ROMES MASTER-PEECE: OR, The Grand Conspiracy of the Pope and his Iesuited Instruments, to extirpate the Protestant Religion, re-establish Popery, subvert Lawes, Liberties, Peace, Parliaments, by kindling a Civill War in Scotland, and all his Majesties Realmes, and to poyson the King himselfe in case hee comply not with them in these their execrable Designes.
Revealed out of Con [...]cience to Andreas ab Habernfeld, by an Agent sent from Rome into England, by Cardinall Barbarino, as an Assistant to Con the Popes late Nuncio, to prosecute this most Execrable Plot, (in which he persisted a principall Actor severall yeares) who discovered it to Sir William Boswell his Majesties Agent at the Hague, 6 Sept. 1640. He, under an Oath of Secresie, to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury (among whose Papers it was casually found by Master Prynne, May, 31. 1643.) who communicated it to the King, As the greatest businesse that ever was put to him.
Published by Authority of Parliament. By William Prynne, of Lincolnes Inne, Esquire.
It is Ordered by the Committee of the House of Commons in Parliament concerning Printing, this first day of August, 1643. that this Book, Intituled, Romes Master-Peece, be forthwith Printed by Michael Spark, Senior. Iohn White.
The second Edition.
Printed at London for Michael Sparke, Senior. 1644.
TO The Right Honourable ROBERT Earle of WARWICK, Baron of LEEZE, AND LORD ADMIRALL of all the Parliaments Sea Forces.
YOur eminent zealous Sincerity, and incomparable Activity both by Sea and Land in defence of our undermined, endangered Protestant Religion, Lawes, Liberties, Parliament, Nation, against the many late secret Plots, and open Hostilities of Antichristian Romish Vipers, who for sundry yeares together, have desperately conspired, and most vigorously prosecuted their utter extirpation, and now almost accomplished this their infernall Designe, unlesse Gods infinite mercy (which hath never hitherto beene wanting to us in times of greatest extremity) miraculously disappoint it; hath induced me to dedicate this Master-p [...]ece of the Romanists, and Jesuites Iniquity, to your most Noble Patronage.
Wherein your Lordship may summarily behold the most horrid conspiracy against our Reformed Religion, and the very life of the King our Soveraigne in case he comply not with them (as now alas He doth overmuch in all things) that ever was discovered to the world: and clearly descry, who have beene the reall originall Contrivers, Fomenters of all those late bloody civill warres, which have suddenly transformed our peaceable, pleasant delectable Edens of England, Ireland, Scotland, into most desolate rufull Acheldamaes, yea Golgothaes, to the just amazement of our selves, and astonishme [...]t of all our Neighbour Nations: who now more lament our present Infelicity, then ever their envied our pristine Tranquility.
[Page] It was an admirable act of Divine Providence, that a principall Actor in this Conspiracy, sent from Rome to promote it, should out of remorse of conscience prove the first Revealer of it to Sir William Boswell: But it was a farre more wonderfull hand of God; that after this Plot had been long concealed from publique knowledge by Canterbury, who smothered it; hee should unexpectedly rayse Me up from my forraigne Close Prison of Mount-Orgueil Castle in Jersey, (where Canterbury and his Confederates had intombed me sundry yeares, asPsal. 31. 12. Psal. 88. 4, 5. a dead man out of minde, whom they remembred no more, reputing me among the number of those that go down into the pit, and as one quite cut off by their hands, never likely to rise up again till the generall Resurrection;) and not only reduce me with Honour and Triumph to my Native Countrey, restore me to my former liberty, and Profession by the Parliaments impartiall Iustice; and make my former and my fellow Sufferers unjust Censures, the ruine of the S [...]archamber, Highcommission, and Prelates, who censured us; but likewise, beyond all expectation, send this Archprelate (though the Kings chief Favourite) a Prisoner to the Tower of London, to which I was first of all committed by his malice; and employ me to search his Papers there, where he had formerly twice searched mine by his Instruments, and therehy make Me both the Discoverer and Publisher of this second Gunpowder Plot to the world, after a long concealment of it, (and that in a time most seasonable;) which otherwise, in all probability, had never come to light.Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the Riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his Judgments, and his wayes past finding out!
This adorable strange Providence of the Dan. 2. 22, 23. God of Heaven, (who revealeth the deep and secret things, and knoweth what is in the darknesse, and makes known unto us the Kings matter,) as it should ascertaine us, of his future Protection of our Church and State against these Romish Conspirators, whose trayterous Designes hee hath formerly most admirably discovered, and frustrated from time to time; So it should adde much dignity and acceptation to this Discovory, and enlarge our gratulations to God for it.
To his Blessing I shall in my Prayers recommend this Master-Piece, together with your Lordships Person, and all your Heroick Endeavours for our Religions, our Republikes security, and for ever remaine
SInce the first Publishing in Print of the ensuing Plot and Letters by Authority and Directions from the House of Commons, which imployed me in this service; I have been credibly informed by some Friends, that many inoredulous, over-suspitious Malignants (who think there is as much falshood, dishonesty in others; as in themselves) have questioned the Truth of the ensuing Plot, Letters, Papers; and confidently, if not impudently, averred them to be meere Fictions, without any shadow, proofe, reason, ground at all, but their own malicious misbeliefe.
But to satisfie all the world in this Particular, and these slanderous Infidels too, if not [...]rodigiously obstinate: I doe here attest upon the faith and honour of a Christian;
First, that I found all these ensuing Letters, Papers in the Archbishop of Canterburies Chamber in the Tower of London under his own custody, when I was unexpectedly employed by the Close Committee, in that undesired service of searching it, which the Archbishop himself, his Servants, the Gentlemen and Souldiers, who then accompanied me, with those who employed me, can witnesse, and have already oft attested.
Secondly, that they were all Originals, no [...] Copies, under the severall hands and Seals of Sir William Boswell, Knight (the Kings own Leger Embassador at Hague in the N [...] therlands;) Andreas ab Habernfeld, (a Noble Bohemian, Physitian to the Queen of Bohemia; a man of known sincerity and untainted reputation:) The Archbishop of Canterbury (who must be the sole forger of the Plot, and Letters, if fained;) and of the King himself: As the Letters, Papers themselves (o [...]t viewed by divers of the Lords, Commons, and other persons of quality for their satisfaction, all now remaining in the Custody of a Committee of the House of Commons, where any incredulous Thomas, who dares trust his own senses, may view them at his leasure) will evidence to all who know their Hands or Seales.
Thirdly, that the Archbishop himselfe, and his Servants, have confessed the verity, reality of the Plot and Papers to divers who repaired to them for their own resolution therein; and the Archbishop in his late Petition to the Lords in Parliament for restitution of these Papers, hath againe fully acknowledged their reality.
Fourthly, (which puts all out of question) had these Letters, Papers been Forgeries, or Impostures, not reall verities, his Majesty himselfe, or the Oxford Mercury for him; at least the Archbishop, Sir William Boswell, Andreas ab Habernfeld, or some of their Instruments, being all living, and the Presses open; would long ere this have detected this forgery, and disclaimed these Papers and Letters in Print: which neither of them have done in seven Months space; whereas each of them on the contrary (as I am informed) have avouched these severall Letters, Papers to be genuine, and their own.
Finally, it had been a strange over-sight, yea madnesse in my self, and a great dishonour to, a most impolitique devise in the Parliament, to publish forged Letters in these eminent living Persons names; who want neither will, meanes, nor power immediately to detect, refute, and manifest such a grosse Imposture to all the world, to the eternall infamy of the Publishers. Let Malignants and Papists then, with all others, who have any sparks of Honesty, or Policy, remaining in them, henceforth rest assured of the verity, reality, of this Plot, these Papers, though they have formerly doubted of them; else let them perish in their groundlesse Infidelity; who will neither believe the King, [Page] the Archbishop, Sir William Boswell, nor Hab [...]rnfeld, under their Hands and Seales; nor yet the Parliament, nor Discoverer of them (by an admirable unexpected Divine Providence) who abhorres all fictions, frauds, Impostures whatsoever, and can doe nothing against the truth, [...] C [...]r. 13. 8. but for the truth.
I shall only adde this to the Premises; that the multitude of his Majesties royall Letters of Grace, and Discharges of Popish Recusants, Priests, Iesuits, together with his Marriage-Articles, Oathes, Letter to the Pope, and other evidences lately published in The Popish Royall Favourite, the late horrid Rebellion in Ireland, the Rebels seising of the Goods, Estates, and Persons of all the English Protestans there to the Kings use; and their bloody massacre by blood-thirsty Papists,See the Acts of the General Assembly of the [...]ebels at [...]ilkenny, Anno 164 [...]. printed at [...]ondon Marc [...] 6. 1643. T [...]e Myste [...]y of lniquity, p. 32. 33. &c. For the exaltation of the holy Roman Catholike Church, and the advancement of his Maiesties service, &c. And that by vertue of his Majesties speciall Commission under the Great Seale of Scotland, and Letters of direction sent therewith, for the effecting of this great Work; which Commission, together with the Arguments evidencing the reality thereof, you may read at large in the Mystery of iniquity newly published, pag. 34. to 42. his Majesties Articles of Pacification with those Rebels, ratified under the Great Seale of England, wherein he cals these bloody Rebels, his Roman Catholike Subjects, and good Subiects in some copies; and gives them Authority to persecute his Protestant Subiects in Irelands, with license to send such Agents to his Majesty from time to time as they shall think fit; accepting a grant of thirty thousand eight hundred pound from them, and making their base Irish money currant in England by a speciall Proclamation; his sending for the Souldiers sent by the Parliament into Ireland to subdue the Rebels, and for Irish Rebels too, into England, and that By his Maiesties speciall Commission and Authority; (asThe 48 week ending Decem, [...]. p. 681. 685. Mercurius Aulicus informs us twice together) and administring an Oath to every Officer and Souldier that shall be transported, To the utmost of his power, and hazard of his life to fight against the Forces now under the conduct of the Earle of Essex, and against all other Forces whatsoever that are or sha [...]l be raised under what pretence soever, contrary to his Majesties Command or Authority▪ in defence of our Protestant Religion, Lawes, Liberties. All these particulars laid together, will infallibly demonstrate the reality of this designe, and how farre it hath prevailed even with the King himselfe; whose heart and person (now wholly captivated and stolne away from the Parliament and Kingdome by these Conspirators) the good God rescue out of their Traytorly hands, and restore unto us in d [...]e season: which shall be the prayer of the Publishe [...] of this Plot,
Errata.
COurteous Reader, I pray correct these Presse-errours, which during my absence at St. Albanes, have, through the Printers oversight escaped the Presse in this Edition.
Page 4. l. 1. r. suffer, p. 7. l. 20. na [...]ragio, p. 9. l. 29. them, and most, p. 15. l. 6. quam, p. 28. l. 3. not brooke, l. 27. his zeale, 1. 29. strong, strang, p. 29. l. 33. Chaplaine, p. 31. l. 10. men, these, l. 15. yet come into the Kings p, 34. l. 29. his destiny, l. 40. reasonable, l. 46. dele as, p. 35. l▪ 26. conspired.
In the Margin. p. 22. l. 18. small r. female.
ROMES MASTER-PEECE.
IF there be any professing the Protestant Religion within the Kings Dominions, or elsewhere, who are yet so wilfully blinded as not to discern, so so [...]tishly incredulous as not to believe, any reall long-prosecuted conspiracy, by former secret practises, and the present warres to extirpate the Protestant Religion, re-establish Popery, and inthrall the people in all three Kingdomes, notwithstanding all visible effects, and transparent Demonstrations of it, lively set forth in the late Declaration of the Lords and Commons, concerning the Rise and Progresse of the Grand Rebellion, with other Remonstrances of that nature, most visibly appearing in the late Articles of Pacification, made by his Majesties Authority and approbation with the Irish Rebels, contrary to divers Acts of Parliament passed by the King this present Session: Let them now advisedly fixe their Eyes, Minds, upon the ensuing Letters and Discoveries, (seised on by Master Prynne, in the Archbishops Chamber in the Tower, May 31. 1643. by Warrant from the Close Committee, to search his Papers there, being unexpectedly commanded on that service) and then they must needs acknowledge it an indubitable verity; Since Sir William Boswell, the Archbishop himselfe, if not his Majesty, and those who revealed this Plot, were perswaded of its reality upon the first Dis [...]overy, before it brake forth openly in Ireland, and England.
Who and what the Authour of this Discovery was; who the chiefe active instruments in the Plot; when, and where they assembled; in what vigorous manner they daily prosecuted it; how effectually they proceeded in it; how difficult it is to dissolve or counter-work it, without speciall diligence, the Relation it selfe will best discover. Whose verity if any question, these Reasons will inforce beliefe:
First, That the Discoverer was a chiefe Actor in this Plot, sent hither from Rome by Cardinall Barbarino; to assist Con the Popes Legate in the pursute of it, and privy to all the particulars therein discovered.
Secondly, That the horrour and reality of the conspiracy so troubled his conscience, as it ingaged him to disclose it, yea to renounce that bloody Church and Religion, which contrived it; though bred up in, preferred by it, and promised greater advancements for his deligence in this designe.
Thirdly, That he discovered it under an Oath of Secrecy, and offered to confirme every particular by solemne Oath.
[Page 2] Fourthly, That hee discovers the persons principally imployed in this Plot, the places and times of their secret conventions; their manner and diligence in the purs [...]ite of it, with all other circumstance [...] so punctually, as leaves no place for doubt.
Fifthly, The principall Conspirators nominated by him are notoriously known to be fit instruments for such a wicked design.
Sixthly, Many particulars therein have immediate relation to the King and Archbishop, to whom he imparted this Discovery, and it had been an impudent boldnesse and irrationall, frentick act, to reveale any thing for truth to the King and Bishop, which they could disprove on their own knowledge.
Seventhly, Sir William Boswell, and the Archbishop, if not the King himselfe, were fully satisfied, that it was reall and most important.
Eightly, Some particulars are ratified by the Arch-bishops testimony, in the Memorials of his own life, written with his own hand some yeares before; and others so apparent, that most intelligent men in Court and City, were acquainted with them whiles they were acting, though ignorant of the plot.
Finally, The late sad effects of this Conspiracy in all three Kingdomes, in prosecution of this design, compared with it, are such a convincing evidence of its reality; and Gods admirable hand of Providence in bringing this concealed plot so seasonably to light, (by an instrument unexpectedly raised from the grave of Exile and imprisonment, to search the Arch-bishops papers, in the Tower, who had there seised his in former times, and shut him up close prisoner in a Forraine Dungeon) such a testimony from Heaven super-added to the premises, that hee who deemes it an imposture, may well be reputed an Infidell, if not a Monster of incredulity.
