An historical account of making the penal laws by the papists against the Protestants, and by the Protestants against the papists wherein the true ground and reason of making the laws is given, the papists most barbarous usuage [sic] of the Protestants here in England under a colour of law set forth, and the Reformation vindicated from the imputation of being cruel and bloody, unjustly cast upon it by those of the Romish Communion / by Samuel Blackerby ...

CHAP. VII. Q. Eliz. (Book 7)

QUeen Mary dyed the 17th of November, (Queen Elizabeth's Birth-Day) Anno Domini 1558. Whose Death put an end to this severe Persecution. The Par∣liament then assembled in the sixth and last year of her Reign,* 1.1 being by her demise Dissolved: The thrice Excellent and Prudent Princess Queen Elizabeth, according to her Right and Hereditary Title, (saith Sir Simon D'Ewes) true and lawful Heir to the Crown, according to the Act of Succession of 35 H. 8. (saith Cambden) the next and indisputed Heir to the Crown (saith Doctor Burnet) and Heath the then Lord Chancellour so called her) without any opposition or difficulty, (King Philip being then very happily beyond the Seas,) succeeded to all the Realms and Dominions of Mary her Sister, excepting Calais, and those other inestimable places in France, which had been most dishonourably and vainly lost, in the time and towards the end of the Reign of the said Queen Mary, and finding also the Inno∣cent Blood of God's Saints, (Arch-Bishop Cranmer, Bishop Ridley, Bishop Hooper, and the rest) shed for the Witness of the Truth, to have stained the former Go∣vernment, with the just brand and stygma of Persecuting and Tyrannical, and that her Realms and Dominions were much impoverished, and weakned (as Doctor Burnet in his Letters hath made evident, almost all places abroad are, where Popery is the prevailing Religion, Popery and Slavery being inseparable Compani∣ons) she therefore in the very entrance of her Reign applyed her first are to the restoring of the Protestant Religion, which she verily perswaded her self was most true,* 1.2 and consonant to the Sacred Scriptures, and the sincerity of the Primi∣tive Church, and well considering and foreseeing, that the surest and safest way to establish the Truth, to abolish all Foreign and Usurpt Authority, to repair the weaknesses and breaches of her said Realms and Dominions, to strengthen her King∣dom with Shipping and Munition, and to revive the decayed Trade thereof; was by the common Advice and Counsel, and with the publick Assent▪ did summon her first Parliament to begin on Munday the 23d day of January in the first year of her Reign. But before I give any Account of what Laws were thereby made re∣lating to the Papists, I shall

1st. Shew how the Law stood at to the Papists, when she came to the Crown.

2d. I shall show, that the Protestant Religion was restored by much more lenil and mild Methods towards the Papists in Queen Elizabeth's time, than the Popish Religion was introduced by in Queen Mary's.

3d. I shall make it fully appear, that they gave just occasion for making the severe Laws against them, that were made in Queen Elizabeth's time, and when in time the occasion was given and the Laws made, which last thing will run through the whole thread of the following account.

As to the first, whoever will give himself the trouble, to consult our Statute, and Law-Books, will find 1 1.3 that long before her Reign, it was Treason to compass or imagine the death of the King, the Queen, or their Eldest Son and Heir, or to levy War against the King, or to adhere to the King's Enemies, or to give to them Aid or Comfort: 2 1.4 That it was Treason and afterwards Felony, to bring or send into this Kingdom, or the King's Power, (which is the same with Dominions) any Sum∣mons, Sentence, or Excommunication against any person, of what Condition so∣ever he be, 3 1.5 that he incurr'd a Premunire, that purchased Bulls from Rome, and that the Crown of England (even in the Popish times) was subject to none. 4 1.6 It was of old Treason by the Common Law of the Land, to procure or bring in any Bull of Excommunication, against any Subject, (much more certainly against the King or Queen) because it gives way to Foreign Authority: 5 1.7 And by the Laws of England, all Subjects are prohibited to take any Pension &c. of any Foreign King, Prince, or State, without the King's License, (altho' in League with England.)

Thus stood the Laws, when that Glorious Queen (of ever Blessed Memory) as∣cended the Throne; and one would have thought, these would have guarded her against all attempts of the Papists, and 'tis not unreasonable to believe, that she her self was of that mind, if we consider,

2ly, That the Methods taken by Queen Elizabeth, for restoring the Protestant Re∣ligion▪ were much milder, than those taken by Queen Mary to introduce the Popish. This will appear by the Laws themselves, of which I come now to give an account, and of the occasion of their making.

The first is. That which restores to the Crown,* 1.8 the Antient Iurisdiction over the Estate Ecclesiastical and Spiritual, and abolisheth all Foreign Powers repugnant to the same: Which it doth by reviving the Laws of Henry the 8th against the See of Rome, and of Edward the 6th for the Protestants: Which Laws were repealed by Queen Mary, and Laws for Convicting and Burning Hereticks (i. e. Protestants) in an Arbitrary way re∣vived; which had been Repealed in Edward the 6th's time. This Law therefore parti∣cularly repeals 5 R. 2.5. 5 H. 4.15. 2 H. 5.7. made against the Protestants, then called Hereticks, and Lollards, and then doth abolish Foreign Iurisdiction, (wherein it is but declarative of the Antient Laws of the Kingdom) and annereth Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction to the Crown; and gives a power of delegating the Exercise of it; establisheth the Oath of Supremary (but in tenderness to the Papists, leaves out Supream Head of the Church) and provides that all Ecclesiastical Persons, Temporal Iudges, Iustices, Mayors, or other say or temporal Officers, and every other person having her Highness Fee or Wages, shall take the said Oath, upon the penalty of forfeiting their places Ecclesiastical or Temporal, upon an obstinate refusal, and disability to hold the same for the future, the penalty of maliciously maintaining a Foreign Iurisdiction, is, for the first offence, the loss of Goods and Chattels only, and if he be not worth 20 l. then over and above the forfeiture of his Goods and Chattels, he shall suffer twelve Months Imprisonment with∣out Bail or Mainprize, the second offence is made a premunire, the third offence high Treason. This Act declares what shall not, and what shall be Heresie,* 1.9 that no matter of Re∣ligion or cause Ecclesiastical within this Act, shall be Heresie, Schism, or Schismatical O∣pinion, nor any thing, but what is so adjudged by the Canonical Scriptures, and the four first general Council, or other Councils, by the true and genuine sence of the Holy Scriptures, or what should afterwards be declared Heresie by the Parliament, with the consent of the Convocation.

From which Act. I observe, that altho' it was a Premunire before this Law, to own a Foreign Jurisdiction, as bringing in Bulls doth, yet the Queen was willing to inflict a less punishment, for the first offence, to see if she could gain upon the Papists by Clemency▪ and made it not high Treason, till a conviction of the third offence, and that Conviction to be according to the Antient Laws of the Land, (and not in an Arbitrary way) which is much more mild, than any of the Popish Laws were, neither was this Law put in Execution against them, till they grew troublesome to the State, as I shall plainly make appear hereafter.

The next Law was, for the uniformity of Common Prayer, and service in the Church, and administration of the Sacraments. Whereby 1 Mar. ca. 2. is repea∣led,* 1.10 and the last Book of Common-prayer, &c. made in Ed. 6th. time is establish∣ed, with the alteration of some few things.

By which Law it is provided, that spiritual persons that shall use any other service, or deprave, or speak against the use of that, for the first offence, being legally Con∣victed, shall lose the profits of his Benefice for a Year; and shall suffer six months Imprisonment; for the second Offence, shall be deprived ipso facto; for the third, not only deprived, but suffer Imprisonment during his Life; a Lay person offending in the Premisses, shall for the first Offence, suffer Imprisonment for a Year, without Bail or mainprize; and for the second Offence, shall suffer Imprisonment during Life. Every one that by Enterludes, Plays, Songs, Rhimes, or other open words, shall speak against any thing in derogation, depraving, or despising of the same Book, or shall any ways maintain any person, &c. in using any other Service, &c. or shall hinder, or interrupt the use of this Book, For the first Offence, shall forfeit 100 Marks, for the second Offence 400 Marks, and for the third Offence, shall forfeit all his Goods and Chattels, and suffer Imprisonment during Life; and for non-payment of the 100 Marks in 6 Weeks after his Conviction, shall suffer six Months Imprisonment, and for non-payment of the 400 Marks, shall suffer 12 Months Imprisonment, without Bail or Mainprize.

All persons are by this Act required, having no reasonable Excuse, to resort to their Parish Church, or upon reasonable Let, to some other place, where the service is u∣sed, upon Sundays, and Holy-days, upon the Penalty of punishment, by the Cen∣sures of the Church, and 12 d. for every Default. And for due Execution of this Act, the Queen,* 1.11 the Lords Temporal, and all the Commons in that Parliament assembled, did in God's Name earnestly require, and charge the Arch-Bishops, Bishops, and other Ordinaries, that they should endeavour themselves to the utmost of their knowledges, that the due and true Execution thereof might he had, throughout their Diocess, and charges, as they would answer before God, for such Evils and Plagues, wherewith Almighty God might Iustly punish his People, for neglecting that good and wholsome Law.

All Laws for other Service are hereby made void.

But may the Papists say, Are not imprisonment, Premunire, and High Treason very great Penalties? What Greater? To this I answer, That there is not any of them inflicted for the first Offence; But punishment for the first offence is still but a pecuniary molct,* 1.12 and extends to neither Pillory, Loss of Ears, striking off hands, or death, much less death by Fire and Fagor. The second Offence is re∣straint of Liberty, and that but Temporary, except in one single Case, where it is for Life.

The punishment for the first Offence, is no where made a Premunire▪ nor Trea∣son; and 'tis but in one case, that the Party offending, is made Guilty of High Treason, and that is upon being Convicted of the third Offence too, and for that very Off••nce, the Party incurr'd a Premunire by the Law before; And if it be granted me▪ that it is necessary that some kind of Penalties be annexed, to inforce obedience to Laws, which certainly cannot be denyed, these being such gradual Penalties, the Papists themselves cannot but own, that they are reasonable.

* 1.13The next Act of Parliament, I shall take notice of, is, the Act for the assurance of the Queens Majesties Royal Power, over all States, and Subjects within her Do∣minions; by which Act it is provided.

That if any person dwelling, inhabiting, or resiant within the Queens Dominions, should after 1 Apr. 1563▪ by writing, &c. advisedly, and wittingly hold, &c. maintain, or defend the Authority, Iurisdiction, or Power of the Bishop of Rome, or of his See, heretofore usurped within this Realm, being lawfully Convicted thereof within a Year, should incur a Premunire for the first Offence, and High Treason for the Second; the like Penalties are annexed to the Refusal of the Oath of Supremacy. The reason of the making which Law appears from the Preamble of the Act, and the History of those times.

The Preamble takes notice, that Hures, Perils, Dishonours, Inconveniences, had be∣fore time befallen the Queens Majesties Noble Progenitors, Kings of this Realm, and the whole estate thereof by means of the Jurisdiction of the See of Rome, unjustly claimed, and usurped within this Realm, and the Dominions thereof, and also takes notice of Dan∣gers the Queen and state was then in, by the Fa••ters of the said usurped Power, at that time grown to marvellous outrage, and Licentious Boldness, and therefore it was

necessary to have more sharp restraint, and correction of Laws, then before in the time of the Queens Majesties most mild, and merciful Reign had been establish'd.

Hence it plainly appears, that the Parliament thought the Queens Person, and the Kingdom in great Danger from the Papists, who are all favourers of the Pope's Authority in England, and if Cambden may be believed, not without reason,* 1.14 for he tells us, That Anno Domini 1562 in France, the Professors of the Reformed Religion were most grievously afflicted: And that thereupon the Papists in England muttered many and Great matters in secret talk amongst Companies, of suppres∣sing in like manner the Protestants in England. And every one that is acquainted with the History of those times, knows, that at the same time that these things were bruited about, the Papists here, the Guises in France, and the Queen of Scots (that restless and unwearied Enemy of the Protestant Religion) were plotting and Con∣triving against the Queen, and that those Plots and Contrivances of the Queen of Scots, were never at an end, till the Axe put a period to her Life and them together.

And how forward the Priests of the Romish Church, especially of the Order of Jesuits, are, to assert the Pope's jurisdiction, and bring in and Execute his Bulls here in England, is well known amongst Protestants. And that this is laid by the secu∣lar Priests themselves to the Charge of the Jesuits, I shall hereafter make appear. So that certainly it must be owned, that there was very good reason to make this Law; and as for the Penalties, they were annexed in terrorem, rather, than with any design to be inflicted to the ruine of them, against whom the Laws were made, as plainly appears from the History of the first 12 years of this Queens Reign, during which time, the Persons of the Papists,* 1.15 (notwithstanding these Laws) remained in the Kingdom quiet, and undisturbed, till they themselves gave just occasion, for putting these, and the Antient Laws of the Kingdom in Execution against them, and making further provision by the adding new Laws, with more severe Penalties, or rather inforcing the Execution of the old ones. 1 1.16 We don't read in our English Histories of twelve Papists that suffered Death in the 10 first Years of the Reign of Q. Elizabeth, nor of any that at any time were executed purely for exercising their Religion: But those of them that have been executed, have dyed for Treason, and Rebellion; and Mr. Fowlis tells us, that it is confest by Bzovius; their Papal Champion, that there was not any that suffered in Queen Elizabeths time, but did teach the dangerous doctrine that the Pope could depose Kings. That the Papists, both Clergy, and Laity, were used by the Queen, in the Beginning of her Reign, with all the kindness and even tenderness imaginable, must be believed; if one of the greatest Statesmen of his Age, and one of the Wi∣sest Persons this Nation ever bred, viz. The Lord Treasurer Burleigh, who writ in this Queens Reign, can challenge any Credit; he saith thus, 2 1.17

And though there are many Subjects known in the Realm, that differ in some Opinions of Reli∣gion from the Church of England, and that do also not forbear to profess the same; yet in that they do also profess Loyalty and Obedience to her Majesty, and offer readily in her Majesties Defence, to impugn and resist any foreign force, tho' it should come or be procured from the Pope himself, none of these sort are for their contrary Opinions in Religion prosecuted, or charged with any Crimes; or Pains of Treason, nor yet willingly searched in their Consciences for their con∣trary Opinions, that savour not of Treason.

(They were not Closetted.)

3 1.18

And he instances in several, Dr. Heath, Arch-Bishop of York, and Lord Chancel∣lor of England in Queen Mary's time, who (saith he) at the first coming of her Ma∣jesty to the Crown, shewing himself a faithful and quiet Subject, was continued in both the said Offices, tho' in Religion then manifestly differing, and yet was he not restrained of his Liberty; nor deprived of his proper Lands and Goods, but leaving willingly both his Offices, lived in his own House, and enjoyed all his pur∣chased Lands, during all his natural Life, until by very Age he departed this World, and then left his House and Living to his Friends. An Example of gentle∣ness, never matched in Queen Mary's days. The Like did Dr. Pool, who had been. Bishop of Peterborough, Dr. Tonstall Bishop of Duresme, these of quiet behavior. There were others he tells us, Dr. White, and Dr. Oglethorp, the one Bishop of Win∣chester, the other of Carlisle, and Dr. Thurlby, and Dr. Watson, one Bishop of Ely, the other of Lincoln, not pressed with any Capital Pain, though they maintain'd the Pope's Authority against the Laws of the Realm. Mr. Fecknam, an Abbot, is also Instanced in.—Some Deans, as Dr. Boxall, Dean of Windsor, a Person of great Modesty, and Knowledge; Dr. Cole, Dean of Pauls, a Person more earnest, than Wise, Dr. Reynolds, Dean of Exeter, and many such others, having born

Office and Dignities in the Church, and had made profession against the Pope, which they began in Queen Mary's time to change, yet were they never to this day burd∣ned with Capital pains, nor yet deprived of any of their Goods or proper Lively∣hoods, but only remov'd from their Ecclesiastical Offices, which they would not Ex∣ercise according to the Laws. And most of them for a great while were retained in Bishops houses (not in Cole-holes and Dungeons, as Bonner entertained the Protestants in the Marian daies,) in very civil and curteous manner, without charge to them∣selves or their Friends, until the time that the Pope began by his Bulls and Messages to offer trouble to the Realm, by stirring of Rebellion; about which time, only some of those aforenamed, being found busier in Matters of State, tending to stir troubles, than was meet, for the common quiet of the Realm, were removed to other more private places, not into Smithfield to be burnt, after a pretended Conviction of Heresie, in an Arbitrary and Illegal manner.

* 1.19In all England, where there are 9400 Ecclesiastical Promotions, there were turned out of their Livings, Dignities, and Bishopricks, not above 800 Parsons of Churches, 50 Prebendaries, 15 Presidents of Colledges, 12 Arch∣deacons, as many Deans, 6 Abbots and Abbesses, 14 Bishops.

* 1.20Until the twentieth year of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, the Papists in England were mercifully connived at; while they solemnized their own Rites, within their pri∣vate houses, tho' that also were against the Laws.

* 1.21The Secular Priests themselves, Watson and Bluet, confess in their important Consi∣derations, (wherein they make the Jesuits Plottings and Treasons to be the occasion of making and Executing the Penal Laws)

That for the first ten years of Queen Elizabeth's Reign; the State of Catholicks (i. e. Papists) was tollerable, and after a sort in some good quietness; such as for their Consciences, were impri∣soned in the beginning of her coming to the Crown, were very kindly and mercifully used, the state of things then considered▪ some of them were appoin∣ted to remain with such their Friends, as they themselves made choice of. Others were placed, some with Bishops, some with Deans, and had their Dyet at their Ta∣bles, with such convenient Lodgings and Walks for their Recreations, as did well content them. They that were in the ordinary Prisons, had such Liberty and other Commodity, as the places would afford, not inconvenient for men in their Cases. But that our Brethren of the more fiery and Jesuitical Humour may not snuff here∣at; we have thought it meet to cool their heat, with some of Master Parsons, and his Fellow Mr. Creswel's more gentle delaies (then are usual with them:) who in one of their Books do confess as much in effect, as here we have set down, if not more, thus those great Emperor-like Jesuits, do speak to her Majesty. In the begin∣ning of thy Kingdom, thou didst deal something more gently with Catholicks: None were then urged by thee, or pressed either to thy Sect, or to the denyal of their Faith, all things (indeed) did seem to proceed in a far milder course: no great complaints were heard of: there were seen no extraordinary contentions or repugnancies; some there were, that to please and gratifie you, went to your Churches, but when afterwards thou didst begin to wrong them, &c.

And thus, not only our own Historians, do acquit Queen Elizabeth of all imputa∣tions of Rigour, or cruelty towards the Papists, for the beginning of her Reign, but even the Secular Priests, not only do it themselves, but have Printed and published it to all the world, that the Jesuits themselves, Parsons and Creswel, could not but acknowledge it too.

And when was it that she began to be severe? The Seculars give this answer to it, surely whensoever it was, we our selves (certain Catholicks of all sorts) were the true causes of it: For whilst her Majesty and the State, dealt with the Catho∣licks as you have heard,* 1.22 which was full eleven years, no one Catholick being called in question of his life, for his Conscience all that time:

Consider with us how our profession proceeded with them. 1 1.23 Her Highness had scarcely felt the Crown warm upon her head, but it was challenged from her by some of her Neighbours, as Master Saunders noteth. Thus they themselves confess, but because I am past five years of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, and am to give the true Reasons of making the rest of the Penal Laws in Queen Elizabeth's time, I shall proceed to assign the Reasons of making 13 Eliz. ca. 2.

Queen Elizabeth having triumphantly Reigned above 10 years in the Nation, to the great Joy and comfort of her Subjects, the Romish party, as they had been all along carrying on private Designs, to disturb her Reign, so in the eleventh year of her Reign Anno Domini 1568, they more openly appear'd, and Thomas Harding,

Nichloas Saunders, and T. P. Divines, busily exercised their Episcopal Power, receiv'd from the Bishop of Rome, of absolving in the Court of Conscience,* 1.24 all English men which returned to the Bosom of the Church, and of dispensing also in cases of irregu∣larity, excepting causes arising of wilful Murder, or brought into a contentious or judicial Court, and also of absolving from Irregularity in respect of Heresie, so as the persons to be absolved, do abstain from the Service of the Altar, by the space of three years.

After this, in the same year, Robert Rodolph, a Florentine, who had lived long time as a Factor in London, was imployed by Pius Quintus Bishop of Rome, (for he durst not send his Nuntio openly) to excite the Papists in England, secretly against Queen Elizabeth, which he most carefully and closely performed. And this same Pope writ a Letter to the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland, which had such success, that the latter end of 1569, a Rebellion of the Papists broke out in the North, fomented and carryed on by one Nicholas Morton, a Priest, who was sent from the Bishop of Rome, to pronounce Queen Elizabeth to be an Heretick, and there∣by to have forfeited all Dominion and Power. The Ring-Leaders of the Rebels, being the Earls of Northumberland, Westmerland, and Sussex. The Rebels went first to Durham an Episcopal See, where they rent and trampled under feet, the English Bibles, and Books of Common Prayer, which they found in Churches, and Cele∣brated Mass in all places where they came, their number was six hundred Horse, and four thousand Foot. But this Rebellion was quickly suppressed, threescore and six petty Constables hanged for a terror at Durham; amongst whom the men of most note, was one Plomtree a Priest, Simon Digby, John Fulthorp, Thomas Bishop, and Robert Peneman at York; and at London some few months after, Christopher and Thomas Nor∣ton, and some few elsewhere.

Afterwards such of the Rebels as were of best note, were convict of high Treason, and proscribed, viz. Charles Earl of Westmerland, Thomas Earl of Northum∣berland, Anne Countess of Northumberland, Daughter to Henry Earl of Worcester, Ed∣ward Dacres of Morton, John Nevel of Leversedge, John Swinborne, Thomas Markenfield, Egremond Ratcliff, the Earl of Sussex his Brother, Christopher Nevil, Richard Norton, of Norton Conyers, Christopher Marmaduke, and Thomas of the Family of the Nortons, Robert and Michael Tempest, George Stafford, and about forty more of Noble Birth. These mens Convictions and Proscriptions, was confirmed in the next Parliament. The rest, which had no Estates, nor had fled the Land, (as the Earl of Westmerland and several others did) were pardoned; not taken and hanged like Dogs in Cold-Blood, without Tryal, as many hundreds were in the West in 1685.

The Letter writ by Pope Pius V. to the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland, was this, viz.

A Letter of Pope Pius V. to the Earls of Northumberland and Westmer∣land, for encouraging them in the Rebellion against Queen Elizabeth, they were then engaged in: Being the tenth Letter of the fourth Book of the Epistles of the said Pope Pius, published at Antwerp, ex officina Plantiniana, by Francis Gouban, in the year 1640, and now from that Edition Translated into English.* 1.25

This Letter refers to lib. 3. cap. 9. of the Life of Pius Quintus, by Gabutius. See also Caten. p. 115.

To our Beloved Sons, Thomas Earl of Northumberland, and Charles Earl of Westmerland, in England.

Beloved Sons, Noblemen, Health to you, and Apostolick Benediction.

