THE high zeal of those that are of the Roman Catholic profession proceeds either from Policy or Devotion. The Politic zeal is counterfeited by the Priests and Rulers of the Church: but the zeal of Devotion is imposed by them upon the People. The one is Active, the other Passive; and though the Passive are sometimes seduced by the Active to Action, yet doth that Action seem to be a passion, in regard they suffer themselves to be overpersuaded to do it. Of these two sorts of zeal doth the Roman Catholic Religion consist; Which because they are both made use of for the propagation of their pretended Faith, or ra­ther for the enlargement of their Tyrannical Do­minion, and the satisfaction of their insatiate Avarice, they are therefore founded upon all the Maxims of Cruelty and Barbarism imagina­ble. Nay their very mercies are inhumanities, while their Absolutions and Dispensations do but encourage the perpetration of all manner of Im­piety, and by that means maintain a perpetual War against all mankind, and destroy the neces­sary Converse of humane Society. Thus while [Page 2] they seek to subjugate the World to themselves, where they find themselves too weak, they fall to contrivance. Hence those Effusions of Blood, and dismal Massacres licensed by the Pope, and encouraged and applauded in their public haran­gues by the Jesuites and Priests, his Godly Emis­saries and holy Instruments: Hence those Trea­sons against Queen Elizabeth, those Horrid Ma­chinations against King James; hence this Villa­nous Plot, that has been so long hatching against the Person of the best of Kings, of which we are now to make a short but a Methodical Hi­story, to remain as a public Record, fil'd to Per­petuity, of their inhuman Butcheries and foul Contrivances so bloodily and so prophanely. in­tended.

The Design was laid home and smartly; the Conspirators aimed at no small things, no less than the Murther of a Great Monarch, the sub­version of his Laws and Government, and the to­tal Perdition of three Kingdoms under his Sove­raign care.

The Chief Actors upon this bloody Stage were the whole Body of the Roman Catholic Clergy, even from the Triple Crown to the poor self­denying Dominican and Innocence - pretending Benedictine. For his Holiness in a General Coun­cil for the propagation of the Faith, held in De­cember 1677. had adjudg'd the King of Great Britain to be certainly a Heretic, and for that very reason had vainly deposed him, and as im­pudently confiscated his Dominions, as being St. Peter's Patrimony forfeited to him for the Heresie of the King and People; To which pur­pose [Page 3] he also appointed Cardinal Howard to take possession of England, as his Legate, in his Name. He had moreover in his fond imagination displa­ced all the Archbishops, Bishops, &c. from their Ecclesiastical Employments; and all others from their Secular Dignities, and constituted his own Minions in their places. What Jesuite or Priest, upon so free and authentic Donation as the Pope thus made them of his new Forfeitures, but would have ventur'd a Caper at Tyburn, for an Archbishopric of York, or a Bishopric of Win­chester, or the fat Glebes belonging to many a reassumed Abbey and Monastery? Nor can we doubt but that they had been many Years broo­ding over such a Magnificent design, which they had so nearly hatch'd and matur'd to perfection. Especially considering how long ago it was that we felt the dreadful Effects of their Treason, before the happy discovery of their impious Con­jurations.

It was in the Year 1666. upon the 2d of Sep­tember, that the greatest fire brake forth, hardly to be parallell'd in Story, which sacrific'd to the fury and Ambition of the Jesuites and Po­pish Priests the fairest and largest part of one of the Richest and most populous Cities in the World.

As to this fatal and destructive Fire, which de­stroy'd 373 Acres within, and 63 Acres and three Roods without the Walls of the City, it appears to have been under Consultation long before the fact was put in Execution. For when they had once, after several Debates and Communications of Letters, unanimously resolv'd, That it was ab­solutely [Page 4] necessary to ruin the City, and impove­rish her Inhabitants, before they could possibly be able to bring any of their Contrivances to ma­turity, Richard Strange, once Provincial of the Jesuites, took the care of a Fact, so worthy the Order of Jesus upon himself. To which purpose having made Gray, Pennington, Barton, all three Jesuites, and others, privy to his Criminal In­tentions, they all met together at a public House, call'd the Green Dragon, near Puddle Dock, kept by one West, a Taylor. There after several Consultations, they agreed to have done their work in February 1664. but not having assistance sufficient, nor materials enow ready for Execu­tion, they desisted for that time. In January 1666. they again renewed their meetings at the same West's House, and under the pretence of being Fifth Monarchy Men, they first inveagled one Green into their Society, and with a bait of 30 l. wherewith they furnish'd him for his present Necessities, soon caught the hungry Fish. Green, thus deluded by their Charity and their Can­ting, joyn'd with them in their design, both for Firing the City, and Murdering the King; and in farther gratitude for their kindness, brought into their acquaintance eight more of the same Gang; who as they were a hotheaded and in­considerate sort of Cattel, soon closed with a Combination so sutable to their own Natures, and were no less zealous in the business then the Jesuites themselves. Upon this they were all eager to have gone to work in February follow­ing, before the Return of the Inhabitants to London. But Green opposed that Resolution, [Page 5] representing to the Jesuites, that then they should be the sooner discover'd, in regard that the greater the Uproar was the safer they should be. More then this, he put them in mind, That the King would not then be much in Town, if at all, who as Green at that time adviz'd, was to be cut off, when the people were all in Consternation and hurrey by reason of the Fire. This advice pleased the subitle Je­suites well, and for those reasons the business was delay'd. Soon after Green, and the rest of the Cabal were suspected by their Host, the forenamed West, and forwarn'd his House. Up­on this the wary Jesuites like Foxes fled imme­diately to their Holes and Earth'd themselves at St. Omers, leaving their poor deluded Fifth Mo­narchy Brethren to suffer the deserved Punish­ment of their rash Zeal. For those Fifth Mo­narchy Bigots being all taken, the next Sessions were indicted at the Old Baily, by the Names of John Rathbones, William Saunders, Henry Tuc­ker, Thomas Flint, Thomas Evans, John Miles, William Westcott, and John Cole, for Conspiring the Death of his Majesty, and the overthrow of the Government; having lay'd their Plot for surprizal of the Tower, killing the Lord Gene­ral Monk, Sir John Robinson, and Sir Richard Brown, and then to have declar'd for an equal division of Lands. The better to effect which the City was to have been fir'd, the Portcul­lices to have been let down to keep out assi­stance, and the Horse guards to have been sur­priz'd, several Officers having been gain'd for that purpose. Of all this they were found guil­ty, [Page 6] and soon after Executed, all but Green, who dy'd in prison, before he came to his Tryal. All which nothing grieved the Jesuites, belie­ving that now, whatever mischief happn'd after­wards, the burthen of the Crime would be laid upon the Fanaticks. As to the Fathers that brought them into those noozes, the poor con­demned Hotspurs never mentioned a word con­cerning them; neither knowing their Names, nor suspecting them to have been Jesuites, but of their own Faction, and therefore the more chary of detecting them. Upon notice there­fore given to Strange, by Fitzgerald, an Irish Jesuite, and one Neal of White- happel, that the Fifth Monarchy Cullies were all safe out of this World, without the least Information gi­ven or notice taken of their Names or Persons, Strange and his Companions returned in June following, and fell again to their employment, which had been in some measure managed by their Associates in their absence. To be short, they got fifty or sixty Irish to ply the Work, and were also in fee with several French Men, who were faithful in the business, to speak the Phrase of Strange himself. All things being ready, and the places pitch'd upon, Strange in August 1666. removed his Quarters, and lay at a House in Fenchurch Street by the Name of W [...]lker; Pennington and Barton lodg'd at an Apo­thecaries in Shoo Lane, Gray and Fitzgerard took up their Querters in White Chappel at the House of Neal beforenamed, who was to ma­nage the Fire from Thames Street to the Tow­er. Just at the Time prefix'd one Pie-de-loup [Page 7] and Hubert, both French Men and Companions, came to an Alehouse in Pudding Lane, adjoy­ning to Farriner the Baker's, and observing their opportunity, convey'd, at the end of two long poles, three Fire-balls, first lighted with Matches, through a hole in the Wall, in­to Farriner's House, not stirring till the Room was in a Flame. This was the Confession of Hubert himself, and what moreover he acknow­ledged at his Execution: For he was sometime after Try'd, Condemn'd, and Executed for this very fact.

And now the Fire being thus begun, while Night and Consternation bred a general confusi­on, the Devils Agents were no less busie in employing their Masters own Element, at their several stations, till it grew to such a height, that I need not repeat the dismal havock which it made, as being yet too fresh in Me­mory.

But as if this had not been Impietie enough for the Order of Jesus to boast of, they had a sort of unsanctified Villains and Jades, to the number of fourscore or fourscore and six, who made it their business to Plunder, Steal, and carry away the Goods of the Miserable, in the height of their distraction; for which purpose the Holy Order had their Warehouses, and re­ceptacles of Stollen Goods in Wild Street, be­sides what they concealed in Somerset House; so that they got by the Fire of London above 14000 l. Among the rest they carried off a Casquet of Diamond Stones, which was sold by the same Jesuites in Flanders for 3500 l. Ster­ling. [Page 8] It is also ascertain'd from the Mouth of Strange himself, that there were spent in this Destruction of theirs, above Seven hundred of those little Hand Granado's, which they flung into Houses, and call'd by way of Joke, and Secrecy, Tewksbury Mustard-Balls, now better known by the name of Jesuites Fire-Balls.

The next considerable Fire was that in South­wark, which happened in the Year 1676. This Fire was begun by one John Groves, who had several Fire Works made for that purpose, and three Irish Men, that were his Assistants; so prosperous in their Villany, that they set an Oyl shop near Saint Margarets Hill on Fire. For which noble Act the said Groves had 400 l. and the three Irish Men 200 l. a piece paid them by the Jesuites here in London that set them on Work. However the Jesuites were no losers by the Bargain: for by the Dex­terity of their plundering Emissaries they got no less then 2000 l. Sterling by that Desola­tion.

In the Year 1676. a great Cabal was held in the English Covent of Benedictine Monks at Paris, for the carrying on the great Work of subverting the Protestant Religion and introdu­cing Popery into England.

For the accomplishing of which Design, they could not imagin any means more probable, then by continual Fires, to weak'n, if not utterly de­molish the remaining Splendor of the City and Suburbs of London; Affirming withall, that they would never leave that heritic Heap, till they [Page 9] had brought down her Pride by Fire and Py racy.

These Results being transmitted to their Cor­respondents in England, were here with no less fervency debated, and no less sedulous endeavours us'd to satisfie as well their own Cruelty, as the longing Expectations of their Brethren in ini­quity beyond Sea. Of these Consultations the real Effects were those Fires near Limehouse, Sept. 18. 1678. at Wapping, where Blundell the Jesuit was the Master Engineer, and St. Katherines, design'd likewise for the burning of the Ships in the River, as also in several other places; which though they had not that success which they desir'd, however shew'd the heat of their Zeal, and their Kindness to the Kingdom. The same Fate was destin'd for Westminster, and that ancient Monu­nument of our Ancestors Magnificence, who never intended that Noble Sructure for the spoil of Loyo­la's caitif brood. This Fire was to have begun its progress near the Palsgrave's-head, without Temple-Bar, and having baited at the Savoy, was to have been driven on again by the Benedictins on both sides of the way to White-hall, from whence, near the end of the Stone Gallery, it was to have been convey'd by fresh Company to Westminster. All which grand Contrivance was to have been put in execution in the time of the great Frost, in the year 1676. But then it seems they were not well assur'd of the Assistance of the French King; of which they were afterwards fully ascertain'd by Le Cheise, Con­fessor to the said King, and his Correspondent, Mr. Coleman.

[Page 10] No wonder such hellish Designs were laid by men whose confidence almost exceeded Admiration. For though the Plot were in some part at that time discover'd, yet did they venture to carry on their Design, and kindled a Fire near Limehouse, the 18th of Sept. 1678, as is already mention'd, which in three or four hours time consum'd and laid level with the ground between forty and fifty Houses, and had questionless made a greater devastation, had not the active Courage, and unwearied Toil of the Seamen put a stop to the fury of the Flames. Whence we may be well assur'd that they had reso­lutely intended the utter desolation of this Antient and Potent City (in nothing more unhappy then in the largeness of her Extent) had not the disco­very of their Treasons and villanous Impieties warm'd them with such another kind of miraculous heat, as melted their Cabals, yet cool'd the vio­lence of their fiery proceedings.

The Jesuits had soon the scent, which only the smother made, in their Noses; having a smart Intel­ligence that Dr. Oates had been in company with a Protestant Minister. This startl'd the Provincial, Monsieur Whitebread; and yet he had the confi­dence to write to Mr. Bedingfield, not to take notice of what Keins, (it seems the whisperer of the un­welcom News) had told him; but to proceed in the business of the King, and in the whole Affair, as before. Nay, he was so Cocksure, as to come to London the third of September. The next day the Doctor went to visit him, or rather to wait on him by order of his Superiors. But then the Scene was alter'd: the incens'd and sow'r Provincial chang'd both his Countenance and Behaviour. For [Page 11] he not only revil'd the Doctor in words, asking him, With what face he could look on him, that had plaid him such a treacherous trick? but entertain'd him with blows and a courteous box o' the Ear, (for St. Peter may strike, as well as teach) as being charg'd for having been with the King, and a Mi­nister with him.

However, that the Jesuits Trade might still go forward, I mean Murder, the good natur'd Pro­vincial was willing to be reconcil'd to the Doctor, on condition he would discover the Minister's Name, and his place of abode, to the end they might make him sure, for they resolv'd to have kill'd him.

In the mean time the Doctor was order'd to march, and within fourteen days to return to St. Omers; and that he might not delude them with a slippery cheat, they took upon them to pay for his Coach-hire and Provision upon the Road to Dover, and at Calice order'd the Master of the Feathers to pay for his passage to St. Omers; unwil­ling to trust him with so much Money at his own disposal. There he was also to stay till farther Order from the Provincial; and an excellent Of­fice, which was to be Surveyor of the firing of Wapping, tak'n out of his hands and committed to the charge and industry of the more trusty Father Blundel.

But upon the sixth of September at night, the Doctor attending at the Provincial's Chamber dore, and just ready to go in, overheard Monsieur White, and some others, whom by their voices he con­jectur'd to be Mico, and one Poole, consulting how to dispose of a certain person, whom he ve­hemently [Page 12] suspected to be himself. The words, not to be omitted, were these:

This man has betraid us, and therefore we will give a Coachman Twenty Pound to take him up, and carry him directly to Rochester, to Esquire Lee's house, who lives near the Town; and from thence to Dover, by some by-way, because he is acquainted at Sittin­born. Adding withal, That if they could but get him on the other side the Water, they would torment him, till he had confess'd to them, who it was that had been with the King, and had inform'd him of the Business.

These Words begat in the Doctor a rati­onal fear; so that he made all the hast he could down Stairs, to avoid the danger, and for his better security, shifted his Lodging that night.

The next night, as he was returning to his own Lodging, for some Necessaries which he wanted the day following, he met with one Grigson, a Pa­pist; who inform'd him, That the Jesuits were highly incens'd against him, because he had not an­swer'd their Expectations, in being true to them: that they were dangerous persons, and would ruin him, if they could. To which he added, That he had known their Roguery these twelve or fourteen years.

The Doctor surpriz'd with this Caution went no further, but staid with the said Grigson, and lay that night at his Lodging: where he had no sooner compos'd himself to rest, but one Stafford, a Son of Papistical Zeal, whom he never knew, nor [Page 13] ever in his life provok'd, attempted to force open his Lodging, but was constrain'd to retreat, when he found himself discover'd by the Servants of the House: so that from that time forward he grew more jealous of them, and careful of him­self.

Thus much for the Preliminaries, which give a fair insight into the Age and Series of this detestable Contrivance. It will now be re­quisite to embody the Design, and to display the whole Mystery, that thereby the Crimes of every Malefactor (for I cannot in Con­science call them Martyrs) that has hither­to been justly Executed, may more clearly ap­pear.

