OUT of a just care that the Protestant Reli­gion and Interest may not suffer, nor our own Reputations be blasted by the most odious Scandals causelesly cast upon us in the execution of our several Offices, we are constrained to make known unto the World the a­bominable falsehoods and fictions of that pretended Confession of Fitz-Harris, published by Dr. Francis Hawkins Minister of the Tower.

We could not indeed suddenly resolve whether it were needful to open the Villany of that Paper, in re­gard it carries in its own forehead so many evident marks of malice and falsehood to every observing man that knows what happened about Fitz-Harris.

But having heard that some have been deceived by that Paper, and induced to believe that it was Written by Fitz-Harris (bona fide) from some compunction of Conscience, or sense of obligation to reveal the truth at his death, We hold it our duty to discover the Popish practice and contrivance in the forming and publishing that pretended Confession.

The poor deluded, timerous Wretch consenting per­haps to the wickedness, whilst he was perswaded it should save him from the Gallows, though he was con­scious to himself, that the matters pretended to be con­fessed were a parcel of falsehoods invented to serve base designs; the whole Paper having no face or appearance of a dying Criminal's open-hearted confession of his sins, nor any expressions of remorse of Conscience for them. No more notice is taken of any of those (too well known) debaucheries and wickedness of his Life, than if he had lived like a Saint or Angel; no acknow­ledgment or mention is made of those odious repeated perjuries to the Secretaries of State, to Sir Robert Clay­ton, &c. and to the Judges of the Kings-Bench, of which, he must have known himself to be guilty, if he had thought this pretended Confession to be true. There's nothing in it that looks plain, clear and natural, as seri­ously intended to discharge his Conscience, and satisfie the world about the matters formerly sworn by him, and published by Authority. If any such purpose had been really in his heart, like a true penitent sinner, he must natually have descended to the particulers of what he had sworn, and have declared to the world, whether his Ghostly Father, Gough, did really tell him in the year 1672 (as he had deposed) of the Papists designs to bring the D. of York to be King, to restore Popery, and of killing the King to make way for it; He could not but have con­firmed or denied the truth of his Oath, That his other Ghostly Father, Parry, (the Portugues Embassador's Con­fessor) told him in 1678, That a Council of Roman Ca­tholicks had resolved, that seeing the King failed in the expectations they had from him, he should be destroyed, and [Page 5]that the business was near, and he should soon see it done. If his Conscience had been to be unburdened in this Conses­sion, he could not have forborn to say clearly, that he de­posed truly or falsly, That the Marquess Montecuculi in 1679, swore him first to secrecy, and then offered him Ten thousand pounds to kill the King either in his own person, or by any other.

And if this pretended Confession were conscientiously taken by Dr. Hawkins, as from a penitent sinner whom he absolved from his sins (as he says) he could not be so neg­ligent or ignorant in his Priestly Office, or so false to the King and the Religion he professes, as not to exhort the sinner when he seemed to retract what he had sworn be­fore, to confess the truth in matters of such concern to the life of the King, and the being of the Protestant Re­ligion, and the publick justice of the Kingdom, knowing that his Confession about those things had been publish­ed to the whole world.

But this Paper shews it self, when duly examined, to be a studied artisicial contrivance to cover the Popish Treasons, without an impudent direct forswearing the particulars that have been evidently proved, and a design by equivocations and sly insinuations mixt with downright falshoods and fictions, to perswade the world that there are amongst the Protestants abomina­ble practises of subernation of Perjuries against the Pa­pists, wicked Conspiracies against the King, Queen and Duke of York, and vile designs against the Lords of the Council. We doubt not but time will discover how, and by whom this pretended Consession was modelled and put together, and how long it was upon the Anvil to fashion it, and how the miserable man was prevailed [Page 6]upon to give a seeming consent to it, against the dictates of his Conscience, with hopes to save his life by serving such designs, though he was seemingly to renounce those hopes, to make himself the better to be believed.

For the present, let it suffice that we anatomize this mock Confession, and shew its shameful falshood out of its own matter and form.

It is to be observed, how he begins his Confession; not like a man that had before confessed upon his Oath many Popish Treasons and Designs against the Prote­stants, their Religion and Lives; and from whom (be­ing now attainted of Treason) was to be expected a clear account of all the Popish Intrigues he knew: But without Apology or Preamble, he tells the world (be­lieve it who can) That the Treason of the Libel whereof he was convicted, came from a Protestant, viz. the Lord Howard; and that he was no further concerned in it, than as he was imployed to give the King notice of such Libels, which he was wont to do by Mrs. Wall, the Lady Ports­mouths Woman.

