SEeing then no Corner of Europe has been free from the Plots and Conspira­cies of these Jesuitical Fiends, it would be a kind of Crime and sleepy Deser­tion of our own Safety, to suffer our selves to be charm'd by the Delusions of insinuating Libels and Rumors of Presbyterian Plots, to mistrust the Truth of the continu'd Jesuitical Contrivances against the Kingdom. Neither can they be thought the best Subjects of England, who are so willing to Gratifie the Popish Party, by giving Credence to such idle Surmizes which they can have so little ground to believe. The Jesuits have committed a great piece of Villany in this Nation; they have attempted the Life of the King, and have been Plotting to subvert the Established Religion of the Kingdom, and now they would throw it upon the Presbyterians: Which is a Fourbery so plain, that common Sense and Policy may easily discover the full intent and meaning of it: And there­fore it is fairly to be hop'd, that neither Presbyterians, nor any other Protestant Dissenters will be so Unchristian-like Disloyal, as to receive any Exasperation [Page 26] from these Calumnies; but rather unite against the Common Enemy, from whom they can expect no more Mercy, than the severest Champion of Episcopacy can hope for.

But you will say, the Presbyterians are not accus'd of any Design to bring in Popery, but miraculously discover'd, as the Authors of a Plot to set up the Classes of their own Ecclesiastical Government. Well! if it were so, they were the arrantest Bunglers of Plotters that ever plotted Mischief in this World: For I do not find their Plot to be above a years standing; And it was a Plot that was driven on out of pure Kindness to the Papists. For the Presby­terians understanding that the Papists, (their Incarnate Enemies) were under a Premunire, as being accused of Treason and Conspiracy against the KING and Kingdom; They therefore would needs enter into a Plot, which they would so order as to be discover'd a Twelve-month after, to ease the Papists of the Load they groan'd under. So that as considering the time, it fell out most con­foundedly unluckily, that the Presbyteriaus should conceal this Plot from the Papists, till so many good, honest, pious and loyal Priests of Baal, and Sons of Belial were hang'd, which would never have been done, had there been the least Inkling given of the Meal-Tub in season. But when the Names of the Persons came to be seen that were to be Actors in this Presbyterian Tragedy, then to the Laughter of the whole World, there never appear'd such a Dow-bak'd Plot out of a Meal-Tub since the Creation, to bring so many Great Men plot­ting against their own prosperity and enjoyments; so many wise and politie States-men, by whom the Nation has been so long steer'd, to be Plot­ters and Conspirers against their own Preservation. These are Plots of such a strange Nature, that if they could be thought reall, they would occasion the unhinging of the whole Frame of Order and Government, while it were im­possible for Honour, Probity, and Reputation to remain upon the Earth. Obe­dience and Allegiance to Government are grounded either upon Religion, or Moral Vertue; or if these two fail, there is a necessity which obliges the ordi­nary fore-sight of Prudence.

Against these Ambition or Revenge are the only Combatants; but neither Ambition nor Revenge can bear so great a sway in persons that understand the Intrigues of Policy, or the more mysterious management of Prudence, as to delude them into Plots and Conspiracies where there is no prospect of a secure Change. The Presbyterians are a sort of people wary and deliberate: Neither are their Tenents, which had their rise and beginnings from men whom the Papists themselves confess to have been men of great Learning, Eloquence, and Exemplary Lives, of that Crimson Constitution, as to prompt them to lay the Foundations of their Hierarchy in Blood and Massacre; or so deeply to wound the Reputation of the Protestant Religion, by the clandestine Treachery and secret Contrivances of Disloyalty. For as for that Design of the Huguenots under Francis the Second, King of France, of which the Prince of Conde, and the Admiral Coligni were said to be Chief; that was no Design against the Life or Person of the King, but against the exorbitant Pride of the Guises, Duke and Car­dinal, who were at the same time Papists, and were themselves contriving to take away the Life of the young King, and translate the Royal Dignity into their own Family. Neither could the Civil Wars of France be said to be the Re­bellion of the Hugonets: But a War of the Queen Regents, and the two Guises own weaving, while they all strove to preserve their own Authority. And the Queen Regent her self was the first that caus'd the Prince of Conde to take Arms, as fearing the Guises would wrest the Government out of her hands, by recom­mending to his Protection the young King Charles the Ninth her Son, her Self, [Page 27] and the Kingdom. Nay they were so far from being Rebels to their King, that they joyn'd with the Catholiques for the Recovery of Haure out of the hands of Queen Elizabeth, who had been their Friend: And though the Admiral and Danaelot were not at the Siege, for fear of being tared by the Queen of Ingra­titude, yet they sent both their Forces and Friends. Some indeed justly de­served to be blamed for the violence of their Conduct in the late Wars; but it is a Question, of which some make no doubt, whether those Violences were not occasion'd by the Papists in Masquerade, who well knew how to intermix them­selves both in their Counsels and Actions; whether they did not stand behind the Scene and prompt those Sons of Jehu? Whether they did not pour Oyl up­on those Flames? For it appears that the Presbyterians (if Names of distinction may be us'd among people of the same Religion) were the first that relented, as is evident by Votes of Addresses, and their Treaty at the Isle of Wight, not broke off by them, but by One that was playing his own Game, and medita­ting the destruction both of his Sovereign and them too: Who having made his Exit, they then considered what ill Phaetons they had been before, and return'd the more skilful Phoebus the Reins of his Chariot again. But that you may know that 'tis an old Dog-trick of the Papists to play the Devils Incarnate, and lay their most wicked Actions upon the Innocent; I will repeat this short Story out of one of the choicest French Historians, and a Catholique to boot. The Queen Regent of France having long design'd the Destruction of the Pro­testants in France, and of all the chief Heads of the reformed Religion; and a­mong the rest of Admiral Coligni, the Life and Soul of the whole Party, projects the Execution, with the Assistance of the Duke of Anjou, the Counts of Tavanes and Raix, and the Chancellor Birague, and easily drew in the young King, whom they made believe that there was no safety so long as those persons were alive, and the young Guises were as ready as she to revenge their Fathers Death. As for the King of Navar, they had so order'd it, that he was to be marry'd at Paris at that time, and that brought the Prince of Conde to the City. But the Admiral more wary kept aloof, till the King had begun the War with Spain in the Low Countries, which the Admiral had so passionately desir'd, and of which the King and Queen Regent, had assur'd him the Management. Then he came an end, seeing the War begun, and two of his own Favourites, Noue and Genlis, at the Head of some thousands in Flanders. And these three Great Personages, the King of Navarr, the Prince of Conde, and the Admiral Co­ligni, brought such Trains after them, as throng'd all Paris with the Flower of all the Protestant Nobility and Gentry of France: Who being all thus with­in the Net, Orders were given to make a general Slaughter of all without di­stinction, excepting the King of Navarr, and the Prince of Conde. Hence pro­ceeded that Horrible Massacre in the Year 1572. which lasted for seven Days together, to the destruction of above 5000 persons of all Ages and Sexes; and among these above 600 Persons of Quality.