BY your Letters dated to us, the eighth day of November, (which being brought to us the eighth of February, we have speedily returned Answer) understanding more certainly and particularly, the Miseries and Calamities of that most flourishing Kingdom, not unknown to us before, we were affected with that grief of mind, wherewith both the Indignity of these Evils which we suffer

in you, and Our Paternal Affection towards both you and other Catholicks in that Kingdom, ought to affect us; for besides that Common Duty of Pastoral Charity, wherewith we ought to rejoice at the Welfare, or to be grieved at the Calamity of all the Faithful of Christ, and of every Province in which the Christian Name is professed, we are affected with an Episcopal prerogative of Love and Benevolence towards that Kingdom, both because We remember it was heretofore by the Labour and Industry of our Predecessor, the Blessed Gregory Bishop of Rome, (next after God Omnipotent) Converted from the Worship of Wood and Stones, to the Christian Faith; and by fit Men sent thither from him, instituted in Manners, and in the Catholick Doctrine, and also because it used to exhibit to the Apostolick See, an excellent Faith and sincerity of Devotion; therefore how much we grieve and are troubled at these your Evils, and the Evils of that Kingdom, which you in the same Letters no less Truely than Miserably Lament, cannot easily be exprest in Words. We grieve that so many and so great Poisonous Infections of wicked Heresies, and so deadly Wounds of the Christian Common-Wealth, should chiefly happen in the times of Our Pontificate: We are troubled, because We are Compelled to be Solicitous about the Danger of you and other Catholicks; but yet when We remember the Power of his Prayers, who entreated for St. Peter, that his Faith might not fail; and who enlarging his Church in Tribulation, does by so much the more admirably govern it by the Providence of his secret Council, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much the more he sees it tossed by the Waves of Troubles. We de∣spa•••• not, but what we have heard to have been done in former times, may also by the Divine assistance, be done in ours. That the Church which often seems by the prevailing Persecution of Hereticks to be trodden down, may re∣turn to its State of Antient Felicity, (the Lord Conspiring with her to a good Omen) and may receive encrease from that wherein she seemed to have suffe∣red Loss. For Behold, even now, he that of old things makes new ones, and of new things old ones, Our Lord Jesus Christ hath by you, (Men, Dear to Ʋs, and Eminent, as well by the Study of Catholick Piety, as by Nobleness of Birth) determined, peradventure to renew and confirm the Antient Ʋnion of the Romish Church, with that Kingdom; and therefore hath infused into you that mind, most worthy of the Zeal of your Catholick Faith, that you should attempt to reduce back that Kingdom (delivered from the most vile Servitude of a Womans Lust) to the Antient Obedience of this Holy Roman See, which Pi∣ous and Religious endeavour of your Minds, We recommend (as is fit) with just Praises in the Lord, and giving it that Our Blessing, which you desire; We do with the Benignity which becomes us, receive your Honours flying to the Power and Protection of us, and of this Holy See, to whose Authority they Subject themselves; exhorting you in the Lord, and with all possible earnestness of Our Mind, entreating you to Persevere constantly in this your so exceeding good will and lawdable Purpose: Being assured that the Omnipotent God, whose Works are Perfect, and who hath excited you to deserve well of the Ca∣tholick Faith in that Kingdom, will be assisting to you. But if in asserting the Catholick Faith, and Authority of this Holy See; you should suffer Death, and your Blood be spilt, it would be much better for the Confession of God, to flye by the Compendium of a Glorious Death to Life Eternal, than living Basely and Ignominiously, to serve the Lust of an Impotent Woman, with the Loss of your Souls. For think not, Beloved Sons in Christ, that those Catho∣lick Bishops, or Princes of that Kingdom whom you name, are ill dealt with, who because they would not forsake the Profession of the Catholick Faith, are either Imprisoned, or undeservedly affected with other Punishments, for the Constancy of these Men, which is even now confirmed by a new Example (as we conceive) of the Blessed Thomas, Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, no man can sufficiently commend, as it deserves. This same Constancy, you also imitating; be

of a Couragious and Constant mind, and desist not from the Enterprize by any Threats or denunciation of Danger. For God in whom you ought to repose your Trust, who did cast the Chariot and Army of Pharaoh into the Sea, is able to break the Strength and Power of his Adversaries; so that by you, the Pri∣mitive Religion and Ancient dignity of that Realm may be restored, which that it may be Compassed, we shall not only help you in performing with those Chri∣stian Princes whom you would, those Offices which you desire, but also in Con∣tributing at present, that Sum of Money, which according to our Ability, in answer to your Request, We can supply you with, as you shall more clearly and fully understand by our Beloved Son Robert Rodolphus, We being also ready to endeavour hereafter to contribute a Greater Sum than the Imbecility of Our Power will bear, and with a ready and chearful Mind to help your Pious Endea∣vour, with all our Estate and Power, which We can in the Lord.

Given at Rome at St. Peters, under the Fishers Ring, the twen∣tieth Day of February, 1570. In the fifth year of our Pontificate.

The Character the Lord Treasurer Burleigh gives this Charles Earl of Westmer∣land, is,

That he was a person utterly wasted by Looseness of Life,* 2.1 and by God's punishment, even in the time of his Rebellion, bereaved of his Children, that should have succeeded him in the Earldom, he saith, his Body was eaten with Ulcers of Lewd Causes, that no Enemy he had could wish him a Vi∣ler Punishment.

This was one of Pope Pius Quintus his Sons.

No sooner was this Rebellion thus happily supprest, and so much mercy shewn,* 2.2 but another breaks out at Naworth in Cumberland, headed by Leonard Dacres, second Son to William Lord Dacres, of Gillesland, in order to deliver the Queen of Scots, who was then in Custody; but the Lord Hunsdon, with the Old Garrison Soldiers of Berwick, ingaging him at the little River Gelt, after very many of the said Leo∣nard Dacre's Men were slain, he left the Victory to the Lord Hunsdon, and with∣drew himself to the next part of Scotland, from whence, shortly after, he Crossed the Seas into the Low Countries, and dyed a poor Man at Lovain. The Queen by publick Proclamation, pardoned the Multitude whom he had excited to Rebellion.* 2.3

And as the Papists gave Queen Elizabeth these disturbances here in England; so they were not wanting in Embroiling of Ireland: So ungrateful were they for all the favour and kindness, that she had from time to time shewn them. Edmond and Peter Boteler, the Earl of Ormond's Brethren, engaged themselves with the Bishop of Rome, and the Spaniard, for maintaining the Popish Religion, and outing Queen Elizabeth of her Kingdom of Ireland. But their Brother the Earl of Ormond quench∣ed this Flame, by perswading his Brethren to submit themselves, who by that means saved their Lives.

And no wonder it is, that the Papists thus Rebel against Queen Elizabeth; when Pius Quintus, Bishop of Rome, who had from the time he came to the See, been con∣tinually plotting against her, had the year before by his Bull declaratory, with∣out any previous admonition, or Citation, excommunicated her, and did afterwards cause the same to be openly published, and set up upon the Gates of the Bishop of Londons Palace, in these words.

A Sentence Declaratory of our Holy Lord Pope Pius Quintus, against Elizabeth Queen of England, and the Hereticks adhering unto her, wherein also all her Subjects are decla∣red to be absolved from the Oath of Allegiance, and whatever other Duty they owe unto her: And those that from henceforth shall obey her, are involved in the same Curse or Anathema.

Pius, Bishop, Servant to God's Servants, for a future Memorial of the matter.

He that raigneth on high, to whom is given all Power in Heaven and in Earth, hath Committed his one, Holy, Catholick, and Apostolick Church, out of which there is no Sal∣vation, to one alone upon Earth, namely, To Peter the Chief of the Apostles, and to Pe∣ter's Successor, the Bishop of Rome, to be by him govern'd with plenary Authority. Him alone hath he made Prince over all People, and all Kingdoms, to pluck up, destroy, scatter, consume, plant, and build; that he may preserve his faithful People, (knit together with

the band of Charity) in the Ʋnity of the Spirit, and present them spotless and unblamable to their Saviour. In discharge of which Function, we, who are by God's Goodness so called to the Government of the aforesaid Church, do spare no pains, labouring with all earnestness, that unity and the Catholick Religion, (which the Author thereof hath for the tryal of his Chil∣drens Faith, and for our amendment suffered to be tossed with so great Afflictions) might be preserved sincere. But the number of the ungodly hath gotten such power, that there is now no place in the whole world left, which they have not assayed to corrupt with their most wicked Doctrines, and amongst others, Elizabeth the pretended Queen of England, the Servant of Wickedness, lendeth thereunto her helping hand, with whom, as in a Sanctuary, the most perni∣cious persons have found a refuge. This very Woman having seized on the Kingdom, and monstrously usurped the place of Supream Head of the Church in all England, and the chief Authority and Jurisdiction thereof; hath again reduced the said Kingdom into a miserable and ruinous condition, which was so lately reclaimed to the Catholick Faith and a thriving Condition.

For having by strong hand prohibited the exercise of the true Religion, which Mary the law∣ful Queen of Famous Memory, had by the help of this See restored, after it had been former∣ly overthrown by Henry the Eighth, a Revolter there-from, and following and embracing the Errors of Hereticks, she hath changed the Royal Council, consisting of the English Nobi∣lity, and filled it up with obscure Men, being Hereticks; suppressed the Embracers of the Catholick Faith; Constituted lewd Preachers and Ministers of Impiety; Abolished the Sacri∣fice of the Mass, Prayers, Fastings, choice of Meats, unmarried Life, and the Catholick Rites and Ceremonies; commanded Books to be read through the whole Realm, containing manifest Heresie, and appointed Impious Rites and Institutions, by her self entertained and observed according to the Prescript of Calvin, to be likewise observed by her Subjects; pre∣sumed to eject Bishops, Parsons of Churches, and other Catholick Priests, out of their Churches and Benefices, and to bestow them and other Church Livings upon Hereticks, and to determine of Church Causes; prohibited the Prelates, Clergy, and People, to acknowledge the Church of Rome, or obey the Precepts or Canonical Sanctions thereof; compelled most of them to con∣descend to her wicked Laws, and to abjure the Authority and Obedience of the Bishop of Rome, and to acknowledge her to be sole Lady in Temporal and Spiritual Matters, and this by Oath; imposed Penalties and Punishments upon those which obeyed not, and exacted them of those which persevered in the Ʋnity of the Faith, and their Obedience aforesaid; cast the Catholick Prelates and Rectours of Churches into Prison, where many of them, being worn out with long languishing and sorrow, miserably ended their Lives: All which things being so manifest and notorious to all Nations, and by the serious Testimony of very many so substantially proved, that there is no place at all left for excuse, defense or evasion: We seeing that Impiety and Wicked Actions are multiplyed one upon another, as also that the Persecution of the Faithful and Affli∣ction for Religion groweth every day heavier and heavier, through the instigation and by means of the said Elizabeth, and since we understand her Heart to be so hardened and obdurate, that she hath not only contemned the Godly Requests and Admonitions of Catholick Princes, concer∣ning her cure and Conversion, but also hath not so much as suffered the N••ncio's of this See to cross the Seas for this purpose into England, are constrained of necessity to betake our selves to the Weapons of Justice against her, being heartily grieved and sorry that we are compelled thus to punish one, to whose Ancestors the whole State of Christendom hath been so much be∣holden. Being therefore supported with his Authority whose pleasure it was to place us (tho' unable for so great a burthen) in this Supream Throne of Justice, we do, out of the fulness of our Apostolick Power, declare, the aforesaid Elizabeth, as being an Heretick and a fa∣vourer of Hereticks, and her adherents in the matters aforesaid, to have incurr'd the Sen∣tence of Excommunication, and to be cut off from the unity of the body of Christ. And more∣over we do declare her to be deprived of her pretended Title to the Kingdom aforesaid, and of all Dominion, Dignity, and Priviledge whatsoever; and also the Nobility, Subjects, and People of the said Kingdom, and all others who have in any sort sworn unto her, to be for ever absolved from any such Oath, and all manner of Duty of Dominion, Allegiance and Obe∣dience: and we also do by Authority of these Presents absolve them, and do deprive the said Elizabeth of her pretended Title to the Kingdom, and all other things before named. And we do command and charge all and every the Noblemen, Subjects, People, and others afore∣said, that they presume not to obey her, or her Orders, Mandates and Laws: And those which shall do the contrary, we do include them in the like Sentence of Anathema. And because it would be a difficult matter, to convey these Presents to all places wheresoever it shall be need∣ful; Our Will is, that the Copies thereof under a Publick Notaries hand, and Sealed with the Seal of an Ecclesiastical Prelate, or of his Court, shall carry altogether the same credit with

all men, judicially, and extrajudicially, as these Presents should do, if they were exhibited or shewed.

Given at Rome at St. Peters in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1569, the fifth of the Calends of March, and of our Popedome the fifth year.

Cae. Glorierius.

One Felton hung up this Bill upon the Bishop of London's Palace Gates,* 3.1 and scorn∣ing to seek an escape, boldly vindicates the Pope, and himself, in what was done, defying the Queen and her Authority, for which he was Arraigned, Condemned, and Hanged, near the same place in St. Paul's Church-yard.

Now for any thus to contemn, and villifie his Soveraign, nul her Authority, re∣nounce his Allegiance, and so far to submit himself to a Foreign Jurisdiction, even in Temporalities, as to declare his own Soveraign deprived and deposed from her King∣dom, what punishment this man incurr'd, let the Reader Judge, provided he will also consider, That had a Protestant thus renounc'd his Obedience in Queen Mary's daies, the party must have dyed for it; and those who commend Felton, would have called the other Traytors; and yet Felton did it to procure a National Rebellion.

Besides this, in the beginning of the 13th year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth,* 3.2 in Ireland, Conogher O Brien Earl of Twomond, closely contrived a Rebellion, which, just as it was ready to break forth, was by meer chance blown over; and Thomas Steukley an Englishman, a Ruffian, a notorious Spendthrift, and a notable vaporer, (who having consumed his Estate, fled over into Ireland) after he had first vomited forth most un∣deserved disgraces against his Princess, to whom he was extraordinarily bounden, soon after slipt out of Ireland into Italy, to Pius V. Bishop of Rome, where incredible it is, into how great grace and favour he wrought himself, by his Flatteries with that old man, who breathed after the destruction of Queen Elizabeth.

This Steukley (saith the Lord Treasurer Burleigh) was a defamed person almost thro' all Christendom, and a faithless Beast, rather than a Man,* 3.3 fleeing first out of England for notable Piracies, and out of Ireland for Treacheries not pardonable, and that he and the said Charles Nevil Earl of Westmerland, were the Ring-Leaders of the rest of the Rebels; the one for England, the other for Ireland: But notwithstanding the no∣torious evil and wicked Lives of these and others their confederates, void of all Chri∣stian Religion, it liked the Bishop of Rome, as in favour of their Treasons, to ani∣mate them to take Arms against their lawful Queen, to invade her Realm with Fo∣reign Forces, to pursue all her good Subjects and their Native Country, with Fire and Sword, for maintenance whereof, the Bull aforesaid had proceeded.

And the Pope, the Guises, the King of Spain,* 3.4 and the rest of the confederates against the Queen and the Protestant Religion, the better to carry on their designs, did soon after Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown, set up a Title thereto in the Queen of Scots, as aforesaid, which was one principal cause that there were so many Plots and Con∣spiracies during her Reign, tho' none gave her any great trouble, till about the 10th or 11th year of her Reign.

It appears by Letters from the Pope to the Queen of Scots, written in the year 1571. 13 Eliz. that there was a design on Foot to introduce Popery and to subvert the Protestant Religion here in England, which Letter was delivered by Ridolpho the Flo∣rentine, before mentioned, his means to the Queen of Scots: And Ridolpho by his own particular Letters to the Queen of Scots, desired her to acquaint the Duke of Norfolk and her Friends with the Design, but there being at that time a Treaty begun, in order to her being restored to her Kingdom of Scotland, whereof she was at that time dispos∣sest, she defer'd answering the Letter; but the Treaty afterwards coming to nothing, she privately sent a large commentary or draught of her Counsels and Affairs to the Duke of Norfolk before mentioned, written in Cyphers, known only to them two; as also other Letters to be conveyed by Ridolpho to the Pope and the Spaniard;* 3.5 Ridolpho greatly pressed the Duke to enter into the Confederacy, and as an encouragement, affirmed, That the Pope, so that the Catholick (i. e. the Popish) Religion might be promoted, would bear the charge of the whole War, and that he had to that purpose laid down 1 3.6 an hundred thousand Crowns the last year, when the Bull was Published, whereof twelve thousand, he the said Ridolpho had distributed amongst the English Fugitives. He promised that the Spaniard would supply him with 4000 Horse, and 6000 Foot, which might be sent over to Harwich (near whereunto the Duke had many Potent Adherents)

and that most commodiously, and without suspicion, in the beginning of Summer, when the Duke of Medina Caeli was to come with a strong Fleet into the Netherlands. And concluded, that such Caution might be used, that the Duke might be cleared from all Suspition of affecting the Crown, and the Queen of England safely might be provided for, so as she would Embrace or tollerate the Romish Religion, and give her assent to the Queen of Scots Marriage with the Duke Which Conspiracy the Duke at that time refused to enter into,* 3.7 notwithstanding Ridolphus plausible reasoning, as he did also a Proposition made to him from Ross, by Barker, of surprising the Queen at unawares, and interrupting the Parliament, which was then sitting.

The Commentary of the Queen of Scots before mentioned, being afterwards disco∣vered, there the Design appearing, I have inserted what Cambden saith she therein discoursed, viz.

That the French approved of the Conference begun with the Scots, and yet propounded the Marriage of the Duke of Anjou with Queen Elizabeth, and that to no other end, but that they might have the better pretence to deny the aid promised for her Restitution. That the same French privately opposed her Marriage with Don John of Austria, and highly favoured that with Norfolk, in hatred to the Spaniards. That the Duke of Alva did so far condemn the Design, for sending back the Queen of Scots into Scotland, that he thought it to be atten∣ded with the utter undoing of the Queen, and the overthrow of the Catholick Re∣ligion in Britain; for the Queen being returned into Scotland, must of necessity ei∣ther undergo the danger of being besieged, or else hazard a Battel with the Re∣bels, who with the help of the English, would soon get her into their power, before any foreign Forces could come to her assistance. Seeing then she could not be safe in Scotland, and from France there was swall hope, that being embroiled with Wars within it self, he thought it her best Course to fly to the Spaniards help, who had proffered her Marriage with Don John of Austria (which, notwith∣standing she would refuse, having given her Faith that the Popish Religion in Brit∣tain, should be restored by Norfolk:) as also that her Son should be forthwith con∣veyed out of Scotland, and sent into Spain; for so he would be kept in safety, and instructed in the Romish Religion, from his very Childhood, and withal all pre∣tences would be taken from the Scots, who Cloaked their Rebellion under his Name. That to solicit these matters, and to procure foreign assistance, Ridolph was to be sent away presently, who was to have private directions, in any Case to conceal these things from the French.

When the Council had received this Commentary, and the Letters before mentio∣ned,* 3.8 as likewise other Letters sent from the Bishop of Rome, and one Barker being apprehended, had made a full Confession, the Duke of Norfolk was committed to the Tower, together with Bannister, the Dukes Counsellor at Law, the Earls of A∣rundel, and South-hampton, the Lord Lumley, the Lord Cobham, and Thomas his Bro∣ther; Henry Piercy, Lowder, Powel, Goodyear, and others, who every one of them, even the Duke himself confessed the matter. The Iniquity of these times, and the Love of the Estates of England, (which were then assembled at Westminster) towards their Prince and Country, occasioned the making an Act of Parliament, whereby certain Offences were made Treason.

* 3.9The Preamble of this Act, takes notice, that it was thought the Laws and Statutes of this Realm then in force, were not sufficient for the preservation of the Queens person, which ought to be provided for, and by the Neglecting whereof, the Government might be subverted. And therefore it was Enacted, and provided, according to the Tenor of former Laws, that if any should attempt the Destructeon, or personal Hurt of the Queen, or raise War, or excite others to War against Her; if any Man should affirm that she is not, nor ought of right to be deemed Queen of this Realm, but that the Kingdom is more justly due to another, or should pronounce her to be an Heretick, Schismatick, or Infidel, or should usurp the Right and Title of the Kingdom, during her Life, or af∣firm, that any other hath right to the Crown, or that the Laws and Statutes cannot limit, and determine the Right of the Crown, and the Succession thereof, Every such person should be guilty of High Treason during the Queens Life, and that after her Death, if any person held the Doctrine that the Laws and Statutes cannot limit and de∣termine the Right of the Crown and the Succession thereof, he should incur a Premu∣nire. That if any Man during the Queens Life, should by any Book written, or prin∣ted expresly maintain, that any person is, or ought to be Heir, or Successor to the Queen, except the same be the Natural Issue of her Body, or should wilfully publish, print, or utter any Books, or Writings to that effect, he, and his Abettors, should for the first Offence, suffer Imprisonment for a Year, and forfeit the one half of his Goods, and for the second Offence, incur the Penalty of a Premunire.

I confess that Keble saith in his Collection of Statutes, that this Act of Parliament is expired, but what ground he hath for it, appears not any where that I can find,* 3.10 ei∣ther in our History, or Law Books; so that I take it, for so much as was to continue after her death, it is in force still, not being repealed by any subsequent Statute; and therefore certainly, who ever holds that Doctrine; that the Right of the Crown, and the succession thereof, cannot be limited, and determined by the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom, incurs a Premunire.

There was also another Act of Parliament made in the same Session, the which is in∣tituled, an Act against the bringing in, and putting in execution of Bulls, writings, or Instruments, and other Superstitions from the See of Rome.

The Preamble of which Statute, recites the Stat. of 5 Eliz. ca. 1.* 3.11 Touching the Abolishing of the Authority of the Bishop, and See of Rome; and setts out, That yet neverthe∣less, divers Seditious, and evil disposed People, minding not only to bring this Realm, and the Imperial Crown thereof, (being in very deed of it self most free) into the Thral∣dom, and subjection of that Foreign, usurped, and unlawful Iurisdiction, Preheminence, and Authority, claimed by the said See of Rome; but also to estrange the Minds, and Hearts of sundry of her Majesties Subjects, from their Dutiful Obedience, and raise and stir Sedition, and Rebellion within this Realm, to the disturbance of the most happy peace thereof, have lately procured and obtained to themselves, from the said Bishop of Rome and his said See; divers Bulls, and Writings. And sets forth the effect of the said Bull herein before particularly set forth; and that by colour of the said Bulls, and Writings, the said wicked Persons very secretly, and most seditiously, in such parts of this Realm, where the People for want of Instruction, were most weak, simple, and ignorant, and there∣by, furthest from the good understanding of their Duty towards God, & the Queen, had by their Lewd and subtle Practices, and Perswasions, so far wrought, that sundry persons had been re∣conciled to the said usurpt Authority of the See of Rome, and did take Absolution at the hands of the said naughty and subtle Practicers; whereby there was grown great disobe∣dience, and boldness in many, not only to withdraw, and absent themselves from all Di∣vine Service; but also did think themselves discharged from all Obedience, Duty, and Allegiance to her Majesty, that thereupon most wicked and unnatural Rebellion had ensued, and to the further danger of this Realm, was likely to be renewed, if the ungodly attempts in that behalf, were not by severity of Laws restrained and bridled: This Law therefore provides, that they who by Bulls, or other Instruments of the Bishop of Rome; should re∣concile any person to the Church of Rome, and those also who should be so reconciled, should incur the Penalty of High Treason. That those who should relieve such as did so reconcile Men, or should bring into England any Agnus Dei's, or any Crosses, Pictures, Beads, or such like vain and superstitious Things, Consecrated by the Bishop of Rome, should undergo the Penalty of a Premunire: That they who should not discover such as did so reconcile, should be guilty of Misprision of Treason.

From the precedent History of Fact, and the Preamble of these two Acts of Parliament, and the Acts themselves, I observe three things.

1st. That the Kingdom of England is in it self a Free State; exempt from all Fo∣reign Jurisdiction whatever, by the Common Law of this Kingdom.

2dly. That there had been deep Designs on foot, before the making of these Acts of Parliament, for the inslaving this Kingdom to the Bishop and See of Rome, subverting the Protestant Religion, and introducing Popery; and in order thereunto, there were several Plots laid to destroy the person of the Queen.

3dly. That these were all laid and carried on by the Pope, and some Papists that were the Queens own Subjects, and others their adherents, and therefore certainly it must be granted that it was very necessary at that time to make these Laws against the Papists.

