A thankfull remembrance of Gods mercy In an historicall collection of the great and mercifull deliverances of the Church and state of England, since the Gospell began here to flourish, from the beginning of Queene Elizabeth. Collected by Geo: Carleton, Doctor of Divinitie, and Bishop of Chichester.

CHAPTER IX.

AT that time was Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland in the Tower, sus∣pected to be of councell with Throg∣morton, and the Lord Paget, and the Guises, to invade England, and to free the Scots Queene. He was found dead in his bed, shot with three Bullets vnder his left pap: the chamber doore bolted on the inside. The Crowners enquest found a dagge, and gun powder in the chamber, and examining the man that bought the dagge, and him that sold it, they found that the Earle had beene the cause of his owne death. Three dayes after the Lords met in the Starre-chamber. The Lord Chancelour Broumley, briefly declared that the Earle had entred into treasonable coun∣cels against his Prince and Countrey, which now when he perceived that they were come to light, troubled in conscience for the thing, hath offred force to himselfe. And to satisfie the multitude then present, he willed the Queenes Atturney ge∣nerall, and the rest of the Queenes Councell, plainly to open the causes why he was kept in prison, and the manner of his death. Wherevpon Popham then Atturney, beginning from the re∣bellion of the North sixteene yeares before, he declared, that for this rebellion and for a purpose to deliver the Scots Queene, that he was called in∣to question, acknowledged his fault, submitted himselfe to the Queenes mercy, was fined fiue

thousand markes. That the Queene of her cle∣mencie tooke not of that fine so much as a far∣thing, and after his brothers death confirmed him in the honor of the Earledome. Notwithstan∣ding all this, he had entred into pernicious counsel to deliver the Scots Queene, to overthrow the English Queene, with the State and Religion: that Mendoza the Spaniard had told Throgmorton that Charles Paget vnder the name of Mope, had secretly dealt with him in Sussex of these things: that the Lord Paget had signified the same to Throgmorton, as appeared from Creighton the Scots Iesuites papers. And that Charles Paget had shewed the same things to William Shelley when he returned out of France. After that, Egerton the Queenes Sollicitour, inferred the same from circumstances, and a care of concealing the mat∣ter. That when as there was none in England that could accuse the Earle of this crime, except the Lord Paget; (with whom Throgmorton had fami∣liaritie) he had provided a shippe for the Lord Paget, by Shelley, a few dayes after Throgmorton was apprehended. So was the Lord Paget sent a∣way into France. And when Throgmorton began to confesse some things, the Earle departed from London to Petworth, and sending for Shelley, told him that he was in danger of his life and for∣tunes, he intreated him to keepe counsell, and to put away those that knew of the departure of the Lord Paget, and of the comming of Charles Paget. Which was presently done, and himselfe sent far off that servant which he vsed to send to Charles

Paget. The Sollicitour addeth, that when he was in prison, he dealt often with Shelley, the keepers being corrupted, to vnderstand what those things were which he had confessed. But when by a poore woman secretly sent betweene them, Shelley had signified, that he could keepe counsell no longer, that there was great differēce between their two conditions; that he must come vnder the racke, which the Earle in respect of his place and order was freed from, and had written to him what he had confessed: The Earle therevpon sighed and said, as Pantin his Chamberlain hath confessed, that Shelley his confession had vndone him. After the manner of his death was declared by the testimony of the Enquest, and by Pantins testimony. Many good men were very sorrowfull, that a man of such nobility, wisdome, and valour was so lost.

My purpose is in this Narration, to obserue the great and manifold deliverances of this Church. When I am drawne by the course of the History to open these practises, in which noblemen haue beene misled: this I confesse I relate with great commiseration; for seeing that Noble houses are the honor of the King, the ornament of the King∣dome, there is no man that loueth the honor of his owne Country, that can write or speake of the fall of such men, but with griefe and sorrow. Of such I will make no other observations, but onely the testification of mine owne sorrow But yet here I must obserue one thing for the good and instruction of their posteritie, or the like, that