After this Deluge of Blood, and that the Queen had sent the Head of Coligny Embalm'd as a Present to the Pope, the Queen Regent had contriv'd to lay the Load of all the committed Impiety upon the Guises, who were Captains of the Massacre, believing that the Monmor ancies would certainly seek to revenge the Admirals Death upon them: So that while those two Factions ruin'd and de­stroy'd one another, she might have all the Power in her own hands, and rule according to her own Will. But the Guises being aware of this Design, and having the Catholique Nobility, the Duke of Montpensier, and the Parisians on their side, caus'd the Queen to change her Note; and thereupon she caus'd the King to write abroad, That all was done to prevent the detestable Con­spiracy [Page 28] of the Admiral and his Confederates, againsh his Life and Royal Fa­mily. Thereupon there was a Court of Justice erected, wherein the Ad­miral was Condemn'd, and after they had murder'd him, Executed again in Effigies, his Goods Confiscated, and his Children degraded: And the better to colour this, two poor innocent Gentlemen that had escaped the Massacre, were apprehended for saving their Lives, Briquemaut, and Arnaud de Co­vagnes, as his Accomplices, condemn'd to the same punishment, and exe­cuted accordingly.

Thus what these did, our late Plotters would have done: We may then say to all Protestants in general, Felices Agricole sua si bona norint, Happy would they be, would they but know their own strength, Would they but make the right use of these wicked Contrivances of their Enemies, and laying aside all froward Puuctilio's of private Opinions, joyn unanimously against the common Adversary. For if it be a Maxim falsly argu'd against, that Peace and Diversi­ty of Religions cannot be preserved in the same Nation, as the Ambassadors of the Germane Princes urg'd to Charles the Ninth of France; much more truly may it be said, that little matters of difference between persons of the same Religion can be no impediment to their Union and Conformity.

But further to clear the Dissenting Protestants, I shall here add a perfect Nar­ration of the Management and Contrivance of the Jesuits, to render the greater part of the principal Men in this Kingdom, as well those of the Church of England, as the Dissenters, obnoxious to the Government, thereby utterly to ruin them and the Protestant Religion, which Design God of his infinite Goodness has been pleased to bring to Confusion, and the Instruments thereof through the same Divine Providence, we hope shortly to see brought to Condign Pu­nishment.

THe late PLOT of the Romish Priests and Jesuits for murdering His Majesty, subverting the Government and Protestant Religion, and introducing Popery, being proved by undeniable Evidences and Cir­cumstances; the cunning Jesuits thought it their best way (since peoples Eyes were too open to be made believe there was no PLOT) to con­fess there was a Plot, and to aggravate it too; but withal to use their utmost skill to prove, That this Plot was not a Popish-Plot, as was generally believed, but a pure Design of the Presbyterians, and other Dissenters from the Protestant Church of England, to ruin the Loyal Roman Chatholiques, whilst indeed them­selves were the Conspirators; who (whereas they gave out that the Papists in­tended by murdering the King, &c. to bring in Popery) really intended by killing His Majesty, to Introduce Presbytery and a Commonwealth, and so at one Blow subvert the Government both in Church and State, and then to set up a new one of their own under the Name of Conservators of the Liberties of England: And for this purpose they had secretly given out Commissions for raising an Army, the principal Officers whereof were such Persons who seem­ed to have the greatest share in the Peoples Affections.