But the Conscience of this poor wretch could not but witness within him, that he had often protested before God, that the Lord Howard knew nothing of the Libel, and that he had bitterly complained sometime to Sheriff Cornish, and sometime to Sheriff Bethel in Newgate, that he was pressed with the powerful Argument of saving his Life, to accuse my Lord Howard and Lord of Shaftesbury of the Libel; and that he was so importuned thereunto, that he was sorced to down of his knees, and beg that he might not be further pressed therein, the Lord Howard being innocent of it, and the Lord Shaftesbury being [Page 7]such a stranger to him, as he had scarce ever spoke to him: adding with great asseverations, that if it were to save his Life, he could not be guilty of so base a villany; but would rather dye than accuse the innocent. What large offers were also made to some of his friends, to per­swade him to accuse the Lord Howard, may hereafter be pro­ved. He also knew (as many Thousands do) that the Evidence given at the Kings-Bench, upon his Tryal, was full and clear, That he provided and furnished all the matter of the Libel, and dictated other parts of it, and that it was drawn into form at his request, and for him. And himself confessed he shewed the Papers of the Li­bel to the Lord Arran. But perhaps the miserable man was deluded to think his Life might be saved, by accu­sing the Protestants, and excusing himself as a Spy upon them: Therefore he next proceeds (in his Sham Con­fession) to a Protestant Plot, viz. That the Lord Howard told him of a design to seize upon the King's person, to carry him into the City, and there detain him till he had conde­scended to their desires; and that himself and Heyns were privy to the design.

Here is a Wonderul tale of a Protestant Plot between two Irish Papists and a Protestant Lord; one English Sheep in conjunction with two Irish Wolves, to hunt and persue the same prey, and this is told to be believed and Swallowed like the Articles of the Popish faith, with­out chewing or asking question about the particulars, or the probability or possibility of the thing.

Doubtless if those Words have any sense in them, viz. by detaining the King until he hath condescended to their desires, it must be meant, until he hath passed Acts of Parliament, or Laws suitable to the Protestant desires.

Surely the Inventer of this, never considered that such a design was of a thing impossible, unless the Parliament did concurr and Act in such a Treason, and prepare and frame their desires into Bills for that purpose; and unless the Government, and also the force of the City did joyn with the Parliament to detain the King in Custody for the same ends; and doubtless it was an ab­solute impossibility to know the mind and sense of a Parliament before it had a being; and another, to un­derstand the resolutions of the vast body of the City in a matter never propounded to any of their assemblies. Yet this sham Consession hath the confidence to say, that Heynes and Fitz-Harris were privy to this Design, and had several Meetings with the Lord Howard, and par­ticularizeth the revocation of the Act for the Settle­ment of Ireland, as one of the Acts that was to be passed in the execution of this Design.

Yet there is nothing of Circumstance, or particular, pretendedly discovered to induce the weakest of men to believe it. If this counterfeit confessor were pri­vy to such a design, and met to consult it, he must certainly have known what forces were thought of to Master the King's Guards, and who was to Com­mand them, and out of what ground they were to spring up in a Night, like Mushrooms, and which of those Newborn Regiments were to Carry the King Prisoner to London; he must have also heard who were to prepare and prevail with the Members of Parlia­ment to persue this design. Fitz-Harris and Heynes, two Irish Papists, and neither of quality, parts, estates, or interests, were doubtless well chosen instruments, to apply to the Members of Parliament, to revoke the [Page 9]Settlement of Ireland, and were likely to be admit­ted into Secrecy with them about this Design and Treason.

We ask pardon that we cannot speak more grave­ly of this matter, this feigned discovery of a Pro­testant Plot being more ridiculous then the birth of the Mountaines; And for that reason, we think it needless to relate the frequent protestations made by Fitz-Harris, That he knew nothing of any de­sign of the Lord Howard against the King or Go­vernment: This very Confession it self, when examin­ed, being the clearest evidence of its own wickedness and folly.

Now this Mock Confession having told this vain Story of a design against the King by the Prote­stants, he applies himself in the next page, by false insinuations, to perswade the World (in effect) that there was no Popish Plot, and that the Protestant Offi­cers and Magistrates, have wickedly indeavoured to suborn him, to make a Confession that might corfirm a Popish Plot.

He declares, that in Newgate, the Sheriffs, Bethell and Cornish, came to him with a token from the Lord Howard, which he knew to be true, and told him nothing would save his Life, but discovering the Popish Plot, and gave him great incouragements from the Lord Howard, that if he would declare that he believed so much of the Plot as amounted to the introducing [Page 10]the Roman Catholicks, or if he would find out any that would Criminate the Queen, Royal Highness, or make so much as a plausible Story to comfirm the Plot, that the Parliament would restore him to his Fathers estate, with the profits thereof since His Majesties Restaura­tion.

We have no way left us in nature to evince the falshood of this whole Story, but by Circumstances, or the testimony of such as were present when the Sheriffs were severally with him, or their own aver­ments upon Oath, which they are ready to give, that all those particulers are false and groundless inven­tions.

'Tis so far from the least appearance of truth, that the Sheriffs went to him with a token from the Lord Howard, that they will severally depose, that they ne­ver saw or heard from the Lord Howard in any kind, whilst Fitz-Harris was in Newgate; and Capt. Richard­son and the keepers can Witness that they never came together to Fitz-Harris, or discoursed him together, or were in Newgate at the same time whilst he was there, save only that Sheriff Bethell on the 10th of March was coming out from Fitz-Harris, when Sir Robert Clayton and Sir George Treby, with Sheriff Cornish were coming in to examine him; but Sheriff Bethell made then no stay, but left them forthwith; nor did he e­ver see Fitz-Harris in his life, until Wednesday the 9th of March last, which was four days after he had made his first Confession of the Popish Treasons to the Se­cretaries [Page 11]of State, the same in substance with that, print­ed by order of the Commons in Parliament; and Sheriff Bethell had not then come to Fitz-Harris, if he had not sent to him the day before to desire to speak with him.

