FOXES AND FIRE-BRANDS, &c.

THat the Papists have ever since the Reformation of Religion in Europe, The restless design of Pa­pists to re­gain England to Rome. been most invincibly industrious in these Kingdoms, to bring the Church of England to ruine, and a total subversion, there cannot remain the least doubt or scruple. For, besides apparent matter of undeniable Fact, during the Reigns of Queen Eliza­beth, King James, and King Charles the First, and our present Gracious Sove­reign (whom God long preserve) there are these Reasons which have, and do animate them in the repeated prose­cution of that desperate Enterprize.

First, A vain Enthusiastick Opinion, The Reasons moving them vigo­rously to prosecute their wicked Design. which in this last Century they have generally embraced, That there shall be a Fifth Monarchy of their Church: For the erecting of which, they em­broil [Page 2]their Brains,1. An Enthu­siastick Be­lief of the Fifth Mo­narchy of the Church of Rome. and the whole Chri­stian World, wrest the Prophecies of the Scripture, and the pretended Wri­tings of the Sybils, to countenance this beloved Chymaera: Now they look upon the English Nation become He­retick, and revolted from the Faith, as too potent and considerable in this part of the World, to permit them to hope for any success, till that Church and State be either so broken, as to be disabled to oppose them, or be re­duced to the Roman Faith and Obe­dience.

Secondly, 2. The Church of England the only Bul­work of the Protestant Religion. and their most potent Enemy. They look upon the Church of England therefore, as the only Bastion, or Bulwork of the Pro­testant Religion and Interest, from whence there have sprung so many, and such a constant succession of able Champions for Truth, and so long as that Church continues, are like to do, as will eternally baffle all the Arguments and Reasons they have hitherto, or can produce to support their totter­ing Cause; and in all probability will in time so expose them, as to convince the World of the Apostacy of Rome [Page 3]from the ancient Primitive Christi­anity; and induce them to knock off the shackles of blind Obedience, which their Ignorance and the Romish Arti­fice have fastened upon the hands of all Princes and People under the Papal Jurisdiction, and, whatever some people may imagine,This is ap­parent, be­cause they raise them themselves. there is nothing formidable to Rome in these little Sects of Separatists, who being by their own Eternally sub-dividing Principles, like the Sheaf of Arrows in the Apologue unbound, will be broken without any great difficulty: but the Church of England being a Body compact, firm, and well put together, and wearing so much of the Primitive Purity and Antiquity, both in Doctrine and Dis­cipline, is the Gordian knot, which, till by the Sword of Pope Alexander they can untie, they can never hope to con­quer the World by that of Peter, and therefore that Church is the constant mark of their Hate and Envy, and to undermine her Foundations, they set themselves and all their Engines to work with all possible Diligence and Application.

[Page 4]I remember to have heard a pretty odd Relation,An Instance of a Pope's Charity to the English Hereticks. which came from a Per­son of Quality of this Nation, who was at Rome in the time of our late Troubles: This Noble Person having demanded liberty to have an Audi­ence of his Holiness, obtained it, and was treated with great Civility and Respect; After the Formalities of the Visit were over, the Pope enquired what News from England? to which the Gentleman replied with great te­stimonies of Compassion, and gave him a short recital of the Tragical Ad­ventures of the Civil War; at which the Pope fell into such an indecent laughter, that the English Gentleman smartly repartee'd, Sir, Certainly this is a Scene for Pity, not for Laughter: Well, young man, said the old Pope, having gravely composed himself, you say true, and I take your reproof in good part, but, added he, I cannot for­bear this testimony of Joy, when I consider that God is about to convince you of your Errors by these severe Methods; and by their own hands to destroy one of the best drest Heresies [Page 5]that ever appeared in the World since that of the Arians.

Thirdly, 3. Secular Interest, Am­bition, and Honour. the Romish Clergy look up­on themselves to be extreamly inju­red in point of Interest, and that they are unjustly and violently dispossessed of all the Dignities and Revenues of the Bishopricks, Cathedrals, Abbeys, Monasteries, and other religious Hou­ses, and these Promotions, Dignities and Revenues are from time to time conferred by the Pope upon titular Bishops, Deans, &c. who de jure pre­tend a Right to them, and hope de facto to possess them so soon as they can by any Arts or Ways reduce these Nations to the Obedience of the See of Rome. Nay, the Pope himself has the Vanity or Impudence to be tick­led with the sweet imagination of So­vereignty, and to pretend from the Resignation of King John to Pandul­phus his Legate, a Title to the Impe­rial Crown of these Realms.

Now ambitious men animated by these Hopes, and professing as matter of Faith, that they are free from all the Obligations of Duty and Allegiance to [Page 6] Heretical Princes and Ʋsurpers, as they term ours; and, at least in pretence, being inflamed with an ardent Zeal for the conversion or confusion of us poor Hereticks; and having always the dazling beams and lustre of In­terest and secular Advantage in their eyes, together with the hopes of Hea­ven, as the merits of such Industry to blear the eyes of others, I say, such men and such principles must of ne­cessity lay them under the constant and restless temptations, of attempting all things to regain their earthly, and gain a heavenly glory into the bar­gain: Nor can it be supposed that they will stick at the violation of any Laws, Divine or Humane, by Treasons, Per­juries, Wars, or Bloodshed, which they think so far from sinful, that they esteem them meritorious and accep­table Services to God, being done in order to the Salvation of Sinners, and the Exaltation of their Church.

Now the ways and methods by which they propose to effect these,The methods Papists use to convert He­reticks. as they think and stile them, glorious Undertakings, are these:

[Page 7] First, 1. To divide Protestants amongst. themselves. Since they are hopeless to convince or perswade by force of Ar­guments, they endeavour to divide Protestants among themselves; and this they have done ever since the Re­formation, by raising Sects and Separa­tions from our Church in matters of Doctrine and Practise; and again sub­dividing these into lesser Parties and Fractions, under pretence of greater advances to Purity, and a thorough Reformation, and as this Principle may proceed to, no doubt they will pursue it in infinitum.

Thus I have been credibly infor­med, that a St. Omers Jesuit declared that they were twenty years ham­mering out the Sect of the Quakers; and whoever considers the Positions of those People, will easily be induced to believe them forged upon a Popish An­vil. They refuse all Oaths, a neat co­vert for Priests and Jesuits to evade the Tests of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and avoid the punish­ment which follows their discovery; the despise the Scriptures, so do Pa­pists; they contemn our Sacraments, [Page 8]especially the Eucharist, so do Papists; they do above all things vilifie the Ministers, so do Papists; and in many other Doctrines they bear a great Ana­logy and Conformity one with the other. The opinion of a Fifth Mo­narchy looks extreamly like another Spawn of the Jesuits, and had that prevailed, as it once was in a fair way to do, that would have done their business; and indeed was the last Sect I think started among us, as if designed for their purpose; for it would have been an easy translation of that Monarchy to the Papal Throne, till Christ should come in person to have exercised it himself: and I find a remarkable hint of this in Dr. Oats's Narrative and Depositions, Parag. 34. where the Jesuits, and one Green, with eight other Fifth Monarchy men, club together for the firing of the City of London.

And indeed herein the Papists have been most industrious, and it is but just to fear they are so still, to animate those Separations they have created, with Principles of Hatred and Ani­mosity [Page 9]against the Church of England, as will admit of no reconciliation, nor any lower terms of Satisfaction than her utter Ruine and intire Subversion; and they move every stone, that not one stone must be left upon another in that glorious building: for this pur­pose they have endeavoured to per­swade the people into an hatred of the Governors of the Church, by tel­ling them of their near approaches to Popery: against which, and the Pope himself, to cover the Artifice, it is no matter how bitterly they inveigh, so long as by this Stratagem they divide men from the Church. Thus have they drawn off the people from the love of the stated and authorized pub­lick Prayers and Service of the Church, by introducing, practising and com­mending that Novel-way of Praying Extempore, to which Gavan the Jesuit was so inured, that he could not at his Execution forbear running into an Enthusiastick Fit of it. This has been a Key which has opened the doors of many lips to blaspheme God and Re­ligion, to utter vain, idle, impertinent, [Page 10]seditious, heretical, and impious Ha­rangues, the very froth of Fancy, and the scum of Effrontery, which yet they have dedicated to God Almighty, and though it was really a Sacrifice of Fools, have fathered it upon the Spi­rit of Wisdom: and of this the Papists have made no small advantage to pro­selyte people from ours to the Romish Communion; and yet they first recom­mended this Engine to the people, they have opposed it too, and exalted it above the Common Prayers, as more Spiritual and prevailing, branding those with all the titles of Infamy, and which has succeeded to their wish, and is now generally taken up as a great truth by all Dissenters, that the Liturgy is nothing but the Mass-Book in English, and the very dregs of Po­pery, Idolatry and Superstition.

Secondly, 2dly, Having divided us, to destroy us by those Divisi­ons. Having thus successfully divided us, and inflamed Dissenters with a Zeal so hot against the Church of England, as is fit upon all occasions both to take and give fire, they endea­vour to blow up those Sparks into a Flame: they perswade Dissenters E­piscopacy [Page 11]is guilty of most intolerable Ambition, Pride, Avatice and Tyran­ny, they press them to maintain their liberty of Conscience against the Anti­christian Yoke of Ceremonies, and to pull down Babylon: and take hold of all occasions to run them into open Hostilities and Rebellion against the Civil, as well as the Ecclesiastical Power and Government; and all this in hopes to destroy us with our own Weapons, that then they may erect their Church Triumphant upon the Ruines of ours, which they have ren­dred truly Militant.

The sincere and tender love I have for my Dear and Native Countrey, the compassion I have for the wounds of a Bleeding Church and Nation, and the great Honour and Esteem I have for the Protestant Religion, as profes­sed and practised in the Church of England, which I have not embraced out of the complyances of Education, [Page 12]but the Force and Conviction of Rea­son grounded upon deliberate De­bates, and a near Examination, ob­lige me to contribute all I can to recti­fie the misunderstandings which have occasioned our unhappy breaches and divisions; nor could I think of any expedient more conducive to the at­taining my design, than the expo­sing to the open view of the World the Artifices of these our inveterate enemies, wherewith they have given us so many both secret and open wounds, as have once already proved almost mortal and incurable, for the poyson of Asps is under their lips, and they shoot sharp and envenomed Ar­rows, which wound at a distance, and kill by degrees: and if we give them opportunity to redouble their blows, they will in all humane apprehension lay us weltring in our own and one anothers blood, without the assistance of any other Massacre than what we execute upon our selves.

And now in regard that Generals are rarely so forcible or convictive, though never so true, as particular [Page 13]matters of Fact; These Pra­ctices proved by particular Instances, and matter of unquesti­onable Fact. in hopes of doing a charitable office to those who have been hurried down this Popish Flood of Calumnies with which the Romish Dragon has persecuted our Church, and driven her into the wilderness, I will prove the truth of my Charge by such undeniable matter of Fact, as shall leave no excuse for non-conviction to any persons to whose hands these Pa­pers shall come; except such who have resolved not to acknowledge any con­viction; and who, by a resolute per­sisting in a seeming Infidelity, proper­ly called a wilful Obstinacy, justly ren­der themselves suspected, if not evi­dently guilty of a confederacy, and downright combination with the Pa­pists to introduce Popery and Tyranny upon the ruines both of Church and State.

I will begin then with a remarkable Narrative of a Dominican Fryer,A notable re­lation of a Dominican Frier, who pretended himself a Pu­ritan in Qu. Elizabeth's time. be­ing an Extract out of the Memorials of the Lord Cecil, an Eminent States­man in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, from whose Papers it was transmitred [Page 14]to the Reverend Bishop Ʋsher, some time Lord Primate of Ireland; whose Name, so Venerable even to many Dissenters, may possibly influence them to sober considerations of the danger to which they expose the Pro­testant Religion by their separation, whilst thereby they give opportunity to these Ravening Wolves in Sheeps Clothing to enter in among them, and scatter those Souls from Christs Fold, who otherwise would be one Flock un­der that one great Bishop and Shep­herd of Souls. The Papers of the Lord Primate coming to the hands of Sir James Ware Knight, late one of his Majesties Privy Council in Ireland, Observe how early the Pa­pists began to act Non­conformists, who then were called Puritans, from their pretending to a purer re­formation, as presently you will find this Friar do. his Son Robert Ware Esq has obliged the Publick by the communication of them.

In the year 1567, being the ninth year of the Reign of Queen Eliz. one Faithful Commin, a Friar of the Or­der of St. Dominick, a person gene­rally reputed a zealous Protestant, and much admired and followed by the people for his seeming Piety, but [Page 15]more particularly for inveighing in his Pulpit most bitterly against Pius Quin­tus then Pope, was accused by John Clerkson Chaplain to the A. B. of Cant. Nicholas Draper, and Mary Dean, who being sworn upon the Holy Evange­lists before her Majesty and the Lords of the Council, deposed, that the said Faithful Commin was no true Prote­stant, but a false Impostor, a Sower of Sedition among her Majesties Loyal Subjects; upon which, the fifth of April being Monday, the said Faithful Commin was brought before the Queens Majesty, and the Honourable Lords of the Privy Council, and there examined by his Grace Matthew Par­ker, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, as followeth;

Faithful Commin, of what Profession art thou?

Of Christs Order.

What Order is that?

The very same Answer which all un­ordain'd Speakers, who are Preachers at large, and run before they are sent. made at this day.A Preacher of the Holy Gospel.

What Gospel is that you call the Holy Gospel?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Under what Power do you own to hold that Gospel?

Under Christ and his Saints.

Do you acknowledge any other Power save Christ to be on Earth?

Yes, I do.

What Power is that?

The Holy Catholick Church.

Do you not acknowledge a Defender of the Holy Catholick Faith?

Papists and Dissenters both disown Supremacy, or equivo­cate and dis­semble about it.God is the only De­sender.

Hereupon the Archbishop addres­sing himself to Her Majesty, said, Your Gracious Majesty may perceive that either this man hath been in­structed what to say, or otherwise he must be by his Answers a man of Craft; to which the Queen replied, I suppose so, my Lord.

Then Commin was ordered to withdraw, and her Majesty and the Council were some time debating how to proceed in this Affair: After [Page 17]which, John Clerkson, the Archbishops Chaplain was called in before the Board; the Queen demanded his Name, which he told her: then she further enquired, whether he was ac­quainted with Faithful Commin? to which he answered, he was; the Queen asked him how long he had known him? to which he replied, a­bout a year or more.

What have you to say a­gainst Faithful Commin, that he is sus­pected to be an Impostor?

Three things.

What be they?

First, Let him prove his Or­dination since he fell from the Church of Rome, Secondly, Why he never cometh to the Prayers of the now established Church of England, but starteth up, and Preacheth to the people,The exact mode of most Dissen­ters, who will come to our Churches. not coming into the Church till the Prayers be finished. Thirdly, Let him prove that ever he received the Sacrament according to the Church of England, from any of our Orthodox Clergy-men.

Her Majesty and the Council ha­ving [Page 18]considered of these three Points, sent for the said Faithful Commin to come in again, who appearing, the Archbishop demanded of him,

Were you ever ordained?

Yes, I was ordained.

By whom?

By the Cardinal: (mean­ing Poul.)

Had you no other Certifi­cate under any of the Bishops hands since the Reformation?

Not any.

Wherefore would you dare to Preach, having not got aObserve the reason and necessity of all Prea­chers having License to Preach, and of setled Pa­rochial Congregations: as also the great care the Church of England takes to keep Papists from creeping in disguised a­mong us; and the opportunity Separation gives them to come among Dissenting Congregations. License of Permission under some of our Bi­shops hands? How shall we be assu­red that you are not of the Romish Church?

There are several have heard my Prayers and Sermons, and can testifiethey that rail most bit­terly against Rome and the Pope, may be Papists notwithstanding. that I have spoken a­gainst [Page 19] Rome and her Pope, as much as any of the Clergy have since they have fallen from her; I wonder there­fore why I should be suspected?