This Design being agreed to by these Hellish Miscreants, all possible Dili­gence was used to bring it to Execution; and for this purpose they drew up the Scheme of a Government they intended to Impeach several of the truly [Page 30] Loyal Nobility and Gentry, and the whole Body of Dissenting Protestants, of conspiring. This being done, they began to form Letters of Intelligence con­cerning this Presbyterian Plot, and also to provide themselves with Persons to Swear for the Truth of their Allegations. To this end Mrs. Cellier (a zealous Papist, and Midwife to the Lady Powis, and other Roman Catholic Ladies) procures the Enlargement of one Wiltoughby, aliàs Dangerfield, aliàs Thomas; aliàs Day, who had been a Prisoner in Newgate about six Weeks, and had been Convicted once at Salisbury Assizes, (where he was fined Five pounds, and sentenced to stand Three several times in the Pillory, which he did twice, and then brake Prison and escaped;) and twice at the Old Bailey, for uttering false Guineys, (where for the first Offence he was fined Fifty pounds, and for the second he got His Majesties Pardon.) He was no sooner released from New­gate, but he was Arrested and thrown into the Counter, from whence by the means of Bannister and Scarlet she got him removed to the King's-Bench, where (after some fruitless attempts to get some Papers relating to Captain Bedlow from one Strode a Prisoner there) he was furnished with Money by the five Lords in the Tower, viz. the Lord Bellasis, the Lord Powis, the Lord Petre, the Lord Arundel, and the Lord Stafford, (Mrs. Cellier also giving him 5 l.) to Compound all his Debts, &c. Before Mrs. Cellier would discharge him from Newgate, she made tryal of his Wit, by ordering him to draw up Articles ac­cording as she directed, against Captain Richardson, which he perform'd to her liking, and confirm'd her in the Choice she had made of his being a fit person to carry on the Designed Plot. The general Esteem the Conspirators had of him is evident by the Trust they reposed in him; for though they had several Others to carry on their New Plot, yet he appears to have the chief Manage­ment of it.

Being now sufficiently provided with Instruments to execute their Damna­ble Designs, this Dangerfield was recommended to His Majesty by a Great Per­son, as one who was much concerned in a Plot of the Presbyterians against His Life and Government, and that from time to time he would make discovery thereof. Thus they endeavoured to insinuate into His Majesties Mind a belief of the Plot, that he might not be surpriz'd at the Discovery they intended to make.

Another of the intended Actors in this Tragedy, was Thomas Courtees, once a Clerk to Sir William Bucknal, one of the Excise Farmers, then a Servant to Mr. Henry Nevil, and after to a worthy Member of Parliament; from whose Service, he fell into a lewd course of life: But being thought a Man fit for the Design in hand, he was entertained for one of the Witnesses. This Person was very industrious in promoting a Belief of this Presbyterian Plot; for being well acquainted with Mrs. Bradley, who keeps the House called Heaven in Old Palace-Yard; and there being a Club of several honest Gentlemen kept at her House, he desired her to bring him into their Company, which she promised to endeavour. Discoursing with her about the late Plot, he told her, that it would shortly appear to be a Plot of the Presbyterians, and that they were pri­vately giving out Commissions for raising an Army: Whereupon she demand­ed, who gave out the Commissions; to which he replyed, it was Mr. Blood; and added further, That if she would use her Interest with Mr. Blood, to get a Commission for him, though it were but for an Ensign, he would give her 100 l. and told her also that he should get 5000 l. by it. Mrs. Bradley told this to Mr. Blood, who fearing the Consequence, acquainted His Majesty there­with, and from Him received Encouragement to make a further Inquiry into this Matter. Mr. Blood hereupon desired the Woman to keep still her Corres­pendency [Page 31] with Courtees, and if possible to find out the Mystery of this Business. Courtees came several times afterwards to the House, and discoursed freely with her about the before-mentioned matter, and told her, that he knew seven or eight persons who were employed upon the same account as he was.

But that which follows put a stop to his proceedings, and made these wick­ed Agents carry themselves more warily.

The Jesuits thought it not sufficient to throw the Plot upon the Presbyterians; unless they could likewise bring off the Evidence that had sworn against them, and by getting them to recant, put their Innocency out of Question. For this purpose Mr. Dugdale, one of the Kings Evidence, is attempted by one Mrs. Price, (for whom it is said Mr. Dugdale had formerly some kindness;) she warily discovers her Design, and he as warily entertains it; and after some Treaty, one Mr. Tesborough appears in the Case. They promis'd Mr. Dugdale a great Sum of Money, upon condition that he would Recant what he had Sworn, and Sign a Paper, which they had ready drawn up to this effect.

