HIS majesties speech IN THIS last Session of Parliament, as near his very words as could be gathered at the instant.  
Together with a discourse of the maner of the discovery of this late intended Treason, joined with the Examination of some of the prisoners.  
¶ imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty.  
ANNO 1605.   

THE PRINTER TO the Reader.  
having received( gentle Reader) the copy of the Kings last speech to the Parliament as near to the life of his own words, as they could bee gathered; And being about to commit them to the press, as I did his former, There is presently comen to my hands a discourse of this late intended most abominable Treason against his majesty and the whole State. And because that a great part of his majesties speech was grounded vpon that fearful accident, whereof this Discourse doth make an ample declaration; J haue thought it would not bee unpleasing unto thee to join them together in the press. And so leaving thee to make thy best use of both, J bid thee hearty farewell.   

HIS majesties speech IN THIS last Session of Parliament, as near his very words as could be gathered at the instant.  
MY Lords spiritual and temporal, and you the Knights and Burgesses of this Parliament, It was far from my thoughts till very lately before my coming to this place, that this subject should haue been ministered unto me, whereupon I am now to speak. But now it so falleth out, That whereas in the preceding Session of this Parliament, the principal occasion of my Speech was, to thank and congratulate all you of this House, and in you, all the whole Common-wealth( as being the representative Body of the State) for your so willing, and loving receiving and embracing of me in that place, which God and Nature by descent of blood, had in his own time provided for me: So now my subject is, to speak of a far greater thanksgiving then before I gave to you, being to a far greater person, which is to GOD, for the great and miraculous delivery he hath at this time granted to me, and to you all, and consequently to the whole Body of this Estate.  
I must therefore begin with this old and most approved Sentence of divinity, Misericordia Dei supra omnia opera eius. For Almighty God did not furnish so great matter to his glory by the Creation of this great World, as he did by the Redemption of the same. Neither did his Generation of the little world in our old and first ADAM, so much set forth the praises of God in his Iustice and Mercy, as did our Regeneration in the last and second ADAM,  
And now I must crave a little pardon of you, That since Kings are in the word of GOD itself called Gods, as being his Lieutenans and Vicegerents on earth, and so adorned and furnished with some sparkles of the divinity; To compare some of the works of God the great King, towards the whole and general world, to some of his works towards me, and this little world of my Dominions, compassed and severed by the Sea from the rest of the Earth. For as God for the just punishment of the first great sins in the original world, when the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and the cup of their iniquities of all sorts was filled, and heaped up to the full, did by a general deluge and overflowing of waters, baptize the world to a general destruction, and not to a general purgation( onely excepted NOAH and his family, who did repent and beleeue the threatenings of Gods iudgment:) So now when the world shall wax old as a garment, and that all the impieties and sins that can be devised against both the first and second Table, haue and shall be committed to the full measure; God is to punish the world the second time by Fire, to the general destruction and not purgation thereof. Although as was done in the former to NOAH and his family by the waters; So shall all we that beleeue be likewise purged, and not destroyed by the Fire. In the like sort, I say, I may justly compare these two great & fearful doomes-dayes, wherewith God threatened to destroy me and all you of this little world that haue interest in me. For although I confess, as all mankind, so chiefly Kings, as being in the higher places like the high Trees, or stayest Mountaines, and steepest rocks, are most subject to the daily tempests of innumerable dangers; and I amongst all other Kings haue ever been subject unto them, not onely ever since my birth, but even as I may justly say, before my birth, and while I was yet in my mothers belly: yet haue I been exposed to two more special and greater dangers then all the rest.  
The first of them, in the kingdom where I was born, and passed the first part of my life: And the last of them here, which is the greatest. In the former I should haue been baptized in blood, and in my destruction not onely the kingdom wherein I then was, but ye also by your future interest, should haue tasted of my ruin. Yet it pleased God to deliver me, as it were from the very brink of death, from the point of the dagger, and so to purge me by my thankful acknowledgement of so great a benefit. But in this, which did so lately fall out, and which was a destruction prepared not for me alone, but for you all that are here present, and wherein no rank, age, nor fexe should haue been spared; This was not a crying sin of blood, as the former, but it may well be called a roaring, nay a thundering sin of Fire and Brimstone, from the which God hath so miraculously delivered us all. What I can speak of this, I know not: Nay rather, what can I not speak of it? And therefore I must for horror say with the Poet, Vox faucibus haeret.  
In this great and horrible attempt, 
Three miraculous events be to be observed in the Attempt.  whereof the like was never either heard or red, I observe three wonderful, or rather miraculous events.  
First, 
1. The cruelty of the Plot.  in the cruelty of the Plot itself, wherein cannot be enough admired the horrible and fearful cruelty of their device, which was not only for the destruction of my Person, nor of my Wife and posterity only, but of the whole Body of the State in general; wherein should neither haue been spared, or distinction made of young nor of old, of great nor of small, of man nor of woman: The whole nobility, the whole reverend clergy, Bishops and most part of the good Preachers, the most part of the Knights and gentry; yea and if that any in this society were favourers of their Profession, they should all haue gone one way: The whole Iudges of the land, with the most of the Lawyers and the whole Clerkes: And as the wretch himself that is in the Tower, doth confess, it was purposely devised by them, and concluded to be done in this house; That where the cruel laws( as they say) were made against their Religion, both place & persons should all be destroyed and blown up at once. And then consider therewithal the cruel form of that practise: 
Three ways how mankind may 〈◇〉 to death.  for by three different sorts in general may mankind be put to death.  
The first, by other men, 
1. By Man.  and reasonable creatures, which is least cruel: for then both defence of men against men may be expected, and likewise who knoweth what pity God may stir up in the hearts of the Actors at the very instant? besides the many ways and means, whereby men may escape in such a present surie.  
And the second way more cruel then that, 
2. By unreasonable creatures.  is by Animal and unreasonable creatures: for as they haue less pity thē men, so is it a greater horror and more unnatural for men to deal with them: But yet with them both resistance may avail, and also some pity may be had, as was in the lions, in whose den Daniel was thrown; or that thankful lion, that had the roman slave in his mercy. 
3. By insensible things,   
But the third, which is most cruel and unmerciful of al, is the destruction by insensible and inanimate things; and amongst them all, the most cruel are the two Elements of Water and Fire; and of those two the Fire most raging and merciless.  
Secondly, 
2. The small ground the Conspirators had to move them.  how wonderful it is when you shall think vpon the small, or rather no ground, whereupon the Practisers were enticed to invent this Tragedy. For if these Conspirators had only been bankrupt persons, or discontented vpon occasion of any disgraces done unto them; this might haue seemed to haue been but a work of reuenge. But for my own part, as I scarcely ever knew any of them, So cannot they allege so much as a pretended cause of grief: And the wretch himself in hands doth confess, That there was no cause moving him or them, but merely and only Religion. And specially that christian men, at least so called, Englishmen, born within the country, and one of the specials of them my sworn Seruant in an Honourable place, should practise the destruction of their King, his Posterity, their country and all: Wherein their following obstinacy is so joined to their former malice, as the fellow himself that is in hand, cannot be moved to discover any signs or notes of repentance, except onely that he doth not yet stand to avow, that he repents for not being able to perform his intent.  
Thirdly, 
3. Miraculous event, the discovery.  the discovery hereof is not a little wonderful, which would bee thought the more miraculous by you all, if you were aswell acquainted with my natural disposition, as those are who bee near about me. For as I ever did hold suspicion to be the sickness of a Tyrant, so was I so far vpon the other extremity, as I rather contemned all advertisements, or apprehensions of practices. And yet now at this time was I so far contrary to myself, as when the Letter was shewed to me by my Secretary, wherein a general obscure advertisement was given of some dangerous blow at this time, I did vpon the instant interpret & apprehended some dark phrases therein, contrary to the ordinary grammar construction of them,( and in another sort then I am sure any divine, or Lawyer in any university would haue taken them) to be meant by this horrible form of blowing us up all by Powder; And thereupon ordered that search to be made, whereby the matter was discovered, and the man apprehended: where as if I had apprehended or interpnted it to any other sort of danger, no worldly provision or prevention could haue made us escape our utter destruction.  
And in that also was there a wonderful providence of God, that when the party himself was taken, he was but new come out of his house from working, having his firework for kindling ready in his pocket, wherewith as he confesieth, if he had been taken but immediately before when he was in the House, he was resolved to haue blown up himself with his Takers.  
One thing for my own part haue I cause to thank GOD in, That if GOD for our sins had suffered their wicked intents to haue prevailed, it should never haue been spoken nor written in ages succeeding, that I had died ingloriously in an Ale-house, a Stews, or such vile place, but mine end should haue been with the most Honourable and best company, and in that most Honourable and fittest place for a KING to be in, for doing the turns most proper to his Office; And the more haue Wee all cause to thank and magnify GOD for this his merciful delivery. And specially I for my part, that he hath given me yet once leave, whatsoever should come of me hereafter, to assemble you in this Honourable place; And here in this place, where our general destruction should haue been, to magnify and praise him for Our general delivery; That I may justly now say of mine Enemies and yours, as DAVID doth often say in the psalm, Inciderunt in foueam quam fecerunt. And since SCIPIO an ethnic, lead onely by the light of Nature, That day when he was accused by the TRIBVNES of the people of ROME for misspending and wasting in his punic warres the Cities Treasure, even vpon the sudden broke out with that diversion of them from that matter, calling them to remembrance how that day, was the day of the year, wherein God had given them so great a victory against HANNIBAL, and therfore it was fitter for them all, leaving other matters, to run to the Temple to praise God for that so great delivery, which the people did all follow with one applause: How much more cause haue wee that are Christians to bestow this time in this place for thanksgiving to God for his great Mercy, though wee had had no other errand of assembling here at this time? wherein if I haue spoken more like a divine then would seem to belong to this place, the matter itself must pled for mine excuse: For being here commed to thank God for a diume work of his Mercy, how can I speak of this deliverance of us from so hellish a practise, so well as in language of divinity, which is the direct opposite to so damnable an intention? And therefore may I justly end this purpose, as I did begin it with this Sentence, The mercy of God is above all his works.  
It resteth now that I should shortly inform you what is to be done hereafter vpon the occasion of this horrible & strange accident. As for your part that are my faithful and loving Subiects of aldegrees, I know that your hearts are so burnt up with zeal in this errand, and your tongues so ready to utter your dutiful affections, and your hands & feet so bent to concur in the execution thereof,( for which as I need not to spur you, so can I not but praise you for the same:) As it may very well be possible that the zeal of your hearts shall make some of you in your speeches rashly to blame such as may bee innocent of this attempt; But vpon the other part I wish you to consider, That I would be sorry that any being innocent of this practise, either domestical or foreign, should receive blame or harm for the same. For although it cannot be denied, That it was the onely blind superstition of their errors in Religion, that lead them to this desperate device; yet doth it not follow, That all professing that Romish religion were guilty of the same. For as it is true, That no other sect of heretics, not excepting turk, jew, nor Pagan, no not even those of Calicute, who adore the devill, did ever maintain by the grounds of their Religion, That it was lawful, or rather meritorious( as the Romish catholics call it) to murder Princes or people for quarrel of Religion. And although particular men of all professions of Religion haue been some Theeues, some Murtherers, some Traitors, yet ever when they came to their end and just punishment, they confessed their fault to be in their nature, & not in their profession,( These Romish catholics onely excepted:) Yet it is true on the other side, That many honest men blinded peradventure with some opinions o● Popery, as if they be not sound in the questions of the Real presence, or in the number of the Sacraments, or some such Schoole-question: yet do they either not know, or at least not beleeue all the true grounds o● Popery, which is in dead The mystery of iniquity. And therefore do we justly conresle, that many Papists, especially our sore fathers, laying their onely trust vpon CHRIST and his Merits at their last breath, may be, and often times are saved; detesting in that point, and thinking the cruelty of puritans worthy of fire, that will admit no salvation to any Papist. I therefore thus do conclnde this point, That as vpon the one part many honest men, seduced with some errors of Popery, may yet remain good and faithful Subiects: So vpon the other part, none of those that truly know and beleeue the whole grounds, and school conclusions of their doctrine, can ever prove either good Christians, or faithful Subiects. And for the part of foreign Princes and States, I may so much the more acquit thē, & their Ministers of their knowledge and consent to any such villainy, as I may justly say, that in that point I better know al Christian Kings by myself, That no King nor Prince of honor will ever abase himself so much, as to think a good thought of so base and dishonourable a Treachery, wishing you therfore, that as God hath given me an happy Peace and amity, with all other Christian Princes my neighbors( as was even now very gravely  told you by my L. chancellor) that so you will reverently judge and speak of them in this case. And for my part I would wish with those ancient Philosophers, that there were a crystal window in my breast, wherein all my people might see the secretest thoughts of my heart, for then might you all see no alteration in my mind for this accident, further then in these two points. The first, Caution & wariness in government; to discover & search out the mysteries of this wickedness as far as may be: The other, after due trial, severity of punishment vpon those that shal be found guilty of so detestable and unheard of villainy. And now in this matter if I haue troubled your ears with an abrupt speech, vndisgested in any good method or order; you haue to consider that an abrupt, and unadvised speech doth best become in the relation of so abrupt and unorderly an accident.  
And although I haue ordained the proroguing of this Parliament until after Christmas vpon two necessary respects: whereof the first is, that neither I nor my council can haue leisure at this time both to take order for the Apprehension and trial of these conspirators, and also to wait vpon the daily affairs of the Parliament, as the council must do. And the other reason is, the necessity at this time of diuers of your presences in your Shires that haue Charges and Commandements there. For as these wretches thought to haue blown up in a maner the whole world of this iceland, every man being now commed up here, either for public causes of Parliament, or else for their own private causes in Law, or otherwise: So these Rebls that now wander through the country, could never haue gotten so fit a time of safety in their passage, or whatsoever unlawful Actions, as now when the Country by the foresaid occasions is in a manner left desolate, and waste unto them. Besides that, it may bee that I shall desire you at your next Session, to take vpon you the Iudgement of this Crime: For as so extraordinary a Fact deserves extraordinary Iudgement, So can there not I think( following even their own Rule) be a fitter Iudgement for them, thē that they should be measured with the same measure wherewith they thought to measure us: And that the same place and persons, whom they thought to destroy, should be the just auengers of their so unnatural a Parricide: Yet not knowing that I will haue occasion to meet with you myself in this place at the beginning of the next Session of this Parliament,( because if it had not been for delivering of the Articles agreed vpon by the Commissioners of the union, which was thought most convenient to be done in my presence, where both Head & Members of the Parliament were met together, my presence had not otherwise been requisite here at this time:) I haue therefore thought good for conclusion of this Meeting, to discourse to you somewhat anent the true nature and definition of a Parliament, which I will remit to your memories till your next sitting down, that you may then make use of it as occasion shall be ministered.  
For albeit it be true, that at the first Session of my first Parliament, which was not long after mine Entry into this kingdom, It could not become me to inform you of any thing belonging to Lawe or State here:( for all knowledge must either bee infused or acquired, and seeing the former sort thereof is now with prophecy ceased in the world, it could not be possible for me at my first Entry here, before Experience had taught it me, to be able to understand the particular mysteries of this State:) yet now that I haue reigned almost three yeeres amongst you, and haue been careful to observe those things that belong to the office of a King, albeit that Time bee but a short time for experience in others, yet in a King may it be thought a reasonable long time, especially in me, who, although I be but in a manner a new King here, yet haue been long acquainted with the office of a King in such another kingdom, as doth nearest of all others agree with the laws and customs of this State. Remitting to your consideration to judge of that which hath been concluded by the Commissioners of the union, wherein I am at this time to signify unto you, That as I can bear witness to the foresaid Commissioners, that they haue not agreed nor concluded therein any thing, wherein they haue not foreseen as well the weal and commodity of the one country, as of the other; So can they all bear me record, that I was so far from pressing them to agree to any thing, which might bring with it any prejudice to this people; as by the contrary I did ever admonish them, never to conclude vpon any such union, as might carry hurt or grudge with it to either of the said Nations: for the leaving of any such thing, could not but bee the greatest hindrance that might be to such an Action, which God by the laws of Nature had provided to be in his own time, and hath now in effect perfected in my Person; to which purpose my Lord chancellor hath better spoken, then I am able to relate.  
And as to the nature of this high Court of Parliament, It is nothing else but the Kings great council, which the King doth assemble either vpon occasion of interpreting, or abrogating old laws, or making of new, according as ill manners shall deserve, or for the public punishment of notorious evil doers, or the praise and reward of the virtuous and well deservers; wherein these four things are to be considered.  

