THE BLACK BOX of ROOME opened.
From whence are revealed, the Damnable Bloody Plots, Practises, and behaviour of Iesuites, Priests, Papists, and other Recusants in generall: Against Christian Princes, Estates and the people in those places where they have lived, &c.
Printed in the Yeare. 1641
THE IESVITES BLASPHEMOVS CONIVRATIONS TO ENCOVrage their Proselytes to King-killing treacheries:
SVch is the most bloody, and most blasphemous impudency of these Romish Incendiaries, that when they put on a devilish and desperate resolutiō, to murther any Emperor, King, or Prince, whom they have once pronounced to be an Hereticke, and excommunicate person, and thereupon intend to murther him by some Raviliack, whom they make choice of for the execution of the said Treason, that after such an vnfortunate and wretched person, is once allured and entred into their place of consultation, or chamber of (Philonicall) prayers (forsooth) [Page 4] as they call them: These infernall firebrands kneele all down, who in their prayers observe their [...]ime; and put before the intended Traitor, a knife folded vp in a scarfe; shut vp in a little Box, covered with an Agnus Dei, written about with black letters of perfumes, odorifirous Characters: and when they draw it out themselves, they cast or sprinckle some drops of holy water upon it, and which done, they hang at the hafte of the said knife, five or sixe graines of Corrall, which are blessed by them, who blasphemously they give him to vnderstand, and make him beleeve that so many blowes, as shall be given by him with the said knife; so many soules be released out of Purgatorie.
Afterwards, putting the knife into the intended Murtherers hand, they pronounce these words saying:
Goe now like Iephte, with the Sword of Sampson in thy hand, the sword with which David did cut off Goliahs head, the Sword of Gedion; yea, the Sword with which Iudith did cut off Holophernes head, the sword of the valiant Machabees, and the same with which Saint Peter did cut off Malcas his eare, yea I say, the sword of Pope Iulius the second, with the which (breaking the forces of oppugning Princes) he tooke out of their hands with great effusion of blood, the Cities of Sezza, Imola, Fayance, Bologna, and many other Cities: goe thus I say, thou magnanimous Champion of the chaire of Rome, and be valiant and God strengthen thine arme for the great worke now intended by thee. After which this infernall kennell of Romish blood-hounds [Page 5] kneele all downe, and the most wretchedly renowned and cursedly quallified amongst them, with a cauterized conscience and immarbled heart, pronounceth the bloody Conjuration, impiously and impudently, saying as followeth;
Come Cherabims, come Seraphins, and highest Thrones that rule, come blessed Angels: yea, blessed Angels of charity, come and fill this holy Vessel with glory and eternity, and bring him presently the Crowne of the Virgin Mary, of the Patriarches, and of the Martyrs, for he belongeth no longer to us, but to you.
And thou oh dreadfull and terrible God, who hast revealed to him in these our prayers and meditations; that he ought to murther a Tyrant, and confound a Hereticke, and to give the Crowne to a Catholike King. And being by us disposed to this meritorious Murther, vouchsafe to fortifie his senses, and encrease his forces: to the end that he may accomplish this thy great will; and vouchsafe to arme and furnish him with the Harnesse of thy powerfull providēce, that he may valiantly performe the worthy worke he hath piously vndertaken, & may happily escape from those, who would apprehend him: give him Eagles wings, that the spight and malice of those Barbarians whom he goes against, may not once touch his sanctified members, extend also the beames of thy joy and coelestiall felicity vpon his sacred soule, to the end that by the blessed influence thereof, the parts and members of his body also; may be encouraged and enabled to this great work, & that it may chearfully dispose it selfe to this holy [Page 6] Combate without feare or shrinking pusillanimity.
