſing of the Iury,Theſe iuſt petitions of the innocēt men, vvere not at al regarded. other • ens offences: To the Lord cheefe Iuſtice, that for • he honor of God and fauor of innocencie, he would not ſuffer them to be charged with matters • hat neither touched them nor the enditement: To the Tvvelue that for diſcharge of their deuties • nd conſcience they would conſider maturely whether any of theſe accuſations touched them, & • ftſones deſired them for the loue of CHIST, when any thing might ſeeme to be ſaid for euidence againſt them, to marke whether it partaine • o al or ſome, & to vvhom ſpecially, leſt al ſhould • e caſt avvay for one mans offenſe, or one for an other. Vvhich might eaſely be done in ſuch con • uſe huddeling of purpoſe againſt them, of al the • reaſons and treſpaſſes committed in England or vvith out, for that tvventie yeres.

Yet litle eare vvas giuen of any hand to ſo iuſt a demaund, but ſtil they enlarged their accuſation and euidence vvith other mens faults, becauſe the poore men them ſelues had committed none. Yea ſuch arte and conueiance was vſed in this matte • to make other mens offenſes to ſeeme to the Iurie to be theirs, or at leſt to be true of their fellovves, that they purpoſly toke order that ſome,A damnable pollicie. whoſe pretended crimes, conſpiracies & confeſſion, were produced for euidence, againſt thoſe that were arraigned the firſt day, ſhould not them ſelues be preſent, becauſe they could eaſely haue anſvvered and refuted them, but be arraigned an other day, & ſome,As M. Paine vvas. in other places, after theſe ſhould be condemned.

So M. Hart, if he had been there, could eaſely haue reproued whatſoeuer they ſaid, he had confeſſed vpon the racke. So if M. Richardſon whoſe name and perſon was wholy miſtaken euen til his death,They executed one man for an other. had been arraigned the former day, as he was the later, M. Campion might be like haue diſcharged him. But ſpecially in the matter pretended againſt M. Paine, The iniquitie of the Iudge. the L. Cheefe Iuſtice that ſhould haue been indifferent betvvixt her M. and theſe deſolat perſons, committed notorious partialitie and iniuſtice to ſuffer euidence to be brought in, and an othe to be miniſtred to a witnes for profe thereof, when it concerned onely one abſent, and touched none of them preſent: which ſhameful wrong was committed to make that odious matter whereof the euidence was giuen, in the ſight of the Iurie to pertaine to thoſe that then were arraigned: compting al guiltie that there were at the barre, of what crime ſoeuer was thereof any man abſent diſcouered.

The moſt pietiful practiz that euer vvas heard of to ſheed innocent bloud by face of publike iuſtice. Vvhich is a thouſand times before God more damnable and puniſhable by his diuine povver,Publike iniurie farre more greuous then priuat. then if mans life were taken from him by priuate murder.

Moreouer many of them were arraigned and condemned for a fact fained to be committed in • oſe places (that is to ſay at Rome and Rhemes) • d times, ••• ln the xxij of her M. raigne,They vvere condemned for things done where they neuer vvere. and ſuch day of March and of May, of which ſome were 〈◊〉 neither place in their life, as M. Ford and M. Col • gton: ſome had not been there of ſome yeres • efore, as M. Sherte: ſome not at that time nor many • oneths before, as M. Brian and M. Richardſon: and 〈◊〉 M. Collington had not by, Gods prouidence had • e preſent to teſtifie for him that he had been in • ngland long before that time when the conſpi • cie was fained to be made, he had died as the reſt. • nd ſome of the reſt being as certainely knovven • o haue been in England that time and before as he • as, yet were wickedly condemned for that fact • en there cōmitted, when al the world knovveth • at they were not there. Yea M. Brian had witnes • ereof as wel as M. Collington. (By a note ſent vs out • f the regeſter booke of the Colledg of Remes, we • nd that M. Brian departed there hence tovvards • ngland, the iij of Auguſt. 1579 which was viij • onethes before the ſermon was made, at which • ledd and Munday affirme M. Brian to haue been) • ut al is one for theſe that were there in either of • e places thoſe daies of this fiction, al the world • novveth they ſavv no conſpiracie, but Maſſe, • attins, lectures, diſputations and ſuch exerciſes • s are done euery day in the yere, or if there had • een any thing that way contriued, who is ſuch a • oole to thinke, that this deliberation was kept • mong the common ſchollers and Prieſts of the • laces pretended, and that Sledd, Munday, and ſuch • anel were made priue therevnto.