First, whereof this Court is composed.  
Secondly, what matters are proper for it.  
Thirdly, to what end it is ordained.  
And fourthly, what are the means and ways whereby this end should bee brought to pass.   
As for the thing itself, It is composed of a Head and a Body: The Head is the King, the Body are the members of the Parliament. This Body again is subdivided into two parts; The Vpper and Lower House: The Vpper compounded partly of Nobility, temporal men, who are heritable Councellors to the high Court of Parliament by the honour of their Creation and Lands: And partly of Bishops, spiritual men, who are likewise by the virtue of their place and dignity councillors, Life Renters, or Ad vitam of this Court. The other House is composed of Knights for the Shire; and Gentry, and Burgesses for the towns. But because the number would be infinite for all the Gentlemen and Burgesses to bee present at every Parliament, Therfore a certain number is selected and chosen out of that great Body, serving onely for that Parliament, where their persons are the representation of that Body.  
Now the matters whereof they are to treat ought therefore to be general, and rather of such matters as cannot well be performed without the assembling of that general Body, and no more of these generals neither, then necessity shall require: for as in Corruptissima Republica sunt plurimae leges: So doth the life and strength of the Law consist not in heaping up infinite and confused numbers of laws, but in the right interpretation and good execution of good & wholesome laws. If this be so then, neither is this a place on the one side for every rash and harebrained fellow to propone new laws of his own invention: nay rather I could wish these busy heads to remember that Law of the Lacedemonians, That whosoever came to propone a new Law to the people, behoved publicly to present himself with a rope about his neck, that in case the Law were not allowed, he should be hanged therewith. So wary should men be of proponing novelties, but most of all not to propone any bitter or seditious laws, which can produce nothing but grudges and discontentment between the Prince and his people: Nor yet is it on the other side a convenient place for private men under the colour of general laws, to propone nothing but their own particular gain, either to the hurt of their private neighbours, or to the hurt of the whole State in general, which many times under faire and pleasing Titles, are smoothly passed over, and so by stealth procure without consideration, that the private meaning of them tendeth to nothing but either to the wreck of a particular party, or else under colour of public benefit to pill the poor people, and serve as it were for a general Impost vpon them for filling the purses of some private persons.  
And as to the end for which the Parliament is ordained, being only for the aduancement of Gods glory, and the establishment and wealth of the King and his people: It is no place then for particular men to utter there their private conceits, nor for satisfaction of their curiosities, and least of all to make show of their eloquence by tyning the time with long studied and eloquent Orations. No, the reverence of God, their King, & their country being well settled in their hearts, will make them ashamed of such toys, and remember that they are there as sworn Councellors to their King, to give their best aduise for the furtherance of his service, and the flourishing weal of his Estate.  
And lastly, if you will rightly consider the means and ways how to bring all your labours to a good end, you must remember, That you are here assembled by your lawful King to give him your best advises, in the matters proposed by him unto you, being of that nature, which I haue already  told, wherein you are gravely to deliberate, and vpon your consciences plainly to determine how far those things propounded do agree with the weal, both of your King and of your country, whose weals cannot be separated. And as for myself, the world shal ever bear me witness, That I never shall propone any thing unto you, which shall not as well tend to the weal public, as to any benefit for me: So shall I never oppone myself to that, which may tend to the good of the Commonwealth, for the which I am ordained, as I haue often said. And as you are to give your aduise in such things as shall by your King be proposed: So is it on your part your duties to propone any thing that you can after mature deliberation judge to be needful, either for these ends already spoken of, or otherwise for the discovery of any latent evil in the kingdom, which peradventure may not haue commen to the Kings ear. If this then ought to bee your grave maner of proceeding in this place, Men should bee ashamed to make show of the quickness of their wits here, either in taunting, scoffing, or detracting the Prince or State in any point, or yet in breaking jests vpon their fellowes, for which the Ordinaries or Alehouses are fitter places, then this Honourable and high Court of Parliament.  
In conclusion then since you are to break up, for the reasons I haue already  told you, I wish such of you as haue any charges in your Countreys, to hasten you home for the repressing of the insolences of these Rebels, and apprehension of their persons, wherein as I hearty pray to the Almighty for your prosperous success: So do I not doubt, but we shall shortly hear the good news of the same; And that you shall haue an happy return, and meeting here to all our comforts.  

