THE JESUITS GRAND DESIGN UPON ENGLAND, Clearly discovered in a Letter lately written from a Father of that Society.  
SIR,  
I Received your last, and have sent the enclosed to the party according as you desired. Monsieur De-vaulx came hither last night from Lions, where he met with Monsieur Prè who was going post from Rome (where he hath been ever since the death of the Duke of Orleans, his great friend and benefactor) to Germany; he saith he is like to repair the loss he had by the Duke's death, with an employment which an Italian Cardinal will help him to; I am glad of it, for although the man have none of the acutest parts, he hath been very active and industrious, and hath done (to my knowledge) no small services. He saith that some Grandees in those parts are not so much joyed with the King of sweden death, as it was supposed they would; I could partly guess the cause, but referring that to another opportunity, I shall at present enlarge myself concerning what is now the greatest trouble and care to us all: The state of things in England, which truly I am very sorry to hear how it daily grows worse and worse: For although you seem not to apprehend so much, because as you writ, if things should come to a settlement there, that you could not think the Catholics to be in a much worse condition; because you suppose it would be then, as in former times, viz. the Laws concerning their Estates not to be put in so rigorous an execution as now, and that they had rather be in some certain way under the Government of one, whose prudence and moderation was well known, then still to be exposed to the Frantic madness of what ever happens to be uppermost, who upon all occasion, link them with their greatest enemies, in all mulcts of punishment; And who can never be supposed with any face to show the least favour to them; And that it is the opinion of some sober men, that their case (if there were once a settlement) in some Parliament, might deserve some consideration as to penal Laws, which were made in a conjuncture of time, when severity was requisite, and the Kingdom exasperated by (I must needs say) very desperate attempts; but seeing in so long a tract of time, the party is much wafted, and made inconsiderable in whatever might make them formidable: And they have not a long while been guilty of any exorbitant offence, and that the interest of the King would be rather to compose and court all parties, then exasperated any: You (I say) for these reasons do suppose our condition there, would be rather better then worse.  
I must needs confess that there is some ground for your opinion, as to the English Catholics of estate and fortunes, and who by consequence cannot but have much of the Nations true interest in them, and possibly as to their particular had better be settled in some moderate way, then in such condition, as if things come to that pass, which we so long have driven at, for advancing the general cause of the Church, which perhaps by reason of your years you have not so fully understood, and which only (neglecting all other particulars) is a grand duty of a true son of the Catholic Church, and how far we were all herein concerned as to the affairs of England.  
For you must know that about twenty years ago the English Heretics had brought their Church to such a height, and settled it in so fair and plausible a way, the Doctrine of it so learnedly maintained by their Divines; Men (I must needs say) most of them of admirable learning and parts, whatsoever we could object to them still so fully answered, Their Discipline such, as did daily give satisfaction to more and more of all parties, Their Ceremonies being decent and comely, for the most part grounded upon Scripture, or the ancient customs of the Primitive Church; Insomuch that many who were offended with the multiplicity, insignificancy, and superstition which they apprehended in ours, did much better like of them; For (I must needs say (as I think I have sometimes told you before) we did retain many things, because we thought it more prudent to alter nothing at all, rather than that some could be solidly maintained, thinking it better with wit and art bravely to bear them out, then by yielding to the least alteration (which once begun we could perhaps never have stayed) breed any disrepute or dishonour to our Church; And finally all things settled in that splendid and orderly way, under so potent and considerable a Monarch, that as it was the powerful head and protector of all the Protestant Churches in the world; so likely to be the great countenancer and procurer of any new revolt, which in some considerable states, was feared, and in veryshort time probable to gain ground upon, if not quite overthrow the Catholic Church; Insomuch that as, then those considerations (to my knowledge) there was nothing more terrible to us; so, then that, which was afterwards the occasion of dissipating these fears nothing more welcome: Although it was no more than we might ever somewhat probably also expect, as we have from time to time carried on affairs there by our Agents, we knowing well that there was always in England a numerous sort of well meaning men, who did desire to serve God in a perfect way, as their consciences instructed as they were) informed them. These being most of them of indifferent wealth, and of a middle degree and capacity, and therefore few of them being capable to apprehend the main scope and design of the Rulers of their Church, but being (I cannot tell how) persuaded (to the no small laughter of us you must imagine) that the way their Bishops than went was in order to favour, if not quite bring in the Catholic Religion, and being not a little heighthned in such their fancies by our indefatigable endeavours, They began at length to prove very troublesome, and in some good sort to answer our expectations. The Universities likewise swarming then with men of excellent learning and parts, it was a hard matter for one, who was not therein eminent, to attain (if not well befriended) to any considerable preferment. Hence it was that they which had loitered their time, when they could live no longer there, usually seated themselves in some populous Town, in which were great numbers of the aforesaid people, then called Puritans, from whom (by reason of some Lecture) they having their maintenance, their preaching was such, as was most likely to get credit with that party. Hence were their Sermons commonly invectives against the present or-orders of the Church. And the more they were taken notice of by Authority, the more were they flocked after, and grew to greater eminence, and thereby had occasion of gaining a greater number of Proselytes to their opinion, so that in time some Thousands there were, which were desperately bend against their Church government. These (as we ordered the matter) being made use of by some persons of quality and ability, who being discontented upon private occasions, or else thinking they had no preferments answerable to their merits, and many things (too long to relate) then conspiring together, and driving affairs to that exigence, that it was not in the power of the wisest to prevent, did in some short time (which your years might then begin to take notice of) quite confound that, which (as I said before) was so dreadful to us. For now the English Church, which before was so much the object of our fear, was only fit for our contempt and scorn: whilst we saw nothing but confusion, such infinite divisions, and so many frantic Sectaries still swarming and countenanced, so that we could not possibly expect any the least inconvenience from thence: Nay, we could not in all prudence, but in a little time suppose those strange distractions would afford some potent Prince of our Religion an opportunity to get considerable footing in that Nation: Or else that some usurper, who not altogether relying upon the inconstant and dangerous support of an Army, might strike in with the Pope, and strengthen himself with his, and all our Interests. A thing to my knowledge that hath not been altogether unattempted by you know who, in either of which cases our ends had in some good measure been accomplished.  
