THE NARRATIVE OF Mr. William Boys, CITIZEN OF LONDON:  
Faithfully Relating what came to his Knowledge concerning the Late Horrid POPISH PLOT, and the Death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, by his Acquaintance with, and Attendance upon Mr. Miles Prance, before, and after his being Taken and Imprisoned,  
WHEREIN Many things not yet Discovered to the World, Relating to the Truth of the King's Evidence, and the Gild Charged upon Philiberd Vernatti (formerly Servant to the Lord Bellasis) Gerrard, Kelle, and Lusan Priests; All Fled for the said Fact is made Manifest.  
PUBLISHED For the Conviction of all Gain-sayers, and the Vindication of the said Mr. Boys from the Aspersion the Popish Party would have cast upon him, for his Faithfulness in finding out their Devilish Designs, made Evident by the many Snares laid for him.  
LONDON, Printed for Dorman Newman at the Sign of the King's Arms in the Poultry. 1680.   

I Do appoint Mr. Dorman Newman and no other, to Print this my NARRATIVE.  
WILLIAM BOYS.   

THE NARRATIVE OF Mr. William Boys.  
THe Malicious Slanders, and Scandalous Reproaches thrown upon me for my good Intentions to Serve my King, and Country, being the Contrivances of that Neversleeping Party, who have left no stone unturned to abolish the Belief of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey's Murder, at least as any way Reflecting upon Romish Design, have occasioned me to Publish these few sheets, not only for the Vindication of my own Innocence, but also for the General Satisfaction of the Nation, and for its farther Confirmation by several particulars never yet made Public to the world.  
That I was a faithful Instrument to procure the Discovery of that Inhuman and deeply Meditated Murder, is a thing well known to many, as having been particularly employed by His Majesty and the Council, to persuade Mr. Prance to Discharge the Conscience of a Christian, by making a true Confession, because of my great Acquaintance and daily Familiarity with him. Which they, who felt the fatal Consequences of my sincere Endeavours, so deeply laid to heart, that they sought several ways to Ensnare my Life, and Undermine my Reputation, accusing me of being a Party concerned, and one that spoke by the Dictates of Fear or Imposture; and therefore not to be Credited, whereby they aimed to kill two Birds with one Stone, that is to say, to stop the Progress of Protestant belief, and Satisfy their Revenge upon me. Therefore for the Satisfaction of the world, and my own Vindication, I thought it but necessary to give this Real and Faithful Account of my Proceedings and Transactings in reference to my Accusations.  
In the first place, I was Bred up in a Protestant Family from my Infancy, as being the Son of Mr. Rowland Boys, a Clothier in the City of Worcester; and I have all along Professed the same Religion. True it is, that Neighbourhood and a Sociable Temper brought me into the Acquaintance of several Roman Catholics, with whom I had frequent Converse, but with none so strictly obliged in Friendship as with Mr. Miles Prance, between whom and myself there was a more than ordinary Intimacy, which gave cause of Suspicion to many, that I was of the same Persuasion; though indeed the true ground of such Familiarity was only upon the frequent occasions of mutual Commerce. A reason for intimate Converse so fair, that a more probable cannot be given, nor more frequently in practice, there being nothing that Familiarises even Familiarity itself, so much as the League of Friendship and Profit, and the dependency of Trades one upon another, I being an Artist in Lampwork, for the making all manner of Curious Representations in Glass.  
Upon the 29 th'. of September was Twelvemonth, at my Return out of the Country, I was by my Neighbour Mr. Prance invited to Dinner, in Token of a courteous Welcome-Home. While we were merry at Table one Thomas Haddon, a Lodger at that time in Mr. Prance's House, came in very hastily full of private Intelligence, which Mr. Prance having understood in a Corner of the Room, returned to his Guests with a Sorrowful and Pensive Countenance. Which sudden alteration occasioned me out of Friendship, to be more than ordinarily inquisitive into the Causes of so Disconsolate a Change. At first he seemed very shy and reserved, but when I pressed him more closely, he told me, That several of his Friends had been taken out of their Beds the night before, and carried to Prison. I asked him whether he knew the cause of their Apprehension? He answered, No. Perhaps said I they may prove to be Highwaymen, and then your Grief will soon be over, though they should receive the Reward of their Misdeeds. To which Mr. Prance returned, That they were persons falsely accused, but that th●i● Crime was not for Robbing upon the Highway. Whereupon I bid him be of good Comfort and tear nothing, for that Innocency would justify itself. While we were thus Discoursing, in came one Grove, a Schoolmaster, living in Princes-street, in the Company of another Stranger, who both took Mr. Prance aside to the end of the Room, where they Whispered for some time together, so that I could not understand any thing of their Discourse; only Grove was overheard to say, His Uncle Grove (who was since Hanged) was taken.  
After we had stayed till toward night, the Company that had Dined together, that is to say, Mr. Prance, Haddon, myself and others, went all to a Coffeehouse in Drewry-Lane, where Mr. Prance being known to be a Papist, was Greeted with a very Sour Welcome by one of the Company, in these words. Now all the Bloody Designs of you Papists are Discovered, and several of your Priests and Jesuits are apprehended for High-Treason, for attempting to Kill the King and Destroy the Protestant Religion. These words did not a little Nettle Mr. Prance, who therefore to vindicate the Innocency of his own Party, smartly replied, That they who were taken were Honest men, and that he would prove them so to be. Which Dispute (one word begetting another) grew to that degree of Heat, that I was afraid of an absolute Quarrel, which would have ended in nothing but Blows. Whereupon I took an opportunity to persuade Mr. Prance to leave the place, and to retire to the Tavern; where being in private, I endeavoured to get out of him the truth and the occasion of these odd Passages; but he would give me no satisfaction, only continued stiff and firm in the Vindication of his Friends, the apprehended Papists.  