By your answer, Mr. Com­min, I perceive you would have any one Preach, so that he speak but a­gainst the Pope in his Sermons.

Not every one, but he whose Function it is, and he who hath theLook here, a Friar in Masquerade of a Dissent­ing Prote­stant, one of the first Pre­tenders to this extraor­dinary gift of the Spirit. Spirit.

What Spirit is this you mean?

The Spirit of Grace and Truth.

A Questi­on worthy of the most de­liberate Consideration of all Pretenders to the Spirit, and all those who follow them; for if they cannot by the fruits of the Spirit, mentioned Gal. 6. prove it the Spirit of Truth, or if it produces the fruits of the Flesh there mentioned, Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Heresies, it must be the Spirit of Error. Let Separatists look well to it, for it con­cerns their Souls and Bodies, and those of many thousands, who if they be not in that way of Truth, are in the broad way that leads to destruction.But is this Spirit that is in you, either the Spirit of Grace or Truth that doth not comply with the Orders of the Church, lately purged and cleansed from Schism and Idolatry?

Therefore I endeavour to make itThe pre­tence of all Dissenters for their Se­paration. purer, as far as God per­mits.

How do you endeavour to make the Church purer, when you neither communicate with her in Sa­crament or in Prayer?

Yes, I endeavour it, when I pray to God that he would open the eyes of men to see their Errors, and several have joyned with me when I have prayed among them; and I have both given and taken the body of Christ, to those ofThe very exact Lan­guage of Dis­senters, and the Original of tender Consciences, a Popish pre­tence. tender Conscien­ces, who have assembled with me in the fear of the Lord.

By your words then you have a Congregation that follows you.

I have.

Of what Parish, and in what Diocess?

The first Independent Congrega­tion in Eng­land gathered by a Popish Dominican Friar.Neither of any certain Pa­rish, nor in any certain Diocess.

Where then, I pray?

Even in the wide World, a­mong the Flock of Christ scattered over the whole Earth.

Your Diocess is very large, Mr. Commin.

Then being commanded to with­draw, the other two Witnesses were called into the Council Chamber, and examined as follows.

Mr. Draper, What have you to say to this Faithful Commin?

He came to my House at the Maidenhead in Maidstone, with se­veral of his followers, where he be­spoke a joynt of Mutton and two Hens for Dinner, hearing that my Profession was a Cook; I shewing him a Room for him and the Company that came with him, perceiving seve­ral to come and enquire for this Mr. Commin: but by chance going up the Stairs, I heard oneThese passionate and taking ways are no demonstra­tions of a true Prote­stant, though joyned with Extempore Prayer. grone and weep, which caused me to lift up the Latch; at first I was startled, and stood in a maze, but enquiring of one of his Fol­lowers, what ailed the man? He re­plied, Do you not see we be all at Prayrs? The Maid wondering where I was, came to seek me, and found me among them, and can testify the same.

Are you Mr. Drapers Maid?

Yes, may it please your Grace.

What is your Name;

My Name is Mary Dean.

Did you see this Faithful Commin that was here now before Ʋs, praying to the people?

I saw him, and thought he was distracted when I heard him pray: but the people saidSee here the Extempore Prayer of a Popish Domi­nican Friar fathered up­on the Spirit of God, and the people deluded by this pretence to the Spirit. he was an hea­venly man, and that it was Gods Spi­rit made him weep for the sins of the World.

How long continued they at Prayers, do you know, Mr. Dra­per?

May it please your Grace,Exactly like our pre­tenders to the Spirit in the late times, who made long Prayers, and devour­ed Widows houses. about two hours.

What did they after they had prayed?

Some went from the house, and about ten, or thereabouts, stayed to eat what they had bespoken, and paid me to the utmost penny.

Then the Queen commanded to call in Faithful Commin, to whom she [Page 23]thus spoke. Mr. Commin, If you will receive Orders, and become of the Church of England, you may; other­wise you must not be permitted to Pray and Preach among my Subjects: and though you have, as appears by several other Witnesses, preached a­gainst the Pope, yet you haveObserve, the Queen thought un­ordained and unlicensed Preaching an Usurpa­tion. Let Dissen­ters answer this, and clear themselves, for he that usurpeth o­ver the Ma­gistrate, re­sisteth the Ordinance of God, and they that re­fist shall re­ceive Dam­nation. usur­ped over the Power both of Church and State, in doing contrary to the Order that We, our Council and Par­liament have unanimously agreed on, by and with the consent of the whole Clergy of my Realm.

Give me time to consider and I shall give your Grace a further Answer in a short space.

Is there any will be bound for your appearance? otherwise you must be kept aWas this Tyranny in Queen Eliza­beth, or a wise and just De­fence of the Protestant Religion? close Prisoner; for we have other Examinations to take, and Questions to demand.

I have three who will answer for my appearance.

Then one: Richard Bland, Brother to the said Commin by the Mothers­side, and two others, gave Bond for his appearance upon the 12th. day of April. [Page 24]Upon which day, Commin with his Bail came and appeared before her Majesty and the Council: but the Spanish Embassador being that day to have his Publick Audience of the Queen, the further Examination of the said Commin was put off till the next day.

But Commin coming from the Coun­cil to his Followers, told them that Her Majesty and the Council had ac­quitted him; and that he was warned of God to go beyond the Seas to in­struct the Protestants there, and that e're long he would return to his Flock with better success.Of which he was a good confirmati­on, being a Papist; and one would think this were enough to banish this Popish Idol, Extempore Prayer, out of England. He told them that Spiritual Prayer was the chief te­stimony of a true Protestant, andA Papist Author of that com­mon slander against the Common Prayer. that the set form of Prayer in England was but the Mass translated. So after he had with a multitude of tears, like a Crocadile, first prayed an Extempore Prayer, the better to prey upon these poor deluded people, he took his leave of them, telling them he had not one farthing to support him in his journey, yet being Gods Cause, he would undertake it out of [Page 25]Charity,An holy Cheat. and he was assured that the Lord would raise him up friends where ever he travelled. This Speech set most of the people a weeping, espe­cially the Women, who requested their Husbands to contribute towards his necessities: and it was made appear, after his escape out of England, that they collected for him 30 l. It is by some suppo­sed that this Practice is continued to this day. besides what the compassionate Sex bestowed upon him, unknown to their Hus­bands.

The next day, April 13. Her Ma­jesty and the Council being assembled, and several others attending to hear this Examination, but no Faithful Com­min appearing, Bland, and the other two who were his Bail, were sent for: they coming before the Board, and be­ing demanded where Commin was, and the reason why he did not appear; made answer, that they had perform­ed as much as they undertook, which was, that he should appear the day before;A cunning Evasion to save both the Friar and their money. that if they had received any further directions from Her Majesty and the Honourable Board, to have brought him as that present day, they [Page 26]would have obeyed the Commands: but in regard the party accused was on­ly spoken to to appear, they supposed themselves discharged by his first ap­pearance, and not bound for his se­cond; with which nicety they drew their necks out of the Collar, and Com­min got an opportunity to make his escape.

Her Majesty, sensible of this Af­front, which was the greater in regard it was to be a Publick Hearing, cau­sed diligent search to be immediately made all over London and Kent; but all in vain, for he went away that ve­ry Evening, and was not heard of till some months after. However, by this search they found out most of his Fol­lowers, who were examined before Her Majesties Council, and said, in theirLet their Opinions of men be what they will, it is impossible for Dissen­ters who hear unlicensed Preachers, to distinguish a true Prote­stant from a disguised Pa­pist. Opinions, they had never seen so zealous and heavenly a man as he seemed to be; from their Exami­nations the Council also came to dis­cover the particular sums of Money, of which this Religious Jugler hath cheated these deluded people.

There was no farther account of [Page 27] Commin till on the fourteenth of Sep­tember one John Baker, Master of a Ship called the Swan of London, arri­ving at Portsmouth, said he had seen the said Faithful Commin in the Low Countries: Her Majesty being infor­med thereof, sent for Baker to the Council Board, who there gave them this relation.

That he had seen the said Faithful Commin in the Low Countries, and, that coming to unlade some Goods at Am­sterdam, one Martin van Daval a Mer­chant of that City, hearing him talk of the said Commin, told him that this Faithful Commin had been lately at Rome, and that the Pope Pius Quintus had put him in Prison, but that Com­min writing to the Pope that he had something of importance to commu­nicate to him; the Pope sent for him the next day, and as soon as he saw him, said, Sir, I have heard how you have set forth me and my Predeces­sors among your Hereticks of Eng­land, by reviling my person, and rail­ing at my Church: to whom Commin reply'd, I confess my lips have utter­ed [Page 28]that which my heart never thought, but your Holiness little thinks I have done you a most con­siderable Service, notwithstanding I have spoken so much against you; to which the Pope returned, How, in the Name of Jesus, Mary, and of all his Saints, hast thou done so? Sir, said Commin, I Preached against set Forms of Prayer, and I called the English Prayers English Mass; and have per­swaded several to pray spiritually and Extempore; and this hath so much taken with the people, that the Church of England is become as odi­ous to that sort of people, whom I instructed, as Mass is to the Church of England; It is to be hoped he will be a ly­ing Prophet, who was a false one, and that this Re­lation will contribute to the remo­ving that stumbling Block. and this will be a stumbling Block to that Church while it is a Church; upon which the Pope commended him, and gave him a Re­ward of 2000 Ducats for his good Service.

Her Majesty and the Council thank­ing Mr. Baker for his information, or­dered him to withdraw; and upon this the Queen writ over to her A­gents beyond Sea, if possible to have [Page 29] Commin taken and sent over into Eng­land; but the thing taking Air, and it being the common Discourse how the Pope had rewarded this Imposter, some of his Friends gave him adver­tisement of his danger, which made him quit the Low Coontreys, and seek a safe retreat in the Romish Territo­ries.

However, this produced thatThis gave occasion to the Act for 12 d. per Sun­day for mis­sing Divine Service. Act for preventing Popery and other Sects, which enjoyned all people from ten years old and upwards, not having a lawful Impediment, to repair every Sunday to hear Divine Service, under the penalty of forfeiting twelve pence for every such default.

What is observable in this Narra­tive, is the original of Separate Con­gregations, of Extempore Prayer, the vilifying the publick Church-Service, stiling it English Mass, the pretences to the Spirit, the denying the King's Supremacy, despising lawful Ordina­tion, and Licenses to Preach in stated Parochial Congregations, the jugling people out of their Money and their [Page 30]Loyalty, are all Arrows that originally came out of the Romish Quiver: and that there can be no doubt, but ever since this mans success, the Pope and Colledge de propaganda fide, the Jesu­its and Priests have been industrious to improve this Advantage, and to stock us with disguised Emissaries, who increase our Differences, and exaspe­rate all the Separations against the Church of England, in hopes by our Divisions to destroy both.

But that in the mouth of two Wit­nesses Truth may be justified, I will present the Reader with an exact Coun­ter part of the same Romish Indenture, whereby they have all bound them­selves to work the ruine of the Church of England by this method of raising, somenting, supporting, and exaspera­ting Divisions and Separations among us.

Foxes and Firebrands, &c.
The Second Part.

THat the Reader may have a clear­er insight into the following dis­course, and understand how little the Doctrine of depriving or resisting Prin­ces was countenanced by the first Re­formers, it may not be inconveni­ent to entertain him with the pious and Loyal speech of the great Pillar of the Reformation, Archbishop Cran­mer, whereby it will appear how a­verse he was either to the Jesuitical Doctrines of deposing Princes for dis­owning the Popes Authority, or the late Phanatical pretences of taking Arms against the King, where ho neg­lects his duty, or stands not to the promises and Covenants that he makes at his Coronation. The Speech is as followeth:

[Page 10]After his Majesties Coronation, and the death of King Henry the 8th. se­veral of the foreign Protestant Clergy wrote to his Son King Edward, and to that Honourable Councel (whom his wise Father had carefully nomina­ted for to instruct and advise that hopeful Prince) amongst whom Mr. John Calvin was one, as appears by his Letters to Archbishop Cranmer, yet extant, and Printed amongst others of his Epinies, in which he offers his service to assist that King in the Re­formation of the Church of England; but King Edward and his Council re­fused his proffer.

The parties instrumental for dis­swading of this Prince from these of­fertures of Calvins, and the reasons why he was not admitted to be one in this Assembly were not known, un­til about the 9th. year of his Siller Queen Elizabeth her Reign; about which time Sir Henry Sidney some time Lord Deputy of Ireland, and one of her Majssties Honourable Privy-Council, having then the liberty to view the Papers of State within her [Page 11]Majesties secret Closet, he happen'd to find a Letter directed to the Bi­shops of Winchester, and of Rochester, These two Bishops were Gardner and Ponett. dated from Delph, which he in a manu­script of his own afterwards, in the custody of the most learned Dr. James Ʋsher, late Primate of Armagh, which was after transcribed by Sir James Ware, and is now entred in a manu­script of that Knights, number xliiii. Running in this manner following:

Her Highness one day discoursing of matters in this kind,Queen Eliz. opinion at the sight of this Letter. I told her of this Paper, at the sight whereof she was startled; the Letter being amongst her Sisters papers, which caused her to express these very words. I had ra­ther than a years Revenue, that my Bro­ther Edward and his Council had seen this Letter; nay rather than twice my Revenue I had seen it sooner, and so caused me to lay it where I found it.The Coun­cils opinion. The Council upon her Highness dis­course concluded that Calvin would have established Episcopacy beyond Seas, had he been consulted herein, and that the hindrance of this offer­ture caused much animosity between [Page 14]Reformers. Having no more of Sir Henry's words of this nature in this Memorandum, we shall go forward in the Memorials of other learned men of this kind.

You have seen already our Narra­tive of Faithful Comin and Tho. Heth, formerly mentioned in the Book en­tituled Foxes and Firebrands; Printed at London, anno 1680. and also the Life and Death of George Browne, with the Confession of Philip Corwine; which Confession was formerly writ­ten by John Garvey, some time Pri­mate of all Ireland, which we have al­ready put out to publick view. We shall therefore also lay before you the Confessions of two great Penitents, viz. the one of Samuel Mason, some time bred up with the Jesuits at Pa­ris; the other of Malachias Malone a Carmalite Friar; who were converted to the Protestant Church of England, the former being converted an. 1566, the latter, an. 1584. the former being a memorial of that Learned States­man Sir Henry Sidney, as also written by John Garvey; the latter a memo­rial [Page 15]of that Eminent Statesman, the Lord William Cecill, as follows.

Samuel Mason his Conversion to the Protestant Church of England now established by her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth, our Gracious So­vereign Lady of England, France and Ireland; together with his Speech in the Cathedral of Christ-Church, Dub­lin, June the 6th. 1566. and also his Narrative presented to Sir Henry Sid­ney on the 25th. of August following, being made before him, being then Lord Deputy, the Archbishop, Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Dublin, formerly written by John Garvey, Pri­mate of Armagh, and Dean of the said Cathedral.

After this Recantation of Mr. Ma­sons, Sir Henry Sidney then Lord De­puty took him for one of his Chap­lains, after which Adam Loftus after Primate of Armagh, upon the resig­nation of Hugh Corwine Archbishop of this See; Adam our Primate re­signing up the Primacy to succeed Hugh Corwine in this Diocess, he pre­ferred this Convert to the Parish of Finglas, two miles distant from this City of Dublin.

After the Recantation of this Con­vert upon the Feast of St. Bartholo­mew, soon after his Conversion, he presented Sir Henry Sidney with this Narrative following.

