London's Flames Discovered by INFORMATIONS Taken before the COMMITTEE, Appointed to Inquire after the Burning of the CITY OF LONDON.  
And after the Insolency OF THE PAPISTS, &c,  
LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1667.   

INFORMATIONS Taken from the COMMITTEE, etc. In a Letter from Alanzon of the 23d. August New-stile, Written from one Dural, to a Gentleman in the house of one of the Ministers of the French - Church in London, called Mounsieur Herald, there were these Expressions, viz.  
PRay acquaint me with the truth of certain News, which is common in this Country, that Fire from Heaven is fallen upon a City called Balk, situate on the side of the River of Thames; where a world of people have been killed and burned, and houses also consumed. Whiich seems a word of cabal cast out by some that were knowing, and others that might be ignorant of the Signification of it.  
Mrs. Elizabeth Styles saith, That in April last in an angry dispute she had with a French Servant of Sir Vere Vanes, He hastily replied. You English Maidens will like the Frenchmen better, when there is not an House left between London-bridge and Temple-bar, which she answering, I hope your eyes will never see that, He replied, This will come to pass between June and December.  
William Tisdale informs, that he being about the beginning of July, at the Greyhound in St. Martin's, with one Fitz Harris an Irish Papist, He heard him say; There will be a sad desolation in September, and in November a worse. In December all will be united into one, whereupon he asked where this desolation would be, he answered him, in London.  
Mr. Light of Ratcliff, having some discourse with one Mr. Langorne of the middle Temple, Barrister, reputed a zealous Papist; about February last, after some discourse in disputing about Religion, be took him by the hand and said to him, You expect great things in 1666, and think that Rome will be destroyed, but what if it be London?  
One Kiteley of Barking in Essex, informs that one Yaxley a Papist of Ilford in the said County, came into their House August the 13th. being in discourse with his Mother; said, They say that next Thursday, will be the Hottest day that ever was in England, She replied, I hope the hottest season of the year is now past, To which he answered, I know not whether it be the hottest for Wether or Action: The said Yaxley, coming to the same House, the week after the Fire, Mr. Kitely said to him, with some trouble; I have often thought upon your hot Thursday, To which she replied, It was not indeed upon the Thursday, but it happened upon the Sunday come seven-night after; Mr. Yaxley hearing these evidences produced against her, endeavoured to avoid the words, saying, that upon the 13th. of August she did tell Mr. Kiteley, That they say next Thursday, will be the darkest Thursday, that ever was in England, but not otherwise; Which she affirms to have received from one Fynchman; an old woman of Ilford, next being examined before a Justice of Peace, to discover the Truth thereof, denied that ever she said any such words to Mrs. Yaxley, or that she had any discourse with her about any such matter, as to the subsequent words, she the said Yaxley denied ever to have spoken them, but Mr. Kiteley offered in her presence, if it should be demanded, to bring his Mother and Wife to testify the same.  
William Ducket Member of the House, Informs that one Henry Baker of Chipnam, in the County of Willis, coming from Market with one John Woodman of Relloway in the same County, the Thursday before the fire began in London, they had some discourse about buying a yoke of fat Bullocks, wherein they differed, because Woodman who was to sell them, was desired to keep them a while in his hands, but the said Woodman denied so to do, for that as he alleged, he would not stay in the Country till that time, on which Baker would have them delivered to him, and being asked where he was going? he refused to tell; ask, What he had to do to make that question? And riding a little farther, the said Woodman expressed these words; You brave blades of Chipnam, you made Bonfires lately for beating the Dutch, but since you delight in Bonfires, you shall have your belly full of them ere it be long; adding, that if he lived one week longer, he should see London as sad a London as ever it was since the world began, and in some short time after, he should see as bloody a time in England, as ever was since England was England: This discourse was not much taken notice of, at that time when it was spoken; but when the City of London was burning, the said Henry Baker gave this information to the said Ducat; and hereupon issued out a Warrant to apprehend Woodman, but he was gone out of the Country, and cannot be heard of since  