Vvhat wil you more, if the iudgement had been • one in Tindal, and Tiuidal for wreke of deadly • eude it could not haue been more barbarous and • niuſt.

Conſider a litle of the witneſſes,Of the vvitneſſes. firſt they were • uch as neuer ſavv, knevv, nor ſcarſe hard tel of ſome of them whom they accuſed and bare teſtimonie againſt. Neither Sledd nor Munday euer ſavv M. Campion, Boſgraue, Ford, Brian, Collington, Richardſon, Shert or Filbie, in their liues, before their troubles neither would nor could they euer haue thought of them, if they had not by chaunce been taken and in priſon at the ſame time that theſe fevve of the other vvhom they knevv, vvere in durance alſo: but to make them al avvay, they vvere contented to ſvveare to the euidence indifferently againſt them al, as they vvould haue done (their conſcience was ſo at commaundement) againſt al the prieſts and Catholike men in England if they had been required. Eliot, that vvas the third perſon and vvitnes in this blouddy play, neuer ſavv F. Campion but at his Maſſe and Sermon the day of his betraying: vpon certaine vvordes of vvhich ſermon, vvhen he gaue euidence againſt the good Father, that he exhorted men to the obedience of the POPE: he was fully confounded,Eliot found a falſe liar. and found a falſe liar before al the bench confesſing vpon the Fathers replie, that he remembred not that he ſpake of the POPE in al his ſermon.

But let vs conſider a litle of the qualities of theſe witneſſes, that you may ſee what inſtruments the proteſtants are forced for lacke of better to vſe to the affliction of Godly men. They cal Prieſts and Ieſuiſts the POPES inſtruments to aduaunce his intentions: oh good God what difference is there then betvvixt the POPES inſtruments and theſe that the Heretikes onely vſe. Vvhat are Nicols, Sledd, The qualitie & cōditions of the vvitneſſes. Eliot, Munday, companions knovven to be of no religion, of euery religion, coozeners, diſſemblers, eſpials, yea & ſome of them to be charged with aduoutery, murther, and ſuch like crimes, and therfore as wel for lacke of conſcience and religion, as for pardon of their faults, moſt fit to be corrupted, vvhat I ſay are theſe the offal of the vvorld to be compared in truth and veritie againſt ſuch men, moſt famous for lerning, vertue, conſtancie, contempt of vvordly things, and al vvorthines, which both ennemies and frends ſavv in them. And yet vpon the teſtimonie of one onely of theſe without any other profes or preſumptiōs in the vvorld worthy the hering, vvas M. Paine againſt Gods lavves and the realmes, condemned and executed: notvvithſtanding he alleaged both ſcriptures and actes of parliament and called for iuſtice in the ſame.

Vvherein the iniurie was the greater that the Apoſtle expreſly geueth order that no accuſation be hard againſt a Prieſt, vvithout tvvoe witneſſes. yea and if the glorious doctor S. Auguſtine might be heard, none of al theſe vvitneſſes nor a hundreth ſuch more ſhould be receiued againſt theſe bleſſed confeſſors. Thus he ſaith to Pancarius an officer, and an honorable perſon before vvhom a certaine Prieſt named Secundinus was accuſed of a great crime.Heretikes are no ſufficient vvitneſſes againſt a Catholiks Prieſt by S. Auguſtins iudgement. Quod videntur obijcere preſbytero non eſt contemnendum, tantum ſi Catholici ſunt qui obijciunt: nam hereticorum accuſationes contra Catholicum preſbyterum admittere nec poſsimus nec debemus. That is, The crime vvherevvith they charge this Prieſt muſt be looked vnto, ſo alvvaies if thoſe that be his accuſers be Catholikes: for againſt a Catholike Prieſt vve neither can nor ought to admit the accuſation of heretikes. Ep. 212.

But novv Gods true religion being abandoned out of our miſerable countrey through our ſinnes,In this irreligious time, Prieſts moſt ſubiect to iniuries. the honor of God & reuerent reſpect of his ſacred Prieſts is gone withal: and in ſteed of priuiledge and prerogation graunted to them by diuine and humaine lavves, they are moſt ſubiect to iniuries, villanies, contempt and calumnies, of al conditiōs and ſtats of the realme. One prophan Doeg, 2 Reg. c. 22. novv being a ſufficient witnes to make foureſkore and fiue moſt innocent Prieſts traitors, and to be ſlaine on a day.

