AN ABSTRACT OF THE CONTENTS Of Several LETTERS Relating to the MANAGEMENT OF Affairs with Rome, BY THE D. of Y. and Others. Published for Satisfaction of the People, with a Preface. Showing our present Dangers, and the Authors thereof. By a Protestant.  
To all Protestant English.  
YOU cannot think it possible without a Miracle, that the bottom of this execrable Popish Plot, contrived and carried on at this time, under the Umbrage and Countenance of many of our Grandees, Favourers and Professors of the Popish Religion, for Murdering the King, and Subversion of our Religion and Government, should appear to the World under the Hand Writing of the Conspirators, seeing the power and influence they had upon the Government, when Mr. Oates offered his first Information of the Plot, gave them confidence, it may be not without Reason, to assure themselves, notwithstanding such Discovery, to be safe under the Accusation, and certain of accomplishing their Designs, and thereby the Conspirators being at the first handled gently, had opportunity and were helped to convey away their Papers and Letters, which had they ever appeared in view, would have told the whole matter beyond contradiction. And had not Coleman by a strange confidence and infatuation, left in his House some Papers not valued by him (though yet containing enough to demonstrate the Bulk of the Design) we had had but very little of it under the Plotters hands, but those Letters and Papers containing transactions past Three Years since, did not so fully make out the Design, as the later Letters and Papers would (without doubt) have done which by the vigilance of our Enemies, and the Treachery of our pretended Friends have been concealed burnt and destroyed.  
The Abstract of some of those Letters that escaped are here presented to public view, whereby it will appear to all Protestants, who have been our greatest Bosom Enemies in Conjunction with Rome for our Destruction, and what power and influence Rome had over the Councils of this Nation, most of the Persons therein mentioned, being well known to be great Zelots in the Romish Superstition, and one of them the very occasion of the Plot, which the late House of Commons hath in a Vote for that purpose, grounded upon undeniable Evidence and Demonstration itself, worthily and truly signified to the Nation.  
Can any Man in his wits, but apprehend from what springs flow, the present hopes the Papists have of playing an after game, and replanting their Superstition once more in this Kingdom? Are not all their hopes in a Popish Successor, who is come lately from beyond the Seas, with a mind we fear, as little Agreeable to the temper as the Religion of the English Nation?  
All that you have is now at stake, a King that is an Idolater makes his people like himself (as the many Examples in the Old Testament will sufficiently illustrate) so that whosoever is for a Popish King, let their pretences be never so specious is for Popery. And the Idolatry (which some miscall Religion) now exercised by the Papists, much worse than that practised in old Rome, and the Laws of the Realm (whereby our liberties and properties are fenced and maintained) are inconsistent; the same hour your Religion is altered (which a Popish King (if ever God shall be pleased to punish us with such) will certainly effect) the same day the whole Law will be destroyed, and the English Nation will be reduced thereby to absolute slavery, under the most malicious Enemy it hath, furnished with a revengeful mind, which nothing but Slavery, Ruin, and an Ocean of English Blood can satisfy.  
It may be at present his pretences may be modest, though his own party gives out, he intends to make a Bargain with the People by turning Protestant, if the hard hearted Heretics will accept thereof for all they have, but my dear Countrymen, you may not rely upon such Counterfeit Jesuitical shams, in case he should renounce his Idolatry, upon peril of losing yourselves, Religion and Estates, you can have no assurance that this turn is real, and be assured it is all Imposture and Juggle, which the Tenets of the Romish Superstition, do not only allow, but command him to Act for the advancement of the Holy Church, do but reflect upon his present Carriage and the Carriages of his Accomplices in ridiculing the Plot, and slandering and contemning the Discoveries and Evidences thereof. And then you can never be seduced to imagine he Acts a Protestant, with any other design then the entire ruin of your Religion and Government.  
All his fine Speeches and promises are to be looked upon as nothing, you know 'tis an established Doctrine in one of their Counsels, That Faith is not to be kept with Heretics, And such he esteems you.  