Robert Hubert, of Roan in Normandy, who acknowledged that he was one of those that fired the house of Mr. Farmer a Baker in Pudding lane, from whence the fire had its beginning; confesses, that he came out of France with one Stephen Pedilow, about four Months before the fire began in London, and went into Sweedland with him, where he stayed also with him as his companion four months, and then they came together into England in a Sweedish Ship, called the Skipper, where he stayed on board with the said Pedilow, till that Saturday night on which the fire break out, where Pedilow taking him out of the Ship, carrying him into Pudding-lane, and he being earnest to know whether he was carrying him? he would not satisfy him, till he brought him to the place, and then he told him that he had brought three Balls, and gave him one of them into his hand to throw into the House, and he would have been farther satisfied of the design, as he said before he would execute it; but Pedilow was so impatient that he would not hear him, and then he did the fact, which was, that he put a Fireball at the end of a long pole, and lighting it with a piece of match, to put it in at a window, and stayed till he saw the house on a flame; he confesses there was three Complices, whereof Pedilow was the chief  
Mr Graves, a French Merchant living in St. Mary-ax informs; That he had known Hubert ever since he was four year old, and he ever observed him to be a person of a mischievous inclination, and therefore fit for any villainous enterprise, and because of the knowledge he had of him, he went to visit him in Prison, when he saw him he could not but commiserate his condition, wherein he had brought himself; and for his better discovery of the fact, he told him the said Hubert, that he did not believe that he had done that fact which he had confessed guilty of, to which Hubert replied, Yes I am guilty of it, and have been brought to it by the infligation of Pedilowe, but not out of any malice to the English Nation, but from a desire of that Reward he promised me, upon my return into France. [It is observable that this miserable Creature, who confessed himself before the Commissioners to be a Protestant, was a Papist, and died so;] and the aforesaid Pedilow, the said Mr. Graves informs, that he had a full knowledge of him, and knew him to be a very deboist person, and acute to any wicked design; and moreover for a clearer conviction of the guilt of the foresaid Hubert, Lowman the Keeper of the White-Lyon, was commanded to set him upon an Horse, and go with him to see if he could find out the place where he threw the fireball; upon which Hubert, with more readiness than those who were well acquainted with the place, went to Pudding lane where the very House which was first fired stood; saying, Here stood the House, the Jailor did endeavour to draw him off from that belief, and put him upon seeking for some other place, but he positively persisted in what he first said, and affirmed that to have been the said house: It being intimated to the Committee, that notwithstanding the confession of the said Hubert, it was confidently reported, that the fire in the forementioned Farmers his house began by accident, so the Commissioners sent for him the said Farmer before them, who being examined said, That it was impossible that any fire should happen in his said house by accident; for he said. After twelve of the clock at Night, he had gone through every Room thereof, and found no fire but in one Chimney, where the room was paved with brick, which fire he diligently raked up in the Embers; He was then asked, whether no window or door might let in wind to displace those Coals; He affirmed, There was no capacity for any wind to disturb them, and that it was absolutely set on fire on purpose.  
Dawes Williamson Esq one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace informs. That he saw a man apprehended near the Temple, with his pocket stuffed withh combustible matter, made of Flax, and Tow, and such like matter.  
Dr. John Parker informs, That he saw a person throw some Combustible matter into a shop in the Old-Bayly, which he thinks was the shop of an Apothecary, that immediately thereupon he saw a great smoke, and there was the smell of Brimstone, the person that did this immediately ran away, but upon the outery of the people he was taken by the Guard.  
Randal Harsland, and Humphrey Bowyer, they all agree, that they saw a person fling something into a House near St Saint-antlings Church, and that thereupon the House was on fire, and the smoke thereof filled the House on the other side of the way, and when this was done there was no fire near by a quarter of a mile.  
Michael March, a Officer of the Trained-bands in a Company of Sir Richard brown's, apprehended a woman in the time of the fire, at the Nagshead in Leaden-Hall-street, with an Instrument like a dark Lantern made, as is conceived, to lay a train of Powder, and it was filled with Gunpowder, there was two more of the same 〈◊〉 in his Company, they being asked for what use they employed the said Instrument, they would give no account thereof.  
