THE POPISH ROYAL FAVOURITE: OR, A full Discovery of His Majesty's Extraordinary Favours to, and Protections of notorious Papists, Priests, Jesuits, against all prosecutions and penalties of the Laws enacted against them; notwithstanding his many Royal Proclamations, Declarations, and Protestations to the contrary: As likewise of a most desperate long prosecuted Design to set up Popery, and extirpate the Protestant Religion by degrees, in this our ●ealm of England, and all His Majesty's Dominions. Manifested by sundry Letters of Grace, Warrants, Writings under the Kings own Signe-Manuall, Privy-Signet, His Privy-Councels, and Secretary Windebanks hands and Seals, by divers Orders and Proceedings in open Sessions at Newgate, in the King's Bench, and elsewhere (all extant on Record in the Sessions-Books, Goal-Books, Crown-Office, where all who scruple their indubitable verity or reality, may peruse them for their better satisfaction;) As likewise by the King's Letter to the Pope, His marriage Articles, Oaths, and other pregnant Testimonies, worthy public knowledge and Consideration. Collected and published by Authority of Parliament: By WILLIAM PRYNNE, of Lincoln's Inn, Esquire. 2 CHRON. 19 2. An● Ioh● the son of Hanani the Seer went out to meet him, and said to King 〈◊〉, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from the Lord. ESAY 29. 15. to 20. woe unto them, that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord and their works are in the dark, and they say, who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay. And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness, the meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord; and the poor among men shall rejoice in the holy One of Israel. For the terrible one shall be brought to nought, and the scorne● shall be consumed, and all that watch for iniquity shall be cut off. Imprinted at London for MICHAEL SPARK Senior, and are to be sold at the Blue-Bible in Green Arbour. 1643. IT is this seventeenth day of Novemb. 1643. ordered by the Committee of the House of Commons concerning Printing, that this Book entitled, THE POPISH ROYAL FAVOURITE, etc. be Printed by MICHAEL SPARK Senior. JOHN WHITE. A matetiall Observation. THe * See their Remonstrance, and Dr. jones, his book. Rebels in Ireland, declared the Parliaments proceedings and intendments against Papists, the only ground of their Rebellion. The Queen soon after, for to aid them and the English Romanists, departs the Realm with the King's Jewels, to raise moneys, Men, provide Arms, Ammunition, the which she strenuously performed. The King immediately upon her departure deserts the Parliament altogether, notwithstanding all Petitions, Messages to reduce him: raiseth an Army first of English Malignants, then of Papists, to divert all supplies from hence against the Popish Rebels in Ireland, and secure the Catholic party in England and Scotland. Upon the Queen's return, the Irish Rebels are first supplied with Arms and Ammunition from the Queen, then after some negotiation, received into the King's Royal favour as his good Catholic Subjects, by Articles of pacification, under the great Seal, contrary to two express Acts passed by him this Parliament, to the undoing of the English Adventurers and Protestant party there: And finally, they are sent for hither to aid the King and English catholics against the Parliament. Judge then whether the King's departure from, and taking up Arms against the Parliament, be not only and wholly to maintain his Roman Catholics and their Religion, according to the tenor of his ensuing marriage Oaths and Articles, what ever be pretended, protested to the contrary. The King besides the general and special Articles of the Spanish match hereafter mentioned, took this further Royal Oath Ex abundanti; (as the * Pag. 48, 49. where this passage should have been inserted. French Mercury records;) To permit at all times that any one should freely propose unto him the Arguments of the Roman Catholic Religion, without giving any impeachment thereunto: and that he would never permit, neither directly nor indirectly, * Tom●. 9 An. 1624. p. 9 that any one should speak to the Infanta against it; taking since the like Oath, with reference to the Queen by which he hath irresistably exposed himself to all temptations, seducements to the Antichristian Religion, and bound himself, neither by word nor deed, to make the least opposition against it, but to give it all the protection and encouragements that may be, and to the professors of it, as appears by the Articles ensuing, p. 48, 49, etc. TO HIS EXCELLENCY ROBRT Earl of ESSEX, etc. Lord General of the Forces raised by the Parliaments for the defence of the Kingdom, King, Religion, Laws, Liberties, against the Popish and Malignant Party, who by force of Arms invade them, and intent their utter ruin. Right Honourable, THe * Alberius' Gentiles, & Hug●. Grotius de Jure belli. lib. 1. Hen. Bocerus de Jure pugnae, l. 1. c. 5. Georgius Obrectus de Belli Principiis theses 50. to 82. Hen. Ranzo. Bellici. Commentarii, l. 1. c. 4. goodness of the Cause for which Arms are taken up, is the Generals, Soldiers, greatest encouragement: where Religion and justice are the real Causes, Victory and Success will certainly be the effects of War. That these are the true unfeigned grounds of the Parliaments and your Excellencies defensive Arms, is sufficiently manifested to the world by sundry late Printed Discourses; but by none more perspicuously cleared then by these Collections, which upon this consideration especially I humbly recommend to your Honourable Patronage. The extraordinary presence and admirable Protection of God, with that victorious success, which hath accompanied your Excellency in two Signal Battles, at Edge hill and Newberry, wherein the Enemy (by reason of their many advantages) assured themselves of a full and total Conquest, are an undubitable evidence, that you are the General of the Lord of Hosts, and the Cause you fight for His. Therefore * Isa. 54. 17. No Weapon that is form against your Excellency in this quarrel shall prosper; and every malicious tongue that shall rise against you in judgement (for fight in this just cause) you shall condemn. * Acts 5. 38, 39 This work is not of men, but of God; therefore the very gates of hell, the Antichristian adverse power of the Romish Malignant Party, Mat. 16. 18. shall never prevail against it, can never overthrow it. Your Lordship and our Reformed Church (now really Militant) resting upon this Rock of assurance, may, in expectation of future successes, confidently take up these triumphant speeches of the Heroic Psalmist: Thou art * Psal. 44. 4, 5. our King, O God, Command deliverances for Jacob: Psal. 46● 11. through thee we will push down our Enemies, through thy Name shall we tread them under that rise up against us. The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. * Psal. 37. 20. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord (now in Arms against our Church, Parliament, Religion, Laws, Liberties, Properties, Lives, Estates) shall be as the fat of lambs, they shall consume, into smoke shall they consume away. Yea * 〈◊〉 83●. 3. 〈◊〉 though they have taken crafty counsel together against God's people, and consulted against his hidden ones: and have said, Come and let us cut them off from being a Nation, that the Name of Israel (of Puritan and Protestants) may be no more in remembrance: through the tabernacles of Edom and Ishmaelites, Moa● and the Hagarens, Gebal, Ammon, Amaleck, the Philistines, Tyre and Assur, be now all confederated and joined together to destroy them; yet God shall do unto them as to Sisera and jabin at the brook of ●ison, which perished at Endor, and became as dung for the earth: he shall make them like a wheel, as the stubble before the wind: he shall persecute them with his tempest, and make them afraid with his storm. They shall be troubled and confounded for ever; yea they shall be put to shame and perish, that men may know, that he whose Name alone is JEHOVAH, is the most High over all the earth. And in regard of the former Victories achieved by your Excellencies incomparable valour and prowess, we may all sing this gratulatory Song of Moses and the Israelies, after the overthrow of Pharaoh and his host at the red Sea. * Exod. ●5. 6, 7, 9, 10, 11. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power, thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of thy excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee; thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them, they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, amongst the gods? who is like the●, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders! To this great Lord of hosts, and * Exod. 15. 3. man of war (of whose omnipotent Protection Our present Parliament and your Excellency have had many adorable experiments) I shall in my daily Prayers recommend your Honour's Person, Forces, and Military proceedings, till through his blessing on them, * Isa. 2. 2, 3, 4. the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and exalted above the hills; the Kingdom and power of Romish Babylon (notwithstanding all the confederated domestic, foreign, Popish Forces now united to support it) utterly subverting throughout our Dominions; and thereupon our swords be beaten into plowshares, our spears into pruning ●ooks: And one part of our Nation, Kingdom, shall not have any cause to lift up a sword against the other, nor to learn nor exercise a civil destructive war any more, but * Rom. 16. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 14. mutually embrace each other with an holy kiss of Charity and Peace. Which that your Excellency, by your successful Arms, may speedily accomplish to your eternal Honour, shall be the prayer, Of Your Excellency's devoted servant, W. PRYNNE. TO All who love their God, Religion, Country, in SINCERITY. Dearest Brethren: YOu might justly repute me (especially since the late solemn Covenant) a perfidious Traitor to God, Religion, and my now bleeding, dying native Country, should I wittingly conceal the underhand attempts of any mortal whatsoever, against them. I have therefore by authority of Parliament published these ensuing Letters, Warrants, Papers, extant under His Majesties own, His Counsels, Secretaries, Hands and Signets, with sundry Orders made in open Court by Royal direction, for protection of Popish Recusants, Priests, Jesuits, against the many good Laws enacted to suppress them; by means whereof, and of his Marriage Articles, that dangerous Traitorous Faction hath grown so powerfully great by degrees, and insinuated so far into the King's affections, that they now threaten a sudden extirpation of the Protestant Party and Religion, out of his Majesty's Dominions; a speedy subvertion of our Laws, Liberties, the present Parliament, by open force of Arms; having already fully possessed themselves of His Majesty's Royal Person, Issue, Forces, Forts, Affections, bearing chiefest sway in all his late Counsels, Proceedings, as we may now clearly discern, to our greatest grief, by many woeful experiences and visible Demonstrations, written in red Capital Characters of our own English Protestant blood; especially by the late sending for and landing of Irish Rebels to destroy us. It seems a strange mystery of Iniquity to me; First, that from the beginning of His Majesty's reign till this present Parliament, the most zealous, conscientious, pious Protestants have been continually persecuted under the Title of Puritans (the better to colour the design) with extraordinary rigour by the Prelatical and Popish faction, against the express Laws of the Realm, both in the High Commission, Prelates Consistories, councel-chamber, and Star-Chamber, to the loss of their Estates, Benefices, Liberties, Ears, Limbs, * Many of them dying in prison. Lives. Yea, thousands of them have been expelled the Realm, or forced to fly into foreign desolate American Plantations for security: And yet not one Royal Letter (for aught appears to me) could ever be produced all that time to any Courts of Justice in the lawful favour of any of them; but many Royal Orders, * See a new ●●●scovery of ●he Prelates tyranny. Expresses from his Majesty, have been procured, rigorously to proceed against them; Notwithstanding His Majesties many Printed * Before the ●7. Articles, and upon the dissolutions of the two last ●abortive Parliaments. Declarations to His Subjects, r●ally to maintain and defend the Protestant Religion, and professors of it, to the utmost of His power. Secondly, that since our late unhappy, civil, bloody wars, till this present, the best and most zealous Protestants (Ministers, people,) both in Ireland and England, have been every where most cruelly Massacred, plundered, tortured, imprisoned, ruined, aimed at, by bloodthirsty Popish Cavaliers; many of their houses, and almost some whole Towns of them (as Banbury, Malborough, Bromingham, O●kingham, and others) fired, sacked, by his Majesty's special Commission, (as the Incendiaries reported,) or at least by his Royal * See Prince rupert's his late Warrant. Permission, notwithstanding his many late solemn Declarations, Protestations, Remonstrances, Oaths to maintain the Protestant Religion, the Subjects Liberties, Properties, Laws, and that he took up Arms to no other end but this. Thirdly, that on the other side sundry Popish Recusants and Seminary Priests have, during all his Majesty's reign, obtained innumerable Letters of Grace, Protection, from His Majesty, contrary to Law, and Orders of Session in their favour, to stay all manner of proceedings or executions of the Laws in force against them, contrary to the judges and justices Oaths, till this Parliament, in all Counties of the Realm; and that since this unhappy civil War, the Papists, both in England and Ireland, have been armed against the Parliament by His Majesty's special Commission, yea put into places of great command, trust, admitted free access to his Camp, Court, where they are now most in favour, and preserved from all violence, injury, plunder of His Forces; notwithstanding His many Royal printed Declarations, Proclamations, Protestations, Vows against Popery and Papists, to blind or delude the over- credulous Vulgar: who now begin to be so well acquainted with these hypocritical Court-stratagems (execrable both to God and men) that they will no longer be circumvented by them. And is this that brave, real, royal, Defence of the Protestant Religion so oft protested, proclaimed to the world in Print of late, with deepest Oaths and Imprecations of Divine vengeance, if not cordially intended? a Jer. 2. 12. Be astonished Oye Heavens, and horribly afraid at this most gross hypocrisy, most apparent dissimulation, most palpable contradiction of regal Protestations and Actions, which the great b Rev. 17. 14. King of Kings, and c Gen. 18. 25. righteous judge of all the earth will not suffer long to go unrevenged, if not speedily repeuted, reform. Far is it from my heart to wish or imprecate the least evil to his Majesty, his Royal Consort, or Posterity, for whose real happiness and prosperity I shall ever be a daily d 1 Tim. 1. 2, 3. Orator to the Throne of Grace; yet this I cannot but in loyalty fear, if not inform them, that if they persevere to dissemble thus with God and men, to oppose Papists in words, yet cherish, protect them all they may in deeds, openly siding with Irish, English Popish Rebels against the Parliament and their Protestant Subjects; and professedly arming them, with other Outlandish Papists, to waste, spoil, ruin, destroy their Protestant Kingdoms, Subjects, with Fire, Sword, as hitherto they have cruelly done, * Psal. 83. 4. taking counsel against the Lord, and his Anointed Son, Servants, * Psal. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 to cut them off from being a Nation, that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance; though Earth be silent, or Men patient at this Scarlet impiety, yet Heaven, God will not be so: but he that sitteth in the Heavens will speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure: he will break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a Potter's vessel. f Psa. 76. ● Psal. 110. 5●● Psal. 107. 4. ●●ob 12. 21. He who poureth out contempt upon Princes, who is terrible to the Kings of the Earth; who cuts off the Spirit of Princes, yea strikes through Kings in the day of his wrath (as he smote, g Psal 135. ● 9 to 13. Psal. 136. 10. to 23. Judges 3. Dan. 3. 5. Acts 12. 23. King Pharaoh, Sehon King of the Amorits, Og King of Bashan, all the Kings of Canaan, Eglon, Nabuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Herod, with infinite other Monarches.) He h Job 34 19 Rom. 2. 6. who accepteth not the person of Princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands; but without respect of persons rendereth to every man according to his works; will i Luke 18. 7, 8. Revel. 16. 6. c. 19 2. most certainly avenge this detestable hypocrisy, with all the blood of his Saints which hath been spilt, and the injuries done to his Elect, who cry unto him day and night; Yea, he will avenge them speedily. For if he, by his Prophet Esay, thus threatened to cut off the King of Babylon and his posterity, only for destroying his own Land, and slaying his Idolatrous Pagan Subjects that knew not God, Isa. 14. 19 to 23. But thou art cast out of thy grave as an abominable branch, as a carcase trodden under feet: thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, BECAUSE THOU HAST DESTROYED THYLAND, AND SLAIN THY PEOPLE. Prepare ye slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers, that they do not rise and possess the Land; for I will rise up against them saith the Lord of Hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name and remembrance, the Sons and Nephews, saith the lord Then what severe judgement may such Christian Kings expect from the God of Heaven, who contrary to their own frequently reiterated solemn public Vows, Protestations, Imprecations, most inhumanely destroy their own flourishing Christian Realms, with fire and sword; plunder, pillage, captivate, slay, murder, their most pious Protestant Subjects every where without pity or remorse? If k 1 King. 21. 2 King. 9 Ahab, Jezabel, with all their royal Posterity, were utterly cut off, extirpated in a moment, for countenancing Idolaters, and putting Naboth unjustly to death, only for a pretended blasphemy against God and the King, of purpose to gain his single Vine-yard; then what will become of those Kings, Jezabels, and their posterities, who not only cherish and protect many Romish Idolaters, Priests, Jesuits; but likewise use their armed power to murder, plunder, ruin many thousands of innocent Protestant Naboths, yea, seize upon their whole estates as forfeited, under a pretence of Treason or Rebellion, and l john 16. 2. think they do God good service in it? Certainly, if they impenitently persevere in this their tyrannical violence, they cannot but expect the selfsame judgement which these under went, from that Sovereign God, m Dan. 2. 21. c. 4. 17. 27. c. 5. 20. 28. who removeth Kings, and setteth up Kings, and ruleth over the Kingdoms of men, giving them to whomsoever he will: at lest they may justly fear the undergoing of that exemplary sentence given against proud, tyrannical Nabuchadnezzar, Dan. 4. 32. to 37. c. 5. 20. 21, 22. who when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened to deal proudly, he was deposed from his Kingly Throne, and they took his glory from him: and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild Asses; they fed him with grass like Oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of Heaven, till he knew that the most high God ruled in the Kingdom of men; and appointeth over it whomsoever he will: Not like Butchers to slay, but as n Psal. 78. 70, 71, 72. Shepherds to feed and protect his people; not to be a o Rom. 13. 2. to 5. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. terror to good works, but evil, to render punishment to evil doers, especially to Popish Idolaters; and praise or honour to those that do well; and to be tender p Isa. 49. 23 ●● nursing fathers to the Church of God: which God grant all those whom it now concerns, may seasonably and effectually consider. In the mean time it behoves all those who have any sparks of love to God or Religion in their breasts, to have their q Eccl. 2. 14. eyes in their heads, not heels; to be as r Mat. 10. 16. wise as Serpents, though as innocent as Doves. To take heed, that they walk s Eph. 5. 15. ● Col. 4. 5. 〈…〉 circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; (weighing all men's actions, not their Protestations) redeeming the time because the days are very evil, deceitful beyond all former ages; yea far more dangerous than most men apprehend them. Let the consideration therefore of the ensuing Papers, together with Rome's Masterpiece, the English Pope, the Parliaments late Declaration of the rise and progress of the Irish rebellion, the Articles of the Irish pacification, (to the ruin of the Protestant Party there,) with the Parliaments Remonstrances concerning it, the many ships lately● sent from Bristo●, besides those from other parts, with Commissions to transport Irish Popish rebels into England to cut all our throats; with other daily * 〈…〉 See the Mystery of iniquity. fresh experiments of the Papists great power, proceedings, treacheries, to re-erect their own, and root out our Religion throughout His Majesty's Dominions, now at last awake, and rouse us all out of our overlong desperate senseless security; yea, fully open our eyes to behold the extreme imminent dangers, our Church, Religion, Laws, Liberties, Estates, Lives, Parliament, Kingdom, Nation, are now actually threarned with from the prevailing bloodthirsty Popish party, in highest authority and favour with His Majesty, now wholly captivated, possessed, swayed by them, at their wills; and then speedily engage us all, ere it be over-late, with one unanimous consent (according to our late solemn Protestations, Covenants,) to put forth our utmost strength of body, mind, estate, prayers, to prevent that inundation of Popery, that extermination of our Protestant Religion, Laws, Liberties, Parliaments, that utter destruction now menaced to our three united Christian Kingdoms, against which the great Roman Pontif, with all his Antichristian bloody generation of Foreign and Domestic Popelings, have a long time conspired, and now united all their polices, purses, forces, to accomplish their final devastation, as the ensuing papers will in part descry; which I shall recommend to your most serious perusal, and God's blessing; the reality of them being so unquestionable, and these Transcrips so consonant to the Originals, by which they have been diligently examined, that I should but waste time and Paper to trouble you with any other arguments or attestations of their verity, (so well known to the Papists, and all Officers of justice) than such as you shall find annexed to them in the following pages, by the Collector of them. Your most affectionate friend, and real Servant of our Church and Republic, to his power, WILLIAM PRYNNE. The Popish Royal Favourite. CONTAINING Sundry Letters of Grace, Protection, and Warrants of discharge, granted by His Majesty to notorious Popish Recusants, Priests and jesuits, to exempt them from all Prosecutions and penal Laws against them; signed with the Kings own hand, etc. The Originals whereof are in the custody of Mr. john Glynne Esquire, Recorder of London, Mr. Graves Clerk of the Peace for Middlesex, and others. CHARLES' REX, WHereas we have received good testimony of the loyalty, and duty of our trusty and well-beloved, William Keeley, in the county of Worcester; and because he may be subject to the penalties of the laws for Recusancy, these are to signify that we are graciously pleased to extend our special grace towards him, and do hereby will and command, that no indictment, presentment, information, or suit in our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted, or attempted against him by any Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for, or concerning Recusancy. And if any such shall happen to be, than our will and pleasure is, that upon sight thereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to him. Given under our Signet at our Court at Whitehall, the six and twentieth day of March, in the tenth year of our Reign. To all and singular our judges of Assize, justices of peace, Mai●rs, Sheriffs, Clerks of Assize and peace, Bailiffs, Constables, Informers, and to all other our Officers, and Ministers, whom it may or doth concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. WHereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty and affection of our trusty and wellbeloved William Cobbe of Sa●dringham in the County of Norfolk Gentleman; and because he may be subject to the penalties of the laws made against recusants, by way of Indictment or otherwise: these are to signify, that we are graciously pleased to extend our special grace towards him, and do hereby will and command, that no Indictment, presentment, Information, or Suit in Our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth prosecuted, or accepted against him the said William Cobbe by any of our Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for or concerning recusancy, till We shall signify Our pleasure to the contrary; and if any such shall happen to be, than Our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to him. Given under our Signet at Our Palace at Westminster, the fourteenth of March, in the tenth year of our reign. To all and Singular our judges of Assize and Barons of our Exchequer, justices of Peace, Mayor, Bailiffs, Clerks of Assize and of the peace, Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, Informers, and to all every our Officers whom it may or doth concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX, Whereas ou● trusty and wellbeloved Sir Francis Eaglesfield Knight and Baronet being a recusant, is thereby subject to our laws and statutes in that case provided. These are to signify our royal will and pleasure, that no person or persons shall at any time hereafter, sue, prosecute, implead, either by way of Indictment, Information, or otherwise, against the said Sir Francis Eaglesfield, for being a recusant, or cause or procure him to be Indicted or convicted by virtue of any of our Laws, or Statutes against Popish recusants, till we shall signify Our pleasure to the contrary. Given under our signet at our Palace of Westminster the sixth day of December, in the tenth year of our reign. To all our judges of Assize, justices of Peace, Mayor, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, Pursivant●, and to all other our Officers and Minister's, whom it may or doth concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. Whereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our trusty and wellbeloved Sir john Shelly Knight and Baronet, and the Lady jane his wife, and because they may be subject to the penalty of the laws made against recusants, by way of Indictment or otherwise: These are to signify, that we are graciously pleased to extend Our special grace towards them, and do hereby will and command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or suit in our name, or in the name of any other be henceforth commenced, prosecuted or accepted against them or either of them, by any of our Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for or concerning recusancy, till we shall signify Our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such shall happen to be, than our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to them or either of them, Given under our Signet at our Court at Greenwich the ninth day of june, in the eleventh year of our Reign. To all and singular the Barons of the Exchequer, judges of Assize, justices of peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Clerks of Assize, and Petty Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, Informers, and to all other our Officers and Ministers whom it may or doth concern, and to every of them. ● CHARLES' REX. Whereas we have received very good testimony of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our trusty & wellbeloved Sir john Wintour of Lydney in our County of Glo●cester Knight, and the Lady Mary his Wife, and because they may be subject to the penalty of the Laws made against recusancy; These are to signify, that we are pleased to extend Our special grace towards them, and do hereby command, that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit, either in Our name or in the name of any other, be hereafter commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them, or either of them, by any of our Officers or Ministers whatsoever for matter of Recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such be already, or shall happen to be at any time hereafter, than our will and pleasure is, the same shall be forth with made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to them, or either of them. Given under our Signet at our Court at oatland's the seventh day of August in the thirteenth year of our Reign. To the most Reverend Father in God, our right trusty and right entirely el●ved Counsellor, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; to the Treasurer, Under treasurer, and Barons of the Exchequer for the time being, to our Commissioners for Recusancy for the time being, and to all the judges of Assize, justices of peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Clerks of Assize, Petty Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants and Informers, and to all other our Officers and Ministers as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal, whom it doth or may concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. Whereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our trusty and wellbeloved Sir Francis Mannecke, of Stock in our County of Suffolk Baronet, and Dame Mary his Wife; and because they are or may be subject to the penalty of our laws made against Recusancy by way of Indictment or otherwise. These are to signify, that we are pleased to extend our special grace and fovour towards them, and do therefore here by command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit either in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth framed preferred, commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them or either of them, by any our Officers or Ministers whatsoever, Ecclesiastical or Temporal, for or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such be, or shall happen to be hereafter, than our pleasure is, that presently upon sight hereof, the same be canceled and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to them or either of them, and these our Letters shall be to all our said Officers and Ministers whatsoever, sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the one and twentieth day of April in the fourteenth year of our Reign. To all, etc. CHARLES' REX. WHereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty, affection, and good service of our trusty and well-beloved Thomas lennings of London, Merchant; and because he is or may be subject to the Penalty of our Laws made against Recusancy, by way of Indictment or otherwise, by reason of his Wife's Recusancy, although he himself be every way conformable: These are to signify, that we are pleased to extend our special grace towards him and her, and do therefore hereby command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit, either in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth framed, preferred, prosecuted or accepted against them or either of them, by any of our Officers or Ministers whatsoever for or concerning her Recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such be, or shall happen to be hereafter, than our will and pleasure is, that forthwith upon sight hereof the same shall be canceled and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to them or either of them, and this our letter shall be unto all and every our officers and Ministers, whom it doth or may concern sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster, the seven and twentieth day of March, in the fifteenth Year of our Reign. To the most reverend Father in God, our right trusty and right entirely beloved Counsellor, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all England, and to the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being, to the Treasurer and Vnder-treasurers, and Barons of our Exchequer for the time being, to our Commissioners for Recusants for the time being, to all and singular our Iudges● justices of Assize, and Goal-delivery, justices of Peace, Mayor, Sheriffs, Clerks of Assize and peace, Baliffs, Constables, Messengers, Pursivants and Informers, and to all other our Officers and Ministers, as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal now and for the time being, whom it doth or may concern, and to every of them, CHARLES' REX. WHereas Sir Chr●les Smith of Walton Wavers in the County of Warwick Knight, is or may be subject to the danger of our Laws for his Recusancy by way of Indictment or otherwise; These are to signify, that we are graciously pleased to extend our special grace and favour towards him, and do hereby will and command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit in our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth preferred or accepted against him by reason of his said Recusancy, by any of our Officers or Subjects whomsoeever, and if any such shall happen to be, than our will and pleasure is, upon sight hereof, that the same shall be discharged and made void. Given under our Signet at our Court at Greenwich the nine and twentieth day of June, in the tenth year of our Reign. To all and singular our judges of Assize, justices of peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Clerks of Assize and Peace, Constables, and to all other our Officers, and Ministers wh●● it doth or may concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. TRusty and well beloved, we greet you well, we have been often and earnestly moved by our dear Mother the Queen Mother of France, to extend our favour to Sir Henry Bedingfield Knight, his Wife and Family, who are Popish Recusants, and we are very willing that for her sake they should receive our favour, when they shall stand in need thereof for that cause; yet we must so perform it, that it may not be of * Wh●● then 〈◊〉 so ma●● Letter this na●● grant others 〈◊〉 ill example to others, who are or shall be in the like kind obnoxious to our Laws for Recusancy, nor be scandalous to our Government, whereof we are and must be tender; therefore our will and command to you is, that you take knowledge of our pleasure herein, and take special care to preserve the said Sir Henry Bedingfield and his Wife from the danger of the laws made against Popish Recusarits, that Sir Henry himself shall not be impeached any way for any of his Family for being Popish Recusants; for the doing whereof from time to time, by such ways you shall think fittest, this shall be your warrant. Dated this twentieth of November 1634. To our tructy and wellbeloved, john Banks Knight, Attorney General and his successors. CHARLES' REX. WHereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our trusty and wellbeloved Clement Paston of Thrope, in our County of Norfolk Esquire, and because he may be subject to the penalty of our Laws made against Recusants by way of Indictment or otherwise; These are to signify that we are graciously pleased to extend our special grace towards him, and do hereby will and command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information or suit in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth Commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against him by any of our Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure to the contrary; and if any such shall happen to be, than our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to him. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster, the four and twentieth day of March, in the tenth year of our Reign. To all judges of Assize, Barons of Exchequer, justices of peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, Informers; and to all other our Officers and Ministers whom it doth or may concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. WHereas our wellbeloved Subject William Peter of Landford-rivers in the County of Essex, hath particular employments in Our service, which he cannot so well discharge and execute if he be troubled for his Religion; these are therefore to signify our gracious pleasure, that we are so well informed and satisfied of his loyalty towards us, that from henceforward he be not any ways questioned for the same, unless our pleasure be especially delivered to the contrary. And this to be sufficient warrant to any whom that may concern. Given under our Signet at our Court at Whitehall, the six and twentieth day of March in the fourteenth year of our Reign. To the Treasurer, under-treasurer, Chancellors, Barons, and other the Officers of our Court of Exchequer for the time being. To all our judges of either Bench, judges of Assize, and Peace, Mayor, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Clerks of Assize and Peace, Constables, Headboroughs, and to all other our Officers and Ministers whom it may or doth concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. WHereas the Lady Elizabeth Stoner of Blounts-court widow, stands indicted for Recusancy in the County of Oxon, she being a weak and sickly woman, as we are informed. Our Royal pleasure is, that you henceforth forbear to proceed, and suffer not any farther proceeding against her, nor upon her lands and goods, upon the said indictment to Conviction, or upon any other the foresaid Indictment in the the said County of Oxon or Wilts, until you know our further pleasure to be signified by us expressly touching the same. And this shall be your warrant in that behalf. To all our judges of Assize and justices of peace for the County of Oxon and Wilts, To our Clerks of Assize and peace for the said Counties, and to all other our Officers and Ministers else where, whom it doth or may concern. CHARLES' REX. WHereas we have received very good testimony of the loyalty, duty, and affection of Sir William Pearsall Knight. And because he may be subject to the penalty of the laws made against recusants, by way of indictment or otherwise: These are to signify that we are graciously pleased to extend our special grace towards him; And do hereby will and command that no Indictments, Presentments, Informations, or suit in our Name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted or accepted against him by any other officers or subjects whatsoever, for or concerning his recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure especially to the contrary. And if any such be already, or shall happen to be hereafter, than our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and void, or otherwise not prejudicial to him. Given under our Signet at our Court of Oatelands' the five and twentieth day of November, in the tenth year of Our reign. To our Treasurer and Chancellor of the Exchequer for the time being, and to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants; to all judges of Assize, justices of the peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Clerks of the Assize and of the peace, Constables, Messenger's, Pursivants, Informers; and to all other Officers and Ministers whom it doth or may concern, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. Wheareas' john Carrill of Harting in the County of Sussex Esquire, soon and heir of Sir john Carrill of Harting aforesaid Knight, is or may be subject to the danger of our laws for his recusancy, by way of indictment, information or otherwise: and whereas we understand that the said john Carrill hath componnded with us for his whole Estate by the Commission of grace which we have been pleased to grant for that purpose and the like, and hath duly hitherto paid the rent reserved to us thereupon, his whole Estate having been granted and released by us to him under our great Scale of England. And whereas we are informed that the said john Carrill Esquire hath no Lands at all to live upon but only some in the manor of Warnham in the County of Sussex, which his Father allowed him for his maintenance, and which is part and parcel of the Lands aforesaid so compounded for with us by our Commissioners, and for which the Father hitherto hath duly paid the rent reserved. And whereas the said john Carrill the Son h●mbly offers, that if God call his Father before him, he will pay us the same rent to which his father is subject now for the same favours and immunities which the said father now enjoys, so as we are not to be damnified at all in our Revenue by this our act of grace to the Son. These are therefore to signify, that we are graciously pleased to extend our special favour towards the said john Carrill the Son, and do hereby will and command that no indictment, presentment, Information, or any Suit of any kind, in our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth preferred or accepted against him by reason of his said Recusancy by any of our Officers or subjects whatsoever. And if any shall happen to be commenced or brought, than our express will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, and this ou● Warrant shall continue in force until we shall signify our pleasure to the contrary Given under our Signet at our Court at Whitehall, the last day of February, in the twelfth year of Our Reign. To all and singular our judges of Assize, our Attorney General and Solicitor, justices of peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Clerks of Assize and of the peace, Constables, and all other our Officers and Ministers whom it doth, or may concern and to every of them. CHRALES REX. WHereas we have received a good Testimoney of the loyalty, duty, and good affection of our trusty and wellbeloved servant, Edward Cotton of Shelwood in the County of Surry Esquire and of Mary his wife; and because they may be subject to the penalties of the laws made against Recusants, by way of Indictment, or otherwise: These are to signify, that we are graciously pleased to extend our special grace towards them; and do hereby will and command, that no Indictmen, Presentment, Information, or suit in our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them, or either of them, by any of our Officers or servants whatsoever, for or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure to the contrary. Or if any be, or shall happen to be, than our will and pleasure is, that upon sight here of the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to them, or either of them. Given under our signet, at our Palace of Westminster, the fifteenth day of june, in the thirteenth year of our Reign. To the most reverend father in God the Lord archbishop of Canterbury; to our Lord-treasurer and Chancellor, and Barons of the exchequer for the time being; to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants for the time being; to all our judges of assize, justices of peace, majors, Sheriffs, Clerks of Assize and peace, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, and Informers, and to all other Officers and Ministers whatsoever, to whom it doth or may appertain, and to every of them, as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal. CHARLES' REX. WHereas we have received very good testimony of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our right trusty and wellbeloved Thomas Lord Arundel of Wardor, and the Lady Anne his wife, and because they may be subject to the penalty of our Laws made against Recusants, by way of Indictment or otherwise: these are to signify that we are graciously pleased to extend our special grace towards them, and do hereby will and command, that no Indictment, presentment, information, or suit in our name or● in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them or either of them, by any of our Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for, or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure to the Contrary; And if any such be already, or shall happen to be hereafter, than Our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to them, or either of them. Given under our signet at our palace at Westminster; the one and twentieth day of june, in the thirteenth Year of Our Reign. To our Lord Treasurer and Chancellor of our Exchequer for the time being: to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants for the time being: to all our judges of Assize, justices of peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Clerks of Assize and Peace, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, and Informers, and to all other our Officers and Ministers whatsoever, to whom it doth, or may appertain, and to every of them. CHARLES' REX. WHereas we are well satisfied of the loialty, duty and affection of our trusty and well-beloved William Therold of Arberfield in the County of Berks Esquire, and Francis his wife, and because they are or may be subject to the penalty of our Laws for their Recusancy, by way of Indictment, or otherwise: These are therefore to signify, that We are pleased to extend our special grace towards them; and do hereby will and command, that no Indictment, Presentment Information, Citation or other Suit whatsoever in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth framed, preferred, prosecuted, or accepted, against them, or either of them, by any our officers or subjects whatsoever, for or concerning their Recusancy, till we shall signify our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such already be, or shall happen to be hereafter, than our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial to them. Given under our Signe-Manuall this fourth day of September 1639. To the most Reverend Father in God, our right trusty and right entirely beloved Counsellor, William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; Primate and Metropolitan of all England, and to the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, for the time being, the Treasurer and under-treasurer, Chamberlains, and Barons of our Exchequer for the time being, to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants, for the time being; to all our judges of Assize, justices of peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Clerks of Assize and peace, Bailiffs and to all other our Officers and Ministers Ecclesiastical and temporal for the time being, and to all others whom it shall or may concern. The like letters of grace under the Kings own sign manual, I find granted to the Lady Elizateth Dormer, dated the 19 of June 1629 to Captain john Read, 13 of july Anno 10 Car. to Anthony Metcalf Her Majesty's servant produced at the open Sessions of Goal-delivery made for Middlesex the 28 of March 15th Car. to Anne Lady Sands Dowager, Elisabeth Stukely her only daughter, and Elisabeth Hitchcock her servant, produced at the Sessions of Gaol delivery for the same County the 8 of july Anno 15 to Car. to john Chamberlain of Lindhurst. Produced at the same place the 9 of May 14 to Car. to Sir Henry Audley Knight, and Dame Anne his wife, dated 15 januarii Anno 13 Car. to the Lady Katherine Windsor, wife of Thomas Lord Windsor, dated 7 Febr. Anno 15 Car. all these Letters of Grace under the King's signe-manuall, and privy Signet, for protection of these Arch-popish Recusants against all Laws and prosecutions, are registered, and the true copies of them entered by the Recusants themselves or their agents in the Clerk of the Peace his books for London and Middlesex, or in the Crowne-Office, besides sundry others left with the Clerks of the Peace in other Counties of England. What effects these Letters of Grace and protection produced in Courts of justice contrary to Law and to the Kings and justices own Oaths, will appear by these few ensuing Orders, made at the open Sessions of Gaol delivery for the County of Middlesex. UPon special directions given by his Majesty, and signified by a Letter from Master Secretary Windebank to the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Richardson Knight Lord chief Justice of his Majesty's Court of King's Bench, 17 April. 10 car. p. 157 Of the Session's Book. bearing date the sixteenth day of April 1634 and showed now to this Court. It is ordered by this Court ' that the Recognisance taken in Court at the Sessions of Gaole-delivery holden for the County of Middlesex at justice Hall in the Old-baily the fourth day of October last passed, wherein Alexander Baker of the Parish of Saint Andrew's in Holborn in the County of Middlesex Gentleman, was bound to his Majesty with two sureties for his appearance at the Sessions of Goal delivery than next following, At which Sessions he made default, shall not be estreated but all further proceedings thereupon shall be forthwith stayed. Per Cur. UPon the reading of His Majesty's Letters Parents under the Great Seal of England, Maii. 4. Car. p. 274. bearing date the third day of january, in the 3 year of his Majesty's reign of England, etc. and enrolled in his Majesty's Court of Exchequer. It appeared unto this Court, that His Majesty was graciously pleased to signify His Royal pleasure that john Chamberlain of Lindhurst in the County of Southampton Esq●● should not at any time hereafter * Nota. during the term of LX years be indicted of or for Recusancy, or for not repairing to Church, Chapel or usual place of Common prayer, contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom in that behalf had and provided. And that if any indictment be, that then upon such indictment or indictments no process or other proceedings by Proclamation or Proclamations, Utlary or Utlaries, or● otherwise, shall be had against the said john Chamberlain, and thereupon it is ordered by this Court that His Majesty's royal pleasure, signified as aforesaid would be obeyed, and that all proceedings against the said john Chamberlain should be stayed accordingly. Per Cur. WHereas this court hath this Sessions received command from his Majesty under his Sign Manual, 28 March. 15. Car. p. 304. on the behalf of Anthony Metcalfe servant to the Queen's Majesty, for the staying of any indictment or any further proceeding upon any indictment against the said Anthony for matters of Recusancy. It is therefore by this Court ordered, that all proceedings in this Court against the said Anthony for the said cause, shall cease until His Majesty's pleasure be signified to the contrary. Per Cur. ACcording to a letter under the hand of Master Secretary Windebank signifiing his Majesty's pleasure therein. 29 Maii. 15 Car. p. 312. It is ordered by this Court, that the estreating of the Convictions upon the indictments of the recusancy against these persons here undernamed, shall be stayed until his Majesty's pleasure be further known to the Contrary. Viz. Sir john Symonds Knight. Elizabeth Good Widow. William Cape, and M ●rs Forman Widow. ACcording to his Majesty's pleasure and grace extended towards Anne Lady Sands Dowager, and Elizabeth Stukely her only daughter, 8 junii. 15 Car. p. 316. and Elizabeth Hitchcock her servant, and signified to this Court under his Highness' sign manual; It is ordered and commanded by this Court, that no further process or proceeding be made or had against them upon their indictments or Recusancy, until his majesty's pleasure be signified to the contrary. Per Cur. WHereas the King's Majesty under his Sign manual, signified to this Court some three years since, that it was his Highness' pleasure that no Indictment of Recusancy should be received against Sir Charles Smith of Wotton-mavers in the County of Warwick, Knight; or if any such shall happen to be, that then it should be discharged and made void. And whereas at the last Sessions an Indictment of recusancy was preferred against the said Sir Charles, unknown to this Court. It is now ordered by this Court, that no further proceedings shall be made against the said Sir Charles upon the said indictment, but utterly to cease, until his Majesty's pleasure be signified to the contrary. Per Cur At the Sessions of Goal-delivery for London, held 16 Ianu. 10 Car. Regis. William Stamford of Perry-barre in the County of Stafford Esquire, was indicted for recusancy, and after convicted 16 Feb. 10 Car. Regis, And afterwards at the Goal-delivery held 10 Apr. 11 Car. Regis, it was ordered. That according to his Majesty's express will and pleasure signified under his Privy Signet, dated 9 januar 10 Car. Regis, to stay all proceedings, etc. That the conviction of the said William Stamford, should not be estreated at the Exchequer. The like stay was made of all process and proceedings in the Exchequer, King's bench, and Sessions of peace in other Counties upon all the forementioned letters of Grace and Protection, and in sundry others of that nature; as the Order made in Court upon them attest beyond all Contradiction. A Note of the Names of those Recusants, against whom Process hath been stayed by his Majesty's Letters under His Privy Signet, in the Crown Office. AGainst William Arundel Esquire second son to the Lord Arundel of Wardour, and the Lady Mary Saint john his wife, by letter bearing date the 25 of April Anno. 11 Caroli Regis. Against Captain john Read, by a letter dated the 13th of July 10 Caroli, Against Sir Francis Mannocks of Stoke, in the County of Suffolk, and Dame Mary his Wife, by a letter dated the 20 of April 14. Caroli. Against Sir Henry Brown of Kidington in the County of Oxford and Dame Elizabeth his Wife by a letter the fifth of January 12 Caroli. Against William Bradshaw of Saint Clements Danes in the County of Middlesex Esquire and Margaret his wife; by a letter dated 4th of July 11 Caroli. Against Robert Hewet of Amptill Grange in the County of Bedford, and Mary his wife, by a letter bearing date the second of July 13. Caroli. Against Sir Henry Audley Knight and Dame Ann● his wife; by a letter of the 15 of January 13. Caroli. Against Thomas Lord Arundel of Wardour, and the lady Anne his wife; by a letter dated the 20 of june 13 Caroli. Against the Lady Katherine Windsor, wife of Thomas Lord Windsor; by a letter 7 of February 15 Caroli, in the same Court of King's Bench, process was stayed against Gorge Cope, Francis Simmons, Benjamin Gill, and others indicted of Recusancy by a warrant from William Noy, the King's Attorney General, dated the 21 of May, 1633. And against Henry Constable Knight, Lord Constable, Viscount Dumbarre, by warrant from Sir john Banks the King's Attorney General, dated the 23 of june 1635. with sundry others. So process out of the Court of Exchequer, and Crown Office against Robert Courtese and others, was stayed upon this Petition. To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty. The humble petition of Robert Courtese, Matthew Reynolds and John Fitzwilliam, in the behalf of themselves and divers others. MOst humbly showing, That whereas the Petitioners have lately exhibited a petition unto your Majesty, declaring, that for being Recusants there are writs out of your Highness' Court of Exchequer, directed to the Sheriff● of London and Middlesex, to self their Goods to your Majesty's use; albeit they have been always and now are ready to compound according to Your Majesty's most gracious favour, and their mean ability (being poor Tradesmen) which by reason of this contagious time, and other the weighty affairs of Your Majesty's most Honourable Commission, they have not yet done, and so stand in danger to perish, unless your Majesty of your accustomed clemency do extend your gracious favour towards them, in giving order that the said writs may be stayed, which they most humbly pray. Since which time they humbly show there are other writs come out of the Crown Office to arrest their persons. Therefore they do most humbly beseech Your Majesty to take compassion of them, and their poor Estates, and to give order that the said writs may be stayed, and that they may not be molested neither in their persons or goods, whilst they are upon composition with your Majesty, which they will endeavour to hasten with as much speed as may be, And, as by duty bound, your poor petitioners shall daily pray for Your Majesty long to Reign most happily over us. At the Court at Oatelands' 7. August 1637. HIS Majesty's pleasure is, that the writs shall be stayed according to the desire of the petitioners, till the first sitting of the Commission for Recusants, at which time the petitioners are to make their appearance, and submit themselves to a composition according to the usual course, and hereof the Commission of Recusancy are to take notice, and give order accordingly. Francis Windebanke. And as the Course of justice and proceedings against particular Popish Recusants were thus obstructed by these warrants and letters, so when Commissions issued out to the Sheriffs of the Southern Counties of England, and Wales, for finding, and seizing their Lands, Goods, and Chattels in the year of our Lord 1639. They were forthwith Countermanded by Letters sent to the Sheriffs to Secretary Windebank in his Majesty's name. Witness this following Letter of his to the Sheriff of Somersetshire. AFter my very hearty commendations, Whereas there did lately issue forth to yourself and others, a Commission for the finding of the Lands, Goods and Chattels of certain Recusants, which said proceedings being only intended for the enabling of them that are already convicted, and mentioned in a Schedule annexed unto the Commission, to make composition for the several sums of money due from them unto his Majesty, upon the Statutes for their Recusancy according to his Majesty's most Gracious Instructions in that behalf, which otherwise they would not do. Now forasmuch as the said Commission of enquiry hath been by divers misunderstood, as an unlawful violent prosecution against Recusants, which is not his Majesty's intention. These are therefore to signify unto you His Majesties said Gracious pleasure therein. And that no seizure be made of any the Lands, Goods, or Chattels, of those who shall at the execution of the afforesaid Commission enter their names, that they will within three months after prosecute their Composition in LONDON with his Majesty's Commissioners for their Recusancy as aforesaid. And that you be careful in the execution of your Commission, that all further or unusual prosecution against Recusants be forborn, by those that shall be therein employed, and that if any seizure of any of the Lands or goods of any Recusant as aforesaid be already made by you or your Deputies contrary to these His Majesty's gracious intentions, that the same by you or them be forthwith restored, such being His Majesty's Gracious clemency towards them at this time, at the instance of HER MAJESTY. And so with my most hearty commendations I bid you farewell: Your very loving friend, Fran. Windebanke. From the Court at Whitehall, the fifth of Octob. 1639 To my very loving friend, the high-sheriff of the County of Somerset, now, and for the time being. The like Letters verbatim were sent to the Sheriffs of Oxford, Hampshire, Sussex, and other Counties, the Originals whereof are yet extant in Mr. Glyns custody now recorder of London. The like Letters were sent into Wales, the copy of one of them sent into Flintshire, with the Commissioners certificate of their stay of proceedings against Recusants thereupon, I shall here subjoin. AFter my hearty commendations, whereas I understand that there is a Commission lately issued out of the Court of Exchequer, and sent into your County to inquire of the estates of the Recusants there; you are therefore forthwith upon sight hereof to cause stay to be made of all proceedings upon that commission till His Majesty's pleasure shall be further known: for which this shall be your Warrant, and so I rest, To my very loving friend the High Sheriff of the County of Flint. Your very loving friend, Fran. Windebanke. 11 Julii 1639. Copia vera exam. per. Io Evans. sub vic. WE the Commissioners whose names are under-written having received His Majesty's Commission under the Exchequer Seal dated 3● die julii in the fi●t●enth year of his Majesty's reign, to us and others directed to inquire what Lands, Goods, and hereditaments, certain Recusants convicted, whose names were in a Schedule thereunto annexed, written; for the execution whereof we having met at the Town of Mould in the said County of Flint, the twentieth day of September, 1639 The Deputy Sheriff of the said County produced a Letter to the High Sheriff directed, whereof this is a true Copy; whereupon we did not proceed in that service. Richard Grosvenor. john Eyton. Tho. Perton How many Recusants were convicted from the first till the sixteenth year of His Majesty's reign, only in the Southern parts of England (besides Wales and the Northern Counties, where they most abounded) many of them being persons of great estates, will appear by this Certificate of Mr. john Pulford, specially employed in their prosecution by His Majesty. Convictions of Recusants from ● more Caroli, in the 29 English Counties within the Southern Division. Anno Car. about IN Bedford, until 14 90 Berks 14 360 Buck. 14 310 Cambridge. 13 40 Cornwall. 13 160 Devon. 13 200 Dorset. 14 210 Essex. 12 190 Glouc. 12 80 Hartford, 4 20 Huntingdon. 14 50 Hampshire. 14 960 Hereford. 15 760 Kent. 13 290 Leicester. 16 420 Middlesex. 16 1060 Monmouth. 14 1400 Norfolk. 14 490 Northamp. 9 230 Oxford. 14 440 Salop. 12 560 Somerset. 14 330 Sussex. 12 950 Suffolk. 13 460 Surry. 12 160 Wilts. 14 160 Warwic. 12 1000 Worcester. 13 540 q. Rutland. 11970 For the 12 Welsh Counties, the Convictions remain in the custody of the Prothonotaries of Wales, who by Order from the Commissioners were to return them 6 months ago; but yet they are not come in. How little benefit his Majesty made of their Lands and Estates upon their convictions, by reason of the forecited Letters of Grace, for staying process and proceeding against them, is manifest by this following Certificate of the payment of all the revenues of Recusants in the Southern parts, by the Sheriffs of the several Counties from the year 1627. to 1460. An abstract of all such sums of money as have been paid to His Majesty's particular Receiver of the Recusants' Revenue for the Southern parts of this Kingdom of England, by any of the Sheriffs of the several Counties on this side Trent, since the third year of his Majesty's reign that now is, viz. An. Dom. An. R. Car. l. s. d. 1628. 4 287 11 0½ 1629 5 482 5 6¾ 1630 6 563 18 6½ 1631 7 363 12 0 1632 8 462 7 8 1633 9 337 14 8¼ 1634 10 231 1 ½ 1635 11 251 15 4½ 1636 12 231 13 0 2/4 1637 13 198 1 1¼ 1638 14 261 5 8 1639 15 250 9 9¾ 1640 16 161 3 10¾ 4083 0 4½ Rob. Long: A very inconsiderable sum, if the multitude of the convicted Recusants forementioned be considered, and the great yearly revenues of sundry of them. I shall close up this branch of his Maiestes' extraordinary favour to popish Recusants, with the Petition and Diclaration of Master john Pulford, and his Majesty's answer thereunto in the margin, written with his own royal Hand (by which the Papists contributions towards the Scottish wars are confessed, and made the ground of staying Process against them) the original whereof is remaining in the custody of Miles Corbet Esquire, Chaireman for the Committee of Examinatione. To the Kings most Excellent Majesty. The most humble Declaration of john Pulford. Your Majesty's servant, touching the proceedings as special Agent for advancing Your Majesty's Revenue arising by the Forfeitures or Compositions with Popish Recusants in the Southern parts of this Your Majesty's Kingdom, and the lets and oppositions which hindered him in effecting the service; the which be humbly conceives (both in discharge of his duty and trust reposed in him) be aught to present unto your Majesty. THe 19 of january in the 14. year of Your Majesty's reign, Your Majesty conferred the said employment upon me. The 28. of February following, divers of Your Majesty's Commissioners at my request, and for the better enabling me to proceed in the service, did sign letters (which I then presented unto them ready written) directed to the justices of Peace within all the several Counties for convicting of all Recusants, as by the said Letters may appear. The reason of both these stais of proceedings was, because the Papists should not be diverted from their contribution which they were then making for me. But about two or three days after, one of the Commissioners did advertise me, That it was your Majesty's pleasure those letters should not be sent, which I obeyed. The eleventh of July after, I sent Comissions into ten several Counties for inquiries to be made of the Estates of Recusants already convicted: But presently after letters were sent to the several Sheriffs of the said Counties, requiring them to stay all proceedings upon the said commissions until your Majesty's pleasure were further known, upon sight whereof the Commissioners desisted, whereby I lost 114 li. which I had disbursed to Substitutes and Messengers to defray the charges of executing the said Commissions. And albeit in October following, Letters were sent to the said Sheriffs for proceedings to be had upon the said Commissions, yet in regard of the afforesaid stay, the Service was so disparaged, and the commissioners were so discouraged, that they have since neglected to execute the like Commissions directed unto them; and some Sheriffs have likewise neglected to provide Juries for finding and returning Inquisitions of Recusants Estates. In February following, I acquainted Your Majesty's Commissioners here with the stay of the said Commissions, This was merely to make a distinction betwixt the Nobility and persons of meaner quality. and backwardness of the commissioners in the County to proceed in the like service, and entreated them that therefore they would be pleased to sign Letters once again to the justices of peace, and therein Your Majesty's pleasure might be signified, as well for the Indicting and Convicting of all Recusants, as also that the Commissioners hereafter appointed should give better attendance in executing Commissions of equity: To which purpose I did then present unto them a draught of a Letter, which being read over unto them, they desired the Lord Treasurer to show it Your Majesty, in regard Your Majesty's pleasure was to be declared therein, upon intimation whereof by his Lordship they would sign such Letters, the which his Lordship about two or three days after having signified, bid me prepare the Letters. But within a few days after one of the Commissioners advertised me in the presence of the Lord Treasurer, That it was Your Majesty's pleasure the said Letters should not be sent, for that were divers of the Nobility, and other persons of quality, Recusants whom Your Majesty was pleased to favour, and would not have convicted. Nevertheless Letters should be sent for the certifying of all Recusants' names unto the justices, which Recusants names they should return up unto the Commissioners here, the which being accordingly written and signed by some of the Commissioners, were notwithstanding afterward not sent, in regard ●ome of the Commissioners conceived, such Letters, being only for the certifying of Recusants names, without direction of further proceedings against them, would rather hinder then further the service. In April and May following, I was informed that this was an illegal and undue proceeding, by as good Lawyers as any are in the Kingdom. I caused some Messages I had formerly employed into divers Counties at my own Charges for the discovery of Recusants unconvicted, to Indict such as they had discovered at