On the first of October, Mr. Prance was sent for to the same Coffeehouse, and Threatened by some persons, that they would have him before the King and Council for his vindication of Traitors, and the extravagant Expressions he had uttered the last time he was there. To which Mr. P. more calmly answered, that he would send for me, and hear what I would say to it, which he accordingly did. When I came, I told him, he was much to be blamed for delivering himself in such high Terms, but that I hoped there would be no farther notice taken of his words, in regard he was known, or at least verily believed to be an Honest man, and no way concerned in Designs of so wicked a Nature. To which he replied, That he was as Innocent as the Child unborn. After he made this Protestation, we went both of us to the Parties that had Threatened him, and I, undertaking to be his Advocate, desired them that they would not call a man in Question for a few rash words, especially since they knew nothing of ill in his Behaviour, but had rather experienced the contrary: who being by that means pacified and obliged to a kind promise of Civility, I advised him to be more careful for the future and go home about his Business.  
About a 11. or 12. a Clock the same Night, Mr. P. being a Bed, was put into a most terrible Affrightment; for hearing as he lay, the Noise of a Constable and his Watch passing along the Street, he verily imagined that they had been come to apprehend him. This sudden Terror caused him to call up his Lodger Haddon; who having made himself ready, and observed the Coast to be clear about his House, away went Mr. P. to seek a safer Harbour: which when I understood the next day, I Checked him for his idle Fears and groundless Apprehensions, and Counselled him to stay at home. To which he made this short answer, That he was afraid, and could not help it. Thereupon, in point of Friendship I offered him my own house, and there entertained him for two Nights, viz. the 2 d. and 3 d. of October; but withal I advised him that if any Officer should come to inquire for him at his own house, that he should immediately Surrender himself, for that the bare Suggestions and Surmises of his Neighbours could be no Proof against him, and that his own Innocency would overcome all.  
Upon the coming forth of the King's Proclamation, Mr. P. not being willing to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, was resolved to have gone out of Town. But when he Communicated his Intentions to me, and had Discovered the Scruples of his Conscience, I persuaded him not to be so over nice, but to take the Oaths, and not only used all the Arguments my own Capacity had furnished me withal, but also for his clearer Information and Instruction proffered to go along with him to the Bishop of London, Dr. Stilling-fleet, or Dr. Burnet, who, I did not Question, would give him those convincing Arguments that would oblige him to embrace the Protestant Religion and forsake Popery. Which Discourse of mine so far prevailed upon him, that he went and took the Oaths both of Allegiance, and Supremacy, in obedience to the King's Command: and after that, went along with me to hear Dr. Sharp, whose Sound Divinity confirmed him in what he had done.  
This Success engaged me to improve my Industry with others, that were his Friends and Visiters; particularly with one Mr. Edward's, a most Severe Roman Catholic, living in Browns-Court in the Old-Bayley, whom I met at Mr. Prance's House, and there endeavoured to persuade him to a Conformity with the Church of England. But his obstinacy was such, that he utterly refused to think of any alteration in his Opinion; not but that he loved the King, as he said, but that he would not Swear Allegiance to him. Upon which some Discourse arising between the said Mr. Edward's and myself, wherein Mr. Edward's seemed to complain of the hard measure which was Dealt to the Roman Catholics, that being Subjects and Freeborn-men, they should be forced like Exiles, from their Homes and Habitations, merely for not acting against their Consciences. But here, I met with so angry aRebuke for declaring, in justification of the Proclamation, that no good Subjects would Scruple to take those Oaths which were Commanded by Him, to whom they owed their Protection, that I thought myself in some danger of my Life. For one Mr. Owen a Zealot of the same Leaven, taking up the Cudgels against me, flatly told me that I was no Honest man to speak in defence of his Majesty's public Command, called me, in a vehement Passion, Great Heretic, and with a Menacing fury bore up so close me, that I expected some immediate Act of Violence, which perhaps he had executed, had not my Sister, in a trembling sear stepped between and pulled me away from the Company. However I accounted myself not a little happy in the good Office I had done my friend Mr. P. And I make this short instance, not only to show how difficult a thing it is, to cure the Cankered obstinacy of men Intoxicated and Stupefied with the Destructive Principles of Popery, but in some measure to let it appear to the world, that the good Service Mr. P. has done, was not an Act, so much proceeding from the hopes of future advantage, but by the Inducements of a fair and Candid Reformation.  
Soon after these Passages had happened, there was a secret Murmuring among the Neighbours, that doubtless Mr. P. was concerned in the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, for that he was so timorous as to lie from his House, and because he was also the Queen's Servant. But for my part, when I heard these dangerous Rumours, I still reproved the Reporters for going about to bring a person causelessly into trouble, not deeming him in the least to have been Guilty.  
At another time, when Vernatti was with Mr. P. at the Horse-shoe Tavern, in the Company also of the beforenamed Haddon, Dr. Parratt's man, whose Office it was to Collect Money from the Friends of Deceased Papists to have Masses said for their Souls in Purgatory, it happened that I came in, I knew not what their Discourse was before I entered the room; but so soon as Haddon was gone, Vernatti fell upon me with all his persuasive Arguments to Reconcile me to the Church of Rome, and would have used perhaps many more words, but that Mr. P. told him, it was in vain to trouble himself. And indeed it was but an ill time for him to think of Converting me, who had the same Design upon his present Friend.  
