IF there be any profeſſing the Proteſtant Religion within His Majeſties Dominions, who are yet ſo wilfully blinded, as not to believe the Reality of the late Conſpiracies, or that it has not been a long time carrying on to extirpate the Proteſtant Religion, reeſtabliſh Popery, and inthral the People in all the Three Kingdoms, let them but adviſedly fix their Eyes and Minds, upon the Enſuing Letters and Diſcoveries, and they will eaſily find Papiſtical Plots have been no new things in this Nation. To omit their attempts upon King Edward, Queen Elizabeth, and King James, theſe Papiſts make it evidently out, that the ſame Deſign, and the ſame Contrivances were on foot in the Reign of o •• late Sovereign Charles the Firſt, of Bleſſed Memory; a True Narrative whereof theſe Sheets contain, as they were found in the Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury's Study in the Tower, May 31. 1643.

The firſt who diſcover'd it, was an Actor in it, ſent hither from Rome, by Cardinal Barbarini, to aſſiſt Con, the Pope's Legat, in the purſuit of it, and privy to all the particulars; who being touch'd with remorſe of Conſcience, for being guilty of ſo deteſtable a Crime, reveal'd the whole Myſtery to Sir William Boſwell, the King's Leiger Embaſſador at the Hague, who gave private notice of the ſame to the Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, by whom it was declar'd to the King himſelf.

ALL my ſenſes are ſhaken together as often as I revolve the preſent buſineſs, neither doth my Underſtanding ſuffice, to conceive what Wind hath brought ſuch horrid things, that they ſhould ſee the Sun-ſhine by me: for unexpectedly this good Man became known unto me, who when he had heard me diſcourſing of theſe Scotch ſtirs, ſaid, that I knew not the Nerve of the buſineſs, that thoſe things which are commonly ſcattered abroad are ſuperficial. From that hour he every day became more familiar to me, who acknowledging my dexterity herein, with a full breaſt poured forth the burdens of his heart into my boſom, ſuppoſing that he had diſcharged a burden of Conſcience wherewith he was preſſed. Hence he related to me the Factions of the Jeſuits, with which the whole earthly World was aſſaulted; and ſhewed, that I might behold how through their Poiſon, Bohemia and Germany were devoured, and both of them maimed with an irreparable wound; that the ſame Plague did creep through the Realms of England and Scotland, the matter whereof, revealed in the adjacent writing, he diſcovered to me: Which things having heard, my Bowels were contracted together, my Loyns trembled with horrour, that a pernicious Gulf ſhould be prepared for ſo many thouſands of Souls: With words moving the conſcience, I inflamed the mind of the Man; he had ſcarce one hour concocted my admonitions, but he diſcloſed all the ſecrets, and he gave free liberty that I ſhould treat with thoſe whom it concerned, that they might be informed hereof. I thought no delay was to be made about the things: The ſame hour I went to Sir William Boſwell, the King's Leiger, at the Hague, who being tied with an Oath of Secrecy to me, I communicated the buſineſs to him, I admoniſhed him to weigh theſe things by the Ballance, neither to defer, but act, that thoſe who were in danger might be ſpeedily ſuccoured: He, as becomes an honeſt Man, mindful of his Duty, and having nearer looked into the buſineſs, refuſed not to obey the Monitions. Moreover, he forthwith cauſed that an Expreſs ſhould be diſpatched, and ſent word back again what a moſt acceptable Oblation this had been to the King and your Grace; for which we rejoyced from the heart, and we judged, that a ſafe and favourable Deity had interpoſed it ſelf in this buſineſs, whereby you might be perſerved.

Now that the verity of the things related might be confirmed, ſome principal heads of the conſpiracy were purpoſely pretermitted, that the knowledge of them might be extorted from the circumvented Society of the Conſpirators.

Now the things will be ſpeedily and ſafely promoted into act, if they be warily proceeded in at Bruxels. By my advice, that day ſhould be obſerved wherein the Packet of Letters are diſpatch'd, which under the Title of, To Monſieur Strario Arch-Deacon of Cambray, tyed with one cover, are delivered to the Poſt-Maſter; ſuch a Packet may be ſecretly brought back from him, yet it will be unprofitable, becauſe all the incloſed Letters are written Characteriſtically. Likewiſe another Packet coming weekly from Rome, which is brought under this ſuperſcription, To the moſt Illuſtrious Lord Count Roſſetti, Legat for the time; theſe are not to be neglected: To whom likewiſe Letters writ in the ſame Characters are included. That they may be underſtood, Reade is to be conſulted with. The forenamed day of diſpatch ſhall be expected: In Reade's Houſe an accumulated congregation may be circumvented; which ſucceeding, it will be your Graces part to order the buſineſs. The inteſtine enemy being at length detected by God's Grace, all bitterneſs of mind, which is cauſed on either ſide may be aboliſhed, buried in oblivion, deleted and quieted, the enemy be invaded on both parts: Thus the King and the Kings Friend, and both Kingdoms neer to danger, ſhall be preſerved and delivered from eminent danger.

Your Grace likewiſe may have this injunction by you, if you deſire to have the beſt advice given you by others, That you truſt not overmuch to your Purſevants, for ſome of them live under the ſtipend of the Popiſh Party. How many Rocks, how many Scilla's, how many diſpleaſed Charybdes appear before your Grace, in what a dangerous Sea, the Cock-boat of your Graces liſe, next to Shipwrack, is toſſed, your ſelf may judge; the Fore-deck of the Ship is ſpeedily to be driven to the Harbour.

All theſe things (I whiſper) into your Grace's ear, for I know it bound with an Oath of Secrecy; therefore by open name, I would by theſe Preſents become known to your Grace,

Ye had reaſon ſo to do,

It is an unanſwerable Dilemma.

I concur totally with you in opinion, aſſuring you, that no body doth, or ſhall know of this buſineſs; and to ſhew my care to conceal it, I received this but this Afternoon, and now I make this diſpatch before I ſleep. Herewith I ſend his Warrant, as you adviſe, which indeed I judge to be the better way.

I like your anſwer extreme well, and do promiſe not to deceive your confidence, nor make you break your word.

I have ſent all back. I think theſe Apoſtyles will be warrant enough for you to proceed, eſpecially, when I expreſly command you to do ſo.

In this I am as far from condemning your judgement, as ſuſpecting your Fidelity.

UPon receipt of His Majeſties Commands, with your Grace's Letters of 9, and 18, Sept. laſt, I dealt with the party to make good his Offers formerly put in mine hand, and tranſmitted to your Grace: This he hopes to have done, by the incloſed, ſo far as will be needful for His Majeſties ſatisfaction; yet if any more particular explanation or diſcovery ſhall be required by His Majeſty or your Grace, He hath promiſed to add thereunto, whatſoever he can remember, and knows of truth. And for better aſſurance and verification of his integrity, he profeſſeth himſelf ready (if required) to make Oath of what he hath already declared, or ſhall hereafter declare in the buſineſs.

His name he conjures me ſtill to conceale, though he thinks His Majeſty and your Grace, by the Character he gives of himſelf, will eaſily imagin who he is, having been known ſo generally through Court and City, as he was for three or four years, in the quality and imployment he acknowlegeth (by his Declaration incloſed) himſelf to have held.

Hereupon he doth alſo redouble his moſt humble and earneſt Suit unto His Majeſty and your Grace, to be moſt ſecret and circumſpect in the buſineſs, that he may not be ſuſpected to have diſcovered, or had a hand in the ſame.