And that it was but reasonable to make them,* 3.12 even the Secular Priests themselves have owned in their important Considerations. They confess that Pius V. did practise her Ma∣jesties subversion; that Ridolpho was sent hither by the Pope (under Colour of Merchan∣dize) to sollicit a Rebellion; That Pius V. moved the King of Spain to Joyn in this ex∣ploit; That the Bull was devised purposely to further the intended Rebellion, for de∣priving her Majesty from her Kingdom; That the Pope and King of Spain assigned the Duke of Norfolk to be head of this Rebellion; That the Pope gave order to Ridolpho, to take 150000 Crowns to set forwards this Attempt. That some of this money was sent to Scotland, and some delivered to the Duke; That King Philip, at the Pope's Instance, de∣termined to send the Duke of Alva into England, with all his forces out of the Low-Coun∣tries, to assist the Duke of Norfolk; which they confess in this manner. That these things their Adversaries the Protestants Charged on them as true, and that they were in hand whilst her Majesty dealt so mercifully with them, and therefore ask'd them how they could excuse these designs so Unchristian, so unpriestly, so Treacherous, and so unprince-like? To which they answer, that when they first heard the aforementioned particu∣lars, they did not believe them, but would have laid their Lives they had been false; but

when they saw them printed in the Life of Pius V, they appeal to God, they were ama∣zed,* 3.13 and say, they can say no more, but that his Holiness was misinformed, and indirect∣ly drawn to these courses. They confess, that there being several persons in Prison, when the Rebellion in the North before mentioned brake forth, that it was known that the Pope had Excommunicated the Queen, that there followed a great restraint of the Pri∣soners, but none of them were put to death upon that occasion; the Sword being then only drawn against such Catholicks, as had risen up actually into open Rebellion, where∣in, say they, we cannot see what her Majesty did, that any Prince in Christendom, in such a case, would not have done, and confess these things to have been the occasion of making 13 Eliz. ca. 2. against bringing in Buls &c. thus they express themselves,* 3.14 we cannot but con∣fess, as reasonable men, that the State had great Reasons to make some Laws against us, except they should have shown themselves careless for the continuance of it, but be the Law, as any would have it, never so extream, yet surely it must be granted, that the occasions of it were most outragious, and likewise that the Execution of it was not so Tragical, as many have since written and reported of it; for whatsoever was done against us, either upon the pretence of that Law, or of any other, would never we think have been attempted, had not divers other preposterous occasions, besides the Causes of that Law, daily fallen out amongst us, which procured matters to be urged more se∣verely against us. And afterwards they accuse Saunders the Jesuit for writing a Book in 1572, de visibili Monarchia, and therein justifying the Excommunicating the Queen, and the said Rebellion in the North, and do themselves own, that the persons that suffered upon that account, were Arraigned, Condemned, and Executed, by the Antient Laws of the Country, for High Treason.

As to the Acts themselves, It is not to be denyed, but they are very severe, yet not severe enough to deter the Papists from carrying on their designs against the Queen, and the Protestant Religion, as I shall by and by make appear; but before I do that, let us a little enquire,* 3.15 what proceedings there were upon these Laws after they were thus made.

In the year 1571, 'tis true, one John Story Doctor in Laws, one of the Duke of Alva's Servants, an Englishman, and a Papist, was Executed; but it was for High Treason, (not Religion) for having conspired the Queen's Death, cursed her daily in his Grace at Meals, and shewing the Duke of Alva's Secretary the way to Invade England, to put Ireland into Rebellion, and to excite the Scots to break into England all at once.

The Duke of Norfolk was also Tryed, Convicted, and Executed, and after his Condem∣nation, and before his Execution, one Barney and Mather were Executed, for conspiring with one Herle, to make away some of the Council, and to deliver the Duke out of Prison.

* 3.16Divers other Conspiracies and Practices there were, for delivering the Duke, which occasioned a Parliament, and the Parliaments making two Acts. One, that those who should surprize, demolish, or burn any of the Queen's Forts, should be guilty of Felony: And that those who should hold the same by Force against the Queen, burn her Ships, or stop up her Havens, should be guilty of High Treason. Another against such as should con∣spire or practice the inlargement of any Prisoner committed for High Treason, which as it is Printed by Rastal, is as followeth,

* 3.17Forasmuch as great danger may ensue to the Queens Majesties person, and great trouble to the State of the Realm, by unlawful Conspiracies, Devises and Imaginations, to inlarge and set at Liberty such persons as be, or shall be committed to any Prison, Gard or Custody, for any Treason touching the Royal Person of our said Soveraign Lady, against which De∣vices, Conspiracies and Imaginations, sufficient remedy by the Laws of this Realm, hath not been heretofore had nor provided, unless the same Conspiracies, Imaginations and Devi∣ses, were Executed and brought to effect. Be it therefore Enacted by our said Soveraign Lady the Queen, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this present Par∣liament Assembled, and by the Authority of the same, that if any person or persons, at any time after the end of this present Session of Parliament, shall imagine, conspire, devise, invent, or go about unlawfully or malitiously, to inlarge or set at liberty any person or persons commit∣ted or to be committed to any prison, gard, or custody, by her Highness special Command∣ment, for any Treason or suspition of Treason, concerning the person of our said Sove∣raign Lady the Queen, before any indictment of such person so sought or intended to be set at large or liberty, as is aforesaid, and the same conspiracies, imaginations, devices or inventi∣ons, shall by express words, writing or other matter, or act, expresly or manifestly set forth, utter or declare, that then every person so offending, shall incur the penalty and forfeiture of Misprision of Treason, and that all and every Offence and Offences to be comitted and done, as is aforesaid, shall be deemed and taken for Misprision of Treason.

And be it also Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that if any person or persons at any time after the end of this present Session of Parliament shall imagine, conspire, devise, invent, or go about, unlawfully and malitiously, to inlarge or set at liberty, any person or persons, com∣mitted or to be committed to any prison, gard or custody, being or which hereafter shall be in∣duced of any Treason in any wise, concerning the Person of our said Soveraign Lady the Queen, and the same conspiracies, imaginations, devises, or inventions, shall by express words, writing or other matter or act, expresly or manifestly set forth, utter or declare, that

then every such person so offending, shall be deemed and adjudged a Felon, and suffer, lose, and forfeit, as in cases of Felony, by the due course of the Laws of this Realm.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that if any person or persons at any time, after the end of this present Session of Parliament, shall imagine, conspire, devise, in∣vent, or go about unlawfully and malitiously, to inlarge or set at liberty, any person or per∣sons, being committed to any prison, gard or Custody, after the same person or persons is, or shall be attainted or convicted of any Treason in any wise concerning the Royal Person of our said Soveraign Lady the Queen, and the same conspiracies, imaginations, devices or inventions, shall by express words, written matter, or act, as is aforesaid, set forth, utter or declare, that then every person so offending, shall be deemed and adjudged an High Traitor, and shall suffer, lose, and forfeit, as in cases of High Treason by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm: This Act was to indure during the Queen's Majesties Life only.

In the year 1572,* 3.18 the Earl of Northumberland was also Executed for his Treason in the Northern Rebellion before mentioned. But I find, that altho' several Persons were ap∣prehended for offending against 13 Eliz 2. which was made against bringing in Bulls, Agnus Dei, &c. as private Tokens of Papal Obedience, and against reconciling any to the See of Rome, yet not one was Executed till 1577, which was almost twenty years after the Queen's Accession to the Crown.

The first that was convicted upon this Law, was one Cuthbert Mayne, a Priest,* 3.19 who being an obstinate Maintainer of the Pope's Power against his Princess, was put to Death at St. Stephens Fane, commonly called Launston in Cornwel, and one Trugion a Gentleman, that had harboured him, was turned out of his Estate, and condemned in perpetual Impri∣sonment; and after him Hanse and Nelson, and one Sherwood, all for maintaining that the Queen was a Schismatick and Heretick and ought to be Deposed, so that from the time of making 13 Eliz. ca. 2. in 1571, to this year of 1577, fair and calm weather shone upon the Papists in England, who, by a merciful connivance, served God according to their own way of Worship, in their private Houses, in a manner without any Punishment, al∣tho' it were prohibited by the Law, by which a pecuniary Mulct was to be inflicted on them; neither did the Queen in all this time offer violence to their Consciences, nor was she easily to be induced to believe any thing amiss of the people, much less to inflict punishments upon them, for differing in Opinion; being wont to say, That she could be∣lieve nothing of her people, which Parents would not believe of their Children.

And was not this Clemency and Kindness sufficient to prevail with the Papists, to leave off their Plots and Contrivances against her and the Protestant Religion? Were not these Laws severe enough to keep them within the bounds of their Duty? Will neither Love allure them to Obedience, nor threatnings upon so severe penalties, as the loss of Life and Estate, deter them from offending? one might reasonably have expected it.* 3.20 But instead there∣of in 1578, for Invading Ireland and England both at once, and deposing of Q. Elizabeth, (who was the strongest Bulwark of the Reformed Religion) both the Spaniard, and Gre∣gory the thirteenth Bishop of Rome, entred into a Confederacy, at and by the instigation of one Thomas Steukly, a Fugitive, herein before mentioned, but that design by the Pro∣vidence of God being defeated,

In the year 1579, one James Fitz-Morris, a Fugitive, raised a Rebellion in Ireland,* 3.21 the same James, who had not long before been in a Rebellion, and was upon his sub∣mission (having most religiously vowed his Fidelity and Obedience to the Queen) par∣doned. He having (at the earnest solicitations of Saunders, an English Priest, and Allen an Irish one, both of them Doctors in Divinity) gotten a little Money of the Pope; the Authority of a Legate granted to Saunders; a consecrated Banner, and Letters of recom∣mendation to the Spaniard; went to Spain, and thence into Ireland; where he landed the first day of July, with those two Romish Priests, three Ships, and a small body of men, who were all soon disperst, and Fitz Morris slain.

There is one story, relating to this Rebellion, that for the Cruelty of it, I can't let pass: As soon as the Lord Deputy had certain intelligence of Fitz-Morris his being land∣ed, he commanded the Earl of Desmond, and his Brothers jointly, by Henry Davil an Eng∣lish Gentleman, and a stout Souldier, and very familiar with the Desmonds, that they should forthwith assault the Fort; which when they shifted off, as a thing full of Danger, Davil departed, in order to obey the Deputy's Commands, and John Desmond followed after him; at Trally, a small Town, he overtook him at his Inn, and in the dead of the night, having corrupted his Host, broke into his Chamber, with certain Cut-Throats, having their Swords drawn, where Davil slept securely, with Arthur Carter, Lieutenant to the Marshal of Munster, a stout old Soldier; but being awakened with the noise, when he saw John Desmond in the Chamber with his Sword drawn, he raised himself up, say∣ing, what's the matter my Son? (for so he was wont familiarly to call him.) I will no longer be thy Son, (says he) nor shalt thou be my Father, thou shalt dye; and therewithal they slew both him and Carter that lay with him, stabbing them in many places, after that Davil's Lackey, by interposing his naked body, had done the best he could, for a while,

to defend his Master, and had receiv'd some wounds; then he slew all Davil's Servants, one after ano¦ther, who were lodged here and there in several Chambers, and so returning all begored with Blood, he boasted amongst the Spaniards of the Murther: And let this (said he) be a pledge to you of my faithfulness to∣wards you, and the * 3.22 Cause you are ingaged in. This Fact Sounders commended as a sweet Sacrifice in the sight of God. This may be a warning to all Protestants, how they enter into any familiar Friendship with Papists, or trust them, seeing when they butcher them they think they do God good Service, and offer up their Blood to him as an acceptable Sacrifice, and seeing, that 'tis their avowed Principle, that no Faith is to be kept with Hereticks, as they esteem Protestants of all perswasions to be.

This Rebellion ended not with John Fitz-Morris; but was, after his death, carried on by John Desmond, and notwithstanding the Earl of Desmond had promised Drury, then Lord Deputy, his fidelity and obedience to the Queen, and bound himself by Oath, that both himself in person, and his would serve her against the Rebels, yet he afterwards pulled off his Vizzard, and openly went over to the Rebels, and the Lord De∣puty dying and the Council of Ireland having made Sir William Pelham Justicer of Ireland, he admonished the Earl of Desmond▪ and demanded the delivery up of Saunders, the Foreign Souldiers, and the Castles of Carigo Foyle and Asketten, but he refusing, was Proclaimed a Traytor, and guilty of High Treason, for having dealt with Foreign Princes for the Conquest and Destruction of his Native Country, reliev'd Saun∣ders and James Fitz-Morris Rebels, harboured the Spaniards which escaped out of the Fort at Smerwick hanged up divers faithful Subjects, displayed the Pope's Banner against the Queen, and brought Foreign∣ers into the Realm: And then the Lord Justicer committed the prosecution of the whole War to Ormond, which he prosecuted so vigorously, that this Desmond and his Brethren were forced to lurk and hide their heads▪ yet they added so much Popish Impudence to their former base Treachery and Perfidiousness, that they signified to the Lord Justicer in a long Letter▪ that they had undertaken the protection of the Catholick Faith (i. e. Popery) in Ireland, and that by Authority from the Bishop of Rome and direction of the Catholick King (i. e. the King of Spain) and therefore they do kindly advise him to joyn with them in so pious and meritorious a Cause, for the Salvation of his own Soul? O horrid Impiety! To make the commit∣ting Treason, Rebellion, Murder, Rapine, and all manner of Cruelties, to be the direct way to Heaven.

* 3.23Arthur Lord Grey, in the year 1580, being made Lord Deputy of Ireland, after a great deal of blood spilt, happily supprest that Rebellion, which he had no sooner done, but another dangerous Conspiracy was de∣tected and crusht in the Bud, for divers of Noble Families in Lemster, most of them descended of English Blood, partly out of Affection to the Romish Religion, and partly out of hatred against the new English, had conspired together, to surprize the Lord Deputy with his Houshold, to take the Castle of Dublin at unawares (where all the Provision for War lay) and to put the English in Ireland every man to the Sword: And so close they were in carrying on their Conspiracy, that they never confer'd or discoursed about it more than two and two together But amongst so many that were privy to it, it came at last to light, and was by the Execution of a few timely prevented.

* 3.24These Plots and Conspiracies not answering the Designs of the Papists: To the intent that they might the more effectually carry on their Treasons and Conspiracies for the future, in order to the Extirpation of the Protestant Religion out of the Queen's Dominions, and the introducing Popery in its room: They thought it very necessary, to alienate the Hearts of the Queen's Subjects from her, by the secret and craf∣ty insinuations of Priests and Jesuits and that they might be furnisht with enough for that end, even of the Queens own Subjects, certain English Priests who had fled into the Netherlands for their Treasons committed here by the procurement of the Romish Party, formed themselves into a Collegiate Form of Government at Doway, and to these the Pope allowed a yearly Pension: But Tumults arising in the Low Countries and the English Fugitives being commanded by the King of Spain's Deputies to depart from thence, other the like Colledges for the training up of the English Youth, were erected; one at Rheimes by the Guises and another at Rome by Pope Gregory the 13th, which alwaies afforded new supplies of Priests for England when the old ones failed, whose business it was privately to spread the Seeds of Popery here amongst us: From whence the Colledges had the name of Seminaries, and they called Seminary Priests, who were bred up in them: In these Seminaries, amongst other disputations it was concluded, that the Pope hath such fulness of Power by Divine Right, over the whole Christian World, both in Ecclesiastical and Secular Matters, that by vertue thereof, it is lawful for him to Excommunicate Kings, absolve their Subjects from the Oath of Allegiance, and to deprive them of their Kingdoms.

Out of these Seminaries, were sent forth into divers parts of England, and Ireland, at first, a few young men, and afterwards more, according as they grew up, who were entered over-hastily into holy Orders, and instructed in the above mentioned Principles. They pretended only to administer the Sacraments of the Romish Religion, and to preach to Papists; but the Queen and her Council soon found, that they were sent over, underhand, to seduce the Subjects from their Allegiance, and Obedience due to their Prince; to oblige them by reconciliation, to perform the Pope's Command, to stir up intestine Rebellions, under the Seal of Confession, and flatly to execute the Sentence of Pius V. against the Queen; to the end, that Way might be made for the Pope, and the Spaniard, who had designed the Conquest of England.

To these Seminaries, were sent daily out of England by the Papists, in contempt and dispight of the Laws, great numbers of Boys, and young Men of all sorts, and admitted into the same, making a Vow to return into England; Others also crept secretly from thence into the Land, and more were daily expect∣ed with the Jesuits, who at that time came first into England. This occasioned the Queen to issue out a Proclamation.* 3.25

That whosovever had any Children, Wards, Kinsmen, or other Relations, in the parts be∣yond the Seas, should after 10 days give in their Names to the Ordinary, and within four Months call them home again, and when they were returned, should forthwith give notice of the same to the said Ordinary. That they should not directly, or indirectly supply such as refused to return with any Money. That no man should entertain in his House, or harbor any Priests sent forth from the aforesaid Semina∣ries, or Jesuits, or cherish and relieve them, and that whoever did to the contrary, should be accounted a favourer of Rebels, and Seditious Persons, and proceeded against according to the Laws of the Land.

* 3.26Before such time as this was proclaimed, the Papists pretended, that they were sensible too late of the Inconveniencies by the said Bull; and that they were ill pleased, that ever it came forth: A defence of the same written by the said Nicholas Sanders, they cunningly supprest, and prohibited the Question con∣cerning the power of the Bishop of Rome in Excommunicating, and Deposing of Princes, to be publickly disputed: Which notwithstanding, brake forth every day hotter and hotter amongst them.

Robert Parsons also and Edmund Campian English-Men, and of the Society of Jesus, being now ready to come over to advance the Romish affairs in England, obtained Power from Gregory the Thirteenth Bishop of Rome, for moderating that severe Bull,* 3.27 and that in these words: Let there be humbly prayed of our most Holy Lord (who is gene∣rally the most wicked of the whole Court of Cardinals) an Explanation of the Bull Decla∣ratory, set forth by Pius the V. against Elizabeth and her adherents (to give her the Title of Queen after she was excommunicated, would have been to disown their own Doctrine of the Lawfulness to depose and kill Princes) which Bull, the Catholics (i. e. the Romish Rebels and Traytors) do desire, may be understood in this manner, that it may always bind Her, and the Hereticks (i. e. the Protestants and their Protestants Queen) but in no way the Catholicks as matters now stand (for they were wise enough to carry on their Cruel Designs, and knew well enough that whatever Cruelties they used they should be commended for it, whether they had any orders for it or not) but only hereafter when publick Execution of the said Bull may be had (they doubted not of effecting their enterprize for washing their hands in the Blood of the Protestants); these Graces aforesaid, the Bishop hath granted to Father Robert Parsons, and Edmund Campian, who are now to take their Journey into England, the Fourteenth day of April, 1580. in the Presence of Father Oliver Manarcus Assistant.

This Parsons was of Somerset-shire, a violent, fierce natur'd Man, and of rough be∣haviour, Campian was a Londoner, of a sweet disposition, and a well pollish'd Man, both of them were, by Education Oxford Men, and known there to Cambden himself, as he avers; Campian being of St. John's Colledge, bare the Office of Proctor of the Uni∣versity, in the Year 1568. and being made Deacon, made a shew of the Protestant Religion, he withdrew himself out of England, (they can turn themselves into all shapes, to carry on their Barbarous and Cruel Conspiracies against the Protestants, and the true Reli∣gion which they profess: Modern Instances of this we have not a few.) Parsons was of Balliol Colledge, wherein he openly professed the Protestant Religion, until he was for his loose carriage Expell'd with disgrace, and went over to the Papists, (and it hath been observed by many, and that very truly, that they who go over from the Protestant to the Popish Religion, are generally Men of very vitious and loose Lives:) These two coming privately into England, Travelled up and down the Country, and to Popish Gentlemens Houses, Covertly, and in the disguised Habits, sometimes of Souldiers, sometimes of Gentle∣men, sometimes of Ministers of the Word, and sometimes of Apparitors, diligently performing what they had in Charge, both in word and writing: Parsons who was Constituted Superior, being a Man of a Seditious and Turbulent Spirit, and Armed with a Confident Boldness, tampered so far with the Papists about deposing the Queen, that some of them (Cambden saith, he speaks upon their own Credit,) thought to have delivered them into the Magistrates hands; Campian the more modest, yet by a written Paper, Challenged the Ministers of the English Church to a Disputation, and published a Neat well-pen'd Book in Latine, called, Ten Reasons in Defence of the Doctrine of the Church of Rome: And Parsons put out another virulent Book in English against Clark, who had soberly written against Campian's Challenge; but to Campian's Reasons, Whitaker gave a solid Answer. Campian himself was taken a Year after, and put to the Rack, and afterwards being brought forth to Dispute, he scarcely answered the expectation raised of him.

Neither wanted there others also of the Popish Faction (for Religion was then grown into faction as it was very lately here in England) who Laboured Tooth and Nail at Rome, and elsewhere in Princes Courts, to raise War against their own Country: Yea, they published also in Print, that the Bishop of Rome and the Spaniard had Con∣spired together, to Conquer England; and expose it for a Spoil and Prey. And this they did on purpose to give Courage to their own Party, and to terrifie others from their Allegiance to their Prince and Country. This forced a Manifesto from the Queen,* 3.28 wherein (after acknowledgment of the goodness of God towards her;) She declar∣eth, that she had attempted nothing against any Prince, but for preservation of her own King∣dom; nor had she Invaded the Provinces of any other, tho she had been sundry times thereunto both provoked by Injuries, and invited by Opportunities, that if any Prince go about to attempt ought against her, she doubts not but to be able (by the Blessing of God) to defend her People, and to that purpose she had Mustered her Forces, both by Sea, and Land, and had them now in readiness against any Hostile Invasion; her faithful Subjects she Exhorts, to continue immoveable in their Allegiance and Duty towards God and their Prince, the Minister of God, (not their absolute Supream Lord, to dispose of them and theirs according to will and pleasure,)

the rest who had shaken off their Love to their Country, and their Obedience to their Prince, she commands to carry themselves modestly and peaceably, and not provoke the severity of Justice a∣gainst themselves, for she would no longer be so imprudent, as by sparing the Bad, to prove cruel to her self and her good Subjects.

By this Manifesto all Men may see how tender and compassionate the Queen was to her worst Subjects, even them who had renounced their Allegiance to her, and very hardly was she brought to put the Laws in Execution against them, although they so justly deserved it, of which take the following account from Mr. Cambden.

* 3.29The Queen, to take away the fear which had possest many Minds, that Religion would be altered, and Popery tollerated, being overcome by importunate Intreaties, permitted, (not furiously Commanded, as if she thirsted after Blood) That Edmund Campian aforesaid, of the Society of Jesus, Ralph Sherwin, Luke Kirby and Alexander Briant, Priests, should be Arraigned; who being Indicted upon the Act for Treason made 25 Ed. 3. and charged to have compassed and imagined the destruction of the Queen and Realm, to have adhered to the Bishop of Rome, the Queens Enemy, to have come into England to disturb the Peace and Quiet of the Realm, and to have raised forces to that end, were condemned to dye; and persisting obstinately to defend the Popes Authority against the Queen, were Executed; And not for professing the Popish Religion, or exercising it barely, as some of the Romanists and a few ignorant Protestants pretend: For Campian, after he was condemned, being askt first, whether Queen Elizabeth were a true and lawful Queen? refused to answer, then whether he would take part with the Queen, or the Pope if he should send Forces against the Queen? he openly professed, and testified under his hand, that he would stand for the Pope. Afterwards some others also were Exe∣cuted for the same Reasons, whereas in full ten Years time after the Northern Rebel∣lion,* 3.30 there had been no more then five Papists put to death.

But such now were the times, that the Queen (who never was of opinion that Mens Consciences were to be forced) complained many times, that she was driven of necessity, to take these Courses, unless she would suffer the ruin of her self and her Subjects, upon some Mens pretence of Conscience and the Catholic Religion (i. e. the Abby Lands and a Cardinals Cap) yet for the greater part of these silly Priests, she did not at all believe them guilty of Plotting the destruction of their Country; but their Superiors were they, she held,* 3.31 to be the Instruments of this villany; for these inferior Emissaries committed the full and free disposure of themselves, to their, Superiors: And when those of the Superiors that were then and afterwards taken, were asked, whether by the Authority of the Bull of Pius V. Bishop of Rome, the Subjects were so absolved from their Oath of Allegiance towards the Queen, that they might take up Arms against her? whether they thought her to be a lawful Queen? whether they would subscribe to Saunders and Bristow's opinion, concerning the Authority of that Bull? whether, if the Bishop of Rome should wage War against the Queen, they would joyn with her or him? they answered, some of them so ambiguously, some so resolutely, and some by prevarication or silence shifted off the matter, in such a manner, that divers ingenious Papists (which are rare to find in th••t Age) began to suspect they fostered some treacherous disloyalty; and John Bishop, a Man otherwise devoted to the Bishop of Rome, wrote against them, and solidly proved, that that Constitution obtruded under the Name of the Lateran Council, upon which the whole Authority of absolving Subjects from their Allegiance, and deposing Princes is founded, is no other, then a Decree of Innocent the III. and was never ad∣mitted in England; yea that the said Council was no Council at all, nor was it at all there decreed by the Fathers. But of the Priests themselves, owning all this I shall give a further account hereafter.

