A TRUE COPY Of a bold and most peremptory LETTER, SENT To the Honourable Earl of Salisbury, By A. B. C. etc. To mitigate his prosecuting of Recusants.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by B. ALSOP, dwelling in Grubstreet. 1641.   

A true Copy of a Letter, &c▪  
MY LORD,  
Whereas the late unapproveable, and most wicked design, for the destroying of his Majesty, the Prince and Nobility, with many others of worth & quality (attempted through the undertaking spirits of some more fiery and turbulent, then zealous and dispasionat Catholics) hath made the general state of our Catholic cause so scandalous in the eye of such, whose corrupted Judgements are not able to fan away and sever the fault of the Professor from the possession itself; as that who now is found to be of that religion, is persuaded, at least in mind, to allow (though God knoweth as much abhorring as any Puritan whatsoever) the said former most inhuman, and barbarous project: And whereas some of his Majesty's Council, but especially your Lordship, as being known to be, as the Philosopher termeth it, a primus motor, in such uncharitable proceed, are determined as it is feared, by taking advantage of so fowl a scandal, to root out all memory of Catholic religion, either by sudden banishment, Massacre, imprisonment, or some such … table ●●●ations, and pressures; and p●r●●●s by decreeing in this next Parliament, some more cruel and horrible laws against Catholics, then already are made.  
In regard of these premises, there are some good men, who through their earnest desire for continuing the Catholic religion, and for saving of many souls, both of this present, and of all future posterity are resolved to prevent so great a mischief, though with a full assurance aforehand of the loss of their dearest lives; you are therefore hereby to be admonished, that at this present there are five, which have severally undertaken your death, and hath vowed the performance thereof, by taking already the blessed Sacrament, if you continue your daily plotting of so tragical Stratagems against Recusants.  
It is so ordered, that no one of these five knoweth who the other four be, for the better preventing the discovery of the rest, if so any one by attempting and not performing, should be apprehended.  
It is also already agreed, who shall first attempt it by shot, and so who in order shall fellow. In accomplishing of it, there is expected no other than assurance of death; yet it will willingly be embraced for the preventing of those general calamities, which by this your transcendent Authority, and grace with his Majesty▪ ●e threatened unto us all, and indeed the difficulties herein are more easily to be digested, since two of the intended Attempters, are in that weak state of body, that they cannot live above three or four months. The other three are so distressed themselves and their friends, ●as that their present griefs (for being only Recusants) be much dull all apprehension of death? None to be blamed in the true censuring of matters, for the undertaking hereof: For we protest before GOD, we know no other means left us in the world, since it is manifest that you serve but as a match, to give fire unto his Majesty (to whom the worst that we wish, is, that he may be as great a Saint in Heaven, as he is a King on Earth) for intending all mischiefs against the poor distressed Catholics. Thus giving your Lordship this charitable admonition; the which may perhaps be necessary hereafter, for some others your Inferiors, at least in grace and favour, if so they run on their former inhuman and unchristian rage against us, I cease, putting you in mind, that where once true and spiritual resolution is, there, notwithstanding all dangers whatsoever, the weak may take sufficient revenge of the great.  
Your Lordships well admonishing Friends, A. B. C. etc.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
IT may be your Lordship will take this, but as some forged Letter of some Puritans, thereby to incense you more against Recusants. But we protest upon Our Salvation it is not so, neither can any thing in human likelihood prevent the effecting thereof, but the change of your course toward Recusants.  
FINIS.