The grand and general Design then of the Pope, the Pious and Zealous Society of Je­suits, and their Accomplices and Associates in this as disingenious, and raskally, as unchristi­an Conspiracy was to have reduc'd the flouri­shing Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland to the Romish Religion, and under the Papal Juris­diction.

To accomplish this, the Pope had Entitl'd him­self by way of Confiscation and Forfeiture to the Kingdoms of England and Ireland. He had sent the Bishop of Casal, in Italy, into Ireland, to make out his Title to that Kingdom, and to take Posses­sion in his behalf; and had constituted Cardinal Howard his True and Lawful Attorney, for the same intent and purpose in England. But these fair Vineyards could not be enjoy'd, so long as the right owner liv'd, and had pow'r to defend his own Inheritance. Therefore was the King him­self [Page 14] by his Holiness impiously condemn'd, and by the Consults of the Jesuits and Priests at London, applauded and encourag'd by the Birds of the same Feather abroad, dispos'd and destin'd to a lewd Assassination. And to make good the Attempt, the Papal Force in both Nations was to be Armed, and that under Officers and Commanders com­missionated by St. Peter's Authority, given to the General of the Jesuits at Rome, and by him con­vey'd to the Provincial of the same Order in Eng­land. In this, somewhat mannerly, that the King was not to fall alone, but to be attended by some of his nearest Relations, and choicest Peers, of which number was his own Brother, if he did not fully answer their Expectations, the Prince of Orange, the Duke of Ormond, and the Earl of Shaftsbury.

Into Scotland twelve Scotch Jesuits were sent by Order from the General of the Society, and had a Thousand Pound given them by Le Cheese, the French King's Confessor, to keep up the Com­motions in Scotland, and had Instructions given them to carry themselves like Nonconformists among the Presbyterians, the better to drive on their De­sign.

The Conquest and Subduing of Ireland was con­triv'd and design'd by a general Rebellion and Massacre of the Protestants in that Kingdom, for which the Actors had a late Precedent to go by. For the carrying on whereof the Pope had been so liberal, as to disburse Eight Hundred Thousand Crowns out of his own Treasury. And for fear their own Power might not be sufficient, there was a French Plot cunningly and a-la-modely interwoven [Page 15] with their English Conspiracies to bring in Foreign Assistance, and Correspondencies, held for that purpose between them and the King of France's Confessor at Paris.

But Heaven, that saw and with indignation beheld the dark and infernal Practices of them, that by acting contrary to all Piety and Virtue, were bringing a Reproach and Scandal upon Hea­ven and Christianity it self, would no longer suffer them to proceed in such an Execrable Tragedy. A Crime that had it come to Execution, Hell would have blush'd, and the Devils in union among themselves, might have had a prospect of some pro­bability of Mercy, beholding men more wicked then they.

The Discovery then being fully resolv'd upon in the Breast of Dr. Oates, he makes his first Applications to Dr. Tongue, both for his Ad­vice and Assistance. Who upon Monday the 13th of August, 1678, acquainted Mr. Christopher Kirkby with the detection of a Popish Conspiracy against the King's Sacred Person and the Prote­stant Religion, shewing him withall the Three and Forty Articles, as he had receiv'd them in Wri­ting from Dr. Oates, and requesting him not to make the business known at first to any other per­son then the King himself. Many difficulties shew'd themselves in the Management of this Af­fair, which requir'd the more wariness in pro­ceeding. So that Mr. Kirkby, not finding an Opportunity to speak in private with the King that Afternoon, prepar'd a certain Paper to put into his hands the next Morning, as he went to walk in the Park. His Majesty having receiv'd [Page 16] and read it, call'd Mr. Kirkby to Him, who then only gave him this short Account, That his Ene­mies had a design against his Life, and therefore besought him to have a care of his Person, for that he knew not but that he might be in danger in that very Walk which he was about to take; desiring withall, a more private place for a more particular Account. Thereupon his Majesty com­manded him to wait his return out of the Park: At what time calling Mr. Kirkby into his Bed­chamber, he commanded him to declare what he knew.

Mr. Kirkby thereupon inform'd the King, that there were two persons that were set to watch an opportunity to Pistol him. That his Friend was at hand, and ready with his Papers to be brought before him, when his Majesty should command.

In answer to this, his Majesty appointed be­tween the hours of Eight and Nine in the Even­ing: at which time Mr. Kirkby and Dr. Tongue attended, and being commanded into the Red Room, deliver'd the Forty Three Articles, or rather Heads of the Discovery to his Majesty, who being to go to Windsor the next Morning, was pleas'd to promise that he would transmit the Papers into the hands of the Earl of Danby, then Lord Treasurer, upon whom they were likewise order'd to attend the next day after. That day, about four of the Clock in the Afternoon, they were admitted into the Treasurer's Closet, who read the Papers, and found them to be of the grea­test Concern imaginable.

[Page 17] The third of September, Mr. Kirkby went to Dr. Oates, and having receiv'd from him what he had to communicate, appointed to meet him the next morning.

Accordingly, the next morning, being the fourth of September, Mr. Kirkby and Dr. Oates met, at what time the latter told the former, that Whitebread, Provintial of the Jesuites, was come to Town, and had strucken him, and charg'd him with having been with the King, and with the discovery of the Plot, which he deny'd, it being true that he had not seen the King. Upon this, it was concluded, that seeing the discovery was smoak'd, Dr. Oates's Infor­mation should be sworn before some Justice of the Peace, which was accordingly the first time done before Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey the sixth of September; who nevertheless was not permit­ted to read the particulars of the Information; it being alledged that his Majesty had alrea­dy had a true Copy thereof; and that it was not convenient that the business should be com­municated to any body else as yet: So that Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey was satisfied without reading them, and only underwrit Dr. Oates's Affidavit, That the Matters therein contain'd were true; Dr. Tong at the same time making Oath, that they had been made known to the King.

In the mean time Mr. Kirkby goes to Wind­sor, and shews himself to the King, but his Majesty was not pleas'd to speak to him either that day, or the next; whereby it was con­jectured [Page 18] that some persons had made it their bu­ness to dispossess the King of the belief of any such thing as a Plot.

Wherefore upon the seventh of September he went to the Treasurer's Lodgings, and mee­ting with Mr. Lloyd, he told him that the person who had given the Information was dis­covered and had been abus'd and beaten by the Conspirators, and therefore desired my Lord Treasurer's farther directions; but though he waited all that day and the next, my Lord was not to be spoken with. Thereupon he retur­ned, and meeting with Doctor Tong and Oates, at the place which before they had appointed, he carried them to his Lodgings at Fox-hall, for their better security.

Nevertheless the business was not so far neglected, but that upon the twenty seventh, Mr. Lloyd before mentioned, was sent to Fox-hall to signifie to Mr. Kirkby, that he had Orders to bring Doctor Tong before the Council; but the Lords being risen, ere the Doctor could be brought, he was Order'd to attend the next Morning.

In the mean while they went all three again to Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey, carrying the first Depositions sworn the sixth of Septem­ber, and two Copies more written by Doctor Oates, to have them also sworn, which being done, Doctor Oates was sent back to Fox-hall, and Mr. Kirkby and Doctor Tong attended the Council according to Order; who being call'd in were Order'd to bring Doctor Oates [Page 19] thither, which was soon after done. And then it was, that Doctor Oates, being the first time examin'd, and also sworn again at the Council board to the Heads of his Discovery, both he and Doctor Tong were Ordered Lodgings at Whitehall.

Being thus secure of the Discovery, and the Discoverer as well secured, the main business now lay all in good proof and fair Testi­mony. Which as on our side there was all care taken to find out, so on the Conspirators behalf, there was no stone left unturn'd, no Labour of imagination omitted to vilifie, and enervate, and to reproach and scandalize what ever witnesses appear'd.

And therefore before we go any farther, it will be requisite to say something in Justifica­tion of his person, who was the First and main Discoverer, and to whom the Nation is most chiefly beholding.

All the World cannot but be very apprehen­sive, that it is the Interest of the Roman Ca­tholics to vindicate their reputation if they can; which there is no way under Heaven to do, but by fixing those Imputations upon Doctor Oates, which may render him ridiculous, per­jur'd, and consequently unfit to be believ'd.

In the first place the Papists accuse him of debauchery, and for being turn'd out of the Colledge at Saint Omers, and that he does all this out of Revenge.

Then they suggest that his Information must needs be fictitious, because it is a thing unlikely [Page 20] that he should come to such a distinct know­ledge of so many particulars in so short a time. Or if he had heard or seen them, that he should so perfectly remember them: and then again if he were so conversant among the Con­spirators, why he should not do it sooner.

In the last place, they alledge, that it is not probable, that they who so chearfully blended their Blood with that of his Majesties most faith­ful Protestant Subjects in the late Wars, should so strangely alter their minds, as with such an unheard of Unanimity to combine to murder the King, for whose Father they had so Re­ligiously fought, and destroy the Liberty of a Nation which they had endeavoured to main­tain with their Lives. Plausible insinuations in­deed, but of no moment, when judiciously weigh­ed and considered.

For as to the Education of Doctor Titus Oates, he was bred a Student in Saint John's Colledge in Cambridge; neither is it probable that he for­got his Learning, but rather highly improved it, by his going out Doctor in Divinity at Sala­manca in Spain; where he did all his Exercises, more difficult than what are performed among us here. He was also for some time a Minister at Chichester, and at length Chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk.

In all these Stations the sobriety of his Life and Conversation was such, as freed him alto­gether from the stain of Debauchery. In which respect he may well appeal to the Jesuites them­selves, who would never have esteemed him as [Page 21] they did, by conferring their Order upon him, and trusting him so far, had they not found him a sober person and fit for their pur­pose.

When he was Chaplain to the Duke of Nor­folk, he overheard some whisperings among the Priests, by which he collected, that there were some great designs on Foot, though he could not find out what they were. This and some other dark Intimations which he received from his Protestant friends, bred in him an earnest de­sire to sound the depth of the Intrigue, and if it were possible to Countermine it. To which end he pretended himself to certain Priests dissa­tisfied in some points relating to the Discipline of the Church of England, desiring withal, for the Solution of his doubts, to confer with some of their Jesuites, which the Priests procured, on condition he would not betray them. After se­veral disputes, wherein he suffer'd himself to be overcome, he was seemingly reconcil'd to the Church of Rome, and then desir'd of the Fathers that they would admit him into their Order, which they did after a debate of three days. To this Grant of theirs they also added this farther kindness, that because he was past the Years of Pupillage, as being in the 28th Year of his Age, they would not employ him, as they usually did their Novices, in drudgery for the first two Years, but advance him to be a Messenger for the Society. Nothing could more exactly have fitted his purpose. So that being forthwith sent with Letters into Spain, he ope­ned [Page 22] them, and thereby began to have some in­sight into the contrivance: from which time he carried himself with that discretion and reserved­ness, that after a little time he was admitted to their Consultations; by which means he had not onely the opportunity to observe the present carriage of Affairs, but also liberty to enquire into their former Proceedings. By this means he came to understand how the City was Fir'd by the Contrivance of the Jesuites, was infor­med how the Design was carried on, and who were the Actors in the several Scenes of the Tragedy. Which he might well believe when he himself was a Witness how they had Fir'd Southwark, and were designing to have utterly laid wast both the Temple, Westminster, and the rest of the Suburbs.

He also kept short Memorandums of all pas­sages of consequence that happen'd from the time of his first admission. Of all which he has given such an exact Account, confirmed by other Circumstances and collateral Evidence, that a­mong such a number of particular occurrences, no one thing has contradicted another, nor in­terfer'd with those papers that have been found elsewhere, or with those Informations that have been separately given in by other Persons. Nor was it possible that the Grand Assembly of the Nation consisting of so many perspicacious Judgments, and by whom he was fully exami­ned should be so imposed upon by one Man, as to Vote upon his Information that there was a Plot to Murder the King, alter the Govern­ment, [Page 23] and subvert the Religion established by Law, had they not been highly satisfied in the Credit and soundness of the Evidence.

As to the time of his Discovery, had he made it upon his first knowledge, he had acted with less prudence, and the Opposition he has met with plainly shews, that the Kingdom might probably have lost the advantage of his delay, had he come unprovided to attest those things which he could not so well have proved. Nor was he at his own disposal, when first he en­ter'd into their Society. So that had he moved or acted either without or contrary to their Or­der, he had presently been suspected, watched and found out; but as soon as he had enough to convince the World, or at least the Rational part, and that he was sent from Saint Omers into England, he shewed his real intentions to preserve his Majesties Person and his Native Country from the bloody Contrivances of a bo­som Enemy.

But what needs all this Justification? Hea­ven it self assisted the Discovery, and so dire­cted their infatuated Councils, that contrary to all the dictates of common Sence and Reason, the Politic Jesuites rang that bloody peal them­selves which wakened the drowsie unbelief of those that scarce gave credit to the Story; and by closing the Eyes of one unfortunate Gentleman, opened the Eyes of the whole Na­tion.

For understanding that Sir Edmund-Bury God­frey, one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace [Page 24] for the County of Middlesex, had taken the Dis­coverers Oath and Affidavit, and presuming that much of the Plot might be confess'd and made known to him, thinking to stifle his report in the Birth, they concluded to commit a Murther that Villany laugh'd at, and was Ridiculous to Folly it self.

The chief Instruments, for there were several others unknown to the Discoverer, set on and encouraged to act this fatal Tragedy were Father Girald, and Father Kelly two Priests, Robert Green, Cushion-Man to the Chappel of Somerset-House, Lawrence Hill servant to Dr. God­din, Treasurer of the Chappel, Henry Berry, Por­ter, Lewson a Priest, Philip Vernatti, once belon­ging to my Lord Bellasis, and Mr. Miles Prance, by them deluded in to be an Assistant; though soon after, the Detector of the Fact and Persons.

These Men did not assign any particular rea­son for their malice, but onely in general that Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey was a busie Person, and going about to ruin all the Catholics in England, and that it was necessary to destroy him or else they should be all undone.

This being their undoubted Maxim, they laid several distinct Plots, and employ'd divers sepa­rate Agents unknown to each other, to accomplish their design.

Several Consultations they had at the Plow▪ near Somerset-House, and in other places, but the ultimate Result of all their Debates was this, That Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey should be dogg'd as he walk'd the Streets, and that whoever of the [Page 25] Confederates should first lodge him in a convenient place should give the rest notice.

In pursuance of this Resolution, having watch­ed him several days, and finding no opportunity, at length upon Saturday the 12 of October 1678. in the Morning, Hill, Girald, and Green, went forth to observe his Motion, and Kelley, know­ing what they were gone about, went to Mr. Prance's House to acquaint him therewith, and to charge him to be in a Readiness. The first three went near to Sir Edmund-Bury's, and while two stay'd at a distance, Hill went up to the House and understanding he was within, spake with him upon some pretended Story and so retur­ned.

About ten or eleven a Clock Sir Edmund-Bu­ry came forth all alone; and his unknown Atten­dants dogg'd him with great diligence all the rest of the day to several places, as his occasions led him, till about six a Clock at night, at what time he went into a great House in St. Clements, where 'tis thought he supp'd. Then did Green leave the other two, came to Mr. Prance, and in­form'd him, that they had now set Sir Edmund-Bu­ry Godfrey in a House in St. Clements, and bid him make all the hast down to the Water Gate be­longing to Somerset-House, where he should find Kelley the Priest and Berry the Porter. There­upon Prance went thither, and found them wal­king in the Yard, where they continued some­times walking, sometimes sitting till toward nine of the Clock. About which time Sir Edmund-Bury, coming out of the House aforesaid, Hill [Page 26] ran before to give Notice that he was coming along; and to wheedle him in, he order'd that two should pretend to be a quarrelling. Which done, Hill returns to the Water Gate to expect his coming and entice him in. In the mean time Kelly and Berry began a seeming quarrel, but made no great Noise, and Sir Edmund-Bury co­ming along, just as he was passing by the said Water Gate, Hill steps to him in a great deal of hast, crying, For God's sake Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey be pleas'd to come in, for here are two Men quarrelling, and I fear there will be Bloodshed between them. Pugh-pugh, said Sir Edmund-Bury, refusing at first to trouble him­self; but Hill still urging and insisting that he was afraid there might be a great deal of mis­chief done, and how glad he was to meet so opportunely with his Worship; Sir Edmund Bu­ry, not suspecting any harm, but desirous to prevent any mischance that might be occasion'd by a quarrel, was persuaded to follow him.