* 3.32Suspicions were daily increased, by the great number of Priests, creeping more and more into England, who privately felt the Minds of Men, spread abroad, that Princes Excommunicate were to be deposed (notwithstanding their former prohibition of Preaching that Doctrine) and whispered in Corners,* 3.33 that such Princes as professed not the Romish Religion had forfeited their Regal Title and Authority; that those who had taken holy Orders, were by a certain Ecclesiastical priviledge, exempted from all jurisdiction of Princes; and not bound by their Laws; nor ought they to reverence, or regard their Majesty, that the Bishop of Rome hath supream Authority, and absolute Power over the whole World, yea in Temporal Matters; that the Magistrates of England were no lawful Magistrates; and therefore not to be accounted for Magistrates; yea, that whatsoever was done by the Queens authority, since the time the Bull decla∣ratory of Pius V. was published against her, was by the Laws of God and Man, alto∣gether

void; and to be esteemed as of no validity; and some of them were not ashamed to own, that they were returned into England with no other intent, then by reconciling Men at Confession, to absolve every one particularly from all his Oaths of Allegiance and Obedience to the Queen, just as the said Bull did absolve them all at once, and in general. And this seemed the easier to be effected, because they promised withal absolution, from all Mortal sins; and the safer, because it was pronounced more close∣ly, and under the Seal of Confession.

On the 16th day of January 1580. The Parliament,* 3.34 being the time to which the same had been Prorogued, and the 25th day of January Sr. Walter Mildmay made an excellent Speech, a great part of which, because it will give a confirmation, to what hath been before said, and evince the reasonableness of the Law, that was made in that Session of Parliament, against the Papists, I have here inserted, as it is in Sir Simon D. Ewes his Journal, published by Paul Bowes Esquire.

The Principle Cause of our Assembly here,* 3.35 being to consult of Matters that do concern the Realm, I have thought good with your Patience, to remember you of such things, as for the weight and necessity of them, I take to be worthy of your consideration, wherein I mean to note unto you, what I have conceived; first of the present state we be in, next of the Dangers we may justly be in doubt of; And lastly, what provision ought to be made in time to prevent or resist them; these shewed as briefly as the Matter will suffer, I leave to your Judgment to proceed further as you shall find it Expedient.

That our most Gracious Queen, did at her first Entry loosen us from the Yoke of Rome, and did Restore unto this Realm the most pure and holy Religion of the Gospel, which for a time was overshaddowed with Popery, is known of all the World, and felt of us to our singular Com∣fort. But from hence as from the Root, hath sprung that implacable Malice of the Pope, and his Confederates against her, whereby they have and do not seek only to trouble, but if they could, to bring the Realm again into a Thraldom; the rather for that, they hold this as a firm and setled opinion, that England is the only setled Monarchy that most doth maintain and counte∣nance Religion, being the chief Sanctuary for the afflicted Members of the Church, that fly thither from the Tyranny of Rome, as Men being in danger of Shipwrack, do from a raging and tempestuous Sea to a calm and quiet Haven. This being so, what hath not the Pope assay∣ed to annoy the Queen and her State, thereby as he thinketh to remove this great obstacle, that standeth between him and the overflowing of the World again Popery, for the proof whereof these may suffice.

The Northern Rebellion stir'd up by the Pope, and the Quarrel for Popery.* 3.36

The Maintenance sithence of those Rebels and other Fugitives.

The Publishing of a most Impudent, Blasphemous and Malicious Bull against our most rightful Queen.

The Invasion into Ireland by James, Fitz Morris, with the obstinacy of some English Rebels.

The raising of a dangerous Rebellion in Ireland, by the Earl of Desmond and others, intending thereby to make a general Revolt of all the whole Realm.

The late Invasion of Strangers into Ireland, and their fortifying it.

The Pope turned thus the Venom of his Curses, the Pens of his malitious Parasites into Men of War and Weapons, to win that by force, which otherwise he could not do. And though all these are said to be done by the Pope, and in his Name; yet who seeth not, that they be main∣tained under hand by some Princes his Confederates? And if any Man be in doubt of that, let him but note from whence the last Invasion into Ireland came, of what Country the Ships, and of what Nation the most part of the Souldiers were, and by direction of whose Ministers they received their Victuals and Furniture.

For the Pope of himself at this present is far unable to make War upon any Prince of that Estate which Her Majesty is of; having lost as you know many years by the Preaching of the Gospel, those infinite Revenues, which he was wont to have out of England, Scotland, Ger∣many, Switzerland, Denmark and others, and now out of France and the Low Countries, so as we are to think that his Name only is used, and all or the most part of the Charge born by others.

The Queen nevertheless, by the Almighty Power of God, standeth fast, maugre the Pope and all his Friends; having hitherto resisted all Attempts against her, to her great Honour and their Shame, as the Rebellion in the North suppressed without Effusion of Blood, wherein her Majesty may say as Caesar did, Veni, Vidi, Vici, as expedite and as honourable was the Victory that God did give her, by the Diligence and Valour of those Noble Men that had the conducting thereof. The enterprize of James Fitz Morris defeated and himself slain.

The Italians pulled out by the Ears at Smirwick in Ireland, and cut in pieces, by the no∣table Service of a Noble Captain, and valiant Souldiers.

Neither these nor any other Threatnings or Fears of Danger, hath or doth make her to stagger or relent in the Cause of Religion, but like a constant Christian Princess, she still holdeth fast the Profession of the Gospel, that hath so long upholden her, and made us to live in Peace, twenty two years and more under her most gracious Government, free from those Troubles that our Neighbours have felt; so as this now seemeth to be our present State, a Blessed, Peaceable, and happy Time, for the which we are most bound to God, and to pray unto him for the con∣tinuance thereof.

But yet notwithstanding, seeing our Enemies sleep not, it behoveth us not to be careless, as tho all were past, but rather to think that there is but a piece of the Storm over, and that the greater part of the Tempest remaineth behind, and is like to fall upon us, by the Malice of the Pope, the most capital Enemy of the Queen and of this State, the Determinations of the Councils of Trent, and the Combinations of the Pope with other Monarchies and Princes devoted unto Rome, assuring our selves, That if their Powers be answerable to their Wills, this Realm shall find at their Hands, all the Miseries and Extremities that they can bring upon it. And though by the late good Success, which God hath given in Ireland, these leud and malicious Enterprises seem for a time to be as it were at a stand; yet let us be assured, that neither their Attempts up∣on Ireland, neither the Mischief intended against England, will cease thus; but if they find us negligent, they will be ready with greater Forces then have been yet seen. The certain De∣termination which the Pope and his combined Friends have to root out the Religion of the Gospel in all Places, and to begin here as their greatest Impediment, is Cause sufficient to make us the more vigilant, and to have a wary Eye to their Doings and Proceedings, how smoothly soever they speak or dissemble their Friendships for the time, for let us think surely, that they have joyned Hands together against us, and if they can, they will procure the Sparks of the Flames that have been so terrible in other Countries, to fly over into England, and to kindle as great a Fire here. And as the Pope by open Hostility, as you see, hath shewed himself against her Majesty, so the better to answer in time the Purposes that he hath set down in the mean Season, till they may come to Ripeness, he hath and doth by secret Practices within the Realm, leaving nothing unprovided, emboldning many undutiful Subjects to stand fast in their Disobedience to her Majesty and her Laws. For albeit, the pure Religion of the Gospel hath had a free Course, and hath been freely preached now many Years within this Realm, by the Protection of Her Majesties most Christian Government; yet such have been the Practices of the Pope and his secret Ministers, as the obsti∣nate and stiff-necked Papist is so far from being reformed, as he hath gotten Stomach to go back∣ward, and to shew his Disobedience, not only in arrogant Words, but also in contemptuous Deeds.

To confirm them herein, and to increase their Number, you see how the Pope hath and doth comfort their hollow, Hearts with Absolutions, Dispensations, Reconciliations, and such other things of Rome. You see how lately he hath sent hither a sort of Hypocrites, naming them∣selves Jesuits, a Rabble of Vagrant Fryars, newly sprung up, and running through the World, to trouble the Church of God; whose principal Errand, is by creeping into the Houses of Men of Behaviour and Reputation, not only to corrupt the Realm with false Doctrine, but also under that Pretence, to stir up Sedition, to the Peril of Her Majesty and her good Subjects. How these Practises of the Pope have wrought in the disobedient Subjects of this Land, is both evident and lamentable to consider; for such Impressions hath the Estimation of the Popes Authority made in them, as not only those, which from the Beginning have refused to obey, but many, yea, very many of these, who divers years together, did yield and conform themselves in their open Accounts, since the Decrees of that unholy Council of Trent, and since the publishing and de∣nouncing of that Blasphemous Bull against Her Majesty, and since those secret Absolutions and Reconciliations, and the swarming hither of a number of Popish Priests, and Monkish Jesuits, have, and do utterly refuse to be of our Church, or to resort unto our Preaching and Prayers. The sequel whereof must needs prove dangerous to the whole State of the Common-wealth.

By this you see what Cause we have justly to doubt great Mischief threatned to this Realm, and therewith you may easily see also, how far the preventing and withstanding of the same, it behooveth her Majesty, not only to provide in time, sufficient Laws for the continuing of this Peaceable Government, but also to be ready with Forces to repress all Attempts that may be en∣terprised, either by Enemies abroad, or by evil Subjects at home.

What Difference there is between the Popes Persecuting Church, and this * 3.37 Mild Church of the Gospel, hath been seen in all Ages, and especially in the late Government, compared with the merciful time of Her Majesties Reign. The Continuance of which Clemency, is also to be wish∣ed, so far as may stand with Gods Honour, and the Safety of the Realm. But when by long

proof, we find that this favorable and gentle Manner of Dealing with the Disobeyers and Con∣temners of Religion, to win them by fair Means, if it were possible, hath done no good, but hath bred in them a more arrogant and contemptuous Spirit, so as they have not only presumed to disobey the Laws and Orders of the Realm, but also to accept from Rome secret Absolutions, Reconciliations and such like; and that by the Hands of leud Runnagates, Priests and Jesuits, har∣bouring and entertaining them even in their Houses, thereby shewing an Obedience to the Pope, by their Directions; also nourishing and training up their Children and Kinsfolks, not only at home, but also abroad in the Seminaries of Popery; Now, I say, it is time for us to look more narrowly and strictly to them, least as they be corrupt, so they prove dangerous Members to many born within the Entrails of our Common-wealth.

And seeing that the Lenity of the Time, and the Mildness of the Laws heretofore made, are no small Cause of their arrogant Disobedience, 'tis necessary that we make a Provision of Laws, more strict, and more severe, to constrain them to yield their open Obedience, at the least, to her Majesty, in Causes of Religion, and not to live as they lift, to the perillous Example of o∣thers, and to the encouraging of their own evil affected Minds; but if they will needs submit themselves to the Benedictions of the Pope, they may feel how little his Curses can hurt us, and how little his Blessings can save them from that Punishment, which we are able to lay upon them; letting them also find, how dangerous it shall be for them to deal with the Pope, or any thing of his, or with those Romish Priests and Jesuits; and therewith, also how perillous it shall be for those Seditious Runnagates to enter into the Land, to draw away from Her Majesty that Obedience, which by the Laws of God and Man, are due unto her.

This then is one of the Provisions which we ought to take care of in this Council, whereby we may both enjoy still that happy Peace we live in, and the Pope take the less Boldness to trouble us, by any Favour he shall find here.

Therefore, seeing the Malice of the Pope and his Confederates are so notorious unto us, and seeing the Dangers be so great, so evident, and so imminent, and seeing that Preparations to withstand them, cannot be made without support of the Realm, and seeing that our Duty to God, our Queen and Country, and the Necessity that hangeth upon our own Safeguards, be rea∣son sufficient to perswade us; let us think upon these Matters as the Weight of them deserveth, and so provide in time, both by Laws to restrain and correct the evil affected Subjects, and by Provision of that which shall be requisite for the Maintainance of Forces, as our Enemies finding our Minds so willing, and our Hands so ready, to keep in order our Country, and to furnish her Majesty with all that shall be necessary, may either be discouraged to attempt any thing against us, or if they do, they may find such Resistance, as shall bring Confusion to themselves, Honour to our most Gracious Queen, and Safety to all of us.

Mr. Norton seconding the Motion, it was referred to a Committee to prepare Bills.

And that Session there was an Act of Parliament made, that is intituled,* 3.38 An Act to retain the Queens Majesties Subjects in their due Obedience; which Act recites, That, where since the making of the 13th. of the Queen, Ca. 2. divers evil affected Persons have promised, contrary to the meaning of the said Statutes, by other means then by Bulls, or Instruments written or printed, to withdraw divers the Queens Majesties Subjects from their natural Obedience to Her Majesty, and to obey the usurped Authority of Rome, and in respect of the same, to perswade great Numbers to withdraw their due Obedience to Her Majesties Laws, established for the due Service of Almighty God.

It is thereby enacted, that they should be guilty of High Treason,* 3.39 who should diswade the Subjects from their Obedience to their Prince, and from the Religion established in England, or should reconcile them to the Church of Rome; as also those who should be diswaded or reconciled; those also who should say Mass, were to be fined 200 Marks, and to suffer Imprisonment for a Year, or longer, if they paid not the Money; they who should be wittingly and willingly present at Mass, were to be fined 100 Marks, and to suffer Imprisonment likewise for a Year; and they who refused to frequent Divine Service, are to forfeit 20 Pounds a Month: but there must in every Case a legal Conviction precede.

From the History of the Papists Conspiracies, and the Queens Carriage towards them, during these last ten Years, whereof I have given an Account, I cannot but observe.

1. That the Papists are a most perverse and disingenuous Generation of Men, who never have lived, (nor is it to be believed ever will) in Obedience to any Prince who is not of their own Religion.

2. That, notwithstanding their many Treasons and Rebellions in England and Ireland against Queen Elizabeth, yet, in ten years time, there were not above five exe∣cuted upon any of the Penal Laws made against them; and that she was hardly pre∣vailed upon to execute any of them, although for the most apparent Treason; and would not have yielded, but that it appeared necessary, for the Preservation of her self, her Protestant Subjects, and the Protestant Religion.

3. That therefore the Penal Laws were not made so much with design to offend the Papists, as to defend the Queen and her Government from the Treasons, Rebelli∣ons, Outrages and Violences every where committed by the Papists, stirred up and egged on by the Seminary Priests, Jesuits, and sent hither for that very Purpose.

4. That notwithstanding all their Plots and Contrivances, there was no restraint up∣on their exercising their Religion in their own private Families; nor no Prohibitions of saying or hearing Mass, till this last Act of Parliament was made; which was ex∣torted from the State by their horrid Abuse of their former Liberty.

So that he that denies the Reasonableness of those Penal Laws against Papists, must (one would think) offer Violence to his own Reason.

But yet least the Papists should object, and any weak Protestant think, with too great Colour of Reason, that these Facts are the Relation of Protestant Historians, who will be sure to write all things with the greatest plausibleness and shew of Reason and Justice on their own side, and will be sure to blacken and villifie the Papists as much as they are able, although they have never so little reason so to do.

I shall, to back what I have related from our own Historians, and to convince all mankind that it is true, subjoyn what the Seeular Priests themselves, in their important Considerations have owned, was the true ground and reason of making this Act of Parliament, of 23 Eliz. Cap. 1. and because the Papists shall not say I bely, mis-con∣strue or misrepresent them, take it in their own Words.

* 3.40

Furthermore, about the coming out of the said Book of Mr. Saunders, (they had been in the Paragraph before complaining of Mr. Saunders his Writing a Book, De visibili Mo∣narchia, whereby he justified the Bull of Pope Pius Quintus, and the Rebellion in the North, and many other such like things) the whole Plots before mentioned of the Pope, and the King of Spain, with the Duke of Norfolk, for the Disinheritance of her Majesty, and other intended Mischiefs, fell out to be fully disclosed; afterwards, within some four or five years, it was also commonly known to the Realm, what Attempts were in hand by Mr. Steukley (assisted with Mr. Saunders, and other Catholics, both English, Irish and Italians) for an Enterprise by force in Ireland, under a pretence to advance the Catholic Religion, which for that time (through some Defect) succeeding not, the Pope himself,* 3.41 in the Year 1579. (abused still by false Pretences) did set forward that Course, and sending thither certain Forces, Mr. Saunders (too much Jesuited) did thrust himself in Person into that Action, as a chief Ring-leader, and to perswade the Catholics, when he should come into Ireland, to joyn with the Popes said For∣ces, for the better assisting certain Rebels, then in Arms against their Soveraign. Now whilst these Practises were in hand in Ireland,* 3.42 Gregory the Thirteenth reneweth the said Bull of Pius Quintus, and denounceth her Majesty to be excommunicated, with Intimations of all other particulars in the former Bull mentioned, which was procured (we doubt not) by Surreptions, the false Jesuits (our Country-men) daring to at∣tempt any thing, by untrue Suggestions, and any leud Surmises that may serve their turns. This Stratagem accomplisht, and ground laid, whereupon they imagined to work great Matters: these good Fathers (as the Devil would have it) came into England, and intruded themselves into our Harvest, being the Men in our Consciences (we mean both them and others of that Society, with some of their Adherents) who have been the chief Instruments of all the Mischiefs that have been intended against her Majesty, since the beginning of her Reign, and of the Miseries which we, or any other Catholics, have upon these Occasions sustained. Their first repair hither, was Anno 1580. when the Realm of Ireland was in great Combustion,* 3.43 and then they entred (viz. Mr. Campian the Subject, and Mr. Parsons the Provincial) like a Tempest, with sundry such great Brags and Challenges, as divers of the gravest Clergy then living in England (Dr. Watson, Bishop of Lincoln, and others) did greatly dislike

them, and plainly foretold, that (as things then stood) their Proceedings after that fashion, would certainly urge the State to make some sharp Laws, which should not only touch them, but likewise all others, both Priests and Catholics, upon their Arrival; and after these brags, Mr. Parsons presently fell to his Jesuitical Courses; and so be-laboured both himself and others in matters of State, how he might set her Majesties Crown upon another Head (as appeareth by a letter of his own to a certain Earl,) that the Catholics themselves threatned to deliver him into the hands of the Civil Magistrate, except he desisted from such kind of practices.

In these tumultuous and rebellious proceedings by sundry Catholics, both in Eng∣land and Ireland, it could not be expected, but that the Queen and the State would be greatly incensed with indignation against us. We had (some of us) greatly ap∣proved the said Rebellion, highly extoll'd the Rebels, and pitifully bewailed their Ruin and Over-throw. Many of our affections were knit to the Spaniards; and for our Obedience to the Pope, we all do profess it. The attempts both of the Pope and Spaniard failing in England; his Holiness as a temporal Prince,* 3.44 displayed his Banner in Ireland. This Plot was to deprive Her Highness first from that Kingdom (if they could) and then by degrees to depose her from this. In all these Plots, none were more forward then many of us that were Priests: The Layity, if we had opposed our selves to these designments, would out of doubt) have been over-ruled by us. How many of our Calling were addicted to these Courses the State knew not. In which Case (the premises discreetly considered) there is no King, or Prince in the World, disgusting the See of Rome; and having either force or Metal in him,* 3.45 that would have indured us, if possible he could have been revenged, but rather (as we think) have utterly rooted us out of his Territories, as Traytors, and Rebels both to him and his Country. And therefore we may rejoyce unfeignedly, that God hath blessed this Kingdom with so gracious and merciful a Soveraign, who hath not dealt, in this sort with us. Assuredly if she were a Catholic, she might be accounted the Mirrour of the World; but as she is, both we and all other Catholics, her natural Subjects, deserve no longer to live, then we hereafter shall Honour her from our Hearts, obey her in all things (so far as possibly we may) pray for her Prosperous Reign and long Life, and to our Powers, defend and Protect, both her and our Country against any whatsoever, that shall by force of Arms attempt to damnifie either of them; for in the said Garboils, and very undutiful Proceedings; how hath her Highness dealt with us? From the time of the said Rebellion and Parliament;* 3.46 there were few above twelve, that in ten Years, had been Executed for their Consciences (as we hold) al∣tho our Adversaries say for Treason, and of those twelve, some parhaps can hardly be drawn within our Account, having been tainted with matters of Rebellion. The most of the said number were Seminary Priests, who if they had come over with the like intents, that some others have done, might very worthily have been used as they were: But in our Consciences; nay, some of us do know it, that they were far from those Seditious humours; being Men that intended nothing else then simply the good of our Country; and the Conversion of Souls. Marry, to say the Truth, as we have Confessed before, how could either her Majesty or the State, know so much.

They had great Cause, as politic Persons, to suspect the worst.

Besides to the further Honour of Her Majesty we may not Omit, that the States of the whole Realm Assembled in Parliament, Anno 1576. Were pleased to pass us over, and made no Laws at that time against us: The Antient Prisoners that had been restrained more narrowly in the Year 1570. were (notwithstanding the said Enter∣prizes in Ireland) again restored to their former Liberty, to continue with their Friends as they had done before; such as were not suspected to have been Dealers or Abet∣tors, in the said Treasonable Accounts, were used with that humanity, which could not well be expected. But when the Jesuits were come, and that the State had notice of the said Excommunication, there was then within a while great alteration; for such were the Jesuits proceedings, and with so great boldness, as tho all had been theirs, and that the State should presently have been changed.

Her Majesty had seen what followed in her Kingdom upon the first Excommuni∣cation, and was therefore in all worldly Policy to prevent the like by the second. The Jealousie also of the State was much increased by Mr. Sherwin's answer upon his Ex∣amination,* 3.47 above Eight Months before the Apprehension of Mr. Campian: For being asked, whether the Queen was his lawful Soveraign, notwithstanding any Sentence of the Popes? he prayed that no such Question might be demanded of him,

and would not further thereunto Answer. Two or three other Questions much to the like effect, were likewise propounded unto him, which he also refused to Answer. Matters now sorting on this fashion, there was a greater restraint of Catholics, then at any time before, many both Priests and Gentlemen were sent into the Isle of Ely, and other places, there to be more safely kept and looked unto.

* 3.48

In January following, 1581. (according to the general Computation) a Procla∣mation was made for the Calling home of Her Majesties Subjects beyond the Seas, (such especially as were trained up in the Seminaries) pretending that they Learned little there, but disloyalty; and that none after that time should harbour or relieve them, with sundry other Points of hard intendment toward us. The same Month also a Parliament ensued; wherein a Law was made agreeable in effect to the said Proclamation: But with a more severe punishment annexed, for it was a Penalty of Death, for any Jesuit or Seminary Priest to repair into England, and for any to receive or entertain them, which fell out according to Bishop Watsons for∣mer Speeches or prediction, what mischiefs the Jesuits would bring upon us▪ We could here as well as some others have done, shew our dislike with some bitter∣ness of the said Law and Penalty. But to what purpose should we do so? It had been a good Point of Wisdom in two of three Persons, that have taken that course to have been silent, and rather to have thought by gentleness and sweet Carriage of themselves, to have prevented the more sharp Execution of that Law; then by ex∣claiming against it, when it was too late; to have provoked the State to a greater se∣verity against us. And to confess something to our disadvantage, and to excuse the said Parliament. If all the Seminary Priests then in England, or which should after that tim•• have come hither, had been of Mr. Morton, and Mr. Saunders his mind be∣fore mentioned (when the first Excommunication came out) or of Mr. Saunders his second resolution (being then in Arms against Her Majesty in Ireland) or of Mr. Parsons▪* 3.49 Traiterous disposition both to our Queen and Country: The said Laws (no doubt) had carried with them a far greater shew of Justice. But that was the Error of the State; and yet not altogether (for ought they knew) improbable, those times being so full of many dangerous designments and Jesuitical practices.

In this Year, also divers other things fell out unhappily towards us poor Priests, and other the graver sort of Catholics, who had all of us single Hearts, and disliked (no man more) all such factious enterprizes: For notwithstanding the said Proclamation and Law,* 3.50 Mr. Heywood a Jesuit came then into England, and took so much upon him, that Father Parsons fell out exceedingly with him, and a great trouble grew amongst Catho∣lics, by their Brablings and Quarrels. A Synod was held by him the said Mr. Heywood, and sundry Ancient Customs were therein Abrogated, to the offence of ve∣ry many.* 3.51 These Courses being understood (after a sort) by the State; the Catholics and Priests in Norfolk felt the smart of it. This Summer, also in July, Mr. Campian and other Priests were apprehended, whose Answers upon their Examinations, agreeing in effect with Mr. Sherwins before mentioned, did greatly incense the State, for, amongst other Questions that were propounded unto them, this being one, viz. if the Pope do by his Bull, or Sentence pronounce, Her Majesty to be deprived, and no Law∣ful Queen,* 3.52 and her Subjects to be discharged of their Allegiance and Obedience unto Her; and after the Pope or any other by his Appointment and Authority do Invade this Realm, which part would you take, or which part ought a good Subject of England to take? some Answered, that when the Case should happen, they would then take Councel, what were best for them to do: Another, that when that Case should happen, he would Answer and not before: Another, that for the present he was not resolved, what to do in such a Case: Another, that when the Case happen∣eth, then he will Answer: Another, that if such deprivation and Invasion should be made, for any Matter of his Faith, he thinketh he were then bound, to take part with the Pope.