Upon the 20 th'. of December, when Mr. P. was Apprehended and carried away, his Wife with Tears in her eyes came to me, and requested me to go and give my Testimony for him, that he lay at my House such and such nights, and therefore could not be Guilty of the Crime that was laid to his Charge; I went accordingly to speak what I knew, but my Testimony would not then be admitted. Yet in regard I had Discovered so much kindness for him, and such an Intimacy with him, it was Ordered by some of the Members of the House of Commons, that my House should be Searched; believing there might there be found some Letters perhaps belonging to Mr. Prance, from whence they might Collect some farther Discovery of a truth which they were so diligently labouring to find out. For the Execution of this Order, the Officers appointed came to one Mr. Robert Sexton's House in Princes-street, who understanding their business, and being my very good friend, persuaded them to desist, or at least to stay for some time, till I came thither myself, in regard it might bring a Scandal upon me, and breed an ill Opinion of me among my new Neighbours (for I was but a little before removed to my House near Ludgate) Luckily I came into Mr. Sextons, while the Officers and he were in this Debate. They strictly examined me what I knew of Mr. P. and his Actions, and told me they came to Search my House. I readily desired them to do it, while I stayed where I was; but entreated them to do it with as little noise as might be, for the reason's beforementioned; assuring them withal, that I had no Letters, Books, or Papers that any way in the world concerned Mr. P, which gave them sufficient Satisfaction.  
Much about this time Mr. P. was more strictly examined before the King and Council, where he first made a Confession, and then denied all again; whereupon he was sent back to Newgate. But the Honourable Board having been informed that I had been intimate with the Prisoner, sent for me, to try whether any thing to the purpose might be gathered from me in point of Circumstance or otherwise. I answered directly to all Questions demanded, to the utmost of my knowledge. But not being privy to any thing of the Murder, I could not give that Satisfaction which was sought for, so that I was ordered to attend the next day being the 4 th'. of January, and to bring along with me my Wife and Servant. We were severally called in, and narrowly examined about many things in relation to Mr. P. What he was? When he lay at my house? We Answered, that we knew no ill of him, but that we thought him to be a very Honest man. We also told them the time that he lay at my House, and the occasion, as is before declared. Which gave the Council such satisfaction, that we were all Discharged.  
The Council being thus satisfied that I was a Protestant, and a person of honest repute, sent for me again upon the 10 th'. of January, and commanded me to go to Newgate, and to endeavour to draw what I could out of him, concerning the Murder of which he was Accused, and to see whether I could persuade him to make a full Confession of the truth. Accordingly I went, put several Questions to him, and begged of him over and over to Discharge his Conscience, and to tell the Truth. Mr. P. seemed to be very joyful to see his old Friend, but would Confess nothing, and to all my Questions made only this general Answer, That he was Innocent of the Horrid Murder; however he entreated me to come again, and not to forsake him in his Distress. I promised to return the next day, and did so; but then I found him like a person almost Distracted, and observed that in his Frantic Passions he would often repeat his Innocency, and his ignorance of the Murder, but yet when he was asked any Question about it, he never answered to the purpose. Seeing therefore that I could by no means engage him to Confess the Fact, and that all my Labour had been hitherto in vain, I returned back to the Council and gave them an account of what I had done. Nevertheless they ordered me to persist, and to make use of all the means and Persuasions that I thought might take effect to oblige him to Discover the particulars of a Murder, in which they were fully persuaded he was none of the least Active Conspirators. And indeed such was the Care and Diligence of those great Personages in the Discovery of that Detestable Murder, that they gave me great encouragement to return again, and seemed to intimate some hopes of favour to the relenting Prisoner. The two sorrowful Brothers of the Murdered Knight went along with me, and stayed in another Room while I Discoursed, entreated and persuaded the Prisoner, and spent many kind and friendly words in vain, for nothing yet could prevail. In the Evening upon the 11 th'. of January D. Lloyd, the Dean of Bangor, came to him, and calling for me, showed me before Mr. Prance's face a Warrant for his Pardon, entreating him withal upon his Majesties so Gracious and Condescending Mercy, to Discover his knowledge. He would not at first believe the Warrant to be real, For, said he, to me, if it were so, why had not you brought it as well as the Doctor? After many persuasions reiterated in vain, the Doctor perceiving him in a bad Condition of Health, would not urge him any farther that Night; only wished him a Physician to give him such Prescriptions as he wanted; whereupon I besought him to take care that some one of the King's Physicians might be sent him; which he procured accordingly. So that about one of the Clock the same Night I being left with him all the while, Mr. Dickyson came to him, and gave him such proper Remedies as perfectly recovered him. The next day, being Sunday the 12 th'. of January I returned to him again, and spent the whole Afternoon with him, entreating him with many persuasions as well for his own and his Family's sake, as for the public good, that he would not conceal from merited Justice, those whom now I was fully convinced, that he knew to be such notorious Offenders; but that he would at length declare his knowledge. Urging him withal, not to lose the fair opportunity that was offered to him to have both his Life and his Liberty, which if now neglected, might cost him a dear and too late Repentance. At that time I pressed him so effectually, that he began to speak something to the purpose, telling me that he had seen a Relation of the Murder, but, that never being personally concerned in the Fact, he knew nothing more than what he had learned from that Narrative. I asked him who showed him the Relation? He answered, Vernatti, but this seemed not Satisfactory to me. For upon farther Discourse with him, I perceived that he gave me an account, not as from a second Hand, but as one that had been all along concerned in the Fact. After a long Debate, and many Persuasions, at length I told him, that I was assured of his Pardon, if he would ingeniously and in time Confess the whole matter, and how far he himself had been concerned. That I knew there were others in Prison for the same Crime, who if they should first Reveal the Business, his Confession would only serve to Condemn himself; and therefore I advised him, as he loved his life, speedily to prevent his own Misfortune, by giving a free and exact account of the Murder; in regard it was plain, that Vernatti would never have trusted him with the Relation of such a Secret, had he not been a Confederate. That night I could get no more out of him, so that I left him to ponder upon what I had said to him. Which had that good effect, that by break of day the next Morning being the 13 th'. of Jan. I was sent for to the Prison, to speak with Mr. P. And that very morning it was, that he Discovered to me all that he knew of the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and of something more relating to the Plot itself, and gave me a full account of the manner of the Action, if not in the same words yet altogether the same in Substance, which he himself hath already made public to the world, to which, for avoiding a needless Repetition I refer the Reader.  