Nawson Killingworth Esq informs, tha● he apprehended a person during the fire, about whom he found much combustible matter, and certain block things of a large figure, he could not endure to hold them in his hand by reason of their extreme heat, this person was so surprised at first, that he could not answer to any question, but being on his way to White Hall, he acted the part of a madman, so continuing whi●e he was present with him  
Sir John Maynard a Member of this House, informs he had some of that Combustible matter in his hand, and though it was in its natural consistency unfired, yet the heat was scarce to be endured by the touch.  
Mr. Freeman of Southwark Brewer, whose house there was lately burned, informs that on the day his house was fired, being a quarter of an hour before three, happened a paper with a ball of wildfire, containing near a pound wrapped up in it in the nave of a wheel, in an outer house where lay a great quantity of Timber, how this house was fired he knoweth not; but this he affirms to the Committee, it could not be by accident, because there had not been any candile or fire in the house where the Hay lay that whole day, and the Hay being laid up before Midsummer very dry, it could not possible be set on fire within itself, and moreover he said the Hay-lof●t was on fire on the top of the house, and that the fire spread from one end of the roof to the other in an instant  
Mr. Richard Harwood saith, I being near the Feathers-Tavern by St Paul's, on the 4th. of September something like wildfire by the sparkling and spitting of it, appeared, whereof he gave notice to some soldiers ne'er there, who caused it to be quenched.  
I had order from the Committee, that I traced several apprehended upon strong suspicion during the fire, and committed to the Guard, but I could not make farther discovery of them.  
A Letter.  
SIR,  
HEaring that you are Chairman of the Committee, for examining the firing of London, I thought good to acquaint you with this information that I have received; William Champress Hat band-maker, now living on Horsey-down, was upon Tuesday morning September 4 th'. 1666. in Shooe-lane, and there me with a Constable, who had apprehended a Frenchman, whom he took firing an House with fire balls, and charged the said Champress to assist him, he carried the said Frenchman to Salisbury-Court, but finding that burning down, he went into Fleetstreet, and was presently called upon by the Commander of the Guard, to know what the matter was, the Constable told him, he had apprehended one firing an House in Shooe-lane, He examined the person in French, and committed him to the Guard of the Soldiers, and told the Constable he would secure him, and carry him along with him; the Constable asked him if he should go along with him to give his evidence, he replied, He had done enough, but what became of the Frenchman he knoweth nothing,  
Your most Humble Servant. S. G.  

Taken up at Leedes by Mr. Thawites man a Recusant.  
Cover the Fire ye Hugonots,  
That have so branded us with Plots:  
And henceforth no more Bonfires make  
Till ye avaunt in the Stygian-Lake. etc.  
Dated the 5th of November, Anno Salutis 1666. & Anno primo Restitutionis Romanae Religionis in Anglia.   
In a Letter directed from Ipswich, for the honourable Sir Robert Brooks in the Parliament at Westminster▪ is intimated that about the 30th. of August last, one of the Constables of Scoton in horse-meare hundred, being upon the search of that Town about Hearth-money, was told by one Mr. William Tompson a Roman Catholic in that Town, That though times were like to be sad, yet if he found any cause to alter his Religion, he would see that he should not want; and farther said to him, what would you say if you should see that London was burnt?  

An Affidavit of a Frenchman that said, there was three hundred engaged in the firing the City of London.  
The information of Richard Bond, of the Parish of Giles in the fields, Iron-monger, Samuel Page, Francis Cogin, William Coals, Edmund Dakins, and Richard Pardoe, taken the 18th of September 1666. by me Sir Justinian Truin Knight, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, upon oath as follows.  