they may take heed of these pernicious instru∣ments, Priests, Iesuites, and those that are in∣fected, yea and poysoned with the infection of them. These gracelesse merchants haue vtterly vndone many noble persons, which without their restlesse suggestions and councels, might and doubtlesse would haue bin great ornaments of their Countries both in peace and warres. Was there ever any noble house in these times ruinated, without the practise of these wicked miscreants? Let all the bloud that hath bin shed in this Land in the Northern rebellion, & at other times, be laid vpon these wicked instruments of bloud. And let the world consider the outragi∣ous wickednesse of this generation, that having in formertimes sucked the bloud of the Saints as greedy instruments of the great Whore, that is drunke with the bloud of the Saints: now by a iust, but strange iudgement of God, they are fallen in∣to such practises, as shed their owne bloud and the bloud of such as are misled by them. God is to be reverenced in all his iudgements, and let not men striue against God to maintaine a cause which God will overthrow, with all the main∣tainers thereof.

And it is not much to be marveiled, if these cunning stirrers haue deceiued some of our No∣bles, for we see that they haue cousened great Kings and Princes. For soone after this in the yeare 1586. these pernicious medlers, these Iesu∣ites shewed themselues in other colours, for when these bloudy instruments that had so long la∣boured

the ruine of England, & were out of hope to restore the Romish Religion to England, either by the Scots Queene, which was now more strict∣ly kept, or by the King then of Scotland, who had plainly professed and established the Gospell in his Kingdome: they fell now to a new and a strange practise, which might make the world to wonder: they began out of their false and lying forgeries, to set a foot an imaginary title of the King of Spaine, to the right and succession of the English Crowne. To this purpose, as Pasquirus discovered, they sent into England one Shamiers, (if it be not a counterfeit name) a lesuit, which might draw the discontented Nobles vnto the Spanish side, & throw the Scots Queene headlong into dangers and despayre, signifying to her, that if she should be trouble some to hinder their de∣signes, that neither she nor her sonne should raigne here. And stirred vp new troubles in France to withdraw her cousens the Guises from hindering their devises, by wrapping them in new garboiles against the King of Navarre and the Prince of Condy. In which the King of Spaine had a hand, to set France in troubles, that he in the meane time might the better proceed in his intentions for England. These desperate courses drew the Scots Queene into more danger.

At this time a most desperate and pernicious conspiracy brake out, which as by the free con∣fessions of the conspirators appeareth, was thus. Some English Divines of the Rhemish seminary, whilst they seemed to admire as men astonished

or rather doting, an omnipotency in the Pope, did labour to perswade themselues, that Pius V. his bull against Queene Elizabeth was ind••ted by the Holy Ghost: and that it was a thing meritori∣ous to kill excommunicated Princes, yea, and that it was martyrdome to loose their liues in that quarrell. Giffard a Doctor of Theologie, Gilbert Giffard, and Hodgeson, Priests, did so hammer these devises into the corrupt head of Iohn Sauage (who they say was a Bastard) that he being heady and bloudy (a fit instrument for ••esuites) made a vow to kill Queene Elizabeth. At the same time they set out a Book (for no other purpose, but with great cunning to draw the Queene and Councell into securitie, and to lay their vngraci∣ous plots more deeply, and so with more ease to come to that mischievous end they shot at). In which Booke they admonish the Papists in England, that they practise no hurt to the Queene, for that they were onely to vse such weapons as are lawfull for Christians to vse, that is, ••eares, spi∣rituall armour, daily prayers, watchings, fastings a∣gainst their adversaries, this was their ••ox craft. And withall they spred a false rumour by their whisperers, that George Giffard one of the Queenes Gentlemen Pencionaries had sworne to kill the Queene, and for that cause had wiped the Guise of a great summe of money.

At Easter following, Iohn Ballard, a Priest of the Remish seminary, who had assayed the mindes of many Papists, to whom he travelled to conferre with, through England and Scotland, was now re∣turned

into England. This man had dealt with Bernardin Mendoza, now the ordinary Spanish Ambassadour in France, and with Charles Paget for an invasion of England. Declaring that now was the fittest opportunitie for that service, whilst the military men were absent, being then imployed in the Low-Countries. A fitter time could never be hoped, for as much as the Pope, the Spanyard, the Guise, the Duke of Parma, had resolved to invade England, to turne the Warres from the Netherlands. And albeit Paget had made it evident, that as long as the Queene liued, the invasion of England would be in vaine, yet was Ballard sworne, and sent into England, to procure all the helpe that might be to the conspiratours, and the liberty of the Scots Queene.