Here the Lord Chancellor spake touching the proroguing of the Parliament. And having done, his majesty rose again, and said.  
Since it pleased God to grant me two such notable deliveries vpon one day of the week, which was Tuesday, and likewise one day of the month, which was the fifth; Thereby to teach me, That as it was the same devill that still persecuted me; So it was one and the same GOD that still mightily delivered me: I thought it therefore not amiss. That the one and twentieth day of january, which fell to be vpon Tuesday, should be the day of meeting of this next Session of Parliament, hoping and assuring myself, that the same GOD, who hath now granted me and you all so notable and gracious a delivery, shall prosper all our affairs at that next Session, and bring them to an happy conclusion. And now I consider God hath well provided it that the ending of this Parliament hath been so long continued; For as for my own part, I never had any other intention, but only to seek so far my weal, and prosperity, as might coniunctly stand with the flourishing State of the whole Common-wealth, as I haue often told you: So on the other part I confess, if I had been in your places at the beginning of this Parliament,( which was so soon after mine entry into this kingdom, wherein ye could not possibly haue so perfect a knowledge of mine inclination, as experience since hath taught you,) I could not but haue suspected, and mis-interpreted diuers things, In the trying whereof, now I hope, by your experience of my behaviour and form of government, you are well enough cleared, and resolved.    