The covetousness of the Bishop of Rome for these several hundred of [Page 18]years past have increased more than ordinary:The Con­verts Narra­tive after his Speech given to Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Depu­ty of Ireland. First their covetousness caused them to forget God, by neg­lecting his Will and Commandments. Secondly, it hath caused them to ac­cept of the earthly pleasures of this world, which Satan offered to our Sa­viour, but Christ rejected his offer­ture by rebuking him, and shewed that he cared not for the riches there­in; by his saying, My Kingdom is not of this World, hath not only caused the Bishops of Rome to assume to themselves the Titles due to Empe­rors, Kings and Princes; but above all, to assume the name of God to them and their Successors, which, in a word, is Blasphemy. At Paris, during my stay there, I improved my self by searching the Records, and viewing the Books in that University; amongst which, I lighted upon the Clergy of Leige, their Apology to Pope Paschal the Second, as touching the Oath of Allegiance, which he had granted a­gainst the then Emperor, Henry the Fourth. The substance of this Cler­gies Apology being thus translated out of French.

[Page 19]Who can justly blame a Bishop for favouring his Lords party,The Clergy of Leighs, their apology against Pope Puschal the Second, cir­ca ann. 1105, or near that time. to whom he oweth Allegiance, and hath pro­mised by Oath to observe it. No man doubts but that Perjury is a grievous offence; God only sweareth and repenteth not, because wisdom keeps the commandment of Gods Oath. But for us who often repent that we have sworn, we are forbidden to swear. If a man swears, God en­joyns him to perform his Oath unto the Lord, which is not unknown to those that rend the Kingdom and the Priesthood by a new Schism, and with their upstart Traditions promise to absolve from all sins; such as incur the crime of Perjury towards their Sove­reign, never reading what God said to Zedekias, (by the mouth of Eze­kiel the Prophet) who had commit­ted Perjury against his Sovereign Ne­buchadonozor; He that hath broken the Covenant, shall he escape? Which St. Hierome expounds thus. Hence we may learn, that we ought to keep touch even with our enemies, and not consider with whom, but by whom we have sworn.

[Page 20]Considering on this Apology, my soul was smitten within me, and such a terror seized on my Conscience, that I said within my soul, surely that if Paschal was thus reproved by this Clergy so long since, how wicked are his Successors grown by this time.

At this time,Pope Pius the 4th. his con­trivance a­gainst the Protestants of England, anno 1560. viz. anno 1560 a strict Bull issued out of Pope Pius the 4th. commanding all the Learned of the several Orders of that Church to find out proofs and reasons for perswading of Subjects to break their Oaths of Allegiance with their Kings and Prin­ces; and to gloss this device the bet­ter, he dispenced with several of the learnedst of the Franciscans, Domini­cans, and of the Society of Jesus, to Preach amongst the Protestants of England; nay with some of them, to marry, saying that the Marriage of England established by the Queen and her Clergy was no Marriage, but plain Heresie. All these so dispenced were to give monthly intelligence; if from France, to the chief Cities there; if from Spain, or from other Territories, to those places; and for fear any of [Page 21]these should be disswaded from their Orders, others were sent to discover them, if they found their inclinations so bending, before they came to be fully resolved to turn; this, one An­drew Mr. Gibbons a Scotch Frier assured me, who was sent for this purpose, and betrayed one John Gyles, who was then a recanting at the City of Glocester; but Gyles ingeniously con­fessing all the contrivance, and desiring proof might be brought who was his accuser. Andrew Mr. Gibbons was summoned to appear, and to proceed, but Andrew suspecting that himself was catch'd, straitly seemed to go, but pretending to go into his Lodging for some papers to give the Bayliffs of Glocester, went out the back-way, and so took Horse, and fled into France, and came to Paris; what became of John Glyes, I did not enquire.How the Penitents thoughts were when he searched after these writings first, and how he altered his opinion after

Still being desirous to search after all Indulgences, Absolutions and Dis­pensations for Oaths, Allegiance, and for Rebellions, to strengthen the Church of Rome, supposing thereby to have made my self a Fortune, and [Page 22]to be esteemed well of by the Clergy and Laity of Rome. I for the most part made it my purpose to collect all things of this nature, these being some of my Collections.

Paul the Third granted an Indul­gence for Harlots to use their bodies with any men,Paul the 3d. his Indul­gence for Whoring and Adultery for money. and to trade in this Sin, as I found by his Bull in the third year of his Papacy, granted upon the pretence that the flesh being so unru­ly a member, could not be mortified, although several Laws had been made against those evil sins; yet the Sin was to be excused with those who could not consist in the state of Cha­stity, provided the man gave a certain fee to the spiritual See, and that the woman paid a yearly Revenue also, and entred her name in the Registry to pay her fees accordingly, which was to be gathered weekly; this was pretended to go for the redemption of Slaves and Prisoners of the Roman Religion, either with Turk or Heretick. Every House or Stewes appointed for this purpose, to have an Iron-Trunk or Box fastned in the Wall of these [Page 23]Stewes, wherein the party thus incli­ned, was, before he could be permit­ted to take his pleasure to put in his summ through a slit in the said Box: And three Testees were to wait on these Houses weekly, to take out what summs there were thrown in, whereof one third part was for the House, the Whores were to have ano­ther third part, and the See of Rome another third part; at this time it be­ing calculated that the Registry con­tained in Paul the Thirds days, 45000 Harlots that paid him Tribute, and that by Pius Quintus his Papacy it en­creased to the number of 64360 Har­lots, paying him weekly Tribute; and all those who went to any secret Whore, were to be excommunicated, if they were so catch'd, until he had paid seven-fold the rate of the Whore's permitted, which was seven Julies so permitted.

An Indulgence was granted by this Pope for to kill any that followed Lu­thers opinion,The Popes Pardon for killing a Lu­theran. a thousand years par­don for his Sins, besides the honour to be enrolled by the name of Rome's faithful Souldier.

Julius the Third continued the Council of Trent; Beneventum that Arch­bishop up­holds so do­ing. and we find in the Universities of Paris a piece of a Let­ter of this Julius written to Casa the Archbishop of Beneventum; wherein he returns him thanks, and absolves this Bishop, for a Book written by this Casa defending the sin of Sodo­my: Which I do heartily lament that I took not a Copy thereof, but can assure that I saw that Letter, and the Books name specified therein, for To­leration, and defence of Sodomy.

The Jesuits of Paris their opinion was to the Council of Trent in the year 1559.How the Je­suits to ingra­tiate them­selves with the Pope, and to mislead the Commo­nalty, make him and his acts above God and the holy Scrip­tures. (just at my coming thither) that the Pope and the Council were above all that is called God, and of greater force than the Scripture was; for which opinion one Veratus return­ed this Society thanks from the Coun­cil; and so it was upon the Jesuits opinion voted in that Council, that [Page 27]their Acts and the Popes were be­yond the Law, the Prophets and the Scriptures.

The Messenger between the Coun­cil of Trent and the Jesuits of Paris, Ludovick de Freake, the Council of Trents Mes­senger be­tween them and the Jesu­its of France, who brought them these Instructions to destroy the Church of England from Bene­ventum the Archbishop, named Casa. was Ludovick de Freake, formerly a Priest in England, who brought with him up to Paris, from the Council, several kind of Indulgences and In­structions for that Society to under­take, and grant, and teach: Part of the Instructions were thus, to take notice of the confessions of the peo­ple of France, especially of the No­bles and Gentry; and in case they suspect any thing detrimental to the Holy See of Rome, then to confer with three or more Confessors of the suspition, and so to take memorandums of certain questions to be asked of the party so suspected the next time.

Also to converse with the Noblest, and to discourse variously until they find which way he is inclinable most, and to please them accordingly in their discourse; and in case any of you be, or chance to be any of their Con­fessors, ye are to take memorandums [Page 28]of things doubtful and suspitious, and at the next Confession to urge them to those parties then confessing, by which any three or more are to con­sult, and give the See of Rome and her Councils intelligence more or less, that the Mother-Church might be infor­med, and all evil prevented that is or shall be intended against her.

You are to associate with all stran­gers Heretical,This Dispen­sation of the Pope hath beguiled ma­ny wise men in England. as well as Christian Catholick; if Heretical, to be civil, and not to discover your profession; and for the better procurement of these designs designed, or to be accom­plished, ye may with leave of any three of the Society be permitted to wear what dress or habit you think convenient, provided the Society hear from the party so dispenced. Any of you thus dispenced with, may go with the Heretick to any of their heretical Meetings permitted by Acts or Con­tracts of Peace between Princes: by this contrivance ye may both inform the Mother-Church, and in case any of you be employed to assist her to go into any of the heretical Villages [Page 29]or Territories, you will be the more able to serve the holy See of St. Peter, and keep your selves from suspition.

In case any of ye be thus employ­ed,The Popes Dispensation with Impo­stors to Preach all Doctrines in England, to confound that Church. ye are dispenced with either to go with Hereticks to their Churches, or as you see convenient. If you own your selves Clergy-men, then to Preach, but with caution, till ye be well acquainted with those Hereticks you converse with, and then by de­grees add to your Doctrine by Cere­monies, or otherwise, as you find them inclinable. If ye be known by any of the Lay Catholicks, you are to pacify them by saying secret Mass un­to them, or by acquainting other Priests (who are not able to under­take this work) with your intenti­ons, who doth generally say Mass un­to them. If the Lay men be of any Parts, or of Wit, you may dispence with them also, reserving the same pro­visoes, and thereby he may acquire an Estate, and be the more able to serve the Mother-Church.

In case they scruple in taking of Oaths, you are to dispence with them, [Page 30]assuring them that they are to be kept no longer than the Mother-Church sees it convenient.The Popes manner of dispensing with Oaths, a good memo­randum for Protestant Juries to re­collect, and to consider. Or if they scruple to swear on the Evangelist, you are to say unto them, that the Transla­tion on which they swear, his Holi­ness the Pope hath annull'd, and there­by it is become Heretical, and all as one as upon an ordinary Story-Book.

In case in strange Countreys, ye be known by Merchants or others tra­ding or travelling thither, for to streng­then your designs the more for your intention, you are dispenced with to Marry after their manner, and then ye safely may make answer, that Here­tical Marriage is no Marriage, for your Dispensation mollifies it so, that at the worst it is but a Venial Sin, and may be forgiven.

Ye are not to Preach all after one method,The Popes contrivance to demolish the Prote­stant Church of England. but to observe the place wherein you come. If Lutheranism be prevalent, then Preach Calvanism; if Calvanism, then Lutheranism; if in England, then either of these, or John Husses opinions, Anabaptism, or any that are contrary to the Holy See of [Page 31]St. Peter, by which your Function will not be suspected, and yet you may still act on the interest of the Mother-Church; there being as the Council are agreed on, no better way to demolish that Church of Heresy, but by mixtures of Doctrines, and by adding of Ceremonies, more than be at present permitted.

Some of you who undertook to be of this sort of the heretical Episcopal Society,This Dispen­sation shews how the Pope for his purpose dis­penceth even with the Protestant Church of England it self for her gain. bring it as near to the Mo­ther-Church as you can; for then the Lutheran Party, the Calvinists, the Anabaptists, and other Hereticks will be averse thereunto, and thereby make that Episcopal Heresie odious to all these, and be a means to reduce all in time to the Mother-Church.

You are further (during the time you take these shapes on you) to ob­serve thus much of the rules of the Mother-Church; This Dispen­sation shews that the Pope and his E­missaries be the Factions between the King, Parlia­ment and Subjects. the Mother-Church dis­owneth the Regal Power to be her Superior, especially the Heretical Pow­ers Regal, or otherwise. Upon this ye are to take these measures: You must bemone your Followers and Au­ditors, [Page 32]saying, Are not we persecuted for righteousness sake? What Flesh and Blood can endure this! We be more zealous against the Pope than they, and yet we be persecuted. By these means your cotrivances will light on those ye lead along, and not on your selves. This will advantage you much; hang you or burn you they dare not; but their perpetual acts against the party that follow you, will take off the late severities they lay on us, in saying, We burnt the Hereticks their Ancestors, and so at last bring that odium upon that Heretical Church in England, which they have thrown on us. And as you will be more admired by the people, so the Hereticks will asperse that He­retical King and his Church as little differing from us. These Instructions I am commanded to recommend un­to you, as being approved by his Ho­liness Julius the Third, your Supream Father, and his wholsome Council to be handled and performed to the ut­most of your Powers, Wealth, Parts, Learning and Capacities for the good of the Mother-Church. Dated the [Page 33]fourth Ide of November, 1551.

Beneventum.

Upon these consultations I was a­mazed to behold these and other the contrivances that hath been contrived against the Church of England ever since King Henry her Royal Highness Father fell from the See of Rome, How the Converts contrary de­sign turned to his Con­version. but yet duly taking memorandums of these things for my curiosities sake, at first then designing to have practised these instructions at last seriously ponder­ing upon these devices, and upon seve­ral others of this kind (which would contain a large volume to set them out to publick view,) I pretended to come over hither to practice the same; and to colour my feigned intention, I said I took these memorandums for my instructions, and so left Paris in the month of April, anno 1566. and landed at Dover the month following; from whence I came to this Kingdom, where since I have satisfied the Archbishop and the rest of my Brethren the Cler­gy, by my last confession publickly in this City of Dublin: Yet for further [Page 34]assurance of my confidence in the Pro­testant Faith of England now establish­ed by her Highness and her Parlia­ment of this Nation. I Samuel Mason being strucken in years, not knowing how soon it may please the Almighty God to take me from hence, as also to take off all evil Calumnies, Aspersions and Suspitions of me Samuel Mason, as if I should dye in the Roman Church. I do humbly lay this my Narrative be­fore your Lordship, as Chief under her Highness in these her Dominions of Ire­land, for a true and signal testimony of my fidelity to her Highness her Govern­ment both in Church and State. Dated at Dublin the 24th. day of August, 1566.

Samuel Mason.

I was the more desirous to keep this Memorial of this Convert,John Garvey his design for preserving of this memoran­dum. by reason the Speech (for the declaring of her Conversion) was spoke in my Cathedral: I being but the year be­fore by her Royal Highness preferred to that Deanery, as appears by her Majesties special Letter now on Re­cord, [Page 35]and also I have inserted this a­mongst others of my Diaries to re­main hereafter with other of the me­morandums concerning this Deanery, desiring my Successors to follow the same for the publick benefit of their Successors, and to be produced as time shall serve for their several occasions most opportunely and fit.

The Convert continued not fully two years in his Parsonship or Parish before he died,The Con­verts death and burial. my self preaching his Funeral Sermon, where several with sorrowful tears lamented the loss of so true a Penitent, choosing this Text suitable for his Conversion: Blessed are they that die in the Lord, &c. whom all must suppose did, as appears by his hearty Recantation and declara­tion aforesaid: He was buried in his Parish at Finglas, two miles distant from Dublin, on the Feast of St. Bar­tholomew, Ann. Dom. 1568.

In the year of our Lord 1584. Sir John Perrot, then Lord Deputy of Ireland, taking his Progress into the Province of Connaught, there came to his Lordship a Friar Carmelite named [Page 36] Malachias Malone, by some called O Malone, (Brother unto Mr. William Eughter) who had been of that Or­der about 36 years, even from the beginning of King Edward the Sixth's Reign; this Malachias, and Sir John, then having had great conference to­gether in private. After which, this Friar (in the face of a whole Congre­gation then met together in St. Ste­phens Church of Gallway) renounced the Pope's Supremacy, and also the Popish Religion.

At this Recantation he first entred into the Church in his Friars Weeds,The Friar's actions and speech upon his Conver­sion. saying to the Congregation these words, Peccavi contra Deum Creato­rem meum, contra Reginam, & contra Leges Regnorum ejus. Then taking off his Friar's Weeds, he said, Away with these Cloaks of Sin, I will cloath my self with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, good people, bear witness, from henceforth I conform my self to the Re­ligion established in these her Majesties Dominions, by her Majesty and her Parliaments of England and Ire­land.