I ſhall here humbly beſeech your Grace to let me know what I may further do for His Majeſties ſervice, or for your Graces particular behoof; that I may accordingly endeavour to approve my ſelf, As I am,

WE have willingly and cordially perceived, that our offers have been acceptable both to his Royal Majeſty, and likewiſe to your Grace. This is the only Index to us, That the bleſſing of God is preſent with you, whereby a ſpur is given, that we ſhould ſo much the more chearfully and freely utter and deteſt thoſe things whereby the hazard of both your lives, the ſubverſion of the Realm and State both of England and Scotland, the tumbling down of his Excellent Majeſty from his Throne, is intended. Now leſt the diſcourſe ſhould be enlarged with ſuperfluous circumſtances, we will only premiſe ſome things which are meerly neceſſary to the buſineſs.

You may firſt of all know, that this good man, by whom the enſuing things are detected, was born and bred in the Popiſh Religion, who ſpent many years in Eccleſiaſtical dignities. At length being found fit for the expedition of the preſent Deſign, by the counſel and mandate of the Lord Cardinal Barbarini, he was adjoyned to the aſſiſtance of Maſter Cuneus (Con) by whom he was found ſo diligent and ſedulous in his Office, that hope of great promotion was given to him. Yet he, led by the inſtinct of the good Spirit, hath, howſoever it be, contemned ſweet promiſes, and having known the vanities of the Pontifician Religion (of which he had ſometime been a moſt ſevere defender) having likewiſe noted the malice of thoſe who fight under the Popiſh banner, felt his Conſcience to be burdened; which burden that he might eaſe himſelf of, he converted his mind to the Orthodox Religion. Soon after, that he might exonerate his Conſcience, he thought fit, that a deſperate Treaſon, machinated againſt ſo many ſouls, was to be revealed, and that he ſhould receive eaſe if he vented ſuch things in the boſom of a friend: which done, he was ſeriouſly admoniſhed by the ſaid friend, that he ſhould ſhew an example of his converſion and charity, and free ſo many innocent ſouls from imminent, danger To whoſe monitions he willingly conſented, and delivered the following things to be put in writing, out of which the Articles not long ſince tendered to your Grace, may be clearly explicated and demonſtrated.

1. Firſt of all, that the hinge of the buſineſs may be rightly diſcerned, it is to be known, that all thoſe factions with which Chriſtendom is at this day ſhaken, do ariſe from the Jeſuitical Off-ſpring of Cham, of which four Orders abound throughout the World.

Of the firſt Order are Eccleſiaſticks, whoſe Office it is to take care of things promoting Religion.

Of the ſecond Order are Politicians, whoſe Office it is by any means to ſhake, trouble, and reform the ſtate of Kingdoms and Republicks.

Of the third Order are Seculars, whoſe property it is to obtrude themſelves into Offices with Kings and Princes, to inſinuate and immix themſelves in Court buſineſſes, bargains and ſales, and to be buſied in civil affairs.

Of the fourth Order are Intelligencers, (or Spies) men of inſeriour condition, who ſubmit themſelves to the ſervices of great men, Princes, Barons, Noble-men, Citizens, to deceive (or corrupt) the minds of their maſters.

2. A Society of ſo many Orders, the Kingdom of England nouriſheth: for ſcarce all Spain, France, and Italy, can yield ſo great a multitude of Jeſuits, as London alone; where are found more than 50 Scotiſh Jeſuits. There the ſaid ſociety hath elected to it ſelf a Seat of iniquity, and hath conſpired againſt the King, and the moſt faithful to the King, eſpecially the Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and likewiſe againſt both Kingdoms.

3. For it is more certain than certainty it ſelf, that the forenamed ſociety hath determined to effect an univerſal reformation of the Kingdom of England and Scotland. Therefore the determination of the end, neceſſarily infers a determination of means to the end.

4. Therefore to promote the undertaken Villany, the ſaid ſociety dubbed it ſelf with the Title of, The Congregation of propagating the Faith; which acknowlegeth the Pope of Rome the Head of the College, and Cardinal Barbarini his ſubſtitute and Executor.

5. The chief Patron of the ſociety at London, is the Popes Legat, who takes care of the buſineſs; into whoſe boſom, theſe dregs of Traytors weekly depoſite all their Intelligences. Now the reſidence of this Legation was obtained at London in the name of the Roman Pontiff, by whoſe mediation it might be lawful for Cardinal Barbarini to work ſo much the more eaſily and ſafely upon the King and Kingdom. For none elſe could ſo freely circumvent the King, as he who ſhould be palliated with the Popes Authority.

6. Maſter Cuneus did at that time enjoy the Office of the Popes Legat, an Univerſal Inſtrument of the conjured ſociety, and a ſerious Promoter of the buſineſs, whoſe ſecrets, as likewiſe thoſe of all other Intelligencers, the preſent good man, the Communicator of all theſe things, did revive and expedite whither the buſineſs required.

Cuneus ſet upon the chief men of the Kingdom, and left nothing unattempted, by what means he might corrupt them all, and incline them to the pontifician party: he inticed many with various incitements, yea, he ſought to delude the King himſelf with gifts of Pictures, Antiquities, Idols, and of other vanities brought from Rome, which yet would prevail nothing with the King.

Having entred familiarity with the King, he is often requeſted at Hampton Court, likewiſe at London, to undertake the Cauſe of the Palatine, and that he would interpoſe his Authority, and by his interceſſion perſwade the Legat of Colen, that the Palatine, in the next Diet to treat of peace, might be inſerted into the Conditions; which verily he promiſed, but performed the contrary. He writ indeed, that he had been ſo deſired by the King concerning ſuch things, yet he adviſed that they ſhould not be conſented to, left peradventure it might be ſaid by the Spaniard, that the Pope of Rome had patronized an heretical Prince.

In the mean time, Cuneus ſmelling from the Archbiſhop, moſt truſty to the King, that the Kings mind was wholly pendulous (or doubt • ul,) Reſolved, That he would move every ſtone, and apply his forces, that he might gain him to his party: Certainly conſiding, that he had a means prepared. For he had a command to offer a Cardinals Cap to the Lord Archbiſhop in the name of the Pope of Rome, and that he ſhould allure him alſo with higher promiſes, that he might corrupt his ſincere mind. Yet a ſitting occaſion was never given, whereby he might inſinuate himſelf into the Lord Archbiſhop. Free acceſs was to be gained by the Earl and Counteſs of A— likewiſe Secretary W—The interceſſion of all which being neglected, he did flie the company or familiarity of Cuneus, worſe than the plague: He was likewiſe perſwaded by others of no mean rank, well known to him, neither yet was he moved.

7. Another alſo was aſſayed, who hindred acceſs to the deteſtable wickedneſs, Secretary Cook, he was a moſt bitter hater of the Jeſuits, whom he intercepted from acceſs to the King, he entertained many (of them) according to their deſerts, he diligently enquired into their factions; by which means every incitement, breathing a magnetical (attractive) power to the Popiſh party, was ineffectual with him; for nothing was ſo dear unto him, that might incline him to wickedneſs. Hereupon being made odious to the Patrons of the Conſpiracy, he was endangered to be diſcharged from his Office; it was laboured for three years ſpace, and at laſt obtained.

Yet notwithſtanding there remained on the Kings part a knot hard to be untied, for the Lord Arch-Biſhop, by his conſtancy, interpoſed himſelf as a moſt hard rock.

When Cuneus had underſtood from the Lord Arch-Biſhops part, that he had laboured in vain, his malice and the whole Societies waxed boyling hot: ſoon after ambuſhes began to be prepared, wherewith the Lord Arch-Biſhop together with the King ſhould be taken.

Likewiſe a ſentence is paſſed againſt the King (for whoſe ſake all this buſineſs is diſpoſed) becauſe nothing is hoped from him which might ſeem to promote the Popiſh Religion; but eſpecially when he had opened his mind, that he was of this opinion, That every one might be ſaved in his own Religion, ſo as he be an honeſt and pious man.