Having done this, they told him he might immediately withdraw himself beyond the Seas into Spain, where he should be honourably entertained, during his stay there, which should be no longer than till they had brought their De­signs to their desired End, and then he should be recalled, and have both Riches and Honour conferr'd upon him as a Reward for faithfully serving the Catho­lick Interest. Mr. Dugdale seemed willing to agree to their Proposals, (though at the same time he acquainted several honest Gentlemen of every particular that passed) if the Reward could be ascertained to him; but as for the two Proposers he would not take their Security for it; whereupon they offered the Security of a Forein Ambassador, but he told them that he thought him a Per­son not fit for Security, because he might suddenly be commanded home, and then he could have no remedy against him. Then they proposed several others, whose Security they said he need not question; but still he found a plausible Excuse; his Design being onely to gain time, that he might make a further Discovery who set them on work. His Delays created a Jealousie in them, that he never intended to answer their Desires; wherefore least he should dis­cover this Treaty, and render them liable to punishment, (as it happened in Mr. Readings Case) they were resolved to begin with him first; and by the assistance of a great Person, a Complaint was made against Mr. Dugdale, That he offered for a Sum of Money to Recant his Evidence, and that he would have Signed such a Paper as before-mentioned; adding withal, that it was a lamentable thing to consider how much Blood had been shed upon such Evi­dence. Upon this Mr. Dugdale was summoned before the King and Council, where giving a full Relation of the Affair, and having those Gentlemen ready, [Page 32] whom he had all along acquainted with the Intrigue to prove what he said; and it plainly appearing, that Mrs. Price and Mr. Tesbrough had endeavoured to take off the Kings Evidence, they were both committed to safe Custody. This it was that alarm'd Courtees.

Mr. Dangerfield in this time had been employed to murder the Earl of Shafts­bury, which he twice attempted, but could not meet with an opportunity, the Earl refusing to speak in private with him; which he urged, under pre­tence that he had something to reveal to his Lordship of great Concern to his Lordships Person. He waited on his Lordship by the Name of Day, and went armed with a Dagger, which he received from Mrs. Cellier, to whom three or four were brought by Mr. Rigaut. To perform this Murther, he was pro­mised 500 l. by the Lords Powis and Arundel, (the Lord Arundel giving him then 10 Guineys) and encouraged by the Lady Abergaveny, Lady Powis, Mrs. Cellier, and others, and his Confessor Sharp conjur'd him to stab him with all possible speed. After his first disappointment, they advised him to tell the Earl that he was in danger of being Impeached for High Treason, and that from Letters under his own hand; and that when he should find himself in the Tower, he would have cause to repent that he had refused to hear what he had to tell him. These Instructions he followed, and told his Lordship that his Servants had Copied out his Letters, from whence would be drawn Matter to form an Impeachment: But the Earl would not be Wheadled by this to give him a private Audience, and thereby administer to him an opportunity of ta­king away his Life; but askt him which of his Servants they were that had Copied out his Letters: To which Dangerfield replyed, That he knew not. Then the Earl answered, That he knew that all he said was false, for that if his Letters were made known to all the World, there would not be found Mat­ter sufficient to endanger the least Hair of his Head, much less to form an Im­peachment. Whereupon Dangerfield told him, That if that was his Lordships Opinion, he would take his leave; and so departed, leaving his Lordship a little jealous of his Intentions.

The Lady Powis would have perswaded him upon a Third Attempt, which he refusing, she struck him gently on the Hand with her Fan, calling him Cow­hearted Fellow, telling him, she would do it her self; but Mrs. Cellier told her, that should not be, for She would perform it. In order to which, the very next day she went armed with a Dagger, to wait upon his Lordship, who re­ceived her very civilly; but being made more wary than formerly, by Danger­fields last carriage, he strictly observ'd her, and perceiving her fumbling about her Pocket, betwixt Jest and Earnest, he clapt his hands upon hers, and there held them, pleasantly drolling with her till she was ready to depart; but she was not gone so far as the Door, before she offer'd to return, which his Lord­ship observing, stept to her again, and clapping his hands upon hers, quite dasht her out of Countenance; so that she departed without attempting further. Thus was his Lordship thrice, by Divine Providence, miraculously preserved from the bloody hands of Papists.

The Plot being now ripe for Execution, and Treasonable Letters ready written, to be conveyed into the Custody of such Persons they intended to Ac­cuse, and two or more Witnesses prepared to swear the Delivery and Receit of such Letters or Commissions against every man in their black List; Danger­field under the Name of Thomas, takes a Lodging in Ax-Yard in Westminster, (pretending himself a Country-Gentleman) where lay one Colonel Mansel, whose Chamber he soon made himself acquainted with, and therein conveyed about Nine or Ten of the aforesaid Treasonable Letters, superscribed to several [Page 33] honest Gentlemen and Persons of Quality, some of which were Favourers of the Dissenting Protestants: When he had so done, he informed some of the Officers belonging to the Custom-House, That in that House there was con­cealed great Quantities of French-Lace, and other prohibited Goods, desiring them the next Morning to bring a Warrant with them and search the House, which they promised. At Night he brought one Captain Bedford to lie with him (as is supposed) that he might be a Witness against the Colonel: Next Morning after the Colonel was gone forth, came the Officers to search for pro­hibited Goods; Dangerfield was very officious in assisting them to search the Colonel's Chamber, and at length from behind the Bed brings forth the before­mentioned Pacquet of Letters; upon which, casting his Eyes, and seeming sur­prized, he cryed out, Treason, These are all Treasonable Letters; Whereupon the Officers carried them away to the Commissioners: But the Colonel coming in soon after, and being acquainted with all that had past in his absence, found means to retrieve them again; and when he had so done, he made some En­quiry after Dangerfield, of whose Quality being well informed, he carried the Letters to His Majesty, with Protestations of his own Innocency, and Danger­field's Villany. Whereupon on the 23. of October, the Council ordered Danger­field to be taken into Custody by a Messenger, and after a full hearing of the Business before them, Oobct. 27. they Committed him to Newgate.