[Page 37]At this time several of the Roman Catholick Friars and Jesuits lurking a­bout that City of Gallway, Sir John Per­rott's care of Malachias. had a de­sign against this Convert, which co­ming to Sir John's ears, he would not permit him to remain in that Pro­vince, but caused special care to be ta­ken of him, and so brought him before to Dublin, where he was carefully looked after, and lay amongst my Lord Deputies Servants; the said Lord allowing unto him a certain allowance for his maintenance during his Go­vernment in that her Majesties Realm of Ireland.

Sir John being this year absent from Dublin three months and odd days, returned thither with this Friar upon the 11th. of October following, and so gave her Majesty and the Lords of the Council here an account of this his Progress; amongst the rest, this of Malachias was also.

Upon St. Simon and Jude's Feast, being the 28th. of October, and in the same month of his return to Dublin, Sir John, the Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Chancellor, the Primate of Ar­magh, [Page 38]the chief Judges and others of her Majesties Council assembled in the Castle of Dublin. This said Ma­lachias (as appears by their Letters unto the Lords here of her Majesties Council) having acquainted Sir John and that Council of several matters and discoveries which he had to re­veal unto them, he was called for to appear before them, at which time he declared how he had been a grievous Traytor to God, and to her Majesty, and there declared this declaration in writing following; having got Mr. Fenton to write the same, that the Lord Deputy and Council might read it the easier.

The Original of this was sent to her Majesty and Council from Sir John Perrot Knight, then Lord Deputy of Ireland, and that Council, as a signal assurance of this Convert's Reforma­tion to the Protestant Church of Eng­land now established.

Although we should have placed these following Memorials before the Conversion of Mason or Malone, yet hapning to cast an eye thereon, being entred amongst my Fathers Manu­scripts, and given unto him from John King some time Dean of Tuum, I have here set them forth, that the Reader [Page 50]may see how sensible the Lord Cicell was of the Romish Conspiracies against the Church of England and her Ma­jesty.

A list of several consultations a­mongst the Cardinals, Bishops, and others of the several Orders of Rome now a contriving and conspiring a­gainst her gracious Majesty, and the established Church of England.

Pius having consulted with the Clergy of Italy, and assembling them together, it was by general consent voted, that the immunity of the Ro­mish Church and her Jurisdiction is re­quired to be defended by all her Prin­ces, as the principal Church of God.

And to encourage the same, the Council hath voted that Pius should bestow her Graces Realm on that Prince who shall attempt to conquer it.

[Page 52]There was a Council ordered by way of a Committee, who contain three of the Cardinals, two of the Archbishops, six of the Bishops, and as many of the late Order of the Je­suits, who daily encrease, and come into great favour with the Pope of late: These do present weekly me­thods, ways and contrivances for the Church of Rome, which hold the great Council for the week following in employment how to order all things for the advancement of the Romish Faith. Some of these contrivances coming to my hands by the help of the Silver key, be as follow:

1. The people of England being much averted from their Mother-Church of Rome, they have thought fit, sounding out their inclinations how the common sort are taken with the Liturgy in English, for to offer her Grace to confirm it, with some things altered therein, provided that her Grace and the Council do ac­knowledge the same from Rome and her Coucil; which if it be denied, as we suppose it will, then these are [Page 53]to asperse the Liturgy of England by all ways and conspiracies imaginable.

2. A Licence or Dispensation to be granted to any of the Romish Orders to Preach, speak, or write against the now established Church of England, amongst other Protesters against Rome, purposely to make England odious to them, and that they may retain their assistances promised them in case of any Princes invasion, and the parties so licenced and indulged (dispenced with) to be seemingly as one of them, and not to be either taxed, checkt, or excommunicated for so doing; and further, for the better assurance of the party so licenced and indulged, the party to change his name least he be discovered, and to keep a quarternal correspondence with any of the Car­dinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, or others of the chief Mona­steries, Abbeys, &c. At which quar­ternal correspondence shall not only give the Pope intelligence of Hereti­cal conspiracy, but be a full assurance of their fidelity to Rome.

This proposal was much debated [Page 54]in the Council, which caused some of the Council to say, how shall we pre­vent it, in case any of the parties so licenced flinch from us, and receive a good reward, and fall off from our correspondency.

3. It was then ordered that there should be several appointed for to watch the parties so licenced and in­dulged, and to give intelligence to Rome of their behaviour, which par­ties are sworn not to divulge to any of those so licenced or indulged what they be, or from whence they came, but to be strange, and to come in as one of their Converts, so that the party shall be cautious how and which way he bendeth.

It was afterwards debated how it should be ordered in case any of the Heretical Ministry of England should become as they who had these Licen­ces, and what should be done in that case.

4. It was then answered by the Bishop of Mens, that that was the thing they aimed at, and that they desired no more than separation a­mongst [Page 55]the Hereticks of England, and by so doing, in case any animosity be amongst them, the Church establish­ed by the Heretick Queen, (as they so termed her Grace) there would be the less to oppose the Mother-Church of Rome, when-ever opportunity ser­ved: This reason of the Bishop pa­cified the whole Council.

5. It was granted not only Indul­gence and Pardon to the party that should assault her Grace either pri­vate or in publick; or to any Cook, Brewer, Baker, Physitian, Vintner, Grocer, Chirurgion, or any other Calling whatsoever, that should or did make her away out of this World, a Pardon, but an absolute Remission of Sins to the Heirs of that parties Family sprang from him, and a perpe­tual Annuity to them for ever; and the said Heir to be never beholding to any of the Fathers for pardon, be they of what Order soever, unless it pleased himself, and to be one of those Privy-Council whosoever Reigned, successively.

6. It was ordered for the better [Page 56]assurance of further intelligence to the See of Rome, to give Licences to any that shall swear to that Suprema­cy due Obedience and Allegiance to her Powers to dispence with Sacra­ments, Baptism, Marriages, and other Ceremonies of our now established Church in England, that the parties so obliged may possess and enjoy any Office or Employment either Eccle­siastical, Military or Civil, and to take such Oaths as shall be imposed upon them, provided that the said Oaths be taken with a reserve for to serve the Mother-Church of Rome when-ever opportunity serveth, and thereby, in so doing, the Act in Coun­cil was passed it was no sin, but meri­torious, until occasion served to the contrary; and that when it was so served for Rome's advantage, the par­ty was absolved from his Oath.

7. It was also ordered that all the Romish Orders, as well Regular as Se­cular, to cherish all the Adherents of the Mother-Church of Rome when­ever occasion serveth, to be in readi­ness at the times that shall be ap­pointed, [Page 57]and to contribute according to their capacities what in them lieth for the promotion of the Romish Cause.

8. It is ordered that the Romish Party shall propose a Match for the Queen of the Catholick Princes for to further or promote the Romish Faith.

9. It is ordered upon pain of Ex­communication, and of a perpetual Curse to light on the Families and Posterities of all those of the Mother-Church of Rome, who will not pro­mote or assist by means of Money, or otherwise, Mary Queen of Scotlands pretence to the Crown of England.

10. It is also ordered that every Ro­mish Catholick within England and Ire­land, or any of Englands Territories, to contribute to those Romish Bishops, Parish Priests, &c. that are privately, or shall be by Rome set over them, to pay all the Church duties, as if they were in possession, upon pain of Ex­communication of them and their Po­sterity.

11. It is ordered that the See of Rome do dispence with all parties of [Page 58]the Roman Faith to swear against all Hereticks of England as elsewhere, and that not to be a crime, or an of­fence against the soul of the party, the Accuser taking the Oath, with an intention to promote or advance the Roman Catholick Faith.

The Original being kept private in her Majesties secret Closet amongst other Papers of secrecy at that time not to be published, having a Corres­pondent at that time in Italy to send her Majesty Intelligence of forreign conspiracies and contrivances.

This same noble Peer mentions in the same Book of his Memorials this relation, which is also suitable for our purpose.

In the month of June, A Relation of a Puritan Preacher permitted by the Jesuits to Preach dis­sention at Norwich. Anno 1584. was Francis Throgmorton seized on in London, and several Treasons were laid to his charge; although he was a Papist, yet he was a great friend to one Samuel Harper, who several times Preached after a Puritannical manner in the Town of Norwich: This great conversation of his with this preten­ded Minister, caused great suspitions [Page 59]to arise in that Town amongst the Inhabitants, there being more than ordinary betwixt these two.

It chanced that one Richard Cade an Inhabitant of the same Town be­ing present then at London, How it came to be disco­vered. and at the Trials of Edward Arden and John Summervile, who were both con­demned but the year before for Con­spiracy and Treason against the Queens Majesty; at which Trial he heard Edward Arden confess that this Throgmorton was engaged in the same Conspiracy. Now this Mr. Cade be­ing well acquainted with Throgmorton, informed the Lord Mayor of London of what he had heard, who upon this Information apprehended Throgmor­ton; but treasonable Papers being found then in his Pocket, verified Mr. Cade's Evidence. Amongst the Pa­pers was found a Letter dated at Nor­wich the second of June from the a­bove-named Richard Harper, By Harper's Enquiry it is plain that the Plot of 1588 was then a hatching. with these expressions: Let us know how our Friends from Spain and yours in London do correspond, and whether that King continues his purpose, that [Page 60]the Engagers may be satisfied, and have notice.

Upon these words exprest, Mr. Cade advised that his Chambers both at Norwich and in London might be searched, and that Samuel Harper may be seized on, which was approved of, and so ordered; but Samuel Harper by some notice having warning, fled not above three hours before the Pursuivant could come to Norwich, yet several Papers of Treason were found in this Throgmorton's Chamber,The treaso­nable Papers that were found in Throgmorton's Chamber. amongst which there were Licences and Pardons from the Jesuits Con­vent at Sevill. The undertakers were to be of what Trade or Calling so­ever they pleased, to teach what Do­ctrine, to be of what Opinion or Re­ligion soever, provided that they as­sembled quarterly together, and keep a monthly correspondence with that Convent. Papers to the same effect from that Societies Convents at Paris and at Rome were found dated from thence,How the Je­suits stiled the D. of N. touching the D. of N. who was only stiled by the name of Tho­mas Howard, Gent. our very good [Page 61]Friend. Had these Papers been ex­tant at his Trial, they would have sa­tisfied her Highness and her Council very much; yet being discovered at this present, they give us great insight how Rome contrived the Wars of Scotland, and so many Traytors a­gainst her Highness, and that Queen Mary of Scotland was correspondent with them. The Originals her High­ness is loath to have published for se­veral reasons best known to her Ma­jesty.

This Francis Thogmorton being con­demned for High Treason, was drawn from Newgate unto Tyburn, where he was hanged, bowelled, and quartered on the 10th. of July following;Observe how the Pope li­cences Jesu­its and Friars to Preach in a Dissenters Habit to make a facti­on with Pro­testants. before his Execution he confessed that there were in England above a dozen that he knew who were permitted to Preach by the Jesuits Licences, pur­posely to breed a Faction in these Do­minions; but by reason that he was condemned, and to be hanged, he thought he was not bound to disco­ver their names. This account I have from the Sheriffs, certified from the [Page 62]Records of Guild-Hall, where he was Tried, and received his Sentence. Ma­ny more things of this nature may we bring during this gracious Queens days; but we shall abbreviate, and draw nearer to her Successor King James of happy memory.

Pope Clement the 8th. consulting with his Emissaries how this King had married into a Protestant Monarchy,Pope Clement the 8ths. pro­ject to hinder King James his succession to Queen E­lizabeth. set all his Engines at work to defraud this Monarch of the succession af­ter Queen Elizabeth; for about the year 1601. this Pope sent his Breves (as they call them) into England, warning all the Clergy and Laity that professed the Roman Faith, not to admit after the Queens death any Prince how near soever in Blood to the King of England, unless he should bind himself by Oath to promote the Catholick Roman Religion to the utmost of his power. To promote this their wicked conspiracy, at the same time came into Scotland two factious and wicked spirited Jesuits, viz. John Hamilton and Edmond Hay, the first especially, for that he was known to [Page 63]have been a chief Instrument of the Seditions raised in the City of Paris in the time of the league. King James having intelligence of their repairing into his Dominion, set forth a Procla­mation inhibiting their resort under the pain of Treason: In which Pro­clamation, to make them the more odious, these two were compared to Bothwell and Gowry, his Majesty de­claring at that present that he would judge no otherwise of their Recep­tors, than of those that did treasona­bly pursue his own life; yet notwith­standing this Kings Proclamation, they found holes to lurk in amongst those of their own Religion in the Northern parts, and by this means kept in the Countrey, till after some years that John Hamilton was apprehended and carried to the Tower of London, where he died before he came to Trial. Still they continued their projects against this King, and his Title to England, knowing they had lost all hope of gaining his affection, or obtaining any promise of the toleration of their Re­ligion when he should come to that [Page 64]Crown. Thereupon they fell to treat of a Marriage betwixt the Lady Ara­bella, and Robert Prince of Savoy; and that not succeeding then, they proposed a Match betwixt the said Lady and a Grand-child of the Earl of Hartfords, judging by this conjun­ction many would befriend them to the excluding of this King from the succession of the Crown of England; but the Queens Majesty, who truly favoured the Right of this Monarch, though she would not openly profess so much, dashed all these Jesuitical projects, and so caused an eye to be kept upon the Lady Arabella, as also upon all who resorted unto her, by whose Majestick wisdom this high Monarch came peaceably, and was in­vited by an unanimous consent of her Majesties Privy-Council to his Crown of England, as may appear by that Councils proceedings after the Queens death, by their Letter subscribed by that Council then in being, which Bishop Spotswood specifies in his Histo­ry of the Church and State of Scot­land, pag. 473.

[Page 65]This King was scarcely setled in his Throne to settle the affairs of his Realm of England when this Papal Society contrived to have executed a quick dispatch of King and State, as appears by their bloody contrivance of the Gun-powder Plot, which being already set at large to publick view, the Narrative we refer to the Reader, and so omit it. Many more Jesuitical Plots of this nature we could bring in during this Kings days contrived, as that of Gundymores, and others, but shall lay them aside, and treat of mat­ters of this nature contrived during the Reign of his Son Charles the First of happy Memory.

We have already mentioned the Papal contrivance for a Match for the Lady Arabella, How the Pa­pists thought by the late Kings Mar­rying of Qu. Mary to bring in the French Kings Forces into Ireland to in­vade that Nation, and so to claim a Title to that Crown. as a means to defraud the Kings of Scotlands Right to the Crown of England, the Papists rejoy­cing at the conjunction of England and France by the Marriage of Charles the First, and Queen Mary of France, hoping thereby to raise such another claim to the Crown of Egland as France did in the Reign of Queen E­lizabeth [Page 66]by that Match of Mary Queen of Scots; they contrived a way to set Ireland in an uprore; for King Charles the First was no sooner setled in his Throne when Ireland was full of the rumour of Lewis the 13ths pre­parations and intentions for the inva­ding of the same, as appears as well by the Records of the Council, if doubted, as also by Sir James Ware's Memorials. The noise of these pre­parations caused the Lord Henry Faulkland then Lord Deputy of this Nation, to advise with the Privy-Council what course to take for to oppose these French intentions. They upon consultation in this affair set forth a Proclamation that the chief of the Kingdom should meet at Dublin, and then to demand a general Con­tribution of the Inhabitants for to raise and maintain Forces to oppose that King. The Castle of Dublin be­ing first appointed for that Assembly, St. Patrick's Church in Dublin was af­terwards ordered for this Assembly to meet at.

[Page 67]The Papists were upon high terms,The Papists would not assist their King but up­on terms. and would not contribute towards the safety of this Nation, unless the Lord Deputy and Council would grant them a toleration for their Re­ligion, and also leave to build them­selves Churches, and pretended Reli­gious Houses as many as they listed, and where they pleased in all Cities and Corporate Towns.

