The Firſt Head.

The Names of Popiſh Prieſts, by whom kept, the Chappels and other Places where Maſs is ſaid, and reſorted to in the County of Monmouth.

John Arnold of Lanvihangel in the County of Monmouth Eſq late Juſtice of Peace there, by his Examination, ſaith, That he hath known Mr. David Lewis for ſeaven or eight Years, who hath been for all that time and before reputed a Jeſuit and Provincial of the Jeſuits in the County of Monmouth, That for ſeveral Years paſt he lived at Lanternam Houſe then in Jointure to the Lady Morgan, which by her Death, about two or three Years ſince, came to Sir Edward Morgan, where the ſaid David Lewis publickſaid Maſs as has been credibly informed by perſons that were preſent thereat, he likewiſe ſaith that he hath ſeen the Chappel, Altar and Ornaments in the ſaid Houſe for the Celebration of Maſs, that the ſaid David Lewis lives now near Lantarnam aforeſaid, and doth alſo, as he hath been informed, ſay Maſs at a Pepiſh Chappel near Mr. Gunters Houſe, in Abergavenny Town.

Charles Morgan, Gentleman, by his Examination upon Oath ſaith, that David Lewis a Popiſh reputed Prieſt doth often frequent the Houſe of one Mr. Thomas Gunter of Abergavenny.

William James, by his Examination upon Oath ſaith, that he hath known David Lewis to be a Bopiſh Prieſt this Sixteen Years and believes him to be the Superiour of all the Jeſuits in North and South-Wales; he and his Wife have received the Sacrament of him, hath ſeen him adminiſter to above an Hundred Perſons, hath ſeen him Chriſten ſeveral Children, and Marry ſeveral Perſons at a Chappel in Lantarnam-Houſe, and at the Houſes of Andrew and Edward Williams, that great number reſort to Lantarnam to hear Maſs, depoſeth further that he hath given ſeveral Angels to the ſaid David Lewis, to pray for the Soul of his Father-in-law after he was dead, & that his Father-in-law told him and his Wife, that he was fain to give Fifty Pounds to the ſaid David Lewis, to be diſpoſed to pious Uſes, and that if he did not give it, he ſhould neither have the Sacrament, nor Abſolution, and that he further ſaith, that he knows William Cornelius, who hath officiated as Clerk at Maſs to the ſaid David Lewis this Fifteen or Sixteen Years, and that the ſaid William Cornelius was both a Conſtable and Churchwarden for the Pariſh of Langattock.

Dorothy, the Wife of William James depoſeth that ſhe hath known David Lewis to be a Popiſh Prieſt theſe twenty Years, hath ſeen him ſay Maſs at Lantarnam and elſewhere, ſhe and her Husband having received the Sacrament from him, and hath ſeen him adminiſter it to ſeveral perſons, and Marry and Chriſten ſeveral times: She knowes that one William Cornellius hath officiated as Clerk to the ſaid David Lewis for fixteen years paſt and above.

Mr. Arnold faith, that he hath known Captain Silyard four or five years; that he hath been Informed by the Miniſter of Lanarth and others, that he is a Romiſh Prieſt and doth openly ſay Maſs in that Pariſh, to which great numbers do reſort, that moſt of the Pariſh are Papiſts.

Tho. Watkins Vicar of Lanarth upon his Oath Depoſeth, That one Silyard, a reputed Popiſh Prieſt, reſides in the ſaid Pariſh.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath depoſeth, that the ſaid Mr. Silyard a reputed popiſh Prieſt, lives with Mrs. Jones of Lanarth Widdow.

Mr. Arnold ſaies, That Mr. Harris alias Price, is reputed to be a popiſh Prieſt.

Tho. Watkins of Lanarth, upon his Oath depoſeth, that Walter Harris, alias Price is a reputed popiſh Prieſt, reſideth in Clytha a Hamlet in Lanarth, in the Houſe of Mrs. Chriſtian Milbourn, that there are above Eighty reputed Popiſh Recufants beſides Children and Servants in that Pariſh, that he hath been Informed, that the ſaid Price ſaith Maſs, Marries and Chriſtens in the ſaid Pariſh, and hath endeavoured to pervert ſeveral of the Pariſh to the Popiſh Religion,

Mr. Samuel Watkins, Vicar of Lantillio, Greſſenny and Penroſe, in the County of Monmouth, upon his Oath ſayes, that Mr. Walter Harris, alias Price, and another Mr. Harris ſay Maſs at William Pullens Houſe, and likewiſe do often Chriſten.