But to ſifte better the vvorthines and vveight of the forenamed falſe witneſſes as of the cheefe plaiers in this action. Let vs compt the notorious and publike lyes which they haue vttered for furniſhing their wicked accuſation and euidence, vvherein to haue the more certaine knovvledg: I haue either by worde of mouth, if the parties be in England, or by letters, if they continue beyond the ſeas, had aduertiſment of moſt things that theſe fellovves fayned, to make matter of treaſon appeare, that by ſome plaine forgeries you may ſee of what paſt the reſt are.

A heape of Notorious lyes, fained by Munday and others.As of the Martyrologe vvhich Munday faineth to be in print in the colledg of Rome, wherein the Martyrdoms of al late traitors very largely are vvritten, as of Felton, of Madder, of the Nortons and ſuch other: it is knovven to be a flat lye, noe ſuch being there at al: That D. Briſtovves Motiues are commaunded to be read in both the colledges or ſeminaries of al ſtudents, moſt falſe: as the ſuperiors of thoſe houſes by their letters, and euery ſcholler here in the realme that euer was of the ſame, do teſtifie, who further more affirme by their faith, that there is not iiij. bookes as fare as they thinke in both the hovvſes. Of D. Allens Catheciſme, it is a like ſhameles lye: being wel knovven, that he neuer made booke of that title or argumēt: of the ſame D. his ſermon in Rome and F. Perſons ſpeaches againſt the Q. ſitting a mid-mong the ſtudents, they both, the one by his ovvne mouth, the other, by a ſuer meanes of aduertiſment: doe proteſt vpon their Chriſtian faith and Prieſthod (vvhich waieth more in any honeſt mans iudgement then a world of Mundaies and ſuch graceles boyes) that there was neuer no ſuch thing. And in truth they are both to vviſe to vtter ſuch matter if it were in their breaſts in thoſe places. Neither could any ſuch thing be done, but the •• udents then in the colledg could remember it as wel as theſe levved fellovves, but euery of them as I haue met withal, vpon their ſaluation diſauoueth it. As they do al other thoſe horrible ſpeaches of the Queenes killing,An horrible lye. that Munday ſo diuiliſhly deuiſeth to haue been vttered to him there in times of recreation.

A like lye it is alſo,A palpable lye. that euery ſchollar in the ſeminarie of Rome, taketh an othe to obey the POPE and to fulfil his wil in vvhat ſoeuer he commaundeth them: for there is no ſuch othe, nor in the colledge of Remes any othe at al. And that euery one that taketh holy orders is not ſvvorne to the POPE, as the ſaid lying companiō faineth, the very Pontifical vvil witnes. It is an vntruth likevviſe that none can be ſuffered to tarry in the colledges but ſuch as wil be Prieſts and enter into the ſame othe or obligation tovvardes the POPE.

M. Vvodvvard a venerable vertuous Prieſt, whō Munday faineth firſt to haue geuen him knovvledg of an inuaſion as he paſt by Amiens: affirmeth vpon his ſaluation, that he neuer ſpake no ſuch word to the vngratious lad, nor could not, becauſe he neuer knevv in deed, nor heard of any ſuch thing.

Vvhat a diuiliſh lye made Eliot vvhen he gaue euidence againſt M. Paine, Eliots diuiliſh lye. that he ſhould report to him of a plat for killing the Q. which he had heard of the Earle of vveſtmerland, and D. Allen at Dovvay, vvhen the one of them, he neuer ſavv in his life, the other he could not ſee at his laſt goeing ouer, being then at Rome. Adde to theſe the lies of the Miniſters, affirming that M Paine had confeſſed ſo much to a certaine lady, vvhom he neuer ſavv in his life, and to his ovvne brother vvhich vvas likevviſe proued moſt falſe.

As for Sleds inuentionSledds inuentions. of conſpiracie made in D. Mortons houſe, vvas it not very like that he ſhould be made acquainted vvith the matter, being and liuing there as a poore knaue, taken vp by D. Saunderſon of almes, begging of euery body, and knovven of no body, and therefore truſted and vſed no farther of his maiſter but in ſeruile things. This man of Belial hath many vvaies vttered him ſelf ſince his comming from Rome. He confeſſed to a companion of his, that he had thought to haue ſlaine good M. Iohnſon novv executed, comming out of Italie vvith him: he reported in Paris to one Hierom Vaine a man of his qualities, that he vvas the firſt brotcher of thoſe nevves in Rome, that the Spaniſh Armado ſhould be for England, and that there to he had aduiſes out of England, and that of no ſmale babes. Vvhereby vve may ſee that al theſe bruites of confederacies of POPE and princes for inuaſion of the realme, and of other fained conſpiracies, were purpoſely geuen out by the arte of heretikes to take occaſion thereby, to afflict the men of God.