Sheriff Cornish likewise never saw Fitz-Harris, until Sunday the 6th of March, which was after the Secretaries of States first examination of him, and he then discoursed him only in the presence of Captain Richardson, who can testify the falsehood of those Suggestions, that he pre­tended to come from the Lord Howard with a token &c. And can prove that Sheriff Cornish cheifly ad­vised him to make an honest true Confession about the Libel, and its authors and abettors; but Fitz-Harris of his own accord and Motion, told him, that he had known the proceedings of the Popish Plot for Seven or Eight years, and that he could make great and considerable discoveries, wherein His Majesties Life was still in dan­ger, for that the grand Plot (So he called it) was still carrying on. And further said, that he could discover considerable things about the Popish Plot, and Godsreys Murder, not yet discovered. Then he desired Sheriff Cornish to take his examination, who told him, he could not, for he was not in the Commission of the Peace: then Fitz-Harriis prayed him to send a Justice of the Peace to him, but Sheriff Cornish forthwith applyed himself to His Majesty, and acquainted him with the discourse herein related; and thereupon, Munday March the 7th, the Secretaries of State and the Kings Attorney, came and examined him a second time, and the next [Page 12]day a third time, before Sir Robert Clayton and Sir George Treby ever saw his face, their examination of him being taken on Thursday March the 10th; So that neither of the Sheriffs, or the City Justices ever spake word in private with Fitz-Harris until he had been fully exami­ned at three several times by the Secretaries of State, and before them sworn to the substance of all his printed Examination.

We hope from these matters of fact which are here truly related, it will appear to be a wicked device in the mock Confession, to insinuate most falsly to the world, a Consultation and Confederacy between the Lord Howard and the Sheriffs (who never saw nor heard from his Lordship in the Case) to suborn Fitz-Harris with promises of rewards, mixt with threats, to confess the Popish Plot, or to put him upon charge­ing the Queen, his Royal Highness, or any man else, as is suggested.

But the stupid folly of this false tale, if considered, may be alone sufficient to render it worthy of no cre­dit, in that it makes the Sheriffs so void of understand­ing, as to have thought a declaration from such a wretch as Fitz-Harris, of his belief of the Popish Plot to have been of great value, and that it was worth a high reward for him to have invented a plausible story to confirm the Plot, after the Villany of it hath been de­clared in so many Proclamations of His Majesties, the Votes of four successive Parliaments, and Sentences of Death given against the Popish Plotters in all the high­est Judicatures of the Kingdom.

Who but Dr. Hawkins could have had faith enough in such a story, to suffer his pretended Penitent (as he did) to renounce before him, all the mercies of God Almighty, if it were not Truth?

With the like falshood in the same Paragraph, the Sham Confession chargeth the Sheriffs to have brought heads with them from Everard, to have ac­cused Fitz-Harris for a Yorkist, put on by the King to put the Libel into Protestants Houses to trapan them; and Fitz-Harris denies that he knew of any such thing.

We could not have easily thought the heart of any man so vile, to have formed out of nothing this horri­ble slander; but the wicked intent herein is not hard to be discerned.

If the King can be induced to believe it, the Popish ends are compassed; he must needs be highly incensed against the Sheriffs: And if he should think (as 'tis insinuated) that they did it by consent with other Pro­testants, His Royal heart must pass severe censures up­on them, and be jealous of base designs against him. And if any Artifice can prevail upon His Majesty to distrust the loyalty of any number of his Protestant Subjects, 'tis matter of Triumph to the Popish party and their adherents.

Other wicked uses of this Slander, might be to blunt the edge of the evidence given upon Fitz-Harris his Tryal, about a trapanning use intended to be made of the Libel, and to make the world believe, that he was a wretched counterfeit, when he desired the Sheriffs, as they came severally to him (with seeming upright­ness and sincerity) to advize my Lord Shaftsbury, and other Members of Parliament from Fitz-Harris him­self, to take heed to their Pockets, for that there was a design to slip Treasonable Papers into them, and then seize them, whilst they had them about their per­sons.

The next business of the Mock Confession is, to per­swade such as will be deceived, that the Confessions he made about the Popish Plots, and Godfrey's Murder, were altogether false, and sorced from him by the Sheriffs. I (saith the Paper) finding my self in New­gate Fettered, Moneyless, Friendless, and I could see no other refuge for Life, but complying with them (i.e. the Sheriffs) so to save my Life I did comply.

This looks something like the practice of that infa­mous Popish Midwife, Mrs. Celier, who attempted to couzen the world into a belief, That the Protestants, upon salse Accusations, cast some innocent Papists into Newgate, and there tormented them in Irons, and other­wise, [Page 15]to extort false Confessions from them of a Popish Plot.