the Sessions then held for Middlesex, which they accordingly did: whereupon divers of those Recusants petitioned Your Majesty against me, alleging, That indicting of Recusants in a foreign County, was contrary to the intent of the Law, and a Declaration made by Your Majesty's Royal Father of blessed memory; and thereupon Your Majesty appointed the Lord Treasurer, Lord Dorset, Lord Cottington, Master Treasurer, and the Lord chief justice Littleton, to take due information thereof● and deliver their opinions to your Majesty, who in july following, met and heard the Recusants by their Council, at which time I showed Precedents for the like foreign Indictments, and necessity for proceeding in that course, in regard many Recusants had for many years escaped Convictions in their proper Counties through fear or favour, and perhaps would so continue all their lives: howbeit I● was advertised afterwards that it was your Majesty's pleasure such manner of Indicting should be suspended. Besides all this I have met with another main hindrance in effecting the said service, Particular favours must not make a precedent or rule for others. viz. Letters granted by your Majesty to divers of the more eminent and wealthiest of the Recusants, commanding no legal proceedings to be had against them by reason of their Recusancy. Whereby Your Majesty not only loseth the Penalties, and Forfeitures due unto Your Majesty from them, but also under colour of those Letters they priviledge● and protect the estates of other Recusants convicted, as their own, so as the same cannot be found by inquisition, by which Your Majesty is defeated of your just interest in their particular estates. For discovery whereof Your Majesty's Attorney General hath (at my instance) preferred Bills in the Exchequer chamber against divers of them. In all which proceedings, my care, travel, and charges, have been extraordinary, for I have expended above 600. li. without one penny recompense from the Commissioners. It is good reason that your pains and charges should be considered in this business. I therefore most humbly beseech your sacred Majesty to take into your royal consideration the aforesaid Letters and interruptions of the service, and to declare your Princely resolution concerning my proceedings for the time to come, as may be most for Your Majesty's Honour and increase of Your said Revenue. And as in duty bound, I shall daily pray for Your Majesty's long and prosperous reign. Discharges of Priests and Jesuits under the King, Counsels, and Secretary Windebanks hands. AS I have given you a brief Discovery of his Majesty's extraordinary Letters of Grace and Protection to Popish Recusants for stay of all legal proceedings against them hitherto, so I shall in the next place present you a summary List of His own, His Counsels & Secretary Windebanks (most likely by His Royal direction) favours to, and discharges of Seminary Priests and Jesuits from all legal prosecutions, and imprisonments, in or near London only, all extant on record in the several Prison Books to which they were committed, or in the King's Bench, most of the Originals of them being now in the Recorder of London's hands, appointed long since to draw up Secretary Windebanks charge. I shall begin with His Majesties discharges under his own Signe-manuall. Charles R. WHereas on the 24 of March last, our pleasure was declared to the Lords of our Privy Council, that AT THE INSTANCE OF OUR DEAREST CONSORT THE QUEEN, and in regard of the peace between the two Crowns, we were graciously pleased that THESE PRIESTS and Recusants here undernamed, who were then in several Prisons, should be released and delivered to the marquis De Chasteauneu●, Ambassador extraordinary to Us from the French King, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FORMER ORDER AGAINST SUCH releaseth AND DELIVERIES, with this further Declaration, That if any of them shall remain in, or return into the Kingdom, that our express will and pleasure is, That * Which was never executed in any point. the Law should pass on every such Person without further favour, all which was ordered accordingly, and all the said persons or divers of them were brought unto you by several Warrants, these are therefore TO WILL AND COMMAND YOU FORTHWITH TO DELIVER to the said Ambassador, or to such persons as he shall appoint in that behalf, all such of the said persons, as are already come into Your charge and custody, and ALL SUCH AS SHALL COME TO YOUR CHARGE HEREAFTER by virtue of the aforesaid Order, and this shall be your SUFFICIENT WARRANT: So as you do not deliver any other but the persons hereafter named, and that you return a List of such as you shall deliver to the Lords of Our Privy Council, Given under OUR SIGN MANUAL at Denmark house the eleventh day of April, in the sixth year of our reign. john Dally Corn●lius Crawley john Southw●rth Reynault Mac. donnel Palmer Gilbert Brodin Roger Clay Thomas Gant alias Thornbrough Middleton Stevens james Willandson. Richard Salvin. Th●. Ridale Brian Medcalf john Seargin William Biddle. To our keeper of the Clinke, or to his Deputy. Here we have no less than sixteen Priests released out of one prison by one Warrant under his Majesties own hand at one time, at the Queens own instance, when not altogether so powerful, nor Popery grown to that head and power as now. I doubt, no such Warrant can be produced to discharge any Puritans (as the most zealous Protestants were nicknamed) our of prison all his reign. Not long after there were six more priests taken, and committed to the Clink, all of them this same year released at once by this ensuing royal Warrant under his Majesty's hand. Charles R. WHereas since our last Warrant unto you, bearing date the eleventh day of April last, there have been brought unto Your custody these hereafter mentioned PRIESTS or Recufants, the which according to our pleasure signified on the 24. of March last, AT THE INSTANCE OF OUR DEAREST CONSORT THE QUEEN, are to be transported beyond the Seas, by such persons as the marquis of Casteauneu● late Ambassador extraordinary from our dear brother the French King, hath appointed. These are therefore to will and require you forthwith to deliver to the said persons or person by the said French Ambassador so appointed, THE SIX PERSONS hereafter named, to be presently transported into the parts beyond the Seas, whereof DO YOU NOT FAILE, and this shall be your SUFFICIENT WARRANT for the same. Given under our Signe-Manuall at our Palace at Westminster, the 25 day of June, in the sixth year of our reign. Thomas Holmes Robert Widdrington Thomas Readman Thomas Berry Thomas Sheephard Gilbert Shelton. To our keeper of the Clink or to his Deputy. After these liberal discharges of so many priests together, it seems, the Officers of Justice were much dismayed in their bootless apprehensions of them, whereupon there were seldom many of them together in prison at once in succeeding years; and if any single priest were casually apprehended by any deligent Officers, they soon procured their several discharges, many of them under the Kings own hand, of which there are sundry precedents, almost in all the prisons and Goals of England and Wales, overtedious to ennumerate or transcribe; I shall instance only in three or four to the Clinke, which together with Newgate, the Gatehouse, and Newprison, could furnish us almost with a whole volume of the like examples. Charles Rex. Whereas Richard Salvin was heretofore committed to your charge to be kept prisoner there until further order; these shall be now to will & require you to enlarge the said Richard Salvin, & to deliver him unto Du. Moulin a French Gentlemam, to be by him transported into the parts beyond the seas, for which this shall be your warrant. Given under our Sign Manual at our Palace of Westminster the eighteenth of November, in the seventh year of our reign. To our trusty and well-beloved, the Keeper of the prison of the Clinke. This Salvin was one of the 16 Priests formerly discharged, and staying here apprehended, & now again discharged, contrary to the purport of the former warrant. Charles Rex. WHereas request hath been made unto Us by Mounsieur Biscaret, in the name of our dear Mother in Law, the Queen Dowager of France, in the behalf of Matthew Wilson, a ROMISH PRIEST, now a prisoner in your custody, that he may be released out of prison, to depart immediately out of the Kingdom in the company of the said Mounsieur Biscaret: We being's willing to give our dear Mother contentment in this particular, do hereby will and command you forthwith to deliver the person of the said Matthew Wilson unto the bearer hereof Edmund Barker, one of the Messengers of our Chamber, to be by him conveyed unto the Sea side, and there shipped in such sort as We have directed by our warrant unto him in that behalf: and for so doing, these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge. Given under our sign Manual at Our Palace of Westminster this four and twentieth day of January, in the seventh year of Our Reign. To the keeper of the prison of the Clink within our Borough of Southwark. This Priest released by this warrant, under pretence of being sent beyond the Seas, continued either still in the Kingdom, or returned hither soon after, being here very lately, as divers credible witnesses have attested; and no doubt most of the other Priests released on this pretext, either remained here still after their enlargement, (as Salvin and john Southworth did, as you will see anon) or returned back in short time after, * See Summa Angelica & Rosella: Til. Obedientia Maffaeus Vegius, & Riba deniera, in vita Ignatii Loyalae, Xavior: & auters bien Heureux Peres de la Compagnie de jesus. unless by the Generals of their several orders, others were sent to supply their places; it being contrary to their Oath of Obedience to their Superiors, who give them their missions, to return from any place whither they are sent, without their special Licence, and an unpardonable sin; the true reason, why so many Priests and Jesuits choose rather to suffer death then depart the Realm without the Licence of their Superiors first obtained, which mandates their Discipline and Doctrine, constrein them absolutely to obey, under pain of eternal damnation, & the severest Ecclesiastical and Temporal Censures they can inflict. There is another Warrant under the King's signe-Manuall directed to the Keeper of the prison, called The New prison, within the City of London, for the release of jon Plansford A ROMISH PRIEST, at the request of the same monsieur Biscaret, in the name of Queen Mother Dowager of France, dated the same 24 day of January the same year as the last recited Warrant and agreeing verbatim therewith, therefore needless to recite: only I shall add this one Warrant more of the Kings, running in a more legal form. Charles' by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To the Keeper of the prison of Clinke in the Borough of Southwark in the County of Surry, and to all Majors, Sheriffs, and Justices of Peace, and to all others to whom it shall or may appertain, Greeting. Whereas intercesion hath been made unto us by the Marshal of Bassampire, Ambassador extraordinary from the Christian King our dear Brother, that out of our grace and goodness we would be pleased to release from imprisonment the body of joseph Pater a Romish Catholic, remaining in the said prison of the Clinke: know you, that we being willing to gratify the said Marshal De Bassam, pire, in granting unto him this his request on the behalf of the said prisoner have given and granted, and by these presents do give and grant unto the said Keeper of the prison of the Clinke, and to you the said Mayor, Sheriffs, and justices of peace foresaid, whom it may concern, full power, warrant, and authority to enlarge and discharge the body of the said joseph Pater of his imprisonment out of the said prison before mentioned, if for Recusancy only, and for no other cause he stand committed: And this presents, or the inrolment thereof shall be as well unto you the Keeper of the said prison of the Clinke for discharging and enlarging of the said prisoner, as unto you the said Majors, Sheriffs, and justices of Peace, for suffering him to walk abroad at large, a sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf. Given under our Signet at our palace of Westminster the eight day of january in the second year of our Reign. Exa. per Ro. Heath. May it please your most Excellent Majesty: This containeth a Warrant for the enlarging of joseph Pater, a Romish Catholic, now prisoner in the Clinke, at the intercession of Martial De Bassampire Ambassador extraordinary from the French King. Signified to be your Majesty's Pleasure by the Lord Conway. Rob. Heath. For releasments of Priests by the Privy Counsels Warrants, take these three precedents in stead of many; The very original Warrants under the Seal of the Privy Council, being now in the Recorders of London's hands. WHereas jasper Loberi● was formerly committed to your custody, to remain prisoner under your charge till further order: these are to will & require you forthwith to discharge & set at liberty the aforesaid jasper Loberie, from his imprisonment; for which this, together with a certificate under the clerk of the Counsels hand, that the said Loberie hath given security, according to an Order of this Board, shall be your sufficient Warrant. Dated at Whitehall the 15. of june, 132. Thomas Coventry C. S. Arundel and Surry Rich. Ebor. Manchester. Wentworth. I. Coke. Wimbleton. Francis Windebank, To the Keeper of the Clink, or his Deputy. At Whitehall, the 18 of December, 1633. present Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York. Lord Privy Seal. Lord High-chamberlain. Earl of Salisbury. Earl of Kelly. Lord Viscount Wimbleton. Lord Cottington. Lord Newburgh. Mr, Treasurer. Mr. Secretary Coke. Mr. Secretary Windebanke. Whereas a petition was this day presented to the Board, by Robert Hais, prisoner in the New-prison, showing, that the petitioner is much impoverished in his Estate, by his long imprisonment, and is now grwne so weak through infirmities that unless by their Lordship's favour he may enjoy the benefit of fresh air for the recovery of his health, his life is in great danger. And therefore made humble suit to be discharged from prison (for preservation of his li●e as aforesaid) upon good security to attend the Board within ten days after notice in that behalf. Forasmuch as his petition was recommended to the Board BY THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY; their Lordships do think fit, and order that the said Hais (first giving good security to attend the Board within ten days after notice given as aforesaid) shall be discharged from his imprisonment, and enjoy his liberty without molestation or trouble of any Messengers, or other his Majesty's Officers whatsoever. Where of the Keeper of the said prison and all other whom it may concern are to take notice. Ex. Wil Becher. THese are to will and command you to set at fulliberty the person of William Waglrave formerly committed to your custody; and for your so doing this shall be your warrant. Dated at Star-chamber the last of lanuary, 1643. Wil Cant. Thomas Coventry, C.S. Arundel and Surry Salisbury. R. Ebor: H. Manchester, Pembroke and Montgomery. To the Keeper of the Clinke and New-prison, or his Deputy. These three persons were committed for Priests, and discharged as such, though not expressed in these Warrants, the better to colour the business. Note that the Archbishop's hands of Canterbury and York, are first subscribed to the two latter of them; but York's to the first in Canterbury's absence; whose hands I dare say, are to no Warrant for such a discharge of any Puritan or Orthodox Protestant Many more Warrants of this nature from the privy-counsel might be produced, which for brevity I omit. Secretary Windebankes Warrants for releasing of Priests are almost infinite. I shall touch only upon some few now remaining in the Recorder of London's hands, who was to draw up his impeachment before he fled into France. Whereas William Waller was commited unto your charge for Recusancy, and for suspi●ion of being a Priest: these are strictly to charge and command you in His Majesty's name upon the sight hereof, forthwith to set him at liberty: and I do likewise hereby require you to deliver unto him his apparel and other necessaries left in his Chamber when you gave * Nota● him leave to go abroad, at THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY'S DESIRE, he paying unto you only the ordinary Fees due by Law for the release of any prisoner from your charge and custody. And this shall be your sufficient discharge in this behalf. Dated the ninth day of Octob. 1632. Fran. Windebank. To Robert Davison keeper of the Clink in Southwark, or to his Deputy there. THese are to Will and require you forthwith upon sight hereof to enlarge and set at liberty the body of Henry Moor now prisoner in your custody, for which this shall be your warrant. Dated at Westminster 1 Decemb. 1633. Fran. Windebank. To Robert Davison keeper of the new prison in Maiden-lane, London. This Moor was committed for a Priest. The King himself by this Warrant under his own hand committed one Edward Moor a Priest, to the Clink, for a notable misdemeanour done in his Court. Charles R. WE will and command you to receive into your custody the body of Edward Moor, and him to keep and detain in safe and sure custody, until you receive our further pleasure concerning him; for which this shall be your Warrant; Given at our Honour at Hampton-Court, this 19th day of Decemb. 1629. in the 15 year of Our reign. To the keeper of Our prison of the Clink. Secretary Windebank by his own ensuing Warrant, without any expressed directions from the King, undertakes to release this Priest, committed by the K. himself. THese are to will and require you, forthwith to enlarge and set at liberty the body of Edward moor, now prisoner in your charge upon suspicion of being a Priest, and hereof you are not to fail. Dated at Whitehall, 14. Mar. 1634. Fran. Windebank. To the keeper of the Clink, and to his Deputy. The like Warrants of release and discharge are under the said Secretary Windebanks hand to the keeper of the Clink, for William Drury, a popish Priest 24 mar. 16: 4. for Thomas Holmes a Priest 9 May 1634. for Humphrey Turbervill, a Priest, 1 Decemb. 1634. for john Fisher alis Percy a popish priest, committed by warrant from the Lords of the Council to the Gatehouse 12 Decemb. 1634. and released by the said Secretaries warrant to the keeper of the Gatehouse 12 August 1635. for Thomas Rainolds a Priest, (to the keeper of the Gatehouse) 17 April 1635. for john Goodman, a noted priest (to the keeper of the Gatehouse) 17 Sept. 1639. with infinite others, whom I now omi●. It was the usual practice of this * See Rome's Masterpiece. p. 23. 24, 29. jesuited Secretary) who had a pension from the Papists, and was a Lay-Iesuite brought up by the Archbishop of Canterbury, whose scholar he was, and made Secretary of State at his suit, as the memorials of his life attest) First, if any Priests were brought before him by the Officers, if he could not discharge them without commitment, to commit them to prison for 4 or 5 days, for a show, and then to discharge them. I shall give you one late instance in stead of many, out of his own Warrants in the case of Arnold Gerard. THese are to will and require you forthwith to receive into your custody the body of Arnold Gerard A ROMISH PRIEST herewith sent you, and him to keep till you shall have further order. And hereof you may not fail. Dated at my house in Drury-lane, 25 may, 1640. Fran. Windebank. To the keeper of the Gatehouse in Westminster or, his Deputy. within five days after he discharged him again by this warrant, under the Secretary's Seal. THese are to will and require you forthwith to set at Liberty the body of Arnold Gerard, whom I LATELY COMMITTED to your custody. And hereof you may not fail. Dated at my house the 30th of May 1640. Fran. Windebank. To the keeper of the Gatehouse in Westminster, or his Deputy. So Thomas Reinolds a Priest committed by this Secretary to the Gatehouse the tenth of April 1635. was absolutely discharged by him thence, on the seventeenth day of the s●me month, as appears by the Warrants. john Southworth, one of the 16 Priests released by the King's forecited Warrant of April 11 sexto Car. to be sent beyond the Seas as was pretended; continuing a dangerous seducer after his release, was afterwards committed again to the Clink prison by the Lords of the Privy-Councels warrant; but yet for all that had free liberty to walk abroad at his pleasure (as most Priests during their imprisonment, had, the more safely to seduce His Majesty's good subjects, and open masses in their prisons to boot; whereupon being apprehended and brought before some of the High-Commissioners, and refusing to give bond to appear before them (though the good men never did such Romish-vermin any harm in their terrible Court, a Spanish inquisition only to torture Puritans, and no other persons, (he was sent to the Clink by their warrant under the Seal of the Court, dated the 24 of June, An. Dom. 1640 (to which they found him to be formerly committed by the Lords, and to be then a vagrant prisoner) to be there detained under the Keeper's custody until other order should be given for his enlargement all, which is expressed in the warrant for his commitment. But within few days after this Priest was absolutely released by this warrant. THese are to will and require you forthwith upon the sight here of, to enlarge & set at liberty the body of john Southworth lately committed to your custody. For which this shall be your Warrant. Dated at my house in Drury-lane, 16 july 1640. Fran. Windebank. To the keeper of the Clink, or to his Deputy, or Deputies. How dangerous a seducer this Southworth, alias Southwell was, appears by this Petition of Robert White, Sub-Curate of St. Margaret's Parish in Westminster to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the last great sickness, 1636. MOst humbly showeth, That the Petitioner ever since the beginning of this grievous visitation in Westminster, hath used all the pains & diligence that possibly he could, to serve the Cure in the absence of Dr. Wimberley; and bein gimployd by divers charitably disposed people to distribute their alms among the most indigent and distressed sort of people, he hath observed TWO POPISH PRIESTS to frequent Westminster, one of which is called Southwell, who is, and long hath been a prisoner in the Gatehouse, but * These Priests had liberty to go & live abroad even whiles they were prisoners, the more safely to seduce the people. lies about Clerkenwel, This Southwell, under a pretence of distributing Alms, sent FROM SOME OF THE PRIESTS IN Somerset-House, or OTHER PAPISTS, doth take occasion to go into divers visited Houses in Westminster, and namely to the house of one William Baldwin, and William Styles in the Kemp-yard in Westminster, and there finding Baldwin near the point of death, did set upon him by all means to make him change his religion, whereunto by his subtle persuasions Baldwin easily consented, and received the Sacrament from him according to the Church of Rome, and so died a Romish-catholique. And in the same manner he perverted William Stiles, who also died a Romish-catholique. And South-well to colour and hide these wicked practices, doth see the Watchmen and other poor people thereabouts, that they should affirm he comes only to give Alms. And thus under a pretence of relieving the bodies of poor people, he comes only to poisons their souls. Now may it please your Grace, the Petitioner having no means to apprehend these Priests, or to stop this danger and dishonour to our Religion, doth humbly implore your Grace's favour and zeal, that some speedy course may be taken to hinder the progress thereof; and that not only for the confirming and settling of poor people in our Religion, but also to prevent a great danger which may ensue to the Queen's Majesty at her coming to Denmark-house, for that divers poor people newly turned Romish-Catholiques, do commonly frequent the Mass at Denmark-house; And three of those poor people watched all night with William Styles immediately before he died, and the next day went thither to Mass. A most wicked course if it should not be remedied. Upon this, Southwell soon after was apprehended, indicted, arraigned, and the premises fully proved against him by sundry witnesses; and yet by the Queens and Windebanks powerful means, his final trial was put off, to the great discontent of the people, & he not long after released, even near the very time that D. Bastwicke, Mr. Burton, and Mr. Prynne, were most grievously censured in the Star-chamber, and most barbarously pillored, deprived of their ears, stigmatised, yea sent away Close-prisoners and exiles into foreign Islands, and there shut up so straight, that not so much as their Wives of Friends might have access by person or letter to them, nor set footing in the Islands where they were cloistered up, under pain of imprisonment and the severest censures; and all for opposing the Popish Doctrines and Innovations brought into our Church by the Prelatical and Popish Confederates, who conspired to undermine our Religion, and boldly discovering this their conspiracy spiracie in printed books, to the incredulous secure world, who never dreamt of such an imminent danger to our religion, which is since more palpably and experimentally discovered. To such an exorbitant power and prevalency had the Priests and Popish faction then attained. Secondly, if any Priests or Jesuits were committed in the Country, than it was this Secretaries ordinary practice to send for them up to London, by his own Warrant and Messengers, under pretence of proceeding against them here, and so to release them: to give you one late instance (most Counties having made experiences of this practice.) Patrick Clerye, a dangerous Priest, was committed by the Earl of Salisbury to Hortford-Gaole by this Warrant. YOu shall receive herewith the body of Patrick Clerye, who BY HIS OWN CONFESSION made before me IS A SEMINARY PRIEST. Wherefore these are to will and require you to take into your custody the body of the said Patrick Clerye, and him to keep in durance, till he shall be delivered by sufficient Warrant for that behalf. And herein you may not fail, at your peril. Dated at Hertford this 26. of June, 1643. Salisbury. To the Keeper of his Majesty's Gaol of Hertford, or his Deputies there. Within few days after this Priest was removed and released by Windebanke, by colour of this juggling Warrant. BY virtue of HIS MAJESTY'S COMMAND to me given, These are to will and require you forth with upon sight hereof, to deliver the body of Patrick Clerye, now prisoner in your custody, into the hands of this bearer, one of the Messengers of His Majesty's Chamber, sent purposely for him, who is to bring him hither, to be * That is to be released. proceeded with, as his Majesty shall please further to direct; and hereof you may not fail at your peril. Dated at Whitehall, 21. July, 1640. Fran: Windebanke. To the Keeper of His Majesty's Gaol of Hertford, and to all others whom it doth or may concern. By such a Warrant as this, Captain Read, that active Lay-Iesuite, mentioned in * Pag. 20, 21, 22. Romes-Master-piece, the common Host and Agent of the Jesuits Society in England, and chief Agent in the late Irish rebellion, was freed from the Gaol in Devonshire where he was imprisoned, and then enlarged, and especially protected by the King, in manner following; by the King himself, and this Letter of Grace. By the King. Whereas we have received good testimony of the loyalty and duty of Our * O that the King should trust and style such a Traitor well-beloved, and grant him such special grace, and protection. trusty and well-beloved Captain john Read, and because the may be subject to the penalties of the Laws against RECUSANCY, These are to signify, That We are GRACIOUSLY PLEASED to extend OVERDO SPECIAL GRACE towards him; and do hereby will and command, that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit in our Name, or in the name OF ANY OTHER BEE HENCEFORTH commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against him by ANY OF OVERDO OFFICERS AND SUBJECTS WHATSOEVER for or concerning RECUSANCIE. And if any such shall happen, than Our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudicial unto him. Given under Our Signet, the 13. day of July, in the tenth year of Our Reign. To all and singular Our judges of Assize, justices of Peace, Majors, Sheriffs, Clerks of Assize, Basiliffs, Constables, Informers, and all other Our Officers and Ministers, whom it doth or may concern, and to every of them. This Letter of extraordinary grace and protection to this Arch-Traitor, Conspirator and Rebel, is entered of Record in the Sessions-booke of the Clerk of the Peace of Middlesex at the Sessions held 6. Oct. 13. Caroli, pag. 261. and in the Crown Office too, where those who please, or doubt of it, may peruse it at their pleasure. 3. This Secretary committed some, and much blamed other Officers only for apprehending & molesting Popish Priests; and released james a Priest taken in Execution for a debt, by commanding an Officer to bring him out of prison to his chamber to examine him, and there by collusion permitted him to escape; for which escape thus fraudulently procured, the Jailor and Officer were enforced to pay the debt. The Warrants to free Priests and Jesuits out of prison before and without Indictments, to prohibit them from Indictments, to reprieve and release them after they have been arraigned and condemned, are almost numberless. The Jesuits apprehended by Justice Long in their new erected College of Clerkenwell, in the third year of the King's Reign, were all bailed and released before they were Indicted and tried, by special directions from the King; which abuse was much complained of, and examined in the Parliament held that year: and how many scores of Priests have been since released without any prosecution and Indictment, when apprehended, the premised Warrants and the Goal-books throughout England will at test; Windebanke releasing above 80. as was proved in * Novemb. 11 12. 1640. See the journal Book. Parliament. 4. junii 1633. A privy Seal reciting that one john Broughton was indicted for a Priest, was directed by the King to the Judges of the King's Bench to stay proceedings against him, which is recorded in the Crown Office; whereupon this Warrant was made under the Lord chief Justice Richardsons' hand. WHereas there is an Indictment remaining upon Record in the King's Majesty's Court of his Bench at Westminster, against john Broughton of London Clerke, otherwise john Crowder of London Clerk. And whereas His Majesty hath directed his privy Seal to me, and to the rest of the Judges of the said Court, for staying of prosecution of the said Indictment against the said john Broughton, by the name of john Broughton of Ruerdeane in the County of Gloucester, the said john Broughton being one and the selfsame person, though diversely styled in the Privy Seal, and in the Indictment. Therefore let the Clerk of the Crown keep the said Privy Seal and stay Process upon the said Indictment until Further order be taken, and this shall be your Warrant. 4 junii 1633. Thomas Richardson Ch. J. This Broughton, at the Sessions of Oyer and Terminer for the City of London, 22. Febr. 7. Car. R. was indicted for a Priest, which Indictment was afterwards removed into the King's Bench returnable immediately, and there stayed by this former Order. Anno 1643. Henry Rivers, Francis Foster, William Atkins, Francis Cotes, and George Parrot, Priests & Jesuits, were all indicted in the King's Bench of high Treason for being Priests. Upon this, George Parrot presented this ensuing Petition to the King in the behalf of himself and his fellows (recorded in the Crown Office, with the proceedings on it) being the boldest piece, and most presumptuous saucy affront to the proceedings of Justice against Priests and Papists, that I have met with; and yet receiving such a gracious answer from his Majesty which most would have thought he would have rejected with highest indignation) as may well amaze his Protestant Subjects. To the Kings most Excellent Majesty. The humble Petition of George Parrot Gentleman. IN all humility showeth, That whereas your Petitioner, with other four ROMAN CATHOLICS, by EVIL EVIDENCE was in his and their absence indicted the 25. of june last, in your Majesty's Court of King's Bench for high Treason, for having taken Orders OF PRIESTHOOD beyond Seas, and returning to England, contrary to the Statutes of this your Highness' Realm in this case provided. Now for as much as your Petitioner, together with the rest, are * See how holdly they asperse the prosecutors and witnesses that dare appear against them. PROSECUTED UNJUSTLY by SOME MALICIOUS ADVERSARY, in hope to ruin him, or them upon no ground or occasion, but merely upon surmises, venturing even to swear, WHATSOEVER THEIR MALICE CAN INVENT, or what they can find to be for their own gain or advantage, being persons easily to be gained with any small sum of money from prosecuting whatsoever they pretend BOLDLY to concern the State and good service to the Crown, as a particular information is ready to be given of such persons ordinary practices, AND DAILY VEXATIONS OF ROMAN CATHOLICS, ALTHOUGH * Nota. CERTAINLY KNOWN AND DESERVED TO BE OF THE NUMBER OF YOUR MAJESTY'S MOST LOYAL AND OBEDIENT SUBJCTS, if it may please your Majesty to appoint either that the Secretaries of State, or any of your Justices of Peace to hear the same. Further showeth, That the Petitioner and the rest, until six days after the said Indictment, had * Many who obscure themselves, are and may be lawfully indicted without notice, in cases of Treason or Felony, and thereupon outlawed to being them in no notice of the said proceedings, nor to his knowledge ever saw him that gave such evidence against him: which course as it is * Most ordinary, he should have said. most extraordinary, having neither been nor practised neither in the time of Queen Elizabeth, nor of your Majesty's Royal Father of blessed memory in a case of this nature, without special order of their Majesties, or of the Lords of their Majesty's privy Council, and the parties so to be indicted, to be actually held, and present; so may it this way happen to any of your Majesty's subjects whatsoever, to be in danger of conviction of a Priest by outlary, by means of any malicious adversary, without any notice at all, to their utter ruin, and without all due consideration and respect OF THE WORTHY ESTEEM WHICH YOUR HIGHNESS MOST GRACIOUS CLEMENCY TOWARDS YOUR * He means Roman Priests and Catholics, now abundantly varified in England and Ireland. LOYAL SUBJECTS HATH JUSTLY GAINED EVERY WHERE. The premises considered, and the present danger whereunto your Petitioner, together with your Majesties LOYAL AND OBEDIENT SUBJECTS, are liable by such indirect and unaccustomed means: They most humbly beseech your Highness would be graciously pleased to give present order, That the proceedings upon the said Indictment may be stopped or superseded. AND NO SUCH COURSE HEREAFTER TAKEN AGAINST THEM OR OTHERS, Without express Order from your Majesty, or the Lords of your Majesty's most honourable privy Council, as the custom hath formerly been: And your Petitioner, together with the rest, as in duty bound, will daily pray for your Majesty's long and happy Reign. To this insolent Petition, extending to all Roman Priests and Catholics, and prescribing what proceedings shall be hereafter used against them, this Answer was returned to my Lord Richardson, then chief justice, by Windebanck. My Lord, I Send your Lordship herewith a Petition presented to His Majesty by George Parrot Gentleman, which His Majesty's pleasure is, That your Lordship shall take into consideration: and if you find undue practice against the Petitioner and the rest, as is suggested in the Petition, than your Lordship is to certify His Majesty thereof; and howsoever, in the mean time, to stay the Indictment, and any proceedings against the Petitioner and the rest; which is all I have to your Lordship at this time. To my honoured friend, Sir Thomas Richardson, Knight, Chief justice of His Majesty's Court of King-Bench, Westm. 