Camiltons discoverie of the devilish designes and killing projects of the Society of Jesuites of late years projected and by them hitherto acted in Germany : intended but graciously prevented in England / translated out of the Latine copie ... by W. F. X. B. ... — De studiis Jesuitarum abstrusioribus. English

Camiltons discoverie of the devilish designes and killing projects of the Society of Jesuites of late years projected and by them hitherto acted in Germany : intended but graciously prevented in England / translated out of the Latine copie ... by W. F. X. B. ... — De studiis Jesuitarum abstrusioribus. English

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE HIGH AND HONOURABLE The LORDS and House of COMMONS of England in PARLIAMENT Assembled.

CAMILTON'S Discoverie, OF THE DEVILISH DESIGNES AND KILLING Projects of the Society of JESVITES of late yeares.

A Post-script to the Reader.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

CAMILTONS Discoverie, OF THE DEVILISH DESIGNES AND KILLING PROJECTS of the Society of JESUITES of late yeares, Projected and by them hitherto acted in GERMANY, Intended, but graciously prevented in England; Translated out of the Latine Copie;

DEDICATED To the high Court of Parliament, By W. F. X. B. Minister of CHRISTS Gospell.

From all Sedition and privie Conspiracie, from all false Doctrine and Heresie.

Good Lord deliver us.

LONDON, Printed by T. FAVVCET, dwelling in Grubstreet. 1641.

TO THE HIGH AND HONOURABLE The LORDS and House of COMMONS of England in PARLIAMENT Assembled.

[Page]

[Page]

My Lords and Gentlemen,

ABout twelve yeares agoe there came to my hand a little tract written in Latine by one who stiled himselfe JOHANNES CAMILTONUS, and professed himselfe to have been sometimes a Probationer in that Colledge of Iesuites in Germany, whereof JACOCUS DEL RIO, at that time Provinciall was the Visitor: This booke, in the yeare 1607 was by him written and dedicated to the Protestant Electors of Germany, as a Discovery before-hand of [Page] those most damnable[?] [...] Society then had in agitation against the people of Germany. The title of this booke was, De studiis[?] Iesuitarum abstrusioribus, concerning the more secret and reserved practises of the Iesuites: Whereunto had those Princes, to whom this booke was Dedicated, given such timely [...]are and beliefe[?] as they might have done, they had in all probability prevented the greatest part of those unparallel'd miseries, which since the beginning of the warres there (and that was not till eleven yeares after the publication of this booke) these Jncendiaries[?] of Christendome, have brought upon the Germaine Nation, to the astonishment of all the world. But wee see what hath since beene permitted to these fellowes to doe, and what the neglect of a timely taking heed to a seasonable warning hath brought upon those then flourishing Princes and States.

That we therefore might learne by other mens harmes to re [...]e our owne particular, I have endeavoured the publication of this translation under your honours protection; having taught this Discoverer to speake our language, for the publique benefit of our English Nation, against them, I dare boldly say, even your selves being my Judges when you shall have read this small tract, that the same course hath beene taken by these common Incendiaries for breeding a disturbance, and bringing all things into a confusion both in our Church and State, that was then projected, and since then acted upon Germany. Nor doe I thinke, but it is sufficiently knowne to your Honours and grave Wisedomes, that the same wheele of mischiefe, that wrought all the woes [Page] of Germany since the yeare 1618. hath for some yeares last past, bin[?] set also at worke in England, Scotland, and Ireland: witnesse all the factions and fractions in Church and State, the disturbances and discontents betweene the Prince and the people, the fearefull[?] divisions betwixt the Clergie and the Clergie, betwixt the Court and City, and betwixt the King and his Commons, yea, even betwixt the two Crownes of England and Scotland, all which have received their birth and breeding from the devilish designes of those sonnes of division, the Society of Jesuites, and beene fomented almost to a perfect flame by their Agents, and Adherents, their deluded Disciples of this Nation, and had undoubtedly broken out, and produced in short time, the like effects among us, that they have done in Germany, had not Almighty God in meere mercy to this Nation, and in his Divine compassion to his poore Church in England thus ready to perish, stept in to our rescue, by his blessed hand of providence stirring up the spirits of our noble Peeres to represent to his sacred Majestie the eminent danger, and gratiously inclining his Royall heart to hearken thereto, and so that we may say with the Psalmist, Ps. 118. 23. This was the Lords doing, and it is marvailous in our eyes. And the same God, if it be his blessed will, in his owne time, by his owne meanes, perfect that good worke of mercy, which he hath so gracioussy begun for us of this Land and Nation, by rooting out from amongst us that disloyall brood of Inigo Loiola, that our eyes may see it, and we may say, the Lord hath beene megni [...]ed[?] upon the borders of England. For assuredly, though the [Page] Romish Factors, may now justly say, as EDOM did in the Prophecye of Malachy, 1: 4. We are impovverished[?], but we will retur [...]e, and build up our desolate places, (for they cannot but be sensible of their owne [...]ets defeated both by Sea and Land, by water in the yeare 1588, by F [...]e, 1605, and it is not to be doubted[?] that they apprehend a feare of the miscarriage of their great and long intended plot of [...] begun to [...]eake out this yeare 1641, all which notwithstanding, they still retaine a resolution [...] and build up their desola [...]e places) yet I desire them, to read and take notice of the words following in the place before-cited, yet, thus saith the Lord of Hosts, They shall build up, but I will destroy, and men shall call them the border of wickednesse, and the people with whom the Lord is angry for ever: And your eyes shall see it, and men shall say the Lords name hath beene magnified upon the borders of England. And to speake truly what I thinke, I must confesse that I have conceived an hope of a long time, that this yeare 1641. which compleateth the Century since that Society had their Bull from the Pope, under protection whereof they have wrought so much mischiefe, would shew unto the world an apparant alteration in the body of that Monster, the Society of Jesuites. A point which I am the rather induced to beleeve, because I have been certified as much in effect from a couple of their owne men of eminent note for learning, the one, PAVLUS FLOR [...]NIUS an Italian, the other CHRISTIANUS FRANKEN a German, the former whereof was DIVINITY READER, the other PHILOSOPHY READER in the Imperiall [Page] Colledge of Iesuites at Vienna, both which, above threescore yeares agoe, upon just grounds exprest in a booke by them published, forsooke that Religion, and became Protestants. That booke also is to be seene, and if it please this Honourable House to command it, shall be published also in English, for I find it written in Latine. And, if their prediction faile not more in the conclusion then it hath done in the progresse hitherto. I am confident that this mayprove a very fatall yeare to that Society But I feare I hold you too long from the Booke it selfe Humbly therefore commending you all to Almighty God in my due and daily prayers. I leave this Discovery to your consideration, and rest