At Pentecost following, that silken Priest came into England, in a Souldiers habit, with a feigned name, called Captaine Foscue. This man had conference in London with Antony Babington, a Gentleman of Darbyshire, yong, rich, wittie, and learned aboue the expectation of his yeares, and being addicted to the Romish Religion, had a little before got into France without leaue. Where he had familiar conversation with Thomas Morgan, and with the Bishop of Glasco the Scots Queenes Ambassadour. These men extolling the heroick vertues of the Scots Queene, made to him great ostentation of assured hopes of honor by her meanes to be obtained. The ambitious yong man was easily drawne to take hold of that faire glistering estate proposed by them. And they

were as ready cunningly to set him forward; and before he had well thought of the matter, they commended him by Letters to the Scots Queene. For when he was returned into England, she saluted him favourably with her Letters; from that time Morgan vsed his helpe in sending Letters to her, vntill she was committed to the custodie of Amice Paulet. For after that, the yong man finding the danger, ceased. With this Ba∣bington, Ballard had conference of the things a∣foresaid. But he thought assuredly so long as Queene Elizabeth liued, that the invasion of En∣gland would come to nothing. But when Ballard signified to him, that Queene Elizabeth would not long be aliue; for Sauage who had vowed to kill her, was now come into England; Babington thought not good that so great a matter should be committ••d to Sauage onely, least he might be stopped from the enterprise. But rather to sixe valiant and resolute Gentlemen, in which num∣ber Sauage should be one, that he might not be condemned for not performing his vow. Where∣vpon Babington tooke a new course, for the in∣vasion, touching the ports where the strangers might land, and the forces that should be ioy∣ned with them, and the delivering the Scots Queene, and the Tragick slaughter of Queene E∣lizabeth, as he called it.

Whilst he was fixed in these cogitations, he received Letters by an vnknowne boy; written from the Queene of Scots, in that familiar cha∣racter which was vsed betweene them. She bla∣med

him, but mildly, for his long silence; and willed him to send her the Packet of Letters sent from Morgan, and delivered by the French Ambassadors Secretary. Which he did accor∣dingly. And by the same messenger sent to her a Letter, wherein he excused his silence, for that he wanted opportunitie of sending since that she was in the custodie of Amice Paulet, a puritan, a meere Leicestrian, and a most bitter enemy of the Catholike faith. He declared what he had re∣solved with Ballard, that sixe Gentlemen were chosen to performe the tragicke slaughter, and that himselfe with an hundreth other, would de∣liver her. He intreated that to these Heroick Actors (so he called them) rewards might be proposed, or to their posteritie, if they should faile in the action. The twentie-seventh of Iuly, answer was made to these Letters. Babington his forward desire of promoting the Catholike Religion was commended. He was warned that it might be vndertaken considerately, and that nothing be moued before they were sure of ex∣ternall forces: that an association among them might be made, as if they feared the Puritanes: that some trouble might be stirred in Ireland, whilst the stroke might be given here at home: that Arundell, and his brethren, and Northumber∣land, should be drawne to the side, VVestmerland, Paget, and others, might be secretly called home. The way to deliver her was also prescribed; ei∣ther to overturne a Coach in the gate, or to set the Stables on fire, or to intercept her whilst

she rode to take the ayre betweene Chartley and Stafford. Last of all Babington was warranted to vndertake for rewards, and to pawne his credit to the six Gentlemen, and others.