Hill enter'd the Gate first, Sir Edmund-Bury follow'd, and behind him immediately clapp'd Girald and Green. These all making down in this order toward the Rails near the Queens Stables, where Kelley and Berry were pretending a quarrel, Prance, who stood close by the wall conceal'd, goes up to secure the Water Gate, while Berry slipp'd to secure the Stairs and Passage by the Chappel.

And now having got him safe, Green, who kept close behind, and had a large twisted Handkerchief in readiness, on a suddain threw [Page 27] it about his Neck, and immediately Girald, Kelly, Green and Hill fell upon him, secur'd his Sword, threw him down, and throtl'd him, so that he could neither call out, nor speak; then drew him behind the Rail, and gave him many violent punches on the Breast with their Knees.

After they had thus manifestly bereaved him of his breath, Girald the Priest, fearing he was not quite dead, would have run him through with his Sword. But the rest would not yield to that, for fear of being disco­vered by the Blood. However to make sure work, Green got upon him, and punching him with his Knee upon the Breast with all his force, wrung his Neck quite round. Thus fell this unfortunate Gentleman, a needless Victime to their stupid Fury, to prevent the Sacrifice of three whole Nations, and save the Offering of Royal Blood to their cruel Idolatry.

After the business was fully done, Prance and Berry came from their Posts, and then they all set to work to remove the Body, which they carried in at a door right against the place where he was murthered, and so into a little Room in Doctor Goddin's Lodgings, where Hill lived; and where they placed the Corps with the back leaning against a bed.

There the Body lay all Saturday Night, Sunday all Day and Night, till Munday at Night; but then they carried it into another Room cross the upper Court of Somerset House. [Page 28] There it continued all Monday and Tuesday till nine a Clock; and then Girald, Kelly, Green, Hill and Berry took him out of that Room, and removed him into another opposite to Do­ctor Goddin's door, supposed to belong to Sir John Arundel's Lodgings.

There the Body lay from Tuesday Night till Wednesday about nine a Clock at Night, and then the five forementioned persons remo­ved it again to the Room in Doctor Goddin's Lodgings, where it first lay. In this removal they were frighted by Mr. Prance's coming, so that they ran away and left the Body for a while, but being call'd to by Mr. Prance, and knowing his Voice, they return'd to their Labour.

Having thus several times removed the Body they entered into a deep debate, how and where to dispose of it for their best security. The result of which was, that he should be carried into the fields and laid in some obscure place, in such a manner, that when ever he should be found, it might be supposed that he had Murdered himself. And this they thought would be much for the Interest of the Church, when it should come to be known, that he who was so busie in charging the Catholics with a Plot, had been afterwards so troubled in mind, as to kill himself; and therefore it was agreed that none of his Money or other things should be meddled with.

This result being well approved of, they resolved to carry away the Body that Night, [Page 29] being the sixteenth of October. To which pur­pose Hill procured a Sedan late in the Night, into which they forced in the Body, by ben­ding it into a fit posture. When they had got the Body in, they carried it over the Court­yard toward the Lodge, and then giving a Hem, which was the sign, Berry came forth and opened the Gate, and so with Heart and good. Will away went Prance and Girald first with their burthen, as far as Covent-Garden, where they were relieved by two more, who Footed it on as far as Long-Acre; then Gi­rald and Prance took up their load again, and carried it to the Grecian Church near Soho. When they had the Murdered Cavalier there, having a Horse ready, they forced open his Legs, and mounted him astride, and then set up Hill behind to hold him up steady, at which time Girald spoke these words, I wish we had a hundered such Rogues as secure as this. Then Hill, Girald, Kelly, and Green attended upon him in such manner, that he seemed to ride in great State, one leading the Horse, and the other two walking on each side; and so they conveyed the Body to a field near Primrose Hill, where they laid it in a Ditch, first run through with his own Sword, and left his Scabbard and Gloves at a distance not far off.

The next Morning the Murderers met and gave an account of it to Mr. Prance who went no farther than Soho: and in a paper set down a Narrative of their Heroic Act. Nor is it un­likely but that it was sent to Rome, where it [Page 30] found as great Approbation, and caused as great joy, as some other Acts of theirs of the same nature have formerly done.

Sometime also after the fact committed they had a meeting at the Queens Head at Bow, where the forementioned Narrative was produced and read, which made them very merry, and so jo­cundly loud they were in reading it, that they were over heard by some, who gave evidence at their Tryal, that there was a paper their read which concern'd Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey.

On Thursday in the afternoon the Body was found in a Ditch with his Sword run through him, two handfuls out of his Back, with his Neck dislocated and his Breast very much beaten and bruised. In that condition after the Coro­ners Jury had given in their Verdict that he was Murdered by a Confederacy of Assassinates the Corps was carried home, and afterwards solemnly buried in the Church of St. Martins Parish in the fields, his Funeral Sermon being Preached by the Learned and Reverend Dr. Lloyd Dean of Bangor the Minister of the Place.

The confused Rumour of the Plot, and the loud noise of this Murder, strangely Alarm'd the whole Nation; but who did it, or upon what motives or provocations, was a Mystery long concealed, and all people groped only in the dark of Conjecture. Some there were that suspected the Papists, but they would by no means hear of any such accusation, and there­fore threw out various reports that his own Re­lations had murdered him to get his Estate; that [Page 31] he was mad, and that he had married beneath himself and therefore lay conceal'd.

However the King both for his own and the satisfaction of his people, was pleased to issue forth his Royal Proclamation, wherein he pro­mised a very considerable reward to them that should first discover the Authors and Contrivers of so horrid a Murder. Yet all the Confede­rates being at that time either Priests or zealous Bigots, whose Consciences were overpowred by the persuasive exasperations of their diabolical Confessors, they firmly kept the Grand Secret, till Mr. William Bedloe aw'd at first by the strong obligation of the Sacrament of the Altar twice aweek Administred to him to keep him steddy, at length by a secret impulse of Heaven, and convinced by the wicked designs wherein he had been so oft engaged by Men pretending Sanctity, return'd from Bristol, where his rest­less mind had carried him, and of his own ac­cord came in, and began the Discovery. After which, by the accidental knowledge of Mr. Prance in the Lobby of the House of Commons, he opened a way to the full displaying of the Mystery.

But leaving this subject for a while we must take notice that three or four days before this, on the twenty first of October 1678. the Parlia­ment in pursuance of his Majesties last Prorogati­on met at Westminster, and the next day Doctor Oates was examined before the Commons, as he was also before the House of Lords the day following. Upon which his Majesty was pleas'd [Page 32] to issue forth several Proclamations one after ano­ther, as well in reference to the Plot discovered, as also for the future security of his Royal Person and Government.

The first was a Proclamation for a General Fast, appointed to be kept the 13th of November following.

The next was a Proclamation commanding all Popish Recusants to depart ten miles from the Ci­ty of London.

And the third was a Proclamation that no Offi­cers or Souldiers of his Majesties Guards should be a Papist.

His Majesty also observing the affection of both His Houses towards His Royal Person, and their zeal for the security of the Nation, was pleased to make them a most Gratious Speech, where­in he gave them thanks for the care which they took of his Government and Person, pro­mising to pass all Acts which they should make for preservation of the Protestant Reli­gion.

During these Proceedings of Parliament and Council, one Staley having out of the abundance of his Heart, on the fourteenth of November 1678. spoken most desperate treasonable words against the King, and being the next day ap­prehended for the same, was brought publicly to his Tryal at the King's Bench Bar in West­minster Hall, upon the twenty first of the same Month.

[Page 49] This Staley was a Goldsmith in Covent-Garden, and the reason of his inveteracy against the King, is said to be, for that being a Papist and a Gold­smith that dealt in money, he found his Trade decay; because the Catholicks, with whom his chiefest dealings were, call'd in their money faster than he desir'd, upon the discovery of the Plot.

The Treason urged against him was this, that being at the Black Lyon in King-street in the new Buildings between High Holborn and Long-acre with one Fromante his Friend: the said Fromante, among other discourse, was saying, That the King of England was a great Tormentor of the peo­ple of God. Upon which, the said Staley flew out into a violent Passion, and made answer, with the addition of other irreverent words, That the King was a great Heretick, there's the heart, and here's the hand, I would kill him my self.

These words being spoken in French, were di­stinctly understood by two English Gentlemen, that over-heard and saw the said Staley when he spoke them, the door of the Room being open. And this also in the presence of another that did not understand French, to whom the others immediately interpreted the words.

He was endited for Imagining and Contriving the Death of the King.

• [Page 50]Sr. Philip Matthews,
• Sr. Reginald Foster,
• Sr. John Kirk,
• Sr. John Cutler,
• Sr. Richard Blake,
• John Bifield, Esq
• Simon Middleton, Esq
• Thomas Cross, Esq
• Henry Johnson, Esq
• Charles Umphrevil, Esq
• Thomas Egglesfield, Esq
• William Bohee, Esq

The Witnesses swore the words positively upon him; and the Statute of this Kings Reign making desperate words to be Treason, was read and urged against him. But his defence was weak, while he only endeavoured to evade the Crime, by alledging a mistake of the Expression; as if he had said, I will kill my self, instead of, I will kill him my self. But that shift would not serve; for the Jury soon brought him in Guilty: whereupon he was condemn'd to be hang'd, drawn and quarter'd: which Sentence was upon the 26th of the same month executed according­ly. So that he had this honour, to be the Popes first Martyr for the Plot. It was his Majesties pleasure, that his Relations should have the di­sposal of his Quarters, to give them a decent and private burial; but they abusing his graci­ous favour, with a publick, and more than ordi­nary funeral Pomp, his buried Quarters were ordered to be taken up, and to be disposed by the Common Executioner upon the Gates of the City.

1678. Next to him, Coleman became the pub­lick spectacle of his own conceit and Ambition. [Page 51] He had been committed to Newgate by the Coun­cil upon the 30th of September, which was the next day after Dr. Oates's first Examination.

He was brought to his Tryal upon the 27th of November, before the Judges of the Kings Bench.

• Sr. Reginald Foster,
• Sr. Charles Lee,
• Edward Wilford, Esq
• John Bathurst, Esq
• Joshua Galliard, Esq
• John Bifield, Esq
• Simon Middleton, Esq
• Henry Johnson,
• Charles Umphrevile,
• Thomas Johnson,
• Thomas Egglesfield,
• William Bohee.

The general Charge of the Enditement, was for an intention and endeavour to murder the King; for an endeavour and attempt to change the Government of the Nation; for an endeavour to alter the Protestant Religion, and instead thereof to introduce the Romish Superstition and Popery.

The particular Charges were, one or two Letters written to Monsieur Le Chaise, Confessor to the King of France, to excite and stir him up to procure aid and assistance from a Forreign Prince, Arms and Levies of Men. That this Let­ter was delivered, and an Answer by him received, with a promise that he should have Assistance. That he wrote other Letters to Sr. William Throckmorton, who traiterously conspired with him, and had intelligence from time to time from him.

[Page 52] The main things insisted upon for the Evi­dence to prove, were first, That there had been a more than ordinary design to bring in the Po­pish, and extirpate the Protestant Religion.

That the first On-set was to be made by a whole Troop of Jesuites and Priests, who were sent into England from the Seminaries, where they had been train'd up in all the Arts of delu­ding the people.

That there was a Summons of the principal Jesuits, the most able for their head-pieces, who were to meet in the April or May before, to con­sult of things of no less weight, than how to take away the Life of the King.

That there was an Oath of Secrecy taken, and that upon the Sacrament. That there were two Villains among them, who undertook that execra­ble work, for the rewards that were promised them: Money, in case they succeeded; and Masses for their souls, if they perished.

That if the first fail'd, there were also four Irish men recommended to the Caball, men of mean and desperate Fortunes, to make the same attempt, when the King was the last Summer at Windsor.

That Forces, Aids and Assistances were prepa­red to be ready both at home and abroad, to second the Design.

That Mr. Coleman knew of all this, and encou­raged a Messenger to carry money down as a re­ward of those Murderers that were at Windsor.

That there were Negotiations to be maintain'd with publick persons abroad, money to be pro­cured, partly from friends at home, and partly [Page 53] beyond Seas, from those that wish'd them well; in all which Negotiations, Mr. Coleman had a busie hand.

That this Conspiracy went so far, that Gene­ral Officers were named and appointed; and ma­ny engaged, if not listed: and this not only in England, but in Ireland likewise.

That the great Civil Offices and Dignities of the Kingdom were also to be disposed of, and that Coleman was to have been Secretary of State, and had a Commission from the Superiours of the Jesuits, to act in that Quality. That he had treated, by vertue thereof, with Father Ferrier, and La Chaise, Confessors of the King of France, for the Dissolution of the Parliament, and Extir­pation of the Protestant Religion: to which purpose, he had penned a Declaration with his own hand, to justifie the Action, when the Parlia­ment was dissolved.

That he kept intelligence with Cardinal Nor­folk, with Father Sheldon, and the Popes Inter­nuntio at Brussels. Lastly, that he kept a Corre­spondence with Sr. William Throckmorton, to the destruction of the King and Kingdom.

Being arraign'd for these crimes, he insisted to have had Council allowed him; which was deny'd for this reason, for that the proof lay all on the other side; which if it were plain, there would be no need of Council.

As to the proofs of these Crimes by the two Witnesses, Dr. Oates, and Mr. Bedlow, it was first proved by Dr. Oates alone, That there was a ge­neral Consult or meeting of the Jesuits in April Old Stile, and May New Stile, at the White [Page 54] Horse Tavern in the Strand, and afterwards they divided into Companies; and in those Consults they conspired the death of the King, and con­triv'd how to effect it. That to that purpose Grove and Pickering were actually imployed to murder the King, and to pistoll him in St. James's Park. For which Grove was to have 1500 l. in money, and Pickering, being a Priest, thirty thou­sand Masses, which was computed to be equal to 1500 l. That to this Contrivance and Conspi­racy, Coleman was privy, and did well approve of the same.

It was also farther prov'd by the same Wit­nesses, that four Irish men were provided by Dr. Fogarthy, and sent to Windsor, there to make a farther attempt upon the Royal Person of the King: and fourscore Guinneys were provided by Harcourt to maintain the Assassinates at Windsor; and that while this Conspiracy was in Agitation, Coleman went to visit Harcourt at his Lodging; but not finding him there, and being inform'd he was at Wild House, that he went and found him out there: at which time, Coleman asking what provision Harcourt had made for the Gentlemen at Windsor? Harcourt reply'd, that the fourscore Guinneys which lay upon the Table, were for them; and added, that the person in the Room was to carry the money. Upon which, it was farther proved, that Coleman should reply, That he lik'd it very well; and that he gave a Guinney out of his pocket to the Messenger, who was to carry the money to Windsor, to encourage him to expedite the business. It was further sworn by Dr. Oates, That in July last one Ashby a Jesuit, [Page 55] brought instructions from Flanders to London, that in case Pickering and Grove could not kill the King at London, nor the four Irish men assassinate him at Windsor, that then the sum of ten thousand pounds should be propos'd to Sir George Wake­man, to poyson the King. In this conspiracy Mr. Coleman was prov'd to be so far concern'd, that by the Letters which pass'd between White­bread and Ashby, it appear'd that he should say, he thought ten thousand pound was too little, and that he thought it necessary to offer five thou­sand pound more: which upon his admonition and advice was assented to by the Jesuites. It was also further sworn by Dr. Oates, that he saw Letters from the Provincial at London, to the Jesuites at St. Omers, that Sir George had accepted the Propo­sition.