One ſpie enſtructeth an other.Yea the ſaid Sledd gaue this Vaine aboue named goodly inſtructions hovv he ſhould behaue him ſelf in Rome vvithout ſuſpition. This Sledd, as corrupt as his conſcience is can not deny, and by this token he may remember him ſelf the better that it is true, for he told the partie aforſaid and an other Gentilman (vvhoſe name for good reſpects I vvil not bevvray) that he had been in Rome for ſuch purpoſes of pollicie (as he termed his ſpiery) thus long, but vvas euer il paied or conſidered, of his ſetters on vvorke. And as impudently as he now boulſtereth out lyes, yet when he began firſt, vvhich was vvith the apprehenſion of M. Orton in Holborne, he offered the Conſtable iij. pounds in money not to bring him face to face to M. Orton, for ſaith he, it vvould be my vtter diſcredit: and therevpon hauing deſcried the party and charged the officer vvith him, he crept away into a pelting Inne there by, and hid him ſelf vnder the hay, whither the Conſtable came and fetched him out with ſtravv about his eares, ſaying, that if he vvould not come forth with a good vvil, he vvould bring him out vpon a couleſtaffe.

I could tel him of his hipocritical ſute made in Remes to be a ſcholler of the ſeminarie: of the daily frequenting to his damnation, the holy Sacraments both at Rome and aftervvard in Paris: vvhen he had deliuered his lying intelligences to the Lidger there, and taking order of him to go to Remes to take further aduertiſment of their ſtate, that he might belie them vvith more probabilitie. And here let any vviſeman iudge, vvhether he wil feare to ſweare a lye, that feareth not to receiue in fiction, the very B. SACRAMENT, and that vvent to confeſſion to a godly father, euen at the very time, when he was to paſſe into England to play theſe Iudas his parts.

And them ſelues that novv vſe his ſeruice to our affliction,The Lieutenant & Nortons verdict of Sledd. knovv and confeſſe him to be a VERY VILLAINE. The Lieutenant and Norton both, haue ſo reported of him. Nortons wife told her huſband, that Sledd ſaid once that his ſonne was of his complexion, and that al thoſe of that complexion proued wiſe, to which Norton anſvvered, that al Sledds wiſedom did conſiſt in abominable knauerie: wiſhing his ſonne better lucke then to be like ſuch a treacherer in conditions. Norton vvas then in the Tovver for treaſon, in the ſame chamber F. Campiō was kept in. The Lieutenant called him, ſtarcke knaue, becauſe he told the Counſel, that Nortons keeper ſhould ſay, he had novv a Diuel in his keeping and before a Saint, meaning by F. Campion. and after he had enformed the Counſel, & promiſed to proue it by tvvo witneſſes and could not: The Lieutenant ſaid that he had great facilitie in falſhod and lying euen from his cradel. One notable tricke Norton and he plaied together at this arraignement, when Norton read the booke at the barre which was pretended to be Sledds, and Sledd ſvvorne to the euidence.

Theſe loe are the witneſſes, ſuch are the falſe ſclaunders and the palpable vntruths fained by malicious practiſe againſt the ſeruants of God. which yet if they vere true, could not for al that touch any of the perſons arraigned, none of theſe falſe pariured perſons being able to auouch, that any of them in particular, had thus ſpoken, thus conſpired, thus done againſt her M. But the Q. Coūſel at the lavv, could by a conſequence make whatſoeuer was ſaid to be entended or done at Rome or Rhemes,Traitors by an il conſequence. to be euery of their deeds there at the barre. That day it was good logicke,Poore logike. You kiſſed the Popes fote, You were ſtudents of that Colledge where ſuch talke was, You ſpake with D. Allen, You haue redd D. Briſtovves booke, You were at Prage, and came by Rome and Remes into England, ergo vpon euery of theſe you are euery one, and al, guiltie of the matter of the enditement.