When Colonel Mansel had thus detected Dangerfield, the above-mentioued Captain Bed­ford came in very generously of himself, and confessed several things he was privy to, amongst which, one was, That this Dangerfield would have perswaded him to swear that Sir Thomas Player spoke Treason, thereby to have taken away the Life of that honest Gentleman.

The Letters before-mentioned gave Light enough to perceive what the Design was the Papists were then contriving; Whereupon Sir William Waller (who has been all along very zealous in discovering the Priests, and their wicked Plots, notwithstanding their Threats and Attempts to take away his Life) understanding that Dangerfield used to lodge at Mrs. Cel­liers, went thither on Wednesday, Octob. 29. to search her House; and that he might leave no place unsearcht, he ordered a Tub of Meal to he emptied, which being done, at the Bot­tom thereof was found a little Paper-book tyed with red Ribbons, wherein was a List of se­veral Persons of Quality, and others, to the number of above 500. whom they designed to ruin by this their New Plot. They had set down his Grace the Duke of Monmouth for Ge­neral of the Army to be raised; the Lord Grey, Lord Brandon and his Son, and Sir Thomas Armstrong, for Lieutenant-Generals, Sir William Waller and Mr. Blood for Major-Generals, &c. the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Shaftsbury, Lord Essex, Lord Roberts, Lord Wharton, and Lord Hallifax, were to have been accused for the chief Counsellors and Managers of this Plot. Many other things were contained in these Papers, relating to the Management of their Design: Upon this Mrs. Cellier was committed to the Gatehouse.

Their Plot being now sufficiently laid open, Dangerfield (notwithstanding Mrs. Celliers Encouragement to be constant and firm to the Catholick Cause) thought it time to confess the Truth, and being brought before the Right Honourable Sir Robert Clayton Lord Mayor of London, on Friday Octob. 31. 1679. he made a large Confession, which held them from Five of the Clock in the Afternoon, untill Two next Morning. Part whereof was, That he was sent for to the Tower, whither he went in disguise, where after some discourse with the Lord Powis, the Lord Arundel asked him, If he were willing to do any thing to advance his For­tune; to which he answered he would do any thing. Then the Lord Arundel asked him if he would kill the King for a good Reward; to which he replyed, He would kill any body but the King, or his Royal Brother. That then the aforesaid Lord asked him the same Que­stion again; and he answered, No. Then said the Lord Powis, No, no, my Lord Arundel does onely this to try you: But my Lord (continued he) what would you give him to kill the King? 'Tis worth (said the Lord Arundel) 2000 l. That then the Lord Powis told him, he should have 500 l. to kill the Lord Shafisbury. That Mr. Gadbury told him, the Lords in the Tower were angry with him, as also chiefly the Lord Castlemain, for that he would not kill the King, when he might easily do it, and no hurt befall him. That here, [Page 34] upon he asked Mr. Gadbury, How no hurt should befall him, when in his Opinion it could be no less than Death? To which Gadbury made answer, That he knew he might do it safely, for at the Request of the Lady Powis he had Calculated his Nativity, and that it was clear from thence. That the Lord Castlemain very angrily askt him, Why he was so unwilling to do that for which he was released out of Prison; and fearing some mischief from him, he left him, and went and told Mrs. Cellier, that the Lord Castlemain was angry; to which she re­plyed, That it was his custom to fall out one hour, and be good friends the next. That his Confessor Sharp told him he must do Penance for denying to serve God, as the Scriptures taught. That he askt him, If they taught him to kill his King? To which Sharp replyed, Yes, if he were condemn'd by them. That when he told the Lady Powis and Mrs. Cellier, of having been alone with the King in his Closet; they both said, What an Opportunity have you lost? And the Lady Powis added, How bravely might you have killed him, if you had been provided! That he was sent by the Lady Powis to Mr. Webb's at Petterley in Buckinghamshire, with a Letter directed, For Mrs. Jean; which Mrs. Jean he found to be a Priest in Womans Habit. That upon reading the Letter, Jean administred the Sacrament to him, obliging him thereby to Secrecy; and then gave him Papers containing a rough Draught of the Plot against the Presbyterians, which he told him were to be drawn up into Particulars by the Lords in the Tower, and Mr. Nevil in the Kings-Bench. That Mr. Wood told him, The Lords in the Tower had consulted, that before Mr. Oates wat Indicted, something should be made appear of a Presbyterian Plot. That one Duddel brought him 27 Letters, written most by by Mr. Nevil, which Mr. Turner the Lord Powis his Priest, desired some Catholiques might Transcribe; whereupon Mrs. Cellier sent for Mr. Singe who wrote there about a Week. That the Contents of these Letters were, That there Business went on well here at London, as they hoped theirs did in the Country: That Commissioners would shortly be ready; (mentioning in some of these Letters the Names of divers Persons of Quality;) and that they would now be their own Choosers in Matters of Government, and use Papists as they pleased. That these Letters were to be sent into all parts of the Kingdom where any Presbyterians liv'd, and privately to be put into their Houses, and then their Houses were to be searcht, and these Papers produced for Evidence against them, as they intended against Colonel Mansel.