A discourse OF THE MANER of the discovery of this late intended Treason, joined with the Examination of some of the Prisoners.  
THere is a time when no man ought to keep silence. For it hath ever been held as a general rule, and undoubted maxim, in all well governed Common wealths( whether Christian, and so guided by the divine light of Gods word; or ethnic, and so lead by the glimmering twi-light of Nature) yet howsoever their profession was, vpon this ground haue they all agreed, That when either their Religion, their King, or their country was in any extreme hazard, no good countryman ought then to withhold either his tongue or his hand, according to his calling and faculty, from aiding to repel the injury, repress the violence, and avenge the guilt vpon the authors therof. But if ever any people had such an occasion ministered unto them, It is surely this people now, nay this whole Isle, and all the rest belonging to this great and glorious Monarchy. For if in any heathenish republic, no private man could think his life more happily and gloriously bestowed, then in the defence of any one of these three, That is, either pro Aris, pro Focis, or pro Patre patriae; And that the endangering of any one of these, would at once stir the whole body of the Common wealth, not any more as divided members, but as a solid and indiuidual lump: How much more ought wee the truly Christian people that inhabit this united and truly happy Isle, 
Insula forunata.  under the wings of our gracious and religious Monarch? Nay, how infinitely greater cause haue wee to feel & ressent ourselves of the smart of that wound, not onely intended and execrated( not consecrated) for the utter extinguishing of our true Christian profession, nor jointly therewith onely for the cutting off of our Head and father politic, said vt nefas istud & sacrilegiosum parricidium omnibus modis absolutum reddi posset? And that nothing might bee wanting for making this sacrilegious parricide a pattern of mischief, and a crime( nay, a mother or storehouse of all crimes) without example, they should haue joined the destruction of the body to the head, so as Grex cum Rege, Arae cum focis, Lares cum Penatibus, should all at one thunderclap haue been sent to heaven together: The King our head, the queen our fertile mother, and those young & hopeful olive plants, not theirs but ours: Our reverend clergy, our honourable nobility, the faithful counsellors, the grave Iudges, the greatest part of the worthy Knights and Gentry, as well as of the wisest Burgesses; The whole Clerkes of the crown, Counfaile, Signet, seals, or of any other principal Iudgement seat. All the learned Lawyers, together with an infinite number of the Common people: Nay, their furious rage should not onely haue lighted vpon reasonable and seusible creatures without distinction either of degree, sex or age; But even the insensible stocks and stones should not haue been free of their fury. The hall of Iustice; The house of Parliament; The Church used for the Coronation of our Kings; The Monuments of our former Princes; The crown and other marks of royalty; All the Records, as well of Parliament, as of every particular mans right, with a great number of Charters and such like, should all haue been comprehended under that fearful Chaos. And so the earth as it were opened, should haue sent forth of the bottom of the Stygian lake such sulphured smoke, furious flames, and fearful thunder, as should haue by their diabolical doomsday destroyed and defaced, in the twinkling of an eye, not onely our present living Princes and people, but even our insensible Monuments reserved for future ages. So as not only ourselves that are mortal, but the immortal Monuments of our ancient Princes and nobility, that haue been so preciously preserved from age to age, as the remaining trophies of their eternal glory, and haue so long triumphed over envious time, should now haue been all consumed together; And so not onely we, but the memory of us and ours, should haue been thus extinguished in an instant. The true horror therfore of this detestable devise, hath stirred me up to bethink myself, wherein I may best discharge my conscience in a cause so general & common, if it were to bring but one ston to the building, or rather with the Widow one mite to the common box. But since to so hateful and unheard of invention, there can be no greater enemy then the self, the simplo truth therof being once publicly known and divulged; and that there needs no stronger argument to bring such a Plot in universal detestation, then the certainty that so monstrous a thing could once be devised, nay concluded vpon, wrought in, in full readiness, and within twelve houres of the execution: My threefold zeal to those blessings, whereof they would haue so violently made us all widows, hath made me resolve to set down here the true Narration of that monstrous and unnatural intended Tragedy, having better occasion by the means of my service and continual attendance in Court, to know the truth thereof, then others that peradventure haue it only by relation at the third or fourth hand. So that whereas those worse then Catilines, thought to haue extirped us & our memories; Their infamous memory shal by these means remain to the end of the world, vpon the one part: And vpon the other, Gods great and merciful deliverance of his anointed and us all, shall remain in never dying Records. And God grant that it may bee in Marble tables of thankfulness engraven in our hearts.  
WHile this Land and whole monarchy flourished in a most happy and plentiful PEACE, as well at home as abroad, sustained and conducted by these two main Pillars of all good government, piety and justice, no foreign grudge, nor inward whispering of discontentment any way appearing; The King being vpon his return from his hunting exercise at Royston, vpon occasion of the drawing near of the Parliament time, which had been twice prorogued already, partly in regard of the season of the year, and partly of the term; As the winds are ever stillest immediately before a storm; And as the sun blenks often hottest to foretell a following shower: So at that time of greatest calm did this secretly hatched thunder begin to cast forth the first flashes and flaming lightnings of the approaching tempest. For the Saturday of the week immediately preceding the kings return, which was vpon a Thursday( being but ten dayes before the Parliament) The Lord Mountegle, 
A Letter delivered to the Lord Mountegle.  son and heir to the Lord Morley, being in his own lodging ready to go to supper at seven of the clock at night, one of his footmen( whom he had sent of an errand over the street) was met by an unknown man of a reasonable tall parsonage, who delivered him a Letter, charging him to put it in my Lord his Masters hands: which my Lord no sooner received, but that having broken it up, and perceiving the same to be of an unknown & somewhat vnlegible hand, and without either date or subscription; did call one of his men unto him for helping him to red it. But no sooner did he conceive the strange contents thereof, although he was somewhat perplexed what construction to make of it( as whether of a matter of consequence, as indeed it was, or whether some foolish devised Pasquil by some of his enemies to scar him from his attendance at the Parliament) yet did he as a most dutiful and loyal subject, conclude not to conceal it, what ever might come of it. Whereupon, notwithstanding the latenesse and darkness of the night in that season of the year, he presently repaired to his majesties Palace at Whitehall, 
revealed to the earl of Sulisbury.  and there delivered the same to the earl of Salisbury his majesties principal secretary. Whereupon the said earl of Salisbury having red the Letter, and heard the maner of the coming of it to his hands, did greatly encourage and commend my Lord for his discretion, telling him plainly, that whatsoever the purpose of the Letter might prove hereafter, yet did this accident put him in mind of diuers advertisements he had received from beyond the Seas, wherewith he had acquainted as well the King himself, as diuers of his privy Counsellors, concerning some business the Papists were in, both at home and abroad, making preparations for some combination amongst them against this Parliament time, 
Purpose of the Papists for delivering a petition to his majesty, to crave toleration of Religion.  for enabling them to deliver at that time to the King some petition for toleration of Religion: which should bee delivered in some such order and so well backed, as the King should be loth to refuse their requests; like the sturdy beggars craving alms with one open hand, but carrying a ston in the other, in case of refusal. And therefore did the earl of Salisbury conclude with the Lord Mountegle, that he would in regard of the Kings absence impart the same Letter to some more of his majesties council; whereof my L. Mountegle liked well: only adding this request by way of protestation, That whatsoever the event hereof might prove, it should not be imputed to him, as proceeding from too light and too sudden an apprehension, that he delivered this Letter, being only moved thereunto for demonstration of his ready devotion, and care for preservation of his majesty and the State. And thus did the earl of Salisbury presently acquaint the Lord chamberlain with the said Letter. 
The Lord chamberlain made privy to the Letter by the earl of Salisbury.  Whereupon they two in presence of the Lord Mountegle, calling to mind the former intelligence already mentioned, which seemed to haue some relation with this Letter: The tender carewhich they ever carried to the preservation of his majesties Person, made them apprehended, that some perilous attempt did thereby appear to bee intended against the same, which did the more nearly concern the said Lord Chamberlain to haue a care of, in regard that it doth belong to the charge of his Office to oversee as well all places of Assembly where his majesty is to repair, as his Highnesse own private Houses. And therefore did the said two counsellors conclude, That they should join unto themselves three more of the council, to wit, the Lord admiral, the earls of Worcester and Northampton to bee also particularly acquainted with this accident, who having all of them concurred together to the reexamination of the Contents of the said Letter, they did conclude, That how slight a matter it might at the first appear to be, yet was it not absolutely to be contemned, in respect of the care which it behoved them to haue of the preservation of his majesties person: 
Thought meet by the counsellors to acquaint the King with the Letter.  But yet resolved for two reasons, first to acquaint the King himself with the same before they proceeded to any further Inquisition in the matter, as well for the expectation and experience they had of his majesties fortunate Iudgement in cleared and soluing of obscure riddles & doubtful mysteries; as also because the more time would in the mean while be given for the Practise to ripen, if any was, whereby the discovery might be the more clear & evident, and the ground of proceeding thereupon more safe, just, and easy. And so according to their determination did the said earl of Salisbury repair to the King in his Gallery vpon Friday, being Alhallow day, 
Vpon Allhallow day the earl of Salisbury shewed the Letter to the King.  in the afternoon, which was the day after his majesties arrival, and none but himself being present with his Highnesse at that time, where without any other speech or iudgement giuing of the Letter, but onely relating simply the form of the delivery thereof, he presented it to his majesty. The contents whereof follow.  MY Lord, Out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I haue a care of your preservation. Therefore I would aduise you, as you tender your life, to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this Parliament. For God and man haue concurred to punish the wickedness of this Time. And think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire yourself into your country, where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no apparance of any stir, yet I say, they shall receive a terrible Blow this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no harm; for the danger is past so soon as you haue burnt the Letter. And I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it: To whose holy protection I commend you. 
The King no sooner red the Letter, but after a little pause, 