Mr. Aaron Lewis of Landegva in the County of Monmouth, upon his Oath ſaith, That ſeveral perſons have inform'd him that Walter Harris alias Price, is a popiſh Prieſt, and had Chriſtened ſeveral of their Children, and that the ſaid Price ſaid Maſs publickly, and that he lives in the Houſe of Mrs. Katherine and Mrs. Chriſtian Milbourn.

Alice the Wife of the ſaid Aaron Lewis upon her Oath ſaith, that ſhe knows the ſaid Mr. Walter Price to be a popiſh prieſt, hath ſeen him and heard him ſay Maſs forty times, hath received the Sacrament from him, hath ſeen him adminiſter it to a hundred more, hath ſeen him often Marry and Chriſten, hath perverted ſeveral Proteſtants from the Church of England, to the Church of Rome, as James Phichard and Katherine his Wife, Charles Walkins, and Margaret his Wife, and the Wife of William Arthur, and ſeveral others.

She further ſaith, that ſhe hath ſeen above a hundred at maſs, and that the crowd was ſo great, that the Loft was forced to be propt leaſt it ſhould fall down under the weight; that ſhe hath confeſt her ſins to the ſaid Price and that he gave her Abſolution.

William Lewis of Ragland, upon his Oath ſaith, in the County of Monmouth, that he hath ſeen Mr. Price, who doth or lately did live at the the Houſe of Mr. Milborn, ſay Maſs, and preach in Welch; that the ſaid Price did earneſtly endeavour to turn him from the Church of England to the Church of Rome; telling him he ſhould never ſee the Face of God, unleſs he would be of their way.

Mr. Roger Seys upon his Oath ſaith, that the ſaid Walter Harris, alias Price, is a popiſh Prieſt; and that he was preſent when it was proved before a Juſtice of the Peace, that the ſaid Price had ſaid Maſs.

William James upon his Oath ſayeth, that he knoweth Walter Harris alias Price a popiſh Prieſt, and hath ſeen him at Maſs, and heard him ſay Maſs, and that he's entertained at Mrs. Milborns Houſe in Clithia.

Mr. Arnold ſayeth, that he hath been very credibly informed, that one Doctor Pugh ſays Maſs publickly in the Houſe of Mr. Thomas Bodnam of Blackbrook, both when Mr. Bodnam is at home, and when he is abſent; that he hath been informed, that Walter James Eſq ſuffers one John Loyd a reputed Prieſt to ſay Maſs at his Houſe at Treivor.

That he hath ſeen a Chappel at Lanvair in the Houſe of Turbervile Morgan Eſq and an Altar and Ornaments in it, and he hath been informed that Thomas Loyd, a popiſh Prieſt ſaith publick Maſs, Marries, Chriſtens, and Buries in the ſaid Chappel.

Mr. Samuel Watkins of Lantilio Greſſenny and Penroſe, upon his Oath ſayeth that Mr. Loyd, a reputed popiſh Prieſt ſays Maſs at the Houſe of Turbervile Morgan Eſq in his Pariſh, that there are three other Houſes in his Pariſh, where reputed opiſh Prieſts are entertained, and ſay publick Maſs, and that there are in the Pariſhes of Lantilio, Greſſenny and Penroſe Sixſcore Popiſh Recuſants.

Mr. Arnold ſayes, that he hath been informed by the Miniſters and ſeveral Witneſſes, that Mr. Scudamore of Penroſe's Widdow, ſuffers publick Maſs to be ſaid in her Houſe, and that numbers reſort thither.

Mr. Samuel Watkins, Vicar of Penroſe upon his Oath ſaith, That one Mr. Lloyd, a reputed popiſh Prieſt is entertained at the Houſe of one Mrs. Winefrid Sceudamore, and that he hath ſeen him there: and a great number of Popiſh Recuſants reſorting thither upon Sundays and Holy-days, to hear Maſs, as he conceiveth, and he verily believes all her Children are Chriſtened by popiſh prieſts.

