COuld it be imagined, that it could e­ver enter into the heart of Man, to commit Murder under a Conceit of Religion, or for God's sake traite­rously to kill not only God's Image, but his Vicegerent too? Could it be thought, that un­der the most obliging, best-natur'd, and gra­cious Prince in the World, any persons could be found so profligately wicked, as to Conspire [Page 4]against his Life? and this too amongst a sort of men that have made such mighty boasts of their Loyalty! What Sentiments must we have of such People? or how can we express their Tempers better, than in that Expostulation of the Reverend Author of The Practice of Piety? p 783 If they are Saints, who be Scy­thians? Who are Cannibals, if they Catho­licks?

On Tuesday the 14th of December last past, 1678, these Romish Emissaries, on a most fair and equal Tryal, were Condemned to die, not in the least for their Religion, unless Treason and Murder be an essen­tial constitutive part of it; not for being Roman Ca­tholicks (as they absurdly love to call themselves,) nor for being Popish Priests, or seducing good Subjects to their Idolatrous and Traiterous Principles: though both these latter Facts they know are made Capital by our most necessary Laws, for preservation of the Government. 'Twas not, I say, for any of these Causes; and therefore let not any of their Party at home or abroad, who make Lies their Refuge, and devote all their Endeavours to misrepresent things, cry out, as they were wont to do, and too lately, with an impudence to be equall'd by notbing but their ma­lice, have done, That the poor innocent Catholicks are prosecuted, persecuted, martyr'd, &c. for their [Page 5]Religion. But to satisfie all the World, be it known, They were Apprehended, Tryed, Convicted, and Condemned, for the highest of Crimes: for 'twas a Crime of the same species that at first made Angels Devils; I mean Treason, High-Treason, aggravated to the highest pitch; being not onely to destroy our establisht Religion, but likewise subvert the Govern­ment; and in order thereunto, to murder his most Gracious Majesty our Soveraign Lord the King, (whom may the hand of Heaven, as hitherto, through a thousand dangers from different Factions, so ever protect and long preserve.)

As for the qualities of these persons, we have little to say. If either of them were well descended or related, we are sorry they should not retain that Loyalty and Vertue, which had added lustre to their Ancestors. One of them was, without dispute, of the Jesuites Order, and a Man of Parts: the other was (as far as I can learn) too much influenced by that Order. The first instigated the last to the horrid Attempt; but as to particulars of the proof, I refer the Reader to a peculiar Narrative, which is expected from Au­thority of the whole procedure.

The Holidays intervening, and upon some other important considerations, they had a large time allow'd them for Repentance, and fitting themselves for Death; but this present Friday the 24th of January, 1678/9 they were drawn to Execution both together in one [Page 6]Sledge, with white Hats and gray Clothes. One of them had a Book in his hand, and was often observed to whisper to the other.

By the vast Multitudes that crowded to see them pass, and the general sense of the people, it was ap­parent how zealous the English Nation in general, and particularly this whole City is, in their respects to His Majesty, and how concern'd to bring all those to just punishment, that shall any way make attempts against His Sacred Person, or endeavour to destroy the Protestant Religion, and introduce abominable Popery; which can never be effected, without sub­version of the Government.

At the place of Execution, they said something as Prayers, but otherwise talked little that could be heard, by reason of the vast Throng of Spectators; and so suffer'd most deservedly, according to the dreadful Sentence.

But since there is much talk of Jesuites, and in­deed, not only we, but all Europe has reason enough to beware of them, it may not be amiss, to give the Reader some Account of the Original of those trou­blesome Companions, how long they have been in the World, and who was their Founder.

The person that Instituted them, was Ignatius Loy­ola, a Spanish Souldier, in the year 1540. He had [Page 7]been a fellow debauched in his youth, and having spent all his Patrimony, grew so devout, as to set up for a New Order, whom blasphemously he called, The Fellows, Companions, or the Society of Jesus; and a­mongst other Provisions, besides the three Vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience, establisht, That all Members thereof should take another special Vow — That whatever the Roman Bishop for the time being shall Command, they shall execute the same without Ter­giversation or excuse. This was just after Luther be­gan the Reformation; and the Pope having need of such trusty sticklers, you may be sure encouraged them: but that which made them first famous, was, Teaching of Schools, which they discharged with great diligence and dexterity; thereby, not only en­gaging Parents, but also imprinting a lasting venera­tion in Youth, for that Society under which they had been bred. To tell you all the lying Miracles they attribute to this Catholick Lance-presade, requires a Volume. I shall only venture to shew one piece of their audaciousness, in the detestable words of Valdera­ [...], one of that Order, de Canoniz. Loyolae, p. 51. He not to be wondred, that Moses did very great Mi­racles, for he wrought them by the power of the Name of God, [...] craven in his staff: Nor is it any more that the Apostles did so many wonders, when all was done in the Name of God. But that our blessed Ignatius should, with his own Name written in a piece of paper, do more Miracles than Moses and all the Apostles put together, this indeed raises in us an excess. Admira­tion for him.

For my part, I judge the greatest Miracle we are beholden to him for, is, That he has set up such a mis­chievous Gang, so destructive wherever they come to Government, and yet Christendome should suffer them so mightily to increase.—The said Loyola's Motto was—Cavete vobis Principes: where-ever you see us, look to your selves.—This is the honestest trick that ever I read of from a Jesuite; 'tis fair warning, and they may well laugh at any that will not take it.