Yours in all the duty of a Minister of Christs Gospell. W. F. X. B.

CAMILTON'S Discoverie, OF THE DEVILISH DESIGNES AND KILLING Projects of the Society of JESVITES of late yeares.

[Page]

[Page]

WHat MARCUS CATO sometimes spoke concerning the Roman [...] South-sayers; that hee wondred how they could forbeare to smile upon each other, so often as they met, may not unfitly be applyed to the Iesuites: It is a wonder that one Iesuite when he looketh upon another doth not straight way burst forth into a laughing outright, they being amongst themselves privie to such impostures practised upon the people. I speake not touching your simpler sort of Iesuites, from whom these more reserved and closer practises of the Society are altogether concealed, either in respect [Page] they are not held wise enough (for sooth) to be acquainted with them, or that they are thought too devout to entertaine them, or else in regard of their short continuance in that Society: for all such are so kept short through severity of Discipline, that not one of them, except[?] he be wondrous quicke of sent, can ever smell out in the least measure what knavery is therein practised under a shew of Holinesse. My discourse onely toucheth the prime and principall fellowes of that Society, their Regents, Fathers, Provincials, and Generals; all which, are so universally and joyntly tainted with all manner of wickednesse, but especially with Whoredome, Covetousnesse, and Magicke, that indeed any reasonable man may thinke it little lesse then a Miracle, if a Iesuite of this ranke meeting such another upon a sudden, and beholding, as it were, another picture or lively representation of himselfe, should have power to abstaine from laughing outright.

I therefore thought it not amisse, considering the premisses, to lay open unto the world some particular passages, and practises of that Society, of the greatest part whereof my selfe have beene an eyewitnesse, and some part whereof hath beene related unto me by Iesuites, whom I am able to name, and will undoubtedly nominate, if they shall but dare in the least manner to lift up their tongues against mee, or to contradict what I have written. And howsoever at this time I passe over things briefly, and doe onely (as it were) give you a first draught [Page] thereof, I doe purpose in due time (God assisting me) to doe it more largely and compleatly, with expression of all and singular circumstances thereunto appertaining.

First of all then, at your entrance into any Colledge of Iesuites; especially, if it be scituated[?] in or neere unto any large, and populous, and rich place. But alas, why doe I say, if it be built there (seeing they have no Colledges in any poore, meane, or obscure place) At your first entry I say into such a place or Colledge, take principall notice of the Porter of their Gate, and him you shall find to looke like unto the picture of a very Charon, or rather a Cerberus; For the most part you shall observe him to be a man of very great yeares, or if hee bee younger, he is a fellow of most approved trust and secrecy. And this is the man, if any such there be, who is well skilled in all the mysteries of the Iesuites Caball, or reserved Divinity.