Now had he gathered about him certaine Gentlemen, inflamed with a fiery zeale of the Romish Religion. Of whom the chiefe were, Edward Windsore, brother to the Lord Windsore, a yong Gentleman of a soft disposition, Thomas Salisbury, of a Knights house in Denbigh-shire, Charles Tilney, an ancient Gentleman, the onely hope of the Familie, one of the Queenes Pencio∣naries, whom Ballard had reconciled to the Ro∣man Church; both proper yong men: Chidioc Tychburn, of Hampshire, Edward Abington, whose father was the Queenes Cofferer: Robert Gage of Surrey, Iohn Traverse, and Iohn Charnok of Lan∣chishire, Iohn Iones, whose father was Queene Maries taylour, Sauage, Barnwell, a Gentleman of Ireland, Henry Dun, Clarke of the first fruit of∣fice. Into this societie Polly also insinuated him∣selfe: a man well acquainted with the affayres of the Scots Queene: a man well skilled in the art of simulation and dissimulation. Who was thought daily to reveile all their councells to Sir Francis Walsingham, and to thrust them head∣long into mischiefe, who were forward enough of themselues to evill. Albeit, Navus the Scots Queenes Secretary warned them to beware of him.

To these did Babington communicate the mat∣ter, but not all to each one: his owne Letters

and the Scots Queenes Letters he shewed to Bal∣lard, to Tychburn, and Dun. He dealt with Til∣ney and Tychburn, to be the strikers. They at first denied to dehle their hands with the bloud of their Prince. Ballard and Babington labour to proue it lawfull to kill Princes excommunica∣ted: and if right should be violated, then for the Catholike Religion it is to be violated. Herevpon hardly perswaded, they yeeld their consent in a sort. Abington, Barnwell, Charnok, and Sauage readily and roundly without scruple sware to kill her. Salisbury could by no meanes be per∣swaded to be a Queene-killer, but to deliver the Scots Queene, he offred his service willingly. Babington designeth Ty••hburn aboue the num∣ber, to helpe the percussors, of whose fidelitie and courage he had perswaded himselfe much. But he was now absent, travailing abroad. Ba∣bington commandes that they impart the matter to none, except first an oath be taken to keepe silence. These conspiratours now and then con∣ferred of these matters in Saint Giles fields, in Pauls-Church, in Tavernes, in which they had their daily feasts, being now puffed vp with the hopes of great matters. Sometimes com∣mending the valour of the Nobles of Scotland, who lately had intercepted the King at Sterling: and of Gerard the Burgonian, who killed the Prince of Orange. And so farre they procee∣ded in their foolish vanitie, so strangly infa∣tuated, that those that should strike the Queene, they had portraied in liuely pictures, and

in the midst of them Babington, with this Verse.

Hi mihi sunt comites, quos ipsa pericula ducunt.

But when this Verse was disliked, as seeming too plaine: for it, they set in place these wordes: Quorsum haec alió properantibus? These pictures were taken, as it was said, and brought to the Queene; who knew none of their countenances but onely Barnwells, who vsed often to come in her presence, following the causes of the Earle of Kildare, whom he served: and she tooke no∣tice of him by other markes. Verily one day as she was walking abroad she saw Barnwell, she looked sharply and vndauntedly vpon the man, and turning to S^r Christopher Hatton, Captaine of the Guard, and to some others: Am not I, quoth she, well guarded, who haue not so much as one man in my company that hath a sword? For Barnwell told this to the other conspiratours, and decla∣red how easily she might haue beene killed, if the conspiratours had then beene present. Sauage in like sort reported the same.

Now there was nothing that so much troubled Babington, as the feare least the promise of exter∣nall forces might faile. And therefore to make that good, he resolved to goe into France, and to send Ballard secretly before, for whose passage he had procured licence for money vnder a coun∣terfeit name. And to remoue all suspition from himselfe by Polly he in••inuateth himselfe into

Sir Francis Walsingham, and dealeth earnestly with him, to intreat of the Queene license for his passage into France, promising to doe some espe∣cially seruice, in searching and discovering the secret attempts of the fugitiues for the Scots Queene. He commended the purpose of the yong man, and promised not onely to obtaine him licence to travell, but he promised withall great and goodly rewardes to him, if he would doe such a service, yet holding him in suspence, he delayed the matter, and knew his purpose and drift well, having fished all out by an especi∣all skill he had in discovering treasons, but espe∣cially by the discovery of Gilbert Giffard, a Priest, he was made acquainted with their intentions, which they thought were kept so secret that the Sunne had not knowne any thing thereof.