Now, what King in the World, being in doubt to be invaded by his Enemies, and fearing that some of his own Subjects were by indirect means drawn, rather to adhere to them then to himself, would not make the best Tryal of them he could for his better satisfaction, whom he might trust to? In which Tryal, if he found any, that either should make doubtful Answers, or peremptorily affirm, that (as the Case stood betwixt him and his Enemies) they would leave him their Prince and take part with them; might he not justly repute them for Traitors, and deal with them accordingly; sure we are, that no King or Prince in Christendom, would like or tolerate any such Subjects within their Dominions, if possibly they could be rid of them.

Thus much the secular Priests themselves Confess; and certainly then, 'tis not to be denied, but they own all the Treasons and Villanies that the Protestants charge upon the Papists, only they would fain excuse themselves, and the grave sort of Catholicks from having any hand in them; And at the same time, they justifie the State in their pro∣cedure against them; because they have a Colour of reason to believe them all alike, and know not but they are so.

But may the Papists say, tho the States might have reason, to make it a Capital offence, to reconcile any of the Subjects of England to the See of Rome, yet it seems hard, to make a Man a Traitor, for staying in, or if a Man be out, returning to his Native Countrey; which 27th Eliz. cap. 2. doth, which Objections will be suffici∣ciently answered, by the following Account of their Practices in the Queens Domini∣ons, from the twenty third year of her Reign to the twenty seventh.

The Papists had Writ so much against the Queen, and other Excommunicate Princes, that divers, who had the Popes power in Esteem, were perfectly drawn from their obedience; and, amongst others, in the Year 1583 one Somervil,* 3.53 who went to the Queens Court, and breathing nothing but Blood, against the Protestants, furi∣ously set upon one or two, by the way, with his drawn Sword, and being apprehend∣ed, Confessed that he designed to have killed the Queen with his own hands.

One Edward Arden, Somervil's Wives Father, his own Wife, Somervil's Wife, and one Hall a Priest, were Arraigned, and Condemned for this Conspiracy. Somer∣vil was three days after found strangled in Prison; Arden was hanged and Quartered: But so merciful was the Queen, that she spared the Women, and the Priest. This unfortunate Gentleman Somervil was drawn into all this, by the cunning of a Priest, and cast by his Evidence, saith Mr. Cambden.

In the Year 1584. Francis Throgmorton eldest Son of John Throgmorton, a Justice of Peace in Cheshire,* 3.54 was Clapt up, for being in a Conspiracy, to bring in an Army of Foreigners, and Deposing the Queen. And no sooner was he Committed to Custody, and had Confessed some things; But Thomas Lord Paget, and Charles Arundel a Courtier, who joyned with him in the Conspiracy, privily fled the Land, and withdrew them∣selves into France: And Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador (who was likewise engaged in the same Design) being greatly reprehended for it, secretly Crost the Seas into France.

Throgmorton Confessed the Fact, and afterwards denied it, and after that, cast him∣self upon the Queen's Mercy, and in writing Confessed the same again at large; But at the Gallows, pretended to deny it again, he being executed, and the others fled, that Conspiracy came to nothing.

Soon after this, there was a further Discovery of the design of the Pope, the Spaniard,* 3.55 and the Guises, for invading England, which was Discovered in this manner. One Chreighton a Scotch-man, of the Society of Jesus, passing into Scotland, and being taken by some Netherland Pirates, tore certain Papers in pieces, the torn pieces being thrown over board, were by the Wind, blown back again, and fell by chance into the Ship, not without a Miracle, as Chreighton himself said, and Sir Willam Wade the Clerk of the Councel, by putting together these torn pieces of Paper, with much pains, and singular Dexterity, discovered the Design.

Their spight was all at the Queen; and the better to procure her ruin,* 3.56 there was a little Book composed, and called a Treatise of Schism, which amongst other things ex∣horted the Women at Court to Act the same against the Queen, as Judith had done, with Commendation against Holosernes. The Author of this pernicious Pamphlet was one Gregory Martin, formerly of St. Johns Colledge in Oxford, and Contemporary with Campian. The Duke of Norfolk made him Tutor to his eldest Son, and indeed his Learning was noted, being a good Linguist, and one who had read much, but in his writing he was very passionate, and so sometimes inconsiderate.

One * 3.57 William Carter, who had formerly been Amanuensis to Dr. Harpesfield (one of Bishop Bonners Creatures,) and was now the chief Printer for the Romanists, keeping two Presses at their Devotion, gets this Book commended by Allen, and Prints above a thousand, for which he is tryed, confesseth the Printing it, vindicateth all is contained in it, is condemned and executed, and hath the Honour to be registred amongst their Martyrs.

By reason of these Treasons before mentioned, as also upon occasion of Rumors from all parts, that great Dangers were at hand, and threatned to prevent the wicked Designs,* 3.58 and Treacherous Practices of the Papists, and to provide for the Queens safety, upon which the Welfare both of the Realm and Religion depended, many Men of all Degrees and Conditions throughout England, by Leicesters means, and out of their own publick Care and Love, whilst they stood not in Fear of her, but were full of Fear for her, bound themselves in an Association by mutual Vows, Subscriptions, and Seals, to prosecute to the Death, as far as lay in their Power, all those that should Attempt any thing against the Queen.

Upon which, the Parliament meeting on Munday 23d. Day of November, 27 El. A Bill was in this Sessions brought into the House of Commons, for Provision to be made for the Surety of the Queens Majesties Royal Person, and the continuance of the Realm in peace, and for confirming the said Association.

There was also, in this Session of Parliament, another Bill brought into the House of Commons, against Jesuits, Seminary Priests and other disobedient Persons; and one William Parrey, by Nation, a Welshman, born of obscure Parentage, and of mean Estate, by Title, a Doctor of the Law, (though but indifferently Learned) a Man ex∣ceeding proud;* 3.59 when this Bill was read the third time, (which was Decemb. the 17th 1584. and with little or no Argument passed the House) in very violent Terms, spake directly against the whole Bill, standing up for the Jesuits, and pleading that the said Law svoured of Treasons, was full of blood, danger, despair and terror, or dread to the English Subjects of this Realm, but refused to give his Reasons to the House, or any other but the Queen; for which he was committed to the Serjeants Custody, till the House considered of his Crime; and being called in again, and he persisting in his contempt: It was resolved, that for that he did speak to the Bill, and gave his Neg∣gative voice so directly and undutifully, and in contempt of the House, would not shew his Reasons for the same, being against the ancient Orders and Usage of that High Court, and not for that he said he would shew them only to be discovered to her Ma∣jesty, he should be committed to the Serjeants Ward, till the Matter should be far∣ther Examined. On the 18th of December the Queen sent a Message to the House, approving and commending what they had done in this matter, and letting them know, that Doctor Parry had been examined, and made a discovery, partly to the satisfaction of her Majesty, and therefore desired, that upon his humble submission, and acknow∣ledgement of his fault, he might be dispensed with, which was accordingly done. But Feb. the 18th (being in the Tower for Treason) was disabled from being longer a Mem∣ber of the House of Commons.

* 3.60This very Parry, when he got to be Parliament man was a Papist, and afterwards accused by Edmond Nevil (who claimed the Inheritance of Charles Nevil, [late Earl of West∣morland, one of the Ring-leaders in the forementioned Plot in the North, who a little be∣fore ended his Life, in a Miserable Exile,] and the Title of Lord Latimer as next Heir Male) to have been ingaged in a secret design, for taking away the Queens Life.

This Parry had been pardoned formerly by the Queen of a Burglary and Assault, for which he was Tryed and Condemned, and to requite her, enters into a Conspiracy to take away her Life; which he being resolved to do, and being then beyond Seas, comes forthwith for London, and the better to get access to the Queen, and credit with her, resolves to discover, how he had been perswaded to kill her, which he doth at White-Hall as cunningly as he can. The Queen gave him the hearing, and began to put some confidence in him; He afterwards engageth the said Mr. Nevel in the design, who declared himself convinced of the lawfulness and braveness of the Action; so they both swear, in Parry's Lodgings, Secrecy, to kill her; yet all this while, Parry carried it so fair with the Queen, that She not only thought him a trusty Loyal Subject, but intended him a liberal Pension or Allowance.

* 3.61Whilst he thus gets esteem with the Queen, and at the same time contrives her death, Nevil resolves to discover all, doth so, and is examined by Leicester, and Sir Christopher Hatton; the Queen wonders at the juggle and contrivance; but had it kept secreet: And the better to find out the Plot, Parry is sent for by Secretary Walsingham to his house, there to see if he would any way confess this, who had shew∣ed himself soreedy on his own head, to discover the Foreign de-signs against her Majesty.

The Secretary entertains him kindly, telling him that the Queen had appointed him to deal with him, in a Matter that highly concerned her Majesty, knowing him to be one, who bore an extraordinary devotion to her; the Matter was, the Queen had been advertized, that there was some Plot in hand against her own Person, where∣with she thought, he could not but be made acquainted; considering the great trust that some of her greatest Enemies reposed in him: of this, she desired to understand his knowledge, and whether he himself might not at some time, or other have let slip some suspitious words, not with any real design against her, but to discover the intentions of others.

Parry (strongly confiding in Nevil) earnestly denied it again and again, with several Protestations, that he was neither party nor privy to any such motion or enterprize, Walsingham dealt fairly with him, telling him that there was a Gentleman, and his friend, who would prove the contrary to his Face; yet Parry denieth all (true Popish impudence) though probably had he confest (and these were hints enough) and, accused Ne∣vil, at his first asking, he might have saved himself; and in this his great cunning was overseen.

Parry thus obstinate in his denials, is not, permitted to go home, but lodged that Night at Mr. Secretry Walsinghams House in London: This put him in a peck of troubles, fills his Head full of suspitions; and having consulted with, his Pillow, the next Morn∣ing he desired to speak with Mr. Secretary, which granted, he confesseth that now he called to remembrance, that he once had Speech with one Nevil, concerning a Point of Doctrine, contained in one of Dr. Allen's Books; wherein it was maintained that it was lawful to take away the Life of a Prince, to benefit the Roman Religion, but denied that he spake any thing of the Queen.

That Night he was Examined in Leicesters House before several, but still he deny'd all; whereupon Nevel was brought before him, who punctually justified every circum∣stance before his Face, yet the other, as formerly, denied all; however he is sent to the Tower, where perceiving the exactness of the Proof against him, he freely and of his own accord, confessed all, which Confession take as the same is related by Cambden in these words.

In the Year (saith he) 1570. I was Sworn one of the Queens Servants, and con∣tinued intirely devoted to her Majesty, till the Year 1580. at which time I came into danger of loosing my Life with great disgrace,* 3.62 (for he had broken into Hugh Hares Chamber, in whose debt he was, and had wounded him, for which he was by the Law Condemned, but had his Life saved by the Queens gracious Pardon) from that time, I continued troubled in my Mind, and having procured a License, to with∣draw my self into France, not with any intentions to return hither again, for I had devoted my self to the Catholic Religion. At Paris I was reconciled to the Church of Rome, at Venice I had conference with Benedict Palmio, a Jesuit, concerning the de∣stressed Catholics in England; and I gave him some hints that I had found out a way to relieve them, if the Pope or any Learned Divines would justifie it to be lawful; Palmio extolled this as a Pious design, and me he recommended to the Popes Nuncio at Venice, whose Name was Campeius; and Campeius recommended me to the Pope: I besought by Letters, that I might come to Rome, with a safe Conduct; Letters of safe Conduct were sent me from the Cardinal of Como, but not large enough, afterwards others were sent me more large and full, but then was I returned to Paris, there I lighted upon Morgan, who told me that it was expected by divers, that I should do some no∣table Service for God and the Catholic Church; I answered, that I was ready to kill the greatest Subject in England; but (said he) why not the Queen her self; and this said I, might easily be done, if it might appear to be lawful, for Watts a Priest with whom I had conference about it, (concealing persons Names) affirmed flatly, it was not lawful (and Chreighton also, a Scotish Jesuit, avouched the same, Teaching, that evil was not to be done that good might come of it; that God was better pleased with Adverbs then Nouns, and approved what was well done and lawfully, then what was otherwise good; and that many Souls were not to be redeemed with the destruction of any one, without the Express command of God) notwithstanding I having engaged my self, both by Letters and Promises, whilst I was in Italy, thought it an heinious sin to give over my enterprize, in case the Pope should approve it by his Letters, and grant me a plenary Pardon; which I begged of him, by Letters

I sent to him by Ragozonio, his Nuncio in France; who highly commended my de∣sign, and sent my Letters to Rome, being returned into England, I procured access to the Queen, to whom after all By-standers were removed, I discovered the whole Conspiracy, how be it, cloaked with the best Art I could, she heard me without be∣ing daunted, I departed not without being terrified; and cannot now forget what she then said; That no Catholic should be called in Question meerly for Religion, or the Popes Supremacy, so that they shewed themselves good Subjects: In the mean time, whilst I was a daily Suitor in the Court, for the Mastership of St. Catharines, I received Letters from the Cardinal of Como, wherein my enterprize was commended, and my self absolved in the Popes Name. These Letters I imparted to the Queen, what effect they wrought with her I know not; to me they certainly added Courage, and took away all scruples; yet was I not minded to offer her any violence, if she could by any means be perswaded to deal more favourably with the Catholics. And therefore least I should commit the Murther, I layed away my Dagger still, as often as I had access to her; when I seriously considered her, and her truly Royal vertues, I was distracted with doubtful thoughts, for my Vows were recorded in Heaven, my Letters and Promises amongst Men; these things I often pondered with an un∣quiet Mind, I was never much beholden to her for any thing; my Life indeed she once Pardoned me; but to have taken it away upon that occasion, had been cruel and tyrannical; hereupon, I departed from Court much unsatisfied with my condi∣tion: I lighted upon Dr. Allens Book against the Justice of Brittain, where he taught, That Princes Excommunicate for Heresie, were to be deprived of Kingdom and Life; which Book did strongly encourage me, to prosecute my attempt. This Book I read to Nevil (whom I sometimes invited to my Table) six whole Months before he accused me; afterwards he came to me and said, let us venture upon somewhat, since we can get nothing from the Queen, and he propounded several things about the deli∣very of the Queen of Scots: But I have (said I) a greater business in my Mind, and of more advantage for the Catholic Church. The next day he came and swore up∣on the Bible, that he would conceal, and constantly persue any thing that should be for the good of the Catholic Religion, and I sware the like, we then resolved with ten more Men to set upon the Queen, as she rode abroad to take the Air, and to kill her: All which Nevil concealed till now. But having heard, that the Earl of Westmorland was dead, whose Estate he hath already swallowed in hopes, he presently brake his Oath, and accused me of these things.

* 4.1The Letter also, in that Confession mentioned to be writ from Cardinal Como to him, as the same is related by Fowlis, follow∣eth.

SIR,

HIS Holiness hath seen your Letter of the first, with the Certificate inclosed, and cannot but commend the good disposition and resolution which you write to hold, towards the Ser∣vice and common good; wherein his Holiness doth exhort you to persevere, and to bring to effect that which you have promised.

And that you may be the more assisted by that good Spirit, which hath moved you thereunto; his Holiness grants unto you his Blessing, plenary Indulgence and Remission of all your sins, according as you have desired; assuring you, that besides the merit which you shall receive for so doing in Heaven, his Holiness will farther make himself Debtor, to acknowledg your deservings in the best manner that he can; and the more, because you use the greater modesty, in not pretending any thing or reward.

Put therefore to effect your holy and honourable purposes, and regard your health. And to conclude, I offer my self to you heartily, and desire you all good and happy success,

At your Service N. Card. Di. Como.

Rome January 30th 1584.

All this he confessed before the Lord Hunsdon, Sir Christopher Hatton, and Sir Francis Walsingham, all three of the Privy Council; he acknowledged his Fault, and begged Pardon for the same, by his Letters to the Queen, to Burleigh and Leicester.

His LETTER to the Queen, as Foulis relates it, was as followeth.* 5.1

YOƲR Majesty may see, by my voluntary Confession, the dangerous Fruits of a discontented Mind, and how constantly I pursued my first conceived Purpose in Venice, for the Relief of the afflicted Catholicks, continued it in Lyons, and resolved in Paris to put it in adventure, for the Restitution of England, to the antient Obedience of the See Apostolick.

You may see withal, how it is commended, allowed and warranted, in Conscience, Divinity and Policy, by the Pope and some great Divines, though it be true, or likely, that most of our English Divines (loss practiced in Matters of this weight) do utterly mislike and condemn it.

The enterprize is prevented, and Conspiracy discovered, by an honourable Gentleman my Kins∣man, and late familiar Friend, Mr. Edmond Nevil, Privy, and by solemn Oath (taken up∣on the Bible) Party to the Matter; whereof I am heartily glad, but more sorry in my very Soul, that ever I conceived or intended it, how commendable and meritorious soever I thought it; God shame him, and forgive me, who would not now (before God) attempt it (if I had Liberty and Opportunity to do it) to gain your Kingdom. I beseech Christ, that my Death and Example may as well satisfie your Majesty and the World, as it shall glad and content me.

The Queen of Scotland is your Prisoner, let her be honourably intreated, but yet surely guarded.

The French King is French, you know it well enough, you will find him occupied when he should do you Good, he will not loose a Pilgrimage to save you a Crown.

I have no more to say at this time, but that with my Heart and Soul, I do now honour and love you, am inwardly sorry for my Offence, and ready to make you amends by my Death and Patience. Discharge me a Culpa, but not a Paena, good Lady.

And so farewel, most Gracious, and the best Natured and Qualified Queen that ever lived in England.

From the Tower, the14th. of Feb. 1584.

William Parry.

Some short time after, he was arraigned at the Kings-Bench-Bar in Westminster-Hall,* 5.2 and confessed himself Guilty, and when his Confession was recorded, and Judgment de∣manded against him, Hatton thought it necessary, for the Satisfaction of the Multitude that were present, that his Crime should be clearly and fully represented out of his own Confession; which Parry acknowledged to be voluntary, and prayed the Judges that he might read it Himself. But the Clerk of the Crown read both it, and also Cardinal Como's Letter, and Parry's own to the Queen, to Burleigh, and to Leicester, which he confest to be the very Letters themselves; yet did he deny that ever he was resolved to Kill the Queen. Being now commanded to speak, if he had any thing to say, why Judgment should not be given against him; he answered perplexedly, as if he were troubled in Conscience for the foul Fact he had undertaken: I see I must die, be∣cause I have not been constant to my self. Being will'd to declare more plainly what he meant (My Blood, said he, be amongst you.) Sentence of Death being pronounced, he, in a Fury, cited the Queen to the Judgment-Seat of God. He was executed in the Palace-Yard: he said he was never fully resolved in his Mind, to take away the Queens Life; and then died, without, in the least, commending himself to God. So let all the Enemies of Jesus Christ and his Gospel perish.

These Plots and Conspiracies produced the said two Acts before mentioned; the one for Provision to be made for the Security of the Queens Majesties Person, and the Continuance of the Realm in Peace; by which, the said Association was confirmed. The other Act against Jesuits, Seminary Priests, who would ground any Villanous Plots and Designs upon the Bull of Pius Quintus. The former of which Acts of Par∣liament, followeth in these Words, as it is in Rastal.

* 6.1An Act for Provision to be made for the Surety of the Queens Majesties most Royal Person, and the Continuance of the Realm in Peace.

* 6.2FOrasmuch as the good Felicity and Comfort of the whole State of this Realm, consisteth (only, next under God) in the Surety and Preservation of the Queens most excellent Majesty. And for that it hath manifestly appeared, that sun∣dry wicked Plots and Means have of late been devised and laid, as well in forreign Parts beyond the Seas, as also within this Realm, to the great endangering of Her Highness most Royal Person, and to the utter Ruine of the whole Common-Wealth, if by Gods merciful Providence, the same had not been revealed; there∣fore, for the preventing of such great Perils, as might hereafter otherwise grow, by the like detestable and devilish Practices, at the humble Suit, and earnest Peti∣tion and Desire of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same Parliament.

Be it enacted and ordained, if at any time after the end of this present Session of Parliament, an open Invasion or Rebellion shall be had or made into, or within any of Her Majesties Realms or Dominions, or any Act attempted, tending to the Hurt of Her Majesties most Royal Person, by, of, or for any Person that shall, or may pretend any Title to the Crown of this Realm, after Her Majestis Decease; or if any thing shall be composed, or imagined, tending to the Hurt of Her Majesties Royal Person, by any Person, or with the Privity of any Person, that shall, or may pretend Title to the Crown of this Realm. That then, by Her Majesties Commission, under Her Great Seal, the Lords and others of Her Highnesses Privy Council, and such other Lords of Parliament, to be named by Her Majesty, as with the same Privy Council, shall make up the Num∣ber of twenty four at the least; having with them, for their Assistance in that be∣half, such of the Iudges of the Court of Records at Westminster, as Her Highness shall for that purpose assign and appoint; or that more part of the same Council, Lords and Iudges, shall, by virtue of this Act, have Authority to examine all and every the Offenders aforesaid, and all Circumstances thereof, and thereupon, to give Sentence or Iudgment, as upon good Proof the Matter shall appear unto them; and that after such Sentence or Iudgment given, and Declaration thereof made and published by Her Majesties Proclamation, under the Great Seal of England, all Persons, against whom such Sentence or Iudgment shall be so given and published, shall be excluded and disabled for ever, to have or claim, or to pre∣tend to have or claim the Crown of this Realm, or any of Her Majesties Domini∣ons, any former Law or Statute whatsoever to the contrary in any wise not∣withstanding.

And that thereupon all Her Highnesses Subjects shall, and may, lawfully, by vir∣tue of this Act, and Her Majesties Directions in that Behalf, by all forcible and possible Means, pursue to Death, every such wicked Person, by whom, or by whose Means, Assend, or Privity, any such Invasion or Rebellion shall be in form afore∣said denounced to have been made, or such wicked Acts attempted, or other thing compassed or imagined against Her Majesties Person, and all their Aidors, Comfor∣tors and Abettors.

And if any such detestable Act shall be executed against Her Highnesses most Royal Person, whereby Her Majesties Life shall be taken away (which God of his Mercy forbid) that then every such Person, by, of, or for whom, any such Act shall be executed, and their Issues being any wise assenting, or privy to the same, shall, by virtue of this Act, be excluded, and disabled for ever, to have or claim, or to pretend to have or claim the said Crown of this Realm, or of any other Her Highnesses Dominions, any former Law or Statute whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

And all the Subjects of this Realm, and all other Her Majesties Dominions, shall, and may lawfully, by virtue of this Act, by all forcible and possible Means, pursue to Death, every such wicked Person, by whom, or by whose Means, any such detestable Fact, shall be in form hereafter expressed, denounced to have been committed, and also their Issues being any way assenting and privy to the same, and all their Aidors, Comfortors and Abettors in that Behalf. And to the end that the Intention of this

Law may be effectually executed, if her Majesties Life shall be taken away by any violent, or unnatural means (which God defend.)