In this fellowes keeping is great[?] store of apparell both for Men and Women of every degree and calling. And with this apparell doe the Iesuites habit themselves according to the quality that every one findeth himselfe ablest to personate, and so practice wonderfull Impostures in the World. For at sometimes being habited like Souldiers very gallant, they walke in the streets and highwayes Whoring and Swaggering in the publike Stewes. At other times in the civill habites of Citizens, professing themselves to be of the reformed Religion, they pry up and downe and listen in Innes, in [Page] Play-houses, in Tavernes, upon the Exchanges and in all places of publike meetings, wheresoever [...]here is any frequent resort, what the people speak up and downe concerning them, what consultations are abroad, what matter of Action is set a soot in any part. Another while, like Doctors of Physicke, or of the Civill Law, with great Rings on their fingers, avowing and purposely professing themselves to be Papists; wheresoever they know any of the Common sort that is wealthy and hath sons, they devise some cause of businesse with them, and insinuate themselves into their acquaintance by strange fetches, and in Conclusion doe advise them to bring up their sonnes in some Schoole or Colledge of Iesuites, affirming that themselves have beene educated by them, and that they have so profited under them, that (God be thanked) they never had cause to repent thereof: And sometimes againe apparelled like Noblemen, and compleatly attended, they cause Coaches to be provided abroad, and frequent the Courts of Princes, as giving attendance upon Ambassadours of forraigne States, and serve as Intelligencers to vnlocke the Cabinets of great Potentates.

Nay further, I have knowne them to make shew of being banished persons, and to crave collections amongst Protestant Divines, purposely to learne under-hand what such men write against them: yea such were those men for the most part, who so miserably deluded so many Reverend men in many places by sinister[?] waies under that habit, furthering [Page] the designes[?] of their Society, aud breeding disturbances in the reformed Congregations: of whom, to the end that all honest-hearted Ministers may be more wary, I shall tell you hereafter, what projects at this day the Iesuites have a foot to this purpose.

But in the meane while perhaps you will say unto me, whereto, I pray you, serveth so much womens apparell, or what is their end in depositing so much in the keeping of the Porter of their gate? Attend, and J will tell you: No Pander, that ever TERENCE[?] or PLAUTUS mentioned in their Comedies, was so nimble at the trade of winning pretty wenches, as are the Iesuites at this day, but especially that Porter of their gate, whom I mentioned but now.

For, that which the Confessors themselves are not able to wring out of them by Auricular Confession in their Churches and Chappels, this fellow knoweth how to winne from them by flattering speeches, with wonderfull pleasing and delightfull toyes, especially if he meet with a poore widdow, or any such silly woman which sendeth her child to the Colledge now and then for an Almes; or with some Laundresse, or Spinster; for be she Lotrix, or Netrix, hee will make her a Me [...]etrix. Whom so soone as this base Pander hath once but allured to come to his net, although her apparell be never so old and tattered, yet he hath gay Gownes enough in store, with accoutrements suitable, wherewith he can make her both tricke & trimme, which when he hath done, he knoweth how to convey her through many secret passages and by-waies [Page] to his Venerable Masters, the Fathers of the Society. And yet he never doth this in the day time, but neere upon the shutting in of the Evening, and then they make away the whole night in Ryot and Luxury, with Revelling and Dancing, the younger sort and Novices of the Society being kept farre enough from Discovery thereof.

For they have for the purpose certaine Vaults framed like Chambers, and roomes under ground as had those ancient Romanes, who first devised their Stewes in Vaults, whose inclination to all carnall lasciviousnesse was so great, and so bruitish; that the Senate of Rome, fearing the just anger of their Gods for the same, utterly suppressed those Lupanaria or publike Stewes.

And thus much for the Iesuites Porter of their Gate: onely I must not forget to tell you this one thing, that if any party who by chance shall come to the sight of such and so great a Wardrobe, doe demand with admiration, what is the end or use of it, answer is made unto them, that it is the Wardrobe, reserved purposely for acting of Playes: but that is the least part of their intention to my knowledge.

Moreover, when thou entrest into any of their Churches, make account that thou walkest under an heaven of Iron: Bloody Mars is over thine head, not that Prince of peace; below thee is tho very pit of Hell, and a shop of Tormenters.

J now doe relate in good earnest, what mine own eyes have seene; At Prague in Bohemia upon the roofe of their Churches are thousands of Iron Bullets, Whips, and fire-bals, such as the Bohemians use, [Page] upon the sides are placed pieces of Ordnance, vvith a great number of Musquets and Harquebushes, with Pikes and Halberts. In the middest, where the Arches meet, are great heapes of huge Bullets of stone. And the like preparation have they also made at Cracovia. Nor doe I make question, but that upon due search their Colledges in other places, would appeare as well provided.

But some man may perhaps make question. To what end Religious men should make such preparation, or what need there can be so to doe? I confesse, the matter at the first sight astonished me, and my best understanding was exceeding strange: but thus standeth the case.

The Iesuites know well enough, that the courses which they have taken formerly, and now every day doe take, are so indirect and turbulent, as m [...]keth them odious, to all such as they live amongst; yea, to very Papists themselves, at least to the wiser sort of them, in respect of many things which they have done both tumultuously, and wickedly, wheresoever they have got footing in the least manner. For they have no regard of any, they spare not to roote up the very Catholiques themselves, so that they may pleasure the Popes Holinesse therein, though it were with the betraying of their Countries, and setting the whole Christian world in a Combustion. And therefore because they are in daily feare to be massacred by those among whom they live, they make this provident and timely prevention by Warre-like preparation.