But it seems the Generality of the Nation, are made by all these strange vicissitudes of misery, that they have of late run through, so fully to understand their condition, that they do with their utmost vigour endeavour the freeing themselves from that force and Tyranny under which they have so long groaned, in order to the obtaining a firm composure of things, and resetling their Church; which truly I am in much doubt they may possibly bring about, and so frustrate our grand and chief design.  
For although there be many strange kind of divisions amongst them, yet the considerable, wealthy, and potent part of the Nation, are for the most part but of two sorts, that is to say, the Royal Party, and the Presbyterians; between whom, although we have used all the art that can be imagined to create an everlasting jealousy and enmity; yet we have great cause to fear that they may possibly come to some good correspondence. For the Presbyterians have been made sensible, that they two being such considerable Parties, neither of them are able to establish any thing like to last, if either of them oppose. And although the Presbyterians did at the beginning, some things, which many have thought to have been the cause of what after happened; yet 'tis long since manifestly known that public actings were, by the prevalency of our correspondents then mixed amongst them (whom I suppose you know) carried a great deal further than their intentions, which at the first no doubt were somewhat moderate, although they were still surprised and hurried on by that party from one thing to another, as the urgency of affairs required, and in order at length to their own preservation: And that they did much endeavour the composure of things, and were in the midst of such endeavours, when the Army acted those high exorbitancies, quite contrary to their minds, and to the amazement and grief of most of them. None are ignorant, as also that many of them thereupon, and sundry others, by the since loyal endeavours of that party were made fellow sufferers with the Royalists. And for the matter of Religion, the difference is not so great, as some animosities of the parties have made them: They agreeing in most substantials, And their Divines on both sides being men of Learning and Reason, (heats laid aside, and both parties moderated by the experience of so much affliction) some healing temper perhaps not yet thought on, may probably be found out: That they can have no reason to believe the King should bear them the least regret, seeing the premises are not only notorious, but also many of them that were once eminently active against him and his Father, are now become his greatest confidents. And if his mild and gentle nature were not so manifestly known to be unapt to harbour thoughts of revenge; Yet his affairs being in such a condition as they are, he cannot be supposed in any prudence to disoblige so potent a party, but rather that it must needs be many years before he can bring the Nation to that firmness of settlement, that he may with any safety exasperate, or slight the most inconsiderable faction. And that the Royal Party likewise, would be so far from having any memory of things past, that if they might but once come to that free condition that the other subjects of the Nation are in, without any more fear of confinement, imprisonment, or mulcts peculiar to them, and restored to a capacity of bearing some share equally with others in the Government; that they would think themselves in a happy condition without ravelin into former businesses of any kind, the forgetting whereof on all hands, being most absolutely necessary to a future peace. These considerations, (as I have lately heard from a credible hand) have made such an impression upon the Presbyterians, that I doubt there is no little cause to fear that all our practices to hinder the aforesaid reconciliation will prove ineffectual; our utmost endeavour (however) must not yet be omitted; and somewhat was done lately to that purpose by good advice, which I hope by this time is published as a Letter sent from Brussels, that affair being put into such hands, as 'tis known will do it to the purpose.  