These their proposals put a stop to these proceedings for the present, so that this Assembly was for the pre­sent dismissed, it being about Michael­mass Term, anno 1626. And another day was nominated for them to meet again, until they had acquainted his late Majesty with their demands; yet in the interim James Ʋsher late Pri­mate of Ardmagh assembled all our Protestant Bishops together, and so prevented these Popish demands by this their protestation, as follows.The Prote­stant Clergy of the Church of Ireland, their prote­station a­gainst these Popish terms

The Religion of the Papists is Su­perstitious and Idolatrous: Their Faith and Doctrine Enormous and Hereti­cal: Their Church, in respect of both, Apostatical. To give them therefore a [Page 68]toleration, or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion, and profess their Faith and Doctrine, is a grievous sin, and that in two re­spects.

For first, it is to make our selves accessary not only to their Superstiti­ons, Idolatries, Heresies, and in a word, to all the abominations of Popery, but also (which is a consequent of the former) to the perdition of the sedu­ced people, which perish in the deluge of the Catholick Apostacy.

For the second, to grant them to­leration in respect of any Money to be given, or Contribution to be made by them, is to set Religion to sale, and with it the Souls of people, whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious Blood. And as it is a great sin, so also a matter of most dangerous consequence; the consideration whereof we commend to the Wise and Judicious, beseeching the Great God of Truth to make them who are in Authority, zealous of God's Glory, and of the advancement of true Religion, zealous, resolute and [Page 69]couragious against all Popery and Ido­latry, Amen.

Signed.

• Ja. Armachanus.
• Anto. Midensis.
• Ro. Dunensis & Coronensis.
• Richard Cork Cloyn & Roscensis.
• Tho. Killmorensis & Ardahensis.
• Mich. Waterfordensis & Lismo­rensis.
• Mal. Cassilensis.
• Tho Fernensis & Laughlanensis.
• George Derensis.
• Andr. Aladensis.
• Theo. Dromorensis.
• Franc. Limiricksensis.

This being confered and agreed upon the 26th. Novemb. Anno 1626.

Upon the 23d. of April following Doctor George Downham then Bishop of Derry (the next Assembly being then to meet) in the midst of his Ser­mon in Christ-Church, Anno 1627. Dr. Downham then Bishop of Derry, his protestation against these terms in Christ-Church in Dublin. took occasion to speak something to this purpose, saying, that many amongst us for gain [Page 70]and outward respects were ready to consent to a toleration of a false Re­ligion, which if they did, they were guilty of putting to sale not only the souls of Papists, but their own souls also. This is not my opinion (said he) only, but the opinion of the Arch­bishops, Bishops, and of the Protestant Clergy of his Majesties whole King­dom, which I think fit to publish. He had no sooner uttered these words, when all the Protestants then in that Church cried out aloud, Amen, Amen. Then making a respit till the people had done crying out, Amen. I spoke nothing to hinder the Kings Service; for we all of the Clergy desire not on­ly the sole Army of 5500 men (that being the number) may be maintained, but also a far greater Army, besides the Trained-Bands, and could wish that his Majesty would reserve to himself the most of those particular Graces of late offered and granted to the dishonour of God, and to himself, the prejudice and impeachment of true Religion, and what was wanting might be supplied by the Countrey, to which [Page 71]he exhorted all true Christians and faithful Subjects. The people upon this cried unanimously, Our Lives and Fortunes be at his Majesties command, for the good of the Protestant Faith of England.

The next day the late Lord Pri­mate, Primate Ʋsher his words a­gainst the same tolera­tion. Ʋsher, Preached before the same Auditory, and took these words for his Text, Love not the World, nor the things that are in the World: Which words he applied according to those times. These two Sermons so pre­vailed with the Protestants, so streng­thened their resolutions, that they proposed so largely towards a main­tenance for an Army to oppose the French King, that these Popish Propo­sals (which we have already mention­ed) fell, and the Papists much ashamed and discontented; then the Lord De­puty and Council dismissed this As­sembly.

There is one material thing to be observed by the Reader,The Lord Faulklands Lady known to be a Pa­pist. that this Lord Faulklands Lady was a great Heiress to an Estate in England, which cau­sed her Husband to seek all means the [Page 72]more to please her, she being a fickle minded woman in her judgment. The Papists of this Kingdom depended much on this Ladies being of their own Religion, although outwardly, whether out of compliance to her Lord, or by the advice of Popish Po­licies she went to Church, but going out of this Kingdom into England, she returned unto her Popish inclinations, which then was a signal testimony of her Religion all along.

These Jesuitical projects were not sufficient to satisfie a Romish appetite;A Riot com­mitted by the Popish Cler­gy, anno 1629 seeing that these devices could take no effect, the Jesuits and Friars of Dublin, out of spleen, began to Preach Sedition unto the Papist Inhabitants within that Metropolis; continuing af­ter this method for certain days, it came at last to Lancelot Buckley, alias Bulkley his ears, then Archbishop of the same See, who went and related what he had heard touching this se­ditious Doctrine, and desired of Adam Loftus Lord Viscount Elye, and Richard Earl of Cork, then Lords Justices of the Nation, to send a file of Musque­teers, [Page 73]and a Warrant to seize on these Malefactors; but coming to the Friar Carmelites-House then in Cook-street in Dublin, where these Friars were infusing of Rebellion into several of the then Popish Aldermen and Citi­zens of this City, they arose unani­mously joyning to confront the Arch­bishop and his attendance in a very high nature, by wounding some of the Souldiers, and those who assisted the Archbishop, that not being sufficient, they went to assault the Bishops per­son, who for safety was fain to run through the Streets of Dublin and cry for help, and so obtained safeguard by running into a House, or otherwise he had been in danger of his life. This Riot of the Friars was committed a­bout Christmass, 1629.

The Lords Justices upon this com­mitted the Popish Aldermen and others of the Citizens; amongst which of the Aldermen one Mr. Jyans was one. On the ninth of January the Lords Justices and Council gave his Majesty and the Lords of the Coun­cil of England an account of these dis­asters, [Page 74]which coming to those Lords hands, they returned this answer.

By your Letters dated the ninth of January, The Lords of the Coun­cil of England to the Lords of the Coun­cil in Ireland, Jan. 31. 1629. we understand how the se­ditious Riot moved by the Friars and their Adherents at Dublin, hath by your good order and resolution been happily supprest; and we doubt not, but by this occasion you will consider how much it concerneth the good Government of that Kingdom, to pre­vent in time the first growing of such evils: for where such people be per­mitted to swarm, they will soon grow licentious, and endure no Govern­ment but their own, which cannot otherwise be restored than by a due and seasonable execution of the Law, and of such directions as from time to time have been sent from his Majesty and this Board. Now it redoundeth much to the Honour of his Majesty, that the World shall take notice of the ability and good-service of his Ministers there, which in person he hath been pleased openly in Council, and in most gracious manner, to ap­prove and commend, whereby you [Page 75]may be sufficiently encouraged to go on with like resolution and modera­tion till the work be fully done, as well in the City, as in other places of your Kingdom; the carriage whereof we must leave to your good discreti­ons, whose particular knowledge of the present state of things can guide you better, when and where to carry a soft or harder hand; only this we hold necessary to put you in mind of, that you continue in that good agree­ment amongst your selves for this and other services, which your Letters do express, and for which we commend you much, that the good Servants of the King and State may find encou­ragement equally from you all, and the ill-affected may find no support or countenance from any, nor any other contrivances used, but by gene­ral advice, for avoiding of further evils shall be allowed, and such Magistrates and Officers, if any shall be discover­ed, that openly or under-hand favour such disorders, or do not their duties in suppressing them, and committing the offenders, you shall do well to [Page 76]take all fit and safe advantages, by the punishment or displacing of a few, to make the rest more cautious. This we write, not as misliking the fair course you have taken, but to express the concurrency of our judgments with yours, and to assure you of our assistance in all such occasions where­in, for your future proceedings we have advised. And his Majesty re­quireth you accordingly to take or­der, first, that the house wherein Se­minary Friars appeared in their ha­bits, and wherein the Reverend Arch­bishop and the Mayor of Dublin re­ceived the first affront, be speedily demolished, and be the mark of ter­ror to the resisters of Authority, and that the rest of the Houses erected or employed there, or elsewhere, to the use of suspitious Societies, be conver­ted to Houses of Correction, and to set the people on work, or to other publick uses, for the advancement of Justice, good Arts or Trades; and further, that you find out the Lands, Leases or Revenues applied to their uses, and dispose thereof according to [Page 77]the Law, and that you certifie also the places and institutions of all such Mo­nasteries, Priories, Nunneries, and other Religious Houses, and the names of all such persons as have put themselves to be Brothers and Sisters therein, especially such as are of note, to the end such evil Plants be not per­mitted to take root any where in that Kingdom, which we require you to take care of.

As for the supply of Munition, which you have reason to desire, we have taken effectual order that you shall receive it with all convenient speed, and so bid you heartily fare­well.

• Lord Keeper.
• Lord Treasurer.
• Lord President.
• Lord Privy-Seal.
• Lord High Chamberlain.
• Earl of Suffolk.
• Earl of Dorset.
• Earl of Salisbury.
• Earl of Kelly.
• Lord Viscount Dorchester.
• [Page 78] Lord Newbergh.
• Mr. Vice Chamberlain.
• Mr. Secretary Cooke.
• Sir William Alexander.

His Majesty beholding and con­sidering how rebellious his Popish Subjects have hitherto been,The Papists design to take off the Earl of Straf­fords Head. as we have already exprest even from the first entrance into his Throne, some few years after sent over Thomas Lord Wentworth (afterwards Created Earl of Strafford) to Govern his Kingdom of Ireland, who executed that place to that Kingdoms advantage by civi­lizing the Inhabitants, and bringing them to an English Station, as to this day appears by those English Planta­tions by him ordered in the Counties of Longford, Wicklow, and other pla­ces. These acts or good deeds of his pleased not some peoples fancies, espe­cially not the sancies of the Irish Na­tives of the Popish Religion during this Nóble-mans Government. He ob­tained a Grant of four Subsidies for the maintenance of an Army, which was irksome to the ancient Natives of [Page 79]that Land: He being recalled about the year 1640. was not long in Eng­land before he was Indicted of High-Treason, his Enemies at that time cast­ing all aspersions imaginable to make him odious to most men; amongst which aspersions they gave out as if he were inclined to Popery, but his actions during his Government in Ire­land shews yet to the contrary: He was beheaded in the Month of May 1641. then his Enemies having remo­ved so great a Pillar of State as this Noble-man was, began to shew their teeth; for upon the 23d. of October following, by their Popish Rebellion they testified what they aimed at.

And the better to accomplish their design for the Plot of 1641. one White wrote this Letter following to a Po­pish Peer of Ireland, that the City of Dublin might be at that appointed time under a Popish Jurisdiction.

[Page 83]In the year 1640.See Mr. Prynne's de­monstration, shewing how the Papists contrived the late Kings Murther, and the then Re­bellions in Scotland and England. George Con a Scotch-man being then the Pope's Nuntio. Prynne's Rome's Ma­ster-piece, pa. 18. Sir William Bos­well being then Agent for his Majesty at the Hague, having intelligence of a Plot then advising by the Jesuits and the Church of Rome to take off his Majesty, in case he would not to­lerate their Religion, wrote this dis­covery unto William Laud then Arch­bishop of Canterbury, who immediate­ly shewed the same to his Majesty. The Papists upon this account, and also remembring the overthrow he gave to Fisher the Jesuit, thought they could not accomplish their evil design unless they took away this Pillar of the Church also; then under a dissen­ting disguise they cast aspersions on this holy Father, knowing nothing could make him more odious to the Commonalty than to say that he was a Papist, or endeavoured to bring in Popery; thus continuing in the gall of bitterness until he was cut off also.

Rome having accomplished her de­sires thus far, now begins to aim at a higher strain: His Majesty being a­bout this time in great distress, want­ing [Page 84]Moneys and other necessaries to support him against Romish and Puri­tanical policies, made his application to those Subjects whom he knew he might confide in, who served him faith­fully to the uttermost of their abili­ties; yet several Judas's sprinkled a­mongst them betraid them with their kisses; for it is well known, as we shall afterwards make it appear from sufficient Authors, how Rome ordered her affairs under-hand. For to pro­pagate this Plot of hers, she divides her Emissaries thus: She sprinkles some of her Tribe amongst the faith­ful of the Church of England, and suf­fers them openly to declare them­selves Protestants, yet with Oaths and Protestations to pretend to serve their King. Then with the dissenting party she Jesuitically disguises her self into a Puritanical dress to serve the adverse party, hereby the better to find out the intentions of Kings and Princes, and so to play her Game accordingly, by which means they brought the Head of that glorious Kingly Martyr to the Block.

[Page 85]To prove that Rome was the chief Instrument to draw the Subject into this horrible Engagement, we will be­gin to bring that Reverend person Dr. Du Moulyn for one of our Authors, who in his vindication of the sincerity of the Protestant Religion writes thus:

When the business of the late bad times are once ripe for an History,How Rome contrived the late Kings death. See Dr. Du­moulyn. pag. 58, 59. and Time, the bringer of Truth, hath discovered the mysteries of Iniquity, and the depths of Satan, which have wrought so much ruine and mischief, it will be found that the late Rebel­lion was raised and fostered by the arts of the Court of Rome, that Jesuits professed themselves Inde­pendent, as not depending on the Church of England; and Fifth Monar­chy men, that they might pull down the English Monarchy, and that in the Committees for the destruction of the King and the Church, they had their Spies and their Agents. The Roman Priest and Confessor is known, who when he saw the fatal stroke gi­ven to our holy King, and Martyr, [Page 86]flourished with his Sword, and said Now the greatest enemy that we have in the World is gone. To confirm what this Reverend Divine hath written, we entreat the Readers to cast their eyes on these words, which Mr. Henry Fowles specifies in his History of the wicked Plots and conspiracies of our pretended Saints, pag. 14. His words being thus:

When the late King was murther­ed,Prynne's brief necessary vindication, pag. 45. Mr. Henry Spotswood, riding casu­ally that way just as his Head was cut off, espied the Queens Confessor there on Horseback, in the habit of a Trooper, drawing forth his Sword, and flourishing it over his own head in triumph (as others then did): At which Mr. Spotswood being much ama­zed, and being familiarly acquainted with the Confessor,Another te­stimony shewing how Rome contri­ved the death of the late King. rode up to him, and said; O Father! I little thought to have found you here, or any of your Profession, at such a sad spectacle: To which he answered, that there were at least forty or more Priests and Je­suits there present on Horseback, be­sides himself. The resultancy of this [Page 87]Story is home and pat; and for the truth of it, I refer you to Mr. Prynne.

Other Authors could we cite, but to rational men knowing these two be sufficient proofs for our vindica­tion, we shall proceed no further for a testimony; yet we shall desire the Reader to consider how so soon as these Priests and Jesuits had perfected this evil fact, to take off the malignity of it from themselves, they hit it in the teeth of the dissenting Party to this day; therefore as a warning to the dissenting Party, we shall desire them to consider how they were gull'd and brought into this ignominy: The Papists in a dissenting disguise first set these people a madding, and after slipt their own necks out of the halter, reserving those halters at last to hang those whom they had sedu­ced, by which they suppose themselves not guilty of the Fact, by reason none of them who were executed for the same declared to be a Papist.

Amongst these Priests and Jesuits then present at that bloody work, there were two of the late Queens [Page 88]Confessors, one of whom went under the name of Captain Tho Preston, and had a Command of a Troop of Horse under Oliver the Usurper. This said Impostor came over into Ireland, and lay for a time at Alderman John Pre­ston's House in Skinner row in Dublin, his Troop of Horse at that time be­ing quartered at Athy, a Town distant about 27 miles from that City, to dis­guise his Jesuitical policy; and that he might not be suspected, he Mar­ried (or at least kept a Wench as his Wife,) for you have already heard how they esteem the Marriage of the Church of England Heretical; by which device of theirs they say 'tis no Marriage, but a venial sin. This pre­tended Captain, upon the Restaura­tion of our now gracious King Charles the Second, laid down his Arms, and declared what he was, saying, that he would fall to his old Calling; and being asked what that Calling was, he made answer that he was the Queens Confessor, and was not asha­med to own it. Several of the City of Dublin have heard this, and can testify the same.