[Page]For indeed, they are afraid (as J my selfe have heard them confesse) lest it might befall unto them as unto the Knights Templers, who notwithstanding they were forward enough to serve the Pope at all times, and as good Catholiques as could be wished in the matter of Religion; yet, for their too much Ambition and Covetousnesse, whereby they became insupportable, they were by consent of all Christian Princes, and not without approbation from the Pope himselfe, put to the Sword all at an instant, and utterly rooted out almost in a moment; as sometimes were the Pythagorians, those very Iesuites in effect, among the Heathen, served throughout Italy, and the Provinces adjoyning.

Now the reason, wherefore they doe make choice to lay up their Armes and munition in their Churches, is onely this: For if when any Insurrection or rebellious tumult ariseth in a Province, the Papists come thither to helpe and assist them, by this meanes they have Armes for them in a readinesse upon a suddain: but if any who are of contrary Religion come thither to doe them wrong, or to steale any thing from them, they have munition & stones above head, to destroy them withall before they be aware. And is not this (I pray you) the ready way to make the House of Prayer, a Den[?] of Theeves?

And yet by your patience, if you will but attend, J shall relate things more strange and horrible then these, in respect whereof, the things I have related hitherto, may well seeme tolerable, I may almost say Innocencie.

[Page]Under the Pavement of their Church at Gratz, and else-where, to my knowledge, are Vaults and buildings under ground; whereunto, there is no way but by staires, and steps; Here have they hoorded up (like to that Cacus whom Virgil speaketh of) all their prey and treasure, and doe obscurely conceale a world of wealth: so professing poverty, not onely with publike consent, but also with incredible pleasure, suffering the same with admirable patience, and cursing to the pit of Hell, all such as are poore against their wils, as unworthy of so blessed a Crosse.

But as for this their treasure, for the most part it is so contrived, that it is buried directly and perpendicularly under their greatest and chiefest or most eminent and highest Altar, and so they shall be sure that when they Chant Masse, they shall Sacrifice to MARS above head, and to MAMMON below.

Now furthermore, in their Vaults under ground they maintaine a very strange Library, of Cords, Halters, Rackes, Swords, Axes, Iron-pincers, Stockes, Torches, Pillories, and severall Instruments of Torture, wherewith and whereunto poore wretches being tyed fast, are joynt by joynt torne a sunder, as many as fall into the hands of these Tyrants, who are farre more cruell in this kind, then MEZENTIUS or PHALARIS ever were.

Nor are they without a Divels coate, and a long steeple-crown'd hat, with blacke feathers, a jagged doublet cut and flashed, breeches puffed out and [Page] bagged like bellowes, downe to their anckles, such as would even make a man affrighted to looke upon them.

But perhaps, he that readeth this Relation, will wonder to what end Religious persons, who professe themselves the Disciples and followers (as they would have all men to beleeve) of our most meeke Saviour JESUS, should make such provision. I will resolue you this question also, if you please to attend.

With such instruments as these, doth the Societie captivate the understanding of their Disciples, unto Jesuiticall obedience. For if in the least matter, they get any hint of suspition, against any of their Novices, that he will not be constant, or that he desireth to escape from them, and that he is likely to betray the secrets of their Society, they clap up such a fellow, in a faire paire of Stocks, and having macerated him a long time with hunger, and cold, and want of all bodily comforts; at the last, they make an end of him, with some exquisite tortures, and killing torments. I doe not belye them. I write nothing but a truth. There was at Gratz, about three yeares agoe, a young man named JACOBVS CLVSSEVS, a youth of an excellent and pregnant wit; this man did they lay hands upon, and miserably tormented him, by whipping and scourging, for a matter of no moment, and because he[?] told them plainly, that he would renounce their Society, and complaine publikely (if ever he got liberty) for this and other such wicked dealing towards [Page] wards him, they clapped him up into such a Prison, under ground, as aforesaid, from whence hee was never seene to come out againe alive.

Nor did any of us that were Novices, make question, but that he was made an end of, with most exquisite torments.

Which unparallel'd piece of tyranny, I purpose in due time to divulge to the whole World, with relation of all circumstances, being the thing which the poore wretched Clussaeus, had a purpose to have done himselfe, if he had not been hindered and prevented by death.

I shall withall make publike unto the World, another such piece of Villany, committed by the Iesuites of Fulda in Germany, upon the body of one MARTINUS, whom they stole away most basely from his Parents, who are yet living at Miltenberg or Milberg.

And how many women thinke you, have beene devoured and eaten up in the same Gulfe? How many young Children slaine? How many young men, that have beene sole Heyres of very large and ample Patrimonies, have beene made away by them? I doe not say, J thinke, but J beleeve, and am firmely perswaded, so often as shrikes, and cryes, sighings, and most woefull lamentations, were heard in the night season, the hearing whereof; would put a man into a cold sweat all over, and make his hayre stand on end, though our simpler Novices, beleeved them to bee [Page] the Soules of some lately departed, it was nothing but the shrikes and mone of children lately murthered, or then a murthering.