But the truth will be attested by many Witnesses, that Fitz-Harris was never fettered, or put into Irons, or harshly used whilst in the Sheriffs custody; but on the contrary, treated with all the civility his Case would permit, and so he declared at the Gallows; and thanked the Sheriffs even with his dying breath, when he ought to have expressed just indignation against them, (and a Dying repenting Sinner could not have forborn it) if he had thought (as this sham Confession says) that they had forced or perswaded him to defile his Conscience with so many Perjuries, and to blot the Names of his Ghostly Fathers, and whole Popish Party, and many great Persons with so many black Treasons and other crimes.

And it will be as evident from circumstances, that there was no more force put upon Fitz-Harris's mind by the Sheriffs, to procure his Confession, than was upon his Body.

The Sheriffs jointly (as is said before) never discours­ed him, and neither of them took any Confession upon Oath from him, or pretended to any Power so to ex­amine him, nor had it in their Power to reward or punish him. Whatsoever this mock Confession saith, Fitz-Harris [Page 16]could not think the Sheriffs a refuge to save his Life, whom he knew not to have Power to save a hair of his Head.

There's another invention in this sham Confession as false and as rediculous as any of the former, never dreamt of by the Sheriffs, nor perhaps by any Body else, save the inventers of it, till that vile Paper came forth (viz.) That the Sheriffs brought instruction from the Lords and Commons (as they said) who met that day in or­der to Address to the King in his behalf, if he should confirm the Instructions: which must be intended surely, If he should swear as they would have him, that is, as the Mock Confession explains it, to the Heads, which the Examination taken by Sir Robert Clayton and Sir George Treby contains; and a great deal more relating to the Queen, his Royal Highness, and the Earl of Danby; declaring French Pentioners, Lords, Hallifax, Hide, Clarendon, Feversham, Sey­mor and others; the Burning the Fleet, Forts and Government in Popish hands, Meal Tub Plot, Ap­prentices Plot, and these and many other Heads Fitz-Harris is made to say, were brought him by the Sheriffs.

Surely this was contrived to perswade the credulous Papists in foreign Countries, that the Lords and Com­mons were then sitting in Parliament; and that the She­riffs consulted and confederated with them to suborn Fitz-harris to be a Witness of the Popish Plots and Pra­ctices, which they had declared to the world; or at least that some Lords and Commons were privy and parties to the Subornation of Fitz-harris by the Sheriffs, to sware as they should instruct him; and that those Lords and Commoners intended to use their Interest with his Maje­sty for his Pardon, to make him (though false) their le­gal Witness

But as in truth there was no Parliament sitting whilst Fitz-harris was in the Sheriffs custody, nor in ten days after, and the place of their sitting is well known was to be at Oxford, and not at London; so there were no in­structions for him to confirm, or swear to, either from Lords or Commoners, none of the heads mentioned, nor any others brought to him by the Sheriffs, or either of them; no address for his Pardon imagined, or thought of by either Lords or Commons, nor mentioned by the Sheriffs, or either of them; no meeting for any such in­tent, no discourse between the Sheriffs and any man or men under the Sun, about such an Address; every cir­cumstance of this Hellish Tale coming out of the forge of the Father of Lyes.

Yet it may be this was thought a hopeful invention to take off from the credit of all the Evidence given in Courts of Justice, concerning all the Popish Designs enumerated under those Heads and Instructions; and in­deed it seems to be a crafty way, to throw dirt at all [Page 18]those solemn Declarations made in Parliament concern­ing the Abettors of those Popish and French Designs, and the adherents to them, by whose countenance all their Plots have been managed, that have so endangered the King and Kingdom.

And though this false poysonous tongue seems to spit its venom directly at the Sheriffs, yet it endeavours to do the greatest mischief to the King and the Parliament, and to defame to the whole world all the late Proceedings of Parliaments against the Popish Plotters, and their fa­vourers.

The mock-confession goes on further to defame (if his tongue be a slander) Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby, Justices of the Peace for the City, darkly insinu­ating that they would have induced him to say more than was true, and plainly saying that what he deposed before them concerning Father Patrick, was forced out of him, and was not true; and he so represents Sir George Treby's carriage in taking his whole Examination, that he would have the whole thought to be of no validity.

But doubtless Mr. Fitz-harris did not, nor could he possibly have believed himself (if he consented to have it written) that Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby dealt unfairly with him, or forced out of him either what he swore concerning Father Patrick, or any thing else of his Confession.

He knew very well that they came to take his Confes­sion, not officiously, but upon his own earnest reiterated intreaty, at several times, to each of the Sheriffs apart, [Page 19]that some Justices of the Peace might be sent to him, to whom he might make a full discovery of matters not be­fore discovered in the Grand Popish Plot, (as he called it.) He knew also that they came not till Thursday in the afternoon, the tenth of March, and that he had been thrice examined by the Secretaries of State, Lord Conway, Sir L. Jenkins, and the Attorney-General, before Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby, ever saw him; and he was conscious to himself, that he had first sworn be­fore the Secretaries all that he would now retract con­cerning Father Patrick, as forced out of him by Sir Ro­bert Clayton, and Sir George Treby, and the other matters also in substance, that are contained in his Printed Exa­mination, by Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby, ex­cept that one passage in it about De Puy; and the whole House of Commons at Oxford are Witnesses herein, That when Sir George Treby read Fitz-harris's Examination to the House, Mr. Secretary Jenkins declared, That he had before confessed the same in substance to the Lord Con­way, the Attorney-General, and himself, except that a­bout De Puy. Yet (for what reason we know not) the contrivers of this Sham-retractation, or declaration, took no care to retract or excuse his swearing the same matters before the Secretaries of State.