His majesties iudgement of the Letter.  and then reading it over again, he delivered his iudgement of it in such sort, as he thought it was not to be contemned, for that the Style of it seemed to be more quick and pithy, then is usual to be in any Pasquil or libel( the superfluities of idle brains:) But the earl of Salisbury perceiving the King to apprehēed it deeplier then he looked for, knowing his Nature,  told him that he thought by one sentence in it, that it was like to be written by some fool or mad man, reading to him this Sentence in it, For the danger is past as soon as you haue burnt the Letter; which he said, was likely to be the saying of a fool: for if the danger was past so soon as the Letter was burnt, then the warning behoved to be of little avail, when the burning of the Letter might make the danger to be eschewed. But the King by the contrary considering the former Sentence in the Letter, That they should receive a terrible Blow at this Parliament, and yet should not see who hurt them, joining it to the sentence immediately following, already alleged, did thereupon conjecture, That the danger mentioned, should bee some sudden danger by blowing up of Powder: For no other Insurrection, Rebellion, or whatsoever other private and desperate Attempt could bee committed or attempted in time of Parliament, and the Authors therof unseen, except only if it were by a blowing up of powder, which might bee performed by one base knave in a dark corner; whereupon he was moved to interpret and construe the latter Sentence in the letter( alleged by the earl of Salisbury) against all ordinary sense and construction in Grammar, as if by these words, For the danger is past as soon as you haue burned the Letter, should be closely understood the suddaintie and quickness of the danger, which should bee as quickly performed and at an end, as that paper should bee of bleasing up in the fire; turning that word of as soon, to the sense of, 
His majesties opinion for fearching of the under rooms of the Parliament house.  as quickly. And therfore wished, that before his going to the Parliament, the under rooms of the Parliament house might bee well and narrowly preached. But the earl of Salisbury woondering at this his majesties Commentary, which he knew to be so far contrary to his ordinary and natural disposition, who did rather ever sin vpon the other side, in not apprehending nor trusting due advertisements of practices and Perils when he was truly informed of them, whereby he had many times drawn himself into many desperate dangers: and interpreting rightly this extraordinary Caution at this time to proceed from the vigilant care he had of the whole State, more then of his own Person, which could not but haue all perished together, if this designment had succeeded: he thought good to dissemble still unto the King, that there had been any just cause of such apprehension: And ending the purpose with some merry iest vpon this subject, as his custom is, took his leave for that time. But though he seemed so to neglect it to his majesty; yet his customable and watchful care of the King and the State still boiling within him, And having with the blessed virgin Mary laid up in his heart the Kings so strange iudgement and construction of it; he could not be at rest till he acquainted the foresaid Lords what had passed between the King & him in private. Whereupon they were also earnest to renew again the memory of the same purpose to his majesty, as it was agreed that he should the next day, being Saturday, repair to his Highnes: which he did in the same privy Gallery, and renewed the memory thereof, the L. chamberlain then being present with the King. 
The determination to search the Parliament house and the rooms under it.  At what time it was determined, that the said Lord chamberlain should, according to his custom and Office, view all the Parliament Houses, both above and below, and consider what likelihood or appearance of any such danger might possibly be gathered by the sight of them: But yet, as well for staying of idle rumors, as for being the more able to discern any mystery, the nearer that things were in readiness, his journey thither was ordained to bee deferred till the afternoon before the sitting down of the Parliament, which was vpon the monday following. At what time he( according to this conclusion) went to the Parliament house accompanied with my Lord Mountegle, being in zeal to the Kings service earnest and curious to see the event of that accident whereof he had the fortune to be the first discoverer: where, having viewed all the lower rooms, he found in the vault under the vpper House great store and provision of Billets, 
Wood and coal found by the L. chamberlain in the Vault.  Faggots and coals: And inquiring of Whyneard keeper of the Wardrobe, to what use he had put those lower rooms and cellars; he  told him, That Thomas Percy had hired both the house and part of the Cellar or Vault under the same, and that the Wood and coal therein was the said Gentlemans own provision. Whereupon the Lord chamberlain, casting his eye aside, perceived a fellow standing in a corner there, calling himself the said Percyes man, and keeper of that house for him, 
Guido Fawks bearing the name of Percies man.  but indeed was Guido Fawkes, the owner of that hand which should haue acted that monstrous tragedy.  
The Lord chamberlain looking vpon all things with a heedful indeed, yet in outward appearance with but a careless and racklesse eye( as became so wise and diligent a minister) he presently addressed himself to the King in the said privy gallery, where in the presence of the Lord Treasurer, the Lord admiral, the earls of Worcester, Northampton, and Salisbury he made his report, 
The Lord chamberlain report and iudgement of what he had observed in the search.  what he had seen and observed there; noting that Mountegle had  told him, That he no sooner heard Thomas Percy name to be the possessor of that house, but considering both his backwardness in Religion, and the old dearness in friendship between himself and the said Percy, he did greatly suspect the matter, & that the Letter should come from him. The said Lord chamberlain also told, That he did not wonder a little at the extraordinary great provision of wood and coal in that house, where Thomas Percy had so seldom occasion to remain; As likewise it gave him in his mind that his man looked like a very tall and desperate fellow.  
This could not but increase the Kings former apprehension and iealousy: whereupon he insisted( as before) that the House was narrowly to be preached, and that those Billets and coals would be preached to the bottom, it being most suspicious that they were laid there onely for covering of the powder. Of this same mind also were all the counsellors then present. But vpon the fashion of making of the search was it long debated: 
Disputation about the maner of the further search.  For vpon the one side they were all so jealous of the Kings safety, that they all agreed, that there could not be too much caution used for preventing his danger. And yet vpon the other part they were al extreme loth & dainty, that in case this Letter should prove to be nothing but the evaporation of an idle brain; then a curious search being made, and nothing found, should not onely turn to the general scandal of the King and the State, as being so suspicious of every light and frivolous toy, but likewise lay an ill favoured imputation vpon the earl of Northumberland one of his majesties greatest Subiects and counsellors, this Thomas Percy being his kinsman and most confident familiar. And the rather were they curious vpon this point, knowing how far the King detested to be thought suspicious or jealous of any of his good Subiects, though of the meanest degree. And therfore though they all agreed vpon the main ground, which was to provide for the security of the Kings person, yet did they much differ in the circumstances, by which this action might be best carried with least din and occasion of slander. But the King himself still persisting that there were diuers shrewd appearances, and that a narrow search of those places could prejudge no man that was innocent, he at last plainly resolved them, That either must all the parts of those rooms bee narrowly preached, and no possibility of danger left unexamined, or else he and they all must resolve not to meddle in it at all, but plainly to go the next day to the Parliament, and leave the success to Fortune, which he believed they would be loth to take vpon their consciences: for in such a case as this, an half doing was worse then no doing at all. Whereupon it was at last concluded, 
Agreed that the search should be under colour of seeking for Wardrobe stuff missed by Whyneyard.  That nothing should bee left unsearched in those Houses: And yet for the better colour and stay of rumour in case nothing were found, it was thought meet, that vpon a pretence of Whyneards missing some of the Kings stuff or Hangings which he had in keeping, all those rooms should be narrowly ripped for them. And to this purpose was Sir Thomas Kneuet ( a Gentleman of his majesties privy Chamber) employed, being a Iustice of Peace in Westminster, and one, of whose ancient fidelity both the late queen and our now sovereign haue had large proof: who according to the trust committed unto him, went about the midnight next after, to the Parliament house, accompanied with such a small number as was fit for that errand. 
Fawx sound at midnight without the house.  But before his entry in the house, finding Thomas Percyes alleged man standing without the doors, his clothes and boots on at so dead a time of the night, he resolved to apprehended him, as he did, and thereafter went forward to the searching of the house, where after he had caused to be overturned some of the Billets and coals, he first found one of the small Barrels of powder, and after all the rest, to the number of thirty six Barrels, great and small: And thereafter searching the fellow, whom he had taken, found three matches, and all other instruments fit for blowing up the powder, ready vpon him, which made him instantly confess his own guiltiness, declaring also unto him, That if he had happened to be within the house when he took him, as he was immediately before( at the ending of his work) he would not haue failed to haue blown him up, house and all.  
Thus after Sir Thomas had caused the wretch to be surely bound, and well guarded by the company he had brought with him, he himself returned back to the Kings Palace, and gave warning of his success to the Lord chamberlain, 
Vpon Sir Thomas Kneuets return the council warned.  and earl of salisbury, who immediately warning the rest of the council that lay in the house, as soon as they could get themselves ready, came, with their fellow counsellors, to the Kings Bed-chamber, being at that time nere four of the clock in the morning. And at the first entry of the Kings Chamber door, the Lord chamberlain, being not any longer able to conceal his ioy for the preventing of so great a danger,  told the King in a confused hast, that all was found and discovered, and the Traitor in hands and fast bound.  
Then, order being first taken for sending for the rest of the counsel that lay in the town, The prisoner himself was brought into the house, where in respect of the strangeness of the accident, no man was stayed from the sight or speaking with him. And within a while after, the counsel did examine him; Who seeming to put on a roman resolution, did both to the counsel, and to every other person that spake with him that day, appear so constant & settled vpon his grounds, as we all thought wee had found some new Mutius Scaeuola born in England. For notwithstanding the horror of the Fact, the guilt of his conscience, his sudden surprising, the terror which should haue been strooken in him by coming into the presence of so grave a counsel, and the restless and confused questions that every man all that day did vex him with; Yet was his countenance so far from being dejected, as he often smiled in scornful maner, not onely avowing the Fact, but repenting onely, with the said Scaeuola, his failing in the execution thereof, whereof( he said) the divell and not God was the discoverer: Answering quickly to every mans objection, scoffing at any idle questions which were propounded unto him, and jesting with such as he thought had no authority to examine him. All that day could the counsel get nothing out of him touching his Complices, refusing to answer to any such questions which he thought might discover the Plot, and laying all the blame vpon himself; Whereunto he said he was moved onely for Religion and conscience sake, denying the King to be his lawful sovereign, or the anointed of God in respect he was an heretic, and giuing himself no other name then John johnson, seruant to Thomas Percy. But the next morning being carried to the Tower, he did not there remain above two or three dayes, being twice or thrife in that space reexamined, and the rack onely offered and shewed unto him, when the mask of his roman fortitude did visibly begin to wear & slide off his face; And then did he begin to confess part of the truth, and thereafter to open the whole matter, as doth appear by his depositions immediately following.  