Moreover, that the extreame and Divelish malice of Iesuites, may be in nothing defective, they are accustomed divers times, in those their Vaults under ground, to make the Divell very sine sport: putting on terrible disguises, they cause some of their Novices to be called downe to behold their Tragedy, upon whom they will rush suddainly with an horrible yelling noyse, to make tryall, (forsooth) of their courage and constancy.

For if they find any to be timorous and fearefull, they admit not such a man to the secrets of Magicke, as accounting them cowardly and degenerate, but appoint them to some of the inferiour Arts: but such as appeare to be of bold and undanted Spirits, they take especiall notice of them, and reserve them for serious imployments.

And yet they are not alwaies successefull for all this, as appeared by that which happened at Prague in the yeare 1602. For whereas there were five principall Iesuites, who being habited as Devils made sport with their youth. If so fell out, that there was found to be a sixth in their company, before they were aware, and he questionlesse was a Divell indeed, who catching up one of the personated Divels in his Armes, gave him such a kindly unkind embrace, that within three dayes after, he dyed of it. The fact was common talke at Bake-houses, and Barbershops, and at every table discoursed upon, all over Prague.

[Page]And yet for all that, the rest of them, as nothing amazed with this Tragicall event, dare still in an height of obstinacy, proceed in that most ungodly and Divelish study of Magicke.

Now amongst that whole Society, the prime man for a Magician, is a French Iesuite, whom the King of France himselfe, had in so high estimation, that he admitted him not onely to his Princely table, but also to familiar conferences in private; concerning whom, the Iesuites themselves did make their boast, that he had a glasse made by Art-Magicke, wherein he could plainly represent unto the King, whatsoever his Majesty desired to see: insomuch, that there was nothing so secretly done or consulted upon in the most private roome of any Cloyster or Nunneric of other Orders, which he could not easily and instantly discover, and disclose, by helpe of this his Inchanted, or rather Divelish glasse.

And indeed it was by the Art and meanes of this Magitian Iesuite, that their Society was confident, that they should be able to draw on their side, one of the most potent Princes of the Empire, albeit a Protestant: for asmuch, as he was observed to be somewhat delighted in the Study of Magicke.

Now, as for those whom they take in as Novices to be instructed in this way, they expound unto them those nine hundred Propositions, which Picus, Earle of Mirandula published at Rome: as also the Booke of Iohannes Tritemius, together with a Tract or Treatise touching abstruse or hidden [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] Philosophy, written by Cornelius Agris pa: Likewise Theophrastus, concerning the Constellations and Seales of the Planets, with the Steganographia of I know not what Abbot, and the Art of Paul to procure Revelations: meaning Saint Paul, whom they affirme to have beene instructed in the Art Magicke, and thereby to have understood such high Revelations and profound Mysteries.

Yea, they blush not to affirme, that St. Iohn was an excellent Magician: Nor doe they sticke to say, that even our blessed Saviour CHRIST IESVS himselfe, was a most absolute and perfect Magician, as mine owne eares have heard it oftner than once or twice related by some of that Societie, and such as I am able to nominate.

And thus much for the Iesuites Church: onely, take this direction along with you; Those Vaults and Roomes under ground, which I mentioned even now, those secret Conveyances and Circean Dennes, are for the most part contrived to be under the Quire or Cloister, not where the people doe walke or stand.

And now when thou shalt passe from their Temple into their Study (for I will say nothing touching their Parlour, or Chambers, Refectories, or places of Recreation, instruction of Novices who are newly admitted, and the trayning up of other Schollers committed to the Iesuites tuition; nor yet touching the Methode and Order of their Studies, but will reserve that for another Discour [...]e; [Page] seeing those passages are for the most part knowne abroad [...] already, being discovered by another.) When, I say, thou shalt enter into their publike [...] thou shalt finde a most exquisite choyse of Authors of all sorts, all of them most curiously bound up in Leather or Parchment with fillets of Silver or Gold: and as for such whereof there is daily use, they are layd in order upon Deskes, fastened with chaines upon a long table.

But as for the inner Library, that is onely reserved for the Fathers of the Society: it is free for none but them to goe in thither, and to borrow thence what bookes they thinke good. Those ordinary bookes, are onely free for the Iuniors of the Societie, nor may they take a sentence out of the rest without speciall leave obtained from the Regent.

Moreover, in this first Library, are no Heriticall bookes (as they call them) but onely the Writings of most approved Authors and Catholickes all: For they hold any other unworthy to be placed amongst them, as fearing perhaps they should infect the rest.

Looke therefore upon thy left hand, and there thou shalt see the wretched bookes of Heretickes, (as they tearme them) standing all in Mourning for the faults of their Authors, bound up in blacke Leather, or Parchment blacked over, with the very leaves thereof dyed in blacke.

Of these, not one of the Fathers themselves may [Page] make choyse or use, without leave obtained from the Regent before-hand: but your inferiour, Iesuits and younger Novices, may not be so bold, as to desire the sight of any one of them, except he will [...]fore-hand, with all virulencie and bitternesse, raile upon, and disgrace the Author, whom he desireth to see, by some infamous Libell, and scurrilous Satyricall verse, or writing.