Perhaps, because those Examinations were never Prin­ted, and scarce any Foreigners, nor many English men did know that Fitz-harris had thrice sworn to the same Confession in substance before the Secretaries of State, which he did the fourth time before Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby.

Besides, it best answered the design of this Sham-con­fession, [Page 20]to conceal the first Examinations as much as could be, and to represent it to the world, as if Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby, had forced out of him the Confession of all those Popish Treasons mentioned in his Printed Examination, as it was reported to the Parlia­ment. There's a Trial of skill also for the same purpose in this mock-confession to wrest some of Sir Robert Clay­ton's, and Sir George Treby's words from their honest sense wherein they were spoken, and to separate them from their other words, properly joined with them (as the Devil used the Scripture) that they might seem to imply a wic­ked intent, to draw Fitz-harris to say what was not true.

When it was late in the night, and Fitz-harris com­plained he was tired, having been about three hours up­on Examination, and was asked what he could say con­cerning Godfrey's Murder; and he answered in general only (something.) Could any thing be replied more harm­lesly by Sir Robert Clayton, than to wish him to recollect himself against the next day, when it was intended to examine him further, if he had not been removed out of their power? Yet even these words of Sir Robert Clayton's are recited, as if they imply'd some ill practise by him upon the Examinant, or at least some sinister intent of his in that matter.

The Sham-confession further craftily insinuates (tho' it doth not expresly say it), that this wretched mans De­positions about the Counsels held at St. James's and Wind­sor concerning Godfrey's Murder, were taken by Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir George Treby (which is utterly false); then the Confession declares that he was put upon what he said against the Queen and the Earl of Danby about that Mur­der; and that Sir George Treby would have had him say [Page 21]that the Duke, the Lord Bellasis, Arundel and Powis, were at the Consult, and that he had seen them go to it at St. James's. Surely these Sham-Confessions are thus me­thodized and put together, in hope to abuse or deceive the world into a Belief, or Opinion, that whatsoever this Fitz-Harris Deposed first, and last, about the Popish Plot, and Godfrey's Murder, was done by the Practices, Force, and Inducements of the City-Sheriffs and the Ju­stices of the Peace.

Whereas it is most notoriously known, that it was up­on Fitz-Harris's own Motion to the Judges of the Kings-Bench, that his Depositions were taken before that Court, about Godfrey's Murder, and that then, and not before, he discovered the Councels held at St. James's and Windsor about Godfrey's Murder, and the persons concerned and present therein; and the words he heard from the Earl of Danby coming out from the Consult, and the account he then had from De Puy, of the Resolu­tions taken for that Murder.

And this was in the Term, after that the Parliament at Oxford was Dissolved, and above six Weeks after his most close Imprisonment in the Tower, where the City-Sheriffs, or Magistrates, or any from them, were never admitted to see him. Indeed the counterfeit Confession (to avoid a plain conviction of its falshood) durst not say by whom Fitz-Harris was put upon saying what he did, of the Queen and Earl of Danby about Godfrey's Murder.

But as the matters are connected, 'tis strongly implied to have been by the City-Magistrates, none other being named or referred unto.

And to perswade the World, that the vilest Wickedness may justly be believed of them (viz.) the City Officers, the Impudence of Hell is assumed to bring in Sir George Treby, desiring or willing him to accuse the Earl of Dan­by and the Popish Lords in the Tower, thus speaking, (as if the worst of Devils had spoke in him) Do but you SAY it, we have those that will SWEAR it. If such as know not Sir George Treby can believe him to be so vile a Wretch, as he is render'd, and could also think Sir Ro­bert Clayton could have been guilty of the same Wic­kedness in consenting to it, or silently conniving at it, to which a thousand worlds could not have hired him: Yet when they shall hear of Sir George Treby's profession of the Law, his Reputation and Place, surely 'tis im­possible for them to believe him to have been so ex­ceeding silly, as to discover to an Irish Papist, whom he had never seen before, such a strange Mystery and Secret of Darkness amongst the Protestants, and City-Magi­strates, viz. That they had a pack of Knights of the Post, godless perjurious Wretches, in readiness to swear what­soever they would have them.

If they had been so provided with false Witnesses a­gainst the Duke and the Popish Lords, as this counterfeit Confession suggests, and if there had been a wicked De­sign against them, there was no need of Fitz-Harris his SAYING any thing about them; no body can think that he was better able than Sir George Treby to instruct a false Witness against them, especially when the Sham­confession represents him first instructing Fitz-Harris, what he should say against the Duke and Lords, that then the Sons of Belial might come from their lurking-places, and SWEAR to his words.

Surely it had been the wiser, the safer, and the shorter way for Sir George Treby, to have given his Swearers (if there had been such) their Lessons immediately, without desiring Fitz-Harris (as is vainly suggested) first to say it over after him, that then the Witnesses might Swear it.

Neither the false Suggestions nor the Perjuries could have gained any weight or credit from the Authority of Fitz-Harris, by his saying what they were to swear.