The first overture and larger Relation of the plot it selfe were both writ in Latin, as they are here Printed, and faithfully translated word for word, as neare as the Dialect will permit. All which premised, the Letters and plot here follow in order.
Sir Williams Boswels first Letter to the Arch-bishop concerning the Plot.
THe offers (whereof your Grace will finde a Copy) here inclosed towards a further and more particular discovery, were first made unto me at the second hand, and in speech, by a friend of good quality and worth in this place; But soone after (as soone as they could be put into Order) were avowed by the principall party; and delivered me in writing by both together: Upon promise, and Oath, which I was required to give, and gave accordingly, not to reveale the same to any other man living but your Grace; and by your Graces hand, unto his Majesty.
In like manner they have tyed themselves not to declare these things unto any other, but my selfe; untill they should know, how his Majesty and your Grace [Page 3] would dispose thereof. The Principall giving me withall to know, That hee puts himselfe, and this secret into your Graces power, as well because it concernes your Grace so nearely after his Majesty: As that he knowes your wisdome to guide the same aright: And is assured of your Graces fidelity to his Majesties Person, to our State, and to our Church.
First, Your Grace is humbly, and earnestly prayed, To signifie his Majesties pleasure (with all possible speed) together with your Graces disposition herein, and purpose to carry all with silence, from all, but his Majesty untill due time.
Secondly, When your Grace shall think fit to shew these things unto his Majesty▪ To doe it immediately; not trusting to Letters; nor permitting any other person to be by, or in hearing: And to entreat and counsell his Majesty as in a case of Conscience to keep the same wholly, and solely in his own bosome, from the knowledge of all other creatures living but your Grace; untill the businesse shall be cleare, and sufficiently in his Majesties and your Graces hands to effect.
Thirdly, Not to enqure or demand the names of the parties from whom these overtures doe come, or any further discoveries and advertisements in pursute of them which shall come hereafter, untill due satisfaction shall be given in every part of them. Nor to bewray unto any person but his Majesty, in any measure or kinde, that any thing of this nature, or of any great importance is come from me.
For as I may believe these overtures are verifiable in the way they will be layed; and that the parties will not shrink: So I may accompt, That if never so little a glimpse, or shadow of these informations shall appeare by his Majesties, or your Graces speech or carriage, unto others, the meanes whereby the businesse may bee brought best unto tryall, will bee utterly disappointed: And the parties who have in Conscience towards God, and devotion to his Majesty; affection to your Grace, and compassion of our Countrey, disclosed these things, will runne a present and extreame hazard of their persons, and lives, So easily it will be conjectured (upon the least occasion given upon his Majesties or your Graces parts) who is the discoverer? By what meanes, and how he knowes so much of these things; And where he is? These are the points, which together with the offers, they have pressed me especially to represent most seriously unto your Grace.
For my own particular, having most humbly craved pardon of any errour or omissions, that have befalne me in the mesnaging of this businesse, I doe beseech your Grace to let me know;
First, Whether, and in what order I shall proceed hereafter with the parties?
Secondly, What points of these offers I shall chiefly, and first put them to enlarge and cleare?
Thirdly, What other points and enquiries I shall propose unto them? And in what manner?
[Page 4] Fourthly, How farre further I shall suffer my selfe to heare and know these things▪
Fifthly, Whether I shall not rather take the parties answers, and discoveries sealed up by themselves, and having likewise put my owne seale upon them, without questioning or seeing what they containe, so to transmit them to his Majesty or your Grace?
Sixthly, Whether I may not insinuate upon some faire occasion, That there will be a due Regard held of them, and their service, by his Majesty and your Grace: When all particulars undertaken in these generall offers, and necessary for perfecting the discovery and work intended, shall be effectually delivered to his Majesty on your Grace?
Upon these heads, and such others as his Majesty or your Grace shall think proper in the businesse, I must with all humility beseech your Grace to furnish me with instructions, and warrant for my proceedings, under his Majesties hand with your Graces attestation, as by his Majesties goodnesse, and Royall disposition is usuall in like cases.
May it please your Grace to entertaine a Cypher with me upon this occasion, I have sent the Counterpart of one here inclosed: In the vacant spaces whereof your Grace may insert such names more, with numbers to them, as you think requisite.
If these overtures happily sort with his Majesties and your Graces minde, and shall accordingly prove effectuall in their operation, I shall think my selfe a most happy man, to have had my oblation in so pious a work for my most gratious Soveraign and Master: More particularly, in that your Grace under his Majesty shall be, Opifex rerum & mundi melioris origo. Which I shall incessantly begge in my prayers at his hands, who is the giver of all good things, And will never forsake, or [...]aile them, who doe not first faile, and fall from him: The God of mercy and Peace. With which I remaine evermore.
I have not dared to trust this businesse (without a Cypher) but by a sure hand, for which▪ I have sent this bearer, my Secretary, Expresse, but he knoweth nothing of the contents hereof.
For your Grace. The Arch-bishops indorsement with his own hand.
Rece. Sept. 10. 1640. Sir William Boswell about the Plot against the King, &c.
Andreas ab Habernfeld his Letter to the Archbishop concerning the Plot revealed to him.
COncutiuntur omnes sensus mei, quoties p [...]aesens negotium mecum revolvo, nec intellectus sufficit, quaenam aura tam horrenda attulerit, ut per me apricum videant. Praeter spem enim bonus i [...]te vir mihi innotuit, qui cum me discurrentem de turbis istis Scoticis audisset; ignorare me, inquit, nervum Rei, superficialia esse ista quae vulgo sparguntur: Ab ista hora indies mihi fiebat familiarior; qui dexteritate mea agnita, pleno pectore cordis sui onera, in sinum meum effudit; deposuisse se gravamen conscientiae, quo premebatur, ratus▪ Hinc Factiones Jesuitarum, quibus totus terrenus intentatur orbis, mihi enarravit; depastasque ipsorum per virus, Bohemiam & Germaniam ut adspicerem, ostendit, sauciam utramque partem vulnere irreparabili; Eandem Pestem per Angliae Scotiaeque repere Regna, cujus materiam, scripto adjacenti revelatam, me edocuit: quibus auditis, viscera mea convellebantur, tremebant horrore artus; Tot animarum millibus infestam paratam esse voraginem: verbis conscientiam moventibus, animum hominis accendi; vix horam unam, monita coxerat, abdita omnia aperuit, liberumque dedit, [Page 6] agerem, ut iis, quorum interest, inno [...] tescerent. Non tardanum cum rebus censui: Ea ipsa hora Dominum Bosuelium Residentem Regium Hagae Comitum, adii, juramento silenti [...] mihi obstricto, Rem communicavi▪ ponderaret ista ad trutinam, monui▪ neque differret ei quin ageret, ut periclitantibus succurratur propere. Is u [...] virum honestum condecet, officii memor, propiusque introspecto negotio, monita recusare non quievit, quinimo egit è vestigio ut expressus expediretur. Retulitque iterum quam acceptissimum Regi, Tuaeque Reverentiae fuisse oblatum; de quo ex corde gavisi sumus, judicavimusque ac tutum, favorabile sese interposuisse in hoc Negotio NUMEN, quo servaremini.
Ut vero rerum enarratarum confirmetur veritas, studio primaria nonnulla conjurationis capita sunt praeterita, ut nortitia [...]orum ab circumventa conjurationis societate extorqueatur.
Promovebitur res cito tutoque i [...] actum si cautè procedetur Bruxellis; Meo consilio, observandum esse eam die [...] qua fasciculi literarum expediuntur, qu [...] sub titulo, Al Monsignor Strario Archidiacono di Cambray, una operta ligati Praefecto Tabellionum traduntur, ab ipso talis fasciculus tacite poterit repeti, inutilis tamen erit, quia omnes inc [...]usae Characteristicè scriptae sunt; Alter quo [...] que fasciculus hebdomadatim Roma veniens, qui sub inscriptione, Al illustrissimo Signor Conte Rossetti, pro tempore Legato, adportatur, non negligendu [...] similiter Charactere eodem conscriptae includuntur literae; ut intelligantur, Reda consulendus erit: supra nominata dies expeditionis Aedibus Redae [Page 7] adcumulata congreg [...]tio, circumvenietur, quo succedent [...], Tuae Reverentiae erit Negotium disponere. Detecto tandem per Dei gratiam, intestino hoste, omnis amaritudo animorum qua ab utraque parte causata est, aboleatur, oblivioni tradatur, deleatur & consopiatur, utrique parti Infidiare hostis, ita Rex, amicusque Regis, & Regnum utrumque Discrimini vicinum servabitur, eripietur imminenti periculo.
Haec penes etiam Reverentia [...] i [...]junctum sibi habeat, si alias consultum sibi optime volet, ne Pursivantibus suis nimium fidat, vivunt enim eorum nonnulli sub stipendio partis Pontificiae. Quot scopuli, quot [...]cillae quotque infensae obsultant T•. R•. Charibdes, quàm periculoso mari agitatur vita T. R. Cymbula naufragio proxima, ipse judicet, p [...]llenda ad portum prora properè.
Haec omnia tuae Reverentiae in aurem; scio enim juramento filenti [...] obligatam, ideo aperto nomine, praesentibus Reverentiae tuae innotescere volui, mansu [...].
AL my senses are shaken together as often as I revolve the present businesse, neither doth my understanding suffice (to conceive) what wind hath brought such horrid things, that they should see the Sunshine by me: for besides expectation this good man became known unto me, who whē he had heard me discoursing of these Scottish stirs, said that I knew not the nerve of the business, that those things which are commonly scattered abroad are superficial: From that hour he every day became more familiar to me; who acknowledging my dexterity herein, with a full brest powred forth the burdens of his heart into my besome, supposing that he had discharged a burden of conscience wherewith he was pressed. Hence he related to me the Factions of the Iesuites, with which the whole earthly world was assaulted; and shewed, that I might behold how through their poyson, Bohemia & Germany were devoured, & both of them maimed with an irreparable wound; that the same Plague did creep through the Realmes of England and Scotland, the matter wherof revealed in the adjacent writing, he discovered to me: which things having heardIf a stranger were thus affected at the hearing of this Plot, how should we our selves be sensible thereof? my bowels were contracted together, my loyns trembled with horrour, that a pernicious gulf should be prepared for so many thousands of soules: with words moving the conscience, I inflamed the minde of the man: he had scarce one hour concocted my admonitions, but he disclosed all the secrets [Page 6] and he gave free liberty that I should treat with those whom it concerned, that they might be informed hereof. I thought no delay was to be made about the things: The same houre I went to Master Boswell the Kings Leger at the Hage, who being tied with an oath of secrecie to me, I communicated the businesse to him, I admonished him to weigh these things by the ballance, neither to defer, but act, that those who were in danger might be speedily succoured: He, as becomes an honest man, mindfull of his duty, and having nearer looked into the businesse, refused not to obey the monitions: moreover, he forthwith caused that an expresse should be dispatched; and sent word back again what a most acceptable oblation this had been to the King and your Grace; for which we rejoyced from the heart, and we judged, that a safe and favourable Deity had interposed it selfe in this businesse, whereby you might be preserved.
Now that the verity of the things related might be confirmed, some principall heads of the conspiracy were purposely pret [...]rmitted, that the knowledge of them might bee ext [...]rted from the circumvented society of the conspirators.
Now the things will be speedily and safely promoted into act, if they be warily proceeded in at Bruxels. By my advise, that day should be observed wherin the Packet of Letters are dispatched, which under the title of, To Monsieur Strario Archdeacon of Cambray, tied with one cover are delivered to the postmaster, such a packet may be secretly brought back from him, yet it will be unprofitable, because all the inclosed Letters are written Characteristically. Likewise another Packet comming weekly frō Rome, which is brought under this subscription, To the most illustrious Lord Count Rossetti, Legat for the time; these are not to be neglected: to whom likewise Letters writ in the same Character are included. That they may be understood, Reade is to be consulted with. The forenamed day of dispatch shal be expected: In Reades house [Page 7] an accumulated congregation may be circumvented; which succeeding, it will be your Graces part to order the businesse. The intestine enemy being at length detected by Gods grace, all bitternesse of minde which is caused on either side may be abolished, delivered to oblivion, deleted and quieted, the enemy be invaded on both parts: thus the King and the Kings friend, and both Kingdomes neere to danger, shall be preserved, delivered from imminent danger.
Your Grace likewise may have this injunction by you, if you desire to have the best advise given you by others, that you trust not overmuch to your Pursevant [...], for some of them live under the stipend of the popish party. How many Rocks, how many Scillaes, how many displeased Charibdes appear before your Grace, in what a dangerous sea the Cockbote of your Graces life, next to shipwrack, is t [...]ssed, your selfe may judge, the fore deck [...] of the Ship is speedily to be driven to the harbour.
All these things (I whisper) into your Graces eare, for I know it bound with an oath of secresie, therefore by open name, I would by these presents become known to your Grace,
Andreas ab Habernfeld, a Noble Bohemian, Dr. of Physick to the Queen of Bohemia, his indorsement hereon.
Illusstrisimo ac Reverendissimo Dom. Domino G [...]lielmo Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, Primati & Metropolitano totius Regni Angliae Dom. meo.
The Archbishops indorsment with his own hand.
Rece. Octob. 14. 1640. Andreas ab Harbenfed.
His Letters sent by Sir W. Boswell about the discovery of the treason. I conceive by the English Latin herein, that he m [...]st needs be an Englishman with a concealed and changed name. And yet it may be this kind of Latin may relate to the Italian. Or else he lived some good time in England. The declaration of this treason I have by His Majesties speciall command sent to Sir W. Boswell, that he may there see what proofe can be made of any particulars.
The generall Overture and Discovery of the Plot, sent with Sir William Boswels first Letter.
The Kings Majesty, and Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, are to be secretly informed by Letters.
1. THat the Kings Majesty and the Lord Archbishop are both of them in great danof their live [...].
2. That the whole Commonwealth i [...] by this means endangered, unlesse the mischiefe be speedily prevented.
3. That these Scottish troubles are raised to the end, that under this pretext, the King and Archbishop might be destroyed.
4. That there is a meanes to be prescribed, whereby both of them in this case may be preserved, and this tumult speedily composed.