THE true copy OF THE DECLARAtion of Guido Fawkes, taken in the presence of the counsellors, whose names are under written.  
I confess, that a practise in general was first broken unto me, against his majesty for relief of the catholic cause, and not invented or propounded by myself. And this was first propounded unto me about Easter last was twelve month beyond the Seas, in the low Countreys of the Archdukes obeisance, by Thomas Winter, who came thereupon with me into England, and there we imparted our purpose to three other Gentlemen more, namely, Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, and John Wright, who all five consulting together of the means how to execute the same, and taking a vow among ourselves for secrecy; Catesby propounded to haue it performed by Gunpowder, and by making a mine under the vpper House of Parliament: which place wee made choice of the rather, because Religion having been unjustly suppressed there, it was fittest that Iustice and punishment should be executed there.  
This being resolved amongst us, Thomas Percy hired an House at Westminster for that purpose, near adjoining to the Parliament House, and there we begun to make our mine about the 11. of December 1604.  
The five that first entred into the work, were Thomas Percy, Robert Catesby, Thomas Winter, John Wright, and myself: and soon after wee took another unto us, Christopher Wright, having sworn him also, and taken the Sacrament for secrecy.  
When we came to the very foundation of the Wall of the House, which was about three yards thick, and found it a matter of great difficulty, wee took unto us another Gentleman, Robert Winter, in like maner with oath and Sacrament as aforesaid.  
It was about Christmas when we brought our mine unto the Wall, and about Candlemas we had wrought the Wall half through: And whilst they were in working, I stood as sentinel to descry any man that came near, whereof I gave them warning, and so they ceased until I gave notice again to proceed.  
All we seven lay in the House, and had Shot and Powder, being resolved to die in that place before we shouldyeeld or be taken.  
As they were working vpon the Wall, they heard a rushing in a Cellar of removing of coals, whereupon wee feared wee had been discovered: and they sent me to go to the Cellar, who finding that the coals were a selling, and that the Cellar was to bee let, viewing the commodity thereof for our purpose, Percy went and hired the same for yearly rent.  
We had before this provided and brought into the House sovereignty Barrels of Powder, which we removed into the Cellar, and covered the same with Billets and Faggots, which were provided for that purpose.  
About Easter, the Parliament being prorogued till October next, wee dispersed ourselves, and I retired into the Low countreys by aduise and direction of the rest, aswell to acquaint own with the particulars of the Plot, as also least by my longer stay I might haue growen suspicious, and so haue come in question.  
In the mean time Percy having the key of the Cellar, laid in more Powder and wood into it. I returned about the beginning of September next, and then receiving the key again of Percy, we brought in more Powder and Billets to cover the same again, and so I went for a time into the country till the 30. of October.  
It was further resolved amongst us, that the same day that this Act should haue been performed, some other of our Confederates should haue surprised the person of the Lady ELIZABETH the Kings eldest daughter, who was kept in Warwickshire at the Lo. Haringtons house, and presently haue Proclaimed her queen, having a project of a proclamation ready for that purpose; wherein we made no mention of altering of Religion, nor would haue auowed the deed to bee ours, until wee should haue had power enough to make our party good, and then we would haue auowed both.  
Concerning Duke CHARLES the Kings second son, wee had sundry consultations how to seize on his Person. But because we found no means how to compass it( the Duke being kept near London, where wee had not Forces enough) we resolved to serve our turn with the Lady ELIZABETH.  

¶ The names of other principal persons, that were made privy afterwards to this horrible conspiracy.  

everard Digby knight.  
Ambrose Rookwood.  
Francis Tresham.  
John Grant.  
Robert keys.    

Commiss.  
Notingham. Worcester. suffolk. devonshire. Northampton. Salisbury. mar. Dunbar. Popham.  
Edw. cook. W. Waad.    


ANd in regard that before this discourse could be ready to go to the press, Thomas Winter being apprehended, and brought to the Tower, made a confession in substance agreeing with this former of Fawkes, onely larger in some circumstances: I haue thought good to insert the same likewise in this place, for the further cleared of the matter, and greater benefit of the Reader.   