8. To perpetrate the Treaſon undertaken, the criminal Execution at Weſtminſter, cauſed by ſome Writings of Puritans, gave occaſion of the firſt Fire: which thing was ſo much exaſperated and exaggerated by the Papiſts to the Puritans, that if it remained unrevenged, it would be thought a blemiſh to their Religion; The Flames of which Fire, the Scotch Book of Prayers increaſes, occaſioned by it's alterations.

9. In this heat, a certain Scotiſh Earl, called Maxſield, if I miſtake not, was expedited to the Scots by the Popiſh Party; with whom two other Scotiſh Earls, Papiſts, held correſpondency: He was to ſtir up the People to Commotion, and rub over the injury afreſh, that he might enſlame their minds, precipitate them to Arms, by which the hurtful diſturber of the Scotiſh Liberty might be ſlain.

10. By this one labour, ſnares are prepared for the King; for this purpoſe the preſent buſineſs was ſo ordered, That very many of the Engliſh ſhould adhere to the Scots; That the King ſhould remain inſeriour in Arms, who (thereupon) ſhould be compelled to crave aſſiſtance from the Papiſts, which yet he ſhould not obtain, unleſs he would deſcend unto conditions, by which he ſhould permit Univerſal liberty of the exerciſe of the Popiſh Religion; for ſo the affairs of the Papiſts would ſucceed according to their deſire. To which conſent, if he ſhould ſhew himſelf more difficult, there ſhould be a preſent remedy at hand. The King is to be diſpatched: For an Indian Nut, ſtuffed with moſt ſharp Poyſon, is kept in the Society (which Cuneus at that time ſhewed often to me in a boaſting manner) wherein a Poyſon was prepared for the King; after the Example of his Father.

11. In this Scottiſh Commotion, the Marqueſs of Hamilton, often diſpatched to the Scots in the Name of the King, to interpoſe the Royal Authority, whereby the heat of minds might be mittigated, returned notwithſtanding as often without fruit, and without ending the Buſineſs: His Chaplain at that time repaired to us, who communicated ſome things ſecretly with Cuneus. Being demanded of me in jeſt, Whether alſo the Jews agreed with the Samaritans? Cuneus thereunto anſwered; Would to God all Miniſters were ſuch as he: What you will may be hence conjectured.

12. Things ſtanding thus, there arrived at London from Cardinal Richelieu, Mr. Thomas Chamberlaine, his Chaplain and Almoner, a Scot by Nation, who was to aſſiſt the College of the confederate Society, and ſeriouſly to ſet forward the Buſineſs, to leave nothing unattempted, whereby the firſt heat might be exaſperated. For which ſervice he was promiſed the reward of a Biſhoprick; He cohabited with the Society four Months ſpace; neither was it lawful for him firſt to depart, until things ſucceeding according to his wiſh, he might be able to return back again with good news.

13. Sir Toby Matthew, a Jeſuited Prieſt, of the Order of Politicians, a moſt vigilant man of the chief heads, to whom a Bed was never ſo dear, that he would reſt his head thereon, refreſhing his Body with ſleep in a Chair for an hour, or two, neither day nor night ſpared his Machinations; a Man principally noxious, and himſelf the Plague of the King and Kingdom of England; a moſt impudent man, who flies to all Banquets and Feaſts, called or not called; never quiet, always in action and perpetual motion; thruſting himſelf into all Converſations of Superiours; he urgeth Conferences familiarly, that he may fiſh out the minds of Men; What ever he obſerveth thence, which may bring any commodity, or diſcommodity to the part of the Conſpirators, he communicates to the Pope's Legat; the more ſecret things he himſelf writes to the Pope, or to Cardinal Barbarini. In ſum, he adjoins himſelf to any mans company; no word can be ſpoken, that he will not lay hold on, and accommodate to his Party. In the mean time, whatever he hath fiſhed out, he reduceth into a Catalogue, and every Summer carrieth it to the general Conſiſtory of the Jeſuits Politicks, which ſecretly meets together in the Province of Wales, where he is an acceptable gueſt. There Counſels are ſecretly hammered, which are moſt meet for the Convulſion of the Eccleſiaſtic, and Politic Eſtate of both Kingdoms.

14. Captain Read, a Scot, dwelling in Long-acre-ſtreet, near the Angel Tavern, a ſecular Jeſuit, who for his deteſtable office performed (whereby he had perverted a certain Miniſter of the Church, with ſecret incitements to the Popiſh Religion, with all his Family, taking his Daughter to Wife) for a recompence, obtained a Rent, or Impoſt upon Butter, which the Country People are bound to render to him, procured for him by ſome chief men of the Society, who never want a ſpur, whereby he may be conſtantly detained in his Office. In his Houſe the buſineſs of the whole Plot is concluded, where the Society, which hath conſpired againſt the King, the Lord ArchBiſhop, and both Kingdoms, meet together, for the moſt part every day: But on the day of the Carriers (or Poſts) diſpatch, which is ordinarily Friday, they meet in greater numbers; for then all the Intelligencers aſſemble, and conſer in common, what things every of them hath fiſhed out that Week; who, that they may be without ſuſpition, ſend their ſecrets by Sir Toby Matthew, or Read himſelf, to the Pope's Legat; he tranſmits the compacted Packet, which he hath purchaſed from the Intelligencers, to Rome.

With the ſame Read, the Letters brought from Rome are depoſited, under ſained Titles and Names, and by him are delivered to all to whom they appertain: For all and every of their Names are known to him.

Upon the very ſame occaſion, Letters alſo are brought hither under the covert of Father Philip; (he notwithſtanding, being ignorant of things) from whom they are diſtributed to the Conſpirators.

There is in that very Houſe, a publick Chappel, wherein an ordinary Jeſuit Conſecrates, and dwells there. In the ſaid Chappel Maſſes are daily celebrated by the Jeſuits, and it ſerves for the Baptizing of the Children of the Houſe, and of ſome of the Conſpirators.

Thoſe who aſſemble in the forenamed Houſe, come frequently in Coaches, or on Horſe-back in Lay-mens Habit, and with a great Train, wherewith they are diſguiſed, that they may not be known, yet they are Jeſuits, and conjured members of the Society.

15. All the Papiſts of England contribute to this Aſſembly, lest any thing ſhould be wanting to promote the undertaken Deſign. Out of whoſe Treaſury, a Widow, owner of the Houſes, wherein Secretary W. now dwelleth, dead above three Years ſince, beſtowed forty Thouſand Engliſh Pounds; ſo likewiſe others contributed above their abilities, ſo as the buſineſs may be promoted unto its deſired end.

16. Beſides the foreſaid Houſes, there are Conventicles alſo kept in other more ſecret places, of which they dare not conſide, even among themſelves, for fear leſt they ſhould be diſcovered. Firſt, every of them are called to certain Inns, (one not knowing of the other;) hence they are ſeverally led by Spies to the place where they ought to meet; otherwiſe ignorant where they ought to aſſemble, left peradventure they ſhould be ſurpriſed at unawares.

17. The Counteſs of A— a ſtrenuous She-Champion of the Popiſh Religion, bends all her Nerves to the Univerſal Reformation; whatſoever ſhe hears at the King's Court, that is done ſecretly, or openly, in words or deeds, ſhe preſently imparts to the Pope's Legat, with whom ſhe meets thrice a day. Sometimes in A—Houſe, now at the Court, then at Tarthal. He ſearce ſucks ſuch things by the Claw.

The Earl himſelf, called now about three years ſince, this year ought to go to Rome, without doubt to conſult there of ſerious things concerning the Deſign.

At Greenwich, at the Earls coſt, a Feminine School is maintained, which otherwiſe is a Monaſtery of Nuns; for the young Girls therein, are ſent forth hither and thither, into Foreign Monaſteries beyond the Seas.