When I brought the account to the King and Council, they gave me my Oath to Confirm that the Recital of it came immediately from Mr. Prances mouth which I readily took, as being a most certain Truth. I farther told his Majesty what Mr. P. had revealed to me of the Design of Prossers Matteson, Adamson, and Bradshaw; to have Murdered the Right Honourable the Earl of Shaftsbury. And indeed such was the Indefatigable Care and Industry of that Noble Peer in Prosecuting the Discovery of the Plot, such his unwearied endeavours to secure his Majesty and the Kingdom, by his Wisdom and Councils from the Attempts of our Enemies, that they have merited the thankful applause of the whole Nation. No wonder therefore that the Papists should be so zealous to remove so great an Obstacle of their wicked Conspiracies out of the way.  
I also gave an account of what Mr. P. had revealed to me concerning the Plot, or at least of so much as he know. All which things Mr. P. has since himself more amply declared either in his own Narrative, or in the Testimonies which he gave against the several persons, since Convicted and Executed for the Crimes in some part by him proved against them.  
When the Kings most Excellent Majesty had received a full Information of all these things from me, part in Writing, part by word of Mouth; he caused Warrants to be issued forth for the apprehension of Prosser, Bradshaw, etc. and by me sent an Order to Captain Richardson to bring Mr. P. up to the Council the same day. The King was then present, and took the pains to examine him himself, to every particular of what I had delivered and declared; all which Mr. P. confirmed as he had before Confessed to me in the Prison; and further declared to his Majesty, That he would stand by his said Confession with the hazard or loss of his Life.  
In consideration of this Confession, his Majesty was pleased to command that Mr. P. should have his Pardon, and that Captain Richardson should suffer him to want for nothing. I was also ordered to keep him Company every day. For the King's Majesty and Council were pleased to be so sensible of the pains I had taken, to bring that horrid Murder to light, that the Earl of Essex, a most Noble and Prudent Counsellor, with the rest of the Honourable Board, did me the high favour to return me a particular thanks. And Sir Robert Southwell afterwards declared in the Lobby before several persons that I had Discharged a good Conscience both toward God and man. And therefore in requital of my good Service upon that occasion, upon the 29 th'. of Jan. his Majesty in Council was most graciously pleased to make the following Order in my behalf.  
At the Court at Whitehall the 29 th'. of January 1678/9.  
Present the Kings Most Excellent Majesty.  
The Lords of the Committee of Examinations, having this day represented to his Majesty in Council, the necessity of having a stock of three or four Hundred Pounds, to answer the Occasions of the Committee, did among other particulars make mention of the Service which had been done by Mr. William Boys, who had for a long time left his own occasions, and the following of his Trade, to obey the Orders of the said Committee, and frequently to resort to his Neighbour Mr. Prance, in order to Discover the truth of the Evidence which he had given touching the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and their Lordships praying that his Majesty would please to bestow some mark of his Favour upon him to the value of 30 l. His Majesty was pleased to Order, and it is hereby Ordered accordingly, That the Right Honourable the Lord High Treasurer of England do forthwith cause to be paid to the said William Boys the Sum of Thirty Pounds Sterling, as of his Majesty's free Gift and Bounty to him, out of the Stock, which by the said Committee is desired to answer the Service which is under their Care.  
Robert Southwell.  

After the Trials of the Murderers were over, I waited upon the Right Honourable, the Earl of Essex to entreat his favourable Assistance and his kind word to his Majesty and Council in behalf of Mr. P. that he might be released out of Prison; That as I had been an Aid and Succour to him in the time of his Trouble, I might not be thought to leave the work imperfect, which I had in Friendship begun; having no other end or aim in all my Actions Relating to this Affair, than to approve myself a good and Loyal Subject, a true Protestant and a Cordial Friend. Neither am I conscious to myself of having failed in any one of these particulars; for which, my Innocency will at no time refuse with all humility to make its appeal to those Noble Lords who were the discerning Witnesses of my behaviour, as having frequent occasion to attend upon them, during Mr. Prance's Imprisonment.  
Therefore for several reasons, I thought it but necessary to give this short account and Narrative to the world as being, First,  
1. An Eye-witness of his Majesty's most Princely and Tender Care, and unwearied pains, which he took at that time for the public Security of the Nation, and to bring the Offenders to Condign punishment. And that the Lords of the Council were no less vigorously Active to second his Sovereign Resolutions with their most prudent Advice, and continual and laborious Scrutinies.  
2. To confirm the Relation of the Murder made by Mr. P. as being first received by myself from his own Mouth, which I do Attest before God and the whole world to agree in all particulars with what he himself has Published, and so absolutely consent, that I should but have incurred the blame of tiring or abusing the Reader with a Repetition of the same words again. Nor was it extorted from him by any other Wrack or Torture, then that of a Dismayed and Distracted Conscience, which could not Disburden itself till it had thrown off the Shackles of those fears and jealousies that usually perplex the Guilty, especially considering the remediless Dilemma that was put upon him; that Labyrinth of Life or Death, wherein he found himself intrigued without hopes of ever getting forth, unless he made use in time of the Silken Clue that was offered.  