I have heard that 'tis as Common as Dispensations from the Pope, that the Serpent always before he Drinks, Vomits up his Poison, and when he hath Drank his Fill, licks it up again; so it's possible may the D. his Idolatry, till he and his Accomplices may be in a capacity to Drink the Blood of the Protestants at will and pleasure.  
Call to mind the Story of Queen Mary, who did not without our D. hate the Nation, how she persuaded our Forefathers, and especially the Suffolk-men to Fight for Her, under many promises, and assurances, that She would establish them in their Protestant Religion, but She having obtained her end, and got into the Throne by their Assistance, She Burnt more Protestants of Suffolk, then of any other County in England.  
Therefore if you believe like men or Christians, acquit yourselves like men for the Glory of God, the safety of the King's Person, and the benefit of yourselves and posterity in opposing such designs (of which (if effected) will render you of all men most miserable.)  

Cardinal of Norfolk's Letter to Mr. Coleman.  By his Letter of the Fourth of January 1676. It appears Sir Henry Tichborn was a Messenger to Rome. He rejoiceth at the Prorogation— saith if the King would do well all would be well. Hopes to serve the Duke to good purpose.  
In his Letter of the Eighth of February 1676. Saith he doth all he can to serve the Duke— Hath writ to Mr. Haies at his Brothers— moveth that the King's Ministers may join with the Pope's Ministers about P. Furstenburge, and about the peace, and the Pope will send a Minister on purpose.  
His Letter of March 1676. was signed Cardinal of Norfolk, 
Mr. Coleman to be asked who the Messenger was  was sent by an express that was to return with what his Master and Mistress had to Communicate— this was a Letter of Credence.  
In his Letter of March 14th. 1676. he odrers Mr. Laburne his Auditor to write— understands the Duke received his— useth to direct his Letters to the Portugal Ambassador for Mr. Coleman. Takes notice of Plunket having the Letter of Archbishop Talbot at Rome— offers his service to the Duke and all the Catholics whether they will or no— saith Talbot is enough to spoil all— his constant custom is forging Letters— saith if the Duke make use of him he will much disgrace himself, and the cause and put the Catholics in derision, which is the way to destroy them— which if then Cardinal Norfolk and his Confriers may shut up their Shops— If he had not taken care the Match had been broken off with the Duchess— that a Friend of his at Paris first set the Match on foot— saith he promoted the Match to serve the Duke and the Catholic Religion in England, and that he and his are in great Power with Rome and Spain— saith it will prejudice the Duke if he be partial— complains of want of Countenance from the King— proposeth a Barony to be got of the King for him to get Money for— proposeth the Duke may manage it— saith, it would be no Scandala Magnata though for a Catholic more then when Sir Francis Radcliff was in motion— takes notice the Pope is not satisfied with the Education of the Duke's Daughters. Despairs not of getting a Pension from Rome for the Duchess' Secretary.  
In his Letter of the 24th. of March owns the Receipt of Letters of the 17th. and 20th. of March. Takes notice of the Duke's being advanced to the Catholic Religion to the Joy of the Pope, but by his of the 27th. fully completed their Joy— hopes the Duchess will bring forth a Happy Roman Catholic.  
In his Letter of the 20th of June rejoiceth, that the Duchess will write to the Pope, 
This confirms Mr. Oates.  takes notice that there is and hath been Long a Bishop for England. That they intent to send him with others when due time will be.  
In his Letter of the 21th of September— We promise ourselves, that he will do much for the Catholic Religion— That the Cardinal hath writ to the Duke and Duchess, and invites their Highnesses to write to the Pope— The Pope and the Cardinals rejoice at the Duchess' Delivery of a Daughter.  