Mr. P— of the King's Bed-Chamber, moſt addicted to the Popiſh Religion, is a bitter enemy of the King, he reveals all his greateſt Secrets to the Pope's Legat; although he very rarely meets with him, yet his Wife meets him ſo much the oſtner, who being informed by her Husband, conveys ſecrets to the Legat. In all his actions, he is nothing inſeriour to Sir Toby Matthew; it cannot be uttered, how diligently he watcheth on the buſineſs.

His Sons are ſecretly inſtructed in the Popiſh Religion; openly, they proſeſs the Reformed. The eldeſt is now to receive his Fathers Office, under the King which ſhall be. A Cardinal's Hat is provided for the other, if the Deſign ſhall ſucceed well.

Above three Years paſt, the ſaid Mr. P—was to be ſent away by the King to Marocco; but he was prohibited by the Society, leſt the buſineſs ſhould ſuffer delay thereby.

He is a Patron of the Jeſuits, for whom, for the exerciſe of Religion, he provides Chappels both at home and abroad.

Secretary W— a moſt fierce Papiſt, is the moſt unfaithful to the King of all men, who not only betrays and reveals even the King's greateſt ſecrets, but likewiſe communicates Counſels, by which the Deſign may be beſt advanced. He, at leaſt thrice every Week, converſeth with the Legat in Nocturnal Conventicles, and reveals thoſe things which he thinks fit to be known; for which end, he hired a Houſe near to the Legats Houſe, whom he often reſorts to, through the Garden door; for by this vicinity, the meeting is facilitated.

The ſaid Secretary is bribed with Gifts to the Party of that conjured Society, by whom he is ſuſtained, that he may the more ſeriouſly execute his Office.

He ſent his Son expreſly to Rome, who was to inſinuate himſelf into the Roman Pontif.

Sir D— Sir W— Mr. M— the younger, who hath been at Rome; my Lord S— a Couſen of the Earl of A— the Counteſs of N— the Durcheſs of B— and many others, who have ſworn into this Conſpiracy, are all moſt vigilant in the Deſign. Some of theſe are inticed with the hope of Court, others of Political Offices; Others attend to the ſixteen Cardinals Caps that are vacant, which are therefore detained idle for ſome years, that they may impoſe a vain hope on thoſe who expect them.

The Preſident of the aforeſaid Society was my Lord Gage, a Jeſuit Prieſt, dead above three years ſince. He had a Palace adorned with laſcivious Pictures, which counterfeited Profaneneſs in the Houſe, but with them was palliated a Monaſtery, wherein forty Nuns were maintained, hid in ſo great a Palace: It is ſituated in Queen-ſtreet, which the Statue of a Golden Queen adorns. The ſecular Jeſuits have bought all this Street, and have deſign'd it into a Quadrangle, where a Jeſuitical College is built in private, with this hope, that it might be openly finiſhed, as ſoon as the univerſal reformation was begun.

The Pope's Legat uſeth a threefold Character or Cipher; one of which he communicates with all Nuncioes; another, with Cardinal Barbarini only; with a third, he covers ſome greater ſecrets to be communicated.

Whatſoever things he either receiveth from the Society, or other Spies, thoſe he packs up together in one bundle, dedicated under this Inſcription; To Monſieur Stravio, Arch-deacon of Cambray: From whom at laſt they are promoted to Rome.

Theſe things being thus ordered, if every thing be laid to the Ballance, it will ſatisfie in ſpecial, all the Articles propounded.

If theſe things be warily proceeded in, the ſtrength of the whole buſineſs will be brought to light; ſo the arrow being foreſeen, the danger ſhall be avoided; which that it may proſperouſly ſucceed, the Omnipotent Creator grant.

WHoever ſhall Compare the before-recited PLOT againſt King Charles the Firſt, of Glorious Memory, with that againſt His moſt Sacred Majeſty now Reigning; ſhall find them ſo like in all the Parts and Circumſtances, that never were two Brothers more: the Deſign the ſame, the Contrivance the ſame, the Working and Machination, all moving upon the ſame Wheels of KING-killing, and State-deſtraction; and in reference to Condition, Quality, Religion, and Motive, the Conſpirators the very ſame. From whence it follows, that there is no ſuch Improbability of the Late diſcoverd PLOT, as the Papiſts would have us believe. An ill Name is half a Conviction; Quo ſemel eſt imbuta recens, & natur am expellas furcalicet, are the Jeſuits Merals: Plot, Contrivance, and Cruelty are ſo much the Eſſential Attributes of Jeſuitiſm, as if like ſo many Romuluſſes and Remuſſes they had ſuckt the Milk of Wolves rather than of Chriſtian Mothers, that when you hear of Plot's and Deſigns againſt Kings and Princes, you may be aſſur'd what ſort of Cyclops were the Forgers of ſuch Conſpiracies.

Neither is this bare Allegation, but Matter of Fact, there being nothing more frequently taught, nor more frequantly practis'd, than the rebellious Principles of the Jeſuits and their Adherents. How abominably the Reigns of ſeveral of our Princes here in England has been peſter'd with this Generation of Vipers and Blood-ſuckers, the Penal Statutes of the Kingdom, and the utter Expulſion of the Popiſh Prieſts and Jeſuits out of the Nation, are convincing Evidences. And as to their Behaviour in other Countries, take this following Account.

Firſt then it is a Maxim moſt true and undoubted, That a Vacuum in Nature may be as ſoon allow'd, as that there is any Court of King or Prince where theſe Jeſuits do not ſwarm and abound, if they can but creep in at the leaſt Creviſs. To come to particulars, we will begin with Portugal, a Kingdom altogether acknowledging the Papal Juriſdiction.

In the Year 1578. the Jeſuits perſwaded Sebaſtian King of that Kingdom, to undertake that Fatal Expedition into Africa, to the end that by his ruin they night transfer the Kingdom to the Dominion of the Spaniard. The Succeſs anſwer'd their Expectation, for Sebaſtian being cut off, together with his Son, and the greateſt part of the Portugal Nobility, preſently Philip King of Spain prepares to invade Portugal with two powerful Armies: But well knowing how little Right he had on his ſide, and how much he ſhould be cenſur'd as well in Italy as in Portugal for ſuch an Action, he began to make it a Point of Conſcience, and referr'd his Scruples to be diſcuſs'd by the Jeſuits and Franciſcans in the Colledge of Alcana de Henares, and of them he deſires to know, Whether if it were apparent that he had a Right to the Crown of Portugal by the Death of Henry, he were not oblig'd in Conſcience to ſubmit himſelf to ſome Tribunal, that ſhould adjudge the Kingdom to him. Secondly, Whether if the Portugals ſhould refuſe to admit him for their King before the difference were decided between the Competitors, he might not by force of Arms Inveſt himſelf in the Kingdom by his own Authority. To which the Jeſuits and Franciſcans made anſwer, That Philip was bound by no tye of Conſcience to ſubject himſelf to the Will of another, but might act as he ſaw fitting by his own Authority. Which flattering Sentence of thoſe irreligious Cuſuiſts being approved by Philip, he preſently began the War. In the heat of which War, the Jeſuits were they that would have betray'd the chiefeſt of the Azores Iſlands to the Spaniards, which ſo incens'd the People, that ſome would have had them try'd for their lives, others would have had them and their Colledge burnt together.

In France, Joane Albret Queen of Navarr, was poyſoned with a pair of Perfumed Gloves, at the procurement of the Jeſuits, for being the Patroneſs of thoſe of the Reformed Religion.