This accursed Conjuration being thus audaciously and gracelessely vttered, they carry the thus inchanted bloody Regicide, and set him before an Altar, where they shew him a Picture wherein the angels are seene and showne to have lifted vp and elevated long since Iames Clement, a bloody Iacobine Fryer, and represented him (as it were) before the Throne of God, saying;
Lord behold thy Pupill, behold thy well instructed Champion, and the accomplisher of thy iustice: Whereupon all the Saints rise out of their seates to make him roome, and give him place among them. And when all these things are thus done and finished, there are no more but foure Iesuites onely left with him, who when they come neare him; hey with diabolicall impudency and lying flattery, say unto him: that they seeme to perceive that there is some Deity infused into him, and that they are so astonished with the radiant light-shining and glistering in him, that they hold it their honour to kisse his hands and feet; and make him madly to beleeve that they account him not a meare man any longer; but that they esteeme themselves (as it were) as they say, half vnworthy of the happinesse and glory which he hath already obtained by his Catholick resolution, and sighing deepely before him: they say vnto him; we would that God had chosen us, and called us to your estate: fince we should be truly assured, that we should goe really, and directly into Paradice without comming at Purgatorie. [Page 7] And thus having intoxicated and bewitched the miserable wretch, they thus leave him to his intended bloody designe,
The end of the Conjuration.
BVt it is no wonder since they have so good correspondence with Iewes, Turkes, and Infidels, and as Mahomet did in times past; so doe these propogate their Sect with fire and Sword and all manner of violence; for let us looke vpon their first founder; he was a cruell and proud Hypocrite. Paul the 3. who confirmed this order was both a carnall and a bloody man▪ the one in having many whores and bastards, the other in persecuting innocent Christians in the Warres in Germany.
They professe obedience but practise Sedition and Rebellion, Claudius Matthew a Iesuite, and R. Henry the 3. of France his Confessor was the most principall author and agent in the league of Papists against him.
Parsons and Campion were sent into England to make a faction for the Papists.
Iames Gordon, Creighton and Haies Jesuites, laid a plot not onely for a rebellion in Scotland, but also for the invasion of England.
Neither hath their beene any warre raised of late in any part of Christendome, wherein they have not borne a principall part.
They talke much of Chastity, but how chaste they are, let the Bona Robas of Rome and Padua witnesse.
[Page 8] They professe poverty, but dwell in sumptuous palace, the furniture of which is most gorgious and princely, their Armes are placed above the armes of Princes, they pretend to beg for the English that are distressed beyond the Seas, but indeed give them a small pittance and keepe all the rest to themselves. In Venice they painted the Virgin Mary like a Lady whom some of them loved.
The like they did at Shertogen-Bosch in Brabant at my being there, by the Lady of Piroy, Melanders wife, which was Secretary vnto Grave Maurice, and set her vp with a child in her armes in St. Iohns Church.
Pius Quintus cast an Agnus Dei into a River, whither it was to draw the Fish to the place, or to allay the violence of the waves, I cannot say.
Nay, they administer the Sacrament to those who goe about to murther Princes, as Walpoole did to Squire, who poysoned the pommell of Queene Elizabeths Saddle when she was to ride abroad.
Moreover, they pervert Scriptures, and corrupt the ancient Fathers, which power Gregorie the 13. in a Bull bearing date 1575, seemeth to have given them. But to proceed in their practises.
Benedict Palmio, and Anniball Codret, two famous Iesuites did not onely teach William Parrie, that it was lawfull to kill the Queene of England, [Page 9] but also that it was an act very meritorious, Varade a Iesuite of Lyon, in confession did absolve Peter Barrien that went about to murder that Prince of famous memory Henry the fourth, late King of France, assuing him that it was a most noble and a Christian Act, for which he should obtaine Celestiall glory. In Paris the Iesuits not onely resolved that it was lawfull to kill King Henry the third, but by their perswasions did induce Iames Clement to effect the same.
Richard Williams, Edmund Yorke, Patrick Ocollen, Iohn Savage, and dives others, who have beene at sundry times executed for attempting to kill Queen Elizabeth, confessed that they were set on by Holt and other Iesuits, and were made beleeve it was a most meritorious Act.
Peter Panne at his execution at Leyden, confessed that he was hired by the Iesuites to kill Count Maurice.
The Rebels of Paris that held out against their King, were principally directed and encouraged by Comolet and other Iesuites.
Nay when money and victuals grew scarce in Paris, yet would not the Iesuites suffer the Rebels to give over, but came into the Trenches and brought them reliefe both of meate and money. [Page 10] And by the practises of this seditious Sect, the cities of Perigueux, Agen, Tholofe, Verdun, and divers tooke armes against the King.