In the middest of these severall Libraries, is placed a Study, being divided into many Seates distinct, and separate one from another, with a blew covering: on the right side whereof, sit the Fathers; on the left, the under-Graduates; who have already taken some Degrees upon them. The other Novices, or Fresh-men (as wee call them) sit mixt with the fellow-Commoners, that they may take notice of them, and every man in his turne, beate into them by continuall discourses, the sweetnesse and excellency of the Order of Iesuites; especially, into such as are of the richer sort, or wealthy heires.

I will say no more at this time, as touching their Studies, but I will describe briefly, the manner of the Visitation, which every Provinciall maketh; because it is a point, which as I thinke, and for any thing that I ever read or heard, hath beene never hitherto divulged by any.

Now every Provinciall taketh his Denomination from the Province, or Kingdome rather, which is committed to his charge, and oversight. His place is to visit the severall Colledges, to take an account of their Revenues, and over-see their expences, [Page] exactly and punctually: to take notice, what Noble personages commit their Sonnes to the tuition of the Society, and how many they are in number? Whether there be not yearely an increase of Schollers, as also of their meanes and Revenewes? Whether there be any converted from Lutheranisme, and how many such?

If there be no such thing, or if the Popish Religion have lost ground, or if there be any decrease of their wealth, he sharpely reproveth their sloath and neglect, and chargeth strictly, that they make an amends for the wrong they have done, and losse they have received in this case. But if they have bestirred themselves bravely, and converted (as they call it) or rather perverted many Soules to Popery, if they have beene frugall, and scraped wealth together, he praiseth them very highly, and extolleth them to the skyes. Moreover, he demandeth what is the opinion of the Neighbouring Hereticks concerning them? What be the projects of the Nobles? What meetings they have? How many? And where? What they consult upon? What they resolve to doe? Whether the Hereticall Princes (as they tearme them) delight to live at home or abroad? To whom they resort most frequently? What is the severall disposition of every one of them? In what things he is observed to take most delight? Whether he take any care of his people or not? Whether he be a Religious Prince or not? Or rather, whether he be not a man, who delights to take his pleasure in drinking, Wenching, or [Page] Hunting? Whether he have any Catholickes about him, or that are neere unto him? What the people report abroad, concerning their owne Princes? Whether the Churches of the Adversaries, be full of resort, or not? Whether the Pasters of those Churches, be learned and diligent men in their place and calling, or otherwife lazie Lubbers, and unlettered? Whether the Profession of Divinitie thrive, in the Neighbouring University of Heretickes? Whether their Divines maintaine frequent Disputations, and against whom principally? What bookes they have published of late, and upon what Subject?

To these, and sundry such questions, if the Regent, and the rest of the Fathers doe answer punctually, he doth wonderfully commend their industry and vigilancy.

If he find them defective in answering to these or any such demands, hee reprooveth them sharpely, saying: what meane you my Masters, doe you purpose, like lazie companions, to undoe the Church of Rome? How doe you suppose your slothfulnesse in these waighty affaires, can bee excused before his Holinesse? How is it, that you presume to take these places upon you, and to manage them no better? What or whom are you affrayd of? Why doe not you buckle up your selves better to your businesse, and performe your places like men? These things (if you had beene such men as you ought to bee) had not beene to doe now. These things should have beene done long before this time. Doe you observe [Page] the incredible watchfulnesse of the Heretickes, and can you be lazie? And with these or the like speeches, hee whetteth them on to their duty.

At the last, he enquireth as touching the schollers, fellow-Commoners, Novices, and the rest, how many they are in number? How much every one hath profited? To what study or delight each one is inclineable? Whether there be any one amongst them that is scrupulous, or untractable, or not a sit subject to be wrought upon? For he adjudgeth every such an one sitting to be removed from the study of Divinity; except, he have bin very well exercised in the Disputations in Schooles, and have a very great and good conceit of their Religion beaten into him. Moreover, hee enquireth if they have any one in the Colledge, who can be contented, for the advantage of the Catholicke cause, to undertake any laudable attempt, and to spend his blood in the cause, if at any time necessity shall seeme to require it.

And at last, he sendeth away all these informations being sealed up, unto the Father Generall at Rome, by whom, they are immediately made knowne to the Pope himselfe and his Conclave of Cardinals: And so by this meanes, an order is taken, that there is no matter of Action set on foote, nothing almost consulted upon, throughout the whole Christian world, which is not forthwith discovered unto the Pope, by these traytors, that lurke in every state and Kingdome. Also, it is not to be omitted, that the Iesuites are translated by [Page] their Provinciall, from one Colledge to another, and that for the most part once in three yeares, that so the Provinciall out of their severall discoveries, may attaine to unlocke all the secretest Cabinets of the Prince and State, where he doth reside.