Be it further enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That the Lords and others,* 6.3 which shall be of Her Majesties Privy Council, at the time of such her Decease, or the more part of the same Council joyning unto them, for their better Assistance; five other Earls, and seven other Lords of Parliament at the least (foreseeing that none of the said Earls, Lords, or Council, be known to be Persons that may make any Title to the Crown) those Persons which were Chief Iustices of either Bench, Master of the Rolls, and Chief Baron of the Exchequer, at the time of Her Majesties Death, or in Default of the said Iustices, Master of the Rolls, and Chief Baron, some other of those which were Iustices of some of the Courts of Record at Westminster, at the time of Her Highnesses Decease, to supply their Pla∣ces, or any twenty four or more of them, whereof eight to be Lords of Parliament, not being of the Privy Council, shall, to the utmost of their Power and Skill, ex∣amine the Cause and Manner of such Her Majesties Death, and what Persons shall be any way Guilty thereof, and all Circumstances concerning the same, ac∣cording to the true meaning of this Act; and thereupon, shall, by open Proclama∣tion, publish the same; and without any delay, with all forcible and possible means, prosecute to Death, all such as shall be found to be Offenders therein, and all their Aidors and Abettors. And for the doing thereof, and for the withstanding and sup∣pressing of all such Power and Forces as shall any way be levied or stirred, in disturbance of the due Execution of this Law, shall, by virtue of this Act, have Power and Authority, not only to raise and use such Forces as shall in that Behalf be needful and convenient, but also to use all other Means and things possible and ne∣cessary for the maintainance of the same Forces, and prosecution of the said Offenders; and if any such Power and Force shall be levied or stirred, in disturbance of the due Execution of this Law, by any Person that shall or may pretend any Title to the Crown of this Realm, whereby this Law may not in all things be fully execu∣ted, according to the Effect and true Meaning of the same: That then, every Per∣son, shall, by virtue of this Act, be therefore excluded and disabled for ever, to have or claim, or to pretend to have or claim the Crown of this Realm, or of any other Her Highnesses Dominions, any former Law or Statute whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding.

And be it farther enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, that all and every she Sub∣jects of all Her Majesties Realms and Dominions, shall, to the utmost of their Power, aid and assist the said Council, and all other the Lords, and other Per∣sons to be adjoyned unto them for assistance, as is aforesaid, in all things to be done and executed, according to the Effect and Intention of this Law; and that no Sub∣ject of this Realm shall in any wise be impeached in Body, Land, or Goods, at any time hereafter, for any thing to be done or executed, according to the Tenor of this Law, any Law or Statute heretofore made to the contrary, in any wise notwith∣standing.

And whereas of late, many of Her Majesties good and faithful Subjects, have, in the Name of God, and with the Testimony of a good Conscience, by one uni∣form manner of Writing, under their Hand and Seals, and by several others vo∣luntarily taken, joyned themselves together in one Bond and Association, to with∣stand and revenge, to the uttermost, all such malicious Actions and Attempts against Her Majesties most Royal Person; now for the explaining of all such Ambiguities and Questions, which otherwise might happen to grow, by reason of any sinister or wrong Construction or Interpretation, to be made or inferred, of, or upon the Words or Meaning thereof.

Be it declared and enacted, by the Authority of this present Parliament,* 6.4 that the said Association, and every Article and Sentence therein contained, as well concerning the disallowing, extending or disabling of any Persons, that may or shall pretend any Title to come to the Crown of this Realm, and also for the pur∣suing and taking Revenge of any Person, for any such wicked Act or Attempt, as is mentioned in the same Association, shall, and ought to be in all things expounded and adjudged, according to the true Intent and Meaning of this Act, not other∣wise, nor against any other Person or Persons.

The latter of the said two Acts of Parliament, is intituled, An Act against Jesuits, Seminary Priests, and such other like disobedient Per∣sons. The Preamble runs thus.

* 7.1WHereas divers Persons, called or professed Iesuits, Seminary Priests, and other Priests, which have been, and from time to time are made in the Parts beyond the Seas, by, or according to the Order and Rites of the Romish Church, have, of late years, come in, and been sent, and dayly do come and are sent into this Realm of England, and other the Queens Majesties Dominions, on purpose (as it hath appeared, as well by sundry of their own Examinations and Confessions, as by divers other manifest Means and Proofs) not only to withdraw Her Highnesses Subjects from their due Obedience to Her Majesty, but also to stir up and move Sedition, Rebellion and open Hostility, within the same Her High∣nesses Realms and Dominions, to the great indangering of the Safety of her most Royal Person, and to the utter Ruine, Desolation and Overthrow of the whole Realm, if the same be not the sooner, by some good Means, foreseen and pre∣vented.

For reformation whereof, it is enacted, That all Iesuits, Seminary Priests, and other Priests whatsoever, Ordained within or without the Queens Domini∣ons, by virtue of the Popes Authority, should depart within forty Days, That those who should afterwards return into the Kingdom, should be guilty of High-Treason. That he who should wittingly and willingly Harbour, Relieve and Maintain them, should be guilty of Felony; that those who were brought up in Seminaries, if they returned not within six Months after Notice given, and sub∣mitted not themselves to the Queen before a Bishop, or two Iustices, should be guilty of High Treason, and if any, so submitting themselves, should within ten years approach the Quéens Court, or come within ten Miles thereof, their Submis∣sion should be void: That those who should, by any Means whatsoever, send or convey over any Money to Students in such Seminaries, should incur the Penalty of a Premunire: That if any of the Peers of the Realm, that is, Dukes, Mar∣quisses, Earls, Viscounts, or Barons of Parliament, should offend against these Laws, he should be brought to his Tryal by his Peers. That if any should know of any such Iesuits, or other Priests above said, lurking within the Realm, and should not discover them within twelve Days, he should be Fined and Imprisoned at the Queens Pleasure. That if any Man should be suspected to be a Iesuit or Priest, as aforesaid, and not submit himself to Examination, he should for his Contempt, be imprisoned till he did submit himself. That he who should send his Children, or any others, to Seminaries and Colledges of the Popish Profession, should be fined in an hundred Pounds of English Money, and that those who were so sent thither, should not succeed as Heirs, nor enjoy any Estates, which should any way fall to them; the like for all such as should not return home from the said Se∣minaries within a year, unless they did conform themselves to the Church of England: That if the Wardens or Officers of the Ports, should permit any others, besides Sea-men and Merchants, to cross the Seas, without Licence of the Quéen, or six Privy Councellors, they should be put out of their Places, and the Masters of such Ships as carried them, should forfeit their Ships and Goods, and suffer Imprisonment for a whole Year.

* 7.2From which said Plots, Conspiracies and Treasons, and the said Acts of Par∣liament occasioned by the same, I observe these things amongst many others ob∣servable.

1. That there are no Villanies that can be imagined so bad, but the Romish Clergy, even the Pope himself, will tell you is lawful to be Committed, to carry on the interest of that Religion; and instruments enough are to be found, amongst Men of that Communion, to undertake the Committing thereof, one instance whereof we have in this Parry, who did not only think it lawful, but undertook it, to murder his own Lawful Soveraign, and had Authority so to do from the Pope himself; and that he might sit in the House of Commons, must needs be Guilty of a Wilful Perjury; for by 13. Eliz. cap. 2. none could sit in that House, but he who first had taken the Oath of Supremacy, and that he did sit there is plain from the History, and tho it doth not appear that he had a Dispensation for it, yet 'tis not to be doubted but that he was sure of a Pardon, in case he had not a Dispensation.

2. That the Protestants (in those days) thought it not only lawful, but their Duty to Associate for the preservation of their Prince, and of their Religion, and having so done, they were so far from being blamed by the Parliament, that the Parliament did esteem it not only as a Lawful, but a Commendable Act, and added their Sanction, to confirm what before they judged Lawful.

3. That the Parliament in the 27th. Year of Queen Elizabeths Reign, were so far from questioning, their own power of determining and limiting the Crown, and the Suc∣cession thereof, that they did not only think it in their Power, but reduced it into Act too, to make the Successor Guilty of High Treason, that should imbrue His or Her hands in the Blood of the Predecessor: and hereby altered the Law,* 7.3 that the Accession to the Crown purges the Treason; because all Persons named in Acts of Parliament, (even the King himself) are bound by such Acts of Parliament, wherein they are named, they being no ways alterable; but by the same power (not Persons) that made them.

4. That the severity of the Laws hitherto made, did not actually deter the Papists from Plotting and Conspiring the Death of the Queen, and the subverting the Prote∣stant Religion; Nor was it likely to be effected, so long as the Jesuits, Seminary Priests, and other Priests were tollerated here, for it hath been observed by some, with a great deal of Truth, that there was never yet a Plot against the Government, but the Po∣pish Priests had their share in it. It was therefore thought necessary to follow the example of Swedeland, the State of Venice and other Countries, who have banisht the Jesuits, and wisely to carry it a little further, and banish Priests too they being such Disturbers of the State; which was accordingly done by 27. Eliz. cap. 2.

But least the Papists should again object against the Authorities I cite for the History of the Fact, I shall here insert the very Words of their Secular Priests in their impor∣tant Considerations, whereby the truth of the Fact is Confest, the Words are these.

About the time of the overthrow of the Popes Forces in Ireland,* 7.4 his Holiness (by the false instigation of the Jesuits) plotted with the King of Spain, for the assistance of the Duke of Guise, to enterprize upon the sudden, a very desperate design against Her Majesty: and for the Delivery and advancement to the Crown of the Queen of Scotland. For the better asserting whereof Mendoza the Jesuit, and Ledger for the King of Spain in England, set on work (a worthy Gentleman otherwise) one Mr. Francis Throckmorton and divers others. And whilst the same was Contriving (as afterwards Mr. Throckmorton himself Confessed 1584) the Jesuitical humour had so pos∣sessed the hearts of sundry Catholics; as we do unfeignedly rue in our hearts the remembrance of it, and are greatly ashamed that any Person so intitl'd should ever have been so extreamly bewitched: Two Gentlemen about that time also, viz. Anno 1583. Mr. Arden and Mr. Somervil were convicted by the Laws of the Realm,* 7.5 for ha∣ving purposed and contrived how they might have laid violent hands upon Her Maje∣sties sacred Person. Mr. Somervils Confession therein was so notorious, as it may not be either quallified or denied. And Dr. Parry the same Year was plotting with Jesuits, how he might have effected the like Villany: How the worthy Earl of Northumber∣land was about this time brought into the said Plot by the Duke of Guise (then still in hand) we will pretermit. Mr. Parsons, that was Actor in it, could tell the Story very roundly at Rome, it wrought the Earls overthrow in 1585, which may justly be ascribed to the Jesuitical Practices of the Jesuite Mendoza, and others of that Crew.

They mentioned several other Treasons, which I shall not here take Notice of, but reserve them till I come to give the further Account of their Treasons, and only set down the Conclusion of this Paragraph.

These things (say they) we would not have touched, had they not been known in effect to this part of the World, and that we thought it our Duties to shew our own dislike of them, and to clear Her Majesty (so far as we may) from such imputations of more then barbarous Cruelty towards us, as the Jesuits in their Writings have cast by Heaps upon her: They themselves (as we still think in our Consciences, and before God) having been, from time to time, the very Causes of all the Calamities which any of us have endu∣red in England, since Her Majesties Reign; which we do not write simply to excuse Her Highness, altho we must Confess we can be contented to indure much, rather then to seek her Dishonour: but for that we think few Princes living, being perswa∣ded in Religion as Her Majesty is, and so provoked as she hath been; would have dealt more mildly with such their Subjects (all Circumstances considered) then she hath done with us.

Let us now see what reason can be given for making the rest of the Penal Laws, that were made against the Papists in this Queens Reign.

* 7.6The first thing I meet with remarkable, after the making these Laws foremen∣tioned, is the fining the Earl of Arundel 5000 pounds in 586. for holding Correspon∣dence with Allen and Parsons the Jesuit, the Queens Enemies for that publickly in writing, he had questioned the Justice of the Kingdom, and that he had intentions of departing the Realm without License. The Earl protesting his obedience to the Queen, and his Love to his Countrey, modestly excused himself by his Love to the Catholic Religion, and his ignorance of the Law, Confessed his fault and submitted.

In the * 7.7 same year, a very dangerous Conspiracy was discovered against Queen Eli∣zabeth, in the English Seminary at Rheimes, there were some who were so bigotted to the Popish Religion, that they thought the Pope could by his Authority, do any thing, and that the aforementioned Bull of Pius Quintus, for deposing the Queen was dicta∣ted by the Holy Ghost, and thought it a Meritorious Act to take away her Life, and doubted not of a Canonisation, as Martyrs, if they fell in the Attempt. William Gifford Doctor in Divinity, Gilbert Gifford, and one Hodgson Priests did so infuse this treasona∣ble Doctrine into the mind of one John Savage, a Bastard as was reported, that he readily Vowed to kill the Queen.

One Ballard, an English Priest at Rheimes, bestirs himself in England and Scotland for carrying on the Design, and for that purpose, prepares Disciples, then goeth into France, and treats with Mendoza before named, Charles Paget and others, about invading of England, judging they could never have a fairer opportunity, then at that Juncture of time, forasmuch as the Pope, the Spaniard, the Duke of Guise, and the Prince of Parma, were all resolved to set upon England, thereby to divert the War from the Ne∣therlands: Having delivered the Message there he returns for England to promote the design here, gets to London, where in a Souldiers habit, under the false Name of Cap∣tain Fescue he agitates the Plot.

* 7.8At London he discovered this Affair to one Mr. Anthony Babington of Dethick in Derbyshire, a young Gentleman greatly addicted to the Romish Religion, and who had in France Commenced an Acquaintance with the Bishop of Glascow, the Queen of Scots Ambassador, and one Thomas Morgan an English Fugitive, and a busie Agent for her. Babington at first, was of opinion, that as long as the Queen lived, an Invasion would signifie little or nothing, but when he understood, that Savage had undertaken to remove that Obstacle by killing her, altered his opinion; but was for joyning five more to Savage, to make sure of the Matter: Which being agreed on, they set forward the design of the Invasion. The design was by Babington imparted to the Queen of Scots, and she was to reward the Heroical Actors in this barbarous Attempt, or else their Posterities, in Case they perisht in it. And he was Commanded to pass his word to the six Gentlemen and the rest, concerning their re∣ward for their Service. In this Conspiracy were ingaged, divers Gentlemen who were very Zealous for Popery. Edward Windsor, Brother to the Lord Windsor, Thomas Salis∣bury of a Knights Family in Denbeighshire, Charles Tilney of an ancient Family, who was then but lately reconciled to the Romish Church, Chideock Tichburn of Southampton, Ed∣ward Abbington whose Father had been the Queens under Treasurer, Robert Gage of Surry, John Travers, and John Charnock of Lancashire, John Jones, whose Father was Yeoman of the Wardrobe to Queen Mary, Savage before named, Barnwel of a noble Family in Ireland, and Henry Dun Clark in the Office of first Fruits and Tenths, and one Polley.

To every of these Gentlemen was a Part in this Conspiracy assigned, and all things went according to their hearts desire, as they thought. Nothing perplexed Babing∣ton, But his Fears of being failed in the Foreign Aid, that was promised him, therefore to make sure of it, he resolved himself to go over into France, and to that purpose to send Ballard privately before, for whom by his Money, under a Counterfeit name, he procured a License to Travel. And that there might not be the least Suspicion of himself, he insinuated into Secretary Walsingham, by means of Polley, and earnestly be∣sought him to procure him a License from the Queen to travel into France, promising her to do her extraordinary good Service, in pumping out, and discovering the secret designs of the Fugitives in behalf of the Queen of Scots,* 7.9 but, as we say, forewarned forearmed, he being a faithful and cunning Secretary, by his Spies had discovered all,

and informed the Queen, and therefore only commended Babingtons pretended design, and made him fair Promises, and so from time to time delayed him. The chief instru∣ment in discovering this Plot, was one Gilbert Gifford, (who lurked in England under the Name of Lauson in mind Salvage of his Oath) but had informed the Secretary what he was, and to what purpose sent into England.

This having gone on for some time,* 7.10 the Queen apprehending there might be great danger in letting it proceed further, ordered Ballard to be apprehended who was seiz∣ed on before he was aware in Babingtons House, just as he was setting out for France, Babington and some others of the Confederates, being jealous the design was discovered, hid themselves in St. Johns Wood near London. Notice being given of their with∣drawing, they are proclaimed Traitors, at last are found, and seized on, and the rest of their fellow Rebels, fourteen of whom were executed in September 1586. in St. Giles in the Fields, where they used to meer, and consult about their intended mur∣thering of the Queen, and invading the Kingdom.

Mary Queen of Scots having been at the bottom in all these designs,* 7.11 and there be∣ing no probability of the Kingdoms continuing in the safe and secure exercise of the Protestant Religion, under their Protestant Queen, so long▪ as she was in being: The Papists being assured by her, that in case she had the Crown, she would introduce Pope∣ry; Queen Elizabeth was advised to try her for Treason, which she was with great difficulty prevailed to do, and Issued out a Commission grounded upon 27 Eliz. Cap. 1. herein before set forth. The Commissioners appointed to Try her, were these, viz: John Archbishop of * 7.12 Canturbury, Sir Tho. Bromley Kt. Chancellor of England, William Lord Burleigh Treasurer of England, William Lord Marquess of Winchester, Edward Earl of Oxford great Chamberlain of England, George Earl of Shrewsbury Earl Marshal; Henry Earl of Kent, Henry Earl of Darby, William Earl of Worcester, Edmund Earl of Rutland, Ambrose Earl of Warwick Master of the Ordinance, Henry Earl of Pembrook; Robert Earl of Leicester Master of the Horse, Henry Earl of Lincoln, Anthony Vicount Mountague, Charles Lord Howard Lord High Admiral of England, Henry Lord of Huns∣don Lord Chamberlain, Henry Lord Abergavenny, Edward Lord Zouch, Edward Lord Morley, William Lord Cobham, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Edward Lord Stafford, Arthur Lord Grey of Wilton, John Lord Lumley, John Lord Stourton, William Lord Saunders, Lewis Lord Mordant, John Lord St. John of Bletnesho, Thomas Lord Buckhurst, Henry Lord Compton, Henry Lord Cheney, Sir Francis Knolles Kt. Controller of the Houshould, Sir Christopher Hatton Vice-Chamberlain, Sir Francis Walsingham Secretary, William Davison Esq Sir Ralph Sadleir Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster, Sir Walter Mildmay Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Amias Pawlet Captain of the Isle of Jersey, John Woolly Esq Secretary for the Latin Tongue, Sir Christopher Wray Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, Sir Edward Anderson Chief Justice of the Bench, Sir Roger Manwood Chief Baron, Sir Thomas Gawdy and William Periam Judges.

The substance of their Commission was this,* 7.13 after the recital of 27. Eliz. Cap. 1. thus it followeth.

Whereas since the end of the Session of Parliament, viz. since the first day of June, in ••••e 27th. Year of our Reign, divers things have been compassed and imagined ••••nding to the hurt of our Royal Person, as well by Mary Daughter and Heir of James the Fifth King of Scots, and commonly called Queen of Scots, and Dowager of France, pretending a Title to the Crown of this Realm of England, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by divers other Persons, cum scientia (in English with the Privity) of the said Mary, as we are given to understand: And whereas we do intend and resolve that the afore∣said Act shall be, in all and every part thereof duly and effectually put into Ex∣ecution according to the Tenour of the same, and that all offences abovesaid, in the Act abovesaid mentioned as afore is said, and the circumstances▪ of the same, shall be examined and Sentence or Judgment thereupon given according to the Tenour and Effect of the said Act, to you and the greater part of you, we do gi••e full and absolute Power, License and Authority according to the Tenour of the said Act, to examin all and singular Matters, composed and imagined, tending to she hurt of our Royal Person, as well by the aforesaid Mary as by any other Person or Persons whatsoever, cum scientia (in English with the Privity) of the said Mary, and all circumstance of the same, and all other offences whatsoever abovesaid. In the

Act abovesaid (as afore is said) mentioned, and all circumstances of the same, and of every of them; and thereupon according to the Tenour of the Act aforesaid, to give Sentence or Judgment; as upon good proof the Matter shall appear unto you: And therefore we command you that you do at such certain days and places, which you or the greater part of you, shall for that purpose set and agree upon, diligently proceed upon the premises in form aforesaid, &c.

* 7.14The Commissioners met at Fotheringay Castle the 11th. of October, 1586. and Tryed Mary Queen of Scots, the substance of the Tryal you may see in Cambdens Annals from Pag. 344, to 361. as he took the same out of the Commentaries and Memorials of Edward Barker, principlal Register to the Queen, Thomas Wheeler publick Notary, Register of the Audience of Canturbury, and other persons of Credit which were there present.

On the 25th of October all the Commissioners met at the Star-Chamber at Westminster (to which place they had adjourned,) except the Earls of Shrewsbury and Warwick; which were both of them sick, at that time Sentence was pronounced, which Sentence was this.* 7.15

By their unanimous assents and consents they do pronounce and deliver, this their Sentence and Judgment, at the day and place last above mentioned; and say, that since the conclusion of the aforesaid Session of Parliament, in the Commission aforesaid specified; namely since the first day of June, in the 27th. Year aforesaid, and before the date of the said Commission, divers Marters have been compassed and imagined within this Realm of England, by Anthony Babington and others, with the Privity of the said Mary pretending a Title to the Crown of this Realm of England; tending to the hurt, death and destruction of the Royal Person of our said Lady the Queen: And also that since the aforesaid first day of June, in the 27th. Year aforesaid, and before the date of the Commission aforesaid; the aforesaid Mary, pretending a Title to the Crown of this Realm of England, hath compassed and imagined within this Realm of England, divers Matters tending to the hurt, death, and destruction of the Royal Per∣son of our Soveraign Lady the Queen, contrary to the form of the Statute in the Commission aforesaid specified.

* 7.16The twenty ninth of October following, the Parliament met, and the first Act they made, was an Act for the confirmation of the Proscription of Thomas late Lord Paget, Charles Paget, Francis Englefeild, Francis Throckmorton, William Shelley, Anthony Babington, Thomas Salisbury, Edward Jones, Edward Abbington, Charles Tilney, Chidiock Tichbourn, Robert Barnwell, John Charnock and John Travers. The Preamble of which Act of Par∣liament strengthening the Credit of the former History, I have here incerted.

* 7.17In most humble wise, beseecheth your Royal Majesty; the Lords Spiritual and Tem∣poral, and all other your most Loving and Obedient Subjects, the Commons of this your most High Court of Parliament Assembled: That where Thomas Paget late Lord Paget late of Drayton in the County of Middlesex, Francis Englefeild late of London Kt. Charles Paget late of London Esq Francis Throckmorton late of London Esq William Shelley late of Clapham, in the County of Sussex Esq Anthony Babington late of Dethick in the County of Derby Esq Thomas Salisbury late of Lleweny in the County of Denbygh Esq Edward Jones late of Cadogan in the same County of Denbygh Esq, Edward Abbington late of Henlippe in the County of Worcester Esq Charls Tilney late of ••••ndon Esq Chidiock Tichbourn late of Port-Chester in the County of Southampton Esq Robert Barnwell late of London Gent. John Charnock late of London Gent. and John Travers late of Prescot in the County of Lancaster Gent. Having no fear of God before their Eyes, have most falsely and Treacherously committed, perpetrated and done many unnatural detestable and abominable Treasons, to the most fearful peril and danger of the destruction of your most Royal Person, and to the utter loss, dis∣herison, and destruction of this your Highnesses Realm of England; if God of his infinite goodness had not in due time revealed and given knowledge to your High∣ness of their Trayterous intent, of and for the which said Treasons being mani∣festly and plainly proved; the said Traytors and Offenders before named, have been lawfully indicted, and some of them have been, and are, lawfully and by due process Out-Lawed, and thereby justly attainted, and some other by Tryal of the Country and their own confessions, and judgment thereupon given lawfully and justly convicted, and attainted, according to the Laws of this your Realm; as by the Records of their several attainders more plainly it doth, and may, appear, and for the which several Offences, some of the same Offenders have suffered pains of Death according to their demerits.

And then the Parliament Confirms their attainder, and confiscates their Lands and Tenements, Goods and Chattels.

The next thing this Parliament did, was by their Votes to approve,* 7.18 and confirm the Sentence given against the Queen of Scots, and desired it might be published; the Reasons whereof were delivered in divers Speeches made in the House of Com∣mons upon this occasion, and which are to be seen in Sir Simon D' Ewes his Journal at large. They were drawn from the dangers that threatned Religion, the Queens Person, and the Realm by means of Mary Queen of Scots who having been bred up in the Popish Re∣ligion, and sworn a confederate in the Holy League for the extirpation of the Protestant Reli∣gion, had now for a long time Arrogated unto her self, the Title of Queen of England while the Queen lived, whom as being excommunicate, she held it lawful to do mischief to, (as far as lay in her Power) and to take away her life, a thing meritorious: One who had over-thrown, and ruined sundry flourishing Families in the Kingdom, and cherished all the Treasonable designs and Rebellions in England, to spare her there∣fore, were nothing else but to spoil the People, who would take impunity in this Case much to heart, and would not think themselves discharged of their Oath of Association, unless she were punished according to her deserts, and lastly they called to her re∣membrance, how fearful the examples of Gods vengeance were upon King Saul for sparing Agag, and upon King Ahab for sparing the Life of Benhaddad.