The second witness was Mr. Bedlow, who swore, that he was imployed by Harcourt, the Jesuite, to carry Pacquets of Letters to Monsieur Le Chaise, the French Kings Confessor, and that he was at a Consult in France, where the Plot was discours'd on for killing the King; and that he brought back an answer from Le Chaise to Harcourt in London; and that particularly on the 24th. or 25th. of May, 1677. he was at Colemans house with father Har­court, and some other persons, where Mr. Cole­man, falling into discourse concerning the design in hand, said these words, That if he had a Sea of blood, and a hundred lives, he would lose them all to carry on the design; and if to this end it were requisite to destroy a hundred Heretick Kings, he would do it. The other part of the evidence consisted of Pa­pers and Letters, generally relating to prove the [Page 56] latter part of the Enditement, viz. the extirpa­tion of the Protestant Religion, introducing Po­pery, and subverting the Government.

This was plainly proved by a long Letter written by Mr. Coleman, dated Sept. 29. 1675. and sent to Monsieur Le Chaise before named: wherein he gave him an accompt of the transacti­ons of several years before, and of his correspon­dence with Monsieur Ferrier, predecessour to the said Le Chaise; wherein he asserted that the true way to carry on the interest of France, and to promote the Catholick Religion in England, was to get the Parliament dissolv'd: which he said, had been long since effected, if three hundred thousand pounds could have been obtained from the French King: and that things were yet in such a posture, that if he had but twenty thousand pound sent him from France, he would be content to be a sacrifice to the utmost malice of his ene­mies, if the Protestant Religion did not receive such a blow that it could not possibly subsist. The receipt of which Letter was acknowledged by Monsieur Le Chaise, in an answer which he wrote to Mr. Coleman, dated from Paris, Octob. 23. 75. wherein he gave him thanks for his good service in order to the promotion of the Catho­lick Religion.

Another Letter was produced, dated August 21. 74. written by the prisoner Coleman to the Popes Internuncio at Brussels, wherein he said that the design prospered well, and that he doubted not but that in a little while the business would be managed to the utter ruine of the Protestant party.

[Page 57] Other Letters were brought in Evidence, where­in he wrote to the King of France's Confessor, that the assistance of his most Christian Majesty was necessary, and desir'd money from the French King to carry on the design.

But there was another without a date, more material than all the rest, written to Monsieur Le Chaise in a short time after his long Letter, da­ted Sept. 29. 1675. wherein among other things, the Prisoner thus express'd himself. We have a mighty work upon our hands, no less than the Conversion of three Kingdomes, and the utter subduing of a pestilent Heresie, which has for some time domineer'd over this Northern part of the World; and we never had so great hopes of it since Queen Maries days. In the close of which Letter he implor'd Monsieur Le Chaise to get all the aid and assistance he could from France, and that next to God Almighty, they did rely upon the mighty mind of his most Christian Ma­jesty, and therefore hop'd that he would procure both money and assistance from him. And thus was the latter part of the Enditement fully prov'd up­on him.

There was another Letter produced against him, which he wrote to Monsieur Le Chaise in French, in the Dukes name, but without his pri­vity or knowledge, so that when he had the bold­ness to shew it to the Duke, he was both angry and rejected it. It contain'd several invectives against my Lord Arlington, as being a great op­poser of the Duke's designs, and the chief pro­moter of the match between the Prince of Orange and the Dukes eldest daughter the Lady Mary.

[Page 58] As for the long Declaration which he wrote as if he had been an actual Secretary of State, and employ'd by some certain King his Master, to justifie the Dissolution of his Parlament, it was produc'd rather to shew his good intentions to his true Soveraign, and as a circumstance to confirm the rest, than otherwise. To all this Mr. Cole­man made the slenderest defence imaginable. On­ly being charg'd that he was at a Consult with the Jesuites and Benedictine Monks in August, at the Savoy, he endeavour'd to prove that he was all that Month in Warwickshire; but his witness, which was but single, not being able to make any positive answer to the questions demanded by the Court, his testimony nothing avail'd him, no more than his cavil with Doctor Oates, that he did not charge him at the Council, with all the matters in the Inditement. For it was fairly prov'd by one of the Clerks of the Council that he charg'd him severely enough to have him com­mitted to Newgate. And that was sufficient for the Prosecutor to do, till he came to give his full evidence at the Tryal.

As to the Letters, he said they were only in­tended for the making the King and the Duke as great as could be, as far as he thought it in his power: to which end he desired the Court to con­sider the contexture and connexion of the things therein contain'd.

After this the Court took notice to the Jury of the Accusation it self, and of the Evidence, which was of two sorts, Letters under his own hand, and witnesses viva voce.

[Page 59] That as to the Letters, he rather made his de­fence by expounding what the meaning was, than by denying that he wrote them. So that they were to examine what those Letters did import of themselves, and what consequences were na­turally to be deduc'd from them. However it was the opinion and direction of the Court, that the substance of the long Letter amounted to this; that is so say, to bring in the Romish Catho­lick Religion, and to establish it here, and to ad­vance an interest for the French King, be that what it would. That his last Letters did more plainly expound his meaning and intention, that when our Religion was to be subverted, the nati­on was also to be subverted and destroy'd: In re­gard there could be no hope of subverting or de­stroying the protestant Religion, but by the sub­version, not the conversion of the three King­domes.

As to the Witnesses viva voce, because the Ju­ry had heard their evidence, the Court did not insist upon it: only directed the Jury to consider what the Letters did prove the prisoner guilty of directly, and of what by Consequence; what the prisoner plainly would have done, and how he would have done it.

Upon this the Jury withdrew, and after a short stay returning gave up their Verdict, which was Guilty; and so Mr. Coleman was for that day re­manded back to the prison, with order to the Keeper to bring him the next morning again to the Bar to receive Sentence.

The next day, being the 28th. of November, the Prisoner was again brought to the Bar according [Page 60] to Order, where being ask'd what he had to say for himself, he insisted as to his Papers upon the Act of Grace. As to the evidence viva voce, he made the same exceptions he had done before, only added that he wanted a book of accompts which had been seiz'd on among his Papers, by which he could invalidate Dr. Oates's testimony, by making it appear he was out of Town all Au­gust.

To the first it was answer'd that he could have no benefit of the Act of Grace, in regard his Pa­pers bore date in 74. and 75. since which time there had been no Act made. And as for what he said concerning Mr. Oates, it was urg'd in vain, in regard the Jury had given their Ver­dict.

The Exhortations which the Court gave him were in short, That whereas he was found guilty of conspiring the death of the King, of endea­vouring to subvert the Protestant Religion, and to bring in Popery, and this by the aid and as­sistance of foraign powers, though he seem'd to disavow the matter of the death of the King, he should not therefore think himself an innocent man. For that it was apparent by his own hand, that he was guilty of contriving and conspiring the destruction of the protestant Religion, and the introduction of Popery, by the aid and as­sistance of foreign powers, from which no man could free him in the least. And though it should be true, that he would disavow that he had not an actual hand in the contrivance of the Kings death, which however two witnesses positively swore against him; yet he was to know, that [Page 61] he that would subvert the Protestant religion here, and consequentially bring in a foreign au­thority, did an act in derogation of the Crown, and in diminution of the Kings Title and sove­raign Power: and made it his endeavours to bring a foreign Dominion both over our Consciences and Estates. So that if any man should endeavour to subvert our Religion, to bring in that, though he did not actually contrive to do it by the death of the King; yet that he was guilty of whatso­ever follow'd upon that contrivance. He was further exhorted to repentance, which was the only thing that remain'd. And that if he could not with our Church have Contrition, which is a sorrow proceeding from Love, he would at least make use of Attrition, which is a sorrow proceed­ing from fear. For that he might assure himself, there were but a few minutes betwixt him, and a vast Eternity, where would be no dallying, no arts us'd. And therefore that he should think upon all the good he could do in that little space of time that was left him; which was all little enough to wipe off, besides his private and secret, even his publick offences. He was admonished that Confession was very much practis'd in the Religion which he profess'd, and that he would do well to exercise it; but yet, that as his offence was publick, so should his Confession be. Per­chance, said the Court, he might be deluded with the fond hopes of having his sentence respited. But he was exhorted not to trust to it, for that he might be flatter'd to stop his mouth till his breath were stopp'd, which it was fear'd he would find by the event.

[Page 62] These friendly and Christian-like Exhorta­tions being concluded by the Judge, he then proceeded to the final sentence of the Law, which was, that he should be Hang'd, Drawn, and Quarter'd.

The fatal sentence being past, Mr. Coleman offer'd some few things to the Court, the sum of which was this, That he did admire the Charity of the Court, and whereas the Court advised him to Confession, he besought their Lordships to hear him some few words. The Court indeed had the patience to hear him: but what did all his fine words signifie? They contain'd nothing but a florid justification of his own innocency, in opposition to the verdict of his Countrey. A vanity excusable in him whose vanity had been his ruine, and commonly practicable among offend­ers conceited of their Eloquence, that pride themselves to be accompted Swans, and the sweet singers of their own Epitaphs.

By the Conviction of Staly the malice of the Pa­pists hearts appear'd, though they conceal'd it with better discretion. By the Conviction of Coleman, the whole nation, and they that doubted most were convinced of the truth of the design. So that upon the 28th. of Novemb. his Majesty was pleas'd toissue forth his Royal Proclamation, wherein he promis'd pardon and 200 l. to any person con­cern'd in the Plot, that would come in and disco­ver before the 25. of December. And within two days after his Majesty was also pleas'd to give his Royal assent to an Act, to disable Papists to sit in either Houses of Parliament.

[Page 63] December. All this while Colemans Execution was respited. For as it was verily thought that he could discover much, all endeavours were used to have brought him to a further Confession. But he believing himself sure of a pardon from other hands, would by no means give ear to those, who he had more reason to think had his life at their disposal. And therefore finding that he was ob­stinate to all propositions of grace and favour, at length order was given for his Execution. It was his misfortune to believe he should have his par­don to the last moment of his life, even after he was tyed up. But, whoever they were, those whom he thought his best friends deceiv'd him, although to please them, he gave thanks to hea­ven that he dyed a Roman Catholick, and absolute­ly renounc'd the knowledge of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey's death: with which asseverations the Executioner did his office, the third of this month. An unhappy Martyr for his cause, if he so thought himself, in this, that he dy'd for those that less pity'd him than those he had so deeply wrong­ed; and were, as it is verily presum'd, the chief rejoycers, that they were so fairly rid of him.

Had Justice been ready with her prosecution he had not gone alone perhaps, but might have had company to have attended him to his imagi­nary Paradise. For upon the 15th. of this month, John Grove, William Ireland, and Tho. Pickering, apprehended sometime before by the diligent pur­suit of the discoverer, were also brought to their Tryals at the Sessions in the Old-Baily.

• [Page 64]Sr. William Roberts, Bar.
• Sr. Philip Matthews, Bar.
• Sr. Charles Lee, Knight.
• Edward Wilford, Esq
• John Foster, Esq
• Joshua Galliard, Esq
• John Byfield, Esq
• Thomas Egglesfield, Esq
• Thomas Johnson, Esq
• John Pulford, Esq
• Tho. Ernsby, Esq
• Richard Wheeler, Gent.

The substance of the Indictment, was for con­spiring and attempting the death of his Sacred Majesty; as also for endeavouring and contriving to alter the Religion established in the Nation, and to introduce Popery in its room.

The particular Charges consisted in the parti­cular proofs, how every one of these Offenders was particularly concerned for the carrying on, and effecting these designs.

To this purpose it was sworn by Dr. Oates, That Whitebread received a Patent from the Ge­neral of the Jesuites at Rome, to be Provincial of the Order in these parts, and by vertue of that Commission, sent to St. Omers for several of the Society to make their appearance at London, to the end they might be personally there at a Consult, which was to be held the 24th of April Stilo Veteri. That upon the receipt of the said Summons, the 5th of April Nine of them, of which the Discoverer was one, did come to Lon­don. That upon the said 24th of April the Con­sult was held at the White Horse Tavern accor­dingly; and that the Prisoners at the Bar were there.

[Page 65] That it was there resolved, that Pickering and Grove should go on in their attempt upon the King; for which Grove was to have 1500 l. and Pickering the reward of 30000. Masses. Which Result was also sign'd by the Prisoner Ireland.

That there was an Oath of Secrecy admini­ster'd at the said Consult by Whitebread, which Ireland took among the rest.

Mr. Bedlow swore, That either in August, or the beginning of September he was at Harcourt's Chamber, where it was resolv'd, that since the Ruffians had miss'd Killing of the King at Wind­sor, Grove and Pickering should go on; and that one Conyers should be joyn'd with them to assassi­nate the King in his morning walks at New-mar­ket, and that Ireland was there also, heard all, and gave his consent.

Against Grove and Pickering it was sworn by Dr. Oates that he saw them several times walking together in the Park, with their screw'd Pistols, which were longer than ordinary Pistols, but shorter than a Carbine.

That they had Silver Bullets, and that Grove would have had the Bullets chew'd, lest the wound should not have prov'd mortal.

That Pickering had once a fair opportunity, but that the flint of his Pistol being loose, he durst not venture to give fire; and that for that negli­gence of his, he was forc'd to undergo penance, and to receive twenty or thirty strokes of Dis­cipline.

That Grove did go about with one Smith to ga­ther Peter-pence.

[Page 66] That Grove confess'd to him, that he with three Irish-men did fire Southwark, for which Grove had 400 l. and the three Irish-men 200 l. a­piece.

Mr. Bedlow swore against Grove in particular, that in the business of killing the King, he was more forward than the rest, and that he should say, Since it could not be done clandestinely, it should be openly attempted.

As to the reward, he swore it to be the same with Dr. Oates before.

The defence which the Prisoners made, was no­thing but a bare denyal of the matter of Fact. Only Ireland, being charg'd in Aug. labour'd very much to prove that he was out of Town all that time, though it were re-prov'd by very good circum­stances, and upon oath for the King, that he was seen in London upon the 12. or 13th. of the same month.

His next defence was a weak reflection upon Dr. Oates's credit, to which purpose an Indict­ment for perjury never prosecuted, was urg'd against him; but the Attorney General made slight of it, as of a thing that had nothing in it. Neither was that which Sir Dennis Ashbornham said, of greater force, seeing that the irregularities of Children, are no impediment, but that they may prove good men. So that the Endictment being ful­ly prov'd against them by good witnesses, and the concurrence of the Evidence in every particular, the Jury made no long stay before they return'd, and brought them in all Guilty.

After this the Court adjourn'd till the after­noon, and then the Prisoners being again brought [Page 67] to the Bar, were all three condemn'd to be Hang'd, Drawn, and Quarter'd.

While Humane Justice was thus employ'd up­on Earth, Divine Vengeance was no less active above. No longer could it suffer innocent blood to clamour unreveng'd. And therefore where Bedlow fail'd, much about this time, by a strange accident was Praunce disclos'd, to make out all the rest.