3. In the third place, I thought it was a duty owing to my own Reputation, to disengage it from the Scandals throw upon me by the Papists, who would make the world believe me to be a Fanatic. As also to rescue it from some ill thoughts of the Protestants who suspected me to be a Papist, in regard of my frequent Converse with those of the Roman Catholic Profession.  
As for the Papists, it was no more than I expected from them, who being unwilling to believe so horrid a Murder, perpetrated by the contrivance of their dignified Priests and Confessors, or ashamed that such an eternal Blur should contaminate their Ecclesiastical History, care not what Blemishes and Scandals they throw upon others, to wipe off the Reproach from themselves. Which in regard it has been their continued practice from the beginning of the first Discovery of that Villainous Murder, the Effects whereof have only redounded to their farther shame and Confusion, I have great reason not to question but that the Reports which they have raised upon me, will be as little regarded, as those vilifying Imputations, which they vainly cast upon others. Although, were it true, that I were a Fanatic, I should not account myself so ignominious, as if I were in the number of the Papists, with that weight of Blood and intended Massacre upon their Shoulders. I lightly pass over that other Reproach of theirs, That I was a Presbyterian Rascal, and that if it had not been for such a Presbyterian Rogue as I, Mr. P. had never made his Discovery, as being of little or no value.  
As for the Protestants, I must confess that their Suspicions do not a little trouble me, and I cannot but look upon their unkindness as proceeding from somewhat of Ingratitude; since that Familiarity with which they so upbraid me, happened to be so Fortunate for their Advantage.  
But for their satisfaction, I do declare that I never was a Papist, nor of any other Profession then that of the Church of England, in which I also intent to live and die. Nor was I ever concerned in any of the foul Actions of the Papists relating to the Plot, or the Barbarous Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, but as an Instrument to Discover the Truth: being looked upon by his Majesty and his most Honourable Privy Council as the fittest, and most likely person to Succeed, by reason of my Acquaintance and Familiarity with Mr. Prance.  
And to show how Careful and Faithful I was in the Management of that Secret wherewith I was entrusted by his Majesty, I must farther declare, That when Mr. Redding, who had often sought for me at my house, and having at last found me out, and by all Persuasions and Arguments imaginable, had endeavoured to get from me a Copy of Mr. Prance's Confession and Depositions (which was highly pressed upon me at the Dog Tavern near Ludgate) I refused him with Indignation of all his promised Encouragements and Rewards; telling him withal, that as I had been entrusted by his Majesty in the Business, I would by no means or persuasions in the world Falsify so great a Trust, nor Discover what Mr. P. had revealed before the season of due allowance.  
When Mr. Reading had given me over, there came two other Gentlemen to me with the same Proposals; assuring me of a great Reward in hand, to let them have Mr. Prances Confession, and what he had Discovered concerning the Murder, and the Plot. But all their Promises could not move me in the least to betray a Trust, so Graciously reposed in me by my Sovereign; and with the Honour and Satisfaction of having so done, I hope to live with a more quiet Conscience upon the small gains of my Lawful Industry, than upon the more abounding ways of Treachery, and Infidelity.  
Neither may I here omit to tell my Revilers, that while I was in the midst of that Service which I performed, I was not without some disencouraging Apprehensions of being in danger of my Life. For being one Evening at Mr. Sexton's House in Princes-street, three persons living hard by, and well known to be of the Popish Gang, were observed to stand waiting at the Corner of the same Street, who when they perceived that I was coming forth, withdrew themselves towards Lincolns-Inn-Fields, which was my directest way home; of which, Notice being given to Mr. Sexton, both he and the rest of my Friends advised me to take another way, in regard it was dark, and fearing those persons were upon the Watch to do me a Mischief. The persons names were, one Tarleton, a Guilder, since Fled for being concerned in Guilding Milled Shillings, and one Aldrige a Turner, and Neighbour thereby, with one more who was a Stranger; which, with what I have already said, I hope may serve to quash the Mistrusts of my Religion, and satisfy all good Protestants of the reality and sincerity of my Intentions.  
Now so soon as I had obtained Mr. Prance's absolute Enlargement, I brought him to Princes-street to see his Wife, whom he had not seen all the time of his Confinement, and there alighted at Mr. Sexton's House. At that time the same Aldrige abovementioned, with his Wife and some others, began to renew their former Malice, muttering one to another that the Rogue P. was come out of Prison, and that the Presbyterian Rogue Boys was with him; which not sufficing, they also began to vent their Spleen in irreverent Language against his Majesty himself; for which I had them seized by virtue of a Warrant from several of the Justices of the Peace, who Committed them to Custody, where they remained two days, and were then carried before the Lords of the Council, who were pleased to Discharge them upon their Submission. After this, I took Mr. P. together with his Wife, home to my own house near Ludgate, where he continued for a Month. Thither also came several of the Relations of both to Visit him, as I thought, out of love, but indeed for nothing but to Tease and perplex him, by Pealing continually in his Ears, That they were afraid he had wronged his Conscience, and wishing that the Blood of those that died might not lie at his door. All which for a while Mr. P. took patiently enough, but told them withal, that he had done nothing but what Justice obliged him to do, and that had it not been for those wicked Priests and Papists who had deluded him before, he had never come into that Trouble and Disgrace which he had undergone. Perceiving then, that they came rather to vex him, than Congratulate his Delivery, I made bold to tell 'em, that I believed they were sorry that his Life was Saved, and that they had rather he should have Died than have Discovered the Truth, and so with Mr. Prance's leave, forbade them all my house, excepting only his Wife.  
Being thus disgusted, and meditating new Projects, they endeavoured all they could, to get Mr. P. from a place so inconvenient for their purposes. Which when they had effected, than they began to form New Designs, for the bringing about whereof, they thought they could find no better way, than to create a difference between Mr. P. and myself, which they intended to heighten afterwards to an absolute Quarrel and breach of Friendship.  