In fine, They must desire to be couzen'd, that will but seem to believe so black, so vain, so unlikely, and so foolish a Slander of Sir Robert Clayton and Sir George Tre­by, only upon Dr. Hawkins's saying, (if he hath said true) that he had the words of Fitz-Harris for it; who hath convicted himself of forty Perjuries, if the pretended Confession to Dr. Hawkins had been bona fide made by him.

But this pretended Confession having loaded with In­famy the Sheriffs and Justices of Peace, imployed in Fitz-Harris's Examination, takes wonderful care with all the Art and Skill the Contrivers had, that the Earl of Danby might be wiped clean from Godsrey's Murder, for which he was Indicted by the occasion of Fitz-Harris's Oath.

For that purpose the words of this Confession are so framed, that the world may think, that the Sheriffs or Justices of the City, were the practisers with him in that Deposition, the Paper saying, They were the more desirous to accuse the Lord Danby of Godfreys Murder, because the Crime of Murder is not inserted in his Par­don.

The word THEY will be understood to relate to Sir Robert Clayton and Sir George Treby, who only were mentioned before, or the Sheriffs; tho' Fitz-Harris was never Examined about the Lord Danby by any of them, nor had any of them ever heard the least of the matters Sworn by him against the Lord Danby, about that Mur­der, until they were publique at the Kings-Bench-Bar, which was six Weeks after Fitz-Harris's removal from the Sheriffs custody, to be close Prisoner in the Tower.

And if he knew before his Oath against the Lord Danby, that Murder was not in his Pardon (which we do not believe) he was better informed than Sir Rob. Clay­ton or the Sheriffs, and the most men of England. But it seems strange, that this mock-Confession did not, for the help of this Popish Plot, absolutely retract the whole Evidence given by Fitz-Harris at the Kings-Bench Court; whereas those parts of it are now left as true, that Deposed the Councels held at St. James's and Windsor, and that the Lord Danby coming out of one of them, breathed out the threatning words (as Fitz-Harris re­members) and that De Puy, that was then in hearing o the Counsel, presently told him, that Godfrey's Murder was then resolv'd upon, &c. but a fine, thin excuse is inven­ted since his Oath, that he believes De Puy spoke out of ill-will to the Lord Danby. Yet nothing is said to shew, how he now comes so to believe, more than when he was sworn in the Court to speak the whole Truth, and no­thing but the Truth.

We hope we have said enough to convince every Im­partial Reader, of the Impiety, Fraud, and Mockery of the pretended Confession; Yet we should not have taken [Page 25]this trouble, if we could have suffer'd with patience, that all the Popish Treasons and Wickednesses lately Discovered, against our Religion, the King and Kingdom, should be represented to the world, as the Devices and Practices of the Protestants, their Officers and Magistrates against the Papists, and that a seeming consciencious Confession of a Dying man should be cry'd up by the Papists, at home and in forreign Countrys, as a ground to have it so be­lieved.

We have reason to fear, that the Sufferings of the Pro­testants beyond the Seas, are upon this occasion already encreased, our English Papists there daily decrying the Popish Plot, and catching at occasions to scandalize all Protestants in Authority that oppose them, and to stir up Enmity and Rage thereby against the oppressed Pro­testants.

We must acknowledge that we were surprized with astonishment, when we first saw this Mock-Confession of Fitz-Harris published; and the more, that it should be done by a Dr. of the English Church, either Fr. Hawkins, or Hawkesworth, (which Name he will owne, we cannot yet learn) but that a Dr. of our Church should, upon pre­tence of his private Conference with a Papist, Attainted of Treason, publish in Print to the whole world for Truth, That two Justices of the Peace, and Two Ministers of Ju­stice, High-Sheriffs of the City of London, have combin'd with certain Lords and Commons of the Parliament, in a horrid Conspiracy against the Queen, Duke of York, and many Privy-Councellors, and in wicked Practices against the Papists, and endeavoured to prevail with Fitz-Har­ris to perjure himself, by forming a plausible Story to confirm the Popish Plot.

We say again, That a Dr. of our Church should cause [Page 26]to be sent into all Kingdoms and Countries, such black Scandals of so many Persons of Quality and Authority in our Kingdom, to render them (as much as in him is) more infamous and odious, than words can express; at this we were struck with horror; and so much the more, when we consider, that the Doctor was not ignorant, that these pretended Words or Confessions of Fitz-Harris, were contrary to his most solemn Oaths, Sworn before the King's Ministers, as well as before those Justices; and that all the Commons of England in Parliament, had by Order caused what he had so Sworn to be Published: And the Doctor could not be ignorant, that the whole scope of that Mock Confession, was to throw the Odium of a Plot against the King's Person upon some Protestants, and to discredit and prevent the prosecution of the Popish Plot.

The Doctor also might with very little pains have satis­fied himself by undoubted Evidence of the Falshood of several of the matters of Fact in the Confession; and surely his Function as a Divine, his Duty as a Neighbour, and much more as a Christian, required that he should in some kind have heard, at least, some of the parties accused, in their own behalf, (to whom he might have had easie access) before he had proclaim'd them to the world, to be guilty of such infamous Crimes: He cannot excuse himself for want of Time, this Mock Confession was taking and forming, as we can prove, a Week at least before Fitz-Harris's Death: And we have reason to think, that the miserable deluded man understood many things in it, as they were modell'd, as little as he did the Doctrine of the Four General Councils, which he owned for his Faith, whosoever put it upon him.