For at what time Fenwick, Ireland, and some others were first apprehended, Mr. Praunce, hap­pening to be at a Coffee-house, where some Gen­tlemen were talking somewhat severely against the said Prisoners, zealously and officiously began to speak so favourably in their defence that notice was taken of his words, and as he was told, some in­formation given against him. To avoid therefore both charge and trouble, he absented himself from his house the next three nights together. After which time, understanding the business was over, he return'd home again and continu'd there as he was wont to do. This happen'd about a fortnight before Sir Edmundbury was murther'd. Yet upon this occasion, so providence order'd it, was he twelve weeks after apprehended and call'd in question. For it chanc'd that one of his neigh­bours and he fell out, who having got some intima­tion that Mr. Praunce lay out of his house three nights one after another, began to question whe­ther those three nights might not be the night that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was kill'd, and those that follow'd: And upon this bare surmise or presumpti­on, that had no ground or bottom in the world, that either he or any that he knew, were guilty [Page 68] or any way concern'd in the fact, a warrant was obtain'd from the Lords of the Council, to ap­prehend Mr. Praunce, and to take him into a strict examination. Being thus taken by vertue of the warrant, he was first carry'd into the Lobby of the House of Commons, where Mr. Bedlow, whom he knew not, as being a person that had seen him but once before, that is to say, between the Murther and the carrying forth of the Corpse, but then taking some little notice of him, knew his face again, and positively charg'd him to have been concern'd in the murther, whereupon he was examin'd and committed to Newgate the 21st. of this month. Within two days after, he made a full discovery upon Oath, impeaching Fits-Girald, Kelly, Hill, Berry and Green. Green was before in the Gate-house for refusing the oaths. Hill and Berry were presently apprehended. But the cun­ning Priests got away.

Upon the 24th. he was carried before the King and Council, to whom he gave a faithful and par­ticular accompt of all the circumstances of the Murther. Which because it contain'd so many descriptions of benches, doors, entries and rooms, his Majesty was pleas'd to order the Duke of Mon­mouth, the Earl of Ossory, the Earl of Clarendon, and Sir Robert Southwell to go with the prisoner, and take his Examination upon the place. At which time he gave such an exact accompt of the places which he had mention'd before, viz. the very spot upon which the murther was commit­ted: where he himself, where Berry stood, as also the door, stairs, dark entry, &c. menti­on'd in the Narrative, that his Majesties Com­missioners [Page 69] return'd very well satisfy'd with the truth of his Relation and Confession.

True it is that Mr. Praunce did afterwards seem to retract by a bare affirmative, what he had for­merly confess'd upon Oath, saying before the King and Council, That he was innocent, and the rest whom he had accus'd were also innocent. But these words were extorted from his own fears and con­sternation, that set before his eyes the danger of his life, and the undoing of his wife and family. For he had no sooner done it, but his Conscience troubling him above all those considerations, he recoyl'd from those false assertions, and so stre­nuously and regularly maintain'd the Truth to which he had sworn, by an addition of farther discoveries, that the King was pleas'd with his own Lips to assure him of his Pardon, which was afterwards delivered to him in due form under the Great Seal.

Kelly was afterwards taken up by the name of Daniel Edmunds, in some place in Surrey, and sent to the Marshalsea for refusing the Oaths; but be­ing deeply sensible of the danger he was in, he so wrought upon the Poverty of that place, that he procur'd bail for ten shillings apiece, and got away this very Month, before his true name of Kelly was known.

Much about this time the Parliament took into their serious consideration certain transactions of the Earl of Danby, then Lord High Treasurer, and after a strict Scrutiny into the business, upon the 19th. of this Month, resolved, that there was sufficient matter of Impeachment against him, and order'd a Committee to draw up the Articles, [Page 70] and to receive any further Informations or Evi­dence that should come in.

Within two days after several Articles of Im­peachment were brought into the House, seve­rally put to the Question and agreed upon; the same day they were order'd to be engross'd; and votes further pass'd that the said Earl should be sequester'd from Parliament, and com­mitted to safe Custody. Which that it might be the sooner effected, they sent up Sir Henry Capell with the Articles to the Lords, who accor­dingly went and deliver'd them to the Chancel­lour in a full assembly of that house, but the house being prorogued at the latter end of the Month till the 4th. of February, nothing more was done for that Sessions.

However before they were prorogu'd they pass'd several resolves for impeaching the five Lords in the Tower, of Treason and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors; and the same day, which was the 5th. of this month, the five seve­ral Impeachments were carry'd up to the Lords, and a Committee appointed to draw up Articles against the parties impeach'd; to which purpose the said Committee was impowr'd to inspect the Journals, and consider of Presidents for Impeach­ments.

In the Lords House, so soon as the Articles against the Earl of Danby were exhibited, he him­self desir'd copies of all papers and proceedings; nevertheless it was then resolv'd, that at that time he should not withdraw. Thereupon the said Earl, toward the latter end of the month, having still his liberty, mov'd again in the Lords [Page 71] House, that he might have a copy of his charge, and that he might not long lye under it. Upon which a Motion follow'd, that the House would consider of the desire of the House of Commons, touching his confinement. Thereupon it was the next day resolv'd, that he should not be confin'd as then: and that he should have a copy of the Articles, to which he was appointed to bring in his answer before the third of January.

And as to the Lords concern'd in the Conspira­cy, it was referr'd to the Lords of the Committee for priviledges, to consider the state of the Im­peachments, and of all the incidents thereunto relating, and to make their report; which is the sum of what was done in reference to these matters, till the sitting of the new Parliament, of which more in due place.

As yet the stress of the discovery lay upon Dr. Oates, and Mr. Bedlow, but this month came in the substantial assistance of Mr. Dugdale, who up­on the twenty fourth of this month submitted himself to the examination of Mr. Lane, and Mr. Vernon, two of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Stafford.

Nor is it to be omitted that among the rest of the Discoveries about this time made, Lower Comes in Herefordshire was detected to be a Col­ledge of Jesuites; and was let them at a low rent by one Hutton of St. Giles's, Merchant, for one and twenty years, which lease was witness'd by William Ireland, Fenwick and Groves.

The House was contriv'd for the purpose, with lodging Chambers and Studies, and seated with all the privacy imaginable, at the bottom of a [Page 72] rocky and woody Hill. There were found in the house several Popish Books, a Box of white Wa­fers stamp'd, several Popish Pictures and Cruci­fixes, some Reliques, a little Saints-bell, and an Incense pot. Soon after one Father Lewis was taken near the same place and sent to Monmouth Jail. He had couzen'd a poor maid of all the Money she had in the world, to the value of 30 l. and made her give him a bond and confess a judge­ment to him for payment of the said money up­on a pretence of praying her Fathers Soul out of Purgatory.

January 1678. Toward the beginning of this month the Earls of Salisbury and Clarendon were sworn of his Majesties Privy Council. Nei­ther do we find the beginning of it signaliz'd with any transaction of remark, till the Executi­on of Ireland and Grove, for Pickering had a fur­ther reprieve till May, 1679. The other two were both hang'd, drawn, and quarter'd, accor­ding to the Sentence pronounc'd against them, up­on the 24th. of this Month.

The last words of Ireland were mainly taken notice of, and there were some whose Charity was almost deluded to believe him, hearing those imprecations of Damnation which he made to impose upon the world that he was not in Town all August, and consequently that the witnesses had sworn falsly against him. Yet after all these solemn Imprecations to advance his own and de­press the credit of the Kings witnesses; as if his Salvation depended upon his giving a meritori­ous sparring blow to the Kings Evidence at his departure, after all these Imprecations I say, [Page 73] that he was absent in Staffordshire from the fifth of August till the fourteenth of September, in comes one Mr. Jenison, a person of worth, and credit, and positively deposes upon oath that he saw Mr. Ireland at his Chamber at the Hart in Russel street upon the nineteenth day of August, being then newly return'd from Windsor. He further depos'd, that after a short salute, Mr. Ire­land ask'd him what news at Windsor, and how the King spent his time? To which when Mr. Jenison answer'd, that the King spent his time in Hawking and Fishing, & went very thinly and meanly guard­ed, the Old Priest reply'd, that then it would be an easie thing to take him off. A circumstance so re­markable, and consequently so convincingly appa­rent, that many doubters were very well satisfy'd to see it, finding the credit of the traduc'd wit­nesses so well supported, and such a slur put upon all the vows and protestations of a sufferer so desperately engaging heaven in the defence of his untruths.

Much about this time his Majesties Forces that had been recall'd out of Flanders, began to return again into England. But that which was the nine days wonder of the whole Nation was the disso­lution of the second long Parliament, which had been continu'd by Prorogations and Adjourn­ments from the eighth day of May, in the 13th. year of his Majesties reign, and was lastly pro­rogu'd till the fourth of February, in the twenty fourth year of his Majesties Government, with an intention to have met again.

By this Proclamation his Majesty did publish and declare his Royal will and pleasure to dissolve [Page 74] the present Parliament, and that he did dissolve the same accordingly. However to the intent his Majesties Loyal Subjects might perceive his confidence in their good affections, and how de­sirous his Majesty was to meet his people, and have their advice by their representatives in Par­liament, His Majesty was also pleas'd to declare, that he would forthwith issue out his Writs for calling a new Parliament, to be holden at West­minster on Thursday the sixth of March, 1678/9. And thus if it might be thought to be a wound, he that gave it, at the same time heal'd it; and stopp'd as well the Insinuations as the Clamours of disaffected male-contents.

Toward the latter end of this month the middle Temple happen'd to be fir'd, though whether on purpose or by accident is yet undetermin'd: this is certain, that had it gone on, it had destroy'd one of the most stately Piles of Law in the whole world.

February, 1678. January having thus made its Exit, February succeeds, remarkable in the first place, for the change of the Secretaries of State. For Sir Joseph Williamson having resigned the Seals of the Secretaryship into his Majesties hands, the right honourable Robert Earl of Sunderland, was sworn into his room.

Not long after several Queries were presented to his Majesty in Council by the Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, in order to their proceeding as to Papists, and Popish Recusants.

1. Whether Foreigners, Popish Recusants, that are and have long been settl'd House-Keep­ers, following employments for their own advan­tage, as Chirurgions, Taylors, Perriwig-ma­kers, [Page 75] &c. but not otherwise Merchants, though certifi'd to be Merchant strangers, shall be excus'd from taking the Oaths, or giving sureties?

2. Whether such Foreigners being certifi'd by Embassadours, or other foreign Ministers to be their Servants, should be excus'd?

3. Whether Foreigners, Popish Recusants, settl'd as House-keepers, but neither Tradesmen, Travellers, or Foreign Ministers Servants, shall be excus'd?

4. Whether Native subjects of our Soveraign Lord the King, that are Menial servants of Fo­raign Ministers, shall be excus'd?

5. Whether married women, being Popish Recusants, but their Husbands Protestants, shall be excus'd?

6. Whether Popish Recusants that have taken the Oaths, found Sureties, have appear'd, and are convict, shall find Sureties, or be continu'd over?

These Queries were by his Majesty referr'd to the Judges, who return'd an answer in writing that they had met and consider'd of the Questions propos'd, and gave it for their Opinions:

1. That Foreigners, being Popish Recusants, and exercising ordinary Trades, but not Mer­chants, were not excus'd from taking the Oaths, or finding Security.

2. That Foreigners, though certifi'd by Em­bassadors to be their servants, except they were their menial servants, were not excusable.

3. That Foreigners, though settl'd House­keepers, being no Travellers, or Foreign Mini­sters servants, were not to be excus'd.

[Page 76] 4. That the Kings native Subjects were not excus'd from taking the Oath, by being menial servants to Foreign Ministers.

5. That they found no Law to excuse a Feme covert, being a Papist, from taking the Oaths, though her Husband were a Protestant.

6. That a Popish Recusant, having taken the Oaths, was not bound to find new Sureties, un­less, upon a new tender of the Oaths, he should refuse to take them.

This report and opinion of the Judges his Ma­jesty was graciously pleas'd to approve, and there­upon an Order was made, That the Justices of the Peace in their several precincts, should in the execution of their duties, touching these parti­culars, take notice of the Judges opinions, and conform themselves thereto.

And whereas his Majesty had receiv'd a com­plaint in Council, that several Justices of the Peace in several Counties, Cities and Liberties, notwithstanding the many Proclamations issu'd forth for the security of his Majesties person against the Plots of the Papists, did refuse and neglect to put the same in execution; It was there­fore about this time order'd in Council, That all his Majesties said Justices of the peace should with all care and diligence pursue his Majesties com­mands in the execution of the premises; with further directions also to the Lord Chancellor, forthwith to put out of Commission all such as should refuse or neglect their duty, as persons disaffected to his Majesties Government, and the Protestant Religion.

[Page 77] Yet notwithstanding all this publick diligence, the Papists were still in the very face of counter­manding Authority, no less active to under­mine the very Plot it self, and utterly to extir­pate the very proofs and evidence of the dis­covery.

For one James Nettervile, formerly a Clerk in the Court of Claims in Dublin, being at this time a prisoner in the Marshalsea, sent for an acquain­tance of his, one Captain John Bury, an Irish Gentleman, and there communicated to him a great design of the Papists, to turn the Plot ano­ther way, that is to say, to turn the Plot upon the Protestants for the destruction of the Papists. To effect this, the said Nettervile propos'd to the Captain, that he would swear to such and such heads as should be drawn up for him, to discredit and invalidate the testimony of Dr. Oates, in refe­rence to the Plot, and that for his reward he should have 500 l. to be deposited in a third hand by one Russel, for better security, to be paid him imme­diately upon his doing the business. This design was manag'd by the same Russel, a rank Papist, and an Irish man. But it seems they made their addresses wrong; For such was the fidelity and loyalty of the Captain to his Prince, that he made a timely discovery of the contrivance, and so spoyl'd the Market of those Traders in Subor­nation.

What this piece of subtilty meant, may be easily conjectur'd; but this was more observable, that a little before this discovery, several persons by these very people appointed, were at the houses of certain eminent Presbyterians in London, to [Page 78] pray their charitable Contributions toward the maintenance of Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow, falsly pretending that the Kings allowance was not suf­ficient for their support. But the parties to whom they made their application, smelling the cheat, slighted their charitable diligence, and sent them away empty. And indeed who knows what use they might have made of it, had those persons encourag'd their design?

In the mean time, that is to say, upon the fifth of this month, Robert Green, Henry Berry, and Lawrence Hill, were brought to their Tryals at the Kings Bench Bar, for the Murther of Sir Ed­mundbury Godfrey.

• Sir William Roberts,
• Sir Richard Fisher,
• Sir Michael Heneage,
• Sir Thomas Bridges,
• William Avery,
• Charles Umphrevile,
• John Bathurst,
• Richard Gowre,
• Thomas Hensloe,
• John Sharp,
• John Haynes,
• Walter Moyle, Esquires.

The general Indictment was for the murther of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Middle­sex, the manner of which Murther has been al­ready related, as also the reasons for which they did it.

The stress of the Evidence lay upon Mr. Praunce, who swore in general, that he met the Murtherers, in reference to the carrying on their work, several times at the Plough Ale-house near Somerset-house; that Girald and Kelley seduc'd him [Page 79] and inveigled him into the Conspiracy. That Hill, Girald and Green dogg'd him all Saturday from his first going out. That at night they lodg'd him in a house in St. Clements. That at his coming out from thence, Hill ran before and gave the rest notice; and then went and stay'd for his coming by. That it was Hill that perswaded him to follow him into the yard, under pretence of a quarrel. That it was Green who threw the twist­ed Handkerchief about his neck; and that then Hill, Girald and Kelley came in to Green's assi­stance, pull'd the Gentleman down, and help'd to throttle him, while Berry and Praunce watch'd the avenues into the yard. And that Green after­wards for the more sure dispatch, wrung his neck round.

That after the Murther was done, all the six actors carried the body into Hills Lodgings. That when the body was to be remov'd from Somerset-house, which was on the Wedsnesday night following, Praunce and Girald were the first that carry'd the Sedan, and were reliev'd by Green and Kelley. That at Soho, Hill met them with the horse; that there they all mounted the dead body, by forcing the leggs open, upon the said horse; that Hill rode behind, and that Green, Kelley and Girald walk'd by, till they came to the place where the body was thrown.

It was farther sworn by Mr. Praunce, that after all this, Girald met several persons at Bow, name­ly, Luson, Vernatti, Dethick, and one more, and there rejoyc'd together for the cleverness of the Murther committed, and the good fortune they had had for the disposal of the Body.