They perswaded the Duke of Bavaria to goe on foote to visit the Reliques of some Saint or other, while these gallants rode in Wagons.
I know not whose device it was, except some of theirs, that made young wenches and marryed wives beleeve if they could stride over at one stride, St. Rombauts breeches at Mechlin, they should assuredly have a Child within the yeare.
The Princesse of Tyrole not many years agoe, built the Jesuites an house hard by her owne, but they like Foxes beate the Princesse out of her own Burrow, her sumptuous house, and thrust her into their owne meane house. The like they did to the Bishop of Wirtzburg, who excluded him out of a Church which he had built for them. Herbipois.
They advance themselves and despise others, those that confesse themselves to other Priests, they account little better then Atheistes: in Millan they onely beare the sway in hearing womens confessions, and did the like in Venice, untill they were forbidden.
By meanes of their confessions, they have drawne unto themselves infinite riches, empoverishing [Page 11] many rich houses, leaving little to the Widdowes and Orphanes:
Maldonate a Iesuite of Paris, caused the president Monbrun, St. Andrew, through his perswasion in confession to give the Iesuites all his moveables and halfe his revenues.
The president Goudran of Dijon making his Testament by their practises, gave only halfe a crown to his sister, and to the Colledge of Jesuites, seven thousand pounds French money in rent.
In Bordeaux they ruined the whole house of Bollans, and impaired the state of the house of Targebaston.
In the Country of the Grisons, they perswaded a silly old man called Lambertin, to sell all that hee had, and to take their Habit, who gathering 20000. Duckats, meant to give them all from his onely daughter.
So cruell they are that they spare none, who is repugnant to their purposes; Masteus complaineth that the elder Jesuites managed all things absolutely, they brought Harbort and Glisell, two famous preachers in Vienna, in danger, onely envying their excellency. One Lupus a Franciscane in Millan, calling them false Prophets, hardly escaped with his life. Cardinall Borrhomaus restrayning their encroachments, was by them accused before the Pope.
[Page 12] Iohn Chastell was so wonne and overcome by the Iesuits, that at his death he denyed that the Jesuits had any end in the businesse; but his examination before the whole Court of Paris, affirmeth flat contrary, but onely by them plotted, wherefore it was ordered, that they should depart out of Paris within three dayes, and out of France within fifteene dayes, after notice to them given, as corrupters of youth, perturbers of publique peace, and enemies of the King and State. Iohn Chastell himselfe also confessed, that Garet a Iesuite did teach him these lessons, which made him resolve to kill the King.
It is not, nor I hope shall never be forgotten, deserving to be engraven in Letters of brasse, the most hellish and damnable plot of the powder Treason, in the dayes of our late Soveraigne of blessed memory King JAMES, plotted onely by the Iesuites whereof Garnet was one of the principals, who formerly had beene a Corrector to a Printers presse here in London, and I shall never forget what that Reverend Bishop of Norwich Doctor Overall told me sitting at his house in Norwich, what Garnet confessed unto him at the time of his execution, he being at that time Deane of Paules, (Master Garnet quoth he) your time is very short in this world, tell me I pray you as you will answere before GOD, what just fault can you find with our Liturgie, or Common prayer, the Booke which wee vse in the Church of England? (truely (quoth Mr. Garnet) none at all, it is very agreeable to the word of God, and to the practise of the primitive Church, and truely Mr. Deane you are very happy in your Booke of [Page 13] Common Prayer, afterwards this Garnet was made a Saint, and By his fellowes, his Face and square, say they, was evidently to be seen in a wheat or barley eare of corne, Credat Iudeus Apella non ego. Now you must understand that our Iesuites keepe three severall stations, some follow the Camp and armies in the field, as they did in France, and not long since Spinola's army in Cleve & Gutick being the greatest incendiaries or Boutefeux in the world, setting Princes against people, and people against their Prince, others follow the Court, and can come with God-morrow Madame into a Ladyes Chamber before she be stirring, others like the Nether Milstone remaine setled in their Cloyster without Motion, yet helpe they the other to grind their Grist, for these entice young youthes and great heires into their Colledges and societies, which are like Hell, vnde nulla redemptio [...]