M. Arnold ſayes that he hath ſeen a publick Chappel near the Houſe of Mr. Tho. Gunter a Popiſt convict, in Abergavenny, adorned with the marks of the Jeſuites on the outſide and is informed that Maſs is ſaid there by Captain Evans a reputed Jeſuite, and by the aforeſaid David Lewis, that very great numbers reſort to the ſaid Chappel, and very often at Church time and he hath credibly heard that a hundred hath gone out of the ſaid Chappel, when not forty have gone out of the great Church, that the ſaid Chappell is ſcituate in a publick Street of the ſaid Town, and doth front the Street.

Mr. Greenhaugh Vicar of Abergavenny and Lantilio Pertholy in the County of Monmonth, upon his Oath ſayth, That on Sunday and Holy-days he hath ſeen great numbers of Roman Catholiks reſort to the houſe of Mr. Thomas Gunter at Abergavenny, and that the ſaid Gunter entertaines one Captain Evans, whom he ſuppoſeth to be a Popiſh Prieſt; That there is the publick mark of the Jeſuites on the outſide of the Building, which is directly towards the pariſh Church, and he is informed there is a Chappel, and that they have in that Houſe all the Formalities and ornaments belonging to a Chappel, with Maſs on Sundays and Holydayes; he depoſeth, that there have been Marriages and Chriſtenings in both the ſaid pariſhes by popiſh Prieſts; and further, that the ſaid Thomas Gunter told him, that in Olivers time of ſeverity, he kept a Prieſt, and would keep one now; that many times Corps come to be interred with the Formalities of white Croſſes upon them, and endeavouring to hinder the ſaid Superſtition, he hath oftten been abuſed; that he hath informed John Arnold Eſq and other Juſtices of the Peace of publick Maſs there and other Enormities of rhe Papiſts.

William James aforeſaid upon his Oath depoſeth, that he knows Phillip Evans, commonly called Captain Evans a popiſh Prieſt entertained by Thomas Gunter at his Houſe in Aliergavenny.

Mr. Arnold ſayeth, that the Perſons who go under the Names hereafter mentioned do often change their names and are called by other Names, and are reputed itincrant Prieſts in the Counties of Hereford and Monmonth, and do uſually offieiate in ten Miles eompaſs (viz) Mr Drawcot, Mr. Elliot, Captain Pugh, Doctor Pugh, Mr. Rider, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Loyd, Mr. Williams, Mr. Parry, Mr. Jones, mr. Harriks who is ſaid to be Superintendent of the Comb, mr. John Hall, mr. Thomas Powel, mr. Harries alias Price, and mr. Thomas Andrews.

Thomas Watkins Vicar of Lanarth upon his Oath depoſeth that Thomas Andrews a reputed Poiſh Prieſt ſays Maſs very often at William Davids Houſe of Bettus as he hath been informed.

Mr. Samuel Watkins Vicar of Lantilio Greſſenny upon his Oath depofeth that mr. Andrews a reputed popiſh Prieſt, is entertained at mr. Anthony Powels at Killough, where he hath ſeen him, and that he ſayeth publick Maſs there, and that mr. Hall, a reputed popiſh Prieſt is entertained at mr. James Pricards Houſe of Blaen Liman, where maſs is publickly ſaid; and hath been Informed, that another reputed popiſh Prieſt called mr. Laurance Watkings frequents the Houſe of, mr. Walter Powel.

Mr. Roger Seys upon his Oath depoſeth, that he heard it proved before ſeveral Juſtices of the peace of the County of Monmouth, that Mr. Laurence Watkins was a popiſh Prieſt, and did officiate at the Houſe of Mr. Charles Scudamore deceaſed, and further depoſeth, that Thomas Powel, a reputed popiſh Prieſt liveth at the Houſe of the Lady Jones of Treowen which is diſtant abont a quarter of a mile from the pariſh Church of Dingeſtow; to which Church as he is informed, there do not reſort above ſixteen or rweuty perſons or thereabouts, when there do reſort to the houſe of the ſaid Lady Jones, threeſcore or thereabouts, all which do paſs and repaſs through the Church Yard of Dingeſtow aſoreſaid at the Time of Divine Service.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath depoſeth that Mr. Williams a reputed popiſh prieſt frequenteth a Houſe called Lantrothy.