That Rebellious League of the Guizes againſt Henry the Third of France, was carried on and promoted by the Jeſuits, both at Paris and other places: Inſomuch, that when the League got ſtrength and began to appear, the Jeſuits making a wrong uſe of their Power of Confeſſing and Abſolving, would Abſolve none that profeſſed themſelves obedient Subjects to the King. This unfortunate Prince was not only harraſs'd and tormented by this Villanous and Jeſuitical League, not only driven out of his chief City, but at length at the Inſtigation of the Jeſuits, ſtabb'd and murder'd by a Dominican Monk, by them procur'd. The Murder was alſo applauded by Pope Sixtus the Fifth, in a long Oration ſpoke in a full Conſiſtory of Cardinals in theſe words: That a Monk (ſaith he) ſhould kill the unfortunate King of France in the midſt of his Army, was a rare, noble, and memorable Act. And a little further; This Act, ſaith he, was done by the Providence of God, deſign'd by the Inſpiration of the Holy Ghost; a far greater Act than that of Judith, who ſlew Holofernes. Expreſſions rather becoming the Mouth of a Devil, than of a Vicar of Chriſt.

After him Henry the Fourth was firſt attempted by Barrier, exhorted and confirm'd in the lawfulneſs of the Fact by Varada the Jeſuit, and others of the ſame Gang. Secondly by John Caſtell, at the Inſtigation of Gueret and Guignard, both Jeſuits: And Francis Verona the Jeſuit, publiſht an Apology in vindication and juſtification of the Fact: And laſtly, murder'd out-right by Francis Ravaillac a great Diſciple of the Jeſuits. And for no worſe Pranks than theſe, they were baniſhed out of France by Decree of Parliament, As Corrupters of Youth, Diſturbers of the public Peace, and Enemies to the King and Kingdom. Truly very honourable Characters for thoſe that pretend to be of the Society of Jeſus.

The Venetians expell'd them upon this occaſion: The Senate obſerving that the Eccleſiaſtics, eſpecially the Jeſuits, began to engroſs Lands and Houſes of their Territories under the pretence of Legacies, to the great damage of the Public Income, thought it convenient to put a ſtop to this Jeſuitical Engroſſment; and provide by Law that Eccleſiaſtical Perſons ſhould not poſſeſs all the Temporal Eſtates in their Territories to themſelves, but give leave for others to ſhare with them, it being poſitively againſt the Conſtitution of their Order, and the Inſtitution of Chriſt their Founder. The Jeſuits took this in great dudgeon, and wrote to Pope Paul the Fifth about it.

The Venetians being ſummon'd to anſwer, would not relinquiſh their Right, Proteſting withal, that they had the Supreme Juriſdiction in their own Territories, and conſequently to make Laws; and that the Pope had nothing to do with them in thoſe Matters. Upon which Anſwer, the Pope thunders out his Excommunication. The Duke and Senate by public Decree condemn the Excommunication as unjuſt and invalid; which done, they call the whole Body of their Clergy, and to them declare how Affairs ſtood. The elder ſort take part with the Commonwealth, and maintain the Argument againſt the Pope in writing, among whom Paulus Venetus was moſt eminently Signal: The Jeſuits not enduring the kneeneſs of his Reaſons, hire two Ruffians, and upon the fifth of October, 1607. ſet them to aſſaſſinate Paulus Venetus, who thinking they had done his work, left him for dead, and fled away. This was ſomething near Sir Edmundbury Godfreys Caſe. The Senate hearing this, by a new Law baniſh the Jeſuits for ever out of their Territories, and cut them off from all hope of ever returning: And this was their Fortune in Venice.

In the year 1609. the Bohemians made a Complaint to the Emperour againſt the Jeſuits, for the ſame Encroachments of which the Venetians had accuſed them before, deſiring of Caſar that they might no longer be permitted to tranſfer and tranſlate into their own poſſeſſion ſuch ample Patrimonies, under pretence of Donations and Legacies, as they did continually. Of which when the Emperour took little notice, they were by the Bohemian States themſelves in the year 1618. utterly expelled out of that Nation for ever, with theſe Characters: 1. That they were laviſh Waſters of the Public Peace and Tranquility of the Nation. 2. That they endeavour'd to ſubject all Kingdoms and Nations to the Power of the Pope. 3. That they did nothing but ſet the Magiſtrates together by the Ears. 4. That they made particular Advantage of Confeſſions, to the deſtruction of the people: with many other Crimes of the ſame nature.

The ſame year they were expell'd out of Moravia for the ſame Reaſons; and the next year out of Hungaria for the ſame Cauſes. In Sileſia alſo a Decree was made, That the Jeſuits ſhould not enter that Province upon pain of Death, as being the onely means to preſerve peace in the Nation.

As to other Villanies in Poland, a Polonian Knight, himſelf a Papiſt, in an Oration by him made in a full Aſſembly of the Polonian Nobility, declares, That Cracow the moſt Famous City of Poland, and Ornament of the Kingdom, was ſo plagu'd by the Jeſuits, that ſeveral good men, though Catholicks, affirmed, That they would rather live in the Woods among wild Beaſts, than abide in the City. One time among the reſt, theſe Jeſuits having brought their Conſpiracy to perfection, brake into the moſt ancient Monument of Antiquity in the City, and to the great danger of the whole City, ſet it on Fire, as being granted to the Evangelics by Conſent of the King, and States of the Kingdom.

In Poſnania another great City of the ſame Kingdom, they ſet Fire on the Church belonging to thoſe of the Auguſtan Confeſſion, and committed ſo many Inſolencies without Controul, that the Nobility refus'd to meet at the Dyet ſhortly after to be held at Warſaw, reſolving to repair further off to Lublin, for the redreſs of theſe Miſdemeanours. Neither indeed was there any thing more grievouſly burdenſom to that Kingdom than the Pride and Avarice of thoſe Miſcreants.

In Muſcovy, upon the Death of the Great Duke Baſilowich, the Jeſuits ſet up one Demetrius againſt the lawful Heir, who had made them large Promiſes, if he obtain'd the Dukedom. Thereupon by the help of theſe Jeſuits, the ſaid Demetrius gets Aid from the King of Poland, which was not onely the Occaſion of a great War in Muſcovy, but had like to have coſt them the Alteration of their Laws, and loſs of their ancient Cuſtoms and Priviledges, had they not prevented it by a deſperate Attempt upon the Impoſtor, and put him to Death; ſurrounded with Impoſtors and Jeſuits.

The Tranſilvanians publicly and with one Conſent laid all the Cauſe of their Miſeries and Calamities, upon the Subtilties and Contrivances of the Jeſuits, for which reaſon by a Public Decree of the States of that Province, they were Ejected out of the limits of their Territories. Nevertheleſs they ſecretly fomented the Ruin of that Country, and were the reaſon that Sigiſmund Bathor involv'd himſelf in War and Trouble, and at length died an inglorious and miſerable Death.

By their Contrivance alſo Stephen Potski, Prince of Tranſilvania, oppoſing their Bloody Sect, was put out of the way, as they call it, by Poyſon, in the year 1607.

In Styria and Carinthia, Provinces of Germany, they never left till they had voided thoſe Provinees of all the Inhabitants of the Reformed Religion.

In Holland, they never left till they ſaw the Blood of William Prince of Orange, ſpilt by the trayterous Hand of Balthaſar Gerard, a Burgundian and Diſciple of their own.

The ſame Attempts did Peter de Tour, and other Ruffians make upon the perſon of Maurice his Son, a brave and Martial Prince, and all at the Inſtigation of the Jeſuits, thoſe Inſatiable Sons of BLOOD and PERDITION.

THe late PLOT of the Romiſh Prieſts and Jeſuits for murdering His Majeſty, ſubverting the Government and Proteſtant Religion, and introducing Popery, being proved by undeniable Evidences and Circumſtances; the cunning Jeſuits thought it their beſt way (ſince peoples Eyes were too open to be made believe there was no PLOT) to confeſs there was a Plot, and to aggravate it too; but withal to uſe their utmoſt skill to prove, That this Plot was not a Popiſh-Plot, as was generally believed, but a pure Deſign of the Presbyterians, and other Diſſenters from the Proteſtant Church of England, to ruin the Loyal Roman Chatholiques, whilſt indeed themſelves were the Conſpirators; who (whereas they gave out that the Papiſts intended by murdering the King, &c. to bring in Popery) really intended by killing His Majeſty, to Introduce Presbytery and a Commonwealth, and ſo at one Blow ſubvert the Government both in Church and State, and then to ſet up a new one of their own under the Name of Conſervators of the Liberties of England: And for this purpoſe they had ſecretly given out Commiſſions for raiſing an Army, the principal Officers whereof were ſuch Perſons who ſeemed to have the greateſt ſhare in the Peoples Affections.