Thomas Winters Confession, taken the xxiii. of november 1605. in the presence of the Councellors, whose names are vnder-written.  
My most honourable Lords,  
NOt out of hope to obtain pardon: for, speaking of my temporal part, I may say, The fault is greater then can be forgiven; nor affecting hereby the title of a good subject: for I must redeem my country from as great a danger, as I haue hazarded the bringing of Her into, before I can purchase any such opinion; Only at your Honours command I will briefly set down mine own accusation, and how far I haue proceeded in this business; which I shall the faithfullier do, since I see such courses are not pleasing to Almighty God, and that all, or the most material parts haue been already confessed.  
I remained with my brother in the country from Alhallontyde until the beginning of Lent, in the year of our Lord 1603. the first year of the Kings reign: about which time Master Catesby sent thither, entreating me to come to London, where he and other my friends would be glad to see me. I desired him to excuse me: for I found myself not very well disposed; and( which had happened never to me before) returned the messenger without my company. Shortly I received another letter, in any wise to come. At the second summons I presently came up, and found him with Master John Wright at Lambeth, where he broke with me, how necessary it was not to forsake our country( for he knew I had then a resolution to go over) but to deliver her from the servitude in which she remained, or at least to assist her with our uttermost endeavours. I answered, That I had often hazarded my life vpon far lighter terms, and now would not refuse any good occasion, wherein I might do service to the catholic cause; but for myself I knew no mean probable to succeed. He said that he had bethought him of a way at one instant to deliver us from all our Bonds, and without any foreign help to replant again the catholic Religion; and withal  told me in a word, It was to blow up the Parliament house with Gunpowder; for, said he, in that place haue they done us all the mischief, and perchance God hath desseigned that place for their punishment. I wondered at the strangeness of the conceit, and  told him that true it was, this struck at the Roote, and would breed a confusion fit to beget new alterations; But if it should not take effect( as most of this nature miscaryed) the scandal would bee so great which catholic Religion might hereby sustain, as not only our Enemies, but our friends also would with good reason condemn vs. He  told me, The nature of the disease required so sharp a remedy, and asked me if I would give my consent. I  told him, yes, in this or what else soever, if he resolved vpon it, I would venture my life. But I proposed many difficulties, As want of an House, and of one to carry the mine, noise in the working, and such like. His answer was, Let us give an attempt, and where it faileth, pass no further. But first, quoth he, Because wee will leave no peaceable and quiet way vntryed, you shall go over, and inform the Constable of the state of the catholics here in England, entreating him to solicit his majesty at his coming hither, that the penal laws may be recalled, and we admitted into the rank of his other Subiects; withall, you may bring over some confident Gentleman, such as you shall understand best able for this business, and name unto me M. Fawkes. Shortly after, I passed the Sea, and found the Constable at Bergen near dunkirk, where, by help of M. own I delivered my message, Whose answer was that he had strict command from his Master, to do all good Offices for the catholics, & for his own part he thought himself bound in conscience so to do, and that no good occasion should be omitted, but spake to him nothing of this matter.  
Returning to Dunkirck with M. own, we had speech whether he thought the Constable would faithfully help us, or no. he said he believed nothing less, and that they sought onely their own ends, holding small account of catholics. I  told him that there were many Gentlemen in England, who would not forsake their country until they had tried the uttermost, and rather venture their lives, then forsake her in this misery. And to add one more to our number, as a fit man both for counsel and execution of whatsoever we should resolve, wished for M. Fawkes, whom I had heard good commendations of: he  told me the Gentleman deserved no less, but was at Brussels, and that if he came not, as happily he might, before my departure, he would sand him shortly after into England I went soon after to Ostend, where Sir William Stanley as then was not, but came two dayes after. I remained with him three or four dayes, in which time I asked him, if the catholics in England should do any thing to help themselves, whether he thought the Archduke Would second them? he answered, No, for all those parts were so desirous of peace with England, as they would endure no speech of other enterprise: neither were it fit, said he, to set any project afoote now the Peace is vpon concluding. I  told him there was no such resolution, and so fell to discourse of other matters, until I came to speak of M. Fawkes, whose company I wished over into England. I asked of his sufficiency in the warres, and  told him we should need such as he if occasion required; he gave very good commendations of him. And as we were thus discoursing, and I ready to depart for Newport, and taking my leave of Sir William, Master Fawkes came into our company, newly returned, and saluted vs. This is the Gentleman, said Sir William, that you wished for, and so we embraced again. I  told him some good friends of his wished his company in England, and that if he pleased to come to Dunkirck, we would haue further conference, whither I was then going: so taking my leave of them both, I departed. About two dayes after came M. Fawkes to Dunkirck, where I  told him that wee were vpon a resolution to do somewhat in England, if the Peace with spain helped us not, but had as yet resolved vpon nothing; such or the like talk we passed at traveling, where I lay for a wind, and when it served came both in one Passage to Greenwich, near which place we took a pair of oars, and so came up to London, and came to M. Catesby whom we found in his lodging; he welcomed us into England, & asked me what news from the Constable. I  told him, good words, but I feared the deeds would not answer. This was the beginning of Easter term and about the midst of the same term,( whether sent for by Master Catesby, or vpon some business of his own) up came M. Thomas Percy. The first word he spake( after he came into our company) was, Shall we always( Gentlemen) talk, and never do any thing? M. Catesby took him aside, and had speech about somewhat to be done, so as first we might all take an oath of secrecy, which wee resolved within two or three daies to do: so as there we met behind S. Clements, M. Catesby, M. Percy, M. Wright, M. Guy Fawkes, and myself; and having vpon a Primer given each other the oath of secrecy, in a chamber where no other body was, we went after into the next room and heard mass, and received the blessed Sacrament vpon the same. Then did M. Catesby disclose to M. Percy, and I together with jack Wright, tell to M. Fawkes the business for which we took this oath, which they both approved. And then was M. Percy sent to take the house, which M. Catesby in mine absence had learned did belong to one Ferris, which with some difficulty in the end he obtained, & became as Ferris before was, Tenant to Whynniard. M. Fawhes vnderwent the name of M. Percies man, calling himself johnson, because his face was the most unknown, and received the keys of the house, until wee heard that the Parliament was adjourned to the seventh of February. At which time we all departed several ways into the country, to meet again at the beginning of Michaelmas term. Before this time also it was thought convenient to haue a house that might answer to M. Percies, where we might make provision of powder and wood for the Mine, which being there made ready, should in a night bee conveyed by boat to the house by the Parliament, because we were loathe to foil that with often going in and out. There was none that wee could devise so fit as Lambeth, where M. Catesby often lay, and to bee keeper thereof( by M. Catesbies choice) we received into the number, keys, as a trusty honest man: this was about a month before Michaelmas.  
Some fortnight after towards the beginning of the term, M. Fawkes and I came to M. Catesby at Morecrofts, where we agreed that now was time to begin and set things in order for the Mine. So as M. Fawkes went to London, and the next day sent for me to come over to him: when I came, the cause was, for that the Scottish Lords were appointed to sit in conference of the union in M. Percies house. This hindered our beginning until a fortnight before Christmas, by which time both Master Percy and M. Wright were come to London, and we against their coming had provided a good part of the powder: so as we all five entred with tools fit to begin our work, having provided ourselves of Baked-meates, the less to need sending abroad. We entred late in the night, and were never seen save only M. Percyes man, until Christmas eve. In which time we wrought under a little Entry to the wall of the Parliament house, and underpropped it, as we went, with wood.  
whilst we were together, we began to fashion our business, and discoursed what we should do after this dead was done. The first question was how we might surprise the next heir, the Prince haply would be at the Parliament with the King his Father, how should we then be able to seize on the Duke? This burden M. Percy undertook, that by his acquaintance, he, with another Gentleman would enter the Chamber without suspicion, & having some dozen others at several doors to expect his coming, and two or three on horseback at the Court gate to receive him, he would undertake( the blow being given, until which he would attend in the Dukes Chamber) to carry him safe away: for he supposed most of the Court would be absent, and such as were there not suspecting, or unprovided for any such matter. For the Lady ELIZABETH, it were easy to surprise her in the country by drawing friends together at an hunting near the Lord Haringtons, and Ashby, M. Catesbyes house, being not far off was a fit place for preparation.  
The next was for money and horses, which if we could provide in any reasonable measure( having the heir apparent) & the first knowledge by four or five dayes, was odds sufficient.  
Then what Lords we should save from the Parliament, which was first agreed in general as many as we could that were catholics, or so disposed: But after we descended to speak of particulars.  
Next what foreign Princes wee should acquaint with this before, or join with after. For this point we agreed, that first we could not enjoin Princes to that secrecy, nor oblige them by oath, so to be secure of their promise: besides we knew not whether they will approve the project or dislike it. And if they do allow thereof, to prepare before might beget suspicion; and not to provide until the business were acted, the same letter that carried news of the thing done, might as well entreat their help and furtherance. spain is too slow in his preparations to hope any good from in the first extremities, and France too near and too dangerous, who with the shipping of Holland, we feared of all the world might make away with vs.  
But while we were in the middle of these discourses, we heard that the Parliament should be anew adjourned until after Michaelmas, vpon which tidings wee broken off both discourse and quibbling until after Christmas. About Candlemas we brought over in a boat the powder, which we had provided at Lambeth, and laid it in M. Percyes house, because we were willing to haue all our danger in one place.  
We wrought also another fortnight in the mine against the ston wall, which was very hard to beate thorough; at which time we called in Kit wight, and near to Easter, as we wrought the third time, opportunity was given to hire the Cellar, in which we resolved to lay the powder, and leave the mine.  
Now by reason that the charge of maintaining us all so long together, besides the number of several houses, which for several uses had been hired, and buying of powder &c. had lain heavy on M. Catesby alone to support; it was necessary for him to call in some others to ease his charge, and to that end desired leave, that he, with M. Percy, and a third, whom they should call, might acquaint whom they thought fit and willing to the business: for many, said he, may be content that I should know, who would not therefore that all the company should be acquainted with their names: to this we all agreed.  
After this Master Fawkes laid into the Cellar( which he had newly taken) a thousand of Billets, and five hundred of Faggots, and with that covered the Powder, because we might haue the House free, to suffer any one to enter that would. M. Catesby wished us to consider, whether it were not now necessary to sand M. Fawkes over, both to absent himself for a time, as also to acquaint Sir William Stanley and M. own with this matter. Wee agreed that he should( provided that he gave it them with the same oath that we had taken it before) videlicet, to keep it secret from all the world. The reason why we desired Sir William Stanley should be acquainted herewith was, to haue him with us so soon as he could: And for M. own, he might hold good correspondency after with foreign Princes. So M. Fawkes departed about Easter for Flanders, and returned the later end of August. he  told me that when he arrived at Brussels, Sir William Stanley was not returned from spain, so as he uttered the matter onely to own, who seemed well pleased with the business, but  told him that surely Sir William would not bee acquainted with any plot, as having business now afoot in the Court of England: but he himself would be always ready to tell it him, and sand him away so soon as it were done.  
About this time did M. Percy and M. Catesby meet at the Bathe, where they agreed that the company being yet but few, M. Catesby should haue the others authority to call in whom he thought best; By which authority he called in after, Sir everard Digby, though at what time I know not, and last of all Master Francis Tresham. The first promised, as I heard M. Catesby say, fifteen hundred pounds; The second two thousand pounds; M. Percy himself promised all that he could get of the earl of Northumberlands rents, which was about four thousand pounds, and to provide many galloping horses to the number of ten.  
mean while M. Fawkes and myself alone bought some new Powder, as suspecting the first to be danke, and conveyed it into the Cellar, and set it in order, as we resolved it should stand. Then was the Parliament anew prorogued until the fift of november, so as we all went down until some ten dayes before, when M. Catesby came up with M. Fawkes to an house by Enfield chase called White-webbes, whither I came to them, and M. Catesby willed me to inquire whether the young Prince came to the Parliament: I  told him that I heard that his Grace thought not to be there. Then must we haue our Horses said M Catesby beyond the water, and provision of more company to surprise the Prince, and leave the Duke alone.  
Two dayes after being Sunday at night, in came one to my chamber, and  told me that a letter had been given to my L. Mountegle to this effect, That he wished his Lordships absence from the Parliament, Because a Blow would there be given; Which letter he presently carried to my L. of Salisbury.  
On the morrow I went to White-webbes, and  told it M. Catesby, assuring him withal that the matter was disclosed: and wishing him in any case to forsake his country. he  told me he would see further as yet, and resolved to sand M. Fawkes to try the uttermost, protesting if the part belonged to himself, he would try the same adventure.  
On Wednesday Master Fawkes went and returned at night, of which we were very glad.  
Thursday I came to London, and Friday Master Catesby, Master Tresham and I met at Barnet, where we questioned how this Letter should bee sent to my Lord Mountegle, but could not conceive, for Master Tresham forswore it, whom we only suspected.  
On Saturday night I met M. Tresham again in Lincolnes inn walks. Wherein he  told such speeches, that my L. of Salisbury should use to the King, as I gave it lost the second time, & repeated the same to M. Catesby, who hereupon was resolved to be gone, but stayed to haue Master Percy come up, whose consent herein we wanted. On Sunday M. Percy being dealt with to that end, would needs abide the uttermost trial.  
This suspicion of all hands put us into such confusion, as Master Catesby resolved to go down into the country the monday that Master Percy went to zion, and Master Percy resolved to follow the same night, or early the next morning. About five of the clock being Tuesday, came the younger Wright to my Chamber, and  told me that a Nobleman called the Lord Mounteagle, saying, Arise, and come along to Essex house, for I am going to call up my Lord of Northumberland: saying withall, The matter is discovered. go back Master Wright( quoth I) and learn what you can about Essex gate. Shortly he returned and said, Surely all is lost: for Lepton is got on horseback at Essex door, and as he partend, he asked if their Lordships would haue any more with him: and being answered No, is road fast up Fleetstreete as he can ride. go you then( quoth I) to M. Percy, for sure it is for him they seek, and bid him be gone, I will stay and see the uttermost. Then I went to the Court gates and found them straightly guarded, so as no body could enter. From thence I went down towards the Parliament house, and in the middle of Kings street, found the guard standing that would not let me pass. And as I returned I heard one say, There is a Treason discovered, in which the King and the Lords should haue been blowen up. So then I was fully satisfied that all was known, and went to the Stable where my Gelding stood, and road into the country. M. Catesby had appointed our meeting at Dunchurch, but I could not overtake them until I came to my brothers, which was Wednesday night. On Thursday we took the armor at my L. Windsores, and went that night to one Stephen Littletons house, where the next day( being Friday) as I was early abroad to discover, my man came to me, and said, that an heavy mischance had severed all the company, for that M. Catesby, M. Rookwood, and M. Grant, were burned with Gunpowder, vpon which sight the rest dispersed. Master Littleton wished me to fly, and so would he. I  told him I would first see the body of my friend and bury him, whatsoever befell me. When I came, I found M. Catesby reasonable well, Master Percy, both the Wrights, M. Rookwood, and Master Grant. I asked them what they resolved to do: they answered, We mean here to die. I said again, I would take such part as they did. About eleven of the clock came the company to beset the house, and as I walked into the court, I was shot into the shoulder, which lost me the use of mine arm: the next shot was the elder Wright strike dead, after him the younger M. Wright, & fourthly Ambrose Rookwood shot. Then said M. Catesby to me( standing before the door they were to enter) Stand by me Tom, and we will die together. Sir( quoth I) I haue lost the use of my right arm, and I fear that will cause me to be taken. So as we stood close together, M. Catesby, M. Percy, and myself, they two were shot( as far as I could guess with one Bullet) and then the company entered vpon me, hurt me in the Belly with a Pike, and gave me other demigods, until one came behind, and caught hold of both mine arms.  
And so I remain yours, &c.   