[Page 89]Sir John Temple, and Doctor Bor­lace in their Books touching the re­lation of the Irish Rebellion begun anno 1641. make mention of a Friar who cruelly tied or caused to be tied several Protestants back to back, and so to be flung over Portadowne-Bridge in Ireland. A relation of a Popish Im­postor, by Order a Fri­ar, and he took upon him a Mili­tary Employ­ment, and changed his Name to ad­vance the Church of Rome. This Friar about the time that Oliver Cromwell came over into Ireland, went disguised into England, at which time he received one Wards Wife, by whom he had several Ba­stards, pretending she was his Wise. Cromwell going back for England, this Friar (by what means is not known) became very gracious and conversant with that Usurper, and then went un­der the name of Captain Holland; upon this intimacy and acquaintance Oliver Cromwell made use of this Im­postor, and gave him a large allow­ance per annum to give him Foreign and Domestick Intelligence, for he would pay upon Post-days above for­ty shillings and more for Letters di­rected to him by the name of Captain Holland; yet it chanced that upon a certain Speech which Oliver made [Page 90] anno 1654. to this effect, viz. that there was nothing done in England either of State or Ecclesiastical mat­ters, but that it was carried on by the Jesuits, and that Rome knew things before they were past in England, and so bade his then Parliament to look into this affair; search being made, and things inquired into, some of these Impostors were discovered, a­mongst the rest this pretended Cap­tain Holland, and the Crimes which we have already mentioned laid to his charge, yet Oliver Cromwell pro­tected him, and would not permit the Witnesses to prosecute any further. This Holland died within two years after, and left Thurla, Oliver's Secre­tary, his Executor, to oversee what he had left for the use of his Whore and Bastards, which being found to be about 2500 l. Oliver seized on the summ, and said, The Rogue got it under me, let his Whore and Bastards shift for themselves. And thus ill-gotten Riches perished.

Doctor Ramsey a Scotch man, and one of his Majesties Physitians of [Page 91] Scotland, had two Sons,A relation of one Ramsey a Jesuit, who went under the name of Captain Right, and an Officer un­der Oliver Cromwell. one Ramsey a Captain in Oliver Cromwells Army, who went under the name of Cap­tain Right; the other Son, Tho. Ram­sey, who lately practiced Physick here in Ireland. As touching the former, he was a Jesuit, and went under that name, purposely to hide his Function, and also to accomplish his Romish po­licies, that he (with others of his Po­pish Crew) might hit it in the teeth of those whom these sorts had miss­led, and say that it was Protestants, and not Papists, that murthered their King, and fought against him. It chan­ced one day that this Jesuit riding in the head of his Troop, that his Fa­ther Doctor Ramsey beheld him, and being between fear and doubt whe­ther it was his Son or no, he enquired of one of his Troopers whom he was? they returned answer, that it was one Captain Right; but his Father having heard how he had taken a Jesuits Fun­ction upon him beyond Seas, and not suspecting that he had been in the Kingdom, went secretly to Cromwell, and related the Story to him how he [Page 92]had a Jesuit an Officer in his Army, and that his name was Ramsey, though he went under the name of Captain Right. Upon this description of his Fathers Oliver grants a Warrant, and had him apprehended: His Quarters being searched where he lay, there was found Papers of correspondence with that Society. All this being pro­ved, this Jesuitical Captain was dis­mounted, to be mounted a step or two higher, and so sent to Heaven in a String.

As for the other Brother,A confession of Doctor Tho. Ramsey, the other Ramseys Bro­ther, and how he reformed. Doctor Tho. Ramsey, he had been a great Traveller, and a great Scholar, well vers'd in Physick, and an Excellent Linguist, yet a rank Papist. Some say a Jesuit, as his Brother was, others say he was only a Lay Brother of that Society, which sort are permitted to Marry, the better to propagate their Romish Plots and contrivances. This Thomas was, as I take it, twice Mar­ried, his last Wife yet living; he was of a wild and wandring spirit, very witty, and always merry, especially in his cups; in which (to his com­pany) [Page 93]he would disclose several of his mad Pranks. Amongst which, this was one: He being, as we have al­ready mentioned, a great Linguist, went to Oxford, where he pretended to be a Jew, and there he taught the Hebrew Tongue to several of the Scho­lars, but being suspected to have been an Impostor, they thought to have catechiz'd him; but he being aware of that, left that University, and went to Cambridge, where he was tract, and from thence went to London. He lurking disguisedly in this City, Mr. Prynne having heard of several of his mad Pranks, offered five Pounds to any man that could bring Ramsey un­to him; the Doctor having intelli­gence of this design of Mr. Prynnes, he one day puts on an outlandish dress on him, and over it an old rug­ged Parsons Gown; then coming to Mr. Prynne's House, he enquired for him, and coming into his presence, he spake the Italian Language, also the German, and Latin, pretending unto him that he was a poor Bohemian Priest, and had been a Slave in Tur­key, [Page 94]but was happily redeemed by an English Turkey Merchant; then tel­ling of his wants, and how desirous he was to go to his own Countrey, in case he could not be preferred in England: Mr. Prynne began to take compassion on him, and told him that he would procure gatherings for him, and for the present gave him five Pounds to buy him Apparel, and bid this poor Bohemian Priest not to be a stranger to his House. After that he had played this cheat with Mr. Prynne, he wrote within few days after a Let­ter to him to this purpose, that he had heard some say that he would give five Pounds to see him; nay further, that he had given Ramsey himself five Pounds; and so wrote according to what we have already mentioned.

He several times owned how he was in Cromwells days employed by the Pope, and by the Jesuits, to ad­vance their affairs as well in England as in Ireland; also how he had Preach­ed sometimes in an Independent shape, other times in an Anabaptist and Qua­kers shape, and had the Pope's Bull [Page 95]for what he did. This Doctor about three years since, viz. about the year of our Lord 1678 or 1679 died at Derry, yet for some months before his death reformed to the Protestant Faith of England. It being thought that he was poysoned secretly a­mongst the Jesuits, they envying of him for his reforming to our Church; for he being a jovial companion, ca­red not what company he went in. Sir William Stewart Knight, one of his Majesties Privy-Council, can give a further account of this Doctor; who, as I hear, hath some Papers of his Con­fessions and Reforming, which had they come to my hands, I had for the publick good here inserted; but for want of them, what we have already mentioned, can be attested by Sir Henry Pierse Baronet, his Sons Willi­am and Henry Pierse Esquires, and Justices of Peace of the County of Westmeath, and Mr. Mark Pierse of the same, Gent. to whom he told these like Stories of himself, and many more, he living at Tristernaugh Town in the said County with them, near a [Page 96]quarter of a year, and being then their Physitian.

Several of his Majesties Subjects of Ireland being in London upon the death of Oliver Cromwell the Usurper,Peter Talbott the late Ti­tular Arch­bisho of Dublin ve­ry intimate with Crom­well. who were more desirous to see his Funeral Solemnities, than to see him officiate in his Tyrannical Govern­ment, obtained leave to be at a Friends House at Westminster to behold the Celebration thereof. John King, then Dean of Tuam, a faithful Subject of his Majesties, shewed to several of the Spectators, saying, there goes Peter Talbott amongst the Mourners in deep Mourning; which had not these Spe­ctators seen, they would scarcely have believed that it had been he. At that time it being the fashion for Mourners not to cast off their Mourning Cloaks so soon as they do now a days, he was seen by several to walk in the same Habit, with his Cloak folded under his arm for some months after this Funeral, walking in the Piazza in Co­vent-Garden, and other of the Streets of the City of London.

Upon General Monk's rising in Eng­land [Page 97]to bring in our now Gracious So­vereign King Charles the Second into his Throne, this said Peter Talbott went in company with the then General Lambert, riding to oppose the Duke of Albemarls designs: For these his good seats, the Pope made him Titu­lar Archbishop of Dublin; Dean King's Wife, Mrs. Sarah King can testify this for a true Narrative, if examined, and is yet living.

Since his Majesties happy Restau­ration,Hoc factum circa ann. 1670 aut 71. there came a certain Peer out of England into Ireland, who there bore sway; and it is well known to the Inhabitants of the City of Dublin, that this mighty Peer lent a Suit of Arras Hangings, and the best of his Plate, to the above Peter Talbott, to adorn that Titular Bishops Mass-House, and Altar. This Sir F. B. a Knight, and Alderman of the said Ci­ty, and several others of the Citizens can testifie,Satan begins to transform himself into an Angel of Light to de­stroy the Church of England. if demanded, besides the words which the said Peer spoke at the time he lent these Adornments, which were thus, or to this effect: That he hoped to hear high Mass within six [Page 98]months in the Cathedral of Christ-Church in Dublin. Doubtless these were signal demonstrations or fore­runners of the late Popish Conspiracy anno 1678.

Samuel Pullen Doctor of Divinity coming into Ireland before the late Irish Rebellion, A notable Story of a Jesuit, who pretended to be a Shoo­maker, and to Preach by Inspiration. he became first Chan­cellor of Cashel, and Dean of Clonfert; the Irish Rebellion anno 1641 bursting out, the Papists (about those parts of Ireland) murthered several of the Pro­testants, and Protestant Ministers; this Samuel being at that time in dan­ger, was preserved by Providence by a Jesuit named James Saul, alias Sall, who (before that Rebellion) had re­ceived from the Dean several favours, which caused James Saul to preserve the Dean from being murthered for the space of three months, until he could be conducted into English Quar­ters.

After this escape the Dean sailed into England, where he became Chap­lain to the then Earl of Oxford, where he tarried for divers years. It chan­ced (during the Deans stay there, and [Page 99]in the time of Usurpation, when se­veral Meetings were permitted,) that the Earls Countess was disswaded from her Principles, for to go to hear those sort of Preachers, amongst whom there was a Shoo-maker much admi­red by his Auditory, which occasion­ed the Countess to extol him unto the Dean, for a pious and heavenly gifted man, and often urg'd the Dean to go and hear him; who, upon several in­treaties, as also to comply with the Countess, the Dean went with her to this Meeting. At his coming thither, he observed the Shoomaker, and found by his words, that those spee­ches of his went beyond his Last, and that he was a man of Parts. Yet al­though years had changed this Im­postors Physiognomy, as also being altered by his Beard, the Dean recol­lected with himself that he had seen this Shoomaker before. At last, the Sermon being ended, the Countess (his great Admirer) invited him home to Dinner; after which the Dean and he fell into a Disputation, who find­ing this Shoomaker had skill in the [Page 100] Hebrew, Greek and Latin Tongues, demanded of him how he came by that Science? The Shoomaker re­plied, by the holy Spirit. But (to con­clude) the Dean told him, he knew to the contrary, and that he had rea­son to know it; thereupon gave him thanks for preserving of his life in Ireland, and said you are Mr. Sall; and as you saved mine, I shall save yours. The Dean then speaking un­to my Lord, and to his Countess, said, this man saved my life in Ireland in the tumultuous days of the Irish Re­bellion, therefore I shall make bold to engage to this my friend, that your Lordship and my Lady shall do him no harm, provided that he departed thence from that Shire, and not de­lude the common people there any longer. This pretended Shoomaker being thus discovered, his Trade could no longer abscond his Jesuitical Fun­ction, and so he craved a certain time for to depart thence; saying, Pray let me not go in a hurry, lest I be sus­pected; which desire of his was easily granted. In the interim he pretended [Page 101]to the rest of his followers to be war­ned by the Spirit to go and teach else­where, which did not a little trouble them, especially the poor silly Wo­men, who could not hold from drop­ping of tears for the departure of so heavenly a man. After this warning he left Oxfordshire within three weeks. The Countess upon this was recalled to the Church of England, to the great admiration of the rest of this Impostors Followers, who enquiring the reasons of this sudden change, were all likewise ashamed that they had been thus deluded. This said Samuel Pullen was (since his Majesties happy Restauration, by the means of his Grace the Duke of Ormond) preferred to the Archbishoprick of Tuam in Ire­land; several have heard that Right Reverend Father relate this passage in his life time, and some are yet living to testifie the truth of it: Witness Dean Pearse for one, who hath heard something to this purpose.

Mr. John Crooke, some time Book­seller in St. Pauls Church-yard at the Ship in London, and since Stationer and [Page 102]Printer to his most Serene Majesty in Dublin, told this Story following un­to Sir James Ware, Knight, now de­ceased.

Anno 1656. the Reverend Divine Doctor Henry Hammond being one day in the next Shop to this said John Crookes, and there reading the Works of S. Ambrose, a Red-coat casually came in and looked over this Divines shoul­der, and there read the Latin as per­fect as himself, which caused the Do­ctor to admire that a Red-coat should attain to that Learning; then speak­ing unto him, he demanded how he came to that Science? the Red-coat replied, by the holy Spirit; the Do­ctor hereupon replied, I will try thee further, and so called for a Greek Au­thor, which the Read coat not only read, but construed: The Doctor to try him further, called for the Hebrew-Bible, and so for several other Books, in which this Read-coat was very ex­pert: At last the Doctor recollecting with himself, called for a Welch-Bible, and said, if thou beest inspired, read me this Book, and construe it; but [Page 103]the Read-coat being at last catch'd, re­plied, I have given thee satisfaction e­nough, I will not satisfie thee further, for thou wilt not believe though an Angel came from Heaven. The Do­ctor smelling out this deceit, caused the Apprentice to go for a Constable, who being brought to the Shop, the Doctor told the Constable he had something to say against this Red-coat, and bade him bring him before Oliver Cromwell, then called the Lord Pro­tector. The Red-coat being brought to White Hall, and examined, he, af­ter a rustick manner, Quaker-like, thou'd and thee'd Oliver; but being suspected, it was demanded where he quartered, it being found out, at the Devil Tavern. The Doctor intreated his Chamber might be searched, which was accordingly searched, where they found an old Chest filled partly with his wearing Apparel, as also with se­veral Papers, and seditious Popish Books; amongst which, there being a pair of Boots, and Papers stuft in one of them, they found a Parchment Bull of Licence to this Impostor, gran­ted [Page 104]under several names, to assume what Function or Calling he pleased. These being brought before Oliver, for what reasons it is unknown, yet the Red-coat escaped, bringing several proofs of what great service he had done, and the greatest affliction was laid on him was Banishment, and what proceeded further we know not.