This Deſign being agreed to by theſe Helliſh Miſcreants, all poſſible Diligence was uſed to bring it to Execution; and for this purpoſe they drew up the Scheme of a Government they intended to Impeach ſeveral of the truly Loyal Nobility and Gentry, and the whole Body of Diſſenting Proteſtants, of conſpiring. This being done, they began to form Letters of Intelligence concerning this Presbyterian Plot, and alſo to provide themſelves with Perſons to Swear for the Truth of their Allegations. To this end Mrs. Cellier (a zealous Papiſt, and Midwife to the Lady Powis, and other Roman Catholic Ladies) procures the Enlargement of one Willonghby, aliàs Dangerfield, aliàs Thomas, aliàs Day, who had been a Priſoner in Newgate about ſix Weeks, and had been Convicted once at Salisbury Aſſizes, (where he was fined Five pounds, and ſentenced to ſtand Three ſeveral times in the Pillory, which he did twice, and then brake Priſon and eſcaped;) and twice at the Old Bailey, for uttering falſe Guineys, (where for the firſt Offence he was fined Fifty pounds, and for the ſecond he got His Majeſties Pardon.) He was no ſooner releaſed from Newgate, but he was Arreſted and thrown into the Counter, from whence by the means of Banniſter and Scarlet ſhe got him removed to the King's-Bench, where (after ſome fruitleſs attempts to get ſome Papers relating to Captain Bedlow from one Strode a Priſoner there) he was furniſhed with Money by the five Lords in the Tower, viz. the Lord Bellaſis, the Lord Powis, the Lord Petre, the Lord Arundel, and the Lord Stafford, (Mrs. Cellier alſo giving him 5 l.) to Compound all his Debts, &c. Before Mrs. Cellier would diſcharge him from Newgate, ſhe made tryal of his Wit, by ordering him to draw up Articles according as ſhe directed, againſt Captain Richardſon, which he perform'd to her liking, and confirm'd her in the Choice ſhe had made of his being a fit perſon to carry on the Deſigned Plot. The general Eſteem the Conſpirators had of him is evident by the Truſt they repoſed in him; for though they had ſeveral Others to carry on their New Plot, yet he appears to have the chief Management of it.

Being now fuſticiently provided with Inſtruments to execute their Damnable Deſigns, this Dangerfield was recommended to His Majeſty by a Great Perſon, as one who was much concerned in a Plot of the Presbyterians againſ • His Life and Government, and that from time to time he would make diſcovery thereof. Thus they endeavoured to inſinuate into His Majeſties Mind a belief of the Plot, that he might not be ſurpriz'd at the Diſcovery they intended to make.

Another of the intended Actors in this Tragedy, was Thomas Courtees, once a Clerk to Sir William Bucknal, one of the Exciſe Farmers, then a Servant to Mr. Henry Nevil, and after to a worthy Member of Parliament; from whoſe Service, he fell into a lewd courſe of life: But being thought a Man fit for the Deſign in hand, he was entertained for one of the Witneſſes. This Perſon was very induſtrious in promoting a Belief of this Presbyterian Plot; for being well acquainted with Mrs. Bradley, who keeps the Houſe called Heaven in Old Palace-Yard; and there being a Club of ſeveral honeſt Gentlemen kept at her Houſe, he deſired her to bring him into their Company, which ſhe promiſed to endeavour. Diſcourſing with her about the late Plot, he told her, that it would ſhortly appear to be a Plot of the Presbyterians, and that they were privately giving out Commiſſions for raiſing an Army: Whereupon ſhe demanded, who gave out the Commiſſions; to which he replyed, it was Mr. Blood; and added further, That if ſhe would uſe her Intereſt with Mr. Blood, to get a Commiſſion for him, though it were but for an Enſign, he would give her 100 l. and told her alſo that he ſhould get 5000 l. by it. Mrs. Bradley told this to Mr. Blood, who fearing the Conſequence, acquainted His Majeſty therewith, and from Him received Encouragement to make a further Inquiry into this Matter. Mr. Blood hereupon deſired the Woman to keep ſtill her Correſpondency with Courtees, and if poſſible to find out the Myſtery of this Buſineſs. Courtees came ſeveral times afterwards to the Houſe, and diſcourſed freely with her about the before-mentioned Matter, and told her, that he knew ſeven or eight perſons who were employed upon the ſame account as he was.

But that which follows put a ſtop to his proceedings, and made theſe wicked Agents carry themſelves more warily.

The Jeſuits thought it not ſufficient to throw the Plot upon the Presbyterians, unleſs they could likewiſe bring off the Evidence that had ſworn againſt them, and by getting them to recant, put their Innocency out of Queſtion. For this purpoſe Mr. Dugdale, one of the Kings Evidence, is attempted by one Mrs. Price, (for whom it is ſaid Mr. Dugdale had formerly ſome kindneſs;) ſhe warily diſcovers her Deſign, and he as warily entertains it; and after ſome Treaty, one Mr. Tesborough appears in the Caſe. They promis'd Mr. Dugdale a great Sum of Money, upon condition that he would Recant what he had Sworn, and Sign a Paper, which they had ready drawn up to this effect.

Having done this, they told him he might immediately withdraw himſelf beyond the Seas into Spain, where he ſhould be honourably entertained, during his ſtay there, which ſhould be no longer than till they had brought their Deſigns to their deſired End, and then he ſhould be recalled, and have both Riches and Honour conferr'd upon him as a Reward for faithfully ſerving the Catholick Intereſt. Mr. Dugdale ſeemed willing to agree to their Propoſals, (though at the ſame time he acquainted ſeveral honeſt Gentlemen of every particular that paſſed) if the Reward could be aſcertained to him; but as for the two Propoſers he would not take their Security for it; whereupon they offered the Security of a Forein Ambaſſador, but he told them that he thought him a Perſon not fit for Security, becauſe he might ſuddenly be commanded home, and then he could have no remedy againſt him. Then they propoſed ſeveral others, whoſe Security they ſaid he need not queſtion; but ſtill he found a plauſible Excuſe; his Deſign being onely to gain time, that he might make a further Diſcovery who ſet them on work. His Delays created a Jealouſie in them, that he never intended to anſwer their Deſires; wherefore leaſt he ſhould diſcover this Treaty, and render them liable to puniſhment, (as it happened in Mr. Readings Caſe) they were reſolved to begin with him firſt; and by the aſſiſtance of a great Perſon, a Complaint was made againſt Mr. Dugdale, That he offered for a Sum of Money to Recant his Evidence, and that he would have Signed ſuch a Paper as before-mentioned; adding withal, that it was a lamentable thing to conſider how much Blood had been ſhed upon ſuch Evidence. Upon this Mr. Dugdale was ſummoned before the King and Council, where giving a full Relation of the Affair, and having thoſe Gentlemen ready, whom he had all along acquainted with the Intrigue to prove what he ſaid; and it plainly appearing, that Mrs. Price and Mr. Tesbrough had endeavoured to take off the Kings Evidence, they were both committed to ſafe Cuſtody. This it was that alarm'd Courtees.