Mr. Arnold ſays that he hath ſeen a hundred papiſts meet on the top of an high Hill, called St. Michaels Mount, where is frequent meetings eight or ten times in the year, as he is informed, Maſs is ſaid, and ſometimes Sermons are preached there.

John Scudamore of Kentchurch in the County of Hereford Eſq faith that he ſaw very great numbers of people at their Devotion on the top of a high hill in Monmouth ſhire called St. Michaels Mount, where there is a ruinous Chappel and a Stone with croſſes on it, which he took to be an Altar, and he hath ſeen people with Beads in their Hands kneeling towards the ſaid Stone both within and without the Chappel, and he hath been informed that Maſs is often faid there, and ſome papiſts have affirmed in his preſence that they have heard as good Sermons preached as ever they heard in their 〈1 page missing〉

Mr. Arnold ſaith, that he knows that Combe Houſe in Hereford-ſhire, and ſeveral Lands belonging unto it, of a conſiderable value, is commonly reputed to be a Covent of Jeſuites, and he hath heard ſome of the, Papiſts themſelves call it, the Colledge of the Combe and he hath been informed, that there are commonly five or ſix Jeſuites roſrding there, and there is a publick Chappel, and Maſs conſtantly ſaid therein.

Mr. Scudamore ſayes, that at a Houſe called the Combe in the County of Hereford Several Prieſt are maintained and kept there and that it is commonly reported that it is a Houſe or Colledge for that purpoſe.

William James of Langatock in the County of Monmouth upon his Oath depoſeth, that he hath heard ſeverall of the papiſh Prieſts ſay, that if they could not live in thoſe parts they would repair to the Combe in Hereford-ſhire, and believes the ſaid Combe to be a Covent, and that the Lands thereunto belonging belong to the Prieſts; and that they do keep or lately did keep Husbandry there.

Mr. Charles Morgain upon his Oath depoſeth, that Combe Houſe in the County of Hereford near the dwelling Houſe of Henry Milborn Eſq a Juſtice of the Peace is reputed to be a popiſh Covent, where ſeveral popiſh reputed Prieſts Did latly inhabit (viz) Mr. James, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Dracyot and Mr. Harris.

Three worthy members of this Houſe living in or near Hereford-ſhire informed the Committee that Combe-Houſe aforſaid, and the Lands thereunto belonging is commonly reputed to belong to the popiſh prieſts.

The ſecond Head.

The names of Juſtices of Peace and others that are Papiſts or ſuſpected Popiſts and their proceedings in favour of popiſh Prieſts and popiſh Recuſants.

Mr. Arnol ſays, That he know's Sir Edward Morgan of Lantarnam in the County of Monmoth Barronet, that he hath ſeen in his houſe att Lantarnam a popiſh Chappell with Altar and Ornamenttherein for the celebration of Maſs wherein Maſs is ſaid, as he hath been informed, by ſuch as have bin preſent thereat, that he heard the ſaid Sir Edward Morgan affirm himſelf to be a Roman Catholicke, that he is yet continued in Commiſſion of the Peace and is reputed to be a Deputy Lieutenant.

Mr. Arnold ſayes, That about ten yeares ſince he knew William Jones of Lanarth Eſquir, that he was a Juſtice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of Monmothſhire, hath bin infromed by worthy Members this Houſe, that before and at the time of his Death he was a Papiſh; he hath heard ſome Papiſts bragg that he dyed a Papiſt and that his Son is now bred in a Colledge of Jeſuites in France, or elſe where in forraigne parts; he ſays, that he hath been informed by the Miniſters and others that moſt of that Pariſh are Papiſts (he ſays) that though ſeverall Warrants have iſſued from the Juſtice to have accounts of defaults for not comming to Church, no returnes cold be had for theſe two or three yeares laſt paſt, the Church wardens and Conſtables being Papiſts.

Mr. Thomas Watkins, Vicar of the Pariſh of Lanarth upon his Oath ſays there are above fourſcore reputed Popiſh recuſants within his pariſh, beſides Children and Servants; three reputed Popiſh Prieſts reſideing and Officiateing there (viz.)

One Sylliard, who was lately Tutor to Mr. Jones's two Sons, who are now beyond Sea, as he verily believes: One Walter Harris reſiding at one Mrs. Milborn's Houſe in Clithia a Hamlelt of Lanarth, and Andrews at Bettus.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath, depoſeth that Mr. Sylliard, a reputed Popiſh Prieſt, lives with Mrs. Jones of Lanarth, Widdow to Mr. William Jones of Lanarth, who was a Juſtice of Peace.