But the Doctor took care that none of the parties accu­sed might see the arrows intended to wound them, till [Page 27]their good names should feel them, and therefore kept his Confession in secret until the poor wretch was dead and cold, that would perhaps have shewed the fraud with his last breath, if he had been absolutely certain that it was to be his last; but that the Doctor assured him of the con­trary even very near his last hours, in due time will be proved.

The Sheriffs at the Gallows remembred Fitz-Harris of his promise made to each of them in Newgate, That if they did put him to death, before he could discover to the Par­liament what was yet undiscovered of the Popish Plot, which he said he reserved for them, he would leave it behind him in writing. He answered them, That he had left it with Dr. Hawkins.

The Sheriffs demanded of the Doctor that it might be read to the people, whilst the man was living to own it; but the Doctor only refused it, not the Man, (how he was awed we know not), then the Sheriffs demanded a Copy of it from the Doctor as their due, as what belong­ed to Fitz-Harris; but after some shuffling answers that he had it not about him, and that a Great man had it, he promised them a Copy; but either he thought he was not bound by his promise, or else he made no conscience of breaking the Bond.

We doubt not but time will bring to light the whole contrivance of obtruding upon the world this Mock-con­fession, and make it appear that Dr. Hawkins, or Hawks­worth, knew that Fitz-Harris never intended it should pass for a true and real Confession, if he died for the Treason.

And perhaps for that reason there was no one person of Quality or Authority about the Tower, or any other of eminency and integrity called in all the days of its con­trivance, [Page 28]before whom Fitz-harris might own any article of the Confession, though doubtless if there had been only fair dealing, the Doctor must needs have desired it for his own safety and credit, nor is it accountable why it was not done; it may be also those two obscure men, and the woman, whose names are set to the Printed Paper as Witnesses, knew no more what the Confession and De­claration was, which Fitz-Harris protested to them he had made to Dr. Hawkins freely, than the Sheriffs knew what the further discovery was of the Popish Plot, which he also told them with his dying breath, he had left with Dr. Hawkins, no shadow of any such discovery having yet been produced by him; but on the contrary this odi­ous Sham-confession to perswade the world, that the noise of Popish Plots hath been from the wicked practises of some Protestants.

We have only left to pray, That the God of Truth may bring to light all the hidden works of darkness, that no wicked device form'd against the Protestant Religion, his Majesty and the Kingdom, may ever prosper; and let every good man say, Amen.

I Edward Fitz-harys, having been indicted of High-Treason, for endeavouring to dethrone the KING, was thereupon found guilty, and Sentence of death passed upon me. I the aforesaid Edward Fitz-harys do vo­luntarily and freely, without any hopes to save my Life, but as a dying man, and to discharge my Conscience to­wards God, and for the better satisfaction of the world, make this Declaration following, in the presence of God, and unto Dr. Francis Hawkins Chaplain of the Tower of London.

I do profess and declare my Religion in the general to be that which hath been truly and anciently delivered in the first Four General Councils; and in particular, my Belief is that true Faith of a Christian briefly con­tained in those Three Creeds commonly called, The Apo­stle's Creed, St. Athanasius's, and The Nicene Creed: And I die a Member, and in the Communion of Christ's Holy Catholick Church, hoping for Mercy through the alone Merits of the Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I do also confess and declare, as to the Crimes which I die for, I was no further concerned in the Libel, than as employed to give the King notice of what Libel or o­ther Accusations there were against him; and to this intent, and no other, I endeavoured to get this Libel; which at length I did, from Mr. Everard, all written under his own hand, and carried it to Mrs. Wall, by whose means I conveyed all matters of this or the like [Page 34]nature to the King. I told her I had a business of great consequence to acquaint the King with: but she answer­ed me, That my Lord Sunderland being out, there would be no Money had for secret Service, and advised me to go to the Lord Clarendon, or Hyde; but before I could do this, I was taken. As for that part of the Libel which I left with Everard, as a Pledge to assure him I would not betray him, I received it of the Lord Howard: And the Money I received from the King, was for bring­ing a Libel called The King Unvail'd, and the Lady Portsmouths Articles. I call God to witness, I never had a Farthing charity from the King.

I do further confess and declaere, That the Lord How­ard told me of a Design to seize upon the King's Person, and to carry him into the City, and there detain him till he had condescended to their Desires. Heyns and my self were privy to this Design, and had several Meetings with the Lord Howard; and as an Encouragement, the Lord Howard assured us of breaking the Settlement of Ireland, taking off the Additional Revenue of the Bishops, Forty nine-men, and Grantees, whose Estates were to be shar'd amongst the Party.