5. ThatThe Je [...]uits pl [...]ts are never ended till they obtaine their desired ends in all things. although these Scottish tumults be speedily cōposed, yet that the King is endangered, and that there are many waies, by which destruction is plotted to the King & L. Archbishop.
6. That a certaine society hath conspired, which attempts the death of the King, and L. Archbishop, and Convulssion of the whole Realme.
7. That the same society every week deposits with the President of the society, what intelligence every of them hath purchased in eight daies search, and then confer all into one packet, which is weekly sent to theThe Pope and Cardin [...]ll [...] Director of the businesse.
[Page 9]8. That all the confederates in the said conspiracy may verily be named by the poll. But because they may be made knowne by other meanes, it is thought meet to defer it till hereafter.
9. That there is a ready meanes, whereby the villany may be discovered in one moment, the chiefe conspirators circumvented, and the primary members of the conju [...]ation, apprehended in the very act.
10. That very many about the King,His Majesty and the Realme may be soone betrayed by such false attendants. who are accounted most faithfull and intimate, to whom likewise the more secret things are instrusted, ARE TRAYTORS TO THE KING, corrupted with a forraigne Pension, who communicate all secrets of greater or lesser moment to a forraigne power.
These and other most secret things, which shall be necessary to be known for the security of the King, may be revealed, if these things shall be acceptable to the Lord Archbishop.
In the mean time, if his Royall Majesty and the L. Archbishop desire to consult well to themselvas, they shall keep these things, onely superficially communicated unto them, most secretly▪ under deep silence, not communicating them so much as to those whom they judge most faithful to them, before they shall receive by name, in whom they may confide; for else they are safe on no side.
Likewise they may be assured, that whatsoever things, are here proposed, are no figments, nor fables, nor vaine dreams, but such reall verities, which may be demonstrated in every small tittle. For those who thrust themselves into this businesse are such men, who mind no gaine, but the very zeal of Christian charity suffers them not to conceale these things: yet both from his Majesty and the Lord Archbishop [Page 10] some small examplar of gratitude will be expected.
All these Premisses have been communicated under good faith, and the Sacrament of an oath to Mr. Leger Embassadour of the King of Great Brittain, at the Hague; that he should not immediately trust, or communicate these things to any mortall, besides the King and the L. Archbishop of Canterbury.
Regiae Majestati, & Dom. Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi in [...]inuandum per litteras.
1. REgiam Majestatem & Dom. Archiepiscopium, u [...]rumque in magno discimi [...]e vitae constitutum.
2. Totam Rempublicam hoc nomine periclitari, nisi properè occurratur malo.
3. Turbas istas Scoticas in [...]um finem esse concitatas; ut sub isto praetextu Rex, & Dominus Archiepiscopus perimeretur.
4. Dari medium, quo utrique hac in parte bene consuli, & tumultus iste cito componi, possit.
5. Compositis etiam turbis istis Scoticis, nihilo [...] minus periclitari Regem: esse plurima media quibus Regi, & Domino Archiepiscopo machinatur exitium.
6. Conspirasse certam societatem quae Regi & Dom. Archiepiscopo molitur necem, totuisque Regni convulsionem.
7. Eandem societatem singulis septimanis, explorationis octiduae suum quemque quod nundinatus est, ad Presidem Societatis deponere, & in unum fasciculum conferre: qui Hebdomadatim ad directorem negotii expeditur.
[Page 9]8. Nominari quiden posse omnes per capita dictae conspirationis conjuratos: At quia alio medio inno [...]escent, differre in posterum pl [...]cuit.
9. Medium esse in promptu, quo uno momento detegi poterit scelus: Conspiratores praecipui circumveniri, membraque primaria conjurationis in ipso actu apprehendi.
10. Astantes Regi plurimos, qui pro fidelissimis & intimis censentur, quibus etiam secretiora fiduntur, proditores Regis esse, peregri [...]â pensione corruptos, qui secreta quaeque majoris, vel exigui momenti ad ext [...]ram Potestatem deferunt.
11. Haec & alia secretissima, quae scitu ad securitatem Regis erunt necessaria: quòd si haec accepta Dom. Archiepiscopo fuerint, revelari poterunt.
12. Interim si Regia Majestas sua & Dominus Archiepiscopus bene sibi consultum volunt, haec superficialiter quidèm tantum ipsis communicata, sub profundo silentio, & secretissimè servabunt, ne quidem iis, quos sibi fidelissimos judicant, communicaturi, antequam de nomine acceperint, quibus fidendum sit: Ab nullo enim latere ali [...]s tuti sunt.
Sint etiam certi quicquid hic proponitur; nulla figmenta, nec fabulas, aut inania somnia esse; sed in rei veritate ita constituta, quae o [...] nibus momentis demonstrari poterunt: Qui enim se immiscent huic negotio, viri honesti sunt: quibus nullus quaestus in animo; sed ipse Christianae charitatis fervor ista facere non sinit: Ab utroque tamen, suae Majestati tum Domino Archiepiscopo, gratitudinis [Page 10] exemplar tale quale expectabitur.
Haec omnia antecedentia sub bona fide & juramenti Sacramento, Dom. Residenti Regis magnae Britanniae, Hagae Comitum communicata esse ne ulli mortalium, praeter Regem, & Dom. Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem immediate ista fideret, vel communi caret.
Detectio &c. offerenda Ser••. Regiae Majestati Brittaniae & Dom.
Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, &c. 6. Sept. 1640.
The Archbishops own indorsment. Rece. Sept. 10. 1640.
The Plot against the King.
The Archbishop of Canterburies Letter to the King concerning the Plot: with the Kings directions in the Margin, written with His own hand.I beseech Your Majesty read these Letters a [...] they are endorsed by figures, 1, 2, 3, &c.
AS great as the Secret is which comes herewith, yet I choose rather to send it in this silent covert way, Ye had reason so to doe. and I hope safe, then to come thither, and bring it my selfe. First, because I am no way able to make haste enough with it. Secondly, because should I come at this time, and antedate the meeting Septemb. 24. there would be more jealousie of the businesse, and more enquiry after it: especially, if I being once there, should returne againe before that day, as I must if this be followed, as is most fit.
The danger it seemes is imminent, and laid by God knowes whom, but to be executed by them which are very neere about you. (For the great honour which I have to be in danger with you, or for you, I passe not, so your sacred Person and the State may be safe.)It is an unanswerable Dilemma. Now, may it please your Majesty, This information is either true, or there is some mistake in it: If it be true, the persons which make the discovery will deserve thankes and reward; If there should be any mistake in it, your Majesty can lose nothing but a little silence.
[Page 11] The businesse (if it be) is exteam foul.I c [...]ncur totally with you in opinion, assuring you that no body doth, or shall know of this businesse, and to shew my care to conceale it, I received this but this afternoon, and now I make this dispatch before I sleepe. Herewith I send his warrant, as you advise, which indeed I judge to bee the better way. The discovery thus by Gods providence offered, seems fair. I doe hereby humbly beg it upon my knees of your Majestie, that you will conceale this businesse from every creature, and his name that sends this to me. And I send his Letters to me to your Majestie, that you may see his sence both of the businesse and the secrecy. And such Instructions as you thinke fit to give him, I beseech you let them be in your own hand for his warrant, without imparting them to any. And if your Majestie leave it to his discretion to follow it there in the best way he can, that in your own hand will be instruction and warrant enough for him. And if you please to return it herewith presently to me, I will send an expresse away with it presently.
In the mean time I have by this expresse returned him this answer,I like your answer extreame well, and doe promise not to deceive your confidence, nor make you break your word. That I think he shall doe well to hold on the Treatie with these men with all care and secrecie, and drive on to the discovery so soon as the businesse is ripe for it, that he may assure himselfe and them, they shall not want reward, if they do the service. That for my part he shall be sure of secrecy, and that I am most confident that your Majesty will not impart it to any. That he have a speciall eye to the eighth and ninth Proposition.
Sir, for Gods sake, and your own safety,I have sent all back. I thinke these Apostyles will bee warrant enough for you to proceed, especially when I expressly command you to doe so. secrecie in this businesse: And I beseech you send me back this Letter, and all that comes with it, speedily and secretly, and trust not your own pockets with them. I shall not eat nor sleep in quiet till I receive them. And so soon as I have them again, and your Majesties warrant to proceed, no diligence shall be wanting in me to help on the discoverie.
This is the greatest businesse that ever was put to me.In this I am as far from condemning your judgement as suspecting your fidelitie. C. R. And if I have herein proposed or done any thing amisse, I most humbly crave your Majesties pardon. But I am willing to hope I have not herein erred in judgement, and in fidelity I never will.
These letters came to me on Thursday, Septemb. 10. at night, and I sent these away according to the date hereof, being extreamly wearied with writing this Letter, copying out these other which come with this, and dispaching my Letters back to him that sent these, all in my own hand. Once again secrecy for Gods sake, and your own. To his most blessed protection I commend your Majestie and all your Affairs: and am
The Archbishops Postscript As I had ended these, whether with the labour or indignation, or both, I fell into an extream faint sweat; I pray God keep me from a Fever, of which three are down in my Family at Croyden.
These Letters came late to me, the expresse being beaten back by the winde.
The Archbishops indorcement with his own hand. Received from the King Sept. 16. 1640, For your sacred Majestie. Yours Apostyled. The Kings Answer to the Plot against him, &c.
Sir William Boswels second Letter to the Archbishop.
THis evening late I have received your Graces dispatch, with the enclosed from his Majestie, by my Secretary Oueart, and shall give due account with all possible speed of the same, according to his Majesties and your Graces commands, praying heartily that my endeavours, which shall be most faithfull, may also prove effectuall, to his Majesties and your Graces content, with which I do most humbly take leave, being alwayes
The Archbishops indorcement. Received Sept. 30. 1640▪ Sir William Boswell his acknowledgement that he hath received the Kings directions and my Letters.
Sir William Boswels third Letter to the Archbishop, sent with the larger discovery of the Plot.
VPon receipt of his Majesties Commands, with your Graces Letters of 9. and 18. Sept▪ last. I dealt with the party to make good his offers formerly put in my hand, and transmitted to your Grace: This he hopes to have done, by the inclosed, so far as will be needfull for his Majesties satisfaction; yet if any more particular explanation or discovery shall be required by his Majestie or your Grace, He hath promised to adde thereunto, whatsoever he can remember and knowes of truth. And for better assurance and verification of his integrity, he professeth himselfe ready (if required) to make A very good Argument of truth and reality. oath of what he hath already declared, or shall hereafter declare in the businesse.
His name he conjures me still to conceale: though he thinks his Majestie and your Grace, by the Character he gives of himselfe, will easily imagine who he is, having been known so Therefore a man of note and imployment. generally through Court and City, as he was for three or foure yeers, in the quality and imployment he acknowledgeth (by his Declaration inclosed) himselfe to have held.
Hereupon he doth also redouble his most humble and earnest suit unto his Majestie and your Grace, to be most secret and circumspect in the businesse, that he may not be suspected to have discovered, or had a hand in the same.
I shall here humbly beseech your Grace to let me know what I may further doe for his Majesties service, or for your Graces particular behoof; that I may accordingly endeavour to approve my selfe, as I am
The Archbishops indorcement. Received Octob. 14. 1640. Sir William Boswell in prosecution of the great businesse. If any thing come to him in Cyphers, to send it to him.
The large particular Discovery of the Plot and Treason against the King, Kingdom, and Protestant Religion; and to raise the Scottish Wars.
ACcepta suae Regiae Majestati simulac Reverentiae Tuae, suisse offerta nostra lubentes, & ex animo percepimus. Adesse vobis benignitat [...]m Numinis, hoc unicum nobis Index est, quo stimulus datu [...], ut tantò alacrius, liberaliusque, illa quibus vitae discrimen utriusque, statusque Regni Angliae, tum Scotiae, eximiae Majestatis sede de [...]urbatio intendatur, effundamus, detegamus. Ne autem ambagibus superfluis, dilatetur Oratio, nonnulla, quae tantum ad rem necessaria praemittemus.
Sciant primò, bonum istum virum per quem sequentia deteguntur, in pulvere isto Pontificio esse natum & educatum, qui in dignitatibus Ecclesiasticis aetates consump [...]it; Tandem praesentis Negotii expeditioni, par invent [...], Consilio & mandato D [...]mini Card [...]nalis Barbarini, ad auxilium Domino Cuneo adjunctus est: penes quem in officio ita diligens ac sedulus inventus, ut spes magnae promotionis ipsi data fuerit: ipse vero, boni Spiritus ductus instinctu▪ ut [...]t dulcia promissa contempsit; agnitisque Religionis Pontificiae vanitatibus; (quarum alias defensor fuerat severissimus) malitia etiam sub vexillo Papali militantium notata, gravari Conscientiam [Page 14] suam senserat; quod onus ut deponeret; ad Orthodoxam Religionem animum convertit: Mox ut Conscientiam [...]uam exoneraret, machinatum in tot innocentes Animas scelus, revelandum censuit, levamen se percepturum, si in sinum amici talia effundat. Quo facto ab eodem amico serio conmonitus, verae conversionis, Charitisque exemplar ostenderet; libera [...]et ab imminenti discrimine, innocentes tot Animas; In cujus monita lubens consenserat, calamoque sequentia excipiendum dederat, ex quibus Articuli non ita pridem tuae Reverentiae oblati, luculenter explicari & demonstrari poterunt.
1 Ante omnia, ut Cardo rei recipiatur, sci [...]ndum est, omnes istas, quibus tota Christianitas hodie concutitur, factiones, exoriri, ab Jesuitica ista Chamea Sobole, cujus quatuor per orb [...]m luxuriant ordines.
Primi Ordinis sunt Ecclesiastici, quorum Religionis promotoria, est c [...]rar [...].
Secundi Ordi [...]is sunt Politici, quorum officium est, statum Regnorum, Rerumque publicarum, quo quomodo intentare, turbare, reformare.
Tertii Ordinis sunt S [...]ulares, quorum proprium est, Regibus, Principibusque, ad officia sese obtrudere, insinuare, immiscere se rebus forensibus; emptionibus, venditionibusque, & quae civilia sunt occupari.
Quarti Ordinis Exploratores sunt, sortis inferioris homines, qui servitiis Magnatum, Principum, Baronum, Nobilium, Civium, sese sub nittunt, animis dominorum imposituri.