The Design was very silly and like the rest of their vain Imaginations; however they were resolved to put it in execution, hoping that when they had set us once at Defiance, that some strange Incongruities and Incoherencies would have dropped from us for them to lay hold on, and to make their advantages of. So carefully is that great Maxim of the Pope, Divide and Reign, diffused from the Hand to every particular Member of the Romish Doctrine.  
To this purpose the women were the first that attempted to make Trial of their Female Cunning. The first that began to lay her Trains to blow up the long Friendship between Mr. P. and myself was one Mrs. Billing, as Mr. P. himself acknowledged, a professed Roman Catholic, set on by those of her own Religion.  
But her Plot failing, Mrs. Prance herself went to one Mrs. Dorothy Sherborn, her own Sister, and a zealous Papist▪ and Cunningly informed her, that the time was now come to be revenged upon me for being Instrumental in the Discovery of the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey; for that her Husband and I were quite fallen out. Though I have so much Charity for Mr. Prance's Wife, to believe, that she had no unkindness for me, but upon the Score of her Religion.  
This Wheedle encouraging Mrs. Sherbons' Zeal, away goes she to the Lady Powis, and informed her of the difference which themselves had forged between Mr. P. and myself, and advised her not to let slip the Opportunity that offered itself of making their Advantage of it. The Lady, believing the overture real, and consequently a thing probable to take effect, employed Mr. Dangerfield, a person at that time altogether unknown to me, to make his way into my Company, and to use his Art to the best advantage of their Design, which was to entrap me, if possible, by Prolixity of Discourse, and to gain what ever Disconcurrencies of former Evidence he could, relating to the Transactions between me and Mr. P. To which end he came to me by no name, but only as from Mr. P. upon a pretence of desiring me to cut him some Amber. To which I made him answer, that it was a thing quite out of my road, and wondered that Mr. P. who knew me better, should so far mistake my calling. The Gentleman perceiving his Error, desired to be more private with me over a glass of Wine. As for Wine I refused him, considering how he had failed in his Address, which had rendered him very suspicious to me; but in regard he came from Mr. P. as he said, I yielded to drink a Dish of Coffee or a Glass of Ale with him, yet with this Caution to myself, that I resolved the Master of the House, as much as possible he could, should be by, all the time of our stay. When we were together, Mr. D. then as I said before) unknown to me, began with the Death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey. Upon which he applauded my Kindness to Mr. P. by telling me how great a Friend I had been to him in Saving his Life. But then coming to his point, he fell on the other side to bemoan my Misfortune that I should be so ill requited for my Kindness, for that Mr. P, strangely ungrateful and forgetful of my successful Friendship, did nothing but rail at me, and speak ill things of me, behind my Back. To all which I made only this short reply, That I was very sorry for it, but for the occasion, left it to God and Mr. Prances own Conscience to be the Judges.  
To this purpose he went on much further, and left no instigations and incentives unessayed to heighten my Provocation against my Friend. However I still persisted in my good Opinion of him, believing Mr. P. to be the same person in reference to his honest affections toward me; and therefore desired M. D. to desist from any further Attempts, which would be but vain and fruitless. Which, though it silenced his farther Prosecution at that time, yet he again the next morning, still concealing his name, and pretending only came to be an admirer of Art; and therefore, seeing certain Counterfeit Necklaces in my Room, asked me, whether I made them or no? I told him, I did. Thereupon he bought some three or four, with some slight Questions beforehand, what the true value of them might be? To which I replied, That in regard he was Mr. Prances Friend, I would have no more of him, than what I sold them for to the Exchange. But he replied, he was so much an admirer of Art, that he could not but believe himself obliged to give me a Price according to his own judgement, and the value, that he himself had set upon them; which was more than I demanded. After that we parted, and I saw him no more till about ten days, or a Fortnight afterwards, at what time I met him accidentally in Fleetstreet, when he would have pressed upon me a Bottle of Wine at the Castle Tavern. But I refused it, and excused myself, by telling him, I did not care to Drink with strange Company, as being known to have been Instrumental in the Discovery of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey's Murder, and therefore did not know what Designs some people might have upon me. After which, I only met him Passant upon a Sunday in Fleetstreet with a Lady in his hand.  
All this while Mrs. Dorothy Sherborn kept an Intimate Correspondence with me and my Wife. But with no other Design than to blow the Coals of Discord between Mr. P. and me, with often Repetitions of my Kindness to her Brother-in-law Mr. P. and telling me how much he was beholding to me for his Life, for which reason, he was a very unworthy person to speak so ill of me, as he did, in all Companies. On the other side I still took his part, and justifying, that what he had done was no more than what it behooved him to do, told her, her Brother-in-Law could have no reason to speak ill of me, and that therefore I should be very cautious of believing what she said to be true.  
Notwithstanding all this, Mrs. Sherborn continued without ceasing her undermining Projects, so that neither my Wife nor I could pass by her House, but she called us in, and was still exclaiming against the good Service Mr. Prance had done, which she called one of the greatest pieces of Villainy that possibly could have been Committed. And so changing her Note, accused me, to have wrought him to make a Confession of Tales and Stories to save his Life and hazard his Soul. So that it was no wonder her Brother-in-law was so much offended at me as he was. Applauding Providence therein, that would by means of their differences unfold the Mysteries of both our iniquities.  