Mr. Dangerfield in this time had been employed to murder the Earl of Shaftsbury, which he twice attempted, but could not meet with an opportunity, the Earl refuſing to ſpeak in private with him; which he urged, under pretence that he had ſomething to reveal to his Lordſhip of great Concern to his Lordſhips Perſon. He waited on his Lordſhip by the Name of Day, and went armed with a Dagger, which he received from Mrs. Cellier, to whom three or four were brought by Mr. Rigaut. To perform this Murther, he was promiſed 500 l. by the Lords Powis and Arundel, (the Lord Arundel giving him then 10 Guineys) and encouraged by the Lady Abergaveny, Lady Powis, Mrs. Cellier, and others, and his Confeſſor Sharp conjur'd him to ſtab him with all poſſible ſpeed. After his firſt diſappointment, they adviſed him to tell the Earl that he was in danger of being Impeached for High Treaſon, and that from Letters under his own hand; and that when he ſhould find himſelf in the Tower, he would have cauſe to repent that he had refuſed to hear what he had to tell him. Theſe Inſtructions he followed, and told his Lordſhip that his Servants had Copied out his Letters, from whence would be drawn Matter to form an Impeachment: But the Earl would not be Wheadled by this to give him a private Audience, and thereby adminiſter to him an opportunity of taking away his Life; but askt him which of his Servants they were that had Copied out his Letters: To which Dangerfield replyed, That he knew not. Then the Earl anſwered, That he knew that all he ſaid was falſe, for that if his Letters were made known to all the World, there would not be found Matter ſufficient to endanger the leaſt Hair of his Head, much leſs to form an Impeachment. Whereupon Dangerfield told him, That if that was his Lordſhips Opinion, he would take his leave; and ſo departed, leaving his Lordſhip a little jealous of his Intentions.

The Lady Powis would have perſwaded him upon a Third Attempt, which he refuſing, ſhe ſtruck him gently on the Hand with her Fan, calling him Cowhearted Fellow, telling him, ſhe would do it her ſelf; but Mrs. Cellier told her, that ſhould not be, for She would perform it. In order to which, the very next day ſhe went armed with a Dagger, to wait upon his Lordſhip, who received her very civilly; but being made more wary than formerly, by Dangerfields laſt carriage, he ſtrictly obſerv'd her, and perceiving her fumbling about her Pocket, betwixt Jeſt and Earneſt, he clapt his hands upon hers, and there held them, pleaſantly drolling with her till ſhe was ready to depart; but ſhe was not gone ſo far as the Door, before ſhe offer'd to return, which his Lordſhip obſerving, ſtept to her again, and clapping his hands upon hers, quite daſht her out of Countenance; ſo that ſhe departed without attempting further. Thus was his Lordſhip thrice, by Divine Providence, miraculouſly preſerved from the bloody hands of Papiſts.

The Plot being now ripe for Execution, and Treaſonable Letters ready written, to be conveyed into the Cuſtody of ſuch Perſons they intended to Accuſe, and two or more Witneſſes prepared to ſwear the Delivery and Receit of ſuch Letters or Commiſſions againſt every man in their black Liſt; Dangerfield under the Name of Thomas, takes a Lodging in Ax-Yard in Weſtminſter, (pretending himſelf a Country-Gentleman) where lay one Colonel Manſel, whoſe Chamber he ſoon made himſelf acquainted with, and therein conveyed about Nine or Ten of the aforeſaid Treaſonable Letters, ſuperſcribed to ſeveral honeſt Gentlemen and Perſons of Quality, ſome of which were Favourers of the Diſſenting Proteſtants: When he had ſo done, he informed ſome of the Officers belonging to the Cuſtom Houſe, That in that Houſe there was concealed great Quantities of French Lace, and other prohibited Goods, deſiring them the next Morning to bring a Warrant with them and ſearch the Houſe, which they promiſed. At Night he brought one Captain Bedford to lie with him (as is ſuppoſed) that he might be a Witneſs againſt the Colonel: Next Morning after the Colonel was gone forth, came the Officers to ſearch for prohibited Goods; Dangerfield was very officious in aſſiſting them to ſearch the Colonel • Chamber, and at length from behind the Bed brings forth the beforementioned Pacquet of Letters; upon which, caſting his Eyes, and ſeeming ſurprized, he cryed out, Treaſon, Theſe are all Treaſonable Letters; Whereupon the Officers carried them away to the Commiſſioners: But the Colonel coming in ſoon after, and being acquainted with all that had paſt in his abſence, found means to retrieve them again; and when he had ſo done, he made ſome Enquiry after Dangerfield, of whoſe Quality being well informed, he carried the Letters to His Majeſty, with Proteſtations of his own Innocency, and Dangerfield's Villany. Whereupon on the 23. of October, the Council ordered Dangerfield to be taken into Cuſtody by a Meſſenger, and after a full hearing of the Buſineſs before them, Oobct. 27. they Committed him to Newgate.

When Colonel Manſel had thus detected Dangerfield, the above-mentioued Captain Bedford came in very generouſly of himſelf, and confeſſed ſeveral things he was privy to, amongſt which, one was, That this 'Dangerfield would have perſwaded him to ſwear that Sir Thomas Player ſpoke Treaſon, thereby to have taken away the Life of that honeſt Gentleman.

The Letters before mentioned gave Light enough to perceive what the Deſign was the Papiſts were then contriving; Whereupon Sir William Waller (who has been all along very zealous in diſcovering the Prieſts, and their wicked Plots, notwithſtanding their Threats and Attempts to take away his Life) underſtanding that Dangerfield uſed to lodge at Mrs. Celliers, went thither on Wedneſday, Octob. 29. to ſearch her Houſe; and that he might leave no place unſearcht, he ordered a Tub of Meal to be emptied, which being done, at the Bottom thereof was found a little Paper-bod • tyed with red Ribbons, wherein was a Liſt of ſeveral Perſons of Quality, and others, to the number of above 500. whom they deſigned to ruin by this their New Plot. They had ſet down his Grace the Duke of Monmouth for General of the Army to be raiſed; the Lord Grey, Lord Brandon and his Son, and Sir Thomas Armſtrong, for Lieutenant-Generals, Sir William Waller and Mr. Blood for Major-Generals, &c. the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Shaftsbury, Lord Eſſex, Lord Roberts, Lord Wharton, and Lord Hallifax, were to have been accuſed for the chief Counſellors and Managers of this Plot. Many others things were contained in theſe Papers, relating to the Management of their Deſign: Upon this Mrs. Cellier was committed to the Gatehouſe.

Their Plot being now ſufficiently laid open, Dangerfield (notwithſtanding Mrs. Cellier • Encouragement to be conſtant and firm to the Catholick Cauſe) thought it time to confeſs the Truth, and being brought before the Right Honourable Sir Robert Clayton Lord Mayor of London, on Friday Octob. 31.1679. he made a large Confeſſion, which held them from Five of the Clock in the Afternoon, untill Two next Morning. Part whereof was, That he was ſent for to the Tower, whither he went in diſguiſe, where after ſome diſcourſe with the Lord Powis, the Lord Arundel asked him, If he were willing to do any thing to advance his Fortune; to which he anſwered he would do any thing. Then the Lord Arundel asked him if he would kill the King for a good Reward; to which he replyed, He would kill any body but the King, or his Royal Brother. That then the aforeſaid Lord asked him the ſame Queſtion again; and he anſwered, No. Then ſaid the Lord Powis, No, no, my Lord Arundel does onely this to try you: But my Lord (continued he) what would you give him to kill the King? 'Tis worth (ſaid the Lord Arundel) 2000 l. That then the Lord Powis told him, he ſhould have 500 l. to kill the Lord Shaftsbury. That Mr. Gadbury told him, the Lords in the Tower were angry with him, as alſo chiefly the Lord Caſtlemain, for that he would not kill the King, when he might eaſily do it, and no hurt befall him. That here

Captain Bedford was then called in, and ſaid, That he was at ſeveral Clubs with Dangerfield. That he was at Thompſons the Printers, where was printing, The Presbyterian unmask'd. That Dangerfield paid Money to Dormer in S. John's. That Dangerfield would have got a Liſt of the Club at the Kings-head, but the Drawer would not give it him. That at the Green Dragon he got the Names of about 60 Perſons that uſed to meet there. Th •• he went with him to the Sun and Ship Taverns, where he enquired if the Duke of Monmouth had, 〈◊〉 been there the Night before he went away. That Dangerfield ſaid, Gadbury brought him acquainted with • •• bert Peyton. That Dangerfield told him, the Lord Shaftsbury, Sir William Walier, Doctor Tongue, and others, • ad private Meetings near Fox-ball about the Plot.