Mr. John Greenhaugh, Vicar of Abergavenny and Lantilio Portholy in the County of Monmouth, upon his Oath depoſeth, that there is or hath of late been one Mr. Evans a reputed popiſh Prieſt entertained at the Houſe of Charles Proger Eſq in the ſaid Pariſh of Lantilio, who is a Juſtice of Peace, and that he hath ſeen great numbers of Men and Women reſort thither to Maſs as he conceives.

Mr. Arnold ſays, that he hath been informed, that Maſs was very lately and publickly ſaid at Lantrothy, a Houſe belonging to Rowland Prichard Eſq now a Juſtice of Peace of Monmouthſhire; where one Thomas Elliot, a Popiſh Prieſt (formerly committed to Hereford Goale) as ſuch, doth officiate; that he informed the ſaid Mr. Prichard of it, and that it was dangerous to him, and Scandalous to Religion to ſuffer it; the ſaid Mr. Prichard anſwered, that he had Ten Pounds Rent extraordinary for it; and that would do him more good than the Scandal could hurt him; that Mr. Prichard is Nephew to Mr. Henry Milborn.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath ſayeth, that he hath credibly heard that Rowland Prichard Eſq hath ten Pounds, per Annum more for his Houſe at Lantrothy, for ſuffering one Mr. Williams, a reputed Popiſh Prieſt to be there ſometimes.

Mr. Arnold ſayes, that he knows Henry Milborn Eſq to be a Juſtice of Peace in four Counties, whereof Monmouthſhire is one, and that he the ſaid Mr. Milborn over ſince he came into the Commiſſion of the Peace for Monmouthſhire, hath kept Papiſts for his Clerks, who received and kept all Preſentments, one of them called Bower, who was Indicted for treaſonable words at Hereford Aſſizes, of which the Herefordſhire Members can give a more perfect Account.

The other named Peter Roberts a Papiſt convict; the ſaid Mr. Arnold ſayes, and Henry Probert Eſq upon his Oath depoſeth, that they both as Juſtices of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, on the 17th Day of April 1677, did often tender the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to the ſaid Peter Roberts, which the ſaid Peter with contempt did refuſe to take; that they both did require the ſaid Mr. Milborn being then preſent to joyn with them in tendering the ſaid Oaths, and in committing the ſaid Roberts, which he refuſed, whereupon the ſaid Mr. Arnold, and Mr. Probert did by Warrant and Mittimus commit the ſaid Roberts to one Hugh Powel one of the chief Conſtables of the hundred of Shenfrith to convey him to his Majeſties Goale; whereupon the ſaid Henry Milborn did lay violent Hands on the chief Conſtable and puſht him away while the ſaid Roberts made his Eſcape.

The ſaid Mr. Arnold further ſays, that he hath often heard the ſaid Mr. Milborn at Privy Seſſions both diſcourage Conſtables from preſenting Popiſh Recuſants, and alſo declare, that it was contrary to Law to preſent them at a Privy Seſſions, and that the Law of Primo Elizabethae was not intended againſt Papiſts, he alſo knows that the ſaid Mr. Milborn at the End of laſt Eaſter or Mid Summer Seſſions, did procure an Order, that neither the ſaid Henry Probert nor himſelf ſhould Act as Juſtices in the ſaid hundred of Skenfrith, though no Juſtice lived in the ſaid hundred, and they live both near to it, and that the ſaid Mr. Milburn obtained another Order of the Quarter Seſſions to vacate that they had done at a Privy Seſſions, where they had convicted above two hundred Papiſts, the Copys of which Order were denied him by the Clerk of the Peace and his Clerks, and he verily believes that the reaſon of making both their Orders, was becauſe the ſaid Mr. Probert and himſelf did their Duty faithfully, and put the Laws in Execution againſt the Papiſts.

Mr. Arnold ſayes, that he knows, and Mr. Charles Morgan by his Oath depoſeth, that moſt of the ſaid Henry Milborn's Family and Houſhold are Papiſts.