20. july 1634. Your Lordship's loving friend, Fran. Windebank. Hereupon those Indictments were stayed, contrary to Law, justice, and the judge's Oaths. Henry Morse, a Romish Priest, was committed prisoner to Newgate, by a Warrant from the Lords of the privy Council, dated March 26. 1637. june 20. following he was released by virtue of this Royal Warrant, after two Indictments preferred against him, he being a most dangerous seducer, who perverted no less than 560. persons in and about Saint Giles parish, as appeared by a Certificate read in Court. Charles R. WHereas at the instance of Our dearest Consort the Queen, We have been pleased to grant, that Henry Morse, lately indicted upon suspicion of being a Priest, and still prisoner in our Goal of Newgate, shall be enlarged, upon sufficient security given to appear before the Lords of Our privy Council when he shall be thereto called. And for as much as We understand that he hath given sufficient security for that purpose, We do therefore will and command forthwith to enlarge and set at liberty the body of the said Henry Morse, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Greenwich the 20, day of june, in the thirteenth year of Our reign. To the Keeper of the Goal of Newgate, and to his Deputy. Before which, Secretary Windebanke granted this Warrant for him to put in his security. WHereas His Majesty hath been pleased to command, that Henry Morse, prisoner in Newgate, shall be discharged from his imprisonment, giving sufficient security to appear before the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable privy Council, upon 20. days warning given him to that purpose. These are therefore to will and require you, to bring the body of the said Henry Morse to my house in Westminster to morrow, being Saturday at eight of the clock in the morning, to enter security accordingly. And so for doing this shall be your warrant. Dated at Westminster, 16. June 1637. Fr. Windebancke. To the keeper of the prison of Newgate, and his Deputy. What favour and protection the Priests and Jesuits found from Secretary Windebanke, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who brought him into this place; and what discouragement, injuries the prosecutors of them sustained, only to take off all prosecutions of them, will appear by this subsequent attestation of Mr. Newton and others, both before the whole * See the journal Book Nou. 11, 12. 1640. house of Commons, and a Committee; and now put in writing under their own hands, who are and will be ready to avow it in all particulars. FRancis Newton Gentleman, about thirteen years' last passed, obtained a general Warrant from the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, for the apprehending of Jesuits, Seminary-Priests, transporters of children etc. By virtue of which Warrant he the said Newton, together with his servant john Cook, did apprehend at several times divers Jesuits and Priests, to the number of 36. at his great charge and hazard of life; who were brought before Secretary Cook, and others, and by them committed to several prisons: Whereupon the late Secretary Windebanke discharged the said Jesuits and Priests, and committed Newton and Cook several times to prison for performing their service, to their great charges and hazard of life. The said Windebanke sending for Newton, took from him at several times eight Watches (formerly taken from Priests, and given to him by the Lords,) to the value of 70. pound. Moreover, the said Windebanke took from Newton two rich units of popish Vestments, formerly given him by the Lords of the Privy council; The said Windebanke engaging his Honour to Newton, that he should receive from the Queen 200. pounds or the Vestments again; Newton often demanded the same of Windebanke, yet could never get them, nor the value of them, but only threatening words. Divers Jesuits and Priests constantly frequently the said Windebankes house; and amongst the rest one Henry Lloyd, alias Francis Smith, alias Francis Rivers, alias Francis Simons, a grand Jesuit, a great seducer, and chief agent in the great and damnable plot of the Gun-powder-treason, who by the counsel of Windebanke and some of his adherents, gave a judgement of 300. pound to be a prisoner to the Fleet, that the State nor Messengers should take no notice of his jesuitical Plot. The said Newton, together with one Thomas Mayo, about August in the tenth year of the King, searching the house of one Bartholmen Frumman Esquire, of Cheame, in the County of Surrey, found the said Lloyd, alias Rivers the Jesuit there; who going to carry him away, the said Jesuit showed him and two high Constables the said Windebankes Warrant, that no Messenger or any other person should molest him, whereupon they left him there. Moreover the said Jesuit then said to Newton and Mayo and the high Constables, these words: Are you angry with me for being here? if you will stay till to morrow being Monday, you shall see seven more Priests of us here; this he spoke in a vaunting way, having a protection from Windebanke. The said Newton and Mayo the Michaelmas-Terme following indicted the said Jesuit and Frumman the harbourer in the Kings-Bench, and proceeded to the oulawry: whereupon Windebanke sent a Warrant and apprehended Newton and Mayo, and threatened them, that if they did not forthwith forbear prosecuting the said Jesuit and harbourer, he would immediately lay them by the heels; but the said Newton and Mayo proceeded to the oulawry against them both, notwithstanding: which Windebanke perceiving, caused Justice, Bartlet to stay the proceedings thereupon. This Francis Smith the Jesuit said to M. Waddesworth and M. Taxley these words (in Norfolk) some years since, That it is not now a time nor way to bring in their Religion by disputing or books of Controversy, BUT IT MU BE DON BY AN ARMY, AND BY FIRE AND SWORD. Nota. The said Jesuit usually frequented the now Archbishop of Canterbury, and was very seldom from him: which Jesuit persuading Cook, Newtons' servant, to go with Sir Kenelm Digby into France, that so Cook might give no more information against Priests; and promising him great preferments there, he did about Christmas was four years, carry Cook one morning to Sir Kenelms bedside at M. Burgesses in S. Martin's in the Fields, where after some discourse, Smith taking his leave of Sir Kenelm, prayed him in Cooks hearing, to excuse him to my Lord of Canterbury, that he could not dine that day with his Lordship; and prayed him to desire my Lord of Canterbury, to remember the business that he last spoke with him about. To which Sir Kenelm replied, that he would not fail him to do it, for he was to dine with my Lord of Canterbury that day. john Grace, a Messenger, took one Fisher a grand Jesuit, who having been several times examined before the Lords of the Council, the said Canterbury came from the King, and delivered this sentence against him: viz. Mr. Fisher, fall down upon your knees, and pray for the King, that he is so merciful unto you to save your life. It is the King's pleasure that you must be banished the Kingdom; and be committed to the Gatehouse, there to remain, until you put in good security never to return again. Yet suddenly after the said Fisher his imprisonment, Windebanke released him, and gave him a protection, That no Messenger, nor any other person should molest him, upon pain of his displeasure. The said Grace and Cook afterwards (not knowing of his Protection) apprehended Fisher; whereupon he showed him his Protection from Windebanke, and was thereupon discharged. Upon which Grey and Cook went to Secretary Cook and told him that Fisher was discharged by Windebanke. Whereupon Master Secretary commanded Grey to go to my L. of Canterbury, and tell him of Fisher's discharge. Upon this Grey and Cook went accordingly to speak with Canterbury, yet could not have any admittance to him; but spoke with M. del his Secretary, and demanded a Warrant of him under Canterbury's hand to apprehend Fisher the Jesuit: who replied and said to Grace, that he was an idle fellow to come for a Warrant from my Lord, for he would meddle with no such matter as that was; but bid Grace, if he would have a Warrant, he should repair to the council-board; Upon which Grace answered and said, I see how the game goes now; is not my Lord Metropolitan of England, and ought not he to grant me a Warrant? but I hope eye it be long to see better days. Upon this the next day following Canterbury complained of Grace, and brought him before the Council, and committed him to the Fleet, where he remained 14. weeks. After which Canterbury seeing the Lords would discharge Grey, who oft petitioned them by his wife, caused Windebank to lay his Warrant upon him; whereupon he there remained prisoner 7. weeks more. And upon often petitioning by Gray's wife, Windebanke was at last contented to discharge Grey, so that Grace would put in good security unto him THAT HE WOULD NOT HEREAFTER APPREHEND ANY MORE PRIESTS. The said Newton apprehended Henry Gifford, a dangerous jesuit, and brought him before justice Griffith, where he was tendered the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance; whereupon the said jesuit replied and said these words: I wish to God, that all those who made the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, that their tongues were seered in their mouths, and all those that gave consent thereto. Whereupon the said justice told him, that the King, the Lords, and Commons had made these Oaths, and committed him to prison. The next day following, the justice and Newton were entreated to come to Secretary Windebank to speak with him concerning the jesuit; Which they doing, Windebank said to Newton, Is this a Priest or a jesuit? Newton answered and said, If he be not a Priest, he is worse than a Priest; and told him the aforesaid dangerous words. Then said Windebanke to the jesuit (be being brought before him by Windebankes direction) I will not bail you for a world; and sent him to prison. But notwithstanding, that night or the next day, he set him at liberty, without giving Newton his Fees. Newton and Cook apprehended one Fit-Iames, an Arch-spie for Rome, and brought him before Windebank; yet Drew Lovet an Arch-Papist wrought so with him, that he took Lovets word for his appearance before him, and discharged Newton of him. About four days after Windebank told Newton that james had given him good satisfaction concerning him. Afterwards james being arrested upon a Bill of Middlesex, at the suit of one Lincoln, upon a debt of 200. l. and put into the Gatehouse, Windebanke thereupon hearing of his arrest (and solicited by Lloyd alias Smith, the forenamed grand jesuit, and Lovet the Papist) scent for Newton, and gave him a warrant to take the plaintiff Lincoln and the Bailiff, for arresting james; who did apprehend and bring them before Windebanke. He thereupon sent for the prisoner james to be brought before him, who being brought, he delivered him to Newton, and said, This is your prisoner, for the King shall be served before you, Meaning the plaintiff. Newton answered, May it please your Honour, you have discharged him from me these 6. days agone, and I have nothing to do with him. Windebanke replied and said, That is all one, you shall take him. And if the plaintiff be not contented therewith, I will lay him by the heels. Whereupon he was delivered to Newton. But immediately upon the plaintiffs going away, Windebanke caused Newton to deliver him the prisoner, and then Windebanke delivered the prisoner to Lovet, and bid him shift for himself. Upon which the plaintiff lost his debt, and lay in prison for the moneys. Moreover, the said Windebanke at sundry times threatened Cook, that if ever he did go with Newton or any other to show them any Priests, he would lay Cook in prison; and that he would take a course that he should never come out. And also said, that he would have Cook whipped about the streets; and caused Cook to fall down upon his knees to ask forgiveness for what he had done formerly against jesuits and Priests, having made a Mittinius to send him to the Gatehouse, which he would not revoke, unless he would make such submission. Witnessed by Us Fran. Newton. Thomas Mayo. James Wadsworth. John Cook. To this I shall add two relations more. During my imprisonment in the Tower of London, Captain Francis Conesby Surveyer of the Ordnance, went one morning about the year 1633. to the New prison to visit one William Drury a Priest (who had formerly brought him a letter from a special friend in the Low Countries being then a prisoner there; coming into the prison and enquiring for his Chamber, he was brought into a large Hall, with sundry partitions on one side (like drinking rooms in an Alchouse or Tavern) and a curtain drawn before each of them; where he saw some walking, others sitting in the Hall; who informed him that Drury in one of those Rooms: and going in order from one of them to the other, he found a Priest and a woman privately together at confession in every one of them, and Drury with a very handsome Chambermaid well clad in the uppermost of them. With whom having some conference about half an hour in his Chamber, as he was returning back through the Hall, he found a Priest there saying Mass, and the jailor himself with a Censor persuming the room, and censing the same, (at they use in Popish Masses) and so many people, men and women, kneeling down in the Hall, that he could hardly pass by. At which strange sight he was much amazed, and not long after being in my company, upon a discourse concerning the increase of Popery, and favour showed to Priests, he related this story to me with much regrect, avouching the truth thereof upon his credit. Since the sitting of this Parliament, by the houses special direction there were several Priests arraigned and condemned at Newgate much against his Majesty's will, who notwithstanding both Houses earnest request to the contrary reprieved them from execution; and after many messages was hardly drawn to condescend to revoke this reprieve, and yield them up to public justice: which being granted, the Parliament out of their lenity spared the lives of some of them, who remain still prisoners in Newgate; where they have gained so much favour and so far corrupted the Keepers, that even since the Covenant and Protestation taken, they have had Masses publicly in their chambers, of which information being given, and a warrant made to Master Newton to search their chambers, during the very last Sessions but one at Newgate, who searching Peter Milfords' chamber (being the most active dangerous seducer of all the rest) found about Mass time an Altar ready furnished in his Chamber, four several suits of Massing Vestments, with sundry Crucifixes, Agnus Deies, Relics, Masse-bookes, and other such Romish trinkets, (all delivered to the late Lord Mayor's custody) with no less than eleven persons at Mass, five of them Prisoners in the House, and the other six strangers; of which gross abuse and intolerable connivance at condemned Traitors (under the very Parliaments and Courts of Session's Noses, in these dangerous times, even since the Covenant and Protestation taken) information was given, and complaint made in open Court, at the Sessions in the Old Bailie, by Master Newton in my hearing, and thereupon order given (if observed) to prevent such licentious abuses for the future, deserving the severast censures for the present. I shall add one most remarkable occurrent more, done in one of the highest Courts of public justice, in the Kings own Name, by his special Command, in favour of a great convicted Popish Recusant (now in Arms against the Parliament) in derogation of his own royal justice and interest. Hill. 130 Caroli B. R. A Writ of Error was brought by the King's Attorney, in the Kings own name, to quashan Indictment of Recufancie against the marquis of Winchester, (whiles Lord saint john in the life of his Father) upon the Statute of 3. jacobi. cap. 4. For not repairing to Church, etc. which Indictment was found before the justices of Assize, almost 20. years before this Writ was brought. Now because this Statu●e expressly enacts; That the Indictment shall not be reversed, avoided or discharged by reason of any default, inform, or for lack of form, or other defect whatsoever, other then by direct Traverse to the point of not coming to Church, or not receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, but shall stand in force and be proceeded upon, any such default inform, or other ●efect what soever notwithstanding; unless the party indicted first conform; himself: Hereupon (to evade this wholesome Law, and do this grand Recusant an extraordinary Royal favour, transcending all Parallels whatsoever) the King himself (the Recusant marquis being thus disabled by this Law) brought a Writ of Error in the King's Bench to reverse this ancient Indictment (upon which the marquis was outlawed) and his Attorney General (Sir john Banks) assigned several Errors to reverse the Kings own suit and proceedings against this Grand Papist, who had no means to avoid it. And because that learned, stout, upright judge; Sir George Crook, did often declare his opinion in Court; That the King could not bring a Writ of Error to reverse his own judgement given for him; that it was both a damage and dishonour to the King, and a mere deluding of this Statute to admit of such an unheard of Writ as this: The Attorney General, averred in open Court; THAT THE WRIT WAS BROUGHT BY SPECIAL WARRANT AND COMMAND OF THE KING. Whereupon afterwards in Trin●ty Term 14 Carol●; the Indictment was quashed by judge Bramston, jones and Berkely upon this Writ, much against the good will and opinion of judge Crook: and that upon these two frivolous Errors. First, because the judgement was that the marquis, forisfiat 20●. where it ought to be forisfaciat. Secondly, because that in the entry of the judgement this word, Capiatur, was omitted. And judge joanes' said; that for want of Addition or other error in sait the King shall not reverse an Indictment on this Act, but otherwise it was of an Error in Law. But I fear the greatest Error in this Case, was in the King and these judges in opening such an illegal gap for Popish Recusants wholly to evade this Law, penned with as much care and judgement as possible upon the horrid Popish plot of the Gunpowder Treason, which would have blown up this Parliament. The record of this notorious case, and the judgement given upon it, is extant in the Crown Office. In few words: the Papists have lately gained such an high opinion in his Majesty's judgement and affections; that he not only ●tiles them, his Loyal, dutiful, trusty and well-beloved Subjects, in all his forementioned letters of Grace; but even now principally relies upon their forces & contributions; * 〈◊〉 Master john Whites first Century of scandalous malignant Priests, p. 29. 25. as his best and faithfullest Subjects and Guard; insomuch that divers of our Prelatical Clergy have cried them up in their Pulpits (as well at the King and others in Court) for his Majesty's best and most bountiful Liege's, witness the speech of john Wells Parson or Shimplin in Suffolk, sequestered by the Parliament, who affirmed, THAT THE PAPISTS WERE THE KING'S BEST SUBJECTS. And of john Squire Vicar of Shoreditch; (who in his last Printed Sermons styles himself john Squire Priest) sequestered, for that he hath publicly Preached in his Sermons That the Papists are the king's best Subjects, for their loyalty and for their liberality, many of them like Arauna, having given like Kings to the King: and for their patience, that enduring very many grievances under his Majesty; they had buried them all in oblivion: exhorting that none should come to the Sacrament, unless they were so affected to his Majesty as the Papists were. And comparing his Majesty to the man that went from Jerusalem to jeriche, who fell among thiefs, that wounded him in his Honour, rob him of his Castles, and hearts of his people: he said, that the Priest passing by was the Protestant: the forward Professor, the Levite; but, the Papist was the good Samaritan: Especially the Irish Papist: and that the Subjects and all they have are at the King's Command. From all these Premises; compared with the Plot and conspiracy of the Pop●. Jesuits, Papists of all sorts against our Religion, discovered in Rome's Masterpiece: the Rise and Progress of the Irish Rebellion: The Articles of Pacification made with the Irish Rebels there, styled neither Rebels nor Traitors, but his Majesty's * In the Copy printed at Shrewsbury. Good Roman Catholic Subjects; authorised by Commissions from his Majesty under the great Seal, now at last (if not at first) to take up Arms against all Protestants who shall not submit to this strange Pacification there, after the bloody slaughter, and butchery of above an hundred and forty thousand Innocent Protestant (whose blood must pass altogether unrevenged by the hands of Royal public justice;) and by special Commissions (as we are most certainly informed, a very probable argument they had not only pretended but real Commissions from the King at first for what they acted against the Protestants in Ireland) are now sent for over into England (where thousands of them are lately arrived and more daily expected) to sight against the Parliament, and Massacre English Protestant's in their own Country, as freely as they did in Ireland: his Majesty making base Irish moneys currant in England by special Proclamation, in favour of the Irish rebels, to be transported and made current good Subjects here, to murder us: the late intercepted Bull, with other Papers and Commissions newly intercepted, and ordered to be forthwith published in Print. By all these our whole 3. Kingdoms if not the very blindest, and most incredulous Malignants (unless given over to a reprobate sense) must of necessity now see and acknowledge that there is and hath been all his Majesty's Reign till this instant, a most strong cunning desperate confederacy prosecuted, (wherein the Queen's Majesty hath been chief) to set up Popery in perfection and extirpate the Protestant party & Religion in all his Majesty's Dominions, which plot now visibly appears above ground, and is almost ripened to perfection, unless Gods own Almighty Power, and our unanimous, vigilant, strenuous opposition, prevent its final accomplishment. For my own particular, I many years since through God's goodness to me) by many infallible Symptoms clearly discovered, and to my power publicly detected, oppugned this prevalent growing confederacy in sundry Printed Books; especially in my Perpetuity of a Regenerate Man's estate, Anti-Arminianisme, Dr. Cousins his Cozening Devotions; Lame Giles his ●altings; The Vubishoping of Timothy and Titus; The Antipathy of the English Prelacy to unity and Minarchy; A Looking-glass for Lordly Prelates; but especially in my Quench Coal, written in the Tower of London; for which good public service what a strange ingrate requital I received, from the pretended Fathers of our Church, and defendors of our faith, is too well known to the world. During my Imprisonment in the Tower, I met with some more special passages in Popish writers, which much confirmed me in the reality of this Conspiracy against our Religion, and to re-establish Popery; which because then unobvious and unknown to most, I had an intention to have published, as I could gain opportunity; but my close Imprisonment there, and Exile into Wales and jersie, prevented this design. Wherefore I shall for a close of this Narration; present you now, with what I then intended. The first was these ensuing letters of the Pope to the King (when Prince of Wales and in Spain) and of the King to the Pope, in answer thereof, recorded by Andrew de Chesue, Chronographer to the King of France, in his History of England, Scotland, and Ireland, l. 22. f. 1162. Printed at Paris Cum Privilegio, the last Edition, p. 509. 510, etc. And in the French Mercury, Tom. 9: Which Letters and Articles of the Spanish Match, laid the foundation stone of all his Majesty's ensuing favours to Romish Recusants, Priests, Jesuits, and most punctually discover his good affection and inclination to the Roman Party, if not to that Religion, ever since manifested towards them, and abundantly detected by the premises, I shall here insert the same as I find them lately printed in French and English, by others. The Pope's Letter to the King, when Prince of Wales and in Spain. MOst Noble Prince, Salutation and light of the divine grace: Forasmuch as great Britain, hath always been fruitful in Virtues, and in men of great worth, having filled the one and the other world with the glory of her renown; She doth also very often draw the thoughts of the holy Apostolical Chair, to the consideration of her praises. And indeed the Church was but then in her infancy, when the King of Kings did choose her for his inheritance, and so affectionately, that we believe, the Roman Eagles have hardly outpassed the Banner of the Crosse. Besides that many of her kings instructed in the knowledge of the true salvation, have preferred the Cross before the Royal Sceptre and the Discipline of Religion before covetcousnesse, leaving examples of Piety to other Nations, and to the ages yet ●o come. So that having merited the Principalities and first places of blessedness in Heaven, they have obtained on Earth the Triumphant ornaments of true holiness. And although now the State of the English Church is altered, we see nevertheless the Court of Great Britain, adorned and furnished with moral Virtues which might serve to support the Charity that we bear unto her, and be an Ornament to the name of Christianity, if withal she could have for her defence and protection the Orthodox and Catholic truth. Therefore by how much the more the Glory of your most noble Father, and the apprehension of your Royal inclination, delights us, with so much more zeal, we desire that the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven might be opened unto you, and that you might purchase to yourself the love of the universal Church. Moreover it being certain that Gregory the great, of most blessed memory, hath introduced to the English people, and taught to their Kings the law of the Gospel, and the respect of Apostolical Authority: We, as inferior to him, in holiness and virtue, but equal in name and degree of dignity, it is very reasonable that we following his blessed footsteps, should endeavour the salvation of those Provinces, especially at this time, when your design (Most noble Prince) elevates us to the hope of an extraordinary advantage: Therefore as you have directed your journey to Spain, towards the Catholic King, with desire to ally yourself to the house of Austria, We do much commend your design, and indeed do testify openly in this present business, that you are he that takes the principal care of our Prelacy. For seeing that you desire to take in marriage the daughter of Spain: from thence we may easily conjecture that the ancient seeds of Christian Piety, which have so happily flourished in the hearts of the Kings of great Britain may (God prospering them) revive again in your soul. And indeed it is not to be believed that the same man should love such an alliance, that hates the Catholic Religion, and should take delight to oppress the holy Chair. To that purpose we have commanded to make continually most humble prayers to the father of lights, that he would be pleased to put you as a fair Flower of Christendom, and the only hope of Great Britain, in possession of that most noble heritage, that your Ancestors have purchased for you, to defend the Authority of the Sovereign High Priest; and to fight against the Monsters of Heresy. Remember the days of old, inquire of your Fathers, and they will tell you the way that leads to heaven; and what way the temporal Princes have taken to attain to the everlasting Kingdom. Behold the ga●es of Heaven opened, the most holy Kings of England, who came from England to Rome accompanied with Angels did come to honour and do homage to the Lord of Lords, and to the Prince of the Apostles in the Apostolical Chair: their actions & their examples being as so many voices of God, speaking and exhorting you to follow the course of the lives of those to whose Empire you shall one day attain. Is it possible that you can suffer that the Heretics should hold them for impious, and condemn those that the ●aith of the Church testifies to reign in the heavens with jesus Christ, and have Command and Authority over all Principalities and Empires of the earth? Behold how they tender you the hand of this truly happy inheritance, to conduct you safe and sound to the Court of the Catholic King, and who desire to bring you back again into the lap of the Roman Church: Beseeching with unpeakeable sighs and groares the God of all mercy for your Salvation, and do stretch out to you the Arms of the Apostolical Charity, to embrace you with all Christian affection You that are her desired Son, in showing you the happy hope of the Kingdom of Heaven. And indeed you cannot give a greater consolation to all the people of the Christian Estates, then to put the Prince of the Apostles in possession of your most Noble Island, whose authority hath been held so long in the Kingdom of Britain, for the defence of Kingdoms, and for a divine Oracle; which will easily arrive, and that without difficulty, if you open your heart to the Lord that knocks, upon which depends at the happiness of that Kingdom. It is of our great Charity that we cherish the praises of the Royal Name; and that which makes us desire that you and your Royal Father might be styled with the names of Deliverers, and Restorers of the ancient and paternal Religion of Great Britain, which we hope for, trusting in the goodness of God, in whose hands are the hearts of Kings, and who causeth the people of the Earth to receive healing, to whom we will always labour with all our power to render you gracious and favourable; In the interim take notice by these Letters of the care of our Charity, which is none other than to procure your happiness; and it will never grieveus to have written them, if the reading of them stir but the least spark of the Catholic Faith, in the heart of so great a Prince, whom we wish to be filled with long continuance of joy, and flourishing in the glory of all virtues. Given at Rome in the Palace of S. Peter the 20. of April, 1623. in the Third year of our Popedom. TRes-Noble Prince, salut & lumiere de la grace divine: Com●e ainsi soit que la grand ' Bretagne ait tousiours este abondante en vertus, & en personna● ges de grand merite & ait remply l' un & l' autre monde de lo gloire de sa renomme, elle attrire aussi tres souentles pensees du Saint Siege Apostolique a la consideration de ses louanges. Et de fait l' Eglise ue faisoit encore que naistre, quand le Roy des Roys la v●●lut chosir pour son heritage, & si affectionnement, qu' on tient qu' à peine les Aigles Romoins yont plustost passe que l' ostendart de la Croix. Ioint que plusieurs de ses Roys instruits en la cognoisance du uray salut ont prefere la Croix au Sceptre Royal, & la discipline de la Religion a la conuotise: laissants des exemples de piete aux nations estrangeres & aux siceles futurs. Si bien qu ayans merite dans le Cie'les Principa●tez, & preeminences de la Beat it udine, ils ont obtenu en terre d●s ●rnaments triomphaux de uraye Saintete. Et ores qu a●iourd huyl Estat de l' Eglise Anglicane soit alters, nous voyons neant, m●ins la Cou●t de la