[Page 15] II. Tot ordinum societatem, Regnum Anglicanum alit: Vix enim tota Hispania, Gallia, & Italia tantam multitudinem, Jesuitarum, quantam unicum Londinum, exhibere posset: Ubi plus [...]uam 50 Scoti Jesuitae reperiuntur. Ibi sedem iniquitatis, dicta societas sibi elegit, Conspiravitque in Regem, Regique fidelissimos, inprimis vero Dominum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, etiam in regnum utrumque.
III. Certo certius enim est; Determi [...]asse societatem nominatam, reforma [...]ione universali Regnum Angliae tum Scotiae adficere; Determinatio ergò finis, in [...]ert necessario determinationem mediorum ad finem.
IIII. Ad promovendum ergo susceptum scelus, Titulo, Congregationis Fidei propagandae, dicta societas sese insignivit: quae Caput Collegii Pontificem Romanum, substitutum & executorem, Cardi [...]alem Barbarinum, agnoscit.
V. Patronus Societatis primarius Londi [...]i, est Legatus Pontificius, qui curam negotii gerit; in cujus sinum, saex illa proditorum omnia explorata, hebdomadatim deponit: Impetrata autem est [...]es [...]da Legationis istius Londini, Pontifici [...] Romani nomine, qua mediante, Cardinali Barbarino, agere in Regem Reg [...]umque tanto tutius faciliusque liceret, Nullus enim alias, tam libere ambire Regem posset, quam ille qui Pontificia Auctoritate palliatus sit.
VI. Fungebatur tùm temporis, Officio Legati Pontificii, Dominus Cuneus Conjura [...]ae societatis instrumentum [...]niversale, & serius negotii promotor; [...]ujus secreta, ut & aliorum exploratorum [Page 16] om [...]ium, prae [...]eus vir bonus, communicator horum, excipiebat, expedie [...]batque quo res postulabat,
Adoriebatur Cuneus, primaria Regni Capita, nihilque intentatum sivi [...], quomodo singula corrumperet & ad partem Pontificiam inclinaret; var [...] incitamentis plurimos alliciebat, Etiam Regem ipsum donationibus picturarum, A [...]tiquitatum, Idolorum, aliarumque vantitatum Româ allatarum, deludendum quaer [...]bat, quae tamen apud Regem nihil prof [...]erant.
Familiaritate inita cum Rege, rogatur saepius Hantocurti, etiam Londini, Palatini causam ageret, interponeretque autoritatem suam, intercession [...] Lega [...]o Coloniensi persu [...]deret, ut palatinus in conditiones, proximis Comitii [...] de pace acturis, insereretur, quod quidem pollicitus est; contrarium vero praestitit; scripsit quidem.Jesuites know well how to equivocate thus. Regatum se de talibus [...]b Rege fuisse, non consulere tamen, ut consentiatur, If Popes must not favour pro [...]stant Princes, its a miracle that they should favor them, or harbour any of their agents now neer them. ne ab Hispani [...] fortasse dicatur, Pontificem Romanum Principi Haeretico patrocinatum fuisse.
Subolfecit interim Cun [...]us, The papacy of Cant. and this other world is of greater value then an Italian Cardinalship. ab domino A [...]chiepiscopo Regi fidelissimo, totum animu [...] Regium esse pendulum [...] Omnem se motu [...]um lapidem, nervosque adplicaturum statuerat, ut ad partem suam lucrari p [...]ssit: Paratum [...] habere medium certò confisu [...]; Mandatum enim hab▪ bat, Pileum Cardinalem, nomine Pontificis Romani, domino Archiepiscopo offerret, lactaretque pollicitis etiam sublimioribus, ut animum si [...]cerum corrumperet: Commoda tamen occasio nunquam dabatur, qua domino Archiepiscopo sele in [...]inuare posse [...] (quaerebat enim Scorpius ovum) [Page 17] Per Comitem & Comitissam Arondelianā, etiam per Secretarium Windibankum; liber accessus impetrari debeat. Quorum omnium intercessionibus neglectis, societatem vel familiaritatem Cunei, peste pejus fugiebat; Persuadebatur etiam ab aliis non infimis, ipsi bene notis, nec tamen conmovebatur.
VII. Quaerebatur & alius qui ad facinus detestandum accessum impediebat, Secretarius Cook; erat is o [...]or Jesuitarum infensissimus, quibus aditum ad Regem intercipiebat, excipebat plurimos pro meritis, in illorum factiones sedulo i [...]quirebat; quo nomine incitamentum omne, vi [...] magneticam ad partem Pontificiam spirans, erat apud ipsum inefficax, nihil enim tam carum erat, quod ipsum ad pravum inclinasset: Hinc, Conjurationis Patronis exosus factus; pe [...]iclitabatur de officio ut exueretur, laborabatur per triennium, quod ultimo impetratum.
Mansit nihilominus ab parte Regis, nodus solutu difficilis; Dominus Archiepiscopus enim constantia sua, sicuti durissimum sese interposuit saxum.
Laborasse se incassum, ab parte domini Archiepiscopi Cuneus cum intellexisset, efferbuit m [...]litia ipsius, totiusque Societatis; mox [...] parari caeperunt, quibus dominus Archiepiscopus una cum Rega caperetur.
In regem quoque (cujus gratia totum istud disponitur Negotium) à quo quia nihil quod promovendae Religioni Papisticae inserviret speratur, (imprimis verò, Cum animum suum aperuerit, se ejus opinionis esse, quemvis in Religione sua dummodo vir probus [Page 18] & pius sit, Salvari p [...]sse) sententia lata est.
VIII. Ad perpetrandum susceptum facinus, executio criminalis VVestmonaste [...]i, per scripta nonualla Puritanorum causata, primi incendii ansam dedit, quae res ab Papistis apud Puritanos in tantum ex [...]cerbabatur, exaggerabaturque, ut si inulta maneret, Religioni ipsis duceretur; cujus incendii, subsequens tandem liber precum, flammas auxit.
IX. In isto fervore expeditus furit ad Scotos ab parte pontificia Comes quidam Scotus Maxfi [...]ld, ni fallor nomine, cum quo, duo alii Comites Scoti Papistae, correspondebant. Is commovere debebat plebem, injuriamque refricare ut animos accenderet, ad arma precipitaret, quibus noxius libertatis Scoticae perimeretur Turbator.
X. Ibi una opera paratus in Casses Regi, eo enim directum esse praesens negotium ut Anglorum complurimi sese adglutinarent Scotis; Rex armis maneret inferior, qui ab Papistis auxilia petere cogeretur, quae tamen non impetraret, nisi in conditiones descenderet, quibus libertatem Vniversalem exercitii Religionis Pontifi [...]iae, permitteret; it a enim res Papistarum ad nutum succederent, Quo consensu si difficiliorem sese exhibuerit, remedium erit in promptu: Adolescente enim cum primum Regio filio, (qui à teneris, ut parti Pontificiae adsuescat educatur) de Rege actum est: [Page 19] Nux quippe Indica acutissimo veneno referta in societate servatur (quam Cuneus tum temporis gloriabundus mihi oftentabat) quo Regi exemplo Patris, parabatur Pharmacum.
XI. In ista Commotione Scotica Marquesse d' Hamelton saepius Regis nomine ad Scotos ablegatur, regiam auctoritatem interponere [...], quâ aestus animorum mitigaretur, sine fructu tamen, reque infecta toties reversu [...]. Ipsius Concionator tum temporis nos adiit, qui cum Cuneo secretè nonnulla Communicavit; Interrogatus a me, joco; Num etiam Iudaei, cum Samaritanis convenirent? Ad quae Cuneus respondit, Vtinam omnes ministri tales, ut ipse, essent; conjiciatur hinc quidcunque.
XII. Rebus sic stantibus, ab Cardinali Richelieu, Dominus Thomas Cam [...]rarius, Sacellanus & Eleemosinarius ipsius, natione Scotus, Londinum adpulit; Qui Colleg [...]o Societatis conjuratae adsidere debebat, rem (que) seriò agere, [...]ihil intentatum relinquere, quo primus exasperaretur servor. Quo officio honorarium Episcopatus, erat ipsi pollicitum. Cohabitabat & Societati per quatuor Menses, nec prius discedendum licebat, donec rebus ex voto cedentibus, cum bonis novis redux fieri possit.
XIII. Cavalliero To [...]ias Mathei Sacerdos Jesuita, ordinis politicorum, è capitibus primariis homo vigilantissimus, cui nunquam tam charum cubile, quo [Page 20] caput reclinet; ad sellam tantum, hor [...] una, at que altera, somno corpus reficit; nec diei nec nocti, machinamētis parcit, vir summè noxius & ipsa Regis, Regnique Angliae Pestis, homo impudentissimus, qui per omnia convivia, epulasque, vocatus vel non vocatus, volitat; [...]unquam quietus, [...]emper in actione, mo [...]uq [...]e perpetuo; singulis Conversationibus Superiorum immiscuit, urget familiarè colloquis, ut animos hominum expiscaretur; Quic quid inde ad partes Conjuratorum commodi vel incommodi concernere advertit, Legato Pontificio communicat, Secretioria, ipse ad Pontificem vel Cardinalem Ba [...]ba [...]inum perscribit. In summa, cuivis societati sese adglutinat, nullum ve [...]bum effari potest, quod ipse non arripiat & ad partes suas accommodet. Quicquid interea temporis expiscatus, in catalogum redigit, & quavis Aestate ad Consistorium generale Jesuitarum Politico [...]ū quod in Provincia Wallensi secretò concurrit, hospes acceptus de [...]ert. Ibi tacitè consilia cuduntu [...] quae ad convulsionem status Ecclesiastici, turn Politici, Regni utriusque sunt aptissima.
XIIII. Capitaneus Reda Scotus, habitans in platea Longaker, prope tabernam Angeli, Jesuita saecularis, quiob detestandum officium praestitum (quo ministrum quendam Ecclesiae, incitamentis dulcibus ad religionem Papisticam, tota cum familia ipsius perverterat, filia ipsius in uxorem ducta) pro repensa obtinuit reditus vel vectigal Butiraceum, quod rustici sibi praestare tenentur, adquisitum ipsi ab rege, per nonnullos Societatis praecipuos; cui stimulus nunquam deficit, quo in officio [Page 21] constans de [...]ineatur. In ipsius ae [...]ibus Rei totius peragitur Negotium, ubi Societas quae in Regem & dominum Archiepiscopum, regnumque utrumque conjuravit, plerumque diebus singulis concurrit; Die vero expeditionis tabellarii, quae ordinariè est dies veneris, tanto frequentiores, tum enim omnes exploratores conveniunt, quae quisque ea hebdomada expiscatus est, in commune conferunt; qui ut extra suspitionem sint, secreta sua per Tobiam Mathei vel ipsum Redam, ad Legatum Pontificium, amandant; ipse, fasciculum compactum quem ab exploratoribus nundinatus est, Romam transmittit.
Apud eundem Redam deponuntur literae Roma illatae, sub titulis & nominibus fictis, quae per ipsum singulis ad quos spectant traduntur, illorum enim omnium & singulorum nomina ipsi sunt cognita.
Eadem ipsa occasione adferuntur etiam literae, sub coperta Patris Philippi (ipso tamen rerum nescio) a quo conjuratis dstribuuntur.
Habetur in illis ipsis aedibus Sacellum publicum; cui Jesuita ordinarius consecrat, ibidemque habitat. In dicto Sacello missae celebrantur quotidie à Jesuitis▪ Baptism [...]que liberis domesticis & nonnullorum conjuratorum inservitur.
Qui in nominatis aedibus concurrunt, Rhodis vel Equis, frequenter habitu Politico, magnoque Comitatu, quo palliantur ne innotescant, Jesuitae tamen sunt, & membra societatis conjurata.
[Page 22] XV. Hoc caetu contribuitur ab omnibu [...] Papistis Angliae, ne quidquam ad promovendum susceptum negotium de [...] ciat. In quem fiscum, unica vidua proprietaria olim aedium quas modo Secretarius Windebanck inhabitat, ante triennium defuncta 40000 librarum Anglicarum, contulit; sic & alii etiam citravires faciunt, modo ad optatum finem▪ promoveatur negotium.
XVI. Praeternominatas Eedes, etiam pe [...] alia loca secretiora fiunt conventicula, de quibus ne inter se quidem fidunt, met [...] ne dispatentur. Convocantur primo ad certa diversoria singuli (alter alterius inscius) hinc per exploratores ad locum ubi convenire debent, singuli deducuntur, ignari alias ubi conventuri sint, ne forte insperato obruantur.
XVII. Comitissa'd Arondel, strenua Pontificiae Religionis propugnatrix, ad Reformationem universalem omnes nervos intendit, quicquid ad aulam regis▪ secretè vel apertè verbis vel factis geritur, Legato Pontificio infinuat, cum quo ad minimum ter de die, modo in Aedibus Arondelianis, jàm ad aulam vel Tarthalae cum ipso congreditur; Ex ungue talia vix exugit.
Ipse C [...]mes vocatus jam à triennio hoc anno ire debebat Romam, acturu [...] ibi dubio procul de seriis Negotium concernentibus.
[Page 23]Donis dictionibusque suis, Jesuitae missis invigilant.
Grinwici, impensis Comitis, Schola foeminea sustentatur; quaealias Monasterium Monialium est; Adultae enim inibi Juvenculae, hic inde per extera transmarina monasteria, emittuntur.
18. Dominus Porter, Cubicularius Regius, Pontificiae Religioni addictissimus; Regis infensus hostis, Is ipsius secretissima quaeque, Legato Pontificio aperit, quamvis rarissi [...]e cum ipso conveniat; Uxor tant [...] saepiùs, quae ab marito informata, Legato secreta confidit: In omnibus suis actionibus Tobiae Mathei nihil [...]dit; effari non potest qualiter negotio invigilet.
Filii ipsius in Religione Pontificia o [...] culte informantur, aperte Reformatam profitentur. Major natu offic [...]um Patris suscepturus, sub Rege suturo; Alteri, si negotium bene successerit, pileus Cardinalis paratus est.
Ante triennium ablegari debebat dictus Dominus Portera Rege Marochum; prohibitus fuit ab societate, ne moram pateretur Negotium.
Patronus est Jesuitarum, quibus ad exercitium Religionis, Sacella, domi, forisque subministrat.
19. Secretarius Windebank, Papista acerrimus, Regi omnium infidelissimus qui non solum secretissima etiam quaeque Regia prodit & revelat, sed etiam consilia quibus optime Negotio consuleretur, communicat. Ipse ad minimum ter in hebdomada, per nocturna conventicula cum legato conversatur; injungitque quae scitu digna cogitat: cujus causa, aedes vicinas Legati Domo conduxit, quem saepius per portam horti adit, hac enim vicinitate, facilitatur congressus.