In the last place, I will adde, in stead of a Corollary, some strange and wonderfull devices of the Iesuites, which being but of late newly hammered in the forge, they have carnestly endeavoured, yea, and at this day doe labour, tooth and nayle to put in practice by publike consent, for an Jnnovation to be made both in the Church and State throughout the whole Romane Empire. To this end, their chiefe and onely ayme is, how to set the Princes of the Empire together by the eares, and by taking off some of the Principall Doctors of the Church, to bring the tyranny of the Spaniard, and the Primacy of the Pope, into Germany. Concerning which very project I have heard the Provinciall DHL-RIO himselfe, discoursing sometimes, whose plots and Machinations, were such as follow. In the first place (saith he) care and paines must be used, to estrange the affections of the Princes of the Empire, one from another.

Now the meanes (said he) to effect that, is to worke upon their contrariety of opinions, in matters of Religion: And for this end let the Emperor be incited to make a Declaration, that he will not grant liberty of Conscience in matters of Religion, except there shall first be a restitution made of such goods, as were taken from the Clergie upon the treaty at Passa [...]: for this is a point whereat [Page] they will sticke assuredly, and deny it.

Let the Emperour thereupon send his Princes, and demand the same of the Cities of the Empire. They will either obey or deny: if they consent and obey, all is well: if they refuse, let him proclaime them Rebels, and expose them to be seized upon by the next neighbouring Princes, but still let the matter be so carried, that he be sure to oppose a Lutheran and a Calvinist, the one against the other.

Moreover, some device must be found out, that the Duke of Bavaria may fall foule either upon the Elector Palatine, or upon the Duke of Wittemberg, for then may the Emperour be easily wonne to proclaime him Traytor whom the Duke of Bavaria shall distaste, and all meanes taken away of making pacification[?] either with Papist or Calvinist for them; besides, thereby will be raised unreconcileable divisions in the Empire, never to be quenched before an highway be made for the accomplishment of our desires. For the further ripening of which Designe, the Iesuites unbethought themselves further of this Stratagem. Jt will follow (say they) necessarily, when any City of the Empire shall be proclaimed rebellious, that every severall Prince will be more ready and willing to serve his owne turne upon the spoyle thereof, then to admit any other that shall be emulous of the same booty[?] to preveot him. This for the Generality. More particularly yet, meanes must be sound out, to set the Princes of Saxony at difference, that their strength and power may bee broken, or at least weakened.

Now that may bee most conveniently effected [Page] thus: first, if the Administration of the Primacy of Magdeburg, which now is vacant, be given to the Bavarian Elector of Colen, neither the Marquesse of Brandenburg, nor the Duke of Saxonie, will easily grant their consents thereto.

Secondly, if that succeed not according to our desires, there must be some cause pretended, why the Duke of Saxony either doth seeme worthy, or ought to seeme worthy to be removed from the Electorall dignity. For, if in times past, the Princes of the Empire cast downe Wenceslaus, from the Imperiall Throne, because they had adjudged him a negligent Prince: surely the Emperor may take as just an occasion, to remove, from the Electorall Dignity, the Duke of Saxony, who is drunke every day. And in this respect, let his Imperiall Majesty restore and conferre that Dignity, upon the house and family of the Dukes of Weymar. And because these Princes are yet under age, let the Administration of that Electorship, be committed to Henry of Brunswicke, a learned and vigilant Prince. This project being once set a foote, cannot chuse but beget insinite distractions, throughout all Saxony, so shall it come to passe, that they shall wast and weary themselves one against another, and by that meanes, become utterly unable to withstand a common foe, when he shall come upon them.

And as for the Marquesse of Brandenburg and them of Pomerania, let meanes be used to move the King of Poland, who is the Emperours kinsman, to covenant with his vncle the King of Swethland, that they two shall invade and divide Prussia, and Canton [Page] the same: which thing the Marquesse of Brandenburg will oppose with all his powers. Now as concerning the Landgrave of Hessen he must be urged and solicited daily to divide the inheritance equally with his vncle Lodowicke, and to resigne the government of Hertsfield to the Bishop of Wirtzburg: if he refuse to doe so, let him be proclaimed Rebell, and let his inheritance be assigned unto his uncle Lodowicke.

Moreover, as for the Duke of Wittemberge, and the Elector Palatine, they two may with ease be set together by the eares, if the Duke be commanded to make restitution of some Religious houses, or otherwise upon his refusall be proclaimed Rebell, and some neighbouring Monasteries be assigned to the Elector Palatine, and amongst them one especially, which he hath bin observed to have aymed at long agoe.

And these be those killing projects of the Iesuites, which I have heard from their owne mouthes, not without admiration even to astonishment, and they have many more of like sort, all vvhich J doe not at this present remember.

Moreover, there hath beene a Consultation among the Iesuites to send abroad some bold Assassinates, who by Poyson or by the Pistoll, may cut off the principall Doctors of the Reformed Churches, fellowes who are so absolute Masters in that trade of Poysoning, that they are able so to infect Platters, Saltsellers, Basons, Kettles, pots, and Caldrons, and such like vessels of ordinary use; that albeit they shall be ten times over washed and wiped, yet shall they retaine the power and infection of most [Page] deadly and speeding poyson. Wherefore, I humbly advise all godly and Religious Governours and Ministers of the Church, that hereafter they be wary, and cautelous how they trust any, but such as of whose fidelity they have had sufficient tryall.