grand BRETAGNE estre ornee & munle de vertus Morales, qui servir●ient de consolation à la charitè que nous luy portous & a● ornement au nom Chrestien, si con●oinct ement elle pouuost aucir pour sa defence & protection la verit● orthodoxe & vniuerselle. C●est pourquoyd ' autast plus quels Gloire de vostre S●reniss●me Pere, & le ressentiment de vostre Royal naturel, nous delectent, de tant plus grande ardeur resirons nos que les portes du Roiaume Celestes vous soyent ouuertes, & que vous veus acqueriez l' a●our de l' Eglise Vniverselle. D' ailleurs estant uray que Gregoire le grand de tres-sainte memoire a introduit aux puples d' Angleterre, & enseignè a leurs Rois la Loy de l' Euangile, & le respect de l' auctorit● Apostolique: Nous comme inferieurs, a luy en sainte tè & vertu, & pareils en nom & degrè de dignitè, il est bien raisonnable, que suiuans ses Saints vestiges nous procurions le salut de ces Povinces, ●ommèment aujourd'huy que vostre heureux dessein (tres noble Prince) nous eslue â l' esperance ● vn bonheur extra ordinaire. Partant, comme vous vous estes acheminè el Espagne versla personne du Roy Catholique, avec desir de vous allier á la Maison d' Austriche, Nous auons bien voululoüer vestre dessein, voire mesme tesmoigner owertement en l' affaire qui se presente, que vous estes celuy que regarde le principal soin de nostre Prelature. Car ainsi estant que vous desirez prendre en marriage une Fille d' Espagne, de là pouuors-nous aisement conjecturer, que ces auciennes sem●nces de la Piete Chris●ienne, lesquelles ont sy heureusement fleury dans les coeurs des Rois de la grand Bretagne, peuvent (Dieu leur donnant accroissement) reverdir en vostre ame, Et de fait il ne seroit pas croyable que celuy-lá aimast une telle alliance, lequel hayroit la Religion Catholique, & se plaroit â opprimer de Saint Siege. Nous auons en suitte de ce commandè de faire continuellement de tres-humbles prieres au Pere des lumieres, â ce qu'il luy plaise de vous mettre comme une belle fleurdis Christia●isme, & vnique esperance ae la grand ' Bretagne, en possession de ce tres noble heritage, que vos ancestres vous ont acquis à deffendre l' ancteritè du souuerain Pontife, & à combattre les monstres de l' heresie. Sounenezvous des iours anciens, enquerez-vous de vos Peres, & ils vous diront par quille voye l' on va an Ciel, & quel chemin ont tenu les Princes temporels pour per paruenir au Royaume eternel. Voyez les portes du Ciel ouuertes, ces tres Saincts Roys d' Angleterre, qui partans d' Angleterre pour ventr à Rome accompagnez d●s Anges sont venus honerer & faire hommage au Se●gneur des Seigneurs, & a● prince des Apostris en la Chaire Apostolique Leurs oeuures & leurs exemples sont a●tant ae voix de Dieu qui parlent; & qui vous exhortent á ce qu● ayez á su●ure la facon de viure de eux à l' Empire des quels vous parviendrez n●iour. Est-●l possibile que vous puissiez souffrir, que les Herestiques tiennent pour impies, & condamnent ceux que la soy ●e l' Eglise tesmoigne regner dant le Ciel avec jesus. Christ, & avoir commandement & anctoritè sur toutes les Principautsz & Empires de la terre voilà qu' ●●s vous tendent la main d● ceste bi●nheu●euse Patrie, pour vous conduire sai● & sauf a la Cour du Roy Catholique, & quide siront vous 〈◊〉 given de l' Eglise Romaine: laquelle suppliant avec gemissements inenarrables le Dieu de toute Misericorde pour vostre salut, vous tend les bras de la Charite Apostolique pour veus embrasser anec toute affection Christienne, vous qui estes son desire fils, en vous monstrant l' esperance bien houre●se d● 〈◊〉 des 〈◊〉. Pour uray vous ne 〈◊〉 donner plu● grande consolation a tous les Peuples de l' Estat Chrestien que de mettre en possession de vestre tres-noble Ist●le Prince des Apostres, l' Auctorite duq●●la este 〈◊〉 long temps en vostre Royaume de la gran● Bretagne pour la defense des Roya●mes, & por oracle de la Divinite. Ce qui arrivera sans difficulte, si vous owrez vostre eoeur au Sergneur qui frappe, 〈◊〉 gift toutle bon-heur de ce Royaume. C'est de ceste si grand chari●e, que 〈◊〉 favorisous les loüanges du nom Royal, & qui nous fait desirer que vous & ●ostre Serinissime pere soyez qualifiez du 〈◊〉 de Liberateurs & Restaurateurs de l' ancienne & paternelle Religion de la grand Bretagne. Ce quenous esperors, nons cenfians en labonte de Dieu es mains duquel sont les ceurs des Roys, & qui f●it que les Peuples de la t●rr● puissent 〈◊〉 guarison, lequell nous tascherons tonsiours de tout nostre ponuoir non 〈…〉 & favourable. Cependant recognoissez ces lettres le soing nostre charite qui ●est autre chose que pour procurer vostre honhour: & iamais il ne nou● fe●a mal de les ●●●●escrites s● la lecture d'●icelles vient au moins à exciter quelque petite flamniesche de la Foy Catholique dans le coeurd ' unsi grand Prince, l●quel nous desirons estre camble a une ioye de longue duree, & flerissant en la gloire de toutes nertus. Donnè à Rome au Palais de Saint Pier le xx. iour d' Aurill 1623. l' an troisiesme de nostre Pontificat. Pope Gregory the 〈◊〉 having writ the foregoing Letter to the Prince of Wales, it was presented to him by the Nuncio of his Holiness in Spain, he being accompanied with the Italian Lords that then were in the Court. The Prince of Wales having received this Letter, made this following Answer, which was after published. MOST Holy Father, I received the dispatch from your Holiness with great content, and with that respect which the piety and c●re wherewith your Holiness writes, doth require: It was an unspeakable pleasure to me to read the generous exploits of the Kings my Predecessors, in whose memory, posterity hath not given those praises and Eulogies of honour, as were due to them: I do believe that your Holiness hath set their examples before my eyes, [tothth' end that I might imitate them in all my actions, for in truth they have often exposed their estates and lives for the exaltation of the Holy Chair;] And the courage with which they have assaulted the enemies of the cross of jesus Christ, hath not been less than the care and thought which I have, to the end that the peace and intelligence which hath hitherto been wanting in Christendom, might be bound with as true and strong c●n●ord: for as the common enemy of the peace, watcheth always to put hatred and dissension amongst Christian Princes, so I believe that the glory of God requires that we should endeavour to unite them; And I do not esteem it a greater honour to be descended from so great Princes, than to imitate them in the zeal of their piety. In which it helps me very much to have known the mind and will, of our th●ce hovoured Lord and Father, and the holy intentions of his Catholic Majesty to give a happy concurrence to ●o laudable a design: for it grieves him extremely to see the great evils that grow from the division of Christian Princes, which the wisdom of your Holiness foresaw, when it judged the Marriage which you pleased to design, between the Insanta of Spain & myself, to be necessary to procure so great a good; for 'tis very certain, that I shall never be so extremely affectionate to any thing in the world, as to endeavour alliance with a Prince that hath the same apprehension of the true Religion with myself: Therefore, I entreat your Holiness to believe, that I have been always very far * Our Religion deemed but a Novelty or Faction, by the King. from encouraging Novelties, or to be a partisan of any * To wit the Roman Catholic. Faction against the Catholic, Apostolic Roman Religion: But on the contrary, I have sought all occasions to take away the suspicion that might rest upon me, and that I will employ myself for the time to come, to have but one * Lo the true cause of the Kings hazarding his Kingdom's state & life in these present Wars against the Parliament to advance Popery. Religion and one faith, seeing that we all believe in one jesus Christ. Having resolved in myself, to spare nothing that I have in the world, and to * suffer all manner of discommodities, even to the hazarding of my estate and life, for a thing so pleasing unto God: It rests only that I thank your Holiness, for the permission you have been pleased to afford me, and I pray God to give you a blessed health and his glory, after so much pains which your Holiness takes in his Church, Signed, CHARLES STEWARD. Le Prince de Galles ayant receu cel Lettres, il fist la Responce suivante, quy fut publiee un peu apres. TRes-Saint Pere, I ay receu la Depe sche de vostre Saintetè avec un' grand contentment dans le respect que demandent la Pieté & la Bienueillance, avec lesquelles vostre Santètè l'a escrice. Ce quin' a estè un plaisir indicible de lire les exploits genereux des Roys mes Predecesseurs, à la memoire desquels la posteritè n'a point donnè les elogesd ' honneur qui leur sont deubs. je veux croire que vostre Saintetè a mis leur exemple devant m●s yeux, afin que is les imitasse en toutes mes actions. Car à la uerite ils ont exposè souuent leur Estat & leurs vies pour l' exaltation du Saint Siege. De sorte que le courage avec lequell ils ant assailly les ennemis de la Croix de jesus-christ, n'a pas esté moindre que le soucy & la penses que ●ay, afin que la Paix & l● Intelligence, qui ont manque iusques à present dans la Chrestiente soient estraintes 〈◊〉 liend une ueritabile concorde. Car de mesme que l' ennemy common de la Paix veille tousiours pour mettre la h●yne & dissensi●n parmy les Princes Chrestiens, aussi ie croy que la gloire de Dieu demande qu' or tasche de les unir. Et●ie ● estime pas que i' aye un plus grand houneur d' estre d●scendu de fi grands Princes, que de les imiter da●s le zele de lour Piete. En quoy: 〈◊〉 sert grandement à avoir recognu● la volonte de nostre tres honore Seigneur & pere. & les saintes intentions de sa Majeste Catholique, pour faire● reussi h●urensement ce ●●●able dessein, parce qu' elle a un extreme regret de voir les grands mal beurs qui naissent de la division des Princes Chresti●ns. Ce que la prudence de vestre Sancte●e a prevein, lors qu' elle a juge que le marriage qu' il luy plaist desseign● entre l' Infante a' Espagne & may, est necessaire pour procurer un si grand bien● pur ce qu● il est tout certain, que ie ne me porteray iamais si passionement a chose de monde qu' à la recher●he de l' alliance d' un Prince, qui aura le mesme sentiment de la uraye Religion avec moy. C'est purquoy ie prie vostre Saintete decroire que i' ay tousiours estè fort esloigne d' advantager les nouneautez, ni d' estre partisan d' aucune faction contre la Religion Catholique Apostolique Romaine: mais au contraire, que i' ay recherche les occasions, afin que le soupcon qui peut tomber sur moy soit entierement oste, & que is m' employe de tout mon reste pour n' avoir qu' une Religion, & qu' une Foy, puis que naus cryons tous ensemble en une jesus-christ. Ayant resolu de ne m' espargner point en chose du monde, & de souffrir toutes sortes d' incommoditez, mesme de hazarder m●n Estat & mavie, pour une occasion si agreable â Dieu. Il reste seulement q●e ei remercie vostre Saintete de la permission qu' illuy a pleu de m' accorde, & que ie prie Dieu qu il luy donne une beureuse sante, & sa gloire, aprestant de travaux quae vostre Saintete prend dans son Eglise. Signe, CHARLES STOVARD This Letter printed in Spain in many Languages, discovers to us the very Root of all our present wars, in which his Majesty hath sustained many incommodities, hazarded both his estate, life, and Realms; fully resolves us what Protection of the Protestant Religion we must now expect from himself; and that Armed Catholic party to which he adheares, and more, he here resolves to suffer but one Religion, (to wit the Roman Catholic) only in his Realms intimating our Reformed Religion, to be but Novelty and Faction, against the Roman Catholic faith. I have seen a Copy of these Letters in English, long since; the King's letter (who perchance writ two of this nature) being some what different from the French in some expressions, though not in substance: Now that such Letters really pasted between the King and Pope, during his abode in Spain, appears not only by divers ancient Printed Copies of it in sundry Languages, but is also thus expressly attested by Master james Howell, (an attendant upon his Majesty in that expedition) no friend to Parliaments, but a Malignant now in custody, in his Vocal Forest, dedicated to the King himself, the Queen, and Prince, Printed at London 1640. p. 128. The Holy Sire (the Pope) who was so great a friend to the intended alliance (who had formerly writ unto, and sent to visit Prince Rocalino (Charles) was taken away by the hand of Fate, etc. Moreover his book farther informeth us p. 124. That Chenandra (Olivares) the chief Engrosser of the Olives (the King of Spain's) favours, welcomming the Prince into Spain, said; That he doubted not but he came thither, to be of their Religion. And p. 134. The common voice among those of Elaiana (Spain) was; that Prince Rocalino (Charles) came thither to make himself a Christian. But that which is most observable is this passage concerning the Articles in favour of Papists agreed on, and sworn to by King james, and his Majesty, by the Pope's solicitation upon the Spanish Treaty: p. 125. 126. 127. when Rocalino (Prince Charles) arrived, matters were brought to that perfection by the strenuous negotiation of * Lord Digby who now sways in his Counsels very much. Sophronio, that there wanted nothing for the consummation of all things, but a dispensation from Petropolis (Rome) which at last * And after that another from the succeeding Pope. p. 133. came: and before that time Rocalino (Charl●s) was not admitted to speak with the Lady Amira in quality of a suitor, but a Prince. Now the said Dispensation came clogged with an unhappy unexpected clause, thrust in of purpose, as it appears, to retard the proceedings of things; which was; * Nota That whereas there were certain Articles condescended unto by Druina's Monarch (King james) in Favour of the Petropolitans (Papists) that were in that Kingdom, and other Crowns under his Dominion; the great Arch-flamin (the Pope) demanded caution for the performance of them. The Royal Oak answered, that he could give no other caution than his Word and Oath: and Recalino (Prince Charles) should do the like, which should be confirmed by his Council of State and exemplified under Druinas (England's) broad Seal: but this would not satisfy, unless some * Popish. Petropolitan Sovereign Prince should engage himself for them. Hereupon all matters were like to go off the hinges, and a buzz went abroad, that Rocalino intended to get away covertly. In these traverses Chenandra steps forth and said: there were three ways to conclude this business, two good and one bad: the first good way was, That Prince Rocalino (Charles) Should become a Petropolitan (Papist.) The second was, That as Elaiana (Spain) was obliged to him for his free coming thither, so she might as freely deliver to him the Lady Amira, trusting him without further condition. The ill way was, not to trust Rocalino, at all with any thing, but bind him as fast as they could. Whiles matters were thus a canvasing, and gathering ill blood; Elaianas' (Spain's) King stepped up, and proffered to engage himself by Oath, for the satisfaction of the great Arch flamine, but with this proviso, that he must first consult with his Ghostly Fathers, whether he might do it Salua Conscientia or no. Hereupon the business was referred to a Commit of the learnedst Yewes, (Bishops, Divines) and the State of the Question was. Whether the * King of Spain. Olive might with safety of conscience take an Oath in behalf of * The King of England. Druinas Monarch and * Prince Charles. Rocalino, for performance of such and such Articles that were agreed upon in favour of the Pepotrolitans, throughout the Kingdoms of the * Papists. Royal Oak? This Assembly long demurred and dwelled upon the Question, and after a long protraction of time they concluded at last, affirmatively: and in case the Oak failed to execute what was stipulated, the Olive was to vindicate his Oath, and right himself By the Sword. * King james. This difficulty being surmounted, there was exceeding great joy, and all the Capitulations were interchangeably sworn unto, Both by the Oak and Olive: and as Chenandra said in Elaiana; so the * King james. Royal Oak himself was so confident that he said; All the Devils in hell could not now break the match: whereto a blunt facetious Knight being by, answered; That there was never a Devil now left in hell, for they were all gone to Spain to help make up the match. By all these observable passages, dedicated so lately to the King himself, by one of his own servants, who was privy to them; it is apparent, that not only Letters passed between the King and Pope whilst he continued in Spain: but likewise, That * This Prince Charles expressed in the English Copy of the Letter to the Pope, though but implied in the French. Articles in favour of Papists throughout England and all his Majesty's Dominions, even such as the Pope himself approved, were at the Pope's request condescended unto by King james, and caution offered and given to the Pope for the performance of them, even by King james, King Charles, and the King of Spain's regal words, Seals, Oaths: That these Articles were to be confirmed by the Privy Council of State, and exemplied under the Great Seal of England, And that the main end the Pope and Papists aimed at in this Spanish match, was the seducing of the King and Realm to the Romish Religion, and reducing of them to their ancient Vassalage to the Sea of Rome: which will be more apparent if we add to this, that Hugh Simple, a Scottish jesuit, being in the Court of Spain when the King was there, gave up divers Petitions and Advertisements to the King and Council of Spain, that they should not conclude any match with England, unless there should be erected in each University under our King's Dominions a College of Jesuits, for the training up of youth in the Roman faith and Doctrine; which Advertisements he printed with his Name subscribed, and delivered to his friends in Court; as james Wadsworth, then presents (whose father was Tutor to Donna Maria the Spanish Lady, and taught her English,) hath published in his English Spanish Pilgrim. ch. 3. p. 30. 31. It is very observable, how King james to make the better way for the Popish Spanish Match, to comply with Spain, and express his favour and affection to those of the Romish Religion, sent this ensuing Letter to the Lord Keeper Williams, for the releasing of Imprisoned Recusants throughout England. Trusty and well-beloved, We Greet you well; Whereas we have given you a former warrant and direction for the making of two several Writs for the enlargement of such Recusants as are in Prison at this time, either for matters of recusancy in General, or for denying the taking the Oath of Supremacy, according to the Statute, by removing them from the general Goals of this Kingdom, to be bailed before the justices of our Bench; finding by experience that this course will be very troublesome to the poorer sort of Recusants, and very chargeable unto Us, who out of our Princely Clemency, and by the mediation of Foreign Princes were desired to bear out the same. We will and require you to make and issue forth two other Writs, in nature and substance answerable with the former, to be directed to our justices of Assizes, enabling and requiring them and every of them to enlarge such Recusants, as they shall find in their several Goals, upon such sureties and recognizance, and other conditions, as they were enlarged by the judges of our Bench; and this shall be your Warrant so to do. Dated at Westminster, july 25. 1622. Hereupon this Lord Keeper (though a Bishop) not only issued out these Writs, but likewise writ this letter to the judges. After my hearty Commendations to you: His Majesty having resolved out of deep reasons of State, and in expectation of like correspondence from foreign Princes to the Professors of our Religion) to grant some grace and connivency to the Imprisoned Papists of this Kingdom, hath commanded me to pass some Writs under the Broad Seal for that purpose; Requiring the judges of ●uery Circuit to enlarge the said Prisoners according to the Tenor and effect of the same.; I am to give you to understand (for his Majesty) how his Majesty's Royal pleasure is, that upon receipt of these Writs you shall make no niceness nor difficulty to extend this his Princely favour to all such Papists as you shall find prisoners in the Goals of your Circuits, for any Church Recusancy whatsoever, refusing the Oath of Supremacy, or dispersing Popish Books, or hearing saying of Mass, or any other point of recusancy, which doth touch or concern Religion only, and not matters of State, which shall appear unto you to be Totally Civil and Political; And so Ibid you heartily farewell. Your loving Friend john Lincoln. Westminster College August 2. 1622. By Virtue of these Writs and Letters all the Imprisoned Recusants, and most Seminary Priests & jesuits were every where released who thereupon grew very bold, insolent, and had open Masses and Se●mons in divers places, (whereof that in Blackfriars on the 5. of their November, where so many of them were pressed to death, and Drury his brains who then preached, beaten out with the sudden miraculous fall of the Room where they assembled, is most memorable,) in hope of the match with Spain, and of the public toleration promised and resolved on; as appears by King james his ensuing speech at the Council Table, upon his proposal of the Spanish Match to the Lords of his Privy Council. Now because his Majesties and his Royal Fathers intended Popish match with Spain, and the proceedings thereupon, have been the * Mercury Francois Tom. 9 An. 1624. p. 28. 29. Original Fountain, whence all the forementioned favours and suspentions of our Laws against Papists Priests, jesuits, together with the extraordinary increase of them and Popery, if not our present wars, have proceeded, I shall give you a further true and real account thereof, out of the French Mercury Tom 9 Printed in French at Paris Anno 1624. with special privilege of King Lewis the 13th. Where in all the particulars of the King's voyage into, his entertainment and proceedings in, and return from Spain, with all the Articles and passages touching that marriage, are most punctually and truly related. I shall present you only with some things in it which are most considerable, and worthy our present public knowledge. * Mercury Francois Tom. 9 p. 470. etc. An. 1623. Count Gondemar the King of Spain's Ambassador or returning to his Master into Spain in the year 1623. with Propositions of a marriage to be made between Charles (now King) than Prince of Wales, and the Infanta Mary second sister to the Catholic King of Spain, and the Lord Digby Earl of Bristol long before sent extraordinary Ambassador into Spain to pursue this marriage Treaty; the Prince soon after accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham, the Lord Cottington, and Endymion Porter, departs unexpectedly and secretly (with King james his consent) in disguised habits, from England, and posted through France into Spain where he arrived at Madrit; and was there most royally entertained; and all Arts● used to engage him not only to favour, but Embrace the Romish Religion. Among others * Ibid p 533 to 539. there was a most solemn Procession instituted, wherein the King of Spain, and most of his Nobles bore a part; and the Prince with his followers being placed in a Balconee where the Procession passed: they all made very great humiliations and Genuflections when the holy Sacrament passed by. Pope Gregory the 15. likewise writ a solemn Letter to the Prince (the same Verbatim with that forecited, recorded likewise in this * Ibid p. 509, 510 etc. Mercury) which was brought and delivered to him by the Pope's Nuncio with great solemnity, accompanied with all the Italian Lords then about the Court, and divers Spanish Dons: whom the Prince received with grand courtesy, respect and honour: To which Letter the Prince returned the forementioned answer. This letter of the Pope written in Latin, together with the Princes answer to it, was presently printed in divers Languages, and the Articles propounded by the King of England, were soon after sent by the King of Spain to the Pope to receive his approbation of them ere they were accorded. The Pope hereupon adviseth with the Cardinals of his conclave, for the propagation of the Roman Catholic Religion, about these Articles; to some of which he entirely condescended without any alteration; some of them he altars only in part, and returns them back with his answers to, and alterations of every of them, written under each particular Article; which alterations being sent to King james he condescended to most of them in direct terms, to all of them in substance; (which Articles, with the Popes own answers to, and emendations of them, over tedious to insert, you may read in this * Page 517. to 522. French Mercury.) Most of the articles were in favour and advancement of Popery and Papists; and the same almost Verbatim, with the ensuing Articles of the French match, ratified likewise by the Pope. * Ibid p. 522● 523. But the Cardinals of the Propagation of the Faith, not contented with these general Articles, which tended principally for the assurance only of the Religion of the Infanta and her family, persuaded the Pope to grant no Dispensation for this marriage, Not●. till they had proposed to the King of great Britain, certain Propositions for the right, augmentation, and weal of the Roman Catholic Religion, to which he must condescend; For the performance of both which Articles, the King of Spain demanded not only the Kings and Princes Oaths, and confirmations under the Great Seal of England, which were accordingly given, but an Act of Parliament, and certain Cautionary Towns in England when the marriage was accomplished; the first whereof (if not both) were promised. Whiles this match was in agitation King james assembled his Privy Council together 25. of Febr. 1623. before the Prince's departure into Spain, and there made a long Oration to them, as the French Mercury (never controlled) attests, some passages whereof are very observable. That soon after he came to the crown of England, by the Pope's exhortatory Letters to the King of Spain, and Archduke Albertus in Flanders, there ensued a peace between the Crowns of England and Spain. * Tom. 9 Page 〈◊〉. That shortly after at the instance of many, he caused the Image of the Cross to be redressed, and that men should not foul it under their feet. That when he came first to the Crown of England he spoke among other points of the Apostolic and Roman Religion; and although it were the true, yet then to avoid all sorts of rumours, which might then have risen to the prejudice of peace in the Republic: I said, that in this Religion were many superfluous ceremonies, the which deserved to be refused. At the same time many Roman Catholics, our Subjects and members of our Realm, presented us their requests, by which they earnestly beseeched us to grant them the liberty of their Conscience, upon the hopes they had to be so much the more comforted under our reign, as they had been Dppressed under the reign of Queen Elizabeth. But as it oft times happens, that those who ardently desire any thing, imagine with themselves, that it is very easy to do, or to be obtained, and oftentimes prove the contrary: so all the Catholics who hoped to be relieved by us, and to be disengaged of great and intolerable surcharges which have been imposed upon their Goods, Bodies and Souls, during the reign of the said Elizabeth, requiring only of our Royal benevolence to be remitted to the enjoyment of their Goods, Honours, and Estates, and to be maintained in the Religion in which all our Predecessors and Kings of Scotland have lived from Donaldus, until the time of our late beloved Mother, who received Martyrdom in this Realm, For Confession of the said Catholic Religion. A Religion which hath been publicly professed so many ages in this Realm of England, and which hath been confirmed by so many great and excellent Emperors, and hath been so famous in all Ecclesiastical Histories, by an infinite number of * Nota. Martyrs, who have sealed it with their own blood in their death,) were then deceived of their hopes, by an apparent fear of certain commotions which then might have ensued. So that in all our Realms, for the sole respect of my person, and not by Reason of Religion itself, (so as many of the said Catholics have very well known) there was no mutation or change at all had; although they well known There was in Us a Grand affection to the Catholic Religion, in so much that they have believed at Rome, that We have * Nota, Dissembled for to obtain this Crown of England. But all this hath been nothing else but the opinions of men, the which one might have discerned in almy comportments during my reign, in not committing any Offices, nor benefits to others, than to those which have been formerly purveyed for, (or appointed by the Laws,) Now after that our bounty hath opened the door to our Piety, and that we have maturely considered all the penuries and calamities that the Roman Catholics have suffered in the exercise of their Religion; seeing that they are of the number of * They were not such nor so esteemed when the Gunpowder plot was discovered. Our Faithful Subjects; We have for this cause resolved to relieve them, For which reason after we have maturely consulted upon this business, we have ordained and do Ordain, and have taken and do take from henceforth all R●man Catholics being our Subjects into our Protection, permitting them the Liberty and entire exercise of their Religion, without using in their behalf and ●●rt of inquisition, process, or other criminal actions by which they may be grieved or molested from this day forwards, permitting them moreover to celebrate the Mass, and all other Divine Services concerning their said Religion. See 3 jac. c. 1. to 6. and the King's Procl●mations that year. & 6. jac. We will also that they shall be reestablished and restored in all their Estates, Lands, Fees and Signories; Commanding our Magistrates and justices in this behalf to hold their hands, in such sort, that none of what quality or condition soever he be, for what cause soever it be, shall not attempt hereafter to Grieve or molest the said Catholics, neither in public nor in secret, in that which toucheth the liberty of the exercise of the said Religion, upon pain of being reputed guilty of * Nota, the cause why the Parliament are now proclaimed traitors by his Majesty. High Treason, and a dissurber of the Peace, and of the repose of the Country: such is our Will and Definitive sentence. After which he justifies the lawfulness of the Spanish match, notwithstanding the difference of Religion, and danger of feminine seduction; relates his resolution to proceed in it, with the reasons of it, prohibiting any under pain of severest censures, to speak against it. Lo here (writes this Mercury) the causes which moved his Majesty of Great Britain to seek after the alliance of Spain by marriages, the which many in England, and especially the Puritan or reform, and those of the English confession adhering to this Sect, were no ways well pleased with; and chiefly, having understood, of the Prince of Wales his honourable entertainment at Madrit, and of the Articles of the Marriage; which were to be cxamined at Rome. So the French Mercury, which thus proceeds. Hereupon two writings ran from hand to hand; the one entitled; A Discourse of the Archbishop of Canterbury (Abbot) to the King of Great Britain, and the other Vox Popule: the latter produceth many excellent reasons in point of policy and Religion against the Popish match with Spain (which you may peruse in the book itself, being Common.) The first condemns his Majesty's toleration of the Roman Religion in his Realms, as being displeasing to God, an anguish and grief to his best Subjects professing the true reformed religion; a great dishonour to himself who had publicly Writ and disputed often against that Religion, which he knew in his own conscience to be false and superstitious. That his Edicts and Proclamations for the toleration of it, could not be confirmed without a Parliament (which would never condescend thereunto) unless he would openly show to his Subjects, that he intended to usurp an absolute liberty, to infringe and null all Laws of the Country: That it would produce many dangerous consequences, and bring the just judgements of God both upon the whole Realm in general, and himself in particular. With all, it censures the ill advice of those who sent the Prince into Spain without the general consent of the Realm, which by law had more interest in him, than the King his Father &c. (as you may read in Mercury.) Notwithstanding all these and * Dr. Hackwel and others writ against this Popish match which divers Bishops approved of as lawful. other contrary advices, this match went on so far, that the general Articles of the match, with the Pope's alterations, were solemnly sealed and sworn to by the Prince in Spain, and also by King james in the Chapel of Whitehall july 20. 