And Mr. Arnold ſays, that he was preſent when one Mr. Roger Seys did demand of Mr. Milborn a Warrant to apprehend one Walter Prite, whom the ſaid Seyes offered to prove to be a Popiſh Prieſt, kept in the Houſe of Mrs. Katherine and Mrs. Chriſtian Milborn Siſters to the ſaid Mr. Milborn, which the ſaid Mr. Milborn not only refuſed to grant, but threatned the ſaid Mr. Seys for demanding the ſame; and laſtly ſayeth, that he hath been credibly informed, that Mr. Milborn is a Truſtee for many of the Papiſts in Hereford and Monmouthſhiers.

Henry Probert Eſq upon his Oath ſayes, that Mr. Arnold with himſelf and others kept a Privy Seſſions at Lantilio Greſſenny in the County of Monmouth, where the Conſtables preſenteda great number of Popiſh Recuſants, but all the next Quarter Seſſions, there was an Order made, vacating all that was done at the ſaid Privy Seſſions, though very little or nothing was done there but about the Preſentment of Papiſts; and further ſaith that he doth in his Conſcience believe that the ſaid Mr. Milborn was the main Agent and Inſtrument of making and obtaining the ſaid Order.

John Scudamore Juſtice of the Peace of Herefordſhire ſayes, that having deſired one Mr. Henery Milborn Juſtice of the Peace of that County to joyn with him in iſſuing out Warrants to levy twelve pence a Sunday on Popiſh Recuſants, he alwayes refuſed ſo to do, affirming that the Statute of Prime Elizabethae was never intended againſt the Papiſts, that he hath been credibly informed, that the greateſt part of the Family and Houſhold of the ſaid Mr. Miborn, and the greateſt Part of the Pariſh wherein he lives, are Papiſts, that he hath known two of Mr. Milborns Clerks who received and kept all Returns and Preſentments, and were both declared Papiſts; the Name of one being Joh. Bower, who was tryed at Hereford for treaſonable words, the Name of the other was Peter Roberts who is or was lately his Clerk.

Mr. Roger Seys, and Mr. Lewis Price, upon their Oaths, ſeverally, depoſe that they were preſent when John Arnold and Henry Probert Eſq did commit Peter Roberts, Clerk to Mr. Milborn, for refuſing to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and that the ſaid Mr. Milborn reſcued the ſaid Peter Roberts out of the Hands of the Chief Conſtable, who thereupon made his Eſcape.

The ſaid Mr. Seys further depoſeth, that he being Church-warden, did on the Seventeenth of April 1677, demand a Warrant from Mr. Milborn againſt Walter Harris, alias Price, a Popiſh Prieſt, who lives with Mrs. Chriſtian and Mrs. Katherine Milborn, Siſters to the ſaid Milborn, which Warrant Mr. Milborn refuſed to grant, but threatned him with Opprobious Words, telling him he was a buſy troubleſom man, and that he would be upon his Skirts.

Lambert Miles, upon his Oath depoſeth, that about the Years 1675, or 1676, being petty Conſtable of Lantilio Greſſenny; he went to Mr. Milborn a Juſtice of the Peace, with his Preſentment to be approved and ſubſcribed by the ſaid Mr. Milborn, wherein ſeveral Popiſh Reonſants were preſented for not coming to Church, that the ſaid Mr. Milborn ſtruck out, or cauſed to be ſtruck out ſeveral of their Names, and the Oath, and that it was a true Preſentment, was omitted, he the ſaid Miles refuſing to take it, unleſs the Names of the ſaid Popiſh Recufants (ſtruck out as aforeſaid by Mr. Milborn, or his Order) were aſſerted therein, that thereupon the ſaid Miles never preſented thoſe ſtruck out any more, nor ſwore to any Preſentment after, though he continued petty Conſtable two Years.

Mr. Arnold ſayeth, that he hath had it proved by Oath before him that Mr. Iſaac Williams who is a Coroner for part of the County of Monmouth, hath his Children Chriſtened by a Popiſh Prieſt, and that his Wife is a violent Papiſt, and have credibly heard, that Maſs is very often ſaid in his Houſe, and that very frequent Meetings of Romiſh Prieſts, and others of that Religion are held there.

Mr. Roger Seys upon his Oath depoſeth, that he being Church-Warden, Iſaac Williams, one of the Coroners of the County of Monmouth did check him for putting the Statute in Execution againſt Popiſh Recuſants for not coming to Church, and told him it was pirty to proſecute them, for they were honeſt People, and in way of Diſcourſe did hold many Alguments with him in vindication of the Romiſh Religion.