Richard Bond, saith, That on Thursday last, about twelve or one of the clock at night, there was a Frenchman, brought by the Watch, to the informer's father's house, at the sign of the White-Hart in King's street, taken as a suspicion person, and the said person being questioned by them the Informant, and others present, whether he was not one of those that fired the City, or had any hand therein or any private knowledge thereof, or knew any that had designed it; the said person, answered a great while in a perverse manner, quite differing from the questions; but being farther desired to tell the Truth, and being told, that if he were guilty, it was the only way to save his life, he did at first obstinately deny that he knew of any Plot, whereupon a young man took the Prisoner aside to the end of a Room, and after some discourse between them, they both returned to the Informant, and the rest of the company, and the said young man said to us plainly, in the hearing of the Prisoner the French man, That he had confessed that there were three hundred Frenchmen in a Plot, or Conspiracy; upon this the Informant and others spoke to the French man in these words; Well Master you have done very well to confess, and no doubt but you may have your Pardon, if you confess all that you know of this Plot; And thereupon farther asked him, if there were no more than three hundred persons in the said Plot? He answered, No, there are no more than three hundred, Then we enquired who they were, and how he came to know they were three hundred, to which he would give no direct answer, but put it off with o●her extravagant discourse, and being asked why he came to St Giles Parish where he was apprehended, He told a story that he came from Islington-fields, where his Master's goods were, but the goods were now removed he could not tell whether, but his Master bade him go up and down the fields, but would not tell him upon what occasion, or for what end he was so to do, and he being asked whether there were three hundred men engaged in this design? He replied, That there were three hundred engaged in it: And the Names of the Persons present at the Prisoner's Confession of the Plot were, Edmund Dakings Seniour, of Holborn, near Turnstile, Littingam Bell living by Holborn, and another youngman.  
The Information of William Coles of Cow-Lane London, and Samuel Page of Gyles in the Fields Weavour, Edmond Daking, of Gyles in the Fields, and Francis Cogin of St. Andrews Holborn, and Richard Pardoe Victualler, and one other rending to the Confirmation of the foregoing Walloone.   

An Extract of a Letter from Heidelberg in the Palatinate September 29th. 1666.  
SIR,  
YOurs of the 6th. currant came to me on Wednesday, and brought me tidings of the burning of London constantly believed amongst the Irish to my knowledge, this fifteen years since, was to happen this year, on which they do also promise to themselves and others, the Introduction of the public exercise of the Catholic Religion.  
This was sent to Mr. John Altock, who lived in Gravel-lane in Shadwell and negotiates the business of the Palatinate, and will produce the Original if there be occasion.  
In a Letter to Sir John F●ederick and Mr. Nathaniel turn, from Northampton, the 8. of September 1666. subscribed Henry Chowne; wherein is mentioned: That he the said Chowne had thoughts to come to London that week, but they we●e in distraction concerning the Papists, fearing they would show themselves all that day; and that he had been to search a Papists house, within six miles of that place he with another Justice of the Peace met with the Gentleman's brother, who is a Papist going to London, whom they searched, and found a Letter which he had received coming from his Sister, twenty miles off from him, wherein is expressed, That a great deal of business is in hand, not to be committed to paper as the times are.   

Baker's Information to Ducat, concerning John Goodman, about the destruction of London.  
Upon the 9 of September 1666. being the Sunday after the Fire began in the City of London, one Henry Baker of Chipnam in the County of Wilts Butcher, came and gave them this Information, That the Thursday Seven-night before the Fire began in London, it being his fortune, coming from the Devizes Market, to fall into the company of one John Goodman Husbandman, who discoursing with him about a Yoke of Oxen, as is inserted before in the Report.   

The Information of one Cherrel Schoolmaster in Enfield.  
Upon Friday August the 31. Mrs St. George and her eldest daughter Susan, both Popish Recusants, came to visit Mrs. Rebeccah Eves at her house in Enfield, where speaking concerning the Session of the Parliament drawing near, Mrs. St. George told her, That some were like to be called to account for a plot; being asked for what? told her in her ear, For burning the City. When Mrs Eves heard of the Fire, and going to a place where she might see it, she met with Mrs. Susanna St. George, and among other discourse, told her how much her mother's words which she spoke before the Fire, did run in her thoughts, which she repeated to her daughter; who made this reply, That her Mother was very apt to talk, and that she had been forced to keep her Mother within doors during the Fire, fearing that she should talk. After this destruction by fire, Mrs. Eves met with Mr. Coale, another Recusant, and one of the same Family; she also related Mrs. St. George's words to him; who made this return, That she was a worthy woman to keep counsel. The Lady St. George at Enfield at the Lord of Lincoln's house, declared to M●s. Rebecca Eves, That in few days the City of London should be in ashes. This was spoken about Two days before the Fire happened.  