[Page 24]Dictus Secretari [...] ad partem societatis conjuratae, muneribus emptus est, quibus sustentatur, ut magis seriò officium peragat.
Filium suum expressè Romam misit, qui Romano Pontisici sese insinuare debebat.
20 Cavalliero Digbi, Cavalliero Winter, Dominus Mountague Junior, qui Romae fuit, Mi-lord Sterling; Congnatus Comitis d'Arundel, Eques: Comitissa de Neuport, Duciffa Buckingham, & plerique alii qui in Conditionem, hanc jurarunt, omnes in opere sunt vigilantissi [...]i. Horum alii, Aulicorum; alii Politicorum officiorum spe inescantur: Alii ad sexdecim pileos Cardinales vacantes attendunt, qui ideo ab aliquot annia otiosi detinent u [...], ut spem vanam expectantibu [...] imponant.
21 Praeses nominatae societatis erat Mi lord Gage, Sacerdos Jesuita, ante triennium defunctus: Habebat is palatium, lascivis picturis exornatum, quae prophanitatem in aedibus mentiebantur, palliabatur vero illis Monasterium, quo quadraginta Moniales sustentabantur, tanto Palatio occultatae; Situm est in Platea Reginae; quam statua Regina aurea decorat. Istam plateam totam Jesuitae secul [...]res emerunt, redegeruntque in quadratum, ubi tacitè Collegium Jesuiticum extruit [...], eâ spe, ut quamprimum reformatione universali Incepta, apertè elaborar [...] possit.
Legatus Pontificius triplici Charactere five cifra utitur: Uno, quo, cum omnibus Nunciis communicae: Altero cum solo Cardinale Barbarino: Tertio, quo secretioria nonnulla communicanda ucculta [...].
Quaecunqu [...] per hebdomadam ab societate aut aliis exploratoribus excepit, illa uno fasciculo consarcinat, sub inscriptione, [Page 25] Al Monsignior Stravio Archidiacono de Cambray, dedicat, a quo tandem promoventur Romam.
His ita constitutis, [...]i singula ad trutinam ponantur, sati [...]fiet in specie, omnibus articulis propositis.
QUIBUS.
1. COnjuratio in Regem & Dominum Archiepiscopum detegitur; Media quibus exitium utrique minatur, demonstra [...]tur.
2. Pericula Regno utrique imminentia recensentur.
3. Exortus incendii illius Scotici & progressus ennarratur.
4. Media quibus tu [...]bae istae Scoticae sedari possint, suggeruntur; postquam enim resciverint Scoti, à quibus & in quem finemanimi ipsorum accendantur, consulent sibi propere; neque utriusque partis vires succumbere sinent; ne medius sese interp [...]at qui utramque quaerit.
5. Quo ense Regis petatur jugulum, etiam turbis istis sopitis, Cun [...]i Confessio, oculataque demonstratio, do [...]et.
6. Locus Congr [...]gationis in aedibus Capitanei Redae nominatur.
7. Dies expeditionis octiduae per Redam & Legatum injungitur.
[Page 26] 8. Q [...]o modo nomina conjuratorum innotescere possint.
9. Ubi tota ista Congregatio possit circumveniri.
10. Infideles nonnulli ab parte Regis praecipuorum de nomine notificantu [...], plures, quorum nomina non occurrunt, habitationes tamen notae sunt; de nomine facile ab Reda extorqueri poterunt.
Si cau [...]è in his procedetur, nervus totius negotii in apricum prodibit, ita Sagitta piaevisa, effugietur periculum, quod ut succedat prospere, Creator omnipotens faxit,
WE have willingly and cordially perceived, that our offers have been acceptable both to his Royall Majestie, and likewise to your Grace. This is the only Index to us, That the blessing of God is present with you, whereby a spur is given, that wee should so much the more cheerfully and freely utter and detect those things whereby the hazard of both your lives, the subversion of the Realme and State both of England and Scotland, the tumbling down of his Excellent Majesty from his Throne, is intended. Now least the Discourse should be enlarged with superfluous circumstances, we will onely premise some things which are meerly necessary to the businesse.
They may first of all know, that this The quality of the discovere [...] & meane [...] inducing him to reveale this plot. good man, by whom the ensuing things are detected, was borne and bred in the Popish Religion, who spent many yeeres in Ecclesiasticall dignities, At length being found fit for the expedition of the present Designe, by the counsell and mandate of the Lord Cardinall Barbarino, he was adjoyned to the assistance of Master Cuneus (The Popes Nuncio then in England. Cun) by whom he was found so diligent and sedulous in his Office, that hope of great promotion was given to him. Yet he, led by the instinct of the good Spirit, hath, howsoever it be, contemned sweet promises, & having known the vanities of the Pontifician Religiō (of which he had sometime been a most severe defender) having likewise noted the malice of those who fight under the Popish [Page 14] banner, felt his Conscience to be burdned; which burden that he might ease himself of, he converted his mind to the Orthodox Religion. Soon after, that he might exonerate his Conscience, he thought [...]it, that a desperate Treason, machinated against so many soules, was to be revealed, and that he should receive ease if he vented such things into the bosome of a friend: which done, he was seriously admonished by the said friend, that he should shew an example of his conversion and charity, and free so many innocent soules from imminent danger. To whose monitions hee willingly consented, and delivered the following things to be put in writing, out of which the Articles not long since tendered to your Grace, may be cleerly explicated and demonstrated.
1 First of all,Four sorts of Jesuits. that the hinge of the businesse may be rightly discerned, it is to be known, that all those factions with which all Christendome is at this day shaken, do arise from the Iesuiticall offspring of Cham, of which four orders abound thorowout the world.
Of the first Order are Ecclesiasticks, whose office it is to take care of things promoting Religion.
Of the second Order are Politicians, whose office it is by any means to shake, trouble, reforme the state of Kingdomes and Republikes.
Of the third Order are Seculars, whose property it is to obtr [...]de themselves into Offices with Kings and Princes, to insinuate and immix themselves in Court businesses, bargains and sales, and to be busied in civill affairs.
Of the fourth Order are Intelligencers (or spies) men of inferiour condition, who submit themselves to theA good caveat to Nobles & Gentlemen to beware they entertaine not a Jesuit or Romish spie in their houses in stead of a servant. services of great men, Princes, Barons, Noblemen, Citizens, to deceive (or corrupt) the mindes of their masters.
[Page 15]2. A Society of so many Orders, the We had need look about, when so many active Traytors are harboured among us, even perchance at this present, Kingdome of England nourisheth: for scarce all Spain, France, and Italy, can yeeld so great a multitude of Jesuites, as London alone; where are found more then 50 Scottish Jesuites. There the said society hath elected to it selfe a seat of iniquity, and hath c [...]nspired against the King, and the most faithfull to the King, especially the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and likewise against both kingdomes.
3. For it is more certaine then certainty it self,Therfore both Kindoms need look to themselves. that the forenamed society hath determined to effect an universall reformation of the Kingdome of England and Scotland. Therefore the determination of the end, necessarily infers a determination of means to the end.
4. Therefore to promote the undertaken Villany, Strange that such a society should be erected under the Defender of the faith. the said society dubbed it selfe with the Title of, The Congregation of propagating the Faith; which acknowledgeth the Pope of Rome the Head of the Colledge, and Cardinall Barbarino his substitute and Executor.
5. The chief Patron of the society at London, A strange world when a Popes Legate shall be openly harboured so neere the King and Court, and have fr [...]e [...]ccesse to both without controule. is the Popes Legat, who takes care of the businesse; into whose bosome, these dregs of Traytors weekly deposite all their Intelligences. Now the residence of this Legation, was obtained at London, in the name of the Roman Ponti [...]e, by whose mediation it might be lawfull for Cardinall Barbarino, to work so much the more easily & safely upon the King and kingdom.If the King truly hate the Pope, it will make his Instruments lesse effectuall, if they come in his name. For none else could so freely circumvent the King, as he who should be palliated with the Popes Authority.
6. Master Cuneus did at that time enjoy the Office of the Popes Legat, Popes Instruments are ever very active. an Vniversall Instrument of the conjured society, and a serious Promoter of the businesse, whose secrets, as likewise those of all the other Intelligencers, the present [Page 16] goodman, the Communicator of all these things, did receive and expedite whither the businesse required.
Cuneus set upon the chief men of the Kingdom, Strange it was that the chiefe men should not set themselves against him & his, to send thē packing hence; especially that the King himselfe did it not when he thus tempted & assaulted him. and left nothing unattempted, by what means he might corrupt them all, and in [...]line them to the pontifician party: he inticed many with various incitements, yea, he sought to delude the King himselfe with gifts of Pictures, antiquities, Idols, and of other vanities brought from Rome, which yet would preva [...]le nothing with the King.
Having entred familiarity with the King,That a Popes Legat should be so familiar with the King, and the King make much of him in steed of banishing him, is a riddle. he is often requested at Hampton Court, likewise at London, to undertake the cause of the Palatine, and that he would interpose his Authority, and by his intercession perswade the Legat of Colen, that the Palatine in the next Diet to treat of peace, might be inserted into the Conditions; which verily he promised, but performed the contrary. He writ indeed, that he had been so desired by the King concerning such things, yet he advised not that they should be consented to, lest peradventure it might be said by the Spaniard, that the Pope of ROME had patronized an hereticall Prince.
In the meane time, Cuneus smelling The Archb. therefore, & he, had some familiarity, and acquaintance at first. from the Archbish. most trusty to the King, that the Kings mind was wholy pen [...]ulous (or doubtfull.) Resolved, That he would move every stone, and apply his forces, that he might gaine him to his party: Certainly confiding, that he had a meanes prepared. For he had a command toThis offer appears under the Archbishops own hand in the Journall of his life. offer a Cardinalls Cap to the Lord Archbishop in the name of the Pope of ROME, and that hee should allure him also with higher promises, that hee might corrupt his sincere minde. Yet a fitting occasion was never given, whereby he might insinuate himselfe into the Lord Archbishop (for the Scorpion sought an Egge: Free [Page 17] accesse was to be impetrated by the Earl and Countesse of Arundel, likewise by Secretary Windebanke: The intercession of all which being neglected, he did flie the company or familiarity of Cuneus, worse then the plague: But he kept not him from the Court. He was likewise perswaded by others of no mean rank, well known to him, neither yet was he moved.
7. Another also was assayed,Jesuites are both diligent and able to remove their greatest opposites at Court from out of place and favour too. who hindred accesse to the detestable wickednesse, Secretary Cook, he was a most bitter hater of the Jesuites, from whom he intercepted accesse to the King, he entertained many (of them) according to their deserts, he diligently inquired into their factions; by which means every incitement, breaththing a magneticall (attractive) power to the Popish party, was ineffectuall with him; for nothing was so dear unto him, that might incline him to wickednesse. Hereupon being made odi [...]us to the Patrons of the Conspiracy▪ he was endangered to be discharged from his Office;It is admirable this faction should be so powerfully predominant as to displace the greatest and faithfullest Officers. it was laboured for three yeers space, and at last obtained.
Yet notwithstanding there remained on the Kings part a knot hard to be untied, for the Lord Archbishop by his constancy, interposed himselfe as a most hard rock.
When Cuneus had understood from the Lord Archbishops part,Iesuites wil be sure to move hell, when they cannot prevail with Heaven. that he had laboured in vain, his malice and the whole Societies waxed boyling hot: soon after ambushes began to be prepared, wherwith the Lord Archbishop together with the King should be taken.
Likewise a sentence is passed against the King (for whose sake all this businesse is disposed) because nothing is hoped from him, Jesuites cannot indure neuters. If a man may be saved in any Religiō, he may safely imbrace any and cleave close to none. which might seem to promote the Popish religion (but especially when he had opened his minde, that he was of this opinion, that every one might be [Page 18] saved in his own religion, so as he be an honest and pious man.)
8. To perpetrate the Treason undertaken, the criminallThe Bishops ty [...]nny against Puritans the best advantage, and greatest advancement of popes designes. Execution at VVestminster, caused by some writings of Puritans, gave occasion of the first fire: which thing was so much exasperated & exaggerated by the Papists to the Puritans, that if it remained unrevenged, it would be thought a blemish to their Religion; The flames of which fire, the subsequent Book ofHe means the Scottish Prayer book; the alterations whereof frō the English, were found in the Originall copy, under the Archbishops own hand, whē his chamber was searched. The Jesuits love to fish when the Bishops trouble the streames with their innovations and Popish Ceremonies▪ The Iesuits the plotters & chief directors of the Scotish war. Prayers increases.
9. In this heat, a certain Scotish Earl, called Maxfield, if I mistake not, was expedited to the Scots by the Popish party; with whom two other Scotish Earls, Papists, held correspondency: he ought to stir up the people to Commotion, and rub over the injury afresh, that he might enflame their minds, precipitate them to Arms, by which the hurtfull disturber of the Scotish Liberty might be slain.
10. There, by one labour, snares are prepared for the King; for this purpose the present businesse was so ordered, that very many of the English should adhere to the Scots; That the King should remaine inferiour in Armes, who (therupon) should be compelled to crave assistance from the Papists; which yet he should not obtaine, unlesse he would descend untoThe King tied to conditions by papists befor they aided him conditions, by which he should permitNow practised in Oxford, Wales, and the Northern parts, by open toleration. Universall liberty of the exercise of the Popish Religion; for so the affairs of the Papists would succeed according to their desire. To which consent, if he should shew himself more difficult, there should be a present remedy at hand: For the Kings Son growing now very fast to his youthfull age (who isThe more shame & pity, and a caveat for the Parliament henceforth to look to it. educated from his tender age, that hee might accustome himselfe to the Popish party) the King is to bee dispatched: For an [Page 19] The King thē must needs be in great danger amongst Papists now. Indian Nut stuffed with most sharp poyson, is kept in the Society (which Cuneus at that time shewed often to me inJesuites make but a vaunt of poysoning Kings. a boasting manner) wherein a poyson was prepared for the King; after the example of hisThe Jesuites it seems know very well King Iames was poysoned, belike by some of their Instruments: Father.
11. In this Scottish Commotion, the Marquesse of Hamelton, often dispatched to the Scots in the Names of the King, to interpose the royall Authority, whereby the heat of minds might be mitigated, returned notwithstanding as often without fruit, and without ending the businesse: His Chaplaine at that time repaired to us, whoIt seems some Noblemens Chaplains are but the Popes and Jesuites intelligencers, if not their confederates. communicated some things secretly with Cuneus. Being demanded of me injest, Whether also the Jewes agreed with the Samaritans? Cuneus thereunto answered; would to God all Ministers were such as he: what you will, may be hence conjectured.