When Oliver Cromwell routed the Irish Priests and their Clergy out of Ireland, Father Now­land the Do­minican of Gallway his ingenious Confession of himself to William Mus­champ Esq how he plaid the part of an Indepen­dant in Crom­well's days. one Father Nolan, alias Now­land, a Dominican Friar of Gallway fled beyond Sea, who afterwards in some space of time came into England, and landing at Plymouth in a poor mean habit, stragling in that Town till he had got a service. This Nowland chanced to come to one Mr. Hughs his House, who was in those days a great Independant Minister, and Prea­cher in that Town. This Minister hired Nowland, who at first was under­servant to the Gardner, and in little time became chief Gardner himself. Mr. Hughs, according to the usual custom of Dissenters, had his weekly Meetings upon week days; where at [Page 105]his House the Elders and several of his Flock would assemble to Pray, and to Expound. It was observed that Now­land was very diligent, and would turn to the Texts of Scripture very readily, which Mr. Hughs perceiving, encouraged Nowland, and in a short time took him from Gardning, and made him his Butler. Nowland being thus highly preferr'd, strove all he could to please his Master, and ob­serving that his Master would sit up late at his Study, which Study was a little beyond the Buttery, and that his Master was always to pass by the Buttery-door to go thither, he had or­dered the matter thus; One night hearing his Master locking of his Stu­dy-door, Nowland fell to his Prayers, and had put out the Candle, which Mr. Hughs hearing, he put out his Candle also, and laid his ear to the square hole that was cut in the But­tery-door, where he continued whilst Nowland was at his Prayers; after which he secretly went to his Cham­ber, considering with himself, that this poor ignorant man (as he thought) [Page 106]must needs be inspired. But upon the next Meeting day, Mr. Hughs discour­sing with the Elders, and chief of his Followers of this passage, they all as­sented that Nowland should Pray. But Nowland pretended, alas, he knew not how to Pray, poor man, not he; but it being consented amongst the Bre­thren that he must Pray, and that if God had endued him with such a Gift, he sinned if he did not make use of it. Upon which intreaty Nowland Pray­ed, acting the gestures, posture and tone as well as the best of themselves, to their great admiration; for which all the Meeters gave Nowland a summ of Money to buy him handsom Ap­parel for those days: Nowland coming every day more into favour than for­merly he was; he begun to shew his Master some observations that he had made upon the Scripture, which so pleased the Elders, and the people, that Nowland became an Expositor of the Scripture, and so Expounded upon certain days amongst the Meeters, and was no longer Butler, but ordered to sit at Mr. Hughs his Table. Thus [Page 107] Nowland continued in esteem amongst the Independants at Plymouth until the Restauration of our Gracious Sove­reign K. Charles the Second; then pre­tending for a while he would go and see his Relations in Ireland, and let them see how God had provided for him, and that he would return again in a short time. Upon this promise, taking of his leave, he departed thence, and came into Ireland, where he hath hitherto continued. This Narrative the said Nowland himself confessed un­ William Muschamp Esq now one of his Majesties Commissioners for the farming of his Revenues there, who can certifie that this Nowland made his brags how he serv'd the Indepen­dants at Plymouth.

There is yet in Ireland a Clergy­man of the Church of Rome, Mr. Andrew Catherwood his Narrative of one Jackson a pretended Saint, yet a Romanist. one Jack­son by name, who has Preached (as we are informed by our Author) for these several years past, viz. ann. 1668, 1669, and 1670. within and about the Counnty and City of Limerick, a­mongst the Nonconformists in those parts. This Fox when he began to [Page 108]Preach at Limerick, received from those Nonconformists at one time about fourscore Cobbs for a Sermon then Preached unto them; after which he invited an acquaintance of his, Mr. Andrew Catherwood, to a Treat, at which time he spent about twenty shillings of this summ, the said Mr. Catherwood assuring us, who heard him declare these words, that this said Jackson was the first that ever brought him to a Bawdy-house within that City.

The said Mr. Andrew Catherwood doth likewise affirm that this Jackson would often pretend that he had re­ceived Letters from Francis Marsh then Bishop of Limerick, and would frame these Letters as if they had weekly come from him, saying, that that Bishop would fain have him to Preach in his Cathedral, but it was a­gainst his Conscience so to Preach; therefore he had rather Preach to his Flock for Charity, than to the Bishop for Gain. This he framed to cologue with his Followers, and would shew these pretended Letters of his to please them.

[Page 109]Mr. Catherwood also affirmeth that this Jackson would say Mass disguised to the common sort in that County upon week-days; and although he seigned this outward Godliness a­mongst the Dissenters at Limerick, that he came up to Dublin, and there Preached amongst our Ministers in our Churches; and after, to cologue with the Dissenters in that City, he pretended to them to fall from the Church of England, and Preached in the Meetings; where (as he the said Jackson confessed to Mr. Catherwood) he got about 13 l. Sterl. collected by the Meeting-houses in Dublin.

This Jackson was born at Abber­deen in Scotland; he is a great Scholar, and a Traveller, for he hath travelled into France, Italy, Germany and Spain. In Spain he taught a School, as being Ʋsher under a publick Schoolmaster there; he still wandreth about this Kingdom of Ireland, and was lately seen in the County of Mayo: The then Bishop of Limrick, Fran. Marsh, now Archbishop of Dublin, we suppose may have heard of this Impostors pranks [Page 110]already mentioned, during the time that his Grace was Bishop of Limrick; which, if testified, would strengthen this Mr. Catherwoods Evidence, who declared this above Narrative unto us, whose names hereafter follow, Ro­bert Ware Esq John Madden Student in Physick of Trinity-Colledge in Dub­lin, and before Pearse Welch, being up­on the 25th. of Feb. 1681.

Thus far have we laid before you the practices of Rome, devised to di­vide the Protestant Church of Eng­land; therefore the dispensations al­lowed by her Popes and Clergy be many and large (as appears by what you have already heard) purposely to drive on, and set forward her impious Plots; she therefore dispenses with her Adherents to take the shape, yea, even of a member of the Church of England, not out of love thereunto, but to accomplish her intended pur­poses. For example-sake, there was a certain Knight, Sir E. L. well known over his Majesties Dominions of Eng­land, Scotland and Ireland, who came into this his Majesties Kingdom of [Page 111] Ireland anno 1670, or thereabouts.

It is not unknown unto the Inha­bitants and Citizens of Dublin, that in the year following 1671, upon the one and twentieth of May there hap­ned a surious fire in his Majesties Ca­stle of Dublin; during which flames the Lord John Butler (afterwards created Earl of Gowran, third Son to his Grace James Duke of Ormond, now Lord Lieutenant of the Nation) took great care and pains to extinguish the same; which had it been trusted unto the said Knight, we question whether half the Buildings now there extant would have been seen this day: For this Knight, under the pretence of sa­ving the rest of the Buildings within that Castle, would have blown up the great Hall belonging to this Palace. To execute this project the quicker, he caused a Barrel of Gunpowder to be placed in the middle of that Hall, and so to have dropt a train of Pow­der, and to set fire to the same. But this brave spirited Lord coming in at that instant, and enquiring why that Barrel was there placed, and having [Page 112]heard the project, he most couragiously (although the flames were over his head) lifted up the Barrel of Gun­powder, and carried it out on his shoulders, saying, I approve not of this project.

When this Fire hapned, as is gene­rally reported by several of the Citi­zens of Dublin, that night the water of the City was stopt, so that the Castle-pipe had no water but what they were fain to bring in from the Mill-pond in the Stable-yard without the Castle-walls.

It hath been generally reported that this Knight went secretly to Mass at this time, but whether he did or no, it was observed that he would walk before the then Lord Lieute­nant amongst the Gentry to Church, with his Bible publickly under his arm to be seen. This posture disgui­sed his Religion, which since is dis­covered, although at Church he would seem very zealous, turning to the Texts of Scripture as fast as they were quoted by the Minister.

[Page 113]There is a Learned Doctor,Doctor Salls testimony concerning this Knight. some years now past, who turned unto the Church of England, Andrew Sall by name, formerly an Ecclesiastick of the Church of Rome, who hath affir­med how he had heard formerly, when the Lord J. B. went Embassador into France, that this Sir E. L. went with that Lord; and that the French King being taken with the Knights humors, he and that King covenanted together after this manner.

This Knight was to give intelli­gence to the French King,The Cove­nants be­tween the French King and this Knight. acting un­der-hand for him, making this Proviso for himself, that in case he should be discovered, and thereby incur the King of Englands displeasure, if he fled into France, he should be there succoured, and the French King there to provide a place for him.

Several others besides this Divine have heard the same, besides what the Letters of News have mentioned to this effect. For the perfecting of this Covenant, it is visible and known how he hath been accused to be one of the Conspirators in the late Popish [Page 114]Plot anno 1678, for which he was clapt up; but afterwards being re­leased upon Bail, he fled into France, where he is not only succoured to this day, but likewise provided for, and there preferred to be an Abbot in Pa­ris, where several of his Majesties Sub­jects have seen him ranting with his Coach and Horses.

Whilst this Knight tarried in Ireland to find out the affairs of the Metro­polis of this Kingdom,How this Knight thrust out Sir William Da­vies to bring in himself Recorder of this City. he cajoled se­veral of the Aldermen and Citizens of Dublin, by breeding animosities be­tween them and the Recorder, Sir William Davies, purposely to make place for himself, and to expulse Sir William. This Knight being ambiti­ous, not only to know the modes and manners of the City, but also to change the ancient Rules and customs accor­ding to his fancy. To further this his purpose, he made the Lord Berkley to procure the Recorders Place, which Place he once taking possession of, he began to change the old Rules and Customs aforesaid, which bred much clashing amongst the Aldermen and [Page 115]Commons of the City; but he then having the ear of the Lord Berkley, bore all afore him, hectoring after this manner.

Several of the Aldermen being dis­contented with these actions of his,His first pranks after he became Recorder. complained, but all to no purpose; for which complaint of theirs, by this Knights means, and by the new stamp which he had raised to assist him, these Aldermen whose names follow were expulsed, and razed out of the roul of Aldermen; Alderman Richard Tigh, Daniel Hutchinson, Lewis Des­minieres, Enoch Reader, Mark Quin, Joshua Allen, and Francis Bruster, the two last Aldermen being since Knigh­ted.

In lieu of these then expulsed Al­dermen for to make up a Table of his own gang and creatures,This Recor­ders new Al­dermen. by reason they voted to his will and pleasure, this Gentleman preferred William Gresingham, Nathanael Philpot, and one Brookes, who has been since one of the Informers of the late Popish Plot; Peter Ward, who hath been since Lord Mayor of Dublin; and [Page 116]others were offered at the same time to be made Aldermen also, but refu­sed. The Government of this City continuing under this tuition of their new Recorder and change of Alder­men, until the Government of this Nation was changed, to make way for the Right Honourable Arthur Earl of Essex.

This Honourable Peer was scarce fetled in the Lieutenancy when the grievances of these mutations (which we have already mentioned) came be­fore his Lordship and this Honoura­ble Board,The Earl of Essex and the Privy-Coun­cil their ver­dict in this matter; the seven Alder­men resto­red, and the three degra­ded. shewing before them the former passages and enormities com­mitted by this Knight, and his Ad­herents: These Grievances took up ten or eleven hours debate upon hear­ing the same. Then after some days considerations between this Noble Peer and the Privy Council, they ap­pointed a day for the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen to hear their Judgment and Opinion: At which time it was ordered Sir Ellis to be expulsed, and Sir William to be re­stored; the seven aforesaid Alder­men [Page 117]to take their places as formerly, and the other three new ones to be degraded. Upon this Order the Knight being thus deprived of his prey, fled to seek it elsewhere, being too well known in this City for to tarry lon­ger, and so departed hence into Eng­land.

Whereas you have read already how it was the Jesuits, and other the Emissaries of Rome, who contrived the cutting off the two Pillars of our Church and State, the better for their evil purposes to contrive a way for to murther our late Gracious Sove­reign and Godly Martyr Charles the First. And also whereas you have had a relation of the Papal Conspira­cies, and of the correspondence be­tween the Papists of Ireland, and of France, for the invading of Ireland; so likewise we humbly lay before you the Papal contrivances of their Bre­thren and Popish Fathers in England at the same time working against his Sacred Majesty, and the welfare of the Church and State of England, as shall here appear by a copy of a Let­ter [Page 118]written from a Jesuit to his Cor­respondent at Bruxels, as follows.

This conclusion is wanting in Rush­worth's Collections in the Letter to the Rector aforesaid.

When the Original of this Jesuitical Lord was seized on amongst other Papers, it was supposed to have been written by one Winter a Jesuit, and [Page 130]Nephew to the same Winter, who was executed for the Gunpowder-Treason in King James his days, now about 77 years since.

This Parliament sat upon the day appointed, being upon the 17th. of March 1627. Sir John Finch the Queens Attorney then being chosen Speaker of the House of Commons; at which Assembly his late Gracious Majesty saluted both the Lords and other Members thus:

This Speech of his Gracious Ma­jesty to the moderate Members was acceptable; to the Factious or Purita­nical sort, an amasement; and to the Papal sort so affected, a terror, or guilt of conscience, making them look a­squint upon themselves; and were it not for shame, they would have run on their old course with violence, which the Jesuits had plotted, as the Letter taken at Clarken-well aforesaid specifieth; yet to smother their pri­vate future intentions, they concorded with the moderate sort to grant his Majesty some Subsidies.

The Court of Rome by their Emis­saries [Page 133]sprinkled here, having intelli­gence of the seizure of these Papers, (to slip their necks out of the Halter) consulted with those whom they had made sure, as appeareth by the Let­ter, in these words; We have not op­posed it (meaning the calling of this Parliament) but rather furthered it; so that we hope as much in this Parlia­ment, as ever we feared any in Queen Elizabeths days. How the Je­suits laid their contri­vance on the Church of England. Then smelling how the Duke had discovered their Romish Policies, they began the better to gloss their intentions, to lay before the House several grievances touching Re­ligion, aspersing at that time Neale the then Bishop of Winchester, and Laud then Bishop of Bath and Wells, to be the two Supporters of Arminia­nism; whereas the Letter sheweth it was their own act and contrivance. Also in this Grievance they lay all their mischief by them devised upon the Duke of Buckingham, saying he was the cause of these vexations. Therefore for the better satisfaction of the Reader,Vide pag. 113, & 114. we shall lay before you the heads of these Grievances [Page 134]then presented in Parliament, as Wil­liam Sanderson in his History of the Reign of King Charles the First sets them down.

• 1. THe danger, and innovation, and alteration in Religion. This occasioned by, 1st, The great esteem and favours many Professors of the Romish Religion receive at Court. 2 dly, Their publick resort to Mass at Denmark-House, contrary to his Ma­jesties answer to the Parliaments Pe­tition at Oxford. 3 dly, The Letter for stay of proceedings against them. Lastly, the daily growth of the Ar­minian Faction favoured and prote­cted by Nele Bishop of Winchester, and Laud Bishop of Bath and Wells, whilest the Orthodox parts are silenced or discountenanc'd.
• 2. The danger of Innovation, and alteration in Government occasioned by the billetting of Souldiers, by the Commission for procuring one thou­sand German Horse and Riders, as for [Page 135]the defence of the Kingdom, by a standing Commission granted to the Duke to be General at Land in times of Peace.
• 3. Disasters of our designs, as the expedition to the Isle of Rhe, and that lately to Rochel, wherein the English have purchased their dishonour with the wast of a million of treasure.
• 4. The want of Ammunition, oc­casioned by the late selling away of thirty six last of Powder.
• 5. The decay of Trade by the loss of three hundred Ships taken by the Dunkyrkers and Pyrates within these three last years.
• 6. The not guarding the Narrow-Seas, whereby his Majesty hath al­most lost his Regality.

Of all which evils and dangers, the principal cause is the Duke of Bucking­ham his excessive power, and abuse of that power. And therefore they hum­bly submit it to his Majesties wisdom, whether it can be safe for himself, or his Kingdom, that so great power both by Sea and Land, as rests in him, should be trusted in the hands [Page 136]of any one Subject whatsoever.

These Jesuitical contrivances not being able to disswade the late King from his tender affections unto the Duke,How the Je­suits contri­ved the Duke of Buckinghams death. but rather encouraged his Grace more, which the Jesuits perceiving, they contrived his death; whereupon the 23d. of August following he was stabb'd by one John Felton, who in his examination being asked why he kill'd the Duke, he replied, I shall be brief, I killed him for the cause of God and my Countrey. Yet that the Reader may the better compare the Leter di­rected to the Father Rector at Brux­els, and also the heads of the grievan­ces before mentioned, with the Con­fession of John Felton, we here lay before him, as the same Author sets it at large; in these words.