O heauen, ô earth, ô Lord God, that ſuch iniquitie ſhould be done in that place, ſo once renomed for iuſtice in al Europe. but to paſſe this point. This alſo is a demonſtration of their innocencie, that at their firſt apprehenſion,An other demonſtration of their INNOCENCIE. impriſoning and racking, they were onely examined of matters incident to religion: whom they had reconciled, where they ſaid Maſſe, who harboured & relieued them,They racke Catholikes for triffeling cauſes, vnvvoūtedly. what they heard in confeſſion (a barbarouſe impietie) and ſuch like. for we may not thinke that they vſe torments, only for diſcloſing of great treaſons or other crimes, as they had wont to do, and that not without great occaſion: but tovvards Catholikes and ſpecially Gods annointed Prieſts, they ſticke not novv without pitie to vſe al kind of torture, often, rather for a puniſhment of them, or to make them by paines to forſake their faith, or of malice and deſpite of the Catholike faith, then for any matter they looke to be opened by them.

So they laid M. Tomſon a learned & graue Prieſt vpon the racke before they euer examined him: M. T. bacheler of Diuinitie. a thing moſt cruel and diſorderly, hauing nothing to charge him withal, but onely to what end he kept certaine ſuperaltares which were found in his chamber. As for religion onely, hauing no other pretence in the world, they thruſt him as is ſaid v weekes together (after the Lieutenant had ſpoiled him of v poundes) and Thomas Burſchoaghe Thomas Burſchoagh. a Catholike yong man and learned, a quarter of a yere together into a griſely dongeon called Vvhaleſboure, without candel light and water, til by the priuie there, they were vvel neere peſtred to death.

So did they afflict Iohn Hemſlovv, Iohn Hemſlovv. onely for burying his Catholike mother in the Church yard, being caſt out of their heretical ſynagogue for her faith, thruſting him into a filthie vile hole (after they had diſcharged him of his money, for that is medius terminus euer) al a lent long, vvithout light, fire, or place to eaſe nature in, til by his ovvne excrements diſcharged into a dongeon vnder him, he had like to haue been ſtiffiled vvith ſtinch.They racke Prieſts on ſundaies & holydaies ſpecially. And vvhich is vvorth the marking, or rather lamenting of al Chriſtian harts, that for our more affliction, they prophanely make choiſe to giue the torture to our brethren, vpon ſundaies and hie holydaies in Gods Church, after the old maner of the heathen perſecutors, rather then vpon vvorken daies. And to feede them ſelues vvith our calamities,By vvhat cruel meanes they terrifie the Catholike priſoners. and eftſons to terrifie other confeſſors the rather to enforce them from their faith, they bring ſome nevv racked vnder their fellovv priſoners vvindovves and to their dores, that by hering their pitiful ſighes, grones and complaints, proceding of infinite paines, they may be moued to relent in religon, yea vvhich is more inhumanitie they ſet ſome of the confeſſors, in bye darke corners, vvhen other their brethren are in tormenting.

And no leſſe torment both of body and minde is it, to be haled and forced againſt their vvilles, to their heretical church and ſermons, vvhere they muſt heare blaſphemie and vvickednes, and if they ſay nothing: be rated of the Puritans and called dombe dogges, if they reproue their Miniſters: they be offered violence and ſtrokes. As namely once a ſpiteful puritane laying his hand vpon his dagger,A puritans ſpirit. his teeth grinning in his head, his face enflammed vvith malice, came to one of the reuerend Prieſts and ſaid thus: Before God if it vvere not for feare of lavves, I vvould preſently ſtabbe my dagger to thy hart (ſmale euidence would ſerue a Ieurie of ſuch fellowes to caſt away a thouſand honeſt men) and many dozens of theſe you may haue good cheape in England, and this is our miſerie novv, that vve haue not onely the coulor of lavv againſt vs: but al the vvicked of the realme our ennemies.

M. Hart miſerably handeled for his conſcience.And al theſe pitiful vexations, are they done vnto them for any thing but religion? vvhen after M. Harts, that learned reuerent Bachiler of Diuinities condemnation, yet they vvould not let him reſt, but cauſed him to be conferred vvith al by Rainolds and others, and vvhen he would not yeld, miſerably afflicted him by dongeon, famine and other miſeries. Had they any cauſe then but religion? or vvas it euer heard of in our realme, that one alreddy hauing his iudgement ſhould be aftervvards ſo manifoldly tormented?