What plots end designes were undertooke by Parsons (alias Cowbuck) the Iesuite against our late Mirrour of Princes Queene Elizabeth, one Cecill a Priest, complayneth against Chreighton a Scottish Iesuite, that his practises made many Widdowes & Orphanes in Scotland. It would require a whole volume to write their practises; plots, & damnable Treasons, which they have set on foote in most Kingdomes of Europe, nay God knowes what they are now plotting at this present, J doubt not but that their Engines are set on worke, and that they have many seconders and partakers here at home amongst us, and listen as Cats at a Mouse-hole what is every day, determined in Parliament. Is it not [Page 14] an exceeding blemish to our Nation aud Country, which lying in so cold a climate, should breed and feed such swarmes-of trayterous Serpents and Vipers. When Spaine a great deale hoter hardly affordeth a Traytor against his King and Country in an hundred yeares, here if Tobias his Dog doe but wag his tayle, he shall be fed with the best from a Ladies trencher, and nothing thought too deare for him. Then let us now or never take a course with Lesuites and Priests, upon whom, like Pharoa's Frogges for their plenty, we are like to tread upon in every streete, let no other Nations accuse us of remissenes or stupidity, in giving them so large a liberty. Let us consider if they get the upper hand, what will become of us, our Prince, Country, wives, Children, Friends, we have tryall more then enough of their good-wills towards us, and are like to have more dayly; if the heads of these Brats be not dashed against the stones. It was the Motto of old William Cecill, Lord Burleigh, and Treasurer of England, Vnum Cor, vna via, one heart one way, which while we observe no forrein force in the world shall bee able to wrong vs, if we divide our selves, as Silurus Sons did their Arrowes, wee are presently broken, and made a prey to strangers.
We all know, God appointed Kings and Princes to be Nursing Fathers, and Nursing Mothers to his Church, therefore they ought not to see God dishonoured by false Religion and Idolatry, or true Christians oppressed with force and Treachery. They carry not the sword for nothing, and God requireth the maintenance of his truth at their hands, therefore [Page 15] these Wolves that walke in sheeps clothing, are not to be winked at or tolerated, or in any wise to bee endured, the world is so fraught with their practises in all places, yea some so abominable and unchristian, that I will call them the Divels Acts of Parliament, and some whereof out of the Popes Rentall. I report them onely as Iohn Chassanion hath left them recorded in French, therefore Lector, en tïbi Leonem ex ungue, and let mee begin with the Popes traffique and Marchandize, to which there is not the like in the whole world; for it hath neither brinke nor bottome, feare or shame, Religion nor common honesty, but rather blasphemous, most wicked and ungodly ordinances, wherefore out of the monstrous heape, accept of these few, and let thy Conscience tell thee, how tolerable they are.
For Marriage contracted in the third degree of Consanguinity or affinity, the taxe or payment to the Popes Exchequer, is in France, Italy, and other places 14 Tournois, 3 Duckats, 4 Carlines, yet there is a greater summe to be paid out of the Dowry.
A Iew is allowed to have a Synagogue in his owne house for 30. Tournois, 7 Duckats, and 6. Carlines, to erect a new Synagogue publiquely, is 60. Tournois, 15. Duckats.
A parricide, or he that hath killed his owne Father, is quitted and absolved for foure Tournois, one Duckat, 8 Carlines.
Note by the way, the Pope makes better markets of Murders committed on the persons of Fathers and Mothers, then for the beating onely of a Clark or Priest.
[Page 16] For he that beates a Priest or Clarke must pay 6. Turnois, 2 Duckats.
He or she that kills any Infant, shall pay 4 Turnois, 2. Duckats, 9. carlines.
The woman who hath taken a potion (a feareful thing to relate) to destroy the fruit of her wombe, or the child within her, shalbe absolved and forgiven for 4 Turnois, 2 Duckats, 8 carlines.
A notorious witch must pay for her absolution 6 Turnois, and 2 Duckats.
Absolution for Heresie is granted before it bee abjured for 36. Turnois and 9, Duckats.