Mrs. Eves of Enfield before Mr. Holland and Mr. Marvill, Members of Parliament, Decemb. 20. 1666 concerning Mrs. St. Gloege.  
Mrs. Rebecca Eves of Enfield, three or four days, or within a week before the Fire, receiving a visit in her own house from Mrs. St. George, among other discourse Mrs. St. George asked her, What news she heard? and if she knew when the Parliament sat? She replied; She thought suddenly. The other asked, If Mrs. Eves heard of any that were to be called in question before the Parliament?  Eves 
About what?  St George. 
About a Plot.  Eves. 
What Plot?  St. George. 
About firing the City.  Eves. 
I hope God will preserve the City; people use not to be called in question before the fact.  
So that Discourse was waved at ●hat time. At the time of the Fire Mrs. Eves went out to look towards the fire, and Mrs. St. George and one in the company (but she cannot fix the person) replied, A fine woman to keep Counsel, after the fire M St. George's daughter came to Mrs. Eves house, Mrs. Eves asked her, if she remembered what her Mother said? who answered, My Mother is such a woman she will speak what she thinks, And afterwards said, That she had much ado to keep her Mother in, in the time of the fire, for fear she should speak something, that she might be questioned for, At this instant discourse Mrs. Eves daughter and others of her family were present St. George and his wife and family have left Enfield about six weeks ago, and there are many more in the Neighbourhood: It's reported that at the House of Mr. Cook and other Recusants there was great Coaching, drinking and rejoicing at the time of the fire. December 20th. 1666.  
Rebecca Eves.    

A Letter directed and sent by a Papist to Mr. Lamb, from Tarleton in Leicestershire, from a person unknown as follows.  
My friend,  
YOur presence is now more necessary at London then where you are, that you may determine how to dispose of your Estate in Southwark, for it is determined by humane Council (if not frustraed by divine power) that your Liberty will shortly be destroyed; your capacity is large enough to understand; proceed as your Genius shall instruct.  
Vale, cave, cave, fuge.   


The Liberty of Haring in the County of Essex.  
The Information of Robert Hubert a Frenchman taken at Rumford the 11th. of September 1666. before Cary Harvie, alias Milemay Esquire one of the Justices of Peace for the Liberty of the County aforesaid.  
HE saith that about Midlent he came out of France, with one Stephen Pedilow a Frenchman and stayed with Pedilow about four months as his Companion, and then they came together into England in a Sweedish Ship, called the Skipper, which was laden with Iron, Steel and Copper plates, and saith, that the Master's name of the Ship is also Skipper, and that Pedilow kept the Examinant on board that Ship which lay at St. Ka●harines brewhouse, but Pedilow himself went several times into the City and came on board again, and had often private discourse with the said Master of the Ship, and saith that when the City was on fire, he this Examinant was sent out by Pedilow, who had given him a Fire ball, and bade him fire an house near the Kings-Pallace, for which the said Pedilow gave him a shilling, and promised him a greater Reward when he came into France which fireball this said Examinant saith, he fired and threw into the window of an house near Whitehall on Tuesday night, which fired the same house, and he stayed there and saw it burn two or three hours; and farther saith that Pedilow, bade him not make use of this firebal till he saw the City on fire, and then to do it, which he did accordingly, and then went to find the Ship, but it was gone; and further saith, that Pedilow had two fire balls himself, and the said Examinant said, other divers frenchmen have fireballs, and saith also, that when this Examinant came last to the Ship, the said Master directed him to find his comrade Pedilow at his Chamber or Lodging, but at what house he confessed not, and said that not finding the Ship aforesaid, he came this way to go towards the Sea Coasts, in hope to find the said Ship, or some other to get a passage home if be could.  
Robert Hubert,   

The Information of John Lowman, Keeper of his Majesty's Goal for the County of Surry.  