Which Insinuation might perhaps have wrought some effect upon my belief, well knowing how Indefatigable the Papists are to Bugbear and Terrify the Consciences of persons not well resolved, and consequently that Mr. P. might possibly be wrought upon to have some ill thought of me, but that I knew, that I had only completed what Mr. P. himself had begun; by fortifying him in his resolutions to stand to that Confession which he had made before the Lords of the Committee, and to confirm him in the ratification of his own Act and Deed.  
Seeing then, that Mrs. Sherborn pressed these things so hard upon me, I resolved to put the Question as severely to her, and desired her punctually to tell me, whether she thought there was any Plot or no? To which she answered, that she believed there was a Plot against the King and Government, but not that it was carried on by the Papists, but that I should find in a short time, that it was a Presbyterian Plot: which made me very much admire, in regard that neither by my Converse with my Acquaintance of that Profession, nor by my reading of their Books, I could find them inclined or Principled to any such Acts of Irregular Violence.  
Mrs. Sherborn being thus at a loss, one James Pemberton, living near Ladgate, Tracing her Steps, undertook to accomplish what she had begun, though he made his Batteries with the same plausible Insinuations that she had used before; as, that I had been a great Friend to Mr. P. etc. However that I had over persuaded him to Confess things of which he was no way Guilty, merely to save his Life; arguing from a supposition, that he was insufficient to be entrusted with so great a secret, that he was altogether innocent. Finding myself thus frequently and so severely encountered, I retreated to my former Question and asked him likewise, whether he thought there was any Plot or no? whose answer was to the same Tune that Mrs. Sherborn had Sung before, that he believed there was a Plot, though not of the Papists Contrivance, but by the Contrivance of the Presbyterians, and that in a short time it would be so proved: And his Grand Argument was, that the Papists had died wrongfully, or else they would have made a true Confession of themselves. I replied, that was no true proof, and showed him a Book upon the Trial of Parry, wherein it was made out, that he first Confessed the Treason against the Queen, and at his Execution denied it, against the Letters which were produced under his own hand Writing; which Book he desiring to see, I lent it him; but he found it so ill for his Turn, that though I often redemanded it of him, I could hardly get it again (by which I shrewdly conjectured that he had a mind to have embezel'd it, and dispose of it as a Heretical Story) but at last I did.  
All these Contrivances ill Succeeding, I received the following Letter from an unknown person at Westminster.  
Sir,  
I Am informed by a Friend of mine that you are a very great Artist for making Artificial Eyes. I do want Two or Three, and if your Leisure would give you leave; I am a Stranger to you, but I am in good hopes, you will do me the favour to come to me to the Dog Tavern in the Palace-yard at Westminster to Morrow by Eleven of the Clock, and inquire for the Number 2. and there you may find me, for my Occasions will not give me leave to come into the City, or else I would not give you the Trouble. So I remain hoping to be better acquainted.  
Sir, I Am Yours, William Odriffe, Angel-Yard October 31. 1679.  
This Letter I showed to several Friends, but they all concurred that it was only a Trapan, and a Design laid to ensnare me, and advised me not to go without some other persons to bear me Company. With this Caution I went, and enquired for the Number 2. but there was no such person as had subscribed his name to the Letter. I understood indeed that there was an honest Gentleman of the same Name that lived at Westminster, but being sent to by me, he utterly disowned any knowledge of the Matter, or that he had appointed any Business at the said Tavern. But it seems there was a Gang that Watched my coming, and hearing my smart enquiry for the Number 2. and my Expostulation with the Servant of the House, one of them came to me, and told me, that he and some others stayed for Mr. Odriffe, and that it could not be long ere he come; and thereupon invited me to the rest of the Company. Then I concluded 'twas time for me to march off; so I thanked him, for his Kindness and took my leave with a resolution not to come near him nor his Mr. Odriffe neither.  
When all these Designs proved fruitless, than they gave it out, that I held a Correspondence with the Earl of Danby, and that he had given me Ten pounds to pay my Rent; which, as they pretended was for some private Service, that I had either done or was to do his Lordship. A thing which I utterly disown; for I cannot remember, that ever I so much as saw the Earl of Danby in my life but once, and that was, as I was coming down with Mr. P. from his Grace the Duke of Monmouths Lodgings in the Cockpit at Whitehall, and the said Earl was passing by through the place where the Sentinel stands; and then neither did I know who his Lordship was, till the Sentinel, of whom I asked the Question, had informed me, nor did I so much as speak to him, as all that were present can Testify. And indeed it would have been a strange confident. Presumption in me to have gone to speak to a person of Honour to whom I was utterly unknown, having no business with him, as I neither had at that, or at any other time. So that how his Lordship should come to know my wants, and be so bountiful as to give me Ten Pound, I can by no means understand. However, if his Lordship were so Liberal, I had the Misfortune to be basely Cheated, for I never had it. And I wish Mrs. Sherborn would do me the Kindness to inform me, who the person was, to whom his Lordship gave order to pay the money, for I promise her, did I know the person, I should go and demand it. For if it were true, both his Lordship, and myself, are very much abused. On the other side I should have been extremely to blame, that I should not ere this have returned his Lordship my most humble Thanks for so great and special a favour: neither do I know of any person from whom I ever received a kindness, that can Tax me of so much Ingratitude. But this is like the rest of the Actions of the Papists, that care not what they say, or Swear to, so it be to advance the Interest of their Holy Mother the Church of Rome, though never so much to the Prejudice and Defamation of the Innocent.  
At length Mrs. Sherborn declares, that Mr. Dangerfield told her this Story, and that he came to have imposed upon her. A Tale which seems very Incoherent with Truth, that he should go about to Amuse or Trapan her, when they were both at the same time in the fame Confederacy together. For Mr. Dangerfield hath since declared, that he never knew me, but by her means, and that they had a real Design to have ruined me, if they found that they could not win me to serve their purposes, though with this intimation, that my compliance with them would prove a Thousand pound in my way.  
