Whereas the late unap­proveable, and most wicked designe, for the destroying of his Majesty, the Prince and Nobility, with many o­thers of worth & quality (attempted through the undertaking spirits of some more fyery and turbulent, then zealous and dispasionat Catholicks) hath made the generall state of our Catholick cause so scandalous in the eye of such, whose corrupted Judgments are not able to fan away and sever the fault of the Professor from the possession it self; as that who now is found to be of that religion, is perswaded, at least in mind, to allow (though God knoweth as much abhorring as any Puritane whatsoever) the said former most inhumane, and barbarous proiect: And whereas some of his M [...]jesties Councill, but especially your Lordship, as being known to be, as the Philosopher termeth it, a primus motor, in such uncharitable proceedings, are determined [Page 2]as it is feared, by taking advantage of so fowle a scandall, to roote out all memory of Catholicke religion, either by sudden banishment, Massacre, imprisonment, or some such [...]table [...] ­ations, and pressures; and p [...]r [...]s by decreeing in this next Parliament, some more cruell and horrible lawes against Catholicks, then already are made.

In regard of these premisses, there are some good men, who through their earnest desire for continuing the Catholick religion, and for saving of many soules, both of this present, and of all future posterity are resolved to prevent so great a mischiefe, though with a full assurance afore­hand of the losse of their dearest lives; you are therefore hereby to be admonished, that at this present there are five, which have severally un­dertaken your death, and hath vowed the perfor­mance thereof, by taking already the blessed Sa­crament, if you continue your daily plotting of so tragicall Stratagems against Recusants.

It is so ordered, that no one of these five know­eth who the other foure be, for the better pre­venting the discovery of the rest, if so any one by attempting and not performing, should be ap­prehended.

It is also already agreed, who shall first at­tempt it by shot, and so who in order shall fel­low. In accomplishing of it, there is expected no other then assurance of death; yet it will wil­lingly be embraced for the preventing of those [Page 3]generall calamities, which by this your transcen­dent Authority, and grace with his Majesty▪ [...]e threatned unto us all, and indeed the difficulties herein are more easily to be digested, since two of the intended Attempters, are in that weake state of body, that they cannot live above three or foure moneths. The other three are so distres­sed themselves and their friends, [...]as that their present griefes (for being onely Recusants) be much dull all apprehension of death? None to be blamed in the true censuring of matters, for the undertaking hereof: For wee protest before GOD, wee know no other meanes left us in the world, since it is manifest that you serve but as a match, to give fire unto his Maiesty (to whom the worst that we wish, is, that he may be as great a Saint in Heaven, as he is a King on Earth) for intending all mischiefes against the poore di­stressed Catholicks. Thus giving your Lordship this charitable admonition; the which may per­haps be necessary hereafter, for some others your Inferiours, at least in grace and favour, if so they runne on their former inhumane and unchristian rage against us, J cease, putting you in minde, that where once true and spirituall resolution is, there, notwithstanding all dangers what­soever, the weake may take sufficient revenge of the great.