This Giffard was borne at Chellington, where the Scots Queene was kept, and sent by the fugi∣tiues into England, vnder the name of Luson, to put Sauage in minde of his vow vndertaken, and to lurke as a fit meanes to transmit Letters be∣tweene them, and the Scots Queene, because in so dangerous a businesse, they could not draw in to serue their turne herein neither the Countesse of Arundell, nor the Lord Lumley, nor Henry Ho∣ward, nor S^r George Shirly.

The fugitiues, to try whether the way was safe by Giffard to transmit Letters, first sent blankes many times sealed like Letters and pac∣keted, which when by the answers they percei∣ved to be truely delivered, now growne more

confident, wrote often of their affaires intended, in secret Characters. But Giffard before this, whether vexed in his conscience, or corrupted before with money, or terrified with feare, had opened himselfe to Sir Francis Walsingham, and declared with what purpose he was sent into England, and offered all his service, as from the loue to his Countrey and his Prince, and pro∣mised to communicate to him all the Letters that he received either from the fugitiues, or from the Scots Queene. Sir Francis imbracing the opportunitie offerd, intertained him courteous∣ly, and sent him into Staffordshire, and wrote to Sir Amice Pawlet, willingly to suffer some of his servants to be corrupted by Giffard, and to winke at it. But he being vnwilling, as he said, to suffer any of his houshold servants, by simulation to become a traytor, yet though vnwillingly, he suffred that the brewer, or the man that provided Provender for his horse, who dwelt neare him, might be corrupted by Giffard. Giffard easily corrupted the brewer with some peeces of gold, who by a hole in the wall, where a stone was set which might be remoued, sent Letters secretly, and received others, which alwayes by messen∣gers provided for the purpose, came to the hands of S^r Francis Walsingham. Who opened the seales, coppied out the Letters, and by the singular cunning of Thomas Philipps found the secret Character, and by the skill of Arthur Gregory sealed them vp againe so cunningly, that no man could suspect that they were opened, and

then sent them to the parties to whom they were directed. Thus were disclosed those former Let∣ters from the Scots Queene to Babington, and his answers, and others againe from her to him, (in which there was a Postscript cunningly ad∣ded in the same Character, to write the names of the six Gentlemen, and happily some other things.) Moreover, the same day, the Letters to Mendoza the Spanish Ambassadour, to Charles Paget, to the Lord Paget, to the Archbishop of Glasco, and to S^r Francis Inglefeld, were all coppi∣ed out, and transmitted.

The Queene, as soone as she vnderstood so rough a tempest hanging over her head, both from inward traytors and forraine enemies, she commanded to the end that the conspiracy might the sooner be quelled, that Ballard should be apprehended. Wherevpon he was suddenly taken, in the very nick, when he was ready to depart into France. Being taken in Babingtons house. Herevpon Babington was afraid and sore troubled, and vexed with a thousand cogitations he came to Tychburn, and with him adviseth what is best to doe. His advise was that the con∣spiratours should presently disperse themselues and fly, yet Babington thought it best to send Sa∣uage and Charnok presently to kill the Queene. But first to put Sauage in brauer and more court∣ly apparell, that so he might haue a more easie passage. And of this proiect he had the same day speech with him, in Pauls-Church. But present∣ly changing his minde, and concealing his se∣cret

cares and feares, he wrote Letters to Sir Fran∣cis Walsingham, being then in Court, wherein with great earnestnes he intreated that now at last he might haue license to depart into France; and withall he made suit for Ballards deliverance, who might be of great vse to him in his propo∣sed busin••sse. Sir Francis with faire promises keepes him from day to day in hope. That Bal∣lard was taken, he layeth all the fault vpon Yong, that cunning hunter of Papists, and vpon some other Catch-poles; and warneth Babington to take heed to such kinde of men, as friendly admoni∣shing him, and easily perswadeth the yong man, that vntill the Queene might be at leasure to signe the Bill for his passage, he would returne to London, and lodge in his house at London, to the end that they might conferre more secretly of so great matters. And that by his often com∣ming, the fugitiues might not haue any suspiti∣on, when he came into France. In the meane time, Skidmor, Sir Francis Walsingham his servant was commanded to obserue him most strictly, and should be with him whither soever he went; in shew that so he might be safer from messen∣gers that otherwise might apprehend him. Thus farre S^r Francis Walsingham had closely car∣ried this businesse without the knowledge of o∣ther of the privy Councell, and would haue proceeded farther. But the Queene would not; least (as she said) by not preventing the danger when shee might, shee might seeme rather to tempt God, then to trust in God. Wherevpon Sir Francis