M. Lieutenants courteſie.For vvhat crime vvas it that the Lieutenant made a motion to D. Hammon his fellovv commiſſioner, that the Prieſts laſt cōmitted to the Tovver might be ſent to Bride-vvel to be vvhipt? ô prophane irreligious and malicious Athieſt. That vvas a trike of Nortons ſpirit vvho could find in his hart to haue Norton his counſel. ſent the honorable confeſſor M. Povvnd to Bedlem to be treated like a mad man, and had brought the Lieutenant to promiſe it, befor a hal al moſt ful at his ovvne hovvſe, but as Gods prouidence hath directed matters ſithence, that diet is more fit for Nortons wife.

They ſay the Epiſtle of perſecution hath rethorically amplified the Catholikes calamities in England:So doth D. Humphrey in his vnlerned pamphlet againſt the Ieſuiſts. but our Lord IESVS vvho onely ſeeth through our miſeries knovveth, it hath not vttered the leaſt parte of our daily diſtreſſes. And how great or greuous ſo euer they be, for religiō onely, & for no other treaſons they are: no other cauſes at the firſt pretended, nor after, any thing generally purſued, but how to make them relēt in faith, releaſing euery body vvhat treaſon ſoeuer pretended, if they would condeſcend vnto them in matter of religion. Yea ſuch as ſo did, though they were theſe mens companions at Rome, when and where theſe conſpiracies were pretended to be wrought, and ſome of them ſent dovvne in their company and for the ſame ende, yet vvere they neuer queſtioned vvithal of any ſuch matter, if they once vvould take the othe of the Q. ſupremacie ouer the church of England: as Paſchal, Nicolls, Oſborne, Caddey, and ſuch like, as either of feare, or for preferment then or aftervvard yelded.

Vvho ſhould neuer haue eſkaped ſo, if they had been acquainted with ſuch horrible treaſon: the miſtruſt or pretence vvhereof vvas not as then ſkarcely formed in the Counſels intention, nor reſolued vpon vntil a good vvhile after they had apprehended, examined and racked F. Campion: The great deſire they had to make a vvay F. Campiō, vvas the cauſe of al this actiō. vvhom they vvere exceding deſirous to put away by ſome coulorable meanes, thereby to extinguiſhe this ſpiritual practiſe in caſes of religion in our countrey. Diuers had been racked before that, and nothing found or much miſtruſted concerning this pretended conſpiracie: but to ſee their conſtancie in religion, and pacience in their extremeſt torments, that appalled the commiſſioners excedingly: in ſo much that D. Hammon vpon the racking of M. Brian, D. Hammons ſpeach at M. Brians tormenting. vttered in great terror of his conſcience, That if one vvere not very vvel grounded in his faith, this geare might ſhake him. And when M. Hart vvas taken from the rack, the commiſſioners talking vvith him after a familiar maner: Norton aſked him, M. Harts anſvvere to Norton. ſaying, Tel truely Hart vvhat is the meaning of the comming in, of ſo many Prieſts into England? vvho anſvvered, To conuert the land againe to her firſt Chriſtian faith and religiō, by preaching and peaceable perſvvaſion, after the maner that it vvas firſt planted: Norton confeſſeth their INNOCENCIE. to vvhich Norton ſaid: In my conſcience Hart, I thinke thou ſaieſt truth.

This went things then, til the ſuperior povvers wer reſolued for cauſes before ſaid, to ſeeke out ſome treaſon, whereof by any coulor or ſeemely ſequel in the world they might be endited.

Their firſt pretence of treaſon.Firſt tampering about a collection that ſhould be fained to be made by theſe Prieſts meanes of the Catholikes in Englād for relief of the Iriſh: which not holding weight, they then reſted rather vpon the pourſuit of this pretended conſpiracie of the Q. death, through the readines of ij or iij falſe godles cōpanions, men of ſinne, prompt to affirme and ſvveare, whatſoeuer ſhould be agreable to the practiſe, and vpon a certaine ouerture giuen before by Nicols in his booke and ſermon of recantation,The authors of Nicols bookes. which the mad fellovv made not him ſelf, but were penned by one vvilkinſon (if I hit his name right) as others of his, by other of the Miniſtrie.