1624. the solemnity whereof you may read at large in the * Page 517. etc. An. 1623. & p. 19 to 30 An. 1624. French Mercury, together with the articles. At the taking of this Oath in the Chapel, there arose these two difficulties: The first about this Title of the POPE, MOST HOLY, which King james refused to give to the Pope, in the Oath which he ought to pronounce in the Chapel, alleging the repugnancy thereof to his Religion, and that this would be a reproach, and by consequence prejudicial to him for the future. But the Spanish Ambassadors refused to pass it over, if his Majesty would not consent to give him the foresaid Title; to which in the end he consented. The second difficulty was, that some reported to the Ambassadors, that they should have such prayers in the King's Chapel when they came to see the Articles sealed and sworn to by the King, and such singing of Psalms as were used in the Protestant Church and King's Chapel, at which prayers they could not be present since they came thither to no other end but to assure maintain, and Warrant the Catholic Apostolical and Roman Church. Whereupon the King commanded that nothing should be there sung, but what was sung when the Constable of Castille took his oath there, Nota. to swear the peace between the two Crowns, which was an hymn of joy, in praise of peace: and to out all scruple, the King caused the Register of his Chapel to carry the Hymn to the Ambassadors to peruse, and so all difficulties were removed: the King yielding to the Popish Ambassadors, to gratify the Pope in his Anti-christian Title; but they not yielding one hairs breadth to him, in honour or approbation of our Prayers, Psalms, or Religion, which must give place to their Catholic pleasures. The Articles being solemnly sworn in the forenoon; the King made an extraordinary feast to the Ambassadors; which ended, the King and they went to the councel-chamber, where all the Lords of the Council sealed and subscribed the General articles of the marriage. Which done the Ambassadors came to the King, who took this solemn Oath, and swore these private articles to them, in favour of Papists and advancement of the Romish Religion: (enough to amaze all Protestant Readers) which I have faithfully translated out of the Latin Copy Printed in the French Mercury. JAMES by the Grace of God of Great Britain, etc. King; Defender of the Faith, etc. to all to whom this present writing shall come, Greeting: In as much as among many other things, which are contained within the Treaty of Marriage between our most dear son Charles Prince of Wales, and the most renoun●d Lady Donna Maria, sister of the most renowned Prince, and our well beloved Brother, Philip the fourth King of Spain it is agreed, that WE BY OUR OATH SHALL APPROVE AND RATIFY THE ARTICLES under expressed to a Word; 1 That PARTICULAR LAW MADE AGAINST ROMAN CATHOLICS, under which other Vassals of our Realms are not comprehended, and to whose observation all generally are not obliged; and likewise general Laws under which all are equally comprised, so as they are such which are repugnant to the Romish religion, shall not at any time hereafter by any means whatsoever, or case directly or indirectly, Be commanded to be put in execution against the said Romish Catholics: And we will cause that our Council shall take the same Oath, as far as it pertains to them and belongs to the execution, which by the hands of them or their Ministers is to be exercised. 2 That no other Laws shall hereafter be made anew against ●he said Romish Cathlikes, Nota. but that there shall be a perpetual soleration of the Romish Catholic Religion within private houses, throughout all our Realms and Dominiens: which we will have to be understood as well of our Kingdom of Scotland and Ireland, as in England; which shall be granted to them in manner and form, as is capitulated, decreed, and granted in the Articles of the Treaty concerning the marriage. 3 That neither by Us, nor by any other interposed Persons whatsoever, Nota. directly or indirectly, privately or publicly, will we treat (or attempt) any thing with the most Renowned Lady Infanta, Donna Maria, which shall be repugnant to the Catholic Romish Religion; neither will we by any means persuade her, that she should ever renounce or relinguish the same in substance or form; or that she should do any thing repugnant or contrary to those things which are contained in the Treaty of Matrimony. 4 That we will interpose our Authority, and do as much as in Us shall lie, that the Parliament shall approve, confirm, and ratify, all and singular Articles in fabour of the Romish Catholics, Nota ben●. caputilated between the most Renouncd Kings by reason of this Marriage; and that the said Parliament shall reboke and abrogate the particular L●●ves made against the said Romish Catholics, to whose observation also the rest of Our Subjects and Vassals are not obliged, as also the General Laws, under which all are equally comprehended, to wit, As to the Romish Catholics, if so be they be such, as is aforesaid, which are repugnant to the Romish Catholic Religion, And that hereafter We will not consent, that the said Parliament should ever at any time, make or write any other new Laws against Romish Catholics. We accounting all and singular, the preceding Articles ratified and acceptable, out of Our certain knowledge, as far as they concern Us, Our Heirs or Successors, approve, ratify, applaud, and promise bona fide, and in the Word of a king by these presents, inviolably, firmly, well and faithfully to keep, observe and fulfil the same, and to causs them to be kept, observed and fulfilled, without any exception or contradiction, and do confirm the same by Our Oath upon the holy ●rangelists, notwithstanding any opinions, sentences, or laws whatsoever to the contrary; In the presence of the most illustrious Lords Don john de Mendoza, marquis of Inojosa, and Don Charles Coloma, Extraordinary Ambassadors of the Catholic King; of George Calvert Knight, one of our chief Secretaries; of Edward Comvay Knight, another of our chief Secretaries; of Francis Cottington Baronet, of the Privy Council to our Son the Prince; of Francis de Corondelet Apostolical (or the Popes) Prothonotary, and Archdeacon of Cambray; Dated at Our Palace at Westminster the 20 day of july, Anno Domini, 1623. in the English stile. JACOBUS REX. A compared and true Copy. George Calvert (then chief Secretary, who turned soon after, and died a professed Papist.) To these Articles the Prince of Wales likewise swore, and signed them with his hand at Madrit, in the same manner, as King james did at Westminster, as this * Ibidem, p. 9 Mercury assures us, and I presume, his Majesties own conscience and followers can attest. Before I proceed further, I shall desire thee, kind Reader, whosoever thou art, especially if an English, Scotish, or Irish Protestant, to pause a while, and mo●● seriously to ponder these premised Passages, Articles, Oaths, worthy thy most serious consideration, if not thy admiration; and when thou hast so done, then let me propound these few Queres to thee from them, & to the Honourable House of Parliament too. First, Whether the heart of Kings (as well as of other persons) be not unsearchable; yea, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; So as no man can truly know or discern it? as Prov. 23. 3. jer. 17. 9 resolve past all dispute. Secondly, Whether King james were really so zealous a Protestant, and Anti-Papist, as the ignorant world reputed him, especially in his declining age? Thirdly, Whether those who have willingly without any compulsion, and (for aught appears) cordially entered into such Romish Alliances, Articles, Covenants, Oaths, can be ever sincerely affected to the Protestant Party or Religion, or really opposite to Popery or Papists, notwithstanding all outward Protestations, Proclamations or flourishes to the contrary, to blind the over credulous vulgar; ignorant of the Premises? Fourthly, Whether his Majesty having thus twice taken two solemn Oaths at least, upon both his Treaties of Marriage with Spain and France, (of which more anon) to protect and maintain to the utmost throughout his Dominions, the Roman Catholics, Church and Religion yea, to suspend and abrogate all Laws against them; and that before ever he made any Promise, or Declaration at all to maintain the Protestant Religion; whether he be not thereby now far more deeply engaged by virtue of these Oaths and Articles to protect, favour, and defend the Romish Catholic Faith, than the Protestant; and his Romish Catholic Subjects in all his Dominions, than his Protestant Liege's, having never entered into any such Solemn Articles, Oaths and Covenants (unless lately in Scotland much against his will, with which his Holiness of Rome will easily dispense, being quite contrary to his primitive Articles) to defend and propagate the Protestants, and Protestant Religion, as he hath done to defend Popery and his Popish Subjects? Fifthly, Whether all the premised Letters of Grace, Protection, Indulgences to Priests, Jesuits, and Popish Recusants, be not the real results and effects of these Oaths and Articles, and of the ensuing Articles and match with France? as the French Mercury, Tom. 9 An. 1624. p. 28. 29. expressly resolves. Sixthly, Whether the true and real design of the Pope, the Realms of Spain and France, and all Promoters of these matches, Articles, were not to re-establish Popery in its perfection, and extirpate the Protestant Religion throughout all his Majesty's Realms, by means and virtue of them, by degrees? Seventhly, Whether his Majesty doth not hold himself now bound in conscience by virtue of these Oaths and Articles, (what ever his outward protestations and pretences be) to side with his Roman Catholic Subjects, both in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Arm them against his Protestant Subjects and Parliaments in all three Kingdoms, of purpose to make good these his Oaths and Articles; and to protect them against the due execution of all ancient Laws already enacted, and all other new Laws and prosecutions now really intended against them in England, Scotland, contrary to these his Oaths and Articles? And whether this be not the very true, and proper cause of all his former and present Wars, Proclamations, Declarations, Remonstrances against the Scots, the former, the present Parliament; yea, the very ground why he proclaims them Traitors, Rebels, no Parliamment, but a faction? etc. Why he broke up all the former Parliaments since his reign by discontinuances, and endeavours to dissolve and cut off this by the sword of Papists and Atheists, against the very Act of Parliament so lately assented to by himself? And whether upon this ground, he would not rather his Parliament, his Protestant Subjects, Kingdoms should now perish, than his Catholics Subjects, or their Religion suffer or miscarry, as he descernes they are like to do if the Parliament should prevail of continue? Eightly, Whether these Oaths and Articles be not the real ground of the late horrid Irish conspiracy, massacre, Rebellion, Pacification. Toleration, and his Majesty's connivance at, if not approbation of these horrid bloody execrable practices? of the extraordinary favours lately indulged to those cursed barbarous Rebels by his Majesty, and his most gracious entertainment of them, not only into his Royal favour, but Court, Army, and Realm of England, as his securest Lifeguard? Ninthly, whether it be not then high time for the Parliament, and all the Protestants throughout his Dominions to look about them, and enter into solemn Protestations, Covenants, Engagements, mutually to defend themselves, their Religion, Laws, Liberties, Lives, Estates, when they are thus endangered by the Popish party, and the King himself (to omit the Queen) by Oath and Articles, is thus confederated with, and engaged to protect them, and their Religion to the uttermost? Tenthly, Whether these Oaths and Articles considered, it can possibly be believed, that his Majesty ever took up Arms and joined with Papists to maintain the Protestant Religion? Or that if his Majesty by force of Arms should prevail against the Parliament or Protestant party, there be, or can be any probability or possibility (in humane reason) left us to believe or conceive, that the Protestant Subjects should ever freely enjoy the Profession of their reformed Religion, just Rights, Laws, Liberties, Estates, or Lives; or Papists be prohibited the free public toleration and open practice of their Antichristian-Religion? And whether then it will not inevitably follow by virtue of these Oaths and Articles, that all Laws whatsoever now in force against the Pope, Popery, Papists, shall and must be presently repealed, even by a packed or forced Parliament; and a public toleration at least of Popery (if not total suppression of the Protestant Religion) settled by Parliament; and all attempts to draw the Queen, or any else from Popery, be prohibited by Oath to all Protestants, under pain of High Treason, without any restraint at all on Papists, not to endeavour to seduce the King and all his Subjects, by all the ways and arts that may be? This being the very purport of the premised Letter, the Spanish Oath, Articles, and of the French, here following. If any after the perusal of all these Letters, Articles, Oaths, Queres, will still be wilfully blind or secure, let them be so at their own utmost peril; and if they suffer, perish through their folly, let them thank themselves: I have freed my own soul, though theirs miscarry through their own sottishness or incredulity. This Spanish Match, after it had been in a manner fully concluded on all hands, unexpectedly breaking off in a moment, to the a The Vocal Forest, Mercure Francois, Tom. 9 An. 1624● p. 10. & exceeding dejection of the Papists throughout all England: The King's Marriage with the Lady Mary of France, (of the same Romish Religion with the Spanish Amira) was soon after concluded; and that (as is more than probable by the Queen's Bishops, Priests, Capuchins, with other such Roman Locusts, who accompanied her Majesty hither, the entertainment of a Pope's Nuncio from Rome, and an Agent at Rome; b Mercure Francois à Paris aves Privilege Anno 1625. f. 480. Tom. ●. & mentioned. Tom. 11. p. ●53. etc. Where the whole solemnity of this Marriage is described. and the subsequent favours, Protections which the Papists and Priests in England, have ever since obtained from the King by Her most prevalent mediation, as is manifest by the premised Letters, Warrants●) upon the selfsame Articles in favour of the Papists, as were assented to in the Spanish nuptial Treaty: But that which puts it out of question, are the general and private Articles of agreement (long since published in some French Mercuries, printed at Paris with Royal Privilege, and passing from hand to hand in private English Manuscripts among the most intelligent men:) some of which Articles I shall here annex, as I find them in English Manuscripts, agreeing with the French Original. ● THat the above named the Lords Ambassadors have promised, and do promise for and on the behalf of his Majesty of great Britain, now reigning, that he shall take to Marriage, for his dear Consort and Wife, the Lady Henretta Maria Daughter of France, and Sister to his foresaid most Excellent Majesty, in person, or otherwise by Proxy, so soon as conveniently the same may be done; and that also the foresaid Lady at the good pleasure and consent of his foresaid Christian Majesty, and of the Queen her Mother, after his FORESTE AID MAJESTY HATH OBTAINED A c 〈◊〉 falloit envoyer à Rome, Mercure Francois, p. 479. DISPENSATION FROM THE POPE, doth promise to take for her dear Consort and Husband, Charles the first, King of Great Britain, and according to the foresaid reciprocal promise, he shall be affianced and contracted after the manner accustomed in the CATHOLIC AND ROMISH CHURCH. Nota. 7 It is likewise agreed upon, that the said Lady and all her Followers, as also the Children which shall be borne to her Officers, shall have free exercise of the Catholic Apostolical and Roman Religion; and to that end the foresaid Lady shall have a Chapel in each of the King's Palaces, or Houses, or in any other place of his Majesty of Great Britain, where she shall chance to come and continue; and that the foresaid Chapel shall be adorned and d●●ked as it is fitting; and that the keeping thereof shall be committed to whom it shall please the said Lady to appoint; in which the preaching of God's Word, and the Administration of the Sacraments, the MASS, and all other Offices shall be freely and solemnly done, according to the use of the Romish Church; yea, all Indulgences and jubilees which the said Lady shall obtain or get from THE POPE, may be done and executed there. There shall be also one Churchyard in the City of London, given and appointed to inter and bury such of her said Ladyship's Followers, as shall chance to depart this life according to the manner and form of the Church of Rome; and that shall be modestly done: the which Churchyard shall be in such sort enclosed or walled about, that no person shall come therein to profane the same. 8 It is also agreed upon, That the said LADY SHALL HAVE A BISHOP FOR HER GREAT ALMONER, who shall have all jurisdiction and necessary Authority for all matters or causes concerning Religion, and who shall proceed against the Ecclesiastical persons which shall be under his charge, according to the Canons constituted and appointed. 9 And if it shall at any time happen that any Secular Court shall take any of the foresaid Priests into their power, by reason of any crime or offence against the State by him committed or done, Nota. and do find him to be guilty thereof, yet shall the said Court send him back to the said Bishop, with the informations which they find by him, because the said Priest is privileged from their power; and the said Bishop when he shall understand and know so much, shall degrade the said Priest, and afterwards send him back unto the foresaid Secular Court to do justice upon him. And for all kind of other faults, the aforesaid Priests shall be sent to the Bishop, to the end that he may proceed against them according to the Canons in that case provided, and in the absence or sickness of the said Bishop, the Priest which is by him appointed to be his great Vicar, shall have the same power and authority. 10 It is likewise agreed upon, that the said Lady shall have 28 PRIESTS, or Ecclesiastical Persons in her House, comprehending therein her Almoner and Chaplains, to serve and keep the foresaid Chapel according as they are appointed, and if any of them be a Regular or Canonical person, living under more prescript Rules then the rest, yet he may hold and keep his habit. Nota. a The French Copy in King james 〈◊〉 time runs thus, Also the KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, L● R●y & le Prince, s' obligent pur serment ●●e ne tasc●er pur quelque Voy que●●e puisse estre, fair Renoncer Madame à la Religion Catholic, Apostolic & Roman, ny la po●ter à ascune ch●se, null soit contrary. is by OATH BOND NOT TO ENDEAVOUR BY ANY MEANS AT ALL TO HAVE HIS SAID QUEEN TO RENOUNCE THE CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC AND ROMISH RELIGION, NOR COMPEL HER TO DO ANY THING WHATSOEVER THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE SAME RELIGION. 11 The said Queen's House shall be maintained with so much Dignity, and with so great a number of Officers as ever any had that was Queen of England; all the household servants which the said Lady shall carry into England, shall be Priests Catholics and French by birth, and chosen or appointed by his most Christian Majesty; And if it happen that any of them die, or that the foresaid Lady shall be willing to change her said Servants, than She will take in their steeds other Papists Catholics, French or English, always provided that his Majesty of Great Britain consent thereunto. 16 The children which shall by reason of the said inter-marriage, be born and live, shall be nursed and brought up near unto the said Lady and Queen, from the time of their Birth, until they come to the age of fourteen years. These Articles with others, (agreeing with the Spanish and French printed Copies) were subscribed and signed by the Earls of Carlisle and Holland, ●e have little hopes the● of ●er Coversion to our Religion. Ambassadors and Commissioners for King Charles; and by other French Commissioners, and afterward signed and sworn to by King james, the French King, and Prince Charles' the 10 of November, 1624. and after King james his death, new signed, subscribed by these Ambassadors, and sworn unto by both these Kings, Thursday the eighth of May, 1625. Besides these general Articles, there were (as the b Mercury Francois, Tom. 10. p. 487. A Paris ave● Privilege le R●y. An. 1625. French Mercury informs us) these three particular ones condescended unto; Outre ces Articles generalx, il y● eu, ceux trois de particuliers; (the same with those of Spain forementioned.) Le Premier, touchant les Catholics, tant Ecclesiastiques que Seculiers, Prisonniers depius le dit dernier Edict, lesquels serroient tous mis en libertè. Le second, à ce que les Catholiques Anglois ne serroint plus recherchez pour leur Religion: Et le troisiesme; Que ce qui se trouveroit en nature des biens saisis sur les Catholiques tant Ecclesiastiques que seculiers, depuis le dit dernier Edict public contra eux, leur serroient restitues. The first touching the Catholics, as well ecclesiastics as Seculars, Prisoners since the said last Edict, the which shall be all set at liberty. The second to this effect, That the English Catholics shall be no more searched after (or troubled) for their Relion: And the third, of this nature, that the goods seized upon the Catholics, as well ecclesiastics as Seculars, since the said Edict published against them, shall be restored. Upon these Articles, Oaths, Proceedings of the King in these Treaties of Marriage with Spain and France, and his enter-marriage with the Queen, (a most sedulous Promoter of the Roman Catholic Religion;) these several effects ensued. First, an extraordinary great multitude of most dangerous seducing Seminary Priests, jesuits, Monks of all sorts, especially Benedictines. Nuns and jesuitesses came flocking over into England, and other his Majesty's Dominions, without any restraint or inhibition whatsoever, there being no less than 261 Romish Priests, Monks, Jesuits, (besides Popish Physicians, Apothecaries, and Surgeons) constantly residing in and about London, in the year 1624. the Catalogue of whose names you may read in john Gee, (a reclaimed English Priest, by the fall of the Massing-Chamber in Blackfriars, where he hardly escaped) in his I oot out of the snare, Edit. 4 London 1624. there being, as he then manifested in this, Book, at least four times as many more Priests and jesuits in other parts of England, and well-nigh 300 to his knowledge in one single County alone; and above 60 English Benedictine Monks from Douai, besides those sent from other places. Secondly, There were many new Colleges, Monasteries, and Seminaries erected in Spain, and other foreign Parts for the training up of English, Irish, and Scottish Priests, Monks, Jesuits. Nuns, to be sent over into his Majesty's Dominions, to reduce England to the Popish faith, and obedience of the Sea of Rome; (as you may read at large in john Gee his Foot out of the snare; Lewis Owen, his Running Register; james Wadsworth, his English Spanish Pilgrim, London 1629. Pudesindus Barlo, his ensuing letter; The French Mercury, Tom. 8. 9 & 10. Nich●le Maistre, Instauratio Antiqui Episcoporum Principatus, and others,) and new Chapels built for Mass, and a Cell for Capuchins here. Thirdly, There were many private Societies and Monasteries of Jesuits, Monks, Nuns, secretly erected and maintained in England, but many more openly built, stocked, and professedly supported in Ireland, as appears by the Remonstrance and Petition of Grievances touching Religion, presented to the King by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, 3. Caroli: The late Remonstrance of both Houses, concerning the Rise and Progress of the late Irish Rebellion, Rome's Masterpiece; Rome's Inquiry, etc. and other evidences here ensuing. Fourthly, There was a new Popish Hierarchy erected, and Bishops, Arch-Deacons, etc. created by the Pope, both in England and Ireland, to exercise all Episcopal jurisdiction therein; besides the Queen's Bishop mentioned in the former Articles; as is evident by Nich● le Maistre his Instauratio Antiqui Episcoporum Principatus, and Rudesindus Barlo his letter recorded in it, by Henry Flood his letter from Rome, to F. Colleton Archpriest, alias Archdeacon of London, March. 27. 1623. with other letters recorded by john Gee, in his Foot out of the snare, p. 27. etc. The Pope's Brief, and Rome's Inquiry: and the evidences hereafter cited. Fifthly, All Laws and Proceedings against Popish Priests and jesuits, were suspended by general and special letters, warrants of Grace and Protection forementioned; and before the King's marriage by letters sent to all parts by Bishop William's Lord Keeper, in King james his Name, all Priests and Recusants then imprisoned for their Religion were * See Mercure Francois, Tom. 9 An. 1624. p 28 to 31. released, upon pretence of procuring like favour, and liberty of conscience for the Protestants in France, and other foreign parts: Who soon after were generally persecuted every where in Germany, France, and all their Towns, Forts, demolished in France by force of Arms; yea, many thousands of them massacred; and Rochel itself betrayed into their power, by our English ships, and the treachery of the Popish and Court party here. Sixthly, There was a special Society erected, not only in Rome, but likewise here in England, entitled, The Congregation of Propagating the Faith, consisting of four Orders of most desperate active English and Scotish Jesuits, residing in London; of which Society, The Pope himself was the head, and Cardinal Barbarino his chief substitute. And for the better advancement of this Romish design, to undermine the Protestant Religion, and set up Popery in all the King's Dominions; there was an Agent sent from the King and Queen to lie Leaguer at Rome (one Hamilton a Scottish Papist) and a special Nuncio sent over into England from the Pope, to wit, one Seignor Georgio Con, a Scot, who kept his Residence here in London, and was Precedent of this new erected Congregation of Jesuits; which held a constant Council once or twice each week, had weekly dispatches to and from Rome, yea, continual free access to the King and his Court, to seduce both the King and his People; as you may read more at large in Rome's Masterpiece, the English Pope, and The Pope's Brief. Seventhly, All Informers against Priests, Jesuits, Papists, were discountenanced, menaced, and many of them imprisoned, by Secretary Windebanke their Pensioner, who not only released sundry Priests and Jesuits by his Warrants, (as you heard before) but even by word of mouth● prohibited the Officers of justice to apprehend them, and imprisoned one Robert Horward Under-sheriff of Southampton, upon a pretence that he had proceeded against some Popish Recusants upon the Kings Writ directed to him to seize their Lands, and Goods, contrary to his Letters of Countermand (though its true he proceeded not) till he enforced him by his Popish Secretary Read, to enter into a bond of one hundred pounds to Henry Lord, a Papist, Never to prosecute Popish Recusants more, ere he would release him: All which was attested by Horward and others in the Commons House this Parliament, as you may see in the journal Book of the House 11, 12, 20. Novemb. and in Mr. Glynnes Repo●●entred therein, 1 Decemb. 1640. On the contrary, most of the painful Orthodox Protestant Ministers, Gentlemen and others throughout the Realm were disgraced, persecuted, silenced, fined, imprisoned, banished, and thousands of them enforced to flee the Realm, by the tyrannical unjust proceedings against them in the High-Commission, Star-chamber, councel-chamber, Bishop's Consistories, and Visitation Courts: the Printing Presses were also shut up against all Books in refutation of Popery, and opened to all Impressions in defence or propagation thereof: Popish Doctrines, Superstitions openly maintained, preached in Our Universities, Cathedrals, Dioceses, Churches, Chapels, (especially at Court) Lectures suppressed, and none but such as were Popishly affected, advanced to Bishoprikes, Deaneries, Ecclesiastical Preferments, or admitted into the Ministry, by our * Who would a●mit none ●●vings or the Ministry, but such who must 〈◊〉 subscribe, That the Church of Rome is a true Church, That it is lawful to how to altars, That all baptised infants are truly regénerated and certainly saved if they d●, That Bishops are Iu●re Divino, That Ministers power to rem● sins is n●t merely declarative. Bishops. Eightly, In pursuance of this design, his Majesty's greatest Favourites, and those in highest authority under him, were all either actual Papists in profession, or well inclined to Popery in affection, & altogether swayed by popish Counsels: witness the first Grand Fauòurite, the Duke of Buckingham, who laid the foundation of the Spanish and French Marriage-Treaties, Articles, and was a chief Actor in both; swayed wholly by his jesuited Mother, and Duchess, professed Papists, and their Cabinet counsel of Jesuits; by whose Treachery Rochel was lost. The great Lord Treasurer Weston steared by his Popish Countess, kindred, Sir Toby Mathews, Sir Basil Brook, and other Papists, whiles he lived, and reconciled to the Church of Rome, receiving extreme Unction and Absolution from the Popish priests and Capuchins, when he died. Besides these they had Windebank a popish Secretary of his Majesty's Cabinet Council for their Intelligencer, Patron, Protector, Liberator, Assistant; the Earl of Arundel, and other friends in his Privy Council, Endymion Porter in his Bedchamber, with many other Agents of all sorts, all Sexes in his Court, mentioned in Rome's Masterpiece, to further their design in the State: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Wren, Montague, Cousins, with many other Prelates and * See Master ●hites first Century. Priests to introduce, establish their Popish Doctrines, Ceremonies, Superstitions in the Church of England; the great Lord Strafford Lieutenant of Ireland, with sundry others in that Realm, to countenance and protect them in Ireland, where they had absolute toleration, yea, open profession of their Religion: And which was instar omnium, they had Queen Mary herself in the Kings own bed and bosom for their most powerful Mc●atrix, of whom they might really affirm in reference to his Majesty, what some of their popish a Bernardi●us de Busti. Mar●al. Pars 3. Ser. 3. exce. 4. pars ●. ser. 2. Gabrid Biel in C●no●e M●ss●e Lect. 8 c. 〈◊〉 Gerson. Tract. 4. Super magnificat. ●ab. deniera. Plevers des vies des Saints. Feste de● ' Assomption Nostre Dame Anselm●s Cant. De Laud. Mariae, and others. Doctors have most blasphemously written of the Virgin Mary in relation to God and Christ, That all things are subject to the command of Mary, even God himself: That she is the Empress and Queen of Heaven, and of greatest Authority in the Kingdom of Heaven, where she may not only impetrate but command what soever she pleaseth; That she sitteth as Chancellor in the Court of Heaven, and giveth Letters of Grace and Mercy to whom she pleaseth: That she is the Fountain, Treasurer and Dispenser of all God's Graces, Favours; the very neck and conduit-pipe through which they are all conveyed: That God hath freely bestowed on her the better half of his Kingdom, to wit, all his mercy, reserving only his justice to himself, yet so subject to her restaints: That if any (Roman Catholic) doth find himself aggrieved in the Court of Gods (or the Kings) justice, (for being prosecuted for his Recusancy or seducing the King's people) he may safely appeal to Mary's Court of mercy for relief, she being the Throne of Grace, of which the Apostle speaks, Hebr. 4. 16. Let us go boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we (Catholics) may receive (from her) grace to help us in time of need: And to further this Catholic work more effectually, the Queen Mother must be sent over into England, to contribute her assistance to the Catholic party here, which she had so much assisted in France, and foreign parts. No wonder then if the design succeeded, prevailed so much of late, since assisted, promoted by so many powerful active agents. 9 By virtue of the former Articles and Oaths, all the Parliaments during his Majesty's reign till now, urging the execution of old Laws against Recusants, Priests, Jesuits, and endeavouring to make new stricter acts against them, have (contrary to the practice of all former ages,) been broken up and dissolved in discontent; And to cross their execution of Priests and Jesuits in a politic Pleasing covert way, divers Proclamations have been published every Parliament, to banish them the Realm by a set day; after which, if they departed not, they should be executed, which the common people, and plain honest-minded Parliament men conceived, to be done out of rigour and justice against them, and so rested satisfied with these Proclamations only, which in truth, were mere policies to free the imprisoned Priests and Jesuits out of prison, under pretext of sending them away, and to stay all proceedings against them, whilst the Parliaments sat, by allowing them so many week's respite to depart the Realm, before which the Parliaments commonly were dissolved: and so by this policy were secured, enlarged to do more mischief, and either departed not all, or returned presently again into England as soon as the Parliaments ended, as the premises and experience manifest. 10. By means of these Articles, proceedings of the Papists, Priest, and Jesuits have grown so stupendiously powerful, as during the late Scottish troubles, to hold a Parliament, and general Council of State among themselves, even in London, wherein not the King, but the Popes own Nuntio sat Precedent: in which Parliament the chief Papists out of all parts of England and Wales assembled, and made several Laws and Ordinances for imposing taxes, and raising moneys upon all Roman Catholics, for maintenance of the Scottish wars, which were seconded with the Queens own Letters and Instructions to the Catholics, reciting, What great liberties and favours her Highness had procured for them from his Majesty; and exciting them to a most liberal contribution toward these wars, because the maintaining thereof, concerned them not only as they were Subjects, BUT AS THEY WERE ROMAN CATHOLICS TOO. The verity of which Popish Parliament, orders, instructions, taxes, was fully proved and manifested before a special Committee of the Commons House specially appointed for Recusants, and their Popish Nuncio, Novemb. 