And although we have also been in hopes that the Army joining with these Sectaries, (who it seems have got a new name, and are now called fanatics) would strenuously endeavour to make some considerable new disturbance, being instructed, that if there should once happen to be a composure, that they would absolutely be disbanded, or at least remain in no power, credit, or countenance at all; And many of their Officers, having shares in the Kings and Bishops Lands, cannot but think that in such case they must needs lose them: yet I have heard likewise, that they have been much quieted, and appeased by some, who have made them understand their present, true, and best interest; And have represented to them, that although in the conclusion of that sharp war, wherein all the active spirits of the Nation were almost destroyed, the whole Kingdom in a consternation with their great success, which was indeed as much to be attributed to the disorders and negligence of the other party, as their own valour and conduct. Their Body likewise then far more considerable for number then now they are, and for some years quartered together, and thereby, with the extraordinary politic endeavours, and practices of as able an head as any this latter age afforded, made all of one mind, They made a shift to carry on a design, and bear it very high for a while, yet (that which all sober and serious persons could not but conjecture at first) partly with their own (not long after) disagreement, which did necessarily arise, and the opposition of others, did many times stagger, and finally run itself into such extremities, that had all the said wily devices continued with the life of the Protector Oliver, it could not in all likelihood have stood much longer, And that now they have notoriously lost much of their repute: For when they pulled down Richard, it was visible to the whole Nation, they were in no sort able to carry on their intended work; but were forced to set up for a present shift those members, that now for some while in England are so famously known by name of the Rump, who in a very short space, had almost ruined them. And not long after, when they turned those out, they were far more at a loss then before. They (not without much difficulty, making good their ground in London, where, if they had been but never so little more baffled, they had utterly been ruined) were beat out of several Towns in the Country, and no doubt in some little time, had been utterly wearied out, if not quite torn in pieces, even by the disorderly, tumultuous, and disarmed rabble. But now, that they are in no considerable Bodies together, nor can have no great confidence of one another, there being such endeavours used, whereby their least attempts of seditious communication (if any be) are discovered, and that perhaps by some whom themselves little think of, The Nation also having recovered infinite courage and heart, thousands of men of spirit able to carry on business, being grown up, who were but children in former transactions, and scarce remember, & therefore are not sensible of the dread of those things, which have been the greatest cause of keeping others so quiet. Not a County almost in the posture it is in, but being able to hinder their greatest attempt. Such a formidable Militia in London, which in very few years might be increased to thrice the number, besides so disciplined, experienced, and choice a body, as the General's Soldiers are. They cannot in reason expect any success, or should they beyond their expectation have it, they could hope for nothing but to make some bustle or disturbance for a while, the consequence whereof, they themselves know not, and in most probability would still prove worse and worse to themselves, as those they have made already, have always done.  
But should they in the least measure be worsted in any such enterprise, no people in the world would be more miserable than they, the hatred that the Nation hath already conceived against them upon that occasion likely to be so aggravated, that in every corner thereof they would find the effects of their fury, whereas if they behave themselves peaceably, they cannot but be honourably dealt withal; the ensuing Parliament being likely to make such provisions for them, whereby the quiet of the Nation should not be hazarded by any such their desperate and vain attempts. And as to their purchases, they being in the same condition with others, and many of the Presbyterians in the same state too, the Parliament cannot but find out some expedient (as many already are thought on) to content all persons, nor can it be supposed they will suffer so great a number as are concerned in those lands to be dissatisfyed. And lastly they, having given such ample testimony of their valour and ability to serve their Country, will in all likelihood be looked upon thereafter to their full content.  
Nay some do think that their own reason will persuade them, that the best game they have to play, is for them to appear forwardest in that course things now so naturally tend to, and so get the start of them, whom of late they have so much envied: and highly oblige him, from whom the most certain and permanent preferments are to be expected, in doing that absolutely, which perhaps some do aim to do by halves, which certainly, as the whole Nation and each County wherein they quarter, are now inclined, were no hard matter for them to perform.  
The Generality of the fanatics also considering, that although there be some number of them, yet they being most but of small wealth, and interest in the Nation, which having conceived a great odium, and jealousy of their principles, and designs, and having of late had some discovery of our actings with them, would be very ready and earnest to oppose their least attempt: And they believing the indulgence and compassion that those, who are now coming to power, would have of their errors and weakness: And how in all prudence & policy, for many Years, there can be no rigid courses taken against any party whatsoever, except they give a just provocation by some desperate attempt, are resolved (we fear) to acquiesse likewise. Nay the whole Kingdom is so charmed, with the expectation they have of the ensuing Parliament, which being likely to consist of men of integrity and ample estates, the enjoyment of which in peace, and free from imposition, must needs be such their and the whole Nations true interest, that there is scarce any hopes left to us, but that they are generally and cheerfully resolved to submit to their determination.  
The substance of what I writ to you I have from as able and active a head, on our behalf now there upon the place, as any Europe affords, to be the present posture of affairs in England, which no little augments all our troubles, nor could I forbear communicating of it unto you, for your full information, knowing you are as fit as any man to have your full share in acting some things that are yet thought upon to prevent (if possible) those contingencyes, so unhappy and disastrous to us, of which I shall shortly send one to you that shall give you an account.  
Procure me Sir I beseech you if you can, the second Tome of Escobars' moral Theology, the Lion's edition, and Du Puis his doctrina vera lately printed with you at Paris. And take heed what communication you keep with the Cure of St. Roch, and monsieur de Russee, because to my knowledge they keep great correspondence with the Jansenists. This is all at present which I thought fit to trouble you with; I commit you therefore to the protection of our Saviour, our Blessed Lady, and all the Holy Saints.  
Douai 27 March, 1660. Stilo novo. J. M.