In his Letter of April the 18th 1676. takes notice that Sir Henry Tichbourn had Audience of the Pope. That there was a dispensation granted for the Duchess' Marriage, which was delayed before, because the Pope was not fully satisfied of the Duke's being a Catholic— The Pope desires not the Duke to declare himself a Roman Catholic rashly and unadvisedly, but would have him not conform to the Church of England,— wrote for 100000 Crowns to Rome for the Duke— hopes in time to get a pension for the Duchess' Secretary— Takes notice of one that called himself the Duke's Agent at Rome, supposed to be an Italian. He left a Letter at Cardinal Barbarin's. Cardinal Norfolk offers John Laborn to be the Duke's Agent, for that it's fit for him to have one, and that the Cardinal will supply what he cannot do, and desires it may be offered the Duke in his Name— Takes notice that he is now the Queen's Servant— That he writ by Sir Henry Tichborn to the Duke and Duchess lately.  
In his 16th of May 1676. saith, if the Duke or Duchess employ the Archbishop of Dublin it will confound their Affairs.  
This Letter of the 5th of September 1676. takes notice that Cardinal Norfolk hath received Letters from the King and Duke, enjoining his adherence to the French— taketh notice that he hath writ to the Lord Arundel, Mr. Haies &c.— That he hath refused Bishoprics from France and Spain.  
This Letter is signed John Laborn.  

Laborns Letter to Coleman.  In his Letter of July 10th. takes notice of the Pope's receipt of the Duke's Letter, which made him shed Tears. That an answer will shortly be sent, though upon the matter it hath been done anticipatedly— makes great expressions of his esteem of the Duke.  
In his Letter of January 1st 1678— saith the Duke's Letter to the Pope, about the Marriage of his Daughter to the Prince of Orange hath been delivered— The Pope remains satisfied that the Duke was in no fault, but his intended answer will not touch that fault—  
In his Letter of the 18th December 1677. takes notice, that the Duke of Modena intends a Voyage to London—  
His Letter of the 28th of November, saith Mr. Coni's naming to Duchess Lauderdale Mr. Colemans Correspondent is much wondered at here—  
In his Letter of the 20th of November, takes notice of a Brief sent to the Queen, from the Pope by an Irishman, who delivered it to the Lady Fingal—  
In his Letter of September 11th 1677. Cardinal Norfolk would know whether the Brief sent the Queen be received—  
In his Letter of the 23th of June 1677. takes notice that the Brief to the Duke is in Cardinal Norfolk's hands, and that nothing finer or fuller could be expected in that kind— that two pair of Beads were sent the Duke and Duchess, from the Pope, with ample Indulgences— It's desired some English Priests may be with the Pope's Nuncio at Nineguen.  
In his Letter of July 24th. saith Mr. G. R. hath this day a Brief of the Pope in answer to the Letter of the Dukes—  
Cardinal Norfolk's Letter of 27th. of July 1677. Takes notice of the Brief in Answer to the second Letter of his Royal Highness, prays God to grant this new correspondence a Blessing, whereof the whole Nation may experience happy effects—  
In Laborns Letter of July 20th. nothing of Moment.  
His Letter 16th of July, speaks of a Match for the Lady Ann with the Duke of Florence—  
His Letter of the 9th of July, shows the design of Rome to remove Plate, and to set the Inquisition upon him— He hath writ more particularly to the Lord Arundel.  
His Letter of June 25. saith Plate hath been so impertinent as to own himself a Protestant.  
In his Letter of October 1st 1678. nothing material.  
In his Letter May 29th. acquaints him with the Miscarriage of the Duke's Letter to the Pope, sent by Con with a Brief, will be sent to the Duke by Mr. Thomas Howard— The Duke's Letter was delivered to the Pope's Nuncio in France.  
In his Letter of August 6th. owns the Receipt of a Letter from the Lord Arundel.  
In his Letter of August 20. nothing Material.  
His Letter of August 17th, saith the Duke's Letter to the Pope miscarried, desires a Duplicate to supply it.  
In his Letter of April 30th. the Lord Arundel is writ to, to get Plate out—  
His Letter of August 13. saith the Duke of Florence is acquainted with what the Lord Arundel and Coleman writ about, Plate takes it kindly.  
There are many other Letters of much greater Moment, which were never Abstracted, that we cannot yet come to the sight of, being among other pass sealed up, and in the Custody of the late secret Committee of the House of Commons, and are not to be opened until the next Parliament.   
FINIS.