9 1640. and at other days of meeting in that and the following months, both by the orders, letters and instructions themselves, and the examinations of Sir Kenelm Digby, and many other Popish Knights, chief actors in that Parliament, now remaining in the safe custody of Master Raynolds then Chaire-man. And were not the Papists then, think you, grown to an extraordinary exorbitant power, and the Pope revested in his long exploded usurped supremacy in our Realm; when they should thus be permitted to hold and keep a Parliament without interruption, when the Protestants and Kingdom might hold none at all, or at least one presently dissolved in discontent, and the Popes own Nuncio sit Lord Precedent to rule the roast, when they should be thus openly tolerated to hold a Parliament, both to make and maintain a war against the religious Protestant Subjects, even with the Kings own actual consent, as is clear by his forementioned answer under his own hand to Master Pulfords' Petition, where he not only takes notice of these contributions granted him by the Papists, but makes them the ground of his stay of all proceedings against them upon penal Laws? And that these Scottish wars were then raised by them, to get the king into their power, and extirpate the Protestant Religion, is evident, not only by the plot detected in Rome's Masterpiece, found in the Archbishop's chamber, and the observations on it, but likewise by a little English Book then published in print by the jesuits, entitled, The jubilee of the Jesuits, one copy whereof, Thomas Chaude receiving from a woman-papist in Redriffe, delivered it to Sheriff Warner, which he attested in the House of Commons, Novemb. 14. 1640. as the journal records: in which book there was this observable Passage: Nota, That the Papists should fish in troubled waters, whilst the King was engaged in the wars with the Scots; with some prayers for their good success; and for THE HOLY MARTYRS THAT SUFFERED IN THE FLEET SENT AGAINST THE HERETICS OF ENGLAND 1639. By which among other circumstances, it is evident, that not only the Scottish war was plotted, maintained by the Papists, but that the Spanish fleet then happily encountered and vanquished by the Hollanders on our coasts, during these troubles, was directly designed against the Protestants in England, by the Popish party here, with whom they were to join, to cut both the English and Scottish Protestants throats, when all the powder of the Realm, and the train bands arms in most Counties were engrossed into his Majesty's hands, and they thus incountering one the other; which plot, the unexpected pacification, with the Scots, and Holland fleet most happily prevented. And in truth, the improbability of any other likely design; our harbour and succour of them from the Dutch Fleet in the Downs, our supplying of them with men, victuals, ammunition, our guarding them with our ships against the Hollanders more than was meet, our hindering the Hollanders to burn their ships, which ran upon our shore, the confession of an English man in that Fleet upon his deathbed, out of remoise of conscience, (when he was brought on shore wounded in the first encounter with the Hollanders) that this Fleet was designed for England; the speeches of some Papists, that they expected this Navy here about that time; the landing of many hundred Spanish soldiers at Plymouth in English Ships, but a week or two before this Fleet arrived on our coasts, upon pretence to transport them thence by land towards Flaunders, (designed, as some then feared, to surprise Plymouth;) the Lord Portlands' sudden journey to the Isle of Wight, whereof he was Governor, with the Lord Went worth, Col. Goring, and others, where they shot away all the powder in the Castles, (and their clothes too) in drinking healths in a most Bacchanalian f●●●ick manner, just when the Spanish Fleet was before that Isle, to the end they might the easier surprise it, when they had no powder to resist them, (as some wise men then conjectured,) are more than probable arguments, that this Fleet was destinated for England, to extirpate the Protestant party; and that by the desperate confederacy of the predominant Popish faction, and their great Patriots here, who procured them so much favour and protection from us against the Hollanders, and would never permit this mystery of iniquity to be throughly examined. No wonder therefore, if we see the Popish Rebels brought over into England, to murder Protestants now, since the Spaniards were thus designed, (as is more than probable) for that purpose then: And whether we may not fear the like design from France, I leave to the grand Council of the Kingdom to consider. 11. Those Articles, I doubt, have been the true cause of the late rebellion in Ireland, and the massacres there; of all his Majesty's favours to these rebels, of the late pacification Articles granted to them; of his Majesty's departing from, taking up arms, arming all English Papists, and sending for Popish Irish rebels into England, to fight against the Parliament, and of his siding with, relying on the Popish party, to whom he is obliged to adhere, and so engaged against the Parliament, for fear they should execute all old, and make new. Laws against Recusants, contrary to his premised Oaths, and Articles. 12. We may hence assure ourselves, that we can never have any real pacification with the King and his Popish party, without a toleration of their religion, and a suspension, or repeal of all Laws against them, according to the preceding Articles; and in case his Majesty should prevail against the Parliament, we must expect an absolute establishing of Popery, and suppression both of the Protestant party and Religion. Yea, seeing His Majesty is both by Oath and Articles, not to endeavour by any means at all, to withdraw the Queen from the profession of the Romish Religion; whereas she on the other side, is left free, by all means and arts that may be, to withdraw the King from the Protestant Religion to her own, and his children too: We have great cause to fear (if adam's, solomon's, or Ahabs seducements by their wives be duly pondered) that his Majesty, (now wholly alienated from his Parliament, and best Protestant Subjects, by the Queen and popish Counsellors, and resigning himself up to the Counsels, Armies, Forces, Guard of his Roman Catholic Subjects, who have the custody both of his person, and next heirs apparent to his Crowns,) may ere long be seduced to their Religion, as well as to their party; especially, since he hath been informed, That they have a poisoned Fig reserved for him, in case he should refuse it; as is more amply manifested in Rome's Masterpiece. The next Authority of note, which I then intended to publish, was this notable Passage of N. Le Maistre, a Sorbon Priest, in his Instauratio Antiqui Episcoporum Principatus: Parisiis 1633. Cum privilegio Regis, & Approbatine Doctorum. (dedicated to all Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Clergy of the Church of France) Lib. 2. p. 273. to 83. cap. 15. Thus entitled: Corolarium libri secundi; Vbi nonnulla de persecutione Episcoporum, & de Illustrissimo Antistite Calcedonensi. For the clearer understanding of which Passage, I must prefix this Prologue; After the death of William Bishop of Chalcedon in England, most of the English secular Priests, together with the Benedictines, for the advancement of the Romish Catholic Religion, became suitors to the Pope and his Conclave, to have one or more Popish Bishops, created by the Popes to be sent over into England, to ordain Priests, give confirmation, and exercise Episcopal jurisdiction there; The Regular Priests, and some others here, did stiffly oppose this design; but the Episcopal Secular and Benedictine party prevailing, Pope Urban by his special Bull, bearing date, the 4. of August, An. 1625. (which I find printed in Censur a propositionum quarundam, etc. per facultatem Theologiae Parisiensis factae, Parisiis, 1635. p. 63. 64, 65.) created * See the Pope's Brief. Richard Smith Bishop of Chalcedon, and sent him over into England, to exercise Episcopal jurisdiction, and to be superintendent over the Priests within the English Dominions, according to the tenor of his Bull; hereupon * See my Catalogue of Testimonies in all Ages, to prove the Parity, and Identity of Bishops and Presbyters. The 3. Squadron. Nicholas Smith, Daniel a jesus Herman Lomelius, and other Regular Priests, written divers printed Treatises against Episcopacy, and the inconvenience of having a Bishop in England; whose books were referred to the Examination of the faculty of Paris, and there censured, An. 1630. in the forecited Censure, etc. the Sponge of which Censure, written by Herman Lomelius, was answered by Le Maistre; and withal, they raised up such a faction and persecution against this their new Bishop of Chalcedon in England, and Ireland among the Popish party, that they chased and banished him out of England into France, where he was entertained by Cardinal Richelleiu. Upon this occasion Le Maistre thus writes in his Defence, and prints the ensuing Letter of Rudesindus Barlo, Precedent of the Benedictine English Monks, in these very terms: Nunc verò Episcopum, etc. But now they see the Bishop of Chalcedon, shining on every side round about, with the splendour of Virtue, by whose amiable light and prudence, if the tempest should become more hard, it might have been assuaged and calmed; I say, the Bishop of Chalcedon, greatly desired by the people, coming FROM THE POPE, most humanely entertained by Christians, not grievous to the enemies of our Faith, some inflamed with private hatreds and grudges, have expelled, have suborned secret accusers and Sycophants, as if themselves would urge and imitate an OVERDO MUCH REMITTED PERSECUTION, who cease not to complain of the grievousness of persecution. You (will you that I should speak) have made, you have raised a persecution; neither hath Religion ever suffered under a more grievous evil, then by impiety, cloaked under the colours of a religious ●ruit: For what was there, that might provoke your gall against so great a man, unless you purposed to execrate honesty, sanctity, modesty, courtesy, wisdom, with the most filthy kinds of enmities? Unless, like the Syberites, you scatter reproaches against the Sun, and endure not the light of so great innocence, which no man ever aught to shun, but he who would not imitate it? Now all France is overflowed with greatest indignation against your madness, from which, since so many mischiefs have proceeded, this one commodity accrues to behold and embrace so great a man; so illustrious a Champion of the Gospel, so acceptable and lovely to our most eminent Duke and Cardinal; But in the mean time, the filthy patrocination of certain Writers, may cease to draw clouds over your wickedness: Did not Bishops heretofore carry divine books with them wheresoever they went, even whiles the persecution was vigorous, & c? Did they not, when driven into caves, hold assemblies, reform Priests, perform holy duties, dispense sacred mysteries? What then forbids the same things, and others which are not of greater pomp to be performed in England; especially, WHERE THIS HEAT OF PERSECUTIONS HATH CEASED, THROUGH THE DIGNITY OF A MAGNANIMOUS KING; AND MOST INVINCIBLE PRINCE, BY THE BORBONIAN STAR WHICH HANGS OVERDO THESE COUNTRIES IN A MOST DEAR WIFE: By which STARS, AS BY THE DIOSCURI, PERADVENTURE THE TEMPEST OF PERSECUTION WILL IN TIME BE APPEASED, and THE GENEROUS PRINCE MAY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAME CHRIST, UNDER WHOM HIS ANCESTORS HAVE SO GLORIOUSLY TRIUMPHED. But that it may appear, by how many Votes the Bishop of Chalecdon came desired into that Province, I subjoin a Copy of a Letter, by which the most noble Society of Benedictines earnestly required Doctor Smith to be given to them for their Bishop, by the Senate of the Church. And hence 〈◊〉 will appear, how deserved their pride may be condemned, who being but few in number, have vexed the Bishop of Chalcedon, against the Votes of so great a Fraternity; with whom alone I am angry, when as in this work, I complain of the arrogancy of certain men, who call themselves Monks: For in others I am always resolved to reverence Religion and Modesty. The Letter of Father Rudesind, Precedent of the English Benedictines, to the sacred Congregation, consecrated to the PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, 12 Decemb. 1624. MOst Illustrious, and most reverend Lords, of the most ancient Senate of the Catholic Church; peradventure we do a new thing, and hither to unaccustomed; yet (as we hope) neither ingrateful, nor unpleasant to your piety, Monks endeavouring to promote the cause of secular Priests; although truly howsoever the abusive speech of the vulgar distinguisheth the Clergy from the Regulars; as if the Secular Priests only should constitute the Clergy; but the Regulars should by no means belong to the Body of the Clergy; yet we Benedictines were always of a far other opinion, esteeming even ourselves to be some part of the Clergy, although not a ruling part, yet an assisting part, out of the most ancient privileges of the Sea Apostolic; we do not therefore a thing different from our Profession, if we suffer together in the difficulties of THE ENGLISH CLERGY, since we judge the same in part to extend unto ourselves: verily we should not deserve to be under Christ the head of the Clergy, if we should not suffer together with the Body, especially with the Body of the ENGLISH CLERGY, of which we remember the greatest-part by far in the Primitive Church of the English, to have been of our Fathers the Monks of Saint Benedict. For that conjunction and participation therefore, which our Body hath always had in England with the Secular Clergy, presuming (most illustrious men) of your benignities to the assistance of the said troubled Clergy, we have thought we ought to occur according to our several abilities; not as ambitiously seeking any authority among them, but as those who judge, that even our tranquillity doth depend on their quietness. For we most truly judge, that it is the only method of Peace and concord, that to every Order may be attributed what is its own, that due honour and authority may be rendered to the Clergy, and their Privileges may be preserved inviolable to the Regulars. Hence is it, that under the best and most prudent old man of pious memory, Doctor William Bishop, THE MOST REVEREND ORDINARY OF ENGLAND, and Bishop of Chalcedon, the pious foundations of an wholesome concord were laid between the Seculars and Regulars, THE WORKMEN OF THE MISSION; we Benedictines agreeing, (the Venerable Bishop himself exhorting and proposing) upon certain necessary Articles of Ecclesiastical Discipline; whence without doubt it would have come to pass, that the other Regulars following our example, would have consented to the same Articles, and a most joyful face of mutual peace and love in the whole Clergy of England would have shined forth; but by the death of the holy Bishop intervening, (to him verily mature by reason of his long age, but to us very unseasonable, by reason of the beginnings of peace not yet confirmed) these our endeavours lie in a manner intercepted, and by means of the long delay of granting a successor Bishop, almost quite dead. For we have received (not without great dolour of mind) from two chief men, Master Matthew Kellison, and Master Richard Smith, ancient Priests, and old Doctors of Divinity, who among others were nominated to our most Holy Lord, to undergo the Episcopal charge, that many things are objected by some, only out of a show of the zeal of God, but in truth out of a hope of retarding that business, than which there is none more necessary for the advancement of Religion, and Piety in England, Wherefore I deemed it appertained to the office of fraternal charity, and to the zeal which I owe to God's glory, that I, who unworthy preside over a great part of the Regular Priests in the ENGLISH Mission. FOR WE RECKON ABOVE SIXTY BENEDICTINE MONKS IN ENGLAND, SUBJECT TO OUR CONGREGATION (AND WE PREPARE far MORE IN OUR COVENTS TO THE FUNCTIONS OF MISSION,) that I might give testimony to the Truth, and to the innocency and credit of the said Priests. I therefore humbly and sincerely signify to your most Illustrious Lordships, that the said Venerable Priests, Dr. Matthew Kelison, and Doctor Richard Smith, have been now very familiar known both to me, and to the other brethren of our congregation, by the conversation and experience of many years, and that their manners are very well discerned by us. Therefore, before God I testify, that they, both by us, and ALMOST BY ALL THE CATHOLICS IN ENGLAND are had in so great veneration; whether we respect their integrity of life, or excellency of learning, that we suppose there cannot easily be found their Peers, much less their superiors in all the Clergy of England, whether Regular, or secular. And truly the glory of both their learning is sufficiently known to the Catholic world, by the most learned Books, set forth by both of them against Heretics, in Latin and English, but to us it is more specially known, who have known both of them to have a long time governed the Chair with great praise of learning, as well in Philosophy as in Theology; and we know that Dr. Kellion was chief Professor of Divinity for many years in the University of Rheims, and that Doctor Richard Smith was first conjoined in the society of Studies, to the most learned Bishop of Lussion, now Cardinal of Richelieu. And concerning the integrity of both their lives, we can say, (seeing both of them are familiar to us and our Brethren by their almost daily conversation,) that we never yet knew any thing in their manners, which might not beseem grave Bishops, yea that we have always found so great gravity, meekness and devotion in them, as that we may deservedly rejoice; we have been conjoined to them in a most firm amity for many years. And this our testimony concerning them, is so much the more worthy of acceptation, that whereas we are of that order of Monks, who had the chiefest power heretofore in England, who had eleven Bishoprics in their power, and the Regiment of Cathedral Churches, computing also the Arch-Bishopricke of Canterbury, if we would do after the manner of men, it is more likely for the desire of ancient power, we would rather resist the secular Clergy as emulous, than give assistance to them. But we emulating the humanity and sincerity of our Fathers, and seeking the glory of Christ, not our own honoar, desire the quiet, profit, and increase of the secular Clergy, as much as our own tranquillity. Therefore we only affirm, that these things which we have testified of the forenamed Doctors, are so manifestly known to all good men in OUR ENGLAND, that verily they may suffer a great scandal, whosoever shall dare irreverently to backbite the said Priests of Christ before your tribunal. Therefore we Benedictines, your humble Servants and Sons, beseech you, that rejecting their accusations (who denigrate the same of the best Priests, only that themselves alone in a Clergy without an head, may shine as it were by an Anteperistisis, that they may seem hierarchical, and by a division of minds in the Clergy, may think that the best way to greatness lieth open to them,) you would be pleased TO GRANT A BISHOP TO OUR ENGLAND, seeing that no Province of the Catholic world hath more need of one, Whether we respect the necessity of the Sacrament of confirmation, whose frequent ministration by the Reverend Bishop of Chalcedon, hath wonderfully erected the minds of our Catholics, or the concord & dignity of the Clergy, and the observance of Ecclesiastical Discipline, whichseemes by no means to be able to be preserved without Episcopal Authority: NEITHER IS IT TO BE DOUBTED (for we have already scene the GOOD SUCCESS UNDER THE FIRST BISHOP) that ANOTHER BISHOP BEING CONSTITUTED, you WOULD BEHOLD MORE JOYFUL FRVITES WITHIN ONE TWO YEARS IN THE ENGLISH MISSION, THAN HITHER TO YOU HAVE BEHELD FOR SIXTY YEARS NOW ELAPSED THERE BEING NO BISHOP IN THE SAME. Popish Bishops the greatest and speediest means to promote Popery: Neither ought the Religious to fear, least Episcopal Authority should be burdensome to them, for the Authority instituted by Christ can hurt none who is truly a Christian: and we see not why the Regula●s with their privileges, given them by the Apostolic See for most just Reasons, may not as happily agree with a Bishop and secular Clergy in the English Mission, as well as we see they every where do out of England, especially seeing a form is already affected, at least by us, who by the exhortation of the most Reverend Bishop of Chalcedon, conspire in the best concord with the secular Clergy, and in the observance of a uniform Discipline, saving our privileges: And whosoever at last is to be Bishop, but especially if he shall be one of the two here named (whom we know to be very friendly to the Regulars) we doubt not, but that the same sweetness of concord, and conformity of Discipline will be continued, God directing the endeavours of us all. These things (most illustrious Cardinals, Patrons, to be especially observed) I have, which in the name of myself, and of the whole congregation, I would humbly profess in the cause, and for the cause of our secular Clergy of England; it remaineth that I should earnestly request your most illustrious Lordships, most gratefully to accept of this my service, and that you would vouchsafe by your Authority to foster and corroborate our Congregation, (which neither yields, nor will ever yield to any Society or Congregation in true observance towards the See Apostolic. Now the God of glory, and our Lord jesus, bless your Lordship with perpetual safety, to the comfort and honour of his Church. From the Covent of Saint Gregory of the Benedictines at Douai in Flanders, the twelfth of December, 1624. The most humble Servant and unworthy Son of your most illustrious Honours; F. Rudesindus Barlo, Precedent of the ENGLISH CONGREGATION of the Order of Saint Benedict. By which passage and Letter it is most apparent: That the King's match with the Queen was both in design and event, the greatest means to advance Popery in England, to suspend the Laws & proceeding against Popish Priests and Monks; and to reduce both the King and Prince to the entertaining and professing of the Roman Catholic Faith; as Le Maistre his words assure us: and this the Articles of agreement made and sworn to by the King, upon the marriage with the Queen, confirm. What power these Benedictine Monks have gained in England since this letter, appears by the Pope's new printed Brief directed to them, and by this memorable story. Anno 1634. Lewes' Cook General of the Benedictines dying without issue at Temple Cow in Oxfordshire, where he had Purchased divers lands and goods; his brother a Civilian in Ireland hearing of it, comes over and claims his lands as heir, his goods as Administrator to him: the Benedictines withstood his claim to both, alleging, that he purchased both goods and Lands with the money of the Order, and for their use and maintenance only. And by Sir William Howard, and their Court friend there, made such a strong party against the heir, that despairing of his own right, he made his addresses to Sir john Banks the King's Attorney, and procures a Commission of inquiry, with a Fiat under his hand, dated 2. january 1635. to entitle the King to the Lands and goods, as a mortmain purchased to the use of these Monks; whereupon they compounded with the heir, and gave him 300, l. as I am credibly informed by Mr Bernard, who drew the commission, whereupon it proceeded no further. I shall conclude, with the testimony of two English Jesuits, which I fitted for the Press, An. 1636. in this ensuing piece, sent lately to me by a friend, who preserved it beyond my expectation, as if God's providence had reserved it to accompany the Premises. The jesuits Looking glass: OR, The testimony of two late Priests and jesuits touching the present condition of the Church of England, and the greatest swaying Prelates thereof. CHristian Reader, it is Aquinas his observation, that from the time Bishops were endowed with worldly honours, * In Gen. 6. offices, riches, power, and great temporal possessions (the very bane and poison of the Church, as b Marius de Schis●ate l. 4. Polychron. li. 4. c. 36. jammes de Parisiis c. 22. in vita Sylvestri. Authors style them) EXTUNC ex●rti sunt in Ecclesia Gigantes, in magnis & Mirabilibus supra se ambulantes, qui potius videntur Reges vel Marchiones, quam Episcopi: what good fruits their Lordly Princely pomp and greatness produced, the same Author presently subjoins: Et ideo non mirum si per coserigatur STATVA BABYLONIS, & terrena civitas dilatetur: And therefore (saith he) it is no wonder, if the image and tower of spiritual Babel be erected by them, and the terrene City of Romish Babel enlarged. This being an experimental verity in Aquinas his age, it makes me the less to wonder at the present industry and practice of our Lordly Prelates, who following the footsteps of their Pontifical Predecessors, bend all their force and power to re-erect the long since demolished Tower of Romish Babel among us, and enlarge this earthly City, though with the utter ruin of our established Religion (the thing that first advanced them to their Lordly dignities) which they now most ungratefully require. This desperate confused Babel-plot of theirs, long smothered from the vulgars' knowledge, is now palpably discovered to the public view of all men, not only by the Towers, Statues, and walls of Babel (to wit, high Altars, Crucifixes, Images, Altarclothes, Tapers, Basins, etc.) lately erected in most Churches (especially Cathedrals) by these Lordly Babel-builders, but likewise by their fellow-labourers, and confederates in this plot and structure, to wit, Popish priests and jesuits: who now overjoyed with the towardly forwardness and maturity of this their cu●side, begin in printed Books to glory of it, for the better encouragement and increase of their Roman Catholic faction; and being privy both to their Lordship's bosom counsels and secrets (which ordinary poor Protestants are altogether ignorant of) think all now so cock sure on their party; that they begin to divulge in print our Prelaetes secret aims and popish designs; yea, to discover and magnify those Statues and walls of Babel, which their Lordships have already set up in our Church. Take but two late instance in stead of many, as a most bright Crystal Locking-glasse, wherein you may exactly behold their Lordship's Romish faces and actions, without prejudice or partiality; no Puritan having more lively and truly reflected their true portraitures or shadows, than these Romish Optick● have done. The first book I shall instance in, is entitled, A direction to be observed by N.N. written by an English Priest or Jesuice (yea, printed here in England in our mother tongue, to the end we might all take notice of it) since Midsummer last. In the 14. page he highly applauds the now Archbishop of Canterbury, for prohibiting and suppressing Books in defence of our Protestant Religion (which he there terms, Socinianism) in these words: Although I ought not to dissemble, by Do gladly acknowledge, and ●eserve●●● publish on this occasion, for a pattern for others in this Realm, the care of the highest Prelate in England (in place, grace, favour and authority, not in stature) in prohibiting the sale (much more than the printing and importing of books tending to Socinianism, which page 16. he expressly defines and interprets to be nought else, but Protestantism●. O happy Prelate, to merit so great Laud from a jesuits quill, as to be prescribed as a pattern of imitation to other Roman Catholics and Bishops to follow! having now so far cut-stripped them in their own jesuitical practices and stratagems, to suppress and undermine our Religion, that he even runs before them as a pattern worthy their imitation. But stops this jesuit here? No, for pag. 21● 22. he thus proceeds. And to speak the truth, what learned judicious man can after unpartial examination, embrace Protestantisme, which now wareth weary of itself? Its Professors, they especially of greatest worth, learning and authozity (and who are they but our great Achbishops, Bishops, and their Heirs apparent?) declare themselves (you may see now they are past fear, shame, and scorn to keep counsel any longer) to love temper and moderation. Allow of many things which some years ago were usually condemned as superstitious and Antichistian: and are at this time (such strong steady pillars, and grounded Fathers of our Church, or rather Romish brothers are their Lordships) more unresolved where to fasten (unless with Rome) then in the instance of their Church. (For proof of which he gives us this experimental undurable demonstration.) For do not the Protestant Churches begin to look with another face? their walls to speak (to wit, by late erected Images, Crucifixes, Laymens' Books) with another language? their preachers to use a sw●e●er●tene? (that is, to applaud, not declaim against popery and popish writers:) their annual public tenets in the University, to be of another stile and matter? (to wit, for, not against Popery:) Their Books to appear with Titles and * For example: The Pope not Antichrist. Prayer for the dead: Limbus Patrum. Pictures: Crucifixes, Altars to be used and adored: Auricular confession: Transubstantiation: freewill; Predestination: universal grace. that all our works are not sins: Merit of good works: inherent Justice: Faith alone doth not justify: Charity is to be preferred before knowledge: Traditions: Councel●. The Law p●ssible to be kept, etc. Arguments, as Shelfords, Reeves, pocklington's. A coal from the Altar, and others) whichonce would have caused much scandal among the brethren? their doctrine to be altered in many things, and even in those very points (mark it well) for which their progenitors forsook the then visible Church of Christ? (and is it any wonder then that many hundreds forsake and separate from our Church now?) Their thirty nine Articles, the sum, the confession, and almost the Creed of their faith are patient? Patient: that is they are ambitious of some sense wherein they may seem to be Catholic: (that is, of that Romish contradictory sense which Franciscus de Sancta Clara thrice printed, as they say, in England, and presented by a great Prelate to his Majesty, hath put upon them.) To allege wife and children in these days, is but a weak plea for a married Minister to compass a Benefice: Fiery, Calvinisme, once a darling in England, is at length accounted Heresy, yea and a little less than Treason (as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other Prelates judged in their sentence of Doctor Bastwicke, where they much railed upon worthy Calvin, whose books they are unworthy to bear.) Men in word and writing (to wit, in their Sermons and printed books) use willingly the once fearful names of Priests and Altars: (I would Richard Shelford Priest, and john Squire Priest, with their new fraternity of Priests, would consider this, and those that preach and write for Altars.) Nay, if one do but mutter against the placing of the Altar after the old fashion, for a warning, he shall be well warmed with d A little book so entitled, printed 1636. A coal from the Altar. English Protestant's are e Sunday no Sabbath, printed 1636. now put in mind, that for Exposition of Scripture, by Canon f Canons, ● 1571. Can. 19 they are bound to follow the ancient Fathers. And to conclude all in one main point. The Protestant Church in England (of whom the premises are spoken) professeth so small antiquity and so weak subsistence in itself, that they acknowledge no other visible being for many ages, but in the Church of Rome. Thus and much more this jesuit, from his own experimental observation and reading. Now welfare thy heart good honest plaindealing jesuit, for giving us such a lively Character and representation of the present face of our Church, and practices of our Lordly Prelates that are of Greatest Authority; and this thy timely disvery of their Grace's Romish designs, proceedings, Apostasies, for which all England shall con thee thanks. Had any Puritan or Protestant writ or muttered half so much, against these great Lordly Prelates (as appears by the late handling of worthy M. Burton * For his God and the King. ) he had been haled by head and ears out of his house, committed close prisoner, suspended, persecuted with all violence, complained of to his Majesty as a seditious, factious, rebellious person, pursivanted, pilloryed, condemned for a Scandalum Magaatum long ere this, and made a public * 1 Cor. 4. 