12. Things standing thus, All forraigne popish States contribute their best assistance to reduce England to Rome. there arrived at London from Cardinall Richelieu, Mr. Thomas Chamberlaine, his Chaplain and Almoner, a Scot by Nation, who ought to assist the Colledge of the confederate Society, and seriously to set forward the businesse, to leave nothing unattempted, whereby the first heat might be exasperated. For which service he was promised the reward of aA meet guerdon for such a service. Jesuites will not give over acting, till they accomplish their designes. Bishopricke, He cohabited with the Society, foure moneths space; neither was it lawfull for him first to depart, untill things succeeding according to his wish, he might be able to return back again with good newes.
13. Sir Toby Matthew a Iesuited Priest,Bishops Sons oftentimes the Popes greatest Agents. of the order of politicians, a most vigilant man of the chief heads, to whom a bed was never so dear, that he would rest his head theron, refreshing his body with [Page 20] sleep in a chair for an houre or two,His industrious activity should shame our slothfulnesse. neither day nor night spared his machinations; a man principally noxious, and himselfe the Plague of the King and Kingdom of England; a most impudent man, who flies to all banquets, and feasts, called or not called; never quiet, alwaies in action & perpetuall motion; thrusting himselfe into all conversations of Superiours; he urgeth conferences familiarly, that he may fish out the minds of men; what ever he observeth thence, which may bring any commodity or discommodity to the part of the conspirators, he communicates to the Popes Legat; the more secret things he himself writes to the Pope, or to Cardinall Barbarino. The protestants want of such mutuall correspondency, and intelligence is a great weakning to their cause. Let them learn Wisedome by their Enemies. In sum, he adjoines himself to any mans company, no word can be spoken, that he will not lay hold on, and accommodate to his party. In the mean time, whatever he hath fished out, he reduceth into a Catalogue, and every summer carrieth it to the generall Consistory of the Jesuites politicks, which secretly meets together in the Province ofA fit place for their intelligence and correspondency with Ireland, lying in the midst between both. Wales, where he is an acceptable guest. There Councells are secretly hammered which are most meet for the convulsion of the Ecclesiastick, and politick estate of both Kingdoms.
14. Capiaine Read a Scot,The Jesuites now make good use of all Nations and Instruments. dwelling in Longacre-streete, ne [...]r the Angell Taverne, a secular Jesuite, who for his detestable office performed (wherby he had perverted a certain Minister of the Church, with secret incitements to the Popish religion, with all his family, taking his Daughter to Wife) for aO that such Romish seducers should obtaine such power and rewards for being seducing Instruments. recompence obtained a rent or impost upon butter, which the Country people are bound to render to him, procured for him from the King, by some chief men of the Society, who never want a spur, wherby he may be constantly detained in his Office: [Page 21] In his house the businesse of the whole Plot is concluded,The Jesuites it seems are very powerfull at Court. where the Society which hath conspired against the King, the Lord Archbishop & both Kingdoms meet together, for the most part every day: but on the day of the Carrier [...] (or Posts) dispatch, which is ordinarily Friday, they meet in greater numbers; for then all the Intelligencers assemble, and confer in common, what things every of them hath fished out that Week; who that they may be without suspi [...]ion,The Popes weekly intelligence at Rome, from hence, can produce no good to England. send their secrets by Toby Matthew, or Read himselfe, to the Popes Legat; he transmits the compacted pacquet, which he hath purchased from the Intelligencers, to Rome.
With the same Read, Jesuites know how to conceal thei [...] Names and Lodgings▪ the Letters brought from Rome are deposited, under faired Titles and Names, who by him are delivered to al, to whom they appertain: For all and every of their Names are known to him.
Vpon the very same occasion,There are more Popish Chappels in and about London, then are commonly known. Letters also are brought hither under the covert of Father Philip;(he notwithstanding being ignorant of things) from whom they are distributed to the Conspirators.
There is in that very [...]use a publik Chappell, wherin an ordinary Jesuite con [...]ecrates, and dwels there. In the said Chappell Masses are daily celebrated by the Jesuites, and it serves for the baptizing of the Children of the House, and of some of the Conspirators.
Those who assemble in the forenamed house,Jesuites can counterfeit any habit, or part, to delude the vulgar. come frequently in Coaches or on Horse back in Lay-mens habit, and with a great Train, wherwith they are diguised, that they may not be known, yet they are Jesuites, and conjured members of the Society.
[Page 22]. All the Papists of ENGLAND contribute to this Assembly,Papists large contributions to undermine our Religion, should make us liberall to defend it. lest any thing should be wanting to promote the undertaken Designe. Vpon whose treasury, one Widdow, owner of the Houses, wherein Secretary Windebanke now dwelleth, dead above three Yeares since, bestowed fourty thousand English pounds, so likewise others contribute above their abilities, so as the businesse may be promoted unto its desired end.
16. Besides the foresaid Houses,Jesuites are as wise as Serpents though not so innocent as Doves. there are Conventicles also kept in other more secret places, of which verily they confide not even among themselves, for fear lest they should be discovered. First, every of them are called to certain Innes, (one not knowing of the other;) hence they are severally led by Spies to the place where they ought to meet, otherwise ignorant where they ought to assemble, lest peradventure they should be surprised at unawares.
17. The Countesse of Arundel, The Jesuits learne of the Serpent to seduce men by small instruments to their ruine. a strenuous She-Champion of the Popish Religion, bends all her Nerves to the Vniversall Reformation; whatsoever she hears at the Kings Court, that is done secretly or openly, in words or deeds, she presently imparts to the Popes Legat, Her voyage to Rome to visit the Pope, made her frequently to visit his legat. with whom she meets thrice a day▪ sometimes in Arundel [...] House, now at the Court, or at Tarthal▪ He scarce sucks such things by the Claw.
The Earl himselfe called now about three years since,The Countesse belike was his forerunner thither. this year ought to go to Rome, without doubt to consult there of serious things, concerning the Designe. [Page 23] with gifts and speeches, the Iesuites watch diligently to their Masses.No wonder the Earls debts be so great. A School of Nunnes.
At Greenwich at the Earles costs, a feminine School is maintained, which otherwise is a Monastery of Nunnes; for the young Girls therein, are sent forth hither and thither into forraine Mon [...]steries beyond the Seas.
Master Porter of the Kings Bed-chamber,Is not the King in great danger who hath such a person in his Bed-chamber, now keeper of the great Seal? most addicted to the Popish religion, is a bitter enemy of the King, he reveales all his greatest secrets to the Popes Legat; although he very rarely meets with him, yes his wife meets him so much the oftner, who being informed by her husband, conveyes secrets to the Lega [...]. In all his actions he is nothing inferiour to Toby Matthew; it cannot be uttered▪ how diligently he watcheth on the businesse.
His sonnes are secretly instructed in the Popish Religion;Both King and Prince have Iesuiticall agents in their Bed-chambers. openly, they professe the Reformed. The eldest is now to receive his Fathers Office, under the King which shall be. A Cardinals hat is provided for the other, if the Designe shall succeed well.
Above three yeares past the said Master Porter,All businesses and imployments must be set aside to promote this plot. was to be sent away by the King to Maroco: but he was prohibited by the Society, lest the businesse should suffer delay thereby.
He is a Patron of the Iesuites, for whom, for the exercise of Religion, he provides Chappels both at home and abroad.
Secretary Windebanke,A Iesuiticall Secretary, his flight and Articles in Parliament, confirme all this and more. a most fierce Papist, is the most unfaithfull to the King of all men, who not onely betraies and reveales even the Kings greatest secrets, but likewise communicates Counsels by which the designe may be best advanced. He at least thrice every week converseth with the Legat in Nocturnal conventicles, and reveales those things which he thinkes fit to be knowne; for which end, he hired a house neare to the Legates house, whom he often resorts to through the Garden doore, for by this vicinity, the meeting is facilitated.
[Page 24]The said Secretary is bribed with gifts to the party of that coniured Society,Papists spare no cost. by whom he is sustained, that he may the more seriously execute his Office.
He sent his Sonne expresly to Rome, who ought to insinuate himselfe into the Roman Pontif.
Sir Digby,The other Conspirators names. Sir Winter, Master Mountague the younger, who hath been at Rome; my Lord Sterling, a Cosen of the Earle of Arundels, a Knight, the Countesse of Newport, the Dutchesse of Buckingham; and many others who have sworne into this conspiracy, are all most vigilant in the designe. Some of those are inticed with the hope of Court, others of Politicall Offices; Others attend to the sixteene Cardinals Caps that are vacant; which are therefore detained idle for some yeares, that they may impose a vaine hope on th [...]se who expect them.
The President of the aforesaid Society was my Lord Gage, a Iesuite Priest, dead above three yeares since. He had a Palace adorned with lascivious pictures,A [...]cover for such a dish. which counterfeited prophanenesse in the house, but with them was palliated a Monastery, wherin forty Nunnes were maintained, hid in so great a Palace, It is situated in Queenes-street, which the statue of a Golden Queene adornes. The secular Iesuites have bought all this street,It seemes their purses were strong, & their hopes great. and have reduced it into a guadrangle, where a Iesuiticall Colledge is tacitly built, with this hope, that it might be openly finished, as soone as the universall reformation was begunne.
The Popes Legat useth a threefold Character or Cipher;His Maiesty perchance hath learnt to write Characters from him, as appeares by some of his late intercepted Letters. One wherewith he communicates with all Nuncioes; Another, with Cardinall Barbaraino onely: A third, wherewith he covers some greater secrets to bee communicated.
What soever things he either receiveth from the Society or other spies, those he packes up together in one bundle, dedicated under this [Page 25] Inscription: To Mounsieur Stravio Archdeacon of Cambray: from whom at last they are promoted to Rome.
These things being thus ordered, if every thing be laid to the bullance, it will satisfie [...] speciall, all the Articles pr [...]pounded.
WHEREIN.
1. THE Conspiracy against the King and Lord Arch-bishop is detected, and the meanes whereby ruine is threatned to both, demonstrated.
2. The imminent dangers to both Kingdomes are rehearsed.
3. The rise and progresse of that Scottish [...]re is related.
4. Meanes wherby these Scottish troubles may be appeased, are suggested: for after the Scots shall know by whom and to what end their minds are incensed, they wil speedily look to themselves, neither will they suffer the forces of both parts to be subdued,A good [...] for England now. lest a middle party interpose, which seekes (the ruine) of both.
5. With what sword the Kings throat is assaulted, even when these stirs shall be ended, Cunens his confession; and a visible demonstration, sheweth.
6. The place of the Assembly in the house of Captaine Read is nominated.
7. The day of the eight dayes dispatch by Read and the Legate is prescribed.
8. How the names of the Conspirators may be knowne.
9. Where this whole Congregation may be circumvented.
10. Some of the Principall unfaithfull ones of the Kings party are notified by name; many of whose names occur not, yet their h [...]bitations are knowne; their names may be easily extorted from Read.
If these things be warily proceeded in, the strength of the whole businesse will be brought to light; so the arrow being foreseene, the danger shall be avoyded; which that it may prosperously succeed, the Omnipotent Creator grant.
The Arch-Bishops indorsement with his ow [...]e hand.
Rece. Octob. 14. 1640.
The Narration of the great Treason, concerning which he promised to Sir William Boswell, to discover against the King and State.
A further evidence and confirmation of some things in the Relation concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury.
THe Relation of this horrid plot by a chiefe Actor in it, (with which the Arch-Prelate acquainted the King, not many daies before this Parliament began) lay concealed among the Arch-bishops papers, without any prosecution of the conspirators (for ought appeares) who are since dispersed in part by the Parliament, but neither dissolved nor taken off this plot, but become more active in its prosecution, putting forth their last and utmost endeavours in all places, to accomplish this their designe, which they have almost brought to maturity to our shame and grief, by new raysed civill wars both in Ireland and England.
Two things in this plot, which concerne the Arch-bishop, may perchance seem strange to different sorts of men.
First; That the Popes Legat should presume to tempt the Archbishop with the offer of a Cardinals cap; and some friends of his will perchance affirme, that certainely no such proffer was ever made unto him: but to put this out of question, the Bishop himselfe under his owne hand, among other memorials, in the Iourn [...]ll of his life (then found by Mr. Prynne in his pocket) hath these two remarkable memorandums, Anno 1633. August 4. Sunday, newes came to Court of the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterburys death, and the King resolved presently to give it me. That very morning at Greenenwich there came one to me SERIOUSLY, and THAT AVOWED This must needs be the Legat, or one imployed from him. ABILITY TO PERFORME IT, and OFFERED ME TO BE A CARDINALL. I went presently TO THE KING and ACQUAINTED HIM BOTH WITH THE THING AND PERSON. Aug. 17. (the same moneth) Saturday I had A SERIOUS OFFER MADE ME AGAINE TO BE A CARDINALL; I was th [...] fr [...]m Court, but so soone as I came thither (which was Wednesday August 21.) I ACQUAINTED HIS MAJESTY WITH IT. But my answer againe was, that somewhat dwelt within me that would not suffer that TILL ROME were other then it is: so that by his owne Notes it appeares, a Cardinals Cap was twice proffer'd him very seriously, and that he acquainted the King with it; not by way of complaint to crave justice against the party who durst presume to tempt him with such a forraigne dignity, to be the Popes sworn instrument; but, by way of advice, and to sound His Majesties opinion hereof▪ as his answer imports. Neither did he absolutely di [...]claime the dignity it selfe, as if he might in no case accept it, but conditionally, Till Rome should be other [Page 28] then it is now, and then he would not refuse it. Indeed the Arch-bishop in hisPage 171. Reply to Fisher, challengeth this title (Putriarch of another world) as his due, being given to his predecessor Anselm, and therefore could brook [...] any other Pope (in point of Soveraignty) to Lord it over him here; and this made him refuse the Cardinalls Gap [...] But had he resisted the Legats landing or conti [...]nance here, which he never did for ought appeares, but entertained some familiarity with him at first, though they afterwards grew more strange; or peremptorily refused the first offer with indignation, thrust out the Legate or offerer of it by head and shoulders, prosecuted him (as he did poore innocent Puritans) upon the Statute of 23 [...] Eliz. c. 1. as a Traytor, for attempting to seduce him from his Alegiancy, and subject him to the See of Rome; or brought him publikely into the Star-Chamber or High-Commission, as he did some others for lesser pretended crimes and scandals, hee had discharged the part of a good zealous Prelate and Protestant; but here was no such proceeding in this case: the very parties that tendred this Cap, presuming some good inclination in him to accept it, and good affection to the Romish Church, whichConference with Fisher, neere the end. he maintaines to be a true Church, wherein men are and may be saved; and the second proffer of the Cap following so soone at the heeles of the first, intimates; that the first was in such sort entertained by him, as rather incouraged then discouraged the party to make the second; and his second consultation with the King concerning it, insinuates, that the King rather inclined to, then against it, or at leastwise left it arbitrary to him to accept or reject it as he best liked. As for his lukewarme severity in prosecuting Papists, it appeares most lively by his Epistle to the King before his Conference with the Iesuite Fisher, where hee useth these speeches of his [...]arriage towards them; God forbid that I should perswade a persecution in any kind, or practise it in the least (against Priests and Jesuites.) For to my remembrance I have not given him or his so much as crosse language. Therefore he is no great enemy to them: the edge of [...]eale being wholly bent against Puritans whom hee prosecuted even to strong Cities, Countries withall manner of Tortures.