But now that the Scene is changed, Mrs. Sherborn rails against Mr. Dangerfield as much, or more than ever she did against me, and prosecutes his Failings with as loud Invectives and Aggravations, as her Anger can express. So that it is evident that the Papists do not bear so much Malice against the persons, or the Vices of men, as against their Reformations, and Recantations of their Errors. The wicked shall be Saints among them, so long as they will be Instrumental to carry on their Designs; but if once, out of an apprehension of their Mistake, or an abhorrency of the Facts which they put upon them to Execute, they seek to retrieve themselves and their Reputation, by a seasonable Repentance and Detection of the Romish Treacheries, than the most ponderous Crimes and Scandals are too light to over-whelm their recovered Reputations.  
As for Mr. Prance himself, his own Relations began to be his most bitter Enemies, and raised a Report, that he was concerned in making of Fire-balls; and that he was seen in Perpole-Lane, the Night before the New-Prison was Burnt, and that several Fire-balls had been found near the place where he had been Drinking, in that Lane, the night before. This Report so terrified Mr. Prance's Wife, as fearing it might swell to the prejudice of her Husband, that with a mind very much troubled and perplexed, she came and found me out, in a place in the City, where I was with her Husband and some other Company, and calling me aside, told me the whole Relation, and desired my assiistance to search out the Truth, which I promised her. Accordingly I went the next day to satisfy her. But after I had made all the diligent enquiry I could, I found the whole business to be grounded only upon the Idle Twattle of an Old-woman that Lodged in Perpole-Lane, who the next day after the Fire went to a Female Relation of Mr. Prances in Bride-Lane, and a Protestant, and told her of the Fire that had happened the night before, and that Mr. Prance was suspected about it: who made her answer, that she knew nothing of the Fire, neither did she believe her Kinsman any way concerned in it. However she went in Friendship to her Sister, that was a Papist, and giving her an account of what the Old-woman had told her, desired her to give Mr. Prance notice of it, as being more familiar with him. She on the other side meditating to make another sort of use of the Information, improves the Surmise, intending to have Kindled a more destructive flame to Mr. Prances disadvantage, and endeavoured to have brought not only Mr. Prance but her Sister into trouble about it. But it proved such an idle and silly invention of Popish Contrivance as only served to show the inveterate Malice of their Dying Revenge, ready to lay hold upon any seeming opportunity to have blasted the Credit of Mr. Prance's Evidence, as I made it clearly out.  
About the beginning of January Mr. Prance came to me, and told me I was to be Examined in reference to a very great and weighty Concern. I asked him whether he knew what it was? To which he made Answer, that it was not convenient for him to speak of it: but said withal, that there was a woman to be examined also with me.  
Upon which I endeavoured to Recollect my Memory, but could not call to mind any person with whom I had had any Discourse about any thing of State Affairs, as not becoming me to meddle with them.  
Thereupon I asked him who the person was that should cause me to be Examined? which he refused to tell me; a thing that I took somewhat unkindly from him, telling him that I could not have concealed any thing from him, which might have forearmed him against the Information of any person whatsoever; but all I could say signified nothing at that time.  
Upon the Twenty Second of the same Month, he invited me to a Glass of Wine at the Feathers Tavern in Fleetstreet, whither I went along with him. There we met (as I thought accidentally) with Mr. Warcupp, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and Captain Cresset, in whose Company I had not sat long, but Mr. Warcupp sent for Mr. Bedlow. After some Salutations that passed betwixt us, in came another person, who Saluted me by the Name of Mr. Boys. I returned him his Salute, but could not Divine who he was, till one in the Company taking up the Glass, presented his Service to him by the name of Mr. Dangerfield. So soon as I heard that, I asked Mr. Prance if that were the same person who was employed to make the Plot as Acted by the Presbyterians? He told me it was. Then said I, this is the person that came the last Summer to have inveigled me. Whereupon I asked him if this were the person who intended to have me Examined? To which he replied, it was: whereupon I stayed somewhat longer than I meant to have done; expecting what Mr. Dangerfield or any other person in the room might have to say to me; but there was nothing said that night.  
Upon the 29 th'. of January Mr. Dangerfield came to my House, and told me I must appear before the Lord Mayor to be by him Examined, but told me nothing of the occasion. Thereupon I went that day to my Lord's House, but his Lordship being that day busy, I had Orders to attend the next, which accordingly I did. Before I went Mr. Prance came to me, and offered to go along with me; but I refused his Courtesy, because he had Concealed the name of the Person from me, when I desired him to let me know it: Telling him withal, that I did not Question but to be able to answer any thing that should be alleged against me.  
When I came before my Lord I found the occasion of my being Summoned to be quite contrary to what Mr. Prance had intimated, as that, I had talked at a strange Rate of things of high and great Concernment. For indeed the business was only this (and I was conscious to myself it could not really be for any other reason) that I should declare and justify the Truth of Mr. Dangerfields' coming to ensnare me, how I came to have a Distrust of him, and the ways and Method which he used to engage me to a Discovery of the Secrets which the most Honourable Privy-Council had entrusted me withal, and what Mr. Prance had Confessed touching the Murder, and farther to attest my constant refusal of his Temptations, and Resistance of his plausible Batteries. Of all which I made an Affidavit before his Lordship, since Printed in Mr. Dangerfields' Second Narrative, to which I refer the Reader; which gave his Lordship Satisfaction, and serves as much as any thing, to confirm Mr. Dangerfields' Evidence.  
This is that which in Vindication of myself, I thought not only fit, but necessary to declare to the world. A Relation altogether plain, and without any Fallacy of Expression, which he that will go about to disprove, may do it if he can.  
FINIS.