For Sacriledge, Theft, for firing of houses, ravishing of women, or Maiden-children, and withall perjury, for your absolution you must pay 36. Tournois, 9. Duckats, for every one of them severall.
For absolution, for whoredome committed by a Priest or Clergie man, though it be with a Nun, or any woman of his owne kindred, is but to pay for his absolution and free pardon 36. Turnois; and 3. Duckats.
I with such whoredome and incest, one demand beside absolution, for Sodomy, be it eyther with Mankind or Beast ( which is horrible to relate) hee shal be dispensed withall and come to his orders againe, and enjoy his benefices for 36. Turnois, 9. Duckats.
The absolution of a Nunne, having played the whore, either with one, or twenty, may bee made capable of her Cloyster and of the dignities thereof, [Page 17] though it were to be made besse for 36. Tournois 9. Duckats; these few for a tast, but they have a bitter relish. I will now come to some merry passages an absolutions of an easier nature: there was one a lusty Fryar had gotten 3 Nunnes, and two citizens daughters neere to Beneventum in Italy with child, the Archbishop after some sharpe rebuke caused him onely for his penance, to say the Lords Prayer five times over, which done, he received for absolution.
A merry companion having committed many foule offences, came to his Confessour the parish Priest where he dwelt, who after he had laid open all his offences, the Priest told him his sinnes were so many and so hainous, that he could not absolve him without a great summe of money; the fellow told him he had no money, but he would give him an hare, well I am content quoth the Priest, where is she, Sir, J have her not heere, but you shall receive her when my Dog can catch her.
There was a Priest in England of late yeares, that confessed how he had shrived few women, but he lay with them, and yet our simple Recusants neither have a sence of their owne shame, nor privide a Remedy for for it. Besides of all others are apt to be drawne into disloyall practises, as by the example of Arden, Somervile, Babington, and many other in Quee Elizabeths time, of Watson Cateby, Digby, Rookwood, and the rest in King James his dayes.
[Page 18] The Rebellion in the North parts of this Realme was raised by Nicholas Morton and other Priests, when as yet there was almost neither act nor law made against Papists. And when they could not prevaile in England what broiles made they in Ireland.
Philip the second King of Spaine, at the instance of English Recusants and Priests, determined to invade this land both by Sea and Land.
By procurement of Priests and Recusants, the Duke of Guise and Don Iohn of Austria in the Queenes time, became our enemies.
All plots eyther against Prince or State were contrived and determined to bee executed by Papists, as in the Queenes dayes by W. Parry, Somervile, Ocollen, Squire with many others, and by whom else o [...] late dayes, and I cannot tell what their intentions may be in these dayes, for I am sure the Strand, Convent-garden, Drury-lane, St. Giles, and Holborne, are so replenished with Priests and their people, that they openly call one another to goe to Masse (in other places) or to Somerset house, as familiarly as one neighbour will call another to goe to one of our Churches. And as they are impudent in their owne Iustification, so are they marvailous confident in their strength, multitude, power, and greatnesse of their friends, who they are may be guessed. The manner of these is to temporize till matters be growne ripe, nay they will not stick to professe and protest deepely, for so did (sometimes) Parry, Lopez, the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland.
[Page 19] They will say and sweare they are as good Subjects to his Majestie and the State, as any protest [...]nt whatsoever, but with a mentall reserv [...]ion o [...] Father Campions old distinction Rebus Sic Stantibus, when they cannot helpe it, or time fits not their purposes, but for feare of the worst our present parliament and State in generall will have an eye unto them & their actions, I wish not their punishments aggravated, yet I say it is a great weakenesse in vs, either to suffer their insolency, or not to secure our selves against their hatred and Tyranny, I need not to stir up those whom it concerneth to vigilancy, they see these things, and I doubt not, but will see them shortly amended, in the meane time let every true patriot and lover of his Country not end ure to see the bowels of his deare Mother Country to be gnawne out by these Vipers, but as much as in him lyeth, discover, and oppose all such traitor-hearted adversaries, & maintain love and vnity among our selves ready to our vttermost to defend aswell our gracious King as Country, so shall we have peace in our dayes and our posterity (imitating our example,) remaine blessed here on earth, unto the end of the World.