And these things could never have fallen within compasse of mine understanding, nor ever did, before such time as I heard them from the Principals and Heads of the Society of Iesuites, together with many other particulars, which I held my selfe bound in Conscience to reveale to the world, for the good of my Country, and of the Church of CHRIST: which although J have for the present onely given you as in a rude and first draught; yet I purpose (God willing) in due time, to expresse the same at large, painting them out in their Colours, with circumstances of time, place and persons.

A Post-script to the Reader.

[Page]

COurteous Reader (if so thou art pleased to shew thy selfe by taking an impartiall view of this short but wellintended translation) I doubt not but by this time thou art able to discerne the face of the times, and of thy selfe to make a true parallel betwixt Germany and us, and dost see evidently the foot-stops of that mystery of Iniquity, which, by the contrivements of the pragmaticall Society of Jesuites, hath for many yeares beene set at worke amongst us. As there the foundation of their worke was laid in working upon their diversities in opinions, and seconded by advantage taken upon the severall humors of the Princes, propounding to each one some such ends as his nature most affected: so may I truely say they have done here also. To what other end was the pestilent Doctrine of Arminius introduced, wherely to make a party that might prove strong enough in time to oppose the Puritan faction, as they stiled it? Why was so great care and paines taken to leven all considerable sorts of people of what degree soever[?], with those erronious points, but to the same end? And can we chuse but thinke that Sosinianisme crept in after Arminianisme purposely to make the breach the wider, that it might be large enough to [...] in Popery [Page] at the full in conclusion? Doubtlesse, as our Saviour sometimes said to his Disciples, in another case, John 4. 35. Say not ye, there are yet 4. moneths, and then commeth Harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and looke on the Regions, for they are white already unto Harvest: so may I say [...]; most men thought it might yet be 4. moneths, or some good distance of time before the Iesuite could attaine to reape the Harvest of his desire among vs. But I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and looke on the Regions, they are white already unto Harvest: Or, if I may not say they are, because Gods gracious hand of providence hath disappointed their hopes, yet I assure my selfe that any man of ordinary understanding will confesse, that within the space of this yeare last past, our Land was already white to their Harvest, The Kings Majestie was wrought to an evill opinion of his people, the Commons were grown discontented with the present Government, two adverse Armies were lodged in our Land, and all this with a new whole Army of evill consequents brought on by the secret contrivements of our Adversaries, and on all hands the way was so prepared, Altars set up and Priests enough in readinesse, is that nothing was wanting to ripen their Harvest for the sickle, but a Proclamation for setting up publique Masse in all our Churches: which things when I seriously considered, and now of late looking againe upon the Regions, I discerne what an alteration God hath begun to worke amongst us by the pious endeavors of this happy Parliament, I cannot but take up that saying of the Psalmist, Ps. 124. 1, 2, 3. If the Lord had not beene on our side, may England now say; If the Lord had not beene on our side, when men rose [Page]up against us, they had then swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us, Then the water had drowned us, and the streame had gone over our Soule; If the plots of the pacificant Arminians had once set up the bridge of reconciliation, whereon the Protestant and Papist should have met, and the trap doore had taken effect, then the swelling waves had gone over our Soules indeed: But praised be the Lord vvhich hath not given us as a prey unto their teeth; Our Soule is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler, the snare is broken and we are delivered, So that we may truly say as the Psalmist there concludeth, Our helpe standeth in the name of the Lord which made both Heaven and Earth. And now what remaineth for us to doe but this? By daily & earnest prayer, to begge a blessing upon our gracious Soveraigne, the Kings Majestie, and upon the high and honourable Court of Parliament, that God will be graciously pleased to finish, by their happy consultations and pious endeavours, that good worke of mercy which he hath so graciously begun for this Land and Nation, to make a totall and intire reformation in Church & State, and particularly to roote out this disloyall brood of Inigo Loiola from amongst us, preventing their plots, and turning the wisdome of their Achitophels into foolishnesse, that the Gospell of Jesus Christ may have free passage amongst us, untill his returne to judge the quick and dead. This is and shall be the daily prayer of

Thy well-wishing friend and servant in the duties of a Minister of Christs Gospell W. F. X. B.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

Camiltons discoverie of the devilish designes and killing projects of the Society of Jesuites of late years projected and by them hitherto acted in Germany : intended but graciously prevented in England / translated out of the Latine copie ... by W. F. X. B. ...De studiis Jesuitarum abstrusioribus. English

Camilton, John.

Edition statement

1641

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A32856

ID [STC]

Wing C388A

ID [STC]

ESTC R11407

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12832384

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12832384

ID [VID]

94330

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A32856)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 94330)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 254:E167, no 2)

Source

— Camiltons discoverie of the devilish designes and killing projects of the Society of Jesuites of late years projected and by them hitherto acted in Germany : intended but graciously prevented in England / translated out of the Latine copie ... by W. F. X. B. ..., De studiis Jesuitarum abstrusioribus. English, Camilton, John., W. F. X. B..

Extent

[8], 27 p.

Printed by T. Favvcet ...,. London :: 1641.. (Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.