IN obedience to an order directed to me from the Right Honourable the Committee of the House of Commons, then sitting in the Speakers Chamber the 20th of this instant October 1666 on Thursday the 4th. of October, according to my order I did carry Robert Hubert to St. Katharines-Tower by water to let me know where the Sweedish Ship lay, that brought him and other Frenchmen from Stockholm, and he brought me to the Dock, over against Mr. Corsellis his Brewhouse, and did verify to me, and Mr. Corsellis, that the Ship lay there till such time, as he with Mr. Pedilow and others, did go and set fire to Mr Farmer's house; and the Examinant saith farther, that Mr. Pedilow did fix two fire balls to a long pole, and that he the said Robert Hubert did six one in the same manner, and did put it in at the same window, but withal the enquiry, and diligence I could make and use, I could neither find, nor hear of any such Ship or Vessel; and from thence I carried the said Robert Hubert to Tower-hill and desired him to show me the house they did fire, and he said it was near the Bridge, but we went along Thames-street, towards London bridge, but before we came at the Bridge, the said Robert Hubert said, the said house was up there; (and pointed with his hand up Pudding-lane,) so I had him go to the place, and he went along upon the Bricks and rubbish, and made a stand, than I asked one Robert Paine a Porter, which was the Baker's house, and he told me that was the house where Hubert stood, so I went to Robert Hubert and stood by him, turning my back towards the Baker's house and demanded which house it was he fired, directing to some house contrary to that house, but he turning himself about, said, This was the house, (pointing to the Baker's house) that was first fi●ed; Then by reason of his lameness, I set him on an horse and carried him to other places, but no other place he would acknowledge but nodded back again to the Baker's house, and said again, That was the Baker's house, pointing to the said Baker's house: And this I do humbly certify, to the Honourable Committee by me John Lowman Keeper of his Majesty's Goal, for the County of Surrey.     

At the Committee appointed to receive Information touching the insolency of Popish Priests, and insolency and increase of Popery.  
Ordered that the several Informations precedent in persuance of the said power of the Committee be reported to the House in reference to the Insolency of Popish Priests, and insolency and increase of Papists.  
AS to the increase of Popery Mr. Hancok Minister of Chillnock informs, that meeting with one Mr. Tompson about a month since coming from Mass out of Somerset House-Chapple, and discoursing with him about his Religion, asked him if there were many turned lately, To which Mr. Tompson answered, Thousands, and being demanded what encouragement was to it? Replied, There will be a change suddenly.  

The Report of his carriage at the Committee.  
Mr. Tompson being summoned before the Committee, carried himself very insolently, they have commanded me to report it, Being asked whether he had not a Shop in Summerset house, where Popish books and Popish knacks are sold? He said, He had, and that his men sold such Books and Beads and other things, and said there was one Crucifix and new Relics, but wished he had some good, he said he was a Roman Catholic, and thanked God for it, he said he was no Priest, but wished he were in a capaci●y to be One, he said he had not taken the Oaths of Alleagegeance and Supremacy, nor would he, he said he would take any Oath that any Christian Prince should require, but not the Oath of Allegiance, intimating some mixture in it, he said he had taken then the Oath of Allegiance to the King of Spain, and was a Subject to him.   
Mr, Ash minister of Cluppel in Surrey, Informs, That being at Cofield in Leicestershire this last Summer, he saw a great resort on sunday to Cofield-house, the house of a Papist, and ask some that were going thither, what the occasion of their resort thither was? they told him they were going to Mass, and that one Mr. Robinson Priest, did say Mass, Mr. Ash did likewise inform, that he thought the great number of those that went thither to Mass on Sunday at that house, was as great as the Protestants that went to the Parish Church.  
Mr. Wiling Deputy Ordinary of Middlesex, did inform, that 〈◊〉 his accustomed attendance on the Prisoners at Newgate about the time of Execution, that Romish Priests and particularly one Mr. Harvey a Jesuit, have constantly used to resort the Prison at those times, and do persuade the prisoners to become Papists, and that divers have been altered in their Religion by him, and turned to Popery.  
Mr. Hatton informs, that on the 6th of October, he went to Newgate, and meeting with one Haward under Keeper at the door, desired to speak wi●h Hubert the Frenchman, who was then condemned, Haward told him he could not speak with him yet, for Mr. Harvey the Queen Mother's Confessor was in private with him, and said, that this Harvey used frequently to come to the Prison after Condemnation, and where one prisoner died a Protestant, many did die Papists, Mr. Hatton said, that after some stay he saw Mr. Harvey come out from Hubert, and then he was admitted to have seen him.  