Mr. John Greenhaugh, Vicar of Abergavenny, upon his Oath ſayeth, that Mary the Wife of Mr. Lewis Jones, was the only Perſon in that Town, ſeverely proſecuted for a Roman Catholick, though there were many convict Papiſts of greater Ability in the ſaid Town, and that it was done after her Conſormity and Reconciliation to the Church of England, and that her Husband told him, that he had payed to the Under-Sheriff nine pounds ten Shillings, notwithſtanding the Certificate under his Hand and Seal of her Conformity.

Mr. Scudamore ſayes, that about five Years ſince, he apprehended one Mr. Elliot, a Popiſh Prieſt, habited in his Scope and other Veſts, in the Acts of Celebration of Maſs in a Chappel of Herefordſhire, wherein he obſerved an Altar, Lights, Papers and ſeveral Images, he asked the ſaid Elliot how he durſt ſay Maſs ſo publickly, there being at Maſs above thirty Perſons, being there was a Proclamation to the contrary? Mr. Elliot anſwered that he knew of no Proclamation, but demanded by what Authority he took him, telling him he ſhould have no thanks for apprehending him; Mr. Scudamore ſaith, that he thereupon committed Elliot to the County Goale, and the next Aſſizes cauſed a Bill to be preſented againſt him, which was found, but before his Tryal he was taken out of the Goal, and as the Ʋnder-Sheriff informed him, he was moved to the Tower of London. It appears to the Committee by the Original Records and Papers produced, that the ſaid John Scudamore did by his Mittimus dated the 17th. of September 1675, commit the ſaid Elliot as a Popiſh Prieſt to the County Goal of Hereford, until he ſhould be thence delivered by due Courſe of Law, that by Warrant Counter-ſigned by Mr. Secretary Trevor, dated the 24th of January following, directed to Marſhal Brigs Eſq high Sheriff of the County of Hereford, the ſaid Elliot was brought up to London in order to his Delivery over to the Lieutenant of the Tower. That by Warrant, counterſigned by Mr. Secretary Trevor dated the 15th. of February following, directed to the Lieutenant of the Tower, the ſaid Elliot was committed unto the Tower until further Order, and accordingly, the ſaid Mr. Elliot was delivered by the High-Sheriff of Herefordſhire into the Lieutenant of the Tower's Cuſtody.

That by Warrant counterſigned by Mr. Secretary Trevor, dated the 4th. of March following, the Lieutenant of the Tower was commanded to enlarge and ſet at Liberty the ſaid William Elliot, firſt taking ſecurity from him to tranſport himſelf out of the Realm, into ſome Parts beyond Seas within ten Dayes next after his Enlargement, and not to return into any of his Majeſties Dominions, without leave firſt obtained.

That according the ſaid Lieutenant took a Bond in his Majeſties Name from the ſaid Elliot with two ſureties in the Sum of five hundred Pounds, and thereupon ſet the ſaid Elliot at Liberty; that at the next Aſſizes and General Goal delivered for the County of Hereford the 24th. of March following, the ſaid William Elliot was indicted for being a Seminary Prieſt, which Indictment was found by the Grand Jury, and to which Indictment Edward Marriot, Joh. Gole, and Arthur Liſter were Witueſſes, who by their Informations taken upon Oath, and produced to the Committee by the Clerk of Aſſize, do ſeverally depoſe the apprehending the ſaid Elliot in the Act of Celebration of Maſs, as Mr. Scudamore hath ſet forth in his Examination aforeſaid.

The ſaid Mr. Elliot by his Examination and Confeſſion produc't to the Committee by the Clerk of the Aſſize, and taken before Sir Edward Harly, John Scudamore and William Gregory Eſqs; Juſtices of the Peace, for the County of Hereford ſays, that he was apprehended when he was at his private devotion, but confeſſeth that there was then with him in the ſame Room at Devotion, about ſix or ſeven and Twenty Perſons; that he was habited with a Surplice, and Veſtment over it, and being examined, whither he was a Prieſt in Orders from the Church of Rome, he refuſed to anſwer thereunto, but ſaid let it be proved againſt me, I will not Accuſe my ſelf.