Saturday, Novem. 1. His Lordship waited on His Majesty and Council with Dangerfield's Confession; and Dangerfield being again sent for to come before the Council, did further de­clare, That all the Lords in the Tower gave him Money, more or less, and did desire him to go to Turner the Popish Book-seller to get his Remarks on the Tryals Printed. That the Lord Powis advised Lane should be sent out of the way, lest if Mr. Oates should find him at his House, they should all be ruin'd. That he saw Sir G. Wakeman at Mr. Stamford's House, (the Duke of Newburgh's Agent) in whose own Room he lay, and that Sir George told him, He hid him­self there for fear of the People, who had posted a threatning Paper over his Door; and that he had received 500 l. by the Queens Order for his Transportation. That Sir George asking his Advice, how he might get away, he told him, He had best send for a Shallop from Calice to take him in about six Miles from Dover, which he did, and escaped to Newport. That Dormer was Author of Traytors transform'd into Martyrs; and that Gadbury had writ a Ballad and several Pamphlets. That the second time he visited the Earl of Shafssbury, he intended to stab him, and then put out the Candle, and under pretence of running down to light it, have made his escape. That the two Books taken (whereof one was found in a Meal Tub) was writ by him, and that the Names therein were all Dictated to him by the Lady Powis. That Mrs. Cellier and he used the words, Lady Mary for the KING, and Lady Anne for the DUKE.

In the Afternoon Mrs. Cellier was Examin'd, and declar'd, That Dangerfield had for some time lain at her House. That she paid 3 l. 10.s. out of the Money to be distributed to Pri­soners for his Release, but denyed the paying of Twenty pounds, or Five pounds, as had been alledged. That she employed Dangerfield onely to get in some desperate Debts belong­ing to her Husband, and to Bail two or three persons out of Prison, and in nothing else. That she did lie at the Lady Powis; but denied she sent a Note to Dangerfield in Newgate, till the Note was produced, and then she own'd it. That she knew nothing of killing the Earl of Shaftsbury. That she did indeed go to the said Earl upon business. That Dangerfield did draw up Articles against Captain Richardson, but not by her Order.

Then Dangerfield was call'd in again, who said further, That Banister and she visted him in the Kings-Bench, and that she order'd him to get the Papers from Strode about Mr. Bedlow; to which end, Hitton the Priest advised that Opium should be put into Strode's Drink. That [Page 35] Margaret Mrs. Celliers Maid brought him Opium from Mrs. Celliers Son-in-law, Plasdel; and that Mounson told him how to use it. That Knowles and Sharp, Priests, told him if he conti­nued firm to the Business, he would thereby merit Heaven.

Mrs. Cellier confess'd, That she hid the Papers in the Meal-Tub: That she did agree with Mr. Dangerfield to use Lady Mary in stead of King, and Lady Anne in stead of Duke. And That Gadbury did Calculate Dangerfield's Nativity, but said, He would be hang'd.

Then the Lady Powis was Examined, who denied all, except, That she paid Ten shillings per Week to Mrs. Cellier for Dangerfields Diet. That she saw him in the Stone-Gallery, but was not near enough to speak to him. That once and no more she discoursed him at Mrs. Cel­liers, and that then he told her of some Treasonable Letters hid at Westminster, and that the Secretary refused to give him a Warrant to search for them, unless he would make Affidavit of it; and that then Mrs. Cellier advised him to make use of the Custom-House Officers to search for them.

On Sunday, Nov. 2. Mr. Gadbury was examined, who acknowledged, That he had seen Mr. Dangerfield once or twice at his House with Mrs. Cellier, and that he thought he cast his Nativity under the Name of Thomas, and that looking on his Horoscope, he did say, it prognosticated a bold and adventurous Man, but does not remember that he told Mrs. Cellier he would be hang'd. That he likewise cast the Lord Powis his Nativity, and that it was a usual thing with him to cast the Nativities of such Persons of Quality, whose Time of Birth he could be assured of. But as to other things, he said, He was innocent.

Nov. 1. Susan Edwards, Mrs. Cellier's Maid, deposed, That she carried Notes to Mr. Dan­gerfield from her Mistress, when he was in Newgate; as also a Guinney, Twenty Shillings in Silver, and two Books of Accounts: As likewise a Message by word of mouth, importing, That Mrs. Cellier's Life lay in Mr. Dangerfield's hands. And said, That the Lady Powis had been three times at her Mistresses in five Weeks time that she lived there, and that once she had discourse with Mr. Dangerfield.