[Page 80] Mr. Bedlow swore, That after the said Sir Ed­mundbury Godfrey was murther'd, he met one Le Faire a Priest, in the Cloysters of Somerset­house by appointment, and that the said Le Faire carry'd him into a Room, where were several per­sons looking upon the body, by the help of a Candle and Lanthorn, and that at that time, he also among the rest saw Sir Edmundbury Godfrey lye dead, and that he knew him as he lay.

This Evidence was also fortifi'd by several other circumstances. By the Constable who found the body in the same posture they themselves re­ported they had left it. By the master of the Plough and his servant, who confirm'd the several meet­ings of the Murtherers at the same house. And by Sir Edmundbury's maid, who sware to the enqui­ries made for her Master at his house by Green and Hill.

In answer to these facts, thus made out, Hill defended himself, by affirming that Mr. Praunce had perjur'd himself, by denying or recanting what he had sworn before the King; but that was over-ruled by the Court, for that Mr. Praunce's first Impeachment of the Conspirators was done upon oath, and his recantation but on­ly a bare denyal.

Green brought his witnesses to prove that he was constantly at home by nine of the clock at night, and never stirr'd after that out of the house, and that such a thing could not be done in the house but they must know of it: but because they did not exactly make out what they averr'd, there was no credit given them.

[Page 81] The most considerable testimony was that which Berry produc'd, which was that of the Sen­tinels who kept the Guard; one of which stand­ing at the Gate from ten to one at night, averr'd that he saw no Sedan let forth. But in regard the Sentinels could not be so positive but that they might be mistaken by reason of the darkness of the night, and privacy of the conveighance, their Evidence was not thought substantial.

It was further urg'd by Hill, that Mr. Praunce had been tortur'd to make him confess what he did. But Mr. Praunce, upon his oath, ut­terly deny'd any such thing, affirming that the Keeper had us'd him with all civility, from his first commitment. So that the evidence for the Prisoners, being so far from overpowring the testimony for the King, that it was in no measure able to ballance it, the Jury soon found them all guilty; upon which they severally re­ceiv'd sentence to be hang'd. The execution of which sentence follow'd upon the twenty first en­suing.

March. 1678/9. But now the time of the new Parliaments sitting drawing near; toward the beginning of this month, his Majesty, that he might remove all fears and jealousies out of the minds of his subjects, thought meet to com­mand his Royal Highness to absent himself for a time.

Who thereupon in obedience to his Majesties pleasure, together with his Dutchess, took leave of his Majesty upon the third of March, and after a short visit to his Daughter, the Princess of Orange in Holland, retired to Bruxells in Flanders.

[Page 86] He was no sooner departed, but the Parlia­ment, which had been so lately summon'd before, met according to the time appointed at Westmin­ster. So soon as they were ready, the King went in his Barge to Westminster, and there in a Graci­ous Speech, upon which the Chancellour after­wards enlarg'd, His Majesty acquainted both Houses what he himself expected, and what the Countrey stood in need of, from their Unanimous and Prudent Consultations.

The Speeches being ended, the Commons re­turn to their House, and choose again the Speak­er of the last Parliament, Mr. Edward Sey­mour.

This choice occasion'd their Prorogation from the twelfth to the fifteenth of the same month, at what time, being met, again they chose Sergeant Gregory, and caus'd him to take the Chair.

Before they fell upon business, the members were all severally sworn and took the Test, and being so cemented together, they fell first upon the further prosecution of the Plot, already dis­cover'd to the Parliament, not long before dis­solv'd.

In reference to which affair, Dr. Tong, Dr. Oates, and Mr. Bedlow were summon'd to attend them, and to give their Informations. Upon their appearing Dr. Tong gave a long Narraton, which because it was tedious, they further desir'd in writing. Dr. Oates read his own depositions, and when he had done, made a complaint of some discouragements which he had receiv'd from some of the Members. The complaint fell more severe­ly upon one of them, who having spoken some [Page 87] words in contempt of the Truth of the Plot, was sent to the Tower and expell'd the House, but soon after upon his modest Petition discharg'd from his imprisonment.

But whatever particular persons thought of the Plot, the House of Commons were so well satis­fy'd, that they appointed a Committee of Secre­sie to take Informations, prepare Evidences; and draw up Articles against the Lords, suspect­ed to be therein concern'd.

By way of further prosecution also, it was re­solv'd, that an humble address should be made to his Majesty, that all the papers and writings relating to the discovery of the Plot, and parti­cularly such papers and writings which had been taken since the prorogation of the last Parliament, might be deliver'd to the Committee of Secresie appointed to draw up Articles against the said Lords. To which his Majesty was pleas'd to return for Answer, that those papers and examinations were deliver'd to the Committee of the Lords, from whence they should be sent to their Com­mittee so soon as the Lords had done perusing them.

In the midst of these transactions, they forgot not the Earl of Danby. For upon the twentieth of this month, they sent to the Lords to put them in mind of the Impeachment of High Treason ex­hibited against him, in the name of the Commons, and to desire that he might be forthwith commit­ted to safe custody.

In answer to which, at a Conference of both Houses, the Duke of Monmouth, acquainted them in the behalf of the Lords, That their Lordships [Page 84] having taken into consideration matters rela­ting to the Earl of Danby, together with what his Majesty was pleas'd to say upon that Subject, had order'd that a Bill should be brought in, by which the said Earl should be made for ever inca­pable of coming into his Majesties presence; and of all Offices and Employments; and of receiving any gifts or grants from the Crown, and of sitting in the House of Peers.

In the mean time the Commons having appoin­ted a Committee, to enquire into the manner of the suing forth the said Pardon, made their re­port, that they could not find the entry of any such Pardon in either of the Secretaries Offices, nor in the Offices of the Signet or Privy Seal, but that they found it to be a Pardon by Crea­tion.

Thereupon the Commons send another Mes­sage to the Lords to demand Justice, in the name of the Commons of England, against the said Earl, and that he might be immediately se­quester'd from Parliament, and committed to safe custody.

To which the Lords return'd, that they had order'd, before the coming of their last message, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod forthwith to take the said Earl into custody.

Soon after the Lords sent another Message to acquaint the Commons, that they had sent both to Wimbleton, and to his house in Town, to ap­prehend the said Earl, but that the Gentle­man Usher of the Black Rod could not find him.

[Page 85] April. 1679. Thereupon the Commons order'd a Bill to be brought in, to summon the said Earl to render himself to Justice by a day to be therein limited, or in default thereof to attaint him. Which Bill, having pass'd the House, was sent up to the Lords for their concurrence.

In the mean time the Lords had prepar'd a milder act of their own for the banishing and dis­abling the Earl of Danby; which being rejected by the Commons, the Lords desir'd a conference, at which they deliver'd back the Bill of attainder, choosing so to do by conference, rather than by message, to preserve a good understanding, and to prevent Controversie between the two Houses. And to shew the reason why they insisted upon their own amendments of the Bill for attainder, it was urg'd, that in regard the King had always in his reign been inclin'd to mercy and clemency to all his subjects, the first interruption of his cle­mency ought not to proceed from his two houses.

This being reported, an humble address to his Majesty was presently resolv'd upon, to issue out his Royal Proclamation for the apprehending the Earl of Danby, with the usual penalties upon those that should conceal him, and that his Maje­sty would be also pleas'd further to give or­der to the Officers of his Houshold, that they should take care that the said Earl should not be permitted to reside within any of his Maje­sties Palaces of White-hall, Somerset-house or St. James's.

While this address was preparing, the Com­mons consider'd of the amendments made by the [Page 82] Lords to the Bill of attainder; to some of which they agreed, but to others they refus'd to give their consent, finding a bill of attainder converted into a Bill of banishment. For it was alledg'd in point of reason, that Banishment was not the Legal Judgement in case of High Treason. And that not being so, the Earl might make use of the Remission of his Sentence as an Argument, that either the Commons were distrustful of their Proofs, or else that the crimes were not in them­selves of so high a nature as Treason. Besides, that the example of this would be an encou­ragement to all persons that should be hereafter impeach'd by the Commons, to withdraw them­selves from Justice, hoping thereby to obtain a more favourable sentence in a Legislative way, than the Lords would be oblig'd to pass upon them in their judicial capacity.

The same day in the afternoon, which was the 8th. of the present month, both Houses had another conference upon the same Bill, which the Lords assur'd the Commons they had desir'd not so much to argue and dispute, as to mitigate and re­concile, having observ'd that the debates of this Bill, had already given too great obstru­ctions to publick business. To this end the Lords propounded, That if there might be a way found to satisfie and secure the publick fears, by doing less than what was propos'd in the Bill, they did not think it advisable to insist upon the most rigorous satisfaction that publick Justice could demand.

To induce them to this complyance, the Lords acknowledg'd, that Banishment was so far from [Page 83] being the Legal Judgement, in case of High Treason, that it was not the Legal Judgement in any case whatsoever; as not being ever to be inflicted, but by the Legislative Authority. How­ever they saw no reason, why the Legislative Authority should always be bound to act to the utmost extent of its power, in regard there might be a prudential necessity sometimes of making abatements, and might prove of fatal consequence, should it not be so.

Therefore the Lords, to remove all jealousies of Presidents of this kind, did declare that no­thing done in the Earl of Danby's case should be drawn into consequence for the time to come, and that they would so enter it upon their journal Book.

Nevertheless the Commons would not agree, but sent to the Lords for a free Conference, up­on the subject matter of the last. Which be­ing had, and the members that manag'd the same, being order'd to draw up the substance of the matters which were fit to be enter'd, that pass'd at the said free Conference; the Lords de­sir'd, the same day, a present free Conference up­on the subject matter of the last free Confe­rence.

In this Conference the Lord Privy Seal that manag'd it, declar'd that the Reasons of the Commons for passing the Bill as they propos'd, were unanswerable, and that therefore the Lords were content to make the Bill absolute, without giving the Earl of Danby any day to appear, and the penalties to continue.

[Page 88] Further it was by him observ'd, that the Lord impeach'd, would not only be ruin'd by the pas­sing of this Bill, together with his family, but those acquisitions also, which he got by marri­age into a Noble Family, would be all lost.

Neither did he forget to intimate, That if the House of Commons would have any other Penal­ties added to the Bill, the Lords would leave it to them, so that they did not run to the abso­lute obstruction of the Lord Impeach'd.

Taking notice withal, that though all the reason and justice were of the Commons side, yet in a Legislative Capacity, they were to consi­der of Circumstances in relation to the pub­lick good. And then proceeding, he told the House of Commons, that in the transactions of this affair, they had gain'd two great points.

That Impeachments made by the Commons in one Parliament, continu'd from Session to Ses­sion, and from Parliament to Parliament, not­withstanding Prorogations or Dissolutions.

And Secondly, In cases of Impeachment, up­on special matter shewn, if the modesty of the party impeach'd did not direct him to withdraw, the Lords did admit that of right they ought to order him to with­draw, and that afterwards he must be com­mitted.

Another Observation was made by his Lord­ship, that a Member of the House of Commons made mention of the Earl of Clarendons case, but in regard that case was general, and no special matter shown, it was not like this. So that he did not understand that the Lords intended to [Page 89] extend the point of Withdrawing and Commitment to General Impeachments without special matter alledg'd. For that if it should be otherwise, many of the Lords might be pick'd out of their House of a sudden.

To this the Earl of Shaftsbury reply'd, that they were as willing to be rid of the Earl of Danby as the Commons; and first, as to the right of the Commons, the Lords did agree that it was their right, and well warranted by Presidents of former ages. And as to the distinction made, where the Impeachments were General, and spe­cial matter alledg'd, there was no order given to make any such distinction, for that General Im­peachments were not in the case. The same was affirm'd by the Duke of Monmouth, and the Lord Falconbridge, and that the Earl of Shaftsbury was in the right, and deliver'd the true sense of the Lords. And as to that expression, That the Lords would not draw into example the proceed­ings of the Earl of Danby, but would vacate them, the Lords intended that only to the points of not­withdrawing and not-committing.

The said Earl likewise insisted that the way then propos'd, would be a means to have the Bill pass, for that the Commons might have other penalties, if they pleas'd, as Confiscation of Estate. And notwithstanding they had no particular order to mention Honours, yet by the general words he thought them included: So that if they were insisted on by the Commons, he knew not but that they might be agreed to be in­serted in the Bill.

[Page 94] Therefore the Commons were desir'd to consi­der, that there were more weighty reasons, bet­ter understood than express'd, that prov'd it ne­cessary for the good of the publick, that the Bill should pass.

The Commons made this reply, that they hop'd the Lords did not think they took it as if they had then gain'd any point; for that the points mention'd by the Lords as gain'd, were nothing but what was agreeable to the ancient methods of Parliaments.

After this a free Conference being desir'd up­on the subject matter of the last free Conference, the Bill was left with the amendments in the Lords hands.

Whereupon the Lords desiring another free Conference upon the subject matter of the last, the Lords declar'd, that they hop'd that would be the concluding Conference, having agreed to the Bill without further amendments, and therefore desir'd the concurrence of the Com­mons.

Thus at length the Commons agreed to the amendments made by the Lords, and sent a message to acquaint the Lords therewith. This was done upon the fourteenth day of this month. But upon the sixteenth a Message was sent by the Lords to acquaint the Commons, that the night before, the Earl of Danby had render'd himself to the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, and that being call'd to the Bar, they had sent him to the Tower.

Thereupon a Committee was appointed to prepare and draw up further Evidence against [Page 95] him, and such further Articles as they should see cause.

Soon after his Majesty was pleas'd to dissolve his Privy Council, and to make another, consist­ing of no more than thirty persons. And for the management of the Treasury, and Navy, five Commissiones were appointed for the Trea­sury, and seven for the Admiralty.

Then the Commons took into consideration the disbanding of the Army; and having voted a supply of 264602 l. 17 s. 3 d. to that intent, they then voted, that Sr. Gilbert Gerrard, Sr. Thomas Player, Coll. Birch, and Coll. Whitley, should be Commissioners to pay the disbanded forces off.

But now to return to the Earl of Danby: upon the 25th. of this month, a message was sent by the Lords to acquaint the Commons, that the said Earl had that same day personally appear'd at the Bar of their House, and had put in his plea to the Articles of Impeachment against him. The Articles were these, as they were de­liver'd into the House of Lords in the name of the Commons of England, by Sir Henry Capel, Decem­ber 23. 1678.

The Plea of the Earl of Danby, late Lord high Treasurer of England, to the Articles of Impeachment, and other High Crimes, Misdemeanors and Offences, Ex­hibited against him by the name of Thomas Earl of Danby, Lord High Treasurer of England.

THE said Earl for Plea saith, and humbly of­fers to your Lordships, as to all and every the Treasons, Crimes, Misdemeanors and Of­fences contained or mention'd in the said Articles, That after the said Articles exhibited, namely the first of March now last past, the Kings most excellent Majesty, by his most gracious Letters of Pardon under his great Seal of England, bear­ing date at Westminster the said first day of March, in the one and thirtieth year of his Majesties reign, and here into this most High and Honourable Court produc'd under the said great Seal, of his special Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Moti­on, hath pardon'd, remised, & released to him the said Earl of Danby all and all manner of Treasons, Misprisions of Treasons, Confederacies, Insur­rections, Rebellions, Felonies, Exactions, Op­pressions, publications of words, Misprisions, Confederacies, Concealments, Negligences, Omissions, Offences, Crimes, Contempts, Mis­demeanors and Trespasses whatsoever, by himself done, or with any other person or persons: or by [Page 97] any other, by the command, advice, assent, consent or procurement of him the said Thomas E. of Dan­by, advis'd, committed, attempted, made, perpe­trated, conceal'd, committed, or omitted before the 27th. day of Feb. then and now last past, being also after the time of the said Articles exhibited, although the said Premises, or any of them, did or should touch or concern the person of his said Majesty, or any of his publick Negotiations what­soever, and also his Majesties affairs with foreign Embassadors sent to his said Majesty; or by not rightly prosecuting his Majesties Instructions and Commands to his Embassadors residing on his Majesties behalf in foreign parts. And as to all and singular accessories to the said premises or any of the indicted, impeached, appealed, accu­sed, convicted, adjudged, out lawed, condem­ned or attainted, and all and singular Indictments, Impeachments, Inquisitions, Informations, Exi­gents, Judgements, Attainders, Outlaries, Con­victions, pains of Death, Corporal punishments, Imprisonments, Forfeitures, Punishments, and all other pains and penalties whatsoever, for the same or any of them; and all and all manner of suits, Complaints, Impeachments and demands whatsoever. Which his said Majesty by reason of the Premises or any of them then had, or for the future should have, or his heirs or successors any way could have afterwards against him the said Thomas Earl of Danby. And also suit of his Majesties peace; and whatever to his Majesty, his heirs or successors, against him the said Earl did or could belong by reason or occasion of the Premises, or any of them.

