Seven Jesuits condemned.
TIS not unknown to all men, what impious and refarious plots these Jesuits have often times pretended, to the utter subversion of this kingdome, and the perpetuall expulsion of true religion. Their conspiracy was almost growne to a ripe head, and their stratagems were almost come to perfect maturity; but (as it was Gods omnipotent and singular mercy towards us) they were all prevented by his supreme providence. Their plots were very lately kindled in the pernition sparkes of malice, but (we thank Gods all▪ guiding omnipotency) they never came to a full flame: which notwithstanding they intended to the sudden confusion of the church of England, and utter extirpation of christi [...]n religion. But (judicious Reader) lest I should suspend your expectation too long in this Poemium, I will no longer trespasse on your patience in this preliminary discourse, but rather come to the point, wch I am to speake of, perfect information being given to the Iudges concerning these Iesuits, what abuse and wrong they have induced to this State and kingdome, they were commanded to be brought before the Bar, and heare their tryall.
The first man that was nominated, and appeared before them was one Hamant, who after his indi [...]ement [Page] was read, would not stand to his owne defence or any excusation of himselfe, but immediatly told their Honours, that he would refer all to his Accusers, and impose whatsoever could be reflected upon him, to his Adversaries; and if they did seeke his life, he would willingly bequeath it to them Then men of credible fidelity, and of good reputation did testifie many things against him, which his conscience convicting him of, he could not deny; whereupon he was according to the Law of the Realme condemned.
The second man that appeared, was one Winefall, who was accused by many sufficient witnesses, but especially by one Carpenter (who sometimes was a Jesuite, but by Gods divine grace is now converted to our Protestant Religion) who had the tuition of foure of the said Winefals Children, and brought them up in the Iesuiticall opinions: till at length there was some difference between them, and Carpenter told him that he would no longer continue a Iesuit, but become a Protestant: whereupon Winefall did much dehort him, and would have sent both the said Carpenter, and his foure Sons to Rome, if he had not fled for it. And he related the whole story of his Iesuiticall practises, which would be too long for me to relate: and hereupon by the generall verdict of the Iudges he was condemned.
The third man, that was called, was one Cannon, who was accused of many blasphemous words that he did speake, both against our Government, and likewise against our religion: for the former, he said it was dependent on the Popes Primacie, and for the [Page] second, that it was meerely repugnant to the sacred Scripture, and Apostolicall institution: so that by conclusion in his opinion our government was illegall, and unlawfull, and our religion opposite to the sincere exposition of Gods word. But he being so resolute, and as it were obstinate in the maintainance of his erroneous conceit, was condemned incontinently.
The fourth was one Willford, who was accused of high Treason for denying the Kings Prerog [...]tive, and that he was deposed by the Pope, and would not take the Oath of Allegeance and many like trecherous speeches against our King. But I hope God will inviolably preserve this Royall Crowne, and propagate it to our flourishing posterity, when wee shall see all such Traytors hang'd. For it is unexpedient that those should enjoy the benefit of peace, who will wish no peace to Syon: but wee trust in Gods divine providence, that peace shall reign within our walls, when nothing but wars, trecherously undertaken by them, shall one day fall on their own heads.
Yet least I should seeme to digresse from my subject, I will more particularly proceed in my former course. Their Honours conceiving the full scope of his protervity, did in some manner pause a while, to conceive what death they should put him unto, answerable to his demerits: but at length it was concluded on, that he should dye with the other Confederates of his owne opinion.
Fiftly, one Ragmore was brought before the bar, & very eagerly accused for seducing the Kings subjects to Rome, and it was proved that he had won by his private suggestions, and sophisticall allurements above 30. protestants to the Court of Rome: besides many other young students in both Vniversities Then immediatly he was condemned, and committed under strong custody for his facinorous trecherie.
Sixtly, they nominated one Coleman, who was accused for speaking against our sacramentall administration, and that he affirmed, that hee could prove, the masse to be of more eficary, and withall that he would labor to the uttermost of his power to bring as many Protestants to the masse, as he could. For his Argument was this▪ that the masse was diducted out of divine institution, and from the astipulation of the Apostles. But this we know is a fabulous tale for the Apostles, and men immediatly succeeding the Apostolicall men did embrace the sacraments, which are now administred in the Church of England. Whereupon having likewise many other things indited against him, he was then with the other condemned.
Seventhly, there was one Rivers impeached, and had a strong accusation cast upon him by sufficient witnesses, that he had denyed the Kings prerogative, and did daily study with his full diligence, and sedulity to seduce many of his Majesties Subjects to Rome, and being demanded before the Court his reason for it; he answered: that our English-men of our Protestant religion in France, Spaine, Suevia, Muscovia, [Page] &c. doe with all diligence labour to bring them to the acknowledgment of their religion▪ and therefore he would but doe the like unto us, and desired their honors to consider of it: since our countrymen are permitted to converse with other Nation, and of a different religion too: that they would be pleased to suffer them likewise to continue among us with intention onely to bring them by perswasion unto that, which we deem to be truth of the Gospell. The reply was incontinently made that it was not for their religion, that they prosecuted them with the severity of Iustice, but only for their treacheries, conspiracies, and treasons, Therefore without any more argumentation, or intermission of time, he was likewise with his fellovv conspirators condemned to make their number. For as their offence and crime vvas one, so ought their punishment to be one.
Thus, Reader, you have read their treacheries, and by this you may consequently conceive their irrequiate Machinations, which they daily conspire against this Kingdome. But I hope their vvhvle crew vvill come to the like end: for questionlesse, hee that set them on vvork (I meane the Divell) vvill one day pay them their vvages,
Therefore let us pray God to confirme oer harts in loyalty to the King, and Country, and strengthen our minds with the sincere purity of his word and Gospell, to the confus [...]on of the whore of Babylon, and the utter erudication of all such Jesuiticall, and Romish Priests, the truth of Christians may prosperously flourish in the hearts of all his Majesties subjects. [Page] subjects▪ But as the body naturall is never sound, vvhereas it hath a wound,, and can never be secure untill that be purged, and cured. Even so in this body politicke, as long as these Iesuites, and the like of that faction remaine, as exul [...]erated sores among us, we cannot be sound, neither can we ever sleepe in security, untill these contaminated wounds (I may well call them so, for they wound our religion) bee fully purged, and expelled from us. Therefore vvee doubt not, but the Parliament will take these things to their judicious consideration, and vvee hope vvee shall find sudden redresse from▪ them in the establishment, and ratification of true religion, and in the perpetuall banishment of such Miscreants.
Thus they are all condemn'd to be hangd, dravvne and quartered, and shall have their sudden Execution speedily, we hope, as they have deserved.