These Reasons were strongly inforc't by a Petition presented by the Parliament to the Queen: and by her answer it appears, what a great straight she was in,* 7.19 between her Natural inclinations to mercy backt with the consideration of the near Relation the Queen of Scots stood in to her, and the danger her Person and the Protestant Religion were in, sufficiently evidenced by an Oath which she her self said she had seen, where∣in some had bound themselves to kill her within a Month.

By which, she said, she saw her Subjects danger in her Person, which she would be careful to prevent; she told them she had not forgot the Association, they had entred into for her safety, which was a thing she never somuch as thought of, till a great number of Hands and Seals to it were shewn her, that it had laid a perpetual tie and obligation upon her, to bear them a singular good Will and Love: That she had no greater comfort then in the Common-Wealths respect and affection towards her, and promised them that whatsoever the best of Subjects might expect at the hands of the best Princes, they might expect from her to be performed to the full.

After this she sent to the Lords by the Chancellor, and to the Commons by their Speaker Puckering, to enter anew into the consideration of this Matter,* 7.20 and to find out a more pleasing expedient, whereby both the Queen of Scots Life might be spared, and her own security provided for.

They Concur again in their former Opinion for these Reasons;* 7.21 the Queens safety (they said) could no ways be secured so long as the Queen of Scots lived, unless she should either seriously repent, and acknowledge her offence; or were kept with a closer or stricter Guard, and sufficient security given by Bond, or Oath for her good Demean∣our, or delivered Hostages, or else departed the Realm. They proved by invincible Reasons, that neither by expectation of Reformation in the disposition of the Queen of Scots (if the Queens Majesty should spare her Life.) Nor yet by safer or stronger Garding of her Person, nor by her promise upon word, or Oath,* 7.22 nor by the Hostages of other Princes or Allies, nor by her Banishment, nor by the revocation of the Bull of Pope Pius Quintus, nor yet by the Bond or Word of a Prince, or of any or all the Princes her Allies, nor by any other way or means whatsoever, other then by the speedy Execution to Death of the said Scottish Queen, the safety or continuance of the true Religion, of the most Royal Person of the Queens Majesty, and all the peaceable State of this Realm, could in any ways be provided for and Established. As for her repentance they were out of all hopes of it, considering that she had so ill requited the Queen who had saved her Life; yet would not acknowledge her fault, as for a surer Guard, stricter Custody, Bonds, Oaths and Hostages, they esteemed them all as nothing worth, because if the Queens Life were once taken away, all these would pre∣sently vanish, and if she should depart the Realm they feared least she should presently take up Arms, and Invade the same, therefore they pressed hard that the Sentence

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might be put in Execution, because as it were injustice to deny Execution of the Law to any one of her Subjects, that should demand it; so much more to the whole Body of her People of England, unanimously and with one Voice humbly and Instantly suing for the same.

The Answer to this Speech will, I hope, give the Reader great satisfaction, as to Queen Elizabeth's proceedure in this weighty concern; and therefore I have here in∣serted it verbatim, as I find it in Cambden, which is as followeth:

* 7.23

Very unpleasing is that way where the setting out Progress and Journeys end, yield nothing but trouble and vexation. I have this day been in greater conflict with my self then ever I was in all my Life; whether I should speak or hold my peace? If I should speak and not complain, I shall dissemble, if I should be silent; all your Labour and Pains taken were in vain; and if I should complain, it might seem a strange and unusual thing. Yet I confess, that my hearty desire was, that some other means might have been devised to provide for your security and my own safety, then this which is now propounded: So that I cannot but complain, tho not of you; yet to you, since I perceive by your Petition, that my safety dependeth wholly upon the ruin of another. If there be any that think I have spun out the time on pur∣pose to get commendation by a seeming shew of Clemency; they do me wrong un∣deservedly, as he knoweth, who is the searcher of the most secret thoughts of the Heart; or if there be any that are perswaded, the Commissioners durst pronounce no other Sentence, for fear they should displease me, or seem to fail of their Care for my preservation, they do but wrong me with such injurious conceits; for either those whom I have put in Trust, have failed of their Duties; or else they acquainted the Commissioners in my Name, that my will and pleasure was, that every one should act freely according to his Conscience; and what they thought not fit to be made publick, that they should communicate to me in private. It was of my favourable inclination towards her, that I desired some other way might be found out to prevent this mis∣chief. But since it is now resolved, that my security is desperate without her death, I find a great reluctancy and trouble within me, that I, who have, in my time, pardon∣ed so many Rebels, wincked at so many Treasons, or neglected them by silence, should now seem to shew my self cruel towards so great a Princess.

I have since I came to the Government of this Realm, seen many defamatory Libels and Pamphlets against me,* 7.24 taxing me to be a Tyrant, wellfaret he Writers hearts; I be∣lieve their meaning was to tell me News; and News indeed it was to me to be branded with the note of Tyranny, I would it were as great news to hear of their wickedness and impieties. But what is it which they will not venture to write now, when they shall hear that I have given my consent, that the Executioners hands should be em∣brewed in the Blood of my nearest Kinswoman? But so far am I from cruelty, that though it were to save my own Life; I would not offer her the least violence: Nei∣ther have I been so careful how to prolong mine own Life, as how to preserve both hers and mine: which that it is now impossible to do, I am heartily troubled; I am not so void of sence and judgment; as not to see mine own danger before mine Eyes; nor so indiscreet as to sharpen a Sword to cut my own Throat; nor so egregiously careless, as not to provide for the safty of mine own Life. This I consider with my self; that many a Man would hazzard his own Life; to save the Life of a Princess; but I am not of their opinion, these things have I many times thought upon seriously with my self.

But since so many have both written and spoken against me, give me leave I pray you, to say somewhat in mine own defence, that ye may see what manner of Woman I am, for whose safety and preservation you have taken such extraordinary care, wherein as I do with a most thankful heart discern and read your great vigilancy; so I am sure, I shall never requite it, had I as many lives as all you together.

When first I took the Scepter into my hand, I was not unmindful of God the giver, and therefore I began my Reign with securing his Service, and the Religion I have been both born-in, bred in, and I trust shall dye in: And though I was not ignorant how many dangers I should meet withal at home for my altering Religion, and how ma∣ny great Princes abroad of a contrary Profession, would in that respect bear an Hostile mind towards me; yet was I no whit, dismayed thereat, knowing that God, whom alone I eyed and respected, would defend both me and my Cause. Hence it is, that so

many Treacheries and Conspiracies have been attempted against me, that I might well admire to find my self alive at this present day, were it not that Gods holy hand hath still protected me beyond all Expectations. Next, to the end I might make the better progress in the Art of Ruling well; I had long and serious Consultations with my self, what things were most worthy and becoming Kings to do, and I found it absolutely necessary that they should be compleatly furnished with those prime Capital Vertues, Justice, Temperance, Prudence and Magnanimity: Of the two latter I will not boast my self, my Sex doth not permit it, they are proper to Men; but for the two former and less rough, I dare say (and that without ostentation) I never made a difference of Persons, but high and low had equally right done them; I never preferred any for favour, whom I thought not fit and worthy; I never was forward to believe Storys at the first telling; nor was I so rash as to suffer my Judgement to be forestalled with prejudice before I had heard the Cause. I will not say but many reports might happily be brought me too much in favour of the one side or the other: for a good and wary Prince may sometimes be bought and sold, whilst we cannot hear all our selves; yet this I dare say boldly, my Judgment (as far as I could understand the Case) ever went with truth. And as Alcibiades advised his friend, not to give any answer till he had run over the Letters of the whole Alphabet, so have I never used rash and sudden resolutions in any thing.

And therefore as touching your Councils and Consultations, I acknowledge them to have been with such care and Providence, and so advantageous, for the preservation of my Life, and to proceed from hearts so sincere and devoted to me, that I shall endea∣vour what lyes in my power, to give you cause to think your pains not ill bestowed, and strive to shew my self worthy of such Subjects.

And now for your Petition, I desire you for the present to content your selves, with an answer without answer; your Judgement I condemn not, neither do I mislike your reason, but I must desire you to excuse those thoughtful doubts and cares, which as yet perplex my Mind; and so rest satisfied with the profession of my thankful esteem of your affections, and the answer I have given, if you take it for any answer at all; if I should say I will not do what you request, I might say perhaps more than I in∣tend; and if I should say I would do it, I might plunge my self into as bad inconveni∣encies as you endeavour to perswade me from: which I am confident your wisdom and discretions would not that I should, if you consider the circumstances of place, time, and the manner and conditions of Men.

In December 1586. the Parliament was prorogued saith Cambden,* 7.25 Adjourned (saith D' Ewes) to the 15th of February, and thence ajourned to the 22 of February, and soon after, notice was given to the Queen of Scots of her Sentence, which she received joyfully, and seemed to Triumph that she was taken for an instrument for introducing Popery. But a Bishop and Dean of the Church of England,* 7.26 being commended to her, to fit her for Death, she rejected them, and sharply taxed the English Nation, saying that the English, had many times put their own Kings to death, no marvel there¦fore if they now also shewed their cruelty upon her, who was issued from the Blood of their Kings.

After her Sentence was published (before any Warrant for her Execution) People vented their several Opinions, some for it, some against it, I shall Wave all but the then French Ambassadours Reasons on the behalf of the Queen of Scots, and the Answer to those Reasons, as they are related by Cambden, as follows.

That it very much concerned the most Christian King of France, and all other Kings,* 7.27 that a Queen, a free and absolute Princess, should not be put to death.

That the Queens safety would not be more endangered by the death of Queen Mary, then it would be by her Life: That if she were delivered out of Prison, she could probably attempt nothing against the Queen, being now in a sickly condition and having but a short time to live.

That although she had laid claim to the Crown of England, she was not to be blamed for it, but it was wholly to be imputed to her young and tender Years, and to bad Coun∣cellors.

That she came at first a supplicant into England, and therefore having been unjustly de∣tained, she was now at length to be either ransomed, or mercifully dealt withal. Moreover, that an absolute Prince was not to be called in question, which made Tully, say, So unsual a thing it is for a King to be put to death, for any Crime, that before this time, it was never so much as heard of,

That if she were Innocent, she were not to be punished; if Guilty she was to be spared; for this would turn to far greater honour and advantage, and would be recorded eternally, as an example of the English Clemency. That the story of Porsenna in this Case was to be remembred, who snatched the right hand of Mutius Scaevola out of the Fire, and set him at Liberty, though he had Conspired his Death.

That it was a prime Rule and Precept for well Governing, to be sparing of Blood; that Blood cryeth for Blood: That to use the extreamity of rigour towards her, could not but seem a cruel and bloody Part.

That the French King would do his best to repel and frustrate the Attemps of all Men what∣soever, who should offer violence to the Queen: and that the Guises, the Queen of Scots near Kinsmen, would engage themselves to do the like by Oath and Covenant under their hands, who in Case she should be put to death, would take it very hardly and haply not leave her unrevenged.

Lastly, they required she might not be proceeded against according to so rigorous, and ex∣traordinary a Sentence: Otherwise the French King, could not but take very great displeasure thereat, howsoever other Princes should hap to resent it.

* 7.28To these Reasons Answer was made from Point to Point as followeth.

That the Queen of England trusted, the most Christian King of France would have no less a regard and respect for her, then he had for the Queen of Scots, who had practised the destruction of an Innocent Princess, her near Kinswoman, and a Confederate with the French King. That it was expedient and necessary for Kings and Common-wealths, that wicked attempts (especially against Princes) should not go unpunished.

That the English, which acknowledged the Soveraign Authority of Queen Elizabeth only in England, could not acknowledge two Supream free and absolute Princes in England at one time, or account any other whomsoever, equal to her in England as long as she lived. Neither indeed did they see, how the Queen of Scots, and her Son who at present Reigneth, can be reputed both at one time for Supream and Abso∣lute Princes.

Whether the Queens safety would be exposed to greater danger upon her being Exe∣cuted, depended upon future Accidents and Contingences; the Estates of England, upon serious deliberations of the Matter, thought otherwise there would never be occasions wanting for bad attempts, especially when the Matter was now come to that pass, that the one had no hope of safety, unless the other were ruined: and this saying they might call to Mind aut ego illam, aut illa me, either I must take away her Life, or she will take away mine. The shorter the time to come of her Life was, the sooner and more eagerly would the Conspirators hasten the Queens danger.

That the Title which she claimed to the Crown of England, she would not yet re∣nounce, and therefore she was with good reason detained in Prison, and so to be de∣tained (though she came a Supplicant into England) till she had renounced the same, and the Crimes which she had committed since she was Prisoner, she ought to suffer for, whatever were the Cause of her first casting into Prison.

That the Queen had formerly most Graciously spared her Life, when by unani∣mous consent of the Estates, she was Condemned for a Rebellion raised, about an in∣tended Marriage between her and the Duke of Norfolk: and to spare her again, were but unadvised and cruel pity; that no man was ignorant of that saying of the Lawyers. A Man offending in anothers Territory, and there found, is punished in the Place of his Offence, without regard of his Dignity, Honour or Priviledge: And that this was both justi∣fiable by the Laws of England, and by the Examples of Licinius, Robert King of Scicily,

Bernard King of Italy, Couradine, Elizabeth Queen of Hungary, Joan Queen of Naples, and Dejotants; for whom Tully pleading, said, it was no unjust thing that a King should be found Guilty, and put to Death, though it were not usual: For thus the words run, which I speak first touching a Kings forfeiture of Life and Estate, which thing though it be not unjust, especially when thy Life is in danger from him, yet is it so un∣sual, &c.

That she ought to be punished, having been found Guilty upon a just and legal Tryal; considering that what is just, the same is honest, and what is honest, is also profitable and Expedient.

That the Story of Porsenna suited not with the present Case, unless a Man should imagine a numerous Combinations of men to have laid wait for the Queens Life, and should thereupon perswade her to let the Queen of Scots at Liberty without any hurt, out of a fear of them, with some regard to her own honour, but none to her safety, as Porsenna discharged Mutius, after he had affirmed that three hundred like himself had Conspired and vowed his death: Moreover, Mutius attempted this against Porsenna, in a just and declared War; and when Mutius was let go, Porsenna verily perswaded himself that all the danger was over; but the Case here is quite otherwise.

That Blood indeed is to be spared, but it must be inoncent Blood, this God hath commanded. True it is indeed, that the voice of innocent Blood crieth for Blood; and this can France both before and since the Massacre at Paris, well witness and testifie.

That Death that is justly inflicted cannot seem Bloody; as is neither Physic prapared duly, and as it ought to be, esteemed violent.

That howsoever the Guises, the Queen of Scots Kinsmen, might take the Matter, yet it highly concerned the Queen, to regard rather the safety of her self, the Nobility and People of England (upon whose love and affection she wholly depended) then the displeasure of any whomsoever.

That the Matter was come to that pass, that what was said of old concerning two Princes, Couradine of Sicily, and Charles of Anjou, might now be spoken of two Queens, it might now be truely said, the Death of Mary is the Life of Elizabeth, and the Life of Mary the Death of Elizabeth.

That the French King or the Guises promises could not secure the Queen and Realm, much less make satisfaction for her Life, if she should be made away.

That the French King could neither discover nor hinder secret Plots against himself at home, much less was he like to hinder those against the Queen of England: For Treason is plotted in secret, and therefore hard to be prevented, if the fact were once committed, what would it avail to claim their Promises? how should an incomparable Prince's death be made amends for? and in so sad and woful a Confusion of all things, what Remedy could be found for the languishing Common-wealth?

That the Obligations and Oaths of the Guises were of small value, who judged it Meritorious to kill the Bishop of Rome's Adversaries, and could easily procure Dispensati∣ons for their Oaths, and what Englishman, if Queen Elizabeth were slain, and the Queen of Scots, of the house of Guise, advanced to the Crown, durst accuse them of the Murther? and if any should accuse them; could they thereby make her alive again?

And the Ambassadors in calling this a rigorous and extraordinary Sentence, have spo∣ken rashly and unadvisedly (for as much as they have neither seen Process nor Proofs) and have more sharply then is fitting, taxed the Estates of the Realm of England, choice Men for their Nobility, Vertue, Prudence, and Piety: Yea, they have very inconsi∣derately uttered such Words in the French Kings Name, as if they meant by threats to terrifie the Queen, and the Estates of the Land. The English-men use not to be terrified by the French-mens threats from taking Courses to secure their own Tranquility, when they, in the mean time, could direct them no proper way to avoid the instant and threatning Dangers.

The Answer to these Reasons not leaving the French Ambassador Room for a Reply, from Words he was resolved to fall to Blows, and that he might save one Queens Life, enters into a Plot to take away anothers.* 7.29 And in order to this, he at first more closely tampers with one William Stafford, a young Gentleman whose Mother and Brother were Servants to the Queen, the former of the Queens Bed Chamber, the Latter Ambassador in France, and afterwards more plainly and openly by Trappy his Secretary, who pro∣mised him if he would effect it, not only great Glory and vast Riches, but special favour with the Pope, the Duke of Guise, and all the Papists. Stafford refused to do it himself, but recommended one Moody, who undertook the Matter; and as to the Man∣ner, propounded to do it, either by Poison, or by a bag of Gunpowder of twenty pounds weight to be conveyed under her Bed, and secretly fired: But soon after Staf∣ford discovered the whole, Trappy was taken and Confessed the Matter, the Ambassador was sent for and rebuked, but he insisted, that he being an Ambassador, was not bound to make any Discovery to any but his Master.

* 7.30At this time there were divers Rumors, and terrifying Reports spread over England, viz. that the Spanish Fleet was already arrived at Milford Haven; that the Scots were broken into England; that the Duke of Guise was Landed in Sussex with a strong Army; that the Queen of Scots was escaped out of Prison, and had raised an Army; that the Northern Parts were up in Rebellion; that there was a new Conspiracy on foot to kill the Queen, and set the City of London on Fire: These Reports hastned on the Queens signing a Warrant for the Execution of the Queen of Scots; to do which, she being by her Courtiers, as before she had been by the Parliament, pressed, both by Reasons, and also by Examples; did command a Warrant to be drawn up for her Execution; which Command she delivered in Writing to Davison, one of her Secre∣taries, but commanded him to acquaint no Man therewith. But the next Day, having changed her Mind, she commanded Davison, by William Killigrew, that the Warrant should not be drawn. He came presently to the Queen, and told her that it was drawn and under the Seal already, whereat she was greatly moved; but notwith∣standing, he acquainted the Council with it, and they believing that the Queen com∣manded it should be Executed, without any delay, sent down, and had it done on the 8th. Day of February, 1586.

As soon as the Report was brought to Queen Elizabeths Ears (who little thought of such a thing) that the Queen of Scots was put to Death, she heard it with great Indignati∣on; her Countenance altered, her Speech faltered and failed her, and through exces∣sive Sorrow, she stood in a manner astonished, insomuch, as she gave her self over to passionate Grief, puting her self into mourning Habit, and shed abundance of Tears. Her Council she sharply rebuked, and commanded them out of her Sight, causing them to be Examined. Davison she commanded to appear, and be tryed in the Star Chamber;* 7.31 Her Councel she forgave, but Davison was tryed, fined a thousand Pounds, and imprisoned during the Queens pleasure.

* 7.32After the Queen of Scots was executed, the first piece of Treasonable Practice of the Papists, I meet with is, that of York, who drew Stanley to betray Deventer, a strong and wealthy Place, to the Spaniards contrary to Oath solemnly taken to Leicester, and to satisfie his Conscience against the imputations of Treason, he pretended, that he had restored that place to the true Lord and Owner, which had been kept from him by Rebels, and being a ranck Papists, he soon after sent for Papists to instruct his Regiment, consisting of thirteen hundred English and Irish, in the Popish Religion; giving out, that this should be a Seminary Regiment of Souldiers to defend the Romish Religion by their Swords, as the Seminary Priests did by their Writings: And for this purpose, Allen who was not long after made Cardinal, not only dispatcht Priests to him with all expedition, but set forth a Book also wherein, according to Pius Quintus his Bull against Queen Elizabeth, he both commended the Treason, and excited others to the like perfidiousness, as if they were neither bound to serve nor obey an Excommuni∣cate Queen.

And now let us see what the Parliament are doing after the Death of the Queen of Scots; That great Root of Rebellion and Treason, even in their opinion.

At the meeting of the Parliament 22d. of February, to which the same was adjourned, the Queen acquainted them by Sr. Christopher Hatton, that the Nation was in great dan∣ger, and what the danger was, you will find laid down in an excellent Speech,* 7.33 made in the House of Commons by the said Sr. Christopher Hatton, which I have here inserted, that you may see that tho' the Queen of Scots was dead, yet the Papists were not: but as active against the Queen, and the Protestant Religion as ever. The Speech take, as it is set down in Sr. Simon D' Ewes his journal which is as followeth.

That it was Her Majesties pleasure to have dangers disclosed, and to have the House know that she thanked God for the Goodness of the House,* 7.34 that she wished the Session (mistaken for Meeting) to be short, that Men of Government, might go home for matter of Government, Hospitality and Defence, and to take another time for making of Laws, saving such as be now of necessity.

The dangers which Her Majesty meaneth, proceed of ancient Malice, and are to be prepared for, and God called for Aid.

The Principal Heads of the Dangers.

The Catholics abroad, the Pope, the King of Spain, the Princes of the League, the Papists at home and their Ministers.

The Principal Root hereof:

The Councel of Trent which agreed to extirpate Christian Religion (which they term Heresie) whereunto divers Princes assented, and bound themselves in solemn Manner.

Pope Pius Quintus sent his Excommunication against Her Majesty. Dr. Mourton and Mendoza a Spanish Ambassador bestirred them, a Northren Rebellion was bred, the Pope and the rest Practiced for the Scottish Queen, and she being acquainted proceeds by her means.

Pope Paulus the thirteenth proceeds and sends Jesuites and Seminaries to England and Ireland, and they proceed to inveagle the the Subjects, and disswade them from obedience. Viska beginneth a Rebellion in Ireland, James Fitz Morris furthereth the Execution thereof. Doctor Saunders and Desmond stir new Rebellion there, and wrote into England, &c. Parry was moved to kill Her Majesty, and perswaded it was Me∣ritorious.

Pope Sixtus the fifth imitateth the other Popes, to execute their former Devices, and writeth to the Cardinal of Lorain and Guise; that he will overthrow the Gospel (which Mr. Vice Chamberlain honourably termed the glorious Gospel) and therefore moved them to joyn with the Princes of the League, and to practice to win the King of Scots, and to set up the Scottish Queen in England, and make his reckoning of the Cantons that were Popish, the Switzers, the Duke of Savoy, they Duke of Ferara, King of Spain, and King of France: A chief Instrument to work this was one Carew, called also Father Henry.

He was sent into Germany, and over Italy and France, wrote to the Scottish Queen, that the Powers will joyn to overthrow England, and make known the effect of his Labour to the Pope. Invasion should have been made into England and Ireland the last year, and not like to be unattempted this year.

The Pope Excommunicateth the King of Navar; the Pope accounteth not of Popish Prea∣ching and perswasions that way; But nevertheless moveth all to use the Word, and for maintenance thereof spareth his Treasure otherwise, and withdraweth maintenance from Jesuites, Seminaries; and divers other Letters were found with the Scottish Queen, which prove all these to be true. If we serve Almighty God in sincerity of Heart, we need not to fear. It is to be remembred that the King of Spain sought to recover some part of his Fathers Credit, by using our Treasure and Force to get St. Quintines; but he soon made his advantage of it, and regarded not our Territo∣ries in France: But suffered the loss of Calice and all our Territories; and after the Death of Queen Mary what he could. Her Majesty sought for his Good-will, sending the Lord Mountague, the Lord Cobham, Sr. Thomas Chamberlain Knight, Mr. Maun and others, and they were but hardly used, some of them were offered great indignity, and Mr. Mauns Son forced by strength to do a kind of Pennance. He comforted the Queens Enemies, he giveth Colour of Wars, he Chargeth the Queen that her

Subjects have aided his Rebels in the Low Countries, with the countenancing Mounsieur with many at Cambray, with sending her Nobility with him into the Low Countries, with the Actions of Sr. Francis Drake, with assistance of the Low Countries.