[Page 98] And his Majesty hath thereby granted his firm Peace to the said Tho. E. of Danby. And further his Majesty willed and granted, that the said Letters-Patents, and the said Pardon and Release therein contain'd, as to all the things Pardon'd and Re­leas'd should be good and effectual in the law, though the Treasons, Misprisions of Treasons, Insurrections, Rebellions, Felonies, Exactions, Oppressions, Publications of words, Misprisions of Confederacies, Concealments, Negligencies, Omissions, Offences, Crimes, Contempts, Mis­demeanors and Trespasses, were not certainly specified. And notwithstanding the Statute by the Parliament of King Ed. 3. in the 14th. year of his reign, made and provided, or any other Statute, Act or Ordinance to the contrary thereof made and provided. And moreover his said now Majesty, by his said Letters Patents, of his farther Grace did firmly command all and singular Judges, Justices, Officers, and others whatsoever, That the said Free and General Par­don of his said Maj. and the general words, clauses and sentences abovesaid should be construed, and expounded, and adjudged in all his Majesties Courts, and elsewhere in the most beneficial, am­ple, and benign sense.

And for the better, and more firm discharge of the said Earl, of and from the crimes and of­fences aforesaid, according to the true intents of his Majesty, and in such beneficial manner and form, to all intents and purposes whatsoever, as if the said Treasons, Crimes, Offences, Conceal­ments, Negligencies, Omissions, Contempts, and Trespasses aforesaid, and other the said Pre­mises, [Page 99] by apt, express, and special words had been remitted, released and pardoned; and that the said Letters Patents of Pardon, and the Re­lease and Pardon therein contain'd, shall be pleaded and allowed in all and every his Majesties Courts, and before all his Justices whatsoever, without any Writ of allowance, any matter, cause or thing whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding, as by the said Letters Patents themselves more at large appeareth; which said Letters Patents fol­low in these words.

Carolus Dei Gratia Angliae, Scotia, Franciae & Hibernae Rex, Fidei defensor, &c. Omnibus ad quos prasentes Literae nostrae pervenerint, Salutem. Sciatis, quod nos pro diversis bonis causis & conside­rationibus, Nos ad hoc specialiter moventibus, de Gra­tia Nostra speciali & mero motu Nostris Pardonavi­mus & Relaxavimus, &c.

The Earl of Danby having thus put in his Plea to the Articles of Impeachment, the Commons referr'd it to the Committee of Secresie to exa­mine the matter of the Plea of the Earl of Dan­by, and to enquire how Presidents stood in rela­tion to the Pardon and in what manner and by what means the same was obtained. Who there­upon made their Report, That they could find no President that ever any Pardon was granted to any Person impeach'd by the Commons of High Treason, and depending the Impeachment. So that they presently order'd that a Message should be sent to the Lords to desire their Lord­ships to demand of the Earl of Danby whether he would rely upon, and abide by his Plea or not.

In the midst of these disputes a business of ano­ther Nature intervenes. For one Mr. Reading having been accus'd to the Commons for going about to corrupt the Kings Evidence in the behalf of the five Lords in the Tower, they presently order'd him to be secur'd, and made an Address to his Majesty that he would be pleas'd to is­sue forth a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the Tryal of the said Mr. Reading, where­in they made the more hast, to the end his Tryal might be over, before that of the Lords, which it was then thought, was near at [Page 101] hand. Hereupon the Commission was expedited; and upon the 24th. of this Month, the Commissi­oners met at Westminster-Hall in the Court of Kings Bench.

The Commissioners were the twelve Judges of England, Sir James Butler, Sir Philip Matthews, Sir Thomas Orby, Sir Thomas Byde, Sir William Bowles, Sir Thomas Stringer, Sir Charles Pitfeld, Thomas Robinson, Humfrey Wirley, Thomas Haryot and Richard Gower, Esquires.

The Prisoner was endicted by the name of Nathaniel Reading, for soliciting, suborning, and endeavouring to perswade Mr. William Bedlow, to lessen, stifle, and omit to give in evidence the full truth according to his knowledge, against the Lord Powis, Lord Stafford, Lord Peter and Sir Henry Tichborn, but to give such evidence as he the said Reading should direct; as also for giving the said Mr. Bedlow fifty Guineys in hand, and promising him greater rewards, for the ends and purposes aforesaid.

• [Page 102]Sir John Cutler,
• Joshuah Galliard,
• Edward Wilford,
• Thomas Henslow,
• Thomas Earsby,
• John Searle, Esquires.
• Thomas Casse,
• Rainsford Waterhouse,
• Matthew Bateman,
• Walter Moyle,
• Richard Paget and
• John Haynes, Esquires.

Mr. Reading at first challeng'd Sir John Cutler, as being in the Commission of Peace, and la­bour'd very much to have his challenge made good.

But his Challenge was over-rul'd by the Court, first in regard that Sir John was not in the par­ticular Commission then sitting; and secondly, for that he could not challenge him peremptori­ly, the Indictment not endangering his life, as it might have been laid, but only for a Misde­meanour. Thereupon the Court proceeded; and

First, in point of Evidence Mr. Bedlow swore, that he began with him as a friendly adviser, ad­monishing him to be cautious, and not to run at the whole Herd of Men. That he would make the Parliament his friends by proving the Plot; the King his friend, in not charging all the Lords, and the Lords his friends, by being kind to them. That the persons he most sollicited for were the Lords Powis, Petre and Stafford, Sir Hen­ry Tichborn, Mr. Roper, Mr. Caryl, and Corker, a Jesuite. That he should have Money and an [Page 103] Estate, by the negotiation of the Prisoner at the Bar, to shorten the Evidence, and bring them off from the charge of High Treason. That he and Mr. Reading had several Consultations about this mat­ter. That the Prisoner in assurance of his reward, told him he had order to draw blank deeds to be sign'd in ten days after the discharge of those for whom the sollicitation was made. That Reading & Mr. Bedlow had a private Consultation, at what time Mr. Bedlow was to pen his Testimony as Mr. Reading should direct him for the mitigation of the Evidence. That when that Paper was finish'd, the Prisoner carry'd it to the Lords to consider of it: and that after they had consider'd of it, and mended it, as they pleas'd, Reading return'd with the emendations written with his own hand; and deliver'd them to Mr. Bedlow in the Painted Chamber, who held them so behind him, that Mr. Speake, as it was agreed, walking after him, came and took them out of his hand. And that two Witnesses more being privately conceal'd by Mr. Bedlow in his own chamber, overheard the main of the Consultation and overture of Mr. Reading.

After this the Paper was produc'd which con­tain'd the short and tender Evidence that Mr. Bedlow was to give, according to the Correction of the Lords, and read in open Court, all under Readings own hand.

Which done, Mr. Speake was sworn, and de­pos'd that being privately conceal'd in Mr. Bed­low's Chamber, he over-heard Mr. Bedlow's and Mr. Reading's Negotiation together. That Mr. Bedlow ask'd Mr. Reading what the Lords said [Page 104] to the business, and what my Lord Stafford said to the Estate in Glocestershire. To which Mr. Reading made answer, that the Lord Stafford had faithfully promis'd him to settle that Estate upon Mr. Bedlow, and that he had Orders from that Lord to draw up a blank Deed in order to the set­tlement, which the said Lord had engag'd to sign and seal within ten days after he should be dis­charg'd by Mr. Bedlow's contracting of his Evi­dence. That Mr. Reading added, That the Lords Powis and Peter, and Sir Henry Tichborn, had faithfully engag'd and promis'd to give Mr. Bedlow a very fair and noble reward which should be suitable to the service he should do them, in bringing them off from the Charge of High Treason. To which when Mr. Bedlow re­ply'd, that he would not rely upon their pro­mises only, but expected to have something un­der their hands:

Mr. Reading reply'd, That they did not think it convenient so to do as yet, but that Mr. Bedlow might take his word, as he had done theirs, ad­ding withal for a further confirmation, That he would engage his life for the performance. With much other discourse, all tending to the same effect.

The third Evidence which was Mr. Bedlows man, and was conceal'd in the Chamber to the same intent as the former witness was, gave the same Evidence upon oath, as to what had been discours'd of in the Chamber between his Master and the Prisoner, without any thing of material alteration of the words themselves, which there­fore need no repetition.

[Page 105] The defence of the Prisoner was very weak, more especially considering that he was a man of the Gown. No more indeed than what after a te­dious multiplying of words, amounted to the Con­fession of the whole Charge. For he could not deny but that he did carry the Kings Evidence to the Lords in the Tower; but that it was purely out of Conscience to prevent the shedding of in­nocent blood. The other part of his Evi­dence consisted in bespattering the witnesses, for which he was so often corrected by the Court, that it betrayed in him more of presumption than Law.

Therefore the Jury so little believ'd him, that after a very short absence from the Bar, they brought him in Guilty; upon which the Court proceeded to Sentence, which was, That he should be fin'd a thousand pound, That he should be imprison'd for the space of one whole year; and be set in the Pillory for the space of one hour in the Palace-yard at West­minster.

Thereupon in order to the Judgement of the Court he was set in the Pillory on the Mun­day after his Tryal. And as the Court were so kind as not to endite him for his life, so they were careful to give the Sheriff a par­ticular Charge of his Person, lest the rage of the People understanding his Crime, should have depriv'd him of what the mercy of the Law had granted him with so much fa­vour.

[Page 106] May 1679. If Doctor Oates may be be­liev'd, whom we have not found yet to fail, he tells us that the Jesuites had sent seve­ral Emissaries of their own to foment the discontents and rebellious fermentations of the people of Scotland. The mischief was laid upon the Presbyterians; whether it were so or no God knows; but the effect and consequence was dire, nothing but Pa­pistical murther, which it is to be fear'd will come to be the Character of that Re­ligion. In England no less a sacrifice would serve them than a King, though Heaven detested their oblation. In Scotland there was no King, and therefore they resolv'd to cut off the Primate of the Church.

A strange doctrine to preach, that there could be no greater gift made to Jesus Christ, than to send the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews head in a Silver Box to the King. And yet this doctrine prevail'd with one James Mitchel to attempt the killing of the same Prelate in the chief street of Eden­burgh, in the face of the Sun and of all the multitude. Who dying for the fact, and with an obdurate and sear'd zeal, owning and justifying the fact, led others so far a­stray into the violation of the Law of Na­ture, that upon the third of this month, de­luded Devotion adventur'd to murther the Arch-bishop in the ensuing manner.

[Page 107] The Arch-bishop it seems was returning in his Coach from a Village in Fife, called Kennoway, toward the City of St. Andrews it self, and was got within two miles of the place, near to ano­ther small village called Magus. There it was that the Coachman, having spy'd several Horse­men, gave his Lord notice of them, and ask'd him, whether he should not drive faster? But the Arch-bishop, not dreading any harm, thought it not convenient to mend his pace. When they drew near, the Arch-bishops daughter look'd out, and seeing them with Pistols in their hands, cry'd out to the Coach-man to drive on. And he had certainly out-driven them, had not one Bal­four of Kinlock▪ being mounted upon a very fleet horse, cunningly got before the Coach, into which they had already discharg'd several shot in vain. This Balfour, finding he could not wound the Coachman, because the Coach-mans whip frighted his Horse, wounded the Postillian, and disabled the fore horses. Upon which the rest coming up, one of them shot the Arch-bishop with a Blunderbuss as he sate in the Coach, while others reproachfully call'd to him in these words, Come forth, vile Dog, who hast betray'd Christ and his Church, and receive what thou hast deserv'd for thy wickedness against the Kirk of Scotland. While he was in the Coach one ran him through with a Sword under the shoulder, the rest pulling him violently out of the Coach. His daughter went out, fell upon her knees and beg'd for mercy to her father, but they beat her and trampl'd upon her. The Primate with an ex­traordinary [Page 108] calmness of spirit, said to 'em, Gen­tlemen, I know not that I ever injur'd any of you, and if I did I promise ye I will make you what reparation you can propose.

To which they return'd no better Language than this, Villain and Judas, Enemy to God and his people, thou shalt now have the reward of thy enmity to Gods people: which words were fol­low'd with many mortal wounds, of which one was a deep one above his eye. He la­bour'd to make them apprehensive that he was a Minister, and pulling off his Cap shew'd them his grey hairs; intreating them withal, that if they would not spare his life, yet that they would at least allow him some little time for prayer.

But their barbarous and inhumane answer was, That God would not hear so base a Dog as he was; and as to the desire of Quarter, they told him, That the strokes they were then about to give, were those which he was to expect. Notwithstanding all which inhumane usage, and a shot that pierc'd his body above his right Pap, and several blows that cut his hands, while he was holding them up to Heaven in prayer, he rais'd himself upon his knees, and utter'd these few words, God forgive you all. After which, by rea­son of many gashes that cut his scull in pieces, he fell down dead. At which time some of the Murtherers, believing that they heard him groan, return'd, saying, he was of the nature of a Cat, and therefore they would go back, and hack him a little better for the Glory of God.

[Page 109] And so having stirr'd about his brains with the points of their Swords, they took an oath of the servants not to reveal their names; and then bidding them take up their Priest, they rode back to Magus, crying out aloud, That Judas was kill'd; and from thence made their escape.

All this while at London the Parliament con­tinue their prosecution of the Earl of Dan­by; and in order thereunto the lower House resolve that the Pardon of the Earl of Dan­by was illegal and void, and not to be allow'd in Bar of the Impeachment of the Com­mons of England. Thereupon the whole House with the Speaker went up to the Lords, to whom the Speaker made this following Address;

The Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, in Par­liament assembled, are come up to demand Judgement in their own names, and in the names of all the Commons of England, against Thomas Earl of Danby, who stands by them impeach'd before your Lordships of High Trea­son, and diverse high Crimes and Misdemeanors. To which he has pleaded a Pardon, which Par­don the Commons conceive to be illegal and void, and therefore they do demand Judgement ac­cordingly.

[Page 110] Thereupon the Lords appointed a short day for hearing the Earl what he could say to make good the plea of his Pardon.

Nor was his Majesty himself less careful of the safety of the Nation, who finding or at least fore-seeing the ill consequences of these continu'd debates, thereupon sent a Message to the Commons, wherein he desir'd them to se­cure the Fleet, to proceed in the discovery of the Plot, the Tryal of the Lords in the Tow­er, and the Bill for securing the Protestant Re­ligion.

For all which they appointed a certain day of consideration, but before they proceeded, they made an Address to his Majesty against the Duke of Lauderdale, as a person who being in high trusts and employments about his Majesty, had by his arbitrary and destructive Counsels, tending to the subversion the rights, and liberty of of the subject, endeavour'd to alienate the hearts of his Majesties good subjects from his Majesty and Government; and more particularly had contriv'd and endeavour'd to raise jealousies and misunderstandings between England and Scot­land. And therefore they most humbly besought his Majesty to remove him from his Counsels both in Scotland and England, from all Offices, Imploy­ments, and places of Trust, and from his Maje­sties presence for ever.