Nov. 2. William Woodman deposed, That Mr. Dangerfield was two Months at the Lord Powis's House, and that Mrs. Cellier and he writ often; and that he carried Letters from them to the Lady Powis in the Tower; as also Letters from the Lady Powis to Nevile in the King's Bench; to whom also he had carried Letters from Mr. Dangerfield and Mrs. Cellier.

Mary Ayray deposed, That Duddel and she carried Notes taken by Mr. Willoughby, aliàs Dangerfield, at Langhorn's Trial, to Mr. Nevil in the King's Bench, and that they left Dan­gerfield at a Coffee-House in the mean time. That she carried a Letter from Nevil to Mrs. Cel­lier, and another from Mrs. Cellier to the Lady Powis. That she had seen Sing often with Mrs. Cellier. That Dangerfield writ the Speeches of the Five Jesuits, as they were dictated to him by Mrs. Cellier. That she had seen Lane (by Mrs. Cellier's order called Johnson) at Powis-House.

Bennet Duddel a Carpenter, deposed, That he had seen Mr. Dangerfield at Powis-house. That he went with Mrs. Ayray to the King's Bench, and Mr. Dangerfield stayed in the mean time at a Coffee-House there by. That they brought Papers back with them, and that soon after Mrs. Ayray went to the Tower. That at Powis-house he has often seen Mr. Dangerfield, Mrs. Cellier, and others, writing. That Mr. Lane lay in the house, and that Mrs. Cellier was once much con­cerned when she thought him lost. That Dangerfield once asked him if he could make a Printing-Press. That he went to the Gate-house once or twice with Mrs. Ayray, who carried Money to the Prisoners. That by the Lady Powis's Order he made a private place in Powis­house.

To all these Depositions, the Lady Powis being called in, answered particularly. To Su­san Edwards, That when she came to Mrs. Cellier, she never lighted from her Coach. To Wood­man, That she never receiv'd a Letter from Nevil, or sent one to him. That she had received several from Mrs. Cellier, and perhaps she might have received one from Dangerfield. That going to see the Lady Gage in the Kings-Bench, some body pointed to Nevil as he stood at the Window: And excepting once she never saw him besides that time. To Duddel, That Mrs. Ayray did bring her some Remarks upon Langhorns Tryal, but she never saw any thing from Nevil. To Mrs. Ayray, That she never brought her any Message from Nevil.

Being demanded, whether Mrs. Cellier had not been with her in the Tower from Mr. Wil­loughby? She answered, Yes; but that she never saw Willoughby but twice. Hereupon Mrs. Cellier being called, and askt, Whether she had not been in the Tower with the Lady Powis; she stiffly denied it: but being told, the Lady Powis her self had own'd it, she then confess'd she had been there.

[Page 36] Captain Bedford was then called in, and said, That he was at several Clubs with Dangerfield. That he was at Thompsons the Printers, where was printing, The Presbyterian unmask'd. That Dangerfield paid Money to Dor­mer in S. John's. That Dangerfield would have got a List of the Club at the Kings-head, but the Drawer would not give it him. That at the Green Dragon he got the Names of about 60 Persons that used to meet there. That he went with him to the Sun and Ship Taverns, where he enquired if the Duke of Monmouth had not been there the Night before he went away. That Dangerfield said, Gadbury brought him acquainted with Sir Robert Peyton. That Dangerfield told him, the Lord Shafisbury, Sir William Waller, Doctor Tongue, and others, had pri­vate Meetings near Fox-hall about the Plot.

The Earl of Peterborough being called in, and having an account of what was laid to his Charge, made a very plausible Speech in answer thereto; and as to the business of Sir Robert Peyton, he said, That Mrs. Cellier told him that among others which she had brought over to be serviceable to His Majesty and the Duke, Sir Robert Peyton was one, who had declared to her, that he would gladly come in, but that he thought the Duke of that temper, that he would never forget an Injury. That then he assured Mrs. Cellier, the Duke was no such per­son; and then she replyed, that Sir Robert would willingly meet him at Mr. Gadbury's. That they did meet ac­cordingly at Mr. Gadbury's, where Sir Robert did say, that he would serve the King to all purposes; but seemed to doubt of the Dukes being reconciled to him. That afterwards he waited on the Duke at his Lordships Lodgings, and from him received all the assurance of favour he could desire.

These are the principal things that were acted before the King and Council, the Result whereof was, that the Earl of Castlemain (first) and (after) the Lady Powis was committed to the Tower, Mr. Gadbury to the Gate­house, Mr. [...] and Mrs. Cellier to Newgate, and several others to the Custody of Messengers.