Commiss.  
Notingham, Suffolk, Worcester, devonshire, Northampton, Salisbury, mar, Dunbar, Popham.  
Edw. cook. W. Waad.   

¶ The names of those that were first in the Treason, and laboured in the mine.  

Robert Catesby. Esquires.  
Robert Winter. Esquires.  
Thomas Percy. Gentlemen.  
Thomas Winter. Gentlemen.  
John Wright. Gentlemen.  
Christopher Wright. Gentlemen.  
Guido Fawkes. Gentlemen.  
And Bates Catesbies man.    

¶ Those that were made acquainted with it, though not personally labouring in the mine, nor in the Cellar.  

everard Digby. Knight.  
Ambrose Rookwood. Esquires.  
Francis Tresham. Esquires.  
John grant. Gent.  
Robert keys.     

but here let us leave Fawkes in a lodging fit for such a guest, and taking time to aduise vpon his conscience; and turn ourselves to that part of the history, which concerns the fortune of the rest of his partakers in that abominable Treason. The news was no sooner spread abroad that morning, which was vpon a Tuesday, the fift of november, and the first day designed for that Session of Parliament; The news( I say) of this so strange and unlooked for accident was no sooner divulged, but some of those conspirators, namely Winter, and the two brothers of Wrights thought it high time for them to hasten out of the town( for Catesby was gone the night before, and Percy at four of the clock in the morning the same day of the discovery) and all of them held their course, with more hast then good speed to Warwicke Shire toward coventry, where the next day morning being Wednesday, and about the same hour that Fawkes was taken in Westminster, one grant a Gentleman having associated unto him some others of his opinion, all violent Papists and strong Recusants, 
The taking of the horses out of the stable at warwick by grant and others.  came to a Stable of one Benocke a rider of great Horses, and having violently broken up the same, carried along with them all the great Horses that were therein, to the number of seven or eight, belonging to diuers Noblemen and Gentlemen of that Country, who had put them into the Riders hands to be made fit for their service. And so both that company of them which fled out of London, as also grant and his complices met all together at Dunchurch at Sir everard Digby his lodging the Tuesday at night, after the discovery of this treacherous Attempt: The which Digby had likewise for his part appointed a match of hunting to haue been hunted the next day, which was Wednesday, 
The hunting match appointed by Sir everard Digby.  though his mind was Nimrod-like vpon a far other maner of hunting, more bent vpon the blood of reasonable men then bruit beasts.  
This company and hellish society thus convened, finding their purpose discovered, 
Their going into arms after the Plot discovered.  and their treachery prevented, did resolve to run a desperate course, and since they could not prevail by so private a Blow, to practise by a public Rebellion either to attain to their Intents, or at least to save themselves in the throng of others. And therefore gathering all the company they could unto them, and pretending the quarrel of Religion, having intercepted such provision of armor, Horses, and Powder, as the time could permit, thought by running up and down the country both to augment piece and piece their number( dreaming to themselves that they had the virtue of a Snow-ball, which being little at the first, and tumbling down from a great hill groweth to a great quantity, by increasing itself with the Snow that it meeteth by the way) and also that they beginning first this brave show in one part of the country, should by their Sympathy and example stir up and encourage the rest of their Religion in other parts of England to rise, as they had done there. But when they had gathered their force to the greatest, they came not to the number of fourscore, 
Their number never above four score.  & yet were they troubled all the houres of the day to keep and contain their own seruants from stealing from them; who( notwithstanding of all their care) daily left them, being far inferior to Gedeons host in number, but far more in faith or justness of quarrel.  
And so after that this catholic troupe had wandered a while through warwick shire to Worcester shire, and from thence to the edge and borders of Stafford shire, this gallantly armed band had not the honour at the last to be beaten with a Kings Lieutenant or extraordinary Commissioner sent down for the purpose, but onely by the ordinary sheriff of Worcester shire were they all beaten, 
Their flight.  killed, taken and dispersed. Wherein ye haue to note this following circumstance so admirable, and so vively displaying the greatness of Gods iustice, as it could not be concealed without betraying in a maner the glory due to the almighty for the same.  
Although diuers of the Kings Proclamations were posted down after these Traitors with all the speed possible, declaring the odiousness of that bloody attempt, the necessity to haue had Percy preserved alive, if it had been possible, and the assembly together of that rightly damned crew, now no more darned Conspirators, but open and avowed Rebels: yet the far distance of the way( which was above an hundred miles) together with the extreme deepness thereof, joined also with the shortness of the day, was the cause that the hearty and loving affections of the Kings good Subiects in those parts prevented the speed of his Proclamations. For vpon the third day after the flying down of these Rebels, which was vpon the Friday next after the discovery of their Plot, 
overtaken at Holbeach in Stafford shire, Stephen Lattletons house.  they were most of them all surprised by the sheriff of Worcester shire at Holbeach, about the noon of the day, and that in manner following.  
grant, of whom I haue made mention before for taking the great horses, who had not all the preceding time stirred from his own house till the next morning after the attempt should haue been put in execution, he then laying his account without his Host( as the proverb is) that their Plot had, without failing, received the day before their hoped for success; took, or rather stolen out those horses( as I said before) for enabling him, and so many of that soulesse society that had stil remained in the country near about him, to make a sudden surprise vpon the Kings elder daughter, 
Grants attempt to surprise the Lady Elizabeth.  the Lady ELIZABETH, having her residence nere by that place, whom they thought to haue used for the colour of their treacherous design( His majesty her father, her mother, and male children being all destroyed above.) And to this purpose also had that Nimrod Digby, provided his hunting march against that same time, that numbers of people being flocked together vpon the pretence thereof, they might the easilier haue brought to pass the sudden surprise of her person.  
Now the violent taking away of those horses long before day, did seem to be so great aryot in the eyes of the Common people, that knew of no greater mystery: And the bold attempting thereof did engender such a suspicion of some following Rebellion in the hearts of the wiser sort, as both great and small began to stir and arm themselves, vpon this unlooked for accident. Among whom Sir Fulke grevill the elder, Knight, as became one both so ancient in yeeres and good reputation, and by his Office being deputy Lieutenant of Warwicke-shire, though unable in his body, yet by the zeal and true fervency of his mind, did first apprehended this foresaid Riot to be nothing but the sparkles and sure indices of a following Rebellion; whereupon both stoutly and honestly he took order to get into his own hands, the Munition and armour of all such Gentlemen about him, as were either absent from their own houses, or in doubtful guard; And also sent such direction to the towns about him, as thereupon did follow the striking of Winter by a poor Smith, who had likewise been taken by those vulgar people, but that he was rescued by the rest of his company, who perceiving that the country before them had notice of them, hastened away with loss in their own sight, sixteen of their followers being taken by the townsmen, and sent presently to the sheriff at warwick, and from thence to London.  
But before twelve or sixteen houres past, Catesby, Percy, the Winters, Wrights, Rookewood and the rest bringing then the assurance that their main Plot was failed and bewrayed, whereupon they had builded the golden mountaines of their glorious hopes: They then took their last desperate resolution to flock together in a troupe, & wander, as they did, for the reasons aforetold. But as vpon the one part, the zealous duty to their God and their sovereign was so deeply imprinted in the hearts of all the meanest and poorest sort of the people( although then knowing of no further mystery then such public misbehauiours, as their own eyes taught them) as notwithstanding of their faire shows and pretence of their catholic cause, no creature, man or woman through all the country, would once so much as give them willingly a cup of drink, or any sort of comfort or support, but with execrations detested them: So on the other part, the sheriffs of the Shires, wherethrough they wandered, convening their people with all speed possible, hunted as hotly after them, as the euilnesse of the way, and the vnprouidednesse of their people vpon that sudden could permit them. And so at last after Sir Richard Verney, sheriff of warwick shire, had carefully and straightly been in chase of them to the confines of his county, part of the meaner sort being also apprehended by him: Sir Richard welsh sheriff of Worcester shire did likewise dutifully and hotly pursue them thorough his Shire; And having gotten sure trial of their taking harbour at the house abovenamed, he did sand trumpeters and Messengers to them, commanding them in the Kings name to render unto him, his majesties minister; and knowing no more at that time of their guilt then was publicly visible, did promise vpon their dutiful and obedient rendering unto him, to intercede at the Kings hands for the sparing of their lives: Who received onely from them this scornful answer( they being better witnesses to themselves of their inward evil consciences) That he had need of better assistance, then of those few numbers that were with him, before he could be able to command or comptroll them.  
But here fel the wondrous work of Gods Iustice, 
The preparation to assault the house.  That while this message passed between the sheriff and them, The Sheriffes and his peoples zeal being justly kindled and augmented by their arrogant answer, and so they preparing themselves to give a furious assault; and the other party making themselves ready within the house to perform their promise by a defence as resolute; It pleased God that in the mending of the fire in their chamber, one small spark should fly out, and light among less then two pound weight of Powder, which was drying a little from the chimney; which being thereby blown up, so maimed the faces of some of the principal Rebels, and the hands and sides of others of them( blowing up with it also a great bag full of Powder, which notwithstanding never took fire) as they were not onely disabled and discouraged hereby from any further resistance, in respect Catesby himself, 
Catesby who was the first inventor of this Treason in general, and of the manner of working the same by powder, in special, himself now first maimed with the blowing up of powder, and next he and Percy both killed with one shot proceeding from powder.  Rookwood, Grant, & diuers others of greatest account, among them were thereby made unable for defence: but also wonderfully strooken with amazement in their guilty consciences, calling to memory how God had justly punished them with that same Instrument, which they should haue used for the effectuating of so great a sin, according to the old Latin saying, In quo peccamus, in eodem plectimur; as they presently( see the wonderful power of Gods Iustice vpon guilty consciences) did all fall down vpon their knees, praying GOD to pardon them for their bloody enterprise; And thereafter giuing over any further debate, opened the gate, suffered the Sheriffes people to rush in fariously among them, & desperately sought their own present destruction; The three specials of them joining backs together, Catesbie, Percy, and Winter, whereof two with one shot, Catesby and Percy were slain, and the third, Winter, taken and saved alive.  
And thus these resolute and high aspiring catholics, who dreamed of no less then the destruction of Kings & kingdoms, and promised to themselves no lower estate then the government of great and ancient Monarchies; were miserable defeated, and quiter overthrown in an instant, falling in the pit which they had prepared for others; and so fulfilling that sentence which his majesty did in a manner prophecy of them in his Oration to the Parliament: some presently slain, others deadly wounded, stripped of their clothes, left lying miserable naked, and so dying rather of cold, then of the danger of their wounds; and the rest that either were whole, or but lightly hurt, taken and lead prisoners by the sheriff the ordinary minister of Iustice, to the Gaole, the ordinary place even of the basest malefactors, where they remained till their sending up to London, being met with a huge confluence of people of all sorts, desirous to see them as the rarest sort of Monsters; fools to laugh at them, women and children to wonder, all the common people to gaze, the wiser sort to satisfy their curiosity in seeing the outward cases of so unheard of a villainy: and generally all sorts of people to satiate and fill their eyes with the sight of them, whom in their hearts they so far admired and detested: serving so for a fearful and public spectacle of Gods fierce wrath and just indignation.  
What hereafter will be done with them, is to be left to the Iustice of his majesty and the State. Which as no good subject needs to doubt will bee performed in the own due time by a public and an exemplary punishment: So haue wee all that are faithful and humble subiects, great cause to pray earnestly to the almighty, that it will please him who hath the hearts of all Princes in his hands, to put it in his majesties heart to make such a conclusion of this tragedy to the Traytors, but tragicomedie to the King and all his true Subiects; as thereby the glory of God and his true Religion may bee advanced, the future security of the King and his estate procured and provided for, all hollow and unhonest hearts discovered and prevented, and this horrible attempt( lacking due epithets) to bee so justly avenged, That where they thought by one catholic indeed, and universal blow to accomplish the wish of that roman Tyrant, who wished all the bodies in Rome to haue but one neck, and so by the violent force of Powder to break up as with a Pettard our triple locked peaceful gates of Ianus, which( God be thanked) they could not compass by any other means; they may justly bee so recompensed for their truly viperous intended Parricide, 
As Aeneas silvius doth notably writ concerning the murder of King james the first of Scotland, and the following punishment of the Traytors, whereof himself was an eye witness. Hist. de Europa, cap. 46.  as the shane and infamy that otherwise would light vpon this whole Nation, for having unfortunately hatched such Cockatrice eggs, may be repaired by the execution of famous and honourable iustice vpon the offenders, and so the kingdom purged of them, may hereafter perpetually flourish in peace and prosperity, by the happy coniunction of the hearts of all honest and true Subiects, with their just and religious sovereign.  
And thus whereas they thought to haue effaced our memories, the memory of them shall remain( but to their perpetual infamy) and we( as I said in the beginning) shall with all thankfulness eternally preserve the memory of so great a benefit. To which let every good subject say  
Amen.