Mr. Hawking Keeper of Newgate did Inform that the said M●. Harvey the Jesuit did frequent the Prison under pretence of the Queen's charity, and did spend much time with the Prisoners in private, and particularly did so before last Execution, night after night.  
Mr Hawking said likewise, that of the Nine that suffered, eight died Papists whereof some he knew were Protestant's when they came into the Prison.  
It appeared upon sevearl Infoamations, that Mr. Harvey and other Priests, did not only resort to Newgate at times of Execution, but likewise to the White-lyon in Southwark, and other places in the Countries, and used their endeavours to pervert dying Prisoners.  
Thomas Barnet late a Papist informs, that when he was a Papist, and resorted to gentlemen's houses in Berkshire that were Papists, there was also in every Gentleman's house a Papist Priest, and instanced the houses of divers private Gentlemen in that County, & others did inform the like in Surrey.  
Mr Cottman did inform (that one Mr. Compert) late a Preacher at S. Hall, did in discourse tell him the said Cottman, that the Judgements of God upon this Kingdom by the Plague last year, and lately by the fire in London, were come upon the Land & People, for their forsaking the true Roman Catholic Religion, and shaking off their obedience to the Pope, and that if they would return to the Church of Rome, the Pope would rebuild the City at his own charge; Compert said likewise to the said Cottman, That if he would come and hear him preach the next Sunday, at his house in Queens-street, he would give twenty reasons to prove, that the Roman Catholic was the true Religion, and his the false, and that one Bible had a thousand falsities in it, and that there was no true Scripture but at Rome, and in their Church.  
Compert at the Committee confessed, that he had formerly taken Orders from the Church of Rome, but said he had now renounced that Church, and taken Orders in England.   

The next thing is the Information of their Insolency; and I shall begin with their scorning and despising of the Bible.  
ONe Thomas Williams, an Officer in Sir William Bowyers Regiment, informs, That one Audley a Papist seeing a woman reading in a Bible, asked her why she read in that profane Presbyterian Bible, and said, a Playbook was as good.  
Thomas Barret of Bingfield informs, That being at one Mr. young's house in Bingfield, at Battlemew tide last, Mr. Young said to the brother of this Thomas Barret, in his hearing, That within two years there should not be a Protestant in England.  
Thomas Barnet informs, That being at Mr. Doncasters' house in Bingfield one Mr. Shellers son in law to Mr. Doncaster, and both Papists, said to this Informant, who was then likewise a Papist, The people take me for a poor fellow, but I shall find a thousand or two thousand pounds to raise a party of Horse, to make Mr. Hawthorns and Mr. Blackwels fat guts lie on the ground; for it is no more to kill an Heretic, than to kill a Grasshopper; and that it was happy for this Thomas Barnet that he was a Catholic, for by this means he should be one of those that should be mounted.  
Mr. Linwood a Scrivener in White-chappel, informs, That about the 20. of October last meeting with one Badley a Papist, and discoursing with him, told him, That there was amongst the Papists as great a Design as ever was in England, and he thought it would be executed suddenly. Being asked how many Papists there were about London? He answered, About seven thousand, and in England an hundred thousand well armed.  

Mr. Oaks his Affidavit.  
Mr. Oaks a Physician dwelling in Shadwel, informs, That a little after the burning of the City of London, one Mr. Carpenter a Minister came to his house on Tower-wharf, and spoke to him to this purpose: I will not say I am a Papist, but this I will say, I had rather die the death of the Papists, and that my soul should be raised with their resurrection, than either of Presbyterian, Independent or Anabaptist; and I tell you, the Papists have hitherto been his Majesty's best Fortification; for when Presbyterians, Independents and Anabaptists forsook and opposed him, they stood by him and helped him; and take it on my word, the Papists in a short time, will lay you all as low as that house; (pointing to an house that was demolished) for they are able to raise Forty thousand men, and I believe, the next work will be cutting of throats. This was sworn by Mr. Oaks, before Sir John Frederick member of the House.  
Mr. Pilkington being present when the words were spoken, doth affirm them all.   