About this time Sir William Waller (searching a House near the Arch in Lincolns-Inn Fields, leading to Duke-street) seized on several Habits, Vestments, Crucifixes, Reliques, and other Popish Trinkets, all very rich; as allodivers Trunks and Boxes full of Books and Papers, that did belong to Father Hercourt lately ex­ecuted, wherein are set down several great sums of Money paid by him in about 7 or 8 years last past, for car­rying on the Catholique Cause; as likewise many other things that confirm the truth of the Kings Evidence.

Among the Relicks was found one great Piece of Antiquity, and by computation of time near 800 years old. It was a Cross of Gold, weighing about 4 Ounces, upon which on the one side was engraven these words, De­fendite Gentes hanc partem Crucis Omnipotentis; in English, Defend O ye Nations this part of the Omnipotent Cross: On the other side were engraven the Arms of Alfred King of England, who dyed in the year 901. Be­sides which engraving, it was empail'd with divers precious Stones of a considerable value. Within this Cross was another Cross of Ebony, to which the Gold one seem'd to serve onely for a Case; and as if it had been a little Nest of Serpentine Idolatry, the Ebony Cross was inlaid with another Cross of a quite different Wood, which it is suppos'd, they believ'd to be a piece of our Saviour's Cross.

There was also a Gold Ring with a Motto wrap'd up in white Paper, upon which was written, The Ring of the Bishop of Glascow, with several other Curiosities, which are as yet preserv'd.

On Novem. 5. Mr. Courtees was taken and brought before Justice Warcup, who having taken his Examination, sent him to the Gate-house. At his Examination, he gave an account of his first acquaintance with Mr. Willough­by, (not knowing then that he went by any other Name) and that Willoughby told him, that the Presbyterians were conspiring against the King and Government, and were privately raising an Army, and that Mr. Blood was one that gave out Commissions for that purpose; and perswaded him to use his endeavour to get one, and if he could do so, he would bring him to the King, whereby he should get 5000 l. And that upon this he made his application to Mrs. Bradley in order thereto, believing what Dangerfield said, and that there was really a Presbyterian Plot on foot: so that what he did, he said was upon a Loyal Design. But there is some cause to sus­pect what he said, if we reflect on what Mrs. Bradley deposed on Nov. 1. and what he acknowledged now; viz. That the last time Mrs. Bradley saw him, asking him when they should get the 5000 l. He replied, that he would not meddle in it, that it troubled his Conscience, and that it would be Treachery if it were done, and it is to no purpose to meddle in it now, for there is a List found out. However it be, he is since bailed out of the Gate-house: And for a confirmation of his Guilt, is gone aside.

And now almost every day new Discoveries are made, either of Priests or their Appurtenances, Reliques and feditious Papers. Dormer a Priest was seized by Dr. Oates at the Door of the Council-Chamber, on Nov. 4. as he was busie in discourse with the Lady Powis, and was sent to Newgate.

On Nov. 11. Sir William Waller seized at Turner's in Holborn, several seditious and scandalous Libels, Popish Books and Pamphlets; as also divers Beads, and Priests Habits, and some Reliques, one of which was a very fine Handkerchief, which had been dip'd in the Blood of the five Jesuits lately executed.

Not long after Sir William seized on one William Russel, alias Napper, a Franciscan Fryar, and Titular Bishop of Norwich: With him were taken the Garments belonging to his Office; as also the Form of an Oath of Abju­ration, for his Proselytes, to this effect; That they did from thenceforth renounce those damnable and heretical Doctrines, wherein they had been educated and instructed, and that they did oblige themselves under the penalty of Damnation to re­mainsted fast in the Faith of the Mother-Church of Rome, &c. Together with a Latin Prayer, in the Margin where­of was written in English, Whoever says this Prayer shall be free from the Plague. And several Popish Books, &c.

On Friday. Nov. 21. Sir Robert Peyton, Mr. Nevil, Mr. Gadbury, Mrs. Cellier with her Maids, and others were severally Examin'd; when it was sworn, that Sir Robert Peyton had had frequent Conferences with Mr. Dan­gerfield; and the further hearing of the Matter being put off till Wednesday, Nov. 26. Sir Robert was then or­dered to give Bail for his Appearance at the Kings-Bench-Bar, the first day of the next Term, to answer to such Informations as should then be brought against him by the Attorney-General.

Dr. Oates during these Transactions had two of his Servants, Lane (often mentioned in this History) and Osborn, confederated with one Knox belonging to the Lord Treasurers Family, against him, who Indicted him for no less a Crime than Sodomy: But it being proved a malicious slander, and his Accusers perjured Villains, who were hired by the Lords in the Tower, to invalidate his Evidence, the Jury brought it in Ignoramus. And Dr. Oates thereupon bringing in an Indictment against them in the Kings-Bench, Knox and Lane (Osborn being fled) were tried on Tuesday, Nov. 25. When the whole Design was so particularly laid open, especially by Mr. Dangerfield, (whose Pardon was perfected the day before) that every one present was convinc'd of the intended Villany, and the Jury (without the Lord Chief Justice's summing up the Evidence) declared them guilty of the Indictment: But their Sentence is deferred till next Term. We shall here close our History with our Prayers to God, to bring to Light all the Dark Contrivances of Jesuits and wicked men; and to their Plots, and our Divis [...] Dangers, put