Vvhich Nicols becauſe he might be better beleeued & ſeeme to do al of conſcience, fained him ſelf by the Lieutenants counſel (who for that purpoſe brought certaine Miniſters to him) to be conuerted by cōference with godly preachers. Vvhere he had confeſſed to a ſecret frend, that comming from Rome he meant euer to runne that race of Apoſtacie, Nicols intention. & offered the Lieutenant the firſt night he came to the Tovver, to goe to any port of the realme to diſcouer the Prieſts as they ſhould come on land, giuing him vp withal, the names of al the ſtudents in Rome: ſo that you ſee al is a ſett ſong. Yet for the honor of the Miniſtrie they giue out in print of him and others (relenting this yere of plaine practiſe, feare or compulſion, and through both great threats & promiſes) that the godly learned preachers haue conuerted them. as they did by tvvo huſbandmen taken with F. Campion, who by threats of racke and death, were brought to relent or euer preacher dealt with them, and ſo to do, on named Cooper Cooper. alſo, being alvvaies nedy and therfore ſubiect to money, had tvventie pounds offered him • y the Lieutenant. No, No, thankes be to God, Miniſters haue no great grace nor povver theſe yeres, to peruert any man.

But to the purpoſe againe and to Nicols, who in truth in his bookes and ſermons printed and dedicated to the Q. and other her M. Miniſters, vttered • nd inuented the very ſelf ſame falſe matter of the • nditement, whereof the other his cōpanions gaue euidence and teſtimonie,Vvhy Nicols gaue not euidence. yet him ſelf leſt (for ſome cauſes the Counſel knevv) he ſhould haue marred • l, and haue diſcouered by the mutabilitie they ſaw in him, the whole practize, was not produced at • he arraignement: & perchaunce the miſerable man had yet ſome remorſe to be an inſtrument in the caſting avvay of ſo many, whom by experience he knevv to be innocent, and of excellent qualities. ſure it is, that whether as Iudas came backe to the Ievvas after he had betraied to them his Lord, or with better repentance and conſcience, this fellow came of his ovvne accord to M. Kirbie the holy confeſſor, to aſke him and al his fellovves forgiuenes, for the great treachery done tovvard them, proteſting that al was falſe and wicked that had been done or ſpoken againſt them touching theſe ſuppoſed treaſons, Nicols report of his companions Sledd and Munday. and that he would goe to the ſecretarie and ſignifie ſo much, affirming Sledd and Munday their accuſers, to be the falſeſts and vileſts caitiues that euer liued, their wicked and deuiliſh liues and practiſes being wel knovven vnto him. whereof ſee M. Kirbies letter after the narration of his Martyrdom.

Eliot alſo that other wretched man, did neuer thinke at the beginning as him ſelf profeſſed, that they would picke matter of death or quarrel of treaſon towards F. Campion. for he thus ſpake aftervvard to him.Eliots ſpeach to F. Campion. Sir ſaith he, I would not for any good haue done ſo much, if I had thought any further harme or trouble then impriſonmēt, ſhould haue happened vnto you thereby. Then repent the Eliot for Gods ſake ſaid F. Campion, F. Campions anſvvere. and al wil be to his glorie. Then Eliot ſaid, he was in great feare and daunger to be killed of the Catholikes for his apprehenſion: you are deceiued ſaid F. Campion, Catholikes cary no ſuch minde, and yet for your more ſecuritie, if you like thereof, I wil ſend you to a Duke in Germany where you ſhalbe ſafe. Thus al things euen their very accuſers and perſecutors profeſſion, proue them to haue been vniuſtly condemned.

But aboue al, their ovvne profeſſion of innocencie at their deathes, put al men of any reaſon religion or indifferencie, out of doubt thereof: and therein certainely we dare and do appeale to the ennemies ovvne conſcien • e, hovvſoeuer for the honor of iuſtice and needful pollicie they pretend the contrary.

Commonly men truſt euery malefactors aſſeueration at the time of his departure hence, touching his ovvne or his aſſociats culpablenes or innocencie of the fact for which he or they were condemned, though by the atteſtation of the truthes, they haue no worldy cōmodity or releaſe of the paines they haue to ſuffer.A cleere argument of their INNOCENCIE. Hovv much leſſe may any man miſtruſt theſe men vpon their ſoule and ſaluation denying the fact: who might haue had no leſſe revvard for acknovvledging the pretended crime, then grace & life, offered to thē diuers times before they came to executiō, and moſt earneſtly tendered and perſuaded to them, yea almoſt thruſt vpon them at the hovvre of their extreme agonie, yea with great promiſes of preferment. Can any man thinke that theſe men would lye to their damnation, at the very going out of their breath into the iudgement of God: whoſe conſcience was ſo religious, that for al the preferment profered, and life graunted would not do or ſay one vvord againſt the profeſſion of their faith, or that which in conſcience they thought not lavvful to do?