The second thing which may seeme strange to others, disaffected to him▪ is this; that the Popes Legat and Jesuites should ever [...]ate, or conspire his death, unlesse he were an utter Enemy to all Popery, Papists and the Church of Rome; which admits an easie answer: The truth is, the Bishop being very pragmaticall and wilfull in his courses, could not well brooke pragmaticall, peremptory Iesuits, who in Popish Kingdomes are in perpetuall enmity with all other orders, and they with them; they having beene oft banished out ofSee the Generall Hist. of France in the life of H. 3. & 4. France and other Realmes by the Sorbonists, Dominicans and other orders, no Protestants writing so bitterly against this Popish Order as themselves, as some of their Priests, Dominicans, and other Friers have done: yea the Priests and Jesuites inSee the English Pope. England were lately at great variance, and persecuted, and writ against one another with much violence; This same then is no good argument that the Arch-bi. held no correspondence with Priests and other Orders, can beare no good affection to the Church of Rome, in whose superstitious Ceremonies he outstripped most Priests themselves. VVhat correspondency he held with Franciscus de Sancta Clara, with other Priests, and Doctor Smith Bishop of Calcedon, whom the Jesuits likewise have persecuted, and got excommunicated, (though of their owne Church and religion) is at large discovered in a Books in [...] led, [Page 29] The English Pope: and how well he approved of some Romish doctrines, Alt [...]s and Massing rites, is evident by the Scottish Common-prayer-booke, then found in the Archbishops chamber, with all those alterations, wherein it differs from the English, written with his owne hand in the margin, some of which smell very strongly of Popery; as namely, his blotting out of these words at the delivery of the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament, Take and eate this in remembrance that Christ dyed for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thankesgiving: Take and drink [...] this in remembrance that Christs blood was shed for thee, &c. and leaving onely this former clause (the better to justifie and imply aWith which his Speech in Star-chamber agrees, There it is, Hoc est corpus m [...]um, &c. corporall presence of Christ in the Sacrament) The body of our Lord Iesus Christ which was given for thee; The blood of our Lord Iesus Christ which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soule unto everlasting life. And this popish Rubricke therein written with his owne hand. The Presbyter during the time of consecration shall stand AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ALTAR, where he may with more ease and decency To elevate the Hos [...]ia, as Papists do [...]. USE BOTH HIS HANDS, then he can do if he stand at the North end: with other particulars of this kind. Moreover, in his booke of Private devotions, written with his owne hand, he hath (after the Romish form) reduced all his prayers to Ca [...]nicall houres, (many of them for his late good Lord and Master the Duke and Dutches of Buckingham, and their family; and some against the Scotch Rebels, as he stiles them.) And in the fore-mentioned Memorials of his life, written with his owne hand, there are these suspicious passages, among others, besides the offer of the Cardinals-cap, An. 1631. I [...]n. 21. and 26. My nearer acquaintance began to settle with Do. S. God blesse us in it. I [...]nii 25. D. S. with me at Fulham cum M [...]. &c. (meant of Dr. Smith, the Popish Bishop of Calcedon, as is conceived) Iun. 25. Mr. Fr. Windebanke my old friend was [...] Secretary of State, which place I OBTAINED FOR HIM of my gracious Master King Charles: What an Arch-Papist and conspiratour he was, the Plot relates, and his flight into France See the Articles against him in Parliament. for releasing Papists and Iesuits out of prison from executions for debts by his owne Warrants, and imprisoning those Officers who apprehended them) confirmes. About this time Dr. Theodor Price, Subdean of Westminster, a man very intimate with the Archbishop, and recommended specially to the King by him to be a Welsh Bishop (in opposition to the Earle of Pembroke, and his Chaptain Griffith Williams, now an Irish Prelate;) soon after died a reconciled Papist, and received extream [...] Vnction from a Priest: Noscitur ex comite. August 30. 1634. He hath this memoriall. Saturday at Oatelands the Queen sent for me, and gave [...] thanks for a businesse with which she trusted me; her promise then, that she would be my friend, and that I should have immediate addresse to her, when I had [...]ccasion. All which considered, together with his Chaplaines licencing divers popish Bookes, with their [...]xpunging most passages against Popery out of Bookes brought to the Presse, and other particulars commonly knowne, will give a true Character of his temper, that [...] is another Ca [...]ander, or middle man betweene an absolute Papist, and a reall Protestant, who will far sooner hug a popish Priest in his bosome, then take [...] Puritan by the little finger; an absolute Papist in all matters of ceremony, pompe, and externall worship, (in which he was over [...] zealous, even to an open bitter persecution of all consci [...]tious Ministers, who made scruple of them) if not halfe an one at least, in Doctrinall [...]. How far he was guilty of a conditionall voting the breaking up the last Parliament before this was called, and for what end it was summoned; this other memoriall [Page 30] under his owne hand will attest, Dec. 5 1639. Thursday, the King declared his resolution for a Parliament, in case of the Scottish rebellion: the first movers to it were my L. Deputy of Ireland▪ my Lord Marquesse Hamilton, and my selfe: And a Resolution voted at the Board to assist the King in extraordinary wayes, if the Parliament should prove peevish and Refuse, &c. But of him sufficient, till his charge (now in preparation, and since transmitted to the Lords) shall come in.
Observations on, and from the relation of this plot.
FFom the relation of the former Plot by so good a hand, our own three Realms, and a [...] forraigne Protestant States may receive full satisfaction.
First, that there hath been a most cunning, strong, execrable conspiracie long since contrived at Rome, and for divers yeeres together most vigorously pursued in England with all industry, policy, subtilty, engines, by many active, potent confederates of all sorts, all sexes, to undermine the Protestant Religion, re-establish Popery, and alter the very frame of civill government in all the Kings Dominions; wherein a most dangerous visible progresse hath been lately made.
Secondly, That to effect this traiterous designe, they have not onely secretly erected some Monasteries of Monkes, Nunnes, in and about London; but sent over hither whole Regiments of most active subtill Iesuits, incorporated into a particular new society, whereof the Pope himselfe is head, and Cardinall Barbarino his Vicar: which Society was first discovered, and some of them apprehended in th [...]ir private Colledge at Clerken-well (together with their bookes of account Reliques, and Massing Trinket [...]) about the beginning of the second Parliament of this King; yet such power, favour, friends, they had then acquired, that their persons were speedily and most indirectly released out of Newgate without any prosecution, to prevent that Parliaments proceedings against them, which examined this abuse, and illegall release. Since which, this conjured society increasing in strength and number, secretly replanted themselves in Queens-street and Long-acre, and their purses are now so strong, their hopes so elevated, their designes so ripened, as they have there purchased, founded a new magnificent Colledge of their owne for their habitation, neere the fairest buildings of Nobles, Knights, and Gentlemen, the more commodiously to seduce them.
Thirdly, that these Iesuits and conspirators hold weekely, constant, uninterrupted intelligence with the Pope and Romish Cardinals; and have many spies or intelligence [...] of all sorts about the King, Court, City, Noblemen, Ladies, Gentlemen of quality, and in all quarters of the Kingdome, to promote this their damnable Plot.
Fourthly, that the Pope for divers late yeeres hath had a known avowed Legat, C [...] by name, openly residing even in London, neere the Court, of purpose to reduce the King and his Kingdoms to the obedience of the Church of Rome; and the Queen at least, another Legor at Rome trading with the Pope, to facilitate the designe, to wit, one Hamilton a Scot, who receives a pension out of the Exchequer, granted to another Protestant of that name, who payeth it over unto him, to palliate the businesse from the peoples knowledge; by which meanes there hath been a constant allowed Neg [...] tiation held between Rome and England, without any open interruption.
[Page 31] 5. That the Popes Legate came over into England to effect this project, and kept [...]is residence here in London, for the better prosecution thereof by the Kings own [...] privity and consent. And whereas byAntiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 322. Ead. lib. 1. and Fox Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. edit. ult. p. 926. the ancient Law and Custome of the Real [...]e [...]et in force, even in times of Popery, no Legat whatsoever coming from Rome. ought to [...]rosse the Seas, or land in England, or any the Kings Dominions, without the Kings own Petition, calling and request to the Pope, and before hee had taken a [...]olemne Oath or Pr [...]te [...]station, to bring and attempt nothing in word or deed, to the prejudice of the Rights, Priviledges, Laws and Customs of the King and Realm. This Legat, for ought appears, was here admitted without any such cautionary Oath, which would have crossed the chiefe end of his legation, which was, to prejudice all men, and our Religion too.
Yea, whereas by23. Eliz. c. 1. 35. Eliz. c. 1. 3. Iac. c. 3. 4, 5. the Statutes of the Realm, it is made no lesse then high Treason for any Priests, Iesuits, or others, receiving orders or Authority from the Pope of Rome, to set footing in England, or any the Kings Dominions, to seduce any of his Subjects to Popery: and Popish Recusants (much lesse then Priests, Jesuits, & Legats) ought not to remain within ten miles of the City of London, nor come yet into the King or Princes Courts, the better to avoid such trayterous and most dangerous Conspirators, Treasons, and attempts as are daily divised and practised by them against the King and Common-weal. Yet notwithstanding, this Popes Legate, and his confederates, have not only kept redence for divers yeeres, in or neer London and the Court, and enjoyed free liberty (without disturbance, or any prosecution of the Lawes against them) to seduce his Majesties Nobles, Courtiers, Servants, Subjects every where, to their griefe and prejudice; but likewise had familiar accesse to, and conference with, the King himselfe, (under the name, notion, authority of the Popes Legat) by all Arts, Policies, Argument to pervert and draw him, with his three Kingdomes, into a new subjection to the Sea of Rome, asSee 1. & 2. Phil. & Mary, c. 8. Cardinall Pool, the last Popes Legat extant in England before this, in Queen Maries raigne, reconciled her and the Realm to Rome, to their intolerable preiudice. An act so inconsistent with the Laws of the Realm, with his Majesties many ancient and late Remonstrances, Oathes, Protestations, to maintaine the Protestant Religion, without giving way to any back-sliding to Popery, in such sort as it was maintained and professed in the purest times of Q. Elizabeth, &c. as may well amaze the world, which ever lookes more at reall Actions, then verball Protestations.
6. That the Popish party & Conspirators, have lately usurped a soveraign power, not only about the Lawes and Magistrates of the Realm (which take no hold of Papists,See the Royall Popish Favorite. but by the Parliaments late care against them here) but even over the King himself; who either cannot, or dares not (for feare, perchance, of poysoning, or other assassination) oppose or banish these horrid Conspirators from his Dominions & Court, but hath a long time permitted them (by vertue of his marriage articles,) to prosecute this plot without any publike opposition or dislike, by whose powerfull authority and mediation, all persons may easily divine. Alas! what shal become of the poore sheepe, when the Shepheard himself, not only neglects to chase and keep out these Romish wolves, but permits them free accesse into, and harbor in the sheepfold, to assault, if not devour, not only his flock, but Person too? Either SaintIoh. 10. 10. 11, 12, 13. Iohn was much mistaken in the Character of a good Shepheard, and prescribing this injunction against such seducers,2 Ioh. 10. 11. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evill de [...]ds▪ And theGratian caus. 23. Fathers, the Canonists deceived in this Maxime, Qui non prohibet [Page 32] malum quod potest, jubet: or else the premises cannot be tolerated or defended by any who professe themselves enemies or opposites to the Pope, Priests, or Church of Rome; or true Defend [...]rs of the Protestant reformed Religion.
7. That these conspirators are so potent, as to remove from Court and publiqu [...] Offices, all such as dare strenuously oppose their plots, (as the example of Secretary Cooke, with other Officers lately removed in Ireland, the Articles of Pacificatio [...] there lately made with the Rebels, evidence) and plant others of their owne party and confederacie, both in his Majesties Court, Privie Councell, Closet, Bedchamber if not Bed, and about the Prince, to corrupt them: And how those that are th [...] invironed with so many industrious potent seducers of all sorts, who have so many snares to intrap, so many enticements to withdraw them, both in their Beds, Bedchambers, Closets, Councels, Courts, where ever they goe or come, should possibl [...] continue long untainted, unseduced, without an omnipotent protection (of which none can be assured, who permits or connives at such dangerous temptations) is [...] thing scarce credible in divine or humane reason, ifGen. 3. Adams, 1 King▪ 11. Solomons, and other Apostacies by such means, be duly pondered. He who sailes in the midst of dangerous rocks, may justly feare, and expect a Qui amat periculum peribit in [...]. wracke.