I do confess and declare, That while I was in New­gate, the Sheriff's Bethel and Cornish came to me with a Token from the Lord Howard, which I knew to be true, and brought Heads with them from Everard, wherein he accused me of being a Court Emissary, or Yorkist, put on by the King to put the Libel into Protestants houses to trepan them. But I declare upon my death, I had no such intent, nor do I know any such thing. The Sheriffs likewise told me, I was to be tried within three or four days; that the people would prosecute me, and the Par­liament would impeach me, and that nothing would save [Page 35]my life, but discovering the Popish Plot. And then the Sheriffs aforesaid gave me great Encouragement from my Lord Howard, that if I would declare that I belie­ved so much of the Plot as amounted to the introducing the R. C. or if I could find out any that could criminate the Queen, R. H. or make so much as a plausible story to confirm the Plot, that the Parliament would restore me to my Fathers Estate, with the Prosits thereof since His Majesties Restauration. I sinding my self in the con­dition I was, in Newgate, Fettered, Moneyless, and Friendless, my Wife ready to Lye in, without any sub­sistence, my Children in a miserable condition, and must needs be in a worse by my death; and I could see no o­ther Refuge for life, but complying with them; so not with ambitious intent, but to save my life, I did comply. The Sheriffs brought Instructions which they said came from the Lords and Commons, who met that day in order to Address to the King in my behalf, if I should confirm the Instructions: and they made use of the Lord Shasts­bury's name, and others, what Advantage I might have thereby. At the first I made a formal story concerning the Plot, which was not prejudicial to any body, but most relating to general Heads known publickly; upon which Mr. Cornish told me, These were things cryed about the Streets two years ago: I replied, I could say no more: Mr. Sheriff said, He was sorry for me with all his heart, but thought I could say more if I would, and pressed me hard to speak to several Heads; unto which unless I spoke, he said, there was no hopes of life. The Heads I was to speak to, is what the Examination taken by Sir Robert Clayton and Sir George Treby contains, and a great deal more that I did not say then relating to the Queen, R. H. Earl of Danby, declaring French Pensio­ners, [Page 36]Lords Hallifax, Hyde, Clarendon, Feversham, Sey­mer, and others; the burning the Fleet, Forts and Go­vernments in Popish hands, Meal-Tub-Plot, Prentices Plot, the contrivance of the Libel on the Lady Ports­mouth, being a French Designe to destroy Protestants: These and many other Heads were brought me by the Sheriffs.

I do farther confess & declare, That Sir Rob. Clayton and Sir George Treby coming to me to examine me, Sir Rob. Clayton asked me what I could say concerning Godfrey's Murder: I answered, Something. He replied, It may be I was in a confusion; recollect your self. And what I said concerning Father Patrick, was forced out of me; and what I said concerning him, is not true. Sir George Treby was with me three hours, or thereabouts, and pressed to say concerning Godfrey's death; and said, Ʋnless I could speak to that Murder, I could say nothing: Whereupon, I said something I had from others. He asked me, if I could say no more? I replied, Is not this enough to save my Life? Am I not Rogue enough? The Recorder hereupon swore, Gods wounds, what were you ever but a Rogue? Then the Recorder entred upon the Heads of the Examination; which being done, he told me, All this would not save my Life, unless I would speak to the Libel, which was a Court-trick; and it was not for nothing that I had been so often seen at the Lady Portsmouth's. The Lord Shaftsbury said, You know more of these matters than any man. Sir George would have me speak to the Consult; that the Duke was at it, the Lords Bellasis, A­rundel, and Powis were at it; You have seen them go to it at St. James's; without doubt they were there: Do you but say it, we have those that will swear it.

I do further declare and confess, That what I said a­gainst the Queen & the Duke, I was put upon, in the mat­ter of Sir Edmunbury Godfrey's Murder: And do fur­ther declare, That what I swore against the Earl of Dan­by, the threatning words that were uttered I did (to the best of my remembrance) hear; but whom they concern'd I could not well know, by what my Lord himself said. And what de Puis told me concerning my Lord of Dan­by, I do believe was spoken out of ill will; and what I said against him, was to stave off my Tryal till a Parlia­ment; and they were the more desirous to accuse the Lord Danby of Godfrey's Murder, because the Crime of Murder is not inserted in his Pardon. I am sorry for what I said against the Queen, his Royal Highness, and the Earl of Danby; I desire God to forgive me the wrong I did them, and do heartily beg their Pardon.

I do further declare and protest, That this Confession and Declaration of mine I own sincerely, as a dying man, and not to save my life; and I call God and all his An­gels to witness the Truth of it; and I renounce Mercy at the Hands of God Almighty, if this be not true.

And I do further declare and protest, as a dying man, unto James Walmesly, Edward Pattel, and Mary Wal­mesly, That I have made this Confession and Declaration unto Doctor Hawkins freely, and of my own voluntary accord, without any manner of promise made, or hopes given me by him from the King of saving my life by this Confession; I having given him to understand before­hand they were matters of consequence, and such as chiefly concern'd the good of the King and Kingdom.

I give the Doctor my hearty Thanks for all his Pray­ers, Counsel, and Charitable Offices he hath done me, and I pray God to bless him for ever for it. I forgive all the [Page 38]World, and desire all the World to forgive me; and the Lord have mercy on my Soul.

EDWARD FITZ-HARYS.

This Protestation was made by Mr. Fitz-Harys, July 1. between the hours of 7 and 8 in the morning, in the presence and hearing of us whose Names are hereunder written.