The Earl of Peterborough being called in, and having an account of what was laid to his Charge, made a very plauſible Speech in anſwer thereto; and as to the buſineſs of Sir Robert Peyton, he ſaid, That Mrs. Cellier told him that among others which the had brought over to be ſerviceable to His Majeſty and the Duke, Sir Robert Peyton was one, who had declared to her, that he would gladly come in, but that he thought the Duke of that temper, that he would never forget an Injury. That then he aſſured Mrs. Cellier, the Duke was no ſuch perſon; and then the replyed, that Sir Robert would willingly meet him at Mr. Gadbury's. That they did meet accordingly at Mr. Gadbury's, where Sir Robert did ſay, that he would ſ • rve the King to all purpoſes; but ſeemed to doubt of the Dukes being reconciled to him. That afterwards he waited on the Duke at his Lordſhips Lodgings, and from him received all the aſſurance of favour he coul • • enre.

Theſe are the principal things that were acted before the King and Council, the Reſult whereof was, that the Earl of Caſtlemain (firſt) and (after) the Lady Powis was committed to the Tower, Mr. Gadbury to the Gatehouſe, Mr. Rigaut and Mrs. Cellier to Newgate, and ſeveral others to the Cuſtody of Meſſengers.

About this time Sir William Waller (ſearching a Houſe near the Arch in Lincolns-Inn Fields, leading to Duby-ſtreet) ſeized on ſeveral Habits, Veſtments, Crucifixes, Reliques, and other Popiſh •••• kets, all very rich; as alſo divers Trunksand Boxes full of Books and Papers, that did belong to Father 〈◊〉 lately executed, wherein are ſet down ſeveral great ſums of Money paid by him in about 70 • 8 years laſt part, for carrying on the Catholique Cauſe; as likewiſe many other things that confirm the truth of the Kings evidence.

Among the Relicks was found one great Piece of Antiquity, and by computation of time near 800 years old. It was a Croſs of Gold weighing about 4 Ounces, upon which on the one ſide was engraven theſe words, Defendite Gentes • anc partem Crucis Omnipotentis; in Engliſh, Defend O ye Nations this part of the Omnipotent Croſs: On the other ſide were engraven the Arms of Alfred King of England, who dyed in the year 901. Beſides which engraving, it was empail'd with divers precious Stones of a conſiderable value. Within the Croſs was another Croſs of Ebony, to which the Gold one ſeem'd to ſerve onely for a Caſe; and as if it had been a little Neſt of Serpentine Idolatry, the Ebony Croſs was inlaid with another Croſs of a quite differ ••• Wood, which it is ſuppos'd, they believ'd to be a piece of our Saviour's Croſs.

There was alſo a Gold Ring with a Motto wrap'd up in white Paper, upon which was written, The Ring of the Biſhop of Glaſcow, with ſeveral other Curioſities, which are as yet preſerv'd.

On Novem. 5. Mr. Courtees was taken and brought before Juſtice Warcup, who having taken his Examination ſent him to the Gate-houſe. At his Examination, he gave an account of his firſt acquaintance with Mr. Willoughby, (not knowing then that he went by any other Name) and that Willoughby told him, that the Presbyterian were conſpiring againſt the King and Government, and were privately raiſing an Army, and that Mr. Blood was one that gave out Commiſſions for that purpoſe; and perſwaded him to uſe his endeavour to get one, and if he could do ſo, he would bring him to the King, whereby he ſhould get 5000 l. And that upon this he made his application to Mrs. Bradley in order thereto, believing what Dangerfield ſaid, and that there was really Presbyterian Plot on foot: ſo that what he did, he ſaid was upon a Loyal Deſign. But there is ſome cauſe to ſ •• pect what he ſaid, if we reflect on what Mrs. Bradley depoſed on Nov. 1. and what he acknowledged now viz. That the laſt time Mrs. Bradley ſaw him, asking him when they ſhould get the 5000 l. He replied, that 〈◊〉 would not meddle in it, that it troubled his Conſcience, and that it would be Treackery if it were done, and it 〈◊〉 to no purpoſe to meddle in it now, for there is a Liſt ſound out. However it be, he is ſince bailed out of the Gate-houſe: And for a confirmation of his Guilt, is gone aſide.

And now almoſt every day new Diſcoveries are made, either of Prieſts or their Appurtenances, Reliques and ſeditious Papers. Dormer a Prieſt was ſeized by Dr. Oates at the Door of the Council-Chamber, on Nov. 4. 〈◊〉 he was buſie in diſcourſe with the Lady Powis, and was ſent to Newgate.

On Nov. 11. Sir William Waller ſeized at Turner's in Holborn, ſeveral ſeditious and ſcandalous Libels, Popiſh Books and Pamphlets; as alſo divers Beads, and Prieſts Habits, and ſome Reliques, one of which was a very fine Handkerchief, which had been dip'd in the Blood of the five Jeſuits lately executed.

Not long after Sir William ſeized on one William Ruſſel, alias Napper, a Franciſcan Fryar, and Titular Biſhop 〈◊〉 Norwich: With him were taken the Garments belonging to his Office; as alſo the Form of an Oath of Abjuration, for his Proſelytes, to this effect; That they did from thenceforth renounce thoſe damnable and heretical Doctrines, wherein they had been educated and inſtructed, and that they did oblige themſelves under the penalty of Damnation to remain ſtedfaſt in the Faith of the Mother-Church of Rome, &c. Together with a Latin Prayer, in the Margin where of was written in Engliſh, Who ever ſays this Prayer ſhall be free from the Plague. And ſeveral Popiſh Books, &c.

On Friday. Nov.. 21. Sir Robert Peyton, Mr. Nevil, Mr. Gadbury, Mrs. Cellier with her Maids, and others were ſeverally Examin'd; when it was ſworn, that Sir Robert Peyton had had frequent Conferences with Mr. Dangerfield: and the further hearing of the Matter being put off till Wedneſday, Nov. 26. Sir Robert was then ordered to give Bail for his Appearance at the Kings-Bench-Bar, the firſt day of the next Term, to anſwer to ſuch Informations as ſhould then be brought againſt him by the Attorney-General.

Dr. Oates during theſe Tranſactions had two of his Servants, Lane (often mentioned in this Hiſtory) and Osborn confederated with one Knox belonging to the Lord Treaſurers Family, againſt him, who Indicted him for no leſs a Crime than Sodomy: But it being proved a malicious ſlander, and his Accuſers perjured Villains, who were hired by the Lords in the Tower, to invalidate his Evidence, the Jury brought it in Ignoramus. And Dr. Oates thereupon bringing in an Indictment againſt them in the Kings-Bench, Knox and Lane (Osborn being fled) were ſtied on Tueſday, Nov. 25. When the whole Deſign was ſo particularly laid open, eſpecially by Mr. Dangerfield (whoſe Pardon was perſected the day before) that every one preſent was convinc'd of the intended Villany, and the • ury (without the Lord Chief Juſtice's ſumming up the Evidence) declared them guilty of the Indictment. But their Sentence is deferred till next Term. We ſhall here cloſe our Hiſtory with our Prayers to God, 〈◊〉 bring to Light all the Dark Contrivances of Jeſuits and wicked men; and to their Plots, and our Diviſions and D •••••• put