from Court wrote to his man, that he should ob∣serue Babington with an especiall care. This Let∣ter was not sealed, but so delivered that as the man read it, Babington sitting at Table with him did also reade it. Wherevpon finding himselfe guiltie, and suspecting that all was disclosed, the next night when he, and Skidmor, and one or two of Sir Francis his servants, had supped som∣what freely in a Taverne, he rose as going to pay the reckoning, and leaving his cloak and rapier, fled away in the darke to Westminster. Where Gage changed apparell with him, who presently put off the same againe in Charnoks chamber, and put on Charnoks. And conveyed themselues both into S. Iohns Wood neare to the Cittie. Whither Barnwell and Dun came to them. In the meane time they were declared traytors throughout England. They hiding themselues in Woods and by-wayes after they had in vaine expected mo∣ney from the French Ambassadour, and horse from Tychburn, they cut off Babingtons hayre, and defaced his natiue beautie with rubbing his face over with the greene huskes of Walnuts. And being forced by hunger they came to Bellamyes house, neare to Harrow on the Hill, who was a great favourer of the Romish Religion. Where they were hid in Barnes, and fed, and cloathed with rusticall apparell. After ten dayes they were found and brought to London. Herevpon the Cittie witnessed their publike ioy by ringing of bells, by bonefires in the streets, by singing of Psalmes, in so much that the Citizens had great

thankes given them from the QVEENE.

The other conspiratours were soone caught, many of them neare the Cittie; Salisbury in Staf∣fordshire, his horse being killed vnder him by them who followed him, and Trauerse was taken with him, after they had swimmed over the river Weuer. And Iones in Wales, who was not acquain∣ted with the inuasion intended, but onely recei∣ued them into his house, after he knew them to be proclaimed rebells, and hid them. And had furnished Salisbury as he fled, and his man (who was a Priest) with a changed Cloake. Onely Windsore was not found. Many dayes were spent in examining of them, who by their confessions betrayed one another, concealing nothing.

All this time the Scots Queene and her servants were kept by such a diligent watch of Sir Amice Pawlet, that those things were altogether hid from her, though now well knowne over all En∣gland. But after that these were apprehended, Sir Thomas Gorge was sent to acquaint her with these things in few words. Which he did pur∣posely when she thought least of the matter, as she was taking horse to ride a hunting. Neither was she permitted to returne, but in shew of honor she was carried about to Noble mens houses. In the meane time, Iohn Maners, Edward Ashton, Richard Bagot, and William Wade (who ignorant of the whole matter had beene sent into these parts) receiving authoritie from the Queene, did com∣mit Navus, and Curle, Secretaries, and other ser∣vants, to such as might keepe them asunder, that

they might not conferre together among them∣selues, nor with the Scets Queene. And breaking vp the Chamber-doores, they tooke all Chesies and Boxes, wherein they found Letters, and sent them sealed with their seales to the Court. After that Sir Amice Pawlet, being commanded, tooke all the money, least she might corrupt some for money, and gaue his promise to restore all again. When the packets of Letters were opened be∣fore the Queene, the Letters of many forrainers were found, and Coppies of many Letters to o∣thers; and about sixtie Tables of secret Cha¦racters. And some Letters from certaine Noble men of England, with a full declaration of their loue and services. Which thing notwithstanding, Queene Elizabeth dissembled that matter in si∣lence, and accordingly vsed that word: Video, taceo; I see and say nothing. But they smelling the matter, least they might seeme to favour the Scots Queene, after that, began to show themselues enemies against her.