8. That the late Scottish troubles, wars, were both plotted and raised by thes [...] Iesuiticall Conspirators, of purpose to force the King to resort to them and thei [...] Popish party for aid of Men and Money against the Scots; and by colour thereof to raise an Army of their owne, to gaine the King into their power, and then to wi [...] or force him to what conditions they pleased; who must at leastwise promise the [...] an universal toleration of their Religion throughout his Dominions, ere they woul [...] yeeld to assist him. And in case they conquer or prevaile, he must then come ful [...]ly over to their party, or else be sent packing by them with a poysoned Fig to another world, as his Father (they say) was; (its likely by their instruments or procurement, they are so conusant of it, though it might not be examined when complaine [...] of in open Parliament by the Commons, but the Assembly rather dissolved, then [...] death discussed) and then the Prince, yet young, and well inclined to them already b [...] his education, will soon be made an obedient son of the Church of Rome. Thus th [...] Relator, a chiefe actor in this pre-plotted Treason, discovers. And if his single test [...]mony (though out of an wounded conscience) will not be believed alone, the ensuing circumstances will abundantly manifest, the Scottish wars to be plotted and directed by them; For Con the Popes Legate, Hamilton the Queenes Agent, mo [...] of the Iesuites then about London, Captain Read their Host, the Lord Sterling Chamberlaine, Cardinall Richelleiu his Agent, with other chiefe actors in the plot [...] being all Scots, and imploying of Maxfield, and he two other active Popish Sco [...] Lards, in raising these tumults; the Earle of Arundel (another principall member of this conspiracie, being by their procurement made Generall of the firs [...] Army against the Scots, and most of his Commanders Papists; the Papists in a [...] counties of England (upon the Queens Letters directed to them) contributin [...] large summes of Money, besides Men, Armes and Horses to maintaine this wa [...] (for which Master Squire of Shoreditch highly commended them in the Pulpi [...] as the Kings best Subjects: See Master Whites first Century of scandalous Priest [...] P. 25) Sir Toby Matthew (the most industrious conspirator, in the packe) makin [...] a voyage with the Lord Deputy into Ireland, to stir up the Papists there to contr [...]bute [Page 33] Men, Armes, Money, to subdue the Scottish Covenanters; yea, Marquesse Hamiltons own Chaplain (imployed as the Kings Comissioner to appease these Scots) holding correspondency with Con, and resorting to him in private, to impart the secrets of that businesse to him, the generall discontent of the Papists and conspirators upon the first pacification of those troubles, which they soon after infringed, and by new large contributions raised a second Army against the Scots, when the English Parliament refused to grant Subsidies to maintaine the war. All these concurring circumstances compared with the relation, will ratifie it without dispute, that this war first sprung from these conspirators.
9. That the subsequent present Rebellion in Ireland, and wars in England, originally issued from, and were plotted by the same conspirators. For the Scottish war producing this setled Parliament beyond the conspirators expectation, which they foresaw would prove fatall to this their long agitated conspiracie, if it continued undissolved; thereupon some Popish Irish Commissioners comming over into England, and confederating with the Dutchesse of Buckingham, Captaine Read (now a prisoner in the Tower, and taken in the field in actuall rebellion in Ireland) and other of these conspirators, who afterwards departed secretly into Ireland, they plotted an universall Rebellion, surprisall and Massacre of all the Protestants in that Kingdome: which, though in part prevented by a timely discoverie, which secured Dublin, and some few places else; yet it tooke generall effect in all other parts, to the losse of above an hundred and fourtie thousand Protestants lives, there massacred by them. And finding themselves likely to be overcome there by the Parliaments Forces sent hence, and from Scotland, to relieve the Protestant party; thereupon to worke a diversion, they raised a civill bloody war against the Parliament here in England, procuring the King (after Endymion Porter, a principall conspirator in the Plot, had gained the custody of the great Seale of England) to issue out divers Proclamations under the great Seale, proclaming the Parliament themselves Traytors and Rebells, yea to grant Commissions to Irish and English Papists (contrary to his former proclamations) to raise Popish forces both at home and in forraigne parts for his defence, as his trustiest and most loyall Subjects; to send Letters and Commissions of favour to the Irist Rebels, and hinder all supplies from hence to the Protestant party. And withall, they procured the Queene, by the Earle of Antrim [...] and Dutchesse of Buckinghams mediation, to send Ammunition to the Irist Rebels, and to attempt to raise an insurrection in Scotland too, as the Declaration of the rise and progresse of the Rebellion in Ireland, more largely discovers: since which, his Majesty hath condescended to Articles of Pacification with these Rebels contrary to an act of Parliament, and both Houses consents (wherein they are declared His Majesties GOOD So are th [...] Shrewesbury printed copies. Catholike Subiects of Ireland, and no Rebels at all) and hath sent for many thousands of them into England to massacre the Protestant English here, and fight against the Parliament, as they did in Ireland heretofore. Seeing then all may clearely discerne the exact prosecution of this plot carried on in all these wars by the conspirators therein particularly nominated; by the Queen and Popish partie in all three Kingdomes, and by Papists in forraign parts (who have largely contributed Men, Money, Armes, Ammunition, to accomplish this grand designe, through the instigation of those conspirators in this plot, who are gone beyond the [Page 34] Seas) and have lately caused publike Proclamations to be made in Bridges, and other parts of Flaunders, in [...]uly last, (as appeares by the Examination of Henry Maye, since seconded by others, That all people who will now give ANY MONEY TO MAINTAIN THE ROMAN CATHOLIKES IN ENGLAND, should have it re-payd them againe in a yeeres time, with many thanks;) the whole world must of necessity, both see and acknowledge (unlesse they will renounce their ownn eyes and reason) that this conspiracy and plot, is no feigned imposture, but a most reall perspicuous agitated treachery, now driven on almost to its perfection, the full accomplishment whereof (unlesse Heaven prevent it) the Catholikes of England expect within the circuit of one yeere, as the forenamed Proclamations intimate.
10. That no setled peace was ever formerly intended,See the Royall Popish favorite, where it is largely proved. nor can now be futurely expected in England or Ireland, without an universall publike toleration (at the least) of Popery, and a repeale and suspention of all Lawes against it; this being the very condition in the plot which the King must condescend to, ere the Papists would ingage themselves to assist him in these warres thus raised by them, for this end: and that none may doubt this verity; the late most insolent bold demands of the Irish Rebels in the Treaty with them, the most favourable Articles of Pacification granted to them, the present suspention of all lawes against Priests and Recusants in all Counties under his Majesties power; the uncontrolled multitudes▪ of Masses in his Armies, Quarters, Wales, the North, and elsewhere; the open boasts of Papists every where, the introducing of thousands of Irish Rebels, and other Fugitives, to extirpate the Protestant Religion, most really proclaime it: And if the King, after all their many yeeres restlesse labour, plots, costs, paines, and pretended fidelity to his cause against the Parliament, should deny these Merit-mongers, such a diminutive reward as this is, (the very least they will expect▪) now they have him, the Prince and Duke, within their custody, Bristol, Chester, Ireland, Wales, most of the Westerne parts, and all his Forces in their power, this Discoverer (an eye and [...]are-witnesse of destinie from the Legates owne vaunt, will informe his Majesty and all his Protestant Subjects (who will tremble at the very apprehension of it) that they have an Indian poysoned Nut reserved for him amongst this Iesuiticall societie; or if it be lost, a poysoned Knife perchance, or some other Instrument, to dispatch him out of the World, and so to get the possession, protection of the Prince, whom they will educate in their Antichristian Religion; which how possible, how probable it is for them (considering their present power and indeavours to effect it, theirGrimston in his life. poysoning of the Emperor, Henry the seventh, in the sacred host; of King Iohn in the Chalice; theirFox, Speed, stabbing of Henry the third of France with a K [...]ife in the belly; of Henry the fourth his successor, Generall hist. of France. in Hen. 3. & 4. first in the mouth, next in the heart-strings; though all of their owne Religion, because they would not humour the Pope in every unreasonable demand, (though Henry the fourth turned an Apostate from the Protestant Religion wherein hee was bred, restored the Iesuites formerly banished out of France, rased the Pillar erected in Paris, as a [...]standing Monument of their Treasons against their Soveraignes, and built them a stately Colledge, to secure his life from their Ass [...]ssination, which yet would not save him from their butchery:) Together with their pistolling of the Prince ofMeteran [...]s▪ Grimston. Orange, and poysoning of [Page 35] See Doctor Eggl [...]shams Booke, and the Commons charge against the Duke of Buckingham. King Iames himself (as the Legate boasted) may informe his Majestie, and all his faithfull Protestant Subjects, (especially such as by their confederating with them in these their wars, have done nought, but executed, advanced their fore-named designes, whom it concernes now very neerly to prevent, if possible, such a sad Catastrophe of that bloodie Tragedie, which hath been acted overlong in Ireland & England by these Conspirators fore-plotted treasons. The execrable horridnesse and reality whereof, made the very Discoverer of the Plot, out of remorse of conscience, to desert the Conspirators, conspiracie, and that bloody Religion which begot it; and therfore should much more incite all such in his Majesties Army, who are cordially faithfull to their Soveraigne, Religion, Countrey, Posterity, and have hitherto ignorantly acted these conspirators treasonable designes, under colour of serving the King; to consider with remorse of conscience, whose Instruments they have thus long been, whose treasons they have ripened, what Protestant blood they have shed, how much they have weakened, impoverished, betrayed their own Protestant party, who have really stood for God, Religion, King, Countrey, Parliament, against these Romish conspirators; and what hopes, what advantages they have given these confederates, both in England and Ireland, to overtop, suppresse, and ere long, utterly to extirpate the Protestant Religion, themselves, and all other cordially pro [...]essing it, as they have done many thousands of them already. And then upon all these sad, most serious considerations (the very thoughts whereof should cause their soules to bleed and tremble) speedily to desert these trayterous Papists, ere they get all into their power, and unite all their heads, hearts, hands, forces to the Parliaments party, who had so good cause to take up defensive arms, to prevent the imminent ruine, which otherwise is like to befall both King, Kingdome, Religion, Parliament, Liberty, Property, Posterity, ere we be aware; especially, since the most cowardly unworthy yeelding up of Bristoll, a fit Inlet for the maligant Welch Papists, Irish Rebels, (who have conspire to come over hither with all expedition, and are lately landed here in great multitudes since the pacification made with them) to cut all our throats.
11. That those Protestants who now side with Popish conspirators, when they have accomplished their designes, whatsoever they may now fancy to themselves, shall find no more mercy or favour from them, then the greatest Roundheads, if they comply not with them in all things, and even in Popery it selfe; for if they will not spare the Kings own person and life, after so many favours, graces extended to them, (as they will not, if we believe this Relation, or the late story of King Henry the fourth of France, yet fresh in memory) what inferiour person can think to be secure, to fare better then the King himselfe? And if Con the Legate, to insinuate himselfe into the Kings and Palatines favours at the fi [...]st, when he had no interest in them, would not so much as advi [...]e the Legat of Colen, to mediate for the Palsgrave, lest peradventure the King of Spaine should report, that the Pope had patronized an here [...]all Prince, as the Rela [...]ion attests, though he promised the King effectually to do it; How can Prince Rupert, Maurice, (or any other Commanders) in the Kings Army, when they have fully accomplished the Popes, and these his Instruments designes (under whose banner they ignorantly, yet really militate and promote his cause, in steed of the Kings and Kingdomes, to whom they and theirs have been so much ingaged) [Page 36] hope to receive the least dram of favour, pity, muchlesse any recompence from the Pope and Popish party, if they continue hereticks still, notwithstanding all their present goodly promises? Will they (think [...] you) part with any other inheritances to them, then, who will not so much as now mediate for them to regaine their own? Will these who have butchered so many thousands of innocent Protestants in Ireland, in England, even before they were sure of the day, without any provocation given; spare any mothers sonne of them alive, if they once erect their Trophees over them? Certainly the experience of all former ages compared with the present, may fully resolve all, that the very [...]. 12, 10. tender mercies of these wicked ones, will be nought but extreme cruelty; and if they prevaile, wee all must perish without distinction sooner or later, unlesse wee will turne Apostates, and lose our Religion, God, Heaven, soules, to save our transitory lives.
Finally, therefore, let the serious consideration of all the premises instruct us, to learne wisdome from these our adversaries; let their indefatigable industry, subtill policy, sincere fidelity, cheerfull constancy, bountifull liberality, fraternall unanimity, undaunted magnanimity, indissolvable confederacy, and uninterrupted pertinacie in prosecuting, establishing, propagating their Antichristian Religion, Treasons, designes, excite all Protestants (according to their severall late Covenants and Protestations much forgotten) to equalize, if not transcend them in all these, in defending, securing, propagating our true Christian Religion, protecting our King, Kingdomes, Parliament, Lawes, Liberties, Posterity, all we yet have, or hereafter hope for, from that imminent ruine, which these Popish conspirators threaten to them. Fore-warned fore-armed; if now we perish through our owne private dissentions, folly, cowardize, covetousnesse, trechery, security, or monstrous credulity, that these conspirators and Papists now in Armes, fight onely for the King, and establishment of the Protestant Religion, as it was in Queen Elizabeths dayes, (against whom they plotted so many Treasons, even for her very Religion, and also the powder-plot since, against King Iames, and the whole Parliament,) our blood shall rest upon our owne heads, who would not take timely notice of our incumbent dangers, nor suddenly prevent them whiles we might.
YO have read before in the plot it selfe, what an active instrument Captaine Read was, in promoting this conspiracie of the Iesuites; and how he was intrusted with the dispatch and delivery of all their Letters and Packets of intelligence, and his house the ordinary randevouze where they weekely met; yet see what a Protection this desperate Traytor obtained from his Maiesty, to secure him against all apprehensions and prosecutions to advance this designe, recorded in the Clerke of the Peace hi [...] Book for Middlesex in open sessions, for his greater immunity, and in the Crowne Office.
By the King.
VVHereas We have received good testimony of the Loyalty and Duty of Our trusty and welbeloved Captaine, Iohn Read; and because he may be subject to the penalty of the lawes for Recusancie. These are to signifie, that We are graciously pl [...]ased to extend Our speciall Grace towards him: and doe hereby will [Page] command, that no Inditement, Presentment, Information, or Suit in Our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against him, by any of Our Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for or concerning Recusancie: and if any such shall happen, then Our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made voyd, or otherwise not prejudiciall to him.
Given under Our Signet at Our Court at Theobals the 13. day of Iuly, in the 10th. yeere of Our Raigne.To all and singular Our Iudges of Assize, Iustices of Peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, Clerkes of Assize and Peace, Bayliffes, Constables, Informers, and all other Our Officers and Ministers, whom it doth, or may concerne, and to every of them.
The Examination of Henry Mayo.
WHo saith, That on Thursday last, being the twentieth of Iuly, one thousand six hundred forty three, he being at Bridges in Flanders, heard Proclamation made in Dutch, (who understands it very well) that all people within that City, that would goe to the Governours house, and give any Money to maintaine the Romane Catholiques in England, they should have their Money re-paid them againe in a yeeres time, with many thanks.
This Examination was taken before us,
- EDWARD BOYCE.
- JOHN BOYCE.
- GEORGE TROTTER.