9 spectacle unto the world, unto men, and unto angels. But thou being a bird of their own feather, one of their own fraternity, confederacy, applauding, not condemning these their courses and proceedings, sha●t escape scotfree without fear or danger, and perchance have a good boon for thy pains ere long: So much safer and securer is it now, for any man to be a Seminary Priest or jesuit in England (though therein a * 27 Eliz. c. 2. Traitor by our Laws) than a faithful Minister or painful Preacher of the Gospel, rightly discharging his duty to God and the King. O times! O Lordly Prelates for the Popes own tooth! The second Book I shall nominate, is inscribed. Paraphrastical and divout Discourses upon the Psalm, Miserere, composed by Ch. M. (an English jesuit, as it should seem, who hath formerly written at * So he writes p. 257. large of the Mass and Transubstantiation, the jesuits badge standing in the front of the Epistle to the Reader) Anno 1635. approved by George Colvenerius Chancellor of the University of Douai, and Censor of Books, Duaci 30, Martii 1636. In the Epistle to the Reader, this jesuit hath this remarkable passage: I have lived long out of my Country, and so know not who are the greater, who the lesser sinners; yet this I know in general, that there must needs be many and great sinners in England, because where there are many believers (as there are in England) there are many ill believers (true faith and belief being but one) and consequently many ill livers, true faith being the rule and square of good life, etc. Whereupon these my para●●hrasticall Discourses, and pitiful lamentations of King David, I intent for all sinners, as well Catholics as not Catholics, and of whatsoever Religion; * Rom. 1. I being a debtor to all, and because I would have them all peruse these discourses, I abstain from controversies in Religion, lest I should avert any from the reading of them: only in paraphrasing the two last verses of this Psalm, occasion being offered, I speak of the unbloody and daily sacrifice of the Altar, but so, that I rather touch it, the ●handle it; mention it, then treat of it; suppose it, then prove it in that manner as I might; hoping that this Doctrine now, will not be distasteful: (and why so? mark it, I beseech you) for seeing that now in England in very many Churches, Altars, which here to fore were thrown down, are again erected (by whom, I pray, but by Lordly over swaying Prelates and their Creatures?) according to the laudable example and pious use and custom of the Catholic (to wit the Roman) and even * A falsehood: for the primitive Church had NO ALTARS, as is largely and freshly proved: in the Quench Coal in The holy Table, Name, and Thing, more anciently, properly, and literally used under the new Testament then that of an Altar. Written in answer to Dr. COAL (alias, A Coal from the Altar) printed for the Diocese of Lincoln 1636. primitive Church, to aberre a true sacrifice will not be ill taken (to wit, by these Altar er●recting Prelates and Priests of ours) because to allow of Altars (mark it) is to allow of a true sacrifice, which useth to be offered on them, an Altar and a true proper sacrifice being Correlatives, of which the one inferreth the other, and so the one cannot be averred without the other, nor the one denied without the other. Thus this jesuit, almost two years since, who might have said much more had he written now, we having many new Altars and Crucifixes since that erected in England, by those Prelates who bow down devoutly to, if not adore them. See now at last what these great Prelates aim at in erecting Altars in our Churches, in raising and railing in our Tables Altarwise; this jesuit plainly and truly informs us all, that their direct intention is, To usher in the unbloudy daily sacrifice of the Altar, which to aver a Sacrifice, will not be now ill taken in England, seeing that now in England in very many Churches (than but now in far more) Altars, which heretofore were thrown down, are again erected, according to the Laudable * One Knightly, a Popish Priest, directed how the new Altar ●t Coventry should be erected, according to the pattern of the popish Altars. example and pious use and custom of the Catholic Church of Rome; yea, and many new Priests (as Richard Shelford Priest, with hundreds more who will now be called by no other name but Priests; I may add Mass to it for distinction sake) are already prepared for this true Sacrifice, there being no other end or use of Priests and Altars but for Sacrifice; an Altar (Yea a Priest) and a true and proper Sacrifice being correlatives, of which the one inferreth the other, and so the one cannot be averred (as it is now in printed Books and Sermons) without the other. This then being most apparent, let us be no longer deluded with flattering words and fond pretences; but assure ourselves that these Court Priests and Prelates who now write and daily preach (even in his Majesty's royal presence, and elsewhere) for Altars, bowing to Altars, Crucifixes, Auricular Confession, bowing to the Name jesus and the like (the ordinary themes of most Court Sermons) have combined together with Mass- Priests and jesuits, to bring in the unbloody Sacrifice of the Mass (the Epitome and main part of Popery) into our Churches, and that very speedily, unless manfully resisted and exemplarily punished for this their execrable confederacy against our established Religion; since Altars, Priests, and all other appurtenances in most Cathedrals, Chapels, and Churches, are already fitted for it, as this jesuit truly informs us. If we now compare these passages of the Jesuits with the late * See Mr. B●rtons For God and the King. practices and Specches of some of our great swaying Lord prelate's, as namely their corrupting of the Common Prayer-book for the fifth of November, to acquit Popery from the blemish of Rebellion and Faction, and Papists from that execrable treason: their purging of the late Fast-booke, contrary to His Majesty's Proclamation; to free Popery from the just imputation of Superstition and Idolatry; and justify Fasting of itself to be a good work and meritorious, without regard to the end thereof, (which the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his Speech in Starchamber avoucheth to be his own act by special command from the King.) Their inhibiting all old English books to be reprinted, by a late Decree made in Starchamber, unless reviewed, purged, from all passages against popery) and new-licenced by them and their Chaplains. Their purging of divers passages against Mass, Altars, Masspriests, Sacrifices of the Altar etc. with other points of popery, out of divers books lately licenced for the Press. Their setting up Altars, Images, Crucifies, railing in of Tables, and raising the ground under them Altarwise, and then adoring and bowing down unto them like Heathenish or Romish-Idolaters; with other particulars specified by these jesuits, mentioned at large by Mr. Henry Burton in his new printed Appeal, and Sermon on the 5 of Novemb. last, truly entitled, For God and the King; to which I shall refer you) & justified by Richard Sh●lford Priest, Edmund Reeve, Dr. john Pocklinton, A coal from the Altar, Teddar, Dr. Laurence Brown, and others in their late printed books and Sermons; together with their public Speeches in the High-commission in the late censure of Dr. B●stwicke (wherein * Cum capitalis sit inimicus, publicusqu● hostis, tamen in propria cause actor, restis & judex est, id quod nec apud Turcas, neque S●racenos, neque Samaias fieri solet. Eos qui fidem Caesari servant & Christo servatori nostro praecipienti obtemperant, nec ullam aliam ob causam haereseos no● a inurit. Quicquid libet licitum judicas. Divin● bumana decreta juxta contemnit alque conturbat. Ius gentium violate. Leges naturae prophanas, sacra polluit, indicta causa, nec dum, reos condeman, Aventinus. Annal. Bejorum l. 7. p. 611. against all Laws, they were both enemies, witnesses, accusers, judges, as that Court often is) for the divine authority of their Episcopal primacy; and in derogation of the Scrirtures certainty, authority, related at large in his Apologeticus; the Speeches of Bishop White now prelate of Ely, and his now Archholinesse of Canterbury in the later censure of M. Samuel Ward of Ipswich, where the first of them openly affirmed, That Christ was in the Sacrament more than spiritually and by faith and the latter challenged all Divines to discover the ●●●us or manner of his presence, and came up fully to Bishop Andrews his words, for which Mr. Ward was questioned, saying, else it was impossible to answer the Fathers; both of them in a manner maintaining a real transubstantiation of the Bread and Wine, and determining pointblank against the 28 Article of our Church (which defines, that Transubstantiation cannot be proved by holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions; The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper * Here is the modus defined which his Arch-grace challenged all Divines to determine. Only after an heavenly and spiritual manner, and the mean whereby the body of Christ is received, and eaten in the Supper, is faith.) With their High-commission speeches likewise in the several censures of Mr. Smart, Mr. Workman, and Mr. Chancey, in defence of Images, Crucifixes. Altars, Tapers, Sanctum Sanctorums, bowing to Altars, and the like, point-blank against our Homilies against the peril of Idolatry, and others; and punishing them only for preaching and maintaining the Doctrine of our Homilies, and Articles, against all late Popish Innovations, (an insolency, a bold impiety not sufferable in our Christian Church and State, deserving the severest exemplary punishments:) All these, I say, compared with the jesuits forecited passages, are a most pregnant, palpable, visible, convincing Demonstration, to all but such who will be wilfully blind; that these great Lordly Prelates resolved purpose, practice, design, is speedily to set up the Pope and popery in our Church, and reconcile us once more to Rome, (as the * See Fox Acts and Monuments, and Antiqui●ates Eccles. Brit. in his life. Cardinal of Canterbury, Poole, with other popish Prelates did in Queen Mary's days.) And therefore the Pope's Holiness hath given these his Vice-popes' instructions, Commissions thus to do; his Majesty and his Honourable council, may at their best leisure inquire of Signior Georgio Con, (lately come from Rome, some say, as his Holiness Nuncie, and with a * See Rome's Masterpiece, p. 16. 27. Cardinal's cap for Canterbury's Grace) with whom our Prelates and court-clergie are over-familiar, to the great scandal and offence of many. To these I could add some two or three books more, of like nature, one of them declaiming much against Puritans, as the only men that are enemies to popery, & hindered the reconciliation of the Church of England to Rome, relating the story of Dr, Theodor Price Subdeane of Westminster his dying a Roman catholic, not long before recommended earnestly to His Majesty by his Arch-grace for the Bishopric of bangor, but rejected by his Majesty, as a man altogether unworthy, both for his vicious Epicurean life, and unsoundness in religion: together with the late speeches of Pierceson and Hodshan, two Papists in Newcastle, brought into the High commission at Durham and there coldly prosecuted, for saying and affirming publicly, that the * Bish. Neale. Archbishop of York, and Dr. john Consens, were both theirs, and of their religion; which other Papists also have openly averred in England, and more commonly report in foreign parts; how truly, I refer to themselves and others to determine. From all these we may now clearly discover our great swaying Prelates concealed practices and intentions to set up Popery, and easily conjecture that all their late Innovations, Altars, Images, bowing to Altars, raising and railing in Lords Tables Altarwise, Crucifixer, and new licenced popish Pamphlets, tend only to this purpose, to bring in the whole body of popery among us, by degrees; which they have well nigh effected, and almost quite accomplished. This therefore being their clear resolution, intention, confederacy, as most men plainly discern, and generally complain of; let us all now at last, before it be too late, ere our Religion be quite lost and betrayed beyond recovery: begin to consider, view, and to the utmost of our powers, by all just and lawful means resolve manfully to oppose, withstand these conspirators practices, designs, and cry aloud to God, and His Majesty for speedy justice upon them, according to the greatness of their Offences, that all others may be terrified from the like perfidious disloyal attempts. O therefore let us now awake out of our drowise security, and be no longer cheated with their fair words or specious pretexts, which have hitherto blinded the eyes of most. Look but upon their deeds, and these their complices testimonies of them, and then their feigned speeches and pretences will vanish into smoke; it being the * See Mr. Tindals' practice of popish Prelates. Dr. Barnes his Supplication, & 28 H. 8. c. 10. ancient policy of Lordly Prelates (the readiest men in all ages both to maintain and set up popery, with the Pope's universal authority.) to speak most against popery, when they are busiest to bring it in; and to make the fairest pretences, when they are plotting and executing the foulest designs, of purpose to delude the over-credulous multitude. I shall therefore close up all with the words of old Father Latimer, in his fourth Sermon before King Edward, p. 52, 53. where he writes thus of Lordly unpreaching Prelates, who bore greatest sway in Church and State, but neglected, suppressed preaching. It is to be thought, that some of them would have it so, to bring in popery again. This I fear me is their intent, and it shall be blown abroad to our holy Father of Rome's ears and he shall send forth his Thunder bolts upon these bruits; and all this doth come to pass through their un-preaching prelacy. Are they not worthy double honour? nay, rather double dishonour, not to be regarded, nor to be esteemed among the people, and to have no living at their hands: For as good Preachers be worthy double honour, so unpreaching Prelates be worthy double dishonour. They must be at their doublets. But now these two dishonours, what be they? our Saviour Christ doth show, Si sal, etc. If the Salt be unsavoury, it is good for nothing but to be cast out, and trodden under feet of men. Matth. 5. By this Salt is understood Preachers, and such as have cure of souls. What be they worthy then? Wherefore serve they? For nothing else but to be cast out. Make them Quondams, out with them, cast them out of their Office; what should they do with a Cure that will not look to it? Another dishonour is this, 〈◊〉 conculcentur ab hominibus, to be trodden under men's feet, not to be regarded, not to be esteemed. And well may they thus be served, who have trodden both the Laws of God and the King; yea, King, Subjects, Religion, Justice, Rights, Liberties, under foot, and being treacherous both to God himself, and that Religion which they would seem to profess, can never be loyal, faithful to his Majesty, or His people committed to their care and cure: scarce one of our swaying Lord Prelates being able to say, that he ever converted one Papist to our Religion, or one soul to God, either by life or doctrine, though they have perverted, murdered, starved, destroyed thousands. This was that I then intended for the Press. If any English Protestant, after all these visible most apparent evidences of the long prosecuted Court-designe, to set up popery, and extirpate the Protestant Religion, and the present proceedings of the Papists in Ireland and England by His Majesty's Commissions and authority, (who wholly sides with, and relies upon them, as His best, trustiest, and loyallest Subjects, as they formerly have styled many of them.) will be yet so wilfully blinded, as to believe, that the Kings and Courts designs are really to maintain the Protestant Religion, the privileges of Parliament, the laws and liberties of the Subject; and still join with the 〈◊〉 Royal party against his Religion, Country, Liberties, Privileges, believing their specious promises and pretences, before their real contradictory actions, let him go on and perish in his incredulity. However, I hope, all intelligent Protestants, who have hitherto sided with his Majesty and that party, out of their overmuch credulity of their upright intentions, and ignorance, of this their secret design, upon the serious perusal of the premises, and His Majesties late sending of at least 30 sail of ships from Bristol, (a sad effect of its unhappy surrender) besides other ships elsewhere, to bring over Irish rebels, to ruin our Kingdom and cut our throats, (many of which are already arrived, and have committed great murders and insolences at Bristol, elsewhere without restraint or punishment) will now, upon consideration of all the premises, for ever desert that Antichristian party, and henceforth unite all their hearts, heads, hands, purses, forces, endeavours to the Parliament, to preserve it, our Church, Religion, Laws, Liberties, Kingdom, Nation, from that imminent ruin threatened to them by the malignant popish saction. I shall close up all with these few Queres to all English Protestants, who have any sparks of zeal to the protestant Religion, or their own dear native dying country, remaining in their breasts, and yet adhere in person or affection to the Royal Popish party, now in open hostility against our Religion, Laws, Liberties, Parliament, either out of mere ignorance and simplicity, or overmuch credulity of his Majesties and that prevailing sactions sincere intentions to our Religion, and the Republic, published in so many printed Declarations, protestations, of purpose to delude the world. First, what certain or probable assurance they can receive from all his Majesties and his evil Counsellors late Declarations and Protestations, not to connive at Popery, but cordially to maintain the Protestant Religion in its purity and liberty, to the utmost of his Regal power; when as his Majesty's ancient engagements by the forecited Articles and Oaths to Spain and France, his Letters to the Pope, his entertainment of professed Nuncios from the Roman Pontise for sundry years in London, his maintaining of an Agent at Rome, his forecited Letters, Protestations, Warrants, in favour, protection, discharge of the most notorious Papists, Priests, jesuits, his extraordinnry fresh engagements to the Queen and Popish party, his arming of Papists both in Ireland & England against the Parliament and Protestant party, his much distasted Articles of pacification with the Irish Rebels, after their most inhuman barbarous massacres of so many thousand innocent Protestants, without any provocation, his extraordinary late favours towards Papists, now most predominant in his Counsels and Affections his toleration of open Popery in Ireland, in all parts of England, his present war in their behalf, with his entertaining of sundry Irish Rebels near him heretofore, and sending for * See the Pope's Brief, p. 35, 36 37. many thousands of them * Yea, & French Papists too. into England now, as his best and faithfullest Subjects, on whom the most relies, to murder his Protestant Liege's in England as they have done in Ireland, with other his Majesties and his Councillors late proceedings, infallibly proclaim a direct contrary intention, and quite cross long agitated design to all the world! Secondly, with what confidence at all can they expect; that his Majesty and his evil Counsellors, who have extraordinarily violated, invaded the Subjects, Parliaments indubitable just Rights, Laws, Liberties, Privileges, Properties, all his reign (as hath been publicly acknowledged by the King himself, and resolved by the Parliament than fullest) and since his departure from this Parliament, practised it in far higher degree than ever (contrary to his own confirmation of the Petition of right, the very Acts passed by him this present Parliament, his many ancient and late quoted Declarations, Proclamations, Protestations, Speeches, Vows, Imprecations,) will after his absolute conquest of the Parliament and their Protestant party by force of Arms (in case he should prevail) inviolably maintain their Laws, Liberties, Properties, Parliaments, Privileges, and Religion, which they have ever heretofore so much infringed, and at this very instant more than ever, even in an open hostile manner? Thirdly, with what conscience, heart, or spirit they can either in point of piety or policy confederate and join their forces, heads, or purses with the popish party now in Arms to ruin this present Parliament, their own native Country, Religion, Laws, Liberties, and promote the Papists most execrable Jesuitical designs to re-establish popery, and the Pope's supramacy in perfection throughout his Majesty's Dominions? and how they will be able to answer this their detestable treachery, their desperate impiety before Gods or Man's Tribunals, or their own self-condemning Consciences, at the last? Fourthly, with what stupidity of heart of sottishness of spirit they can ever patiently brook the late stupendious pacification of His Majesty with the barbarous bloody popish Irish Rebels, after their treacherous massacring of above one hundred and forty thousand innocent Protestants (most of them English,) who in stead of taking exemplary vengeance of this their inhuman but cherry, hath indulged them many favours, and termed them, * So the Shrewsbury Copy styles them. HIS GOOD ROMAN CATHOLIC SUBJECTS. And how they can ever quietly suffer or digest His Majesty's entertainment of thousands of them already in His Army; His bringing over the Protestant English soldiers thence, se●t over by the Parliament, that the Papists there may take all the Forts and places of strength; His proclaiming of their Irish embased money to be currant here; but especially His sending over ships, and licences to land many thousand of the popish Irish Rebels speedily on English ground, of purpose to fight against the Parliament, and cut the Protestants throats in England, as they have done in Ireland; Certainly, that English Protestant who can sit still and patiently suffer such bloody, barbarous, popish Irish villains to set foot on English ground for such a purpose, and not rise up in Arms, siding with the Parliament, and Protestant party, against them, to expulse or cut them off, hath lost both the spirit of an English man, and the zeal of a real Protestant; yea, he deserves a brand of eternal infamy, and that he and his posterity should be extirpated by these outrageous beastly monsters of men. Fiftly, whether His Majesty's former arming of English Protestants first (with exclusion of Papists) against the Parliament and their Protestant party, and present sending for the Protestant English Soldiers out of Ireland (sent over by the Parliament against the popish treacherous bloody Rebels there, to subdue them) of purpose to fight against their fellow English Protestants, for to secure the Irish popish Rebels; and his after arming of English Papists, and present sending for popish Irish Rebels as his last and best refuge, to succeed and second his protestant Forces; with the placing of his protestant Commanders, Subjects, since their union with his popish Forces, always in the front of the most dangerous desperate services, but in the rear of his pay, preferments, and Royal favours, and the Papists always in the front of his preferments, and in places, services of least danger (as some intelligent men of the Kings own party have truly observed, and now complain of;) be not a most apparent Jesuitical plot to engage the Protestants of either party to weaken, kill, and ruin one and the other, that so the English, Irish, Scottish confederated Papists (who are still kept furthest off from danger, being rather Spectators than Actors in the hottest services) may by this their Romish stratagem, speedily become the strongest or most predominant party, and so easily conquer the Protestants (as well of the Kings as Parliaments side) and utterly extirpate them, with their Religion, at the last, through this their desperate folly, and most unnatural unchristian discord. Certainly, what ever crafty Jesuited pates may suggest, or impoliticke childish Protestants adhering to them, conceive to the contrary, yet those who have any skill in Politics or Machiavilian projects, may most clearly discern this derestable design against the Protestants (and our English Nation too, now devoted as a prey to the barbarous Irish, and other foreign Popelings) without the help of a perspective. And can, or dare any Protestants then after this discovery of this plot upon them, be any longer be besotted, as from henceforth to fight for or adhere to those mischievous, treacherous, popish Conspirators, who rejoice at this their folly, and would thus make them the principal instruments of their religions, Countries, yea, their own destruction? I shall humbly therefore beseech all protestant Cavaliers, and Antiparliamenteers whatsoever, of the contrary party, most seriously to lay this desperate plot to heart (as some of the very common English Protestant soldiers (transported from Ireland hither, to sight against their fellow Protestants and the Parliament) have already done, and then they cannot but desert that A●●ich istian side, and for ever inseparably adhere to the Parliament, 〈◊〉 some of these poor Soldiers have done lately to their eternal honour. Finally, in case the Irish Papists land, and their Faction prevail, what security or probility can any English Protestants who join with them, expect either for the safety or enjoyment of their Religion, Lives, Liberties, or Estates when as those who devoted, designed * See Dr. jones Book of examinations. all the Protestants in Ireland (though allied to them) to the Sword, had their conspiracy taken its full effect, unless they would presently renounce their Religion and turn Romish Catholics; and have long since plotted the * See Rome's Masterpiece. Kings own death, if He comply not with them; will doubtless spare no English Protestant's life, liberty, or estate, if they once obtain the upper hand, unless they will become the Pope's sworn vassals. And the rather may they and we believe it, because some of the Irish Rebels lately landed at Bristol, where they murdered two Vintners and a Tapster, beating out their brains, upon no just occasion at all, and yet were suffered to go scotfree, and march up in Sir Ralph Hoptons' Army against the Parliament, as I am certainly informed by some lately come from thence) have openly blamed the Cavaliers, for that when Bristol was surrendered, they did not put man, woman, and child therein to the Sword notwith standing their Articles; though punctually observed in no particular, but violated in every thing, as were the Articles since made with Exeter and Dartmouth; A sufficient evidence how little trust is to be reposed either in the Oaths, Articles, Promises, or Protestations of the malignant Popish party, whose very Religion instructs them, to keep no faith at all with heretics, as they account all Protestants. What security the Protestant party and Religion; what restraint, disallowance, the Romish fact●●●, and their Roman Catholic Errors, Supersti●●ns, Idolatries, shall receive, in case His Majesty and the Catholics prevail, will appear by this observable passage in the French Mercury, upon the King's first Articles with Spain. From this days (of King james and His Majesty's swearing the Spanish Articles) (writes the * Tom. 9 An. 1624. p. 27, 28, 29, 30. Two Acts pianted to the catholics: th● one in porting a pardon of the penalties which they might have inquired by the Laws of Parliaments; and the other for the exercise of their religion, every one by himself without scar. dal. Of the repose which the Catholics received in England after that Don Carlo Coloma was there extraordinary Ambassador of his Catholic Majesty. French Mercury) the said Spanish Ambassadors, began to solicit the execution and accomplishment of the promises of His Majesty in favour of Catholics; and after many opinions debated for the form, and the better execution, it was in the end Resolved, that His Majesty should be supplied, to give every Catholic in particular, a pardon under the great Seal, for the penalties which they might have incurred by the Laws of Parliament made against the Catholics. And that for the time to come His Majesty should likewise by another act under the great Seal also dispense and●permit them to exercise● their Religion, every one by himself, provided that it were without public scandal; and that he should exempt them from all the Laws made against them, by what Parliament soever it were. The said Acts were delivered to the said Ambassador on the behalf of His Majesty, by the Lord Bishop of Lincoln Keeper of the Seal, under promises, that they should not all publish them until that the marriage was accomp●● head. See then (writes Mercury) how all things were happily negotiated in England, From this time forwards the Catholics there were at rest, without feeling any persecution after the arriball of Dan Carlo Coloma; who with a great deal of zeal and diligence obtained the Liberty of Catholics imprisoned throughout all England, Ireland, and Scotland. He likewise obtained, that the Informers, Pursivants established to seek out, accuse, and pursue the Catholics, were prohibited to attempt any thing against them. The Ingress and Egress of the Realm was left free to them without Obligation, or swearing the Doth of Supremacy, having only his Passport. They shall be no more obliged to take the Oath of Supremacy. They might go freely to hear Mass in his Chapel, in so great number and so publicly, that sometimes there have been two or three thousand persons at it. I note who durst to speak against the marriage have been punished, amongst the most signal, the Earl of Oxford was sent prisoner to the Tower of London. So as the * Note this well. marquis of Buckingham writ ●nto Spain That the Informers, Pursivants Prisons, shall serve no more but only for their own Ministers, and other persons zealous of the Protestant Religion; (which we have ever since experimentally found to be true.) And by the aforesaid Acts, the King permitted them in express words, the free exercise of their Religion. Don Carlo Coloma hath likewise land the first stone of the Chapel which shall be built for the Infanta in the Prince's palace, and the building advanceth apace, to the regret, and to the contentment likewise of many, to see the building of a Catholic Church in the Metropolitan City of the Realm by public Authority, after that for an hundred year's space before they had done nothing else there but destroyed them: I his and much more doth Mercury truly relate, even in the year 1624. when the restauration of Popery was but in the Cradle, before the full consummation of the Spanish match; to what an altitude of Sovereign favour, power, authority then will Popery and Papists now arrive unto, after all their expenses, services, sufferings, engagements for their Majesties? to what an extraordinary low ebb and miserable condition will the Protestant party and Religion be reduced throughout his Majesty's Dominions, notwithstanding all his Protestations (in case he should now obtain a conquest over the Parliament and their adherents) now Popery and Papists are almost arrived to their manly growth, vigour, and have both the King, Queen, and their malignant Council so deeply engaged to them both by Oaths and Articles; I refer to all Protestants foreign and ●●esticke, most seriously to determine. These short Qu●eres, with the premises duly pondered, and digested, should then (methinks) induce every ingenious English Protestant yet adhering to the Court Popish party, speedily to abandon, eternally to desert them, and now cordially to unite themselves to the Parliament, and their Protestant English brethren, to live or die together in the present defence of their endangered Religion, Laws, Liberties, and dearest Country, which they cannot without highest impiety desert, or inhumanely oppose in this time of most apparent dangers, which threaten their subversion. Wherefore, Obesotted Court-protestants, let me here entreat, advise you in Gods own language. to * 2 Cor. 6. 11. Num. 16. 21, 24, 26. Isay 52. 11. Rev. 18. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. come out from among these Antichristian Babylonians, to separate yourselves speedily from the Congregation, and to depart from the tents of these wicked, bloody men; that ye be not partakers of their sins, and that ye receive not of their plagues: For their sins (in their most barbarous treacherous butchering of God's Saints both in Ireland and England) have now reached unto Heaven, and God hath remembered their iniquities. Reward Romish Babylon, and them, as they have rewarded you, and your Protestant brethren in England, in Ireland; and double unto them double according to their work; in the Cup which they have filled, fill them double. How much they have lately glorified themselves, so much sorrow give them: the rather, for that Romish Babylon now saith in heart, I sit as Queen (I would we could not truly complain, by the underhand practices and conspiracies of Kings and Queens against God's true Religion, Saints;) and am no widow, I shall see no sorrow: Therefore shall her plagues (now suddenly) come in one day, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; at least throughout his Majesty's Dominions, if not the whole world) for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her; And the KINGS OF THE EARTH who * Revel. 17. 13, 14, etc. have now given their strength and power to the beast, and make war with the Lamb (who shall over come them, for that he is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and they who are with him are called and chosen, and faithful:) and who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning; standing afar off, for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great City Babylon, that mighty City, for in one hours is thy judgement come etc. For by her sorceries were all Nations deceived: and in her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints, and OF ALL THAT WERE SLAIN UPON THE EARTH: and therefore all the late shed Protestant blood in Ireland, in England, was originally shed by her procurement (as appears by the Pope's own Brief freshly published, For the inquiry after the death of such Catholics here in England as shall suffer any kind of death in England for the Catholic Faith or Cause during those wars, to the end they may be canonised for glorious Saints and Martyrs at Rome, and by other evidences:) and finally, doubtless shall be revenged in her everlasting punishment and subversion. Matth. 18. 26. Mar. 4. 22. Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. FINIS.