Henry Young a Distiller of Hot-waters, informs, That about the month of April in the year 1661., being in the Jesuits College in Antwerp, one Powel an English Jesuit persuaded him to turn a Roman Catholic, and said, That if he intended to save his life and estate, he had best turn; for within seven years he should see England of that Religion. Young replied, the City of London will never endure it. Powel answered, That within five or six years they would breeak, the power and strength of London in pieces, and that they had been contriving it this twenty years. The said Young did likewise inform, that after coming into England, one Thompson and one Copernel, both Papists, did several times say to him, That within five or six years at farthest, the Roman Catholic Religion should be all over this Kingdom.  
Joseph Goodwin of Darking in the County of Surrey, informs, that about a month since, one Edward Complin a Papist said to him, You must all be Papists shortly, and that now he was not ashamed to own himself a Roman Catholic, and to own his Priest, (naming two that were in Darking in the house with two Papists) and likewise said, that in 24 hours warning the Papists or Roman Catholics could raise thirty thousand men as well armed as any in Christendom.  
William Weaver of Darking, informs, That the said Ed. Copernel did tell him, The Roman Catholics in England, could in 24 hours raise 30000 Horse and arms; and upon saying so, pulled out his Crucifix and Bedes, and said, He was not ashamed of his Religion.  
John Graunger of Darking, informs, that about a year since being in his house reading the Bible, one Thomas Cooling, a Papist, said to him, Are you still a Church-goer? Had you not better turn Roman Catholic? If you stay whilst you are fetched, none will abide you. And said further, That there was a man beyond the seas had prophesied, That in Anno 1666. if the King did not settle the Roman Religion, in England, he would be banished out of the Kingdom, and all his posterity. And Cooling further said, That he being lately turned a Roman Catholic, he would not be a Protestant again for all the world; wishing Graunger again, in the hearing of his Wife, (which she affirmed to the Committee) to turn his Religion; for all the said Prophecies would come to pass in the year 1666.  
Robert Holloway of Darking aforesaid, informs, That one Stephen Griffin, a Papist, said to him, That all the blood that was shed in the last civil War, was nothing to that that would be shed this year in England. Holloway demanded a reason thereof, in regard the Kingdom was in p●ace, and no likelihood of trouble, and said, Do you Papists intent to rise and cut our throats when we are asleep? Griffin answered, that it is no matter, if you live you shall see it.  
Ferdinand de Marcedo a Portugal, and some few years since a Roman Papist, but turned Protestant, informs, That one Father Banto, a Jesuit, did the last year tell him at Paris, That if all England did not return to the Church of Rome, they should be destroyed the next year.  
Mr. Samuel Wightman of the middle Temple, Barister, informs, That about two years since, one Mr. Genison, a Popish Priest, wished him to turn Catholic, and he should want neither profit nor preferment, Mr. Wightman objected, that he intended to practise the Law, which he could not do if he turned Papist, for he must take the Oath of Supremacy at his being called to the Bar, and if he were a Papist he must not take it. Mr. Genison replied, Why not take the Oath? It is an unlawful Oath and void ipso facto; And after some pause, said further; First take the Oath, and then I will convert you; And further said, That the King would not own himself Head of the Church; And also said, You in England that set up the DUTCH to destroy our Religion, they shall be the men to PULL DOWN YOURS.  
Mun Stanley an Officer in the Duke of Ormonds own Regiment, informs, That coming lately out of Ireland, and with him one Oriel, who owned himself of the Order of Jesuits, and commissionated from the Pope to be Lord Primate of Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh; Oriel discoursing with him, told him, That there had been a difference between him and some others of the Jesuits in Ireland, and that particularly one of the occasions was, that one Father Walsh and some others of the Jesuits there, did dispense with the Papists in Ireland, to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, by virtue of a standing Commission from the Pope they had, to do it during this King's Reign; and Oriel thought they ought not to do it by virtue of the standing Commission, but should take a new Commission from the Pope every year to do it. And said likewise, That he brought Eight Boys out of Ireland to carry to Flanders to breed up in the Colleges. And at his taking ship to go into Flanders, he shook his feet towards England, and termed it Egypt, and said, He would not return to England, till he came with Fifty thousand at his heels.  
FINIS.