And after some discourse,Feltons Con­fession. See Sanders, pag. 122, 123. Sir (said he) I shall be brief, I killed him for the cause of God and my Country. Nay, said the other, there may be hope of his life, the Chirurgion said so. It is impossi­ble, (he replied) I had the force of for­ty men, assisted by him that guided my hand. And being interrogated to [Page 137]several questions, he made these an­swers: That he was named John Felton, heretofore Lieutenant to a Foot-Company under Sir James Ram­sey. That he had endeavoured for a Commission to be Captain in this Ex­pedition, and failed therein, but with­out any regret upon the Duke, (from whom he had found respect) nor for any private interest whatsoever; that the late Remonstrance of Parliament published the Duke so odious, that he appeared to him deserving death, which no Justice durst execute. That it was not many days since he resol­ved to kill him; but finding the Duke so closely attended, that it should be his business to pass a Voluntier, and do it in this Voyage. Somewhat he said of a Sermon at St. Faiths Church under Pauls, where the Preacher spake in justification of every man in a good cause to be Judge and Executioner of Sin, which he interpreted to be him. That passing out at the Postern-Gate upon Tower-Hill, he espied that fatal Knife in a Cutlers Glass-case, which he bought for sixteen pence. It was [Page 138]the point end of a tuff Blade stuck into a cross Haft; the whole length, handle and all, not twelve inches, fast­ned to his right pocket; and from that time he resolved therewith to stab him. That some days after he fol­lowed the Train to Portsmouth, and coming by a Cross erected in the High-way, he sharpned the point thereof upon the Stone, believing it more proper in Justice to advantage his design, than for the Idolatrous in­tent it was first erected. That he found continual trouble and disquiet in mind until he should perform this Fact, and came to Town but that morning. That no Soul living was accessary with him by any ways or means of the Dukes execution. That he was assured his Fact was justified, and he the Redeemer of the peoples sufferings, under the power of the Dukes Usurpations, &c. And his Pa­per tackt in the Crown of his Hat, seemed to satisfie his Conscience that he was thereof well pleased.

This unhappy Murther caused great distractions, especially in State-affairs; [Page 139]so that the House of Parliament and his Majesty differed very much in setling the Customs and other mat­ters, which in conclusion was the chief Instrument or cause of this Parlia­ments dissolution.

Anno 1652. There chanced to come unto Collonel Richard Lawrence, then Governour of Waterford under Oliver Cromwell, one Nugent, who seemed to be a fair conditioned man, and so was hired by the Collonel to work in his Garden; but knowing the Collonels temper and Principles in Religion, he strove to please him all he could, not missing Prayers in the Family or Meetings when-ever ap­pointed. Thus he continued with the Collonel for several years: At last it chanced that Justice John Cook, who was executed for the late Kings Mur­der, took a great liking to this Nugent, and begged of the Collonel for to let him go over with him into England, which the Collonel easily granted to oblige Justice Cooke. Nugent staying for a while with Justice Cooke, return­ed into Ireland, and came to his old [Page 140]Master Collonel Lawrence, where he remained for a while, and upon the Kings happy Restauration this Nugent became the Popish Confessor and Priest at Leislepp some 6 or 7 miles distant from Dublin, and hath seen the Col­lonel several times since, and laughs at him to this day when he sees him, considering how he had plaid the Dis­sembler with him, as if he had been one of the Collonels Fraternity, which is of the Anabaptists. Thus it is evi­dent how Dissenters have been migh­tily gull'd since the years 1640, and 1641. especially by the Church of Rome, purposely to make Separation in the Church of England. This the Collonel himself cannot deny; for he told the Author this Story on the 28th. day of March 1682. besides to others yet living in the City of Dublin, who can testifie this Narrative for a truth.

Hitherto we have shewed how the Papists have acted under the disgui­sed habits of Presbyterians and Inde­pendants, with a design to ruine the [Page 141]Church of England: It will not be now unseasonable to shew further how they have assembled themselves among the Quakers, and Preached in their Meeting-Houses, with a design of inlarging and continuing the divi­sions of Protestants: To which pur­pose I shall subjoin a passage out of a small Pamphlet published by Mr. Prynne, called The Quakers unmasked. Which runs thus:

This is a true Copy of the original Information taken upon Oath at Bri­stol, as aforesaid, the 22th. of January [Page 144]last: From whence the Reader and whole Nation may take notice, espe­cially those in present Power, who should prevent such dangerous grow­ing mischiefs with greatest care, not connive at them any longer.

1.See Cromwells Speech in the Painted Chamber, Sept. 4.1654, p. 16, 17. That there are multitudes of Romish Emissaries and Vermin now re­siding and wandring up and down freely amongst us, to seduce and di­vide the people, by setting up new Sects, and Separate Congregations in all places, and broaching new Noti­ons and Opinions of all sorts, or old Heresies or Blasphemies; not saying Masses, praying to Saints and Images, or crying up the Popes Supremacy, &c. as heretofore.

2. That they are the chief Spea­kers and Rulers in most Separate Congregations, and particularly a­mongst the Quakers, amongst whom the Franciscan Friars act their parts as well as the Jesuits.

3. That they have their several [Page 145] Missions and Directions into all parts from their Generals and Superiors, of their respective Orders, residing com­monly in London, (Cromwell's Speech, p. 16, 17. where they have a Consistory and Council sitting, that rules all the affairs of the things of Eng­land,) besides fixed Officers in every Diocess) and are all fore-acquainted both with the places and times of their several Missions; seeing Coppinger could so certainly predict the time of their Mission, and coming to Bristol, where they have done much harm, and as­saulted and disturbed the Ministers both in publick and private.

4.See Thomas Campanella de Monarchia Hispanica, c. 25.27. That the Popes and these his Emissaries chief endeavors are to draw the people from our Churches, pub­lick Congregations, Ordinances, Mi­nisters, and Religion, and to divide and tumble us into as many Sects and Separate Conventicles as they have Popish Orders; and thereby in­to as many civil Parties and Factions as possibly they can, to ruine us there­by, Matth. 12.25, 27.

5. That by this their new Strata­gem [Page 146]and Liberty, they have (under the disguises of being Quakers, Seek­ers, Anabaptists, Independents, Ranters, Dippers, Anti-Trinitarians, Anti-Scrip­turists, and the like) gained more Pro­selytes and Disciples, and done more harm in eight or nine years space to the Church and Realm of England, more prejudice, dishonour and scandal to our Religion and Ministers, than ever they did by saying Mass, or Prea­ching, Printing, or any point of the grossest Popery in 80 years time here­tofore. And if not speedily, diligent­ly, restrained, repressed, will soon ut­terly overturne both our Church, Re­ligion, Ministery, and State too in conclusion, having already brought them to sad confusions and distracti­ons.

Now that which gives great cause of suspicion,See Regula Fratrum mino­rum sub Fran­cisco Militan­tium. Ven. 1500. that these Quakers are either disguised Franciscan Fryers, or their seduced Disciples and Emissaries, is

1. Their rambling about from place to place by two and two together to vent and spread their Errors; as the [Page 147] Franciscan Friars use by theSee Regula Fratrum mino­rum sub Fran­cisco Mili­tantium, Ven. 1500. Rules of their Order are bound to do, and the Queens Franciscans did here of late.

2. Their use of vile and course Ar­ray, and condemning not only all Pride and Luxury, but lawful decen­cy in Apparel in themselves and their Proselytes, in imitation of theSee Surius & Ribadeni­era, in vita & Regula Fra­trum Minorum Sancti Fran­cisci. Fran­ciscans.

3. Their perswading people to de­sert their lawful Callings and Employ­ments, to embrace a kind of idle, monkish, lasy life, and ramble about from place to place to vent their pre­tended Visions, Revelations, Prophe­cies, Messages, and New Lights; a practice usual with Franciscan Friars, and St. Francis their Founder.

4. Their rude and uncivil beha­viour in refusing to salute, or shew any reverential respect, honour, or humble deportment towards Magi­strates, or other persons of what qua­lity soever, either in words or gestures, (of which the rude Cynical Francis­cans are most guilty of all other Po­pish Orders) contrary to express Scrip­ture Precepts and Presidents. Exod. [Page 148]20.12. Deutr. 5.19. Matth. 15.4. Ephes. 6.2, 5. Rom. 13.1, 2, 7. Hebr. 12.9. 1 Pet. 2.13, 14, 17, 18. (an ob­servable Text against them) Tit. 3.1, 2. 1 Tim. 6. v. 1, 2, 3. (a notable Text) Ephes. 5.33. Gen. 18.2, 3. c. 19. 1, 2. c. 23.7. c. 24. v. 31. c. 27.19. c. 33.3, 4, 6, 7. c. 37.9, 10. c. 41.43. c. 42.6. c. 43.26, 28, 29. c. 48.12. c. 49.8. Exod. 11.8. Ruth 2.10. 1 Sam. 20.41. c. 24.8. c. 25. v. 23, 24, 25, 41. c. 28.14. 2 Sam. 9.8. c. 14.22, 23. 1 King. 1.16, 23, 31, 47. c. 2.19. 2 King. 2.15. c. 4.26, 27, 37. 1 Chron. 21.21. Est. 3.2. which compared with Matth. 10.12. c. 5.4. Mar. 9.15. Lu. 1.40. Acts 18.22. c. 21.7. c. 25.13. 1 Cor. 16.21. 2 Cor. 13.13. Phil. 4.21, 22. Col. 4.10, 12, 15, 18. Rom. 16.15.7, 9. to 17. 2 Thes. 3.17. may teach these rude Quakers and their Disciples far better manners and civility, both in their gestures, behaviours, and words, than now they exercise.

5. Their Doctrines, that the Saints are perfectly holy in this life, and do not sin, being able to stand perfect in their own power: That they are as [Page 149] equally holy, just, good and free from sin as Christ and God himself: maintained byThe per­fect Pharisee, p. 1, 2, 11, 14. Fox, Naylor affirmed of St. Francis, the Father of the Franciscans, and justified by them in their Writings: as you may read in Surius & Ribade­niera in the Life of St. Francis, and the blasphemous Book Conformitatum Be­ati Francisci ad vitam Jesu Christi, l. 3. cum addition. Heir. Bucchii. Bon. 1590. first writ by Bartholemaeus de Pisa, and approved by a General Chapter of the Franciscans held at Assise Aug. 2. 1389. and ratified by their Popes. Antonini Chronicon. Tit. 24. c. 1, 2. Vin­centius Belvacensis. Speculum Hist. lib. 3. c. 97. and Mornay his Mistery of In­iquity. London. 1612. p. 347, 348.

It is the observation of many learn­ed intelligentAnd of G. Emmot a late reclaimed Quaker in his Northern Blast. Protestants, who have pryed into the Opinions and Practi­ces of all our late New Sects, That in their Books, Writings, Speakings, Preachments,Witness Extreme Ʋn­ction, used by many Sepa­rate Congre­gations, and their recu­sancy to hear our Mini­sters, or come to our pub­lick Ordi­nances, and the like. Practices, are inter­larded, and mixed with some Jesuitical and Popish Tenents, Opinions, Ceremonies & Practices; by which we may as vi­sibly discover a Jesuit, a Popish Priest or [Page 150] Fryer in them, as we may a Lion by his paw. And nothing (in my judg­ment, more clearly detects the Popish Fryers, Priests, and Jesuits, to be the principal inventers, erectors of, Actors, Rulers, Speakers amongst our Quakers, and other New Sects; then their pre­tended, See G. Em­mot his Nor­thern Blast, with Gilpin's book, both relenting Quakers. extraordinary sudden extra­vagant Agonies, Trances, Quakings, Shaking, Raptures, Visions, Appariti­ons, Conflicts with Satan, Revelations, Illuminations, Instructions in new di­vine Mysteries and Seraphical Divini­ty, whereof they pretend they were whol­ly ignorant before, being illiterate per­sons; their intimate familiarity and immediate communion with God and Jesus Christ, in, and after their ago­nies and extasies; their extraordina­ay Callings Missions, Messages to such and such particular orders, fects, places, persons; their sudden speaking, under­standing of several Languages which they pretend they never learned, but got by inspiration: all which are the very same in form and substance with those ridiculous lying Enthusiasms, Im­postures, Cheats, Agonies, See Wierus de Praestigiis Daemonum. l. 1. c. 10. & 17. in Jo Ger­son de Proba­tione Spiritu­um. Revela­tions, [Page 151]Visions, Raptures, Illuminations, Inspirations, Apparitions, &c. of Popish Saints, Fryers, Priests, Jesuits, Nuns, re­corded in the lying Legends and Lives of their Romish canonized SAINTS, by Capgrave, Surius, Lippomanes, Riba­deniera, Mafeus, and other of their fraternity, especially in the Lives of St. Francis, Ignatius Loyola (the Foun­ders of the Franciscans and Jesuits Orders, the principal Actors, Speak­ers amongst the Quakers, and other late Enthusiasts, if fully examined) and of St. Dominick, for Men: and of St. Ka­therine of Sienna, and St.Imitated by some wo­men Qua­kers. Bridget of Sweden, for Women. Out of this St. Bridgets Life and Revelations, print­ed in Folio at Nuremberg, Ann. 1524. most of our Male and Female Qua­kers extravagant new Revelations and Impostures are extracted, as those who will but compare them may at first discern. And though they conceal their Jesuitisme and grossest points of Popery from their Disciples at first, baiting their hooks only with plea­sing Novelties, shews of superlative Sanctity, andSee G. Emmot his Northern Blast p. 1.13, 14. The perfect Pharisee, p. 9.10, 11, 14, 29, 35, &c. invectives against our [Page 152] Ministers, Ordinances, Church, Tithes, Government, and the like; that so they may more easily catch the silly peo­ple; yet they discover their Jesuiti­cal Positions and Popish Doctrines, more openly by degrees; at last, (as Evangelical Perfection, Justification by our own inherent Righteousness and Ho­liness, &c. crying them up for new Gospel Light amongst the ignorant vulgar; and crying down our Prote­stant Ministers, Ordinances, Sacra­ments, the Articles of our Creed, Church Liturgies, Gods Ten Com­mandments, the Lords Prayer, our Churches, and sometimes the Letter of the old and new Testament as Po­pish andThe Je­suits, Popish Priests and Fryars con­demned our Ministers heretofore as unlawful Mi­nisters be­cause they derived not their Ordination from the Church of Rome: now they turn the scales, and affirm them to be no law­ful Ministers, but Antichristian and Popish upon this false pretext, That they derive their Ordination and Ministry from the Pope and Church of Rome. Antichristian: as the Fryers and Jesuits did heretofore in their Books and Discourses in their very Language. And it is evident by some late instances that they are Anti-magistratical as well as Anti-mi­nisterial. [Page 153]Yea that theseSee John Gilpin's and others [...] conce [...] the Quakers in the North. Quakers use inchanted Potions, Bracelets, Ribons, Sorcery and Witch-craft, to intoxicate their Novices and draw them to their party; As Simon Magus bewitched the people of Samaria with his Sorceries, Act. 6.9, 11. and other seducing false Teachers, bewitched the foolish Gala­tians, that they should not obey the truth, Gal. 3.1. which Enchantments, Sorceries, Charms, Fascinations and Exorcismes are very frequent amongst Popes, and Popish Priests, Menks, Fryers, Jesuits, as you may read at large in Joannes Wierus de Praestigiis Daemonum & Incanta­tionibus. Basilae. 1568. especially l. 2. c. 7. l. 5. c. 2, 3, &c. Platina, Benno, Cardinalis, Baleus, and others in the Lives of Pope Silvester 2. Benedict 9. John 20 and 21. and other Popes, who were all most infamous Magici­ans, Sorcerers, and Inchanters, by which black art they got the Papacy. And Del Rio his Disquisitio Magie, and John Jee his Foot out of the Snare, Lon­don, 1624. will prove the Jesuits and Priests in England are still accustom­ed to them, to win and seduce their [Page 154] Proselytes. Whence we find this Scri­pture expression concerning Romish Babylon Rev. 18.23. By thy SORCE­RIES were ALL THE NATIONS DECEIVED.