And to shew that they did not this out of dis­obedience, but affection, presently after they declar'd in a full house, That in defence of his Majesties person, and the Protestant Reli­gion, [Page 111] they would stand by his Majesty with their lives and fortunes; and that if his Majesty should come to any untimely end, which God forbid, they would revenge it to the utmost up­on the Papists.

And now the Bill for the disbanding of the Army being compleated, and having pass'd both Houses, was confirm'd, and receiv'd its last consummation by the Kings Royal Assent: So that the Commissioners appointed by the house for that purpose had liberty to attend that particular service.

In the mean time the Commons perceiving that there was a day appointed for the Earl of Danby to make good the plea of his Par­don by Council, order'd that no Commoner should presume to maintain the validity of the Pardon pleaded by the said Earl, without the consent of the House; and that the per­son so doing should be accompted a betray­er of the liberty of the Commons of En­gland.

Next day the Earl appear'd; and put in his Petition into the House of Lords, wherein he set forth, that he was then attending their Lordships according to Order; and expect­ed to have met the Council assign'd him by their Lordships; but that he had receiv'd a Message from every one of them, that they durst not appear to argue for him, by rea­son of a Vote which the house pass'd yester­day.

[Page 112] Who thereupon order'd that the Petition should be communicated to the House at the next Conference, to know of them whether any such Vote were by them made or no.

But here arose a new debate concerning the Bishops, which much entangled the interest of the Earl of Danby, and the other five Lords in the Tower, in reference to their Tryals; for the Commons would not prosecute the latter before the first, nor the first before such and such things were concluded. So that it will be necessa­ry to relate the proceedings of both Houses a­gainst the Lords, which at length happen'd to be the occasion that neither the one nor the other came to their Tryals, as was expected.

The House having pass'd five resolves for the Impeaching Henry Lord Arundell of Warder, Willi­am Earl of Pomis, John Lord Bellasis, William Vis­count Stafford, and William Lord Peter, of Treason, and several other Misdemeanors, the same day five several Impeachments were accordingly car­ried up to the Lords, but they did not desire they should be sequester'd from Parliament, and com­mitted to custody, because they were at the same time under restraint in the Tower.

The Impeachments were first in general, That for many years last past there had been contriv'd & carried on a trayterous & execrable Conspiracy and Plot within this Kingdom of England, & other places, to alter, change and subvert the ancient Government & Laws of this Kingdom & Nation, & to suppress the true religion therein establish'd, & to extirpate & destroy the professors thereof; [Page 97] which said Plot and Conspiracie was Contrived and carried on in divers places and by several ways and means, and by a great number of Persons of several Qualities and Degrees who acted therein, and intended to execute and accomplish the afore­said wicked and traiterous designs and purposes.

That the said five Lords together with Philip Howard, commonly called Cardinal of Norfolk, and divers others, Jesuits, Priests and Friers, and other Persons as false Traitors to his Majesty and this Kingdom, within the time aforesaid, had traiterously consulted, contriv'd and acted to and for the accomplishing of the said wicked, pernici­ous and traiterous Designs; and for that end did most wickedly and traiterously agree, conspire and resolve to imprison, depose and murther his sacred Majesty, to deprive him of his Royal State, Crown and Dignity, and by malicious and unadvised Speaking, Writing, and otherwise declared such their purposes and intentions,

To subject this Kingdom and Nation to the Pope and his Tyrannical Government.

To seize and share among themselves the Estates of his Majesties Protestant Subjects.

To erect and restore Abbeys, Monasteries, and other Convents and Societies, which have been long since by the Laws of this Kingdom supprest, for their Superstition and Idolatry, to deliver up and restore to them, the Lands and possessions now invested in his Majesty, and his Subjects by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm.

That the said Conspirators, their Accomplices and Confederates, had and held several Meetings, Assemblies and Consultations, wherein it was con­triv'd [Page 98] and design'd among them, what means should be used, and what Persons and Instruments im­ployed to murder his Majesty, and did then and there resolve to effect it by Poysoning, Shooting, Stobbing, or some such like ways and means; of­fer'd rewards and promises of advantage to several Persons to execute the same, and hir'd and em­ployed several wicked Persons to Windsor and other places, where his Majesty did reside, to de­stroy and murther his Majesty; which said Per­sons accepted such rewards, and undertook the perpetrating thereof, and did actually go to the said places for that end and purpose. That the said Conspirators had procur'd, accepted and de­liver'd out several Instruments, Commissions and Powers, made and granted by or under the Pope, or other unlawful and usurping Authority, to raise Mony, Men and Arms, and other things necessary for their wicked and traiterous Designs, namely to the said Henry Lord Arundel of Warder to be Lord High Chancellor of England, to the said William Lord Powis to be Lord Treasurer of England, to the Lord Bellasis to be General, to the Lord Petre to be Lieutenant General, to the Lord Stafford to be Paymaster of the Army.

That in order to encourage themselves in prose­cuting their said wicked Plots, Conspiracies and Treasons, and to hide and hinder the discovery of the same, and to secure themselves from Justice and Punishment, the Conspirators and Confede­rates aforesaid did cause their Priests to administer an Oath of Secrecy together with the Sacrament, and upon Confessions to give them Absolutions upon condition that they did conceal the Conspira­cy.

[Page 99] That the better to compass their traiterous De­signs, they had consulted to raise and had procur'd and rais'd Men, Money, Horse, Arms and Am­munitions; and had made applications to, and treated and corresponded with the Pope, his Cardinals, Nuncio's and Agents, and with other forreign Ministers and Persons, to raise tumults within the Kingdom, and invade the same with forraign Forces; to surprize, seize and destroy his Majesties Navy, Forts, Magazines and Places of Strength to the ruine and destruction of the Nation.

That when Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey, a Justice of Peace, had according to the duty of his Oath and Office, taken several Examinations, and Infor­mations concerning the said Conspiracy and Plot, the said Conspirators or some of them, by the ad­vice, councel and instigation of the rest, did incite and procure divers persons to lye in wait and pur­sue the said Sir Edmund-Bury several days with in­tent to Murder him, which at last was prepetra­ted and effected by them.

That after the said Murther and before the body was found, or the Murther known to any but the Accomplices, the said Persons falsly gave out that he was a-live and privately Married; and after the Body was found, dispersed a false and malicious report, that he had Murthered himself. Which said Murther was committed with a design to stifle and suppress the Evidence he had taken, and had knowledge of, and to discourage and deter Magi­strates and others, from acting in the farther disco­very of the said Plot and Conspiracy.

[Page 100] That of their farther malice they had wickedly continued by many false suggestions to lay the guilt and imputation of the aforesaid Horrid and Detestable Crimes upon the Protestants, that so they might escape the punishments they had justly merited, and expose the Protestants to great scandal, and subject them to Persecution and Op­pression in all Kingdoms and Countries where the Roman Religion is receiv'd and professed.

All which Treasons, Crimes and Offences were contriv'd, committed, perpetrated, acted and done by the said Lords, and every of them, and others the Conspirators against our Soveraign Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity, and against the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom.

Of all which Treasons, Crimes and Offences, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament As­sembled, did in the Name of themselves and of the Commons of England impeach the said William Earl of Powis, William Viscount Stafford, Henry Lord Arundel of Warder, William Lord Petre, and John Lord Bellasis, and every of them.

And the said Commons, saving to themselves the Liberty of Exhibiting at any time hereafter against other Accusations or Impeachments against the said Lords, and every of them, and also of Replying to the Answers, which they and every of them should make to the premises, or any of them, or to any other Accusation or Impeachment which should be by them exhibited (as the cause according to course and proceedings of Parlia­ment should require) did pray that the said Lords and every of them should be put to Answer all and every the Premises, and that such Proceedings, [Page 101] Examinations, Tryals and Judgments might be up­on them and every of them, had and used, as should be agreeable to Law and Justice, and course of Parliament.

The Articles of Impeachment being drawn up and finish'd and carri'd up to the Lords House, the Lieutenant of the Tower was ordered to bring up the Prisoners to the Bar, where after they had kneeled awhile, they were order'd to stand up and hear their Charge; which when they had heard, the Lord Chancellor ask'd them what they had to say for themselves, letting them know withal that his Majesty would appoint a Lord High Steward for their Tryals. There­upon the Lords impeach'd made several requests in order to their several Defences upon their Try­als and then withdrew for a time. After the House had taken their requests into consideration, they were called in again, and the Lord Chancellor gave them to understand, that the several Endict­ments found against them by the Grand Jury, should be brought into that Court by Writ of Certiorari; and that they might have Copies of the Articles of Impeachment, and should have con­venient time given them to send in their respective Answers thereunto.

All this while the Lord Bellasis had not appea­red at the Bar; it being sworn that he was so ill that he could not stir out of his bed: which rea­sonable excuse was allow'd for the time. Not long after a Message was sent from the Lords to acquaint the Commons, that the Lords impeach'd had all, except the Lord Bellasis, brought up their Answers to the Charge exhibited against them, [Page 102] and that their Lordships had sent them the Origi­nals, desiring to have them return'd.

Soon after it was found, that the Lord Bellasis had sent in his Answer without Appearance, which occasion'd a great Debate, Whether by his not ap­pearance he had been Arraign'd, or no, and whe­ther his Answer were legal? The consideration of which business was referr'd to the Committee of Se­crecy; as also to look into the Answers of the five Lords; to consider of the Methods of Proceed­ings upon Impeachments, and to Report their Opi­nions. Which were, That the Lord Bellasis be­ing Impeach'd of High Treason by the Commons could not make any Answer, but in person. And that the several Writings put in by the other Lords, which they call'd their Pleas and An­swers, were not Pleas or Answers, but Argu­mentative and Evasive, to which the Commons neither could nor ought to reply.

That though the Answers of the other four Lords were sufficient, yet that there ought not to be any Proceedings against them, until the Lord Bellasis had put in a sufficient Answer in person.

That the Commons should demand of the Lords, that their Lordships would forthwith order and re­quire the said Lords to put in their perfect Answers, or in default thereof, that the Commons might have Justice against them.

Thereupon it was order'd by the Commons, That a Conference should be desir'd with the Lords touching the Answers of the five Lords in the Tower; and that the Managers thereof should acquaint their Lordships, that they intended to [Page 103] make use of no other Evidence against the five Lords, then for matter done within seven years last past; desiring their Lordships withal, to appoint a short day for the said five Lords to put in their effectual Pleas and Answers to the Articles of Im­peachment.

But e're this Conference could be had, a Mes­sage came from the Lords to acquaint the House, That John Lord Bellasis had that day appear'd in person at the Bar of the House, and had put in his Answer to the Articles of Impeachment, which they had accordingly sent them.

The next day came another Message from the Lords, to acquaint them, That the Lords Powis, Stafford, and Arundel, had appear'd likewise at the Bar, and had retracted their former Pleas, and had put in their Answers, which they had also sent for them to view and consider. All which Answers were by the Commons referr'd to the Se­cret Committee.

What these Answers were may be easily seen by that of the Lord Petre's here inserted. For as their Crimes were the same, so their Defences could not vary much either in sence or matter.

AS it was not unknown to a great part of the World how happy the Church of Scotland had been, while they enjoy'd the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in their Purity and Power, of which we had been de­plorably depriv'd by the reestablishment of Prelacy; So it was evident, not only to impartial Persons, but to profess'd Enemies, with what unparallell'd Pati­ence and Constancy, the People of God had endur'd all the Cruelty and Oppression that Prelates and Ma­lignants could invent or exercise. And that being most unwilling to act any thing that might import Opposition to lawful Authority, though they had all along been groaning under Corruptions of Doctrine, slighting of Worship, despising Ordinances, Confining, Imprisoning, Exiling their faithful Ministers; Fi­ning, Confining, Imprisoning, Torturing, Tormen­ting the poor People, Plundering their Houses and Selling their Persons to Forraign Plantations; where­by great Numbers in every Corner of the Land were forc'd to leave their Dwellings, Wives and Children, and to wander as Pilgrims, none daring to Supply or Relieve them, nor so much as to speak with them upon their Death-beds, for fear of ma­king themselves obnoxious to the same Punishments. And not only so, but that they had been forc'd also to stoop under the Yoak of Oppression in their Civil In­terests, their Bodies, Liberties and Estates: So that all manner of Outrages had been exercis'd up­on them through a tract of several Years past; par­ticularly in the Year 1678. by sending among them an Armed host of Barbarous Savages contrary to all Law and Humanity; and by laying upon them se­veral Impositions and Taxes by a prelimited and [Page 129] over-awed Convention of Estates in July 1678. for keeping up an armed Force entrusted for the most part into the Hands of avow'd Papist, or their Fa­vourers: by whom sundry invasions had been made upon them, and incredible Insolencies committed against them: their Ministers and People being by them frequently hunted after and apprehended, while meeting in Houses for Divine Worship. So that be­ing necessitated to attend the Lord's Ordinances in fields and desert places, there they had also been hunted out and Assaulted to the Effusion of their Blood, whereby they were inevitably constrain'd ei­ther to defend themselves by Arms at these Meetings, or to be altogether depriv'd of the Gospel preach'd by their faithful Ministers. That upon the first day of June last, being the Lord's Day, Captain Graham of Clover-House, being Warranted by Proclamati­on to kill whom soever he found in Arms at field-Conventicles, and making Resistance, furiously assaul­ted the People there assembled, and further to pro­voke them, bound a Minister, with some others whom he had found in Houses that Morning; so that they were forc'd to stand to their own-Defence, where­by it happen'd that several were slain on both sides. Being therefore thus inevitably forc'd to betake them­selves to the last Remedy, in regard the Magistrates had shut the door of the Law against their Appli­cations, They thought themselves bound to declare, That these with many other horrid Grievances both in Church and State, were the true Cause of this their Lawful and Innocent Self-defence. And they did most solemnly in the presence of God, declare, that the true Reasons of their continuing in Arms were candidly and simply,

[Page 130] I. The defence and security of the true Pro­testant Religion, and Presbyterian Government, founded upon the Word, and summarily compre­hended in the Confessions of Faith, and establi­shed by the Laws of the Land; to which King, Nobles and People were solemnly engag'd by the National Solemn League and Covenant. More particularly the defending and maintaining the Kingly Authority of Christ over his Church, against all sinful Supremacy, derogatory there­to.

II. The defence and preservation of his Maje­sty, his Person and Authority, in the preserva­tion and defence of that true Religion, and Li­berties of the Kingdom. That the World might bear witness of their Loyalty, and that they had no thought, or intention, to diminish his just Power and Greatness.

III. To obtain a free and unlimited Parlia­ment, and a free general Assembly, in order to the redressing of their Grievances, to prevent Popery, and to extirpate Prelacy from among them.

This therefore being the Cause they appear'd for and resolv'd to own, They humbly requested the King's Majesty to restore all things as he found them, when God brought him home to his Kingdom. Or if that could not be obtain'd, then they heartily invited, in­treated, besought and obtested in the bowels of Jesus Christ, all who were under the same Bonds with them, to meet in the Defence of the Common Cause and Interest. And they requested their Country-men, [Page 131] the standing Forces of the Kingdom, of whom many were their Friends and Relations, not to Fight against them, lest in so doing they should be found Fighting against the Lord, whose Cause and Quarrel they were sure he would own, seeing they fought under his Banner, who was the Lord of Hosts.

Upon the publishing of this Declaration, the Numbers of the Rebels increas'd, and they be­gan to embody themselves to maintain their zea­lous Madness. Insomuch that at the latter end of this Month, about four-score of their Number, well mounted and arm'd, went to a place call'd Rugland, and there Proclaim'd the Covenant, and burn'd several Acts of the Scotish Parliament, as the Act concerning the King's Supremacy: the Recissory Act; and the Act appointing the An­niversary of the twenty ninth of May. And that being done, they affix'd a certain Scanda­lous and Traiterous Paper or Declaration, on the Market-Cross of the same Town, different from what has been already repeated, and in the following scurrilous Terms.