Now Giffard, after he had played his part in this play, was sent away as a banished man into France; leaving before he went an indented pa∣per with the French Ambassadour Leiger in England, with this instruction, that he should deli∣ver Letters which he might receiue from the Scots Queene, or from the fugitiues, to none other but onely to him, who exhibited a paper an swe∣ring to that indented paper. Which paper was by him sent secretly to Sir Francis Walsingham. Gif∣fard returning into France, after a few moneths

was imprisoned for his filthy life: and suspected of these things, died miserably; confessing ma∣ny of the foresaid matters, which was also found in his papers.

The XIII. of September, seven of the conspi∣ratours being brought to iudgement, confessed themselues guiltie, and were condemned of trea∣son. Other seven came the next day, who denied that they were guiltie; and cōmitted themselues to God and their Country: yet were they con∣demned by their former confessions. Onely Polly, though guiltie of all, yet when he affirmed that he disclosed some of those matters to Sir Francis Walsingham, was not called to iudgement. The twentieth of that month, the first seven were han∣ged and quattered in S. Giles fields, where they vsed to meet. Ballard, the contriver of all the mischief, asked pardon of God, and of the Queene conditionally, if he had sinned against her. Ba∣bington (who without feare beheld Ballards death, whilst the rest were vpon their knees in prayer) freely confessed his sinnes, and after he was taken downe from the Gallowes, cryed out in Latin, Parce mihi Iesu: the rest in their order likewise were hanged and quartered.

After the punishment of these, Navus a French man, and Curlus a Scot, Secretaries to the Scots Queene were called into question vpon the Let∣ters that were taken in the lodging of the Scots Queene, and freely confessed that those Letters were of their owne writing, dictated by her in French, and so taken by Navus, turned into En∣glish

by Curle, and written in secret Characters, whereby she was at last brought into question, which brought her also to her end.

The thing which we obserue vpon this Narra∣tion, is to continue our complaint of these grace∣lesse instruments the Priests and Iesuites, that by their wicked suggestions bring Princes, Nobles, Gentlemen of good place, which might haue done good service to their Prince and Country, such I say doe these wicked instruments bring to ruine; and seeme to take a pleasure in the de∣struction of men. May we not see how they come in secretly, and scraule in corners like Serpents? It is true the enmity is of old set betweene the Wo∣mans seed and the Serpents seed: and the Church which is the Womans seed haue felt the experi∣ence hereof at all times. But never had any Church in the world a more liuely experience hereof, then this Church of England, against whom all this hath beene wrought. The Church is the house of God, and this Church of England is here with vs Gods house. It is apparant that this house was built not vpon the sand, but vpon a rocke; for the windes haue blowne fiercely vpon it, the wa∣ters haue risen against it, the great and huge tem∣pests haue beaten vpon it, and yet it standeth. And for this we prayse Gods name, that it standeth still. And for this purpose is this small Worke vndertaken, to giue the watch-word to all them that feare God, and loue the comming of our Lord, to giue most humble and most hearty thankes vnto God for this inestimable favour of God, that af∣ter

all these assaults which haue beene greater in danger, mo••e in number then any Nation in the world at this day can number: that after all, I say, our Church standeth and flourisheth: this is our reioycing in God, in his goodnesse and mercy. But now consider who oppugne vs? the serpents seed; for can any man with any reason deny these men to be the seed of the serpent? I meane the seminary Priests & lesuites. Are not these the seed of the serpent? They plot, and practise treasons, they raise rebellions, their heads and hands are full of bloud and murther. And what can the ser∣pent his seed doe more? They are men acquain∣ted with the deepenes of Satan, they lay snares and wicked plots for des••ructions of States, and least men should descry their mischiefe, they set a cleane contrary countenance vpon their actions, giving out that their weapons are Preces & la∣chrymae, Prayers and teares, and that it is vnlawfull for them to vse any other weapons; even then when they are about their most bloudy designes: and what can the serpents seed doe more? Can the seed of the serpent proceed more maliciously, more cruelly, more deeply in bloud then these haue done? Then let them be knowne to be the seed of the serpent. As for vs, we reioyce to be the seed of the Woman, the true Church of God: we suffer, we are reviled, standered, called Heretikes: We learne of our Master to indure the crosse, to de∣spise the shame: We run with patience the race which he hath set before vs. And we serue God not in vaine; for we see that there is a reward for them that serue Him.

Notes

• An: Dō. 1586.