Hovv greatly the confeſſion of the ſuppoſed fact vvas deſired of the counſel, and to euery one of them vrged, and vvith vvhat ſingular arte they vſed the laſt of al that vvas executed, to haue him ſay ſome vvordes of diſagremēt from his fellovves dead befor him, that therevpon they might haue caried him backe and made the people beleeue that he had confeſſed the fact and therefore pardoned, therevpon to haue diſproued al the reſt, it is a vvorld to ſee.

Oh M. Cottam ſaith Sherife Martine, A ſhamful practize they vſed, to entangle M. Cottam. you I perceiue came into the realme not as the others did, ſent to moue ſedition, but for your health onely: and in hope of this conueiance, toke him out of the carte againe, ſaying to him, you vvere happie that you medled not in theſe other perilous matters, that the reſt are executed for, telling him that the Q. vvould extend her mercie to him: for which he hartely thanked her M. thinking in deed by theſe vvordes, and by his looſing from the gallovves and taking dovvne out of the cart, they vvould vvithout any more a do, haue caried him backe againe. At leinghth they ſaid it vvas requiſit he ſhould ſtand vp and ſpeake a fevv wordes to the people to ſignifie that he vvas ſent for no ſuch il purpoſe, and that he miſliked much the POPES doings in thoſe matters.

But God gaue him grace to ſee their legierdemaine, and to ſtand vpon the truth and innocencie, and ſo he was executed vvith more deſpite then the reſt when I vvrote his Martyrdom, being not ſo nere as to heare this communication they had vvith him after he was letten dovvne out of the carte: I could not reporte it, but ſithence one that did here it tould me.

Novv as vve ſee the aduerſaries would haue made much aduantage of any ons acknovvledging of him ſelf guiltie, though al the world had ſeen, it had been done for hope of life: ſo by the conſtant denial of ſo many, ſo godly, ſo learned and wel quallified perſons euen to the loſſe of their liues here, and pledge of their eternal ſaluation in the world to come. It giueth vs an inuincible proofe of their innocencie,An inuincible argumēt of their INNOCENCIE. & an eternal reproch to al the ennemies of Gods Church and Prieſthod. Truely ſaid the laſt of the Martyrs, That among ſo many (if any thing had been committed as is pretended) no one ſhould neither for gaine of his life, nor for ſaluation of his ſoule, confeſſe it: vve vvere the ſtrangeſt men that euer liued.

But not novv onely, vvhen al and euery on ſeuerally had taken it vpon their death, but vpon the like profeſſiō of the firſt three, al the realme almoſt, and much more al foraine Nations generally, pitied the caſe, & vvhere wel aſſured of their innocencie: wherevpon partely for complaint of the iniurie, partely for the excellencie of the perſons to whom • t vvas done, and ſpecially for the honor of God • nd glorie of their notable Martyrdom▪ diuers • ookes, verſes, pictures and ſuch like, came furth in diuers langages. whereat the Magiſtrat, that would gladly haue had the fovvlnes of their fact buried with the mē, were much encōbered, & ſeeking by al humane prudence how to ſtop the further ſpreading of the matter, they reſolued by force and authoritie to defend and auouch the iniuſtice done vpon them, and to puniſh with al extreme rigor, whoſoeuer ſhould ſpeake, print or publiſh the contrary.

Vvherevpon,Rigor vſed to al defenders of their INNOCENCIE. Ʋallenger loſt his eares. ſome that had vvritten of F. Campion and his, fled the Vniuerſities and realme: ſome, loſt both their eares, as on Vallenger, and others othervviſe puniſhed, ſo odible was this truth: and yet I am ſure if al the eares in our countrey and al nations, that glovv at the hearing of this fact, were cut of, half the Chriſtians in England and Europe ſhould be cropt.

But the better to put al to ſilence and out of doubt, they cauſed a proclamationA proclamation. to be made vnder her M. name and authoritie, bering date the firſt of April, and xxiiij of her highnes raigne: whereby they aſſure al ſubiects vpō her M. and the Counſels word and knovvledge, and ſo commaund al men ſo to take it, that the three firſt, and then already executed, vvere lavv fully endited, arraigned and conuicted, as the reſt likevviſe, not then put to death, were, vvhich ſtrange courſe cauſed men to ſuſpect far more then, al vvent not vvel, that vvas to be ſalued ſo extraordinarely:An extraordinary ſalue. euery body of iudgement knowing right vvel that her M. and Counſel could know no more by them, then was openly at the barre giuen in euidence, and dilated againſt them on her M. parte: for there was no ſtore made • hat day, of any thing that might either directly or indirectly touch them.