Of the purpose of the Combined Princes.

Their shew is to deal with the King of Navar to extirpate him, but their drift is to ruinate Religion not only there, but to set upon, and to work the ruin of it here also. Wherein the King of Spain and Guise are now very busie. Their Malice is the more for the executing the Scottish Queen••: But their hope is the less. The King of Spain his Designments are to invade England and Ireland.

His Preparations.

Three hundred sixty Sail of Spain. Eighty Gallies from Venice and Genoua, one Galliass with six hundred armed Men, from the Duke of Florence. Twelve thousand Men maintained by Italy and the Pope. Six thousand by the Spanish Clergy, twelve thousand by his Nobility and Gentlemen of Spain: It is reported that ten thousand of these be Horsemen, I think it not all true, but something there is.

We must look to the Papists at home and abroad. It hath touched us in the Blood of the Nobility, and the Blood of many Subjects.

They practice to frame Subjects against all Duty, and bring in Doctrine of Law∣fulness and Merit to kill the Queen, and have sent their Instruments abroad to that purpose.

Notwithstanding things stood thus, yet the Parliament having made so many Laws, thought convenient, to make but one Law this Session against the Papists, which was not made Provisory of any new Remedy against them, but to enforce the Execution only of a former Law. It is entitled, An Act for the more speedy and due Execution of certain Branches of the Stat. 23. Eliz. intitled, An Act to retain the Queens Majesties Sub∣jects in their due obedience.

* 11.1By which Act, For the avoiding all Frauds and Delays, in hinderance of the Execution of the said Act, it is provided; that certain assurances made by Pa∣pists shall be void against the Queen: That the Conviction shall be at the Kings Bench, or at the Assizes or general Goal Delivery; and certified into the Exche∣quer: The twenty pounds a month for not going to Church is to be paid into the Exchequer every Easter and Michaelmas Term; In default of Payment the Queen may take all the Goods, and two parts of the Lands and Leases of the Offenders. The indictment sufficient, tho it mentions not the Parties being within the Realm: Vpon Proclamation made, if the party renders not his Body, he stands Convicted, no forfeiture, if the party submits, or dies. Assurances made bona fide not to be impeached, nor Lands for Life, or in the Wives right, after the Offendors Death.

Thus did the Plots and Conspiracies of the Papists, from time to time, force the State to make either New Laws against them, or else Laws for the more effectual exe∣cuting the old; for the truth of the Plots and Conspiracies before mentioned, I shall here insert the very words of the Secular Priests in their important Considerations as hereunto followeth,* 11.2

We might add the notable Treasons of Mr. Anthony Babington, and his Complices in the Year 1586. Which were so apparent as we were greatly abashed at the shameless Boldness, of a young Jesuit; who to excuse the said Trai∣tors and qualifie their offences, presumed in a kind of supplication to Her Majesty to ascribe the Plotting of all that mischief to Mr. Secretary Walfingham, the Treachery also of Sr. William Stanley, the year following 1587. in falsifying his Faith to Her Majesty, and in betraying the trust Committed unto him by the Earl of Leicester, who had given him the honourable Title of Knighthood, as it was greatly prejudicial to us, that were Catholicks at home,* 11.3 so was the defence of that Disloyalty (made by a * 11.4 worthy Man, but by the perswasions, as they think of Parsons) greatly disliked of many both Wise and Learned. And especially it was wondred at a while, until the Drift thereof appeared more manifestly in the year 1588) that the said worthy Person laid down this for a ground, in justifying the said Stanley. viz. that in all

Wars which may happen for Religion, every Catholick Man is bound in Conscience, to employ his Person and Force, by the Popes Direction, viz. how, for, when, and where, either at home or abroad, he may and must break with his Temporal Sove∣raign.

Let us now see what was further doing by the Pope and the Papists, against the Protestant Queen, and the Protestant Religion in England, in the Year 1588, and we shall doubtless see very good reason for making the Statute of 35 Eliz. Ca. 2. which was the last Law that was made against them in Queen Elizabeths time.

The Pope, some Religious Persons in Spain, and several English Fugitives,* 11.5 had called back the Spaniard to his former Designs for the Conquest of England, which had been interrupted by the Portugal Wars; earnestly exhorting him, that seeing God had given him Success in laying Portugal, and the East-Indies to his Dominions, he would do something which should be acceptable to God, and becoming the Grandeur and Maje∣sty of the Catholic King, that nothing could be more, then the propagating and en∣larging the Church of God, which could not be more gloriously, nor more meritori∣ously done, then by the Conquest of England, re-planting the Roman Catholic Religion, and abolishing Heresie there. They suggested, that this War would be just, because it was necessary, as also because it was for the Maintainance of Christs Religion; in re∣gard, That the Queen of England being excommunicate, persisted contumaciously a∣gainst the Church of Rome, supported his Rebels in the Netherlands, annoyed the Spani∣ards by continual Depredations, suppressed and sackt his Towns in Spain and America, and had very lately put the Queen of Scots to Death, violating thereby the Majesty of all Kings: That it would be no less profitable than just, for so he should add to his Empire those three Kingdoms, quell the Rebellion in the Low Countries, secure his Voyages to the Indies, without the Expence of Convoys. To prove this, they sug∣gested, that the Spanish Navy did far exceed the English in Number, Largeness of Ships, and Strength, especially considering the Addition of the Portugal Fleet; that England had no Forts nor defences, that it was unprovided of Commanders, Souldiers, Cavalry and Munition, bare of Wealth and Friends; that there were many Papists who would presently joyn with him; that so great was the Strength of Spain, and so unmatchable their Valour, that none durst oppose them; and confidently assured themselves of Victory; That this Opportunity was offered by God himself, a Peace being then concluded with the Turk, and the French embroiled in a Civil War: That the Conquest of England would be far easier than the Netherlands, in respect the Cut from Spain to England was much more short and convenient, than from Spain to the Nether∣lands. That in order to the Conquest of the Netherlands, it was necessary, first to con∣quer England, and that England being once conquered, the Low-Countries must of ne∣cessity be subdued.

The Spanish King being perswaded to believe all this, resolves on the Attempt,* 11.6 and the next thing considered, was, in what Way, and Means, to effect it. And the Me∣thod agreed on, was, to do it with a well-provided Army from Spain and the Low-Coun∣tries, to be landed by a powerful Navy at the Thames Mouth, in order to surprize the City of London, by a sudden Assault; this being resolved on, the Preparation was made, which was so great throughout all Spain, Italy, and Scicily, that the Spaniards themselves were amazed at it, and named it the Invincible Armada. Their Cause, the Armada and Army, they recommended to the Pope, and to the Prayers of the Ca∣tholics, to God and the Saints, and set forth a Book in Print for a Terror, wherein the whole Preparation was set down.

The Prince of Parma also in the Netherlands, by the Spanish Kings Command, built Ships, and many Flat-bottomed Boats, and other great Preparations in the Sea Towns of Flanders, he had an Army of an hundred and three Companies of Foot, and four thousand Horse; amongst which were one thousand English Fugitives, who of all others, were least esteemed; neither was * 11.7 Stanley, who had the Command of them, nor others who offered their Service and Council once heard; but for their unnatural∣ness to their Country, they were debarred from all access, and (as most inauspicious Persons) worthily, and with Detestation rejected.

The Spanish Navy, in the whole, consisted of one hundred and thirty Ships, whereof Galliasses and Galleons seventy two, in which were Souldiers nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety,* 11.8 Marriners, eight thousand three hundred and fifty, Gally Slaves, two thousand and eighty, great Ordinance, two thousand six hundred and thirty; for the greater Holiness of their Action, twelve of their Ships were called the twelve Apostles; the chief Commanders were Don Alphonso, Duke of Medina, and John Recalde a great Sea-man.

* 11.9Sixtus Quintus the Pope, that he might not seem to be wanting in so good a Cause, did not only assist with his (a) 11.10 Treasure, but his Papal Curse to boot; whereby he excommunicated the Queen, dethroned her, absolved her Subjects from all Allegiance, and published his Croisado in Print, as it were against Turks and Infidels; wherein, out of the Treasure of the Church, he granted plenary Indulgences to all that gave their Help and Assistance with this goodly Stuff. William Allen, (a little before made a Car∣dinal) an English-man, and an old Traitor to the Queen, was sent into the Netherlands, the better to encourage the English Romanists to Rebellion; Allen pulls out his Papal Tool, which he forgeth into a Pamphlet in the English Language, which he prints at Antwerp, calling it,

The Declaration of the Sentence of Sixtus Quintus.

* 11.11And as a farther Interpretation of the Papal Intent, and the better to ingage the English to Rebellion, he joyns a second Part to it, called,

An Admonition to the Nobility and People of England.

And that the Reader may better understand the Honesty of the Paper, take the Sum of it thus.

* 11.12It begins with Calling the Queens Government impious and unjust; her self an Ʋsurper, Obstinate and Impenitent, and so no good to be expected, unless she be deprived.

Therefore Pope Sixtus Quintus, moved by his own and his Predecessors Zeal, and the vehe∣ment Desire of some principal English-men, hath used great Diligence with divers Princes, especially with the Spanish King, to use all his Force, that she might be turned out of her Dominions, and her Adherents punished: And all this for good Reasons.

Because she is an Heretick, Schismatick, is excommunicated by former Popes, is Contumaci∣ous, Disobedient to the Roman Bishop, and hath taken to her self the Ecclesiastical Jurisdicti∣on over the (a) 11.13 Souls of Men.

Because she hath, against all Law and Right, usurped the Kingdom; seeing none (forsooth) must be Monarchs of England, but by the Leave and Consent of the Pope.

Because she hath committed many Injuries, Extortions, and other Wrongs against her Subjects.

Because she hath stirred up Sedition and Rebellion between the Inhabitans of Neighbouring Countries.

Because she hath entertained (b) 11.14 Fugitives and Rebels of other Nations.

Because she sent and procured the (c) 11.15 Turk to invade Christendom.

Because she persecuted the English Romanists, Cut of the (d) 11.16 Queen of Scots, and abo∣lished the Roman Religion.

Because she hath rejected and excluded the Antient Nobility, and promoted to Honour obscure People, (e) 11.17 and also useth Tyranny.

Wherefore, seeing these Offences, some of them rendring her uncapable of the Kingdom, others unworthy to live; His Holiness, by the Power of God and the Apostles, reneweth the Censure of Pius V. and Gregory XIII. against her, excommunicates and deprives her of all Royal Dignity, Titles, Rites and Pretences to England and Ireland; declares her illegitimate, and Ʋsurper of the Kingdom, and absolves all her Subjects from their Obedience and Oaths of Allegiance due to her.

So he commandeth all, under Pain and Penalty of Gods Wrath, to yield her no Obedience, Aid or Favour whatsoever; but to employ all their Power against her, and to Joyn themselves with the Spanish Forces, who will not hurt the Nation, nor alter their Laws nor Priviledges, only punish the wicked (f) 11.18 Hereticks.

Therefore by these Presents we declare, that it is not only Lawful, but Commendable to lay Hands on the said Usurper, and other her Adherents, and for so doing, they shall be well re∣warded.

And lastly, to all these Roman Assistants, is liberally granted a Plenary Indulgence, and Re∣mission of all their Sins.

The Queen, to defend her self, set forth a good Fleet of Ships,* 11.19 under the Com∣mand of Charles Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord High Admiral, and Drake Vice-ad∣miral; she prepared two Armies, one of one thousand Horse and twenty two thou∣sand Foot, under the Command of the Earl of Leicester. The other of thirty four thousand Foot, and two thousand Horse, under the Command of the Lord Hunsdon. And the Nation being jealous of the Papists, the Queen was perswaded to commit di∣vers to Wisbich Castle, but could not be prevailed upon to execute any one, not so much as a Priest, notwithstanding the severe Laws then in being against them, and this great Preparation made against her, for the Conquering of England, and the bring∣ing in of Popery.

The Papists seeing such Preparations made by the Queen,* 11.20 set on foot a Treaty for Peace, and in February Commissioners went into Flanders, and the 12th. of April, 1588, the Spanish Commissioners met the English near Ostend, and the Treaty was carried on by the Spanrards, with design (if possible) to make England secure, and so to surprise them; for they dallied with the English, till the Spanish Fleet was come upon the Coast of England, and the Thundring of the Ordinance was heard from the Sea.

The 21st. of May, 1588. the Spanish Fleet set sail out of Tayo,* 11.21 and was totally scattered and disperst by a very great Tempest; but being come together again, the 12th. of July, the whole Fleet set Sail again, and the 21st. both Fleets engaged, and after four several Sea-fights (the First, the 21st. the Second, the 23d. the Third, the 25th. and the Last, on the 27th. or 28th. of July) thy Spanish Fleet, the last Day of the same Month, was driven Northwards, and machischeir Escape by Flight. This great Ar∣mada, which had been three Years in Rigg••••g and Preparing, with infinite Expence, was within a Months space, four times fought with, and at the last overthrown, with the Slaughter of many Men, not an Hundred of the English being missing, and but one Ship lost; and after it had been driven round about all Brittain, by Scotland, the Orcades and Ireland, grievously tossed, and very much distressed, impaired and man∣gled by Storms and Wrecks, and indured all manner of Miseries, at length returned Home with Shame and Disgrace. The Prince of Parma never joyned them, for which he was sufficiently reviled by the Spaniards.

As for Cardinal Allen, he was born in Lancashire, of good Parentage,* 11.22 was bred up at Oxford in Oriel Colledge, where he was Proctor; was prefered to a Cannonship in York. In Queen Elizabeths Days he quitted England, became a Pensioner to the Spaniard; to carry on whose Designs against his Queen and Country, he was very in∣dustrious; for which Service, Sixtus V. created him a Cardinal 1587. and he died at Rome 1594. Oct. 16. He hath told us himself who were the chief Promoters of this Invasion, as Mr. Foulis tells us, and quotes for it, Quodlibets, Pag. 40, 41, 57. his own Words, as he relates it, are these.

The King of Spain, at length, as well by his Holiness's Authority and Exhortati∣ons, as by his own unspeakable Zeal and Piety, moved also not a little by my hum∣ble and continual Suit, together with the afflicted and banished Catholicks of our Nati∣on, of all and every Degree, who have been by his special Compassion, and Regal Munificency, principally supported in this our long Exile, hath condescended at last, to take upon him this so holy and glorious an Act, &c.

And then proceeds to encourage, nay, and threaten too, the English to take up Arms against their Queen, and to joyn with the Spaniards and other Invaders.—

If you will avoid the Popes, the Kings and other Princes high Indignation; let no Man, of what Degree soever, obey, abet, aid, defend, or acknowledge her, &c.

—Ad∣ding—

That otherwise they should incur the Angels Curse and Malediction, and be as deeply excommunicated as any, because that in taking her part, they should fight against God, against their Lawful King (a) 11.23 against their Country, and not∣withstanding

withstanding all they should do, they should but defend her bootless, to their own pre∣sent Destruction and eternal Shame.

What Mr. Foulis relates out of Clark a Secular Priest, is so remarkable with relati∣on to this Invasion, that I cannot omit it, saith he, and quotes his Author.

As for the Jesuits, you shall hear what (c) 11.24 Clark the Priest saith, who with Watson, suffered afterward for Treason against King James.

First, It is most certain, that all the World had very admirable Expectance of that Army, and the Jesuits more than any.

Secondly, It is plain by the Cardinals Book (if (d) 11.25 it were his) writen as a Preparative to that Account, that he was made Cardinal on purpose for that Exploit, and to have been sent hither presently upon the Spaniards Conquest. But Father Parsons saith, that he laboured to set forward, at that time, the Cardinals Preferment (if you will believe him) which maketh it evident, à primo ad ultimum, that Father Parsons was a Dealer in that Ac∣count.

Thirdly, It is certain, that the Jesuits in Rome were great with the Spanish Ambassa∣dor Leger there, and had great recourse unto him, when the Matter was on foot, doth not this then urge them to be Concurrers thereunto?

Fourthly, It is likewise most certain, that the English Jesuits in Rome, appropriated cer∣tain Pallaces in London to themselves, to fall unto their Lots (when the Matter was in hand∣ling) to wit, Burghley-House, Bridewel, and another, which I have forgot, makeing them∣selves cock sure of their already devoured Prey. This all the Students that lived in the (e) 11.26 Colledge at that time will witness with ••e, now would I demand of you, what reasons they might have to be their own Carve•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if they had not some Interest in that Affair?

Fifthly, We know that they were more forward in Rome concerning this Matter, than the Cardinal or any other; insomuch, as, at the first News of the Spaniards coming down into the narrow Seas, they would have had Te Deum sung in the Colledge for joy of Victory, if the Cardinal had not stayed it.

And to conclude, Doth not the posting of Father Parsons into Spain, presently after the Overthrow of this Army, for further dealing with the Spaniard for the time to come, and his better information in English Affairs; and Father Holt posting into the Low-Countries, for the like Purpose, to keep the Spaniard still in hope of future times, that this Mishap might not withdraw him from ever enterprizing the like afterwards, shew, that they were Dealers in the former? Doubtless all these Circumstances cannot but sufficiently prove it, that they were, in the Judgment of wise Men.

* 11.27This Grand Invasion of the Spaniards, so contrived and carried on by the Pope, Spa∣niard, English Fugities, Priests and Jesuits, being ruined and brought to nought, Eng∣land might now afford it self some ease, her Enemies not being able on a sudden to recruit their great Losses, this Defeat in a manner breaking their Back, and cracking the Credit of Philip. But as by degrees he recovered, so by the Instigation of the English Fugitives, was he perswaded to carry on the same ill Will towards the Queen of England;* 11.28 the first step that is set, is to send over English Priests, who crept every day privately into England in great Numbers, from the Seminaries of Rome, France and Spain (for the Spaniard had lately founded a Seminary for the English at Validolid) who laboured to draw the Subjects from their Obedience to the Queen, and to unite them to the Spaniards Party, which being discovered, the Queen put out a Proclama∣tion, that none should harbour any man whatsoever, but upon Enquiry first made who he was, whether he came to Prayers in the Church, upon what Means he lived, where he dwelt the Year before, and other like Circumstances, that they who could not answer these Interrogatories, should be sent to Commissioners ap∣pointed in every Shire, least the Common-wealth should receive any Da∣mage.

Notwithstanding this Proclamation, and the severity of the Laws, one Hesket, who was set on by Sir William Stanley before named, undertook to persuade Ferdinand Lord Strange (who a little after by the Death of his Father Henry,* 11.29 became Earl of Darby) to depose the Queen, and take upon him the Title of the Crown, making pedegrees for him, drawing his pretended right from Mary his great Grand-mother, Daughter to Henry the 7th. And for a better encouragement, they gave him large promises of as∣sistance of Men, and Mony from the Spaniard, but withal threatning him with assured destruction, unless he would undertake the design, and conceal it, but the Earl, far contrary to their expectation, discovers Hesket, who confessing all, is executed.

This failing we have another more dangerous,* 11.30 set on by persons of the highest Rank, but it seems not unworthy the basest Action, of whom any Religion might be justly ashamed.

As a Prologue to this, we may understand, that Don Sebastian the forward King of Portugal, having ruined himself in the Affrican Expedition, and his great Uncle Cardinal Henry succeeding him in the Kingdoms, and Dying unmarried, several made claim to the Portugal Crown. Amongst the rest, Don Antonio, Prior of Crato, natural Son to Lewis Brother to Henry. To him, being a Portuguese, many of the People bare an affection; so that at last, the rest let their Titles sleep, and the quarrel only remained between Philip the II. of Spain, and this Antonio. But Philip having the longest Sword, under the Conduct of Alva, wan the Kingdom; so that Antonio was forced to flee for refuge to our Queen Elizabeth, who afforded him some assistance and favour; by which means and protection, many Portuguese Ship't themselves for England, where they were received as friends, with all respect and honour. Amongst the rest was Roderigo Lopez a Jewish Physician, whom the Queen entertained in her own Service, making him Physician to her Houshold; and Stephano Ferreira de Gama, with Emanuel Loisie. These three were enticed by the Spaniard to undertake the Murther of the Queen, for which they were promised great rewards, but Lopez was to be the main instrument.

Lopez confessed that of late years he had been allured to do service secretly to the King of Spain, which he did by means of one Manuel Andrada a Portugal,* 11.31 an Agitator under Don Bernardino Mendoza, the Spanish Ambassador in France.

2. That the said Andrada brought him from Christophero de Mora (a Portuguese but a great favorite of King Philips and an especial instrument for reducing Portugal under the Spanish Crown) a Rich Jewel an encouragement from Philip himself.

3. That he was informed of the King of Spains hopes of him, not only by Andra∣da, but by Roderique Marques a Portuguese also, but employed by the Spaniard on such wicked designs.

4. That he the said Lopez did assent to these wicked Councels.

5. That he did secretly advertise the Spaniards divers times of such affairs of the Queens as he could learn.

6. That he did also assent to take away the Queens Life by Poyson, upon a reward promised him of 50000 Crowns.

7. That he sent Andrada to confer with Count Fuentez about it.

8. That he directed Stephano Ferreira de Gama, to write Letters to Stephano Iberra, that he would undertake, as he had promised, to destroy the Queen by Poyson, provi∣ded that he might have the said 50000 Crowns.

9. That he sent these Letters by one Gomez Davilla a Portugal, that the reason why the Murther was not Executed according to promise was, because he perceived the delivery of the 50000 Crowns defer'd, tho promised him from day to day.

That to take away this delay of the Execution, Count Fuentez, by the King of Spains Order, did sign and deliver Bills of Exchange for the said Mony.* 11.32* 11.33

These Plots and Conspiracies against the Queens Person, and for the Extirpating Heresie (as they called the Protestant Religion) moved the Queen to call a Parliament, which she did in the thirty fifth Year of her Reign,* 11.34 and recommended the preservation of her Person, and the Protestant Religion to them, that they would put her into a posture of defending her self, and these Kingdoms against any further attempts that might be made by the Pope, the Spaniard, or any other, which was done by giving her large supplies, and making an additional Act to the many that had been before made against the Papists; which is Intituled, an Act for restraining of Popish recusants, to some certain places of abode. The preamble runs thus: For the better discovering, and avoiding all Traiterous and most dangerous conspiracies, and attempts, as are daily devised, and practised against our most Gracious Soveraign Lady the Queens Majesty,* 11.35 and the happy State of this Common-weal; by sundry wicked and seditious Persons, who terming themselves Catholics, and being indeed Spies and Intelligencers, not only for her Majesties Foreign Enemies, but also for Rebellious and Trayterous Subjects, Born within her Highnesses Realms and Dominions, and hiding their most detestable and divelish purposes, under a false pretext of Religion and Con∣science, do secretly wander, and shift, from place to place, within this Realm, to corrupt and seduce her Majesties Subjects, and to stir them to Sedition and Rebellion.

Then it is enacted, that every Papist Convict, dwelling or having a place of abode; should repair to such his dwelling house, or place of abode, and not remove above five miles from thence, upon the penalty of forfeiting his Goods and Chattels absolutely, and his Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, and his Annuities during his Life, and they that have none are to re∣pair to the places where they were Born, or where their Father or Mother should be living upon the same penalty.

Popish Coppy-holders convict to forfeit their Coppy-hold to the Lord, if he be not a Papist, if he be a Papist, then to the Queen.

Papists shall notifie their coming, within Twenty days after their coming, and present themselves, and deliver their true Names in writing to the Minister, or Curate and Constable, &c. which is to be certified to the Sessions, and Inrolled there.

All Persons, not being Feme Covert, and not having Free hold Lands of twenty Marks per annum above all charges, or Goods and Chattels above the vallue of Forty Pounds: If they do not obey this Act by repairing to their places of abode, &c. shall abjure the Realm, and the abjuration shall be entred on Record and certified: Refusing to abjure, or after abjuration, not going away within the time appointed, is made Felony. A Jesuit Seminary, or Massing Priest, refusing to Answer directly, whether he be so or no, shall be imprisoned till he do make An∣swer: There is a saving in the Act to Persons Licensed, or Commanded by the Kings Process, or bound to yield their Persons to the Sheriff: Ʋpon open submission, the offendor is to be dis∣charged, the submission to be entred into a Book by the Minister; he that relapseth, shall be in the same condition he was before such submission: Married Women are bound by this Act save in the Case of abjuration.

* 11.36At the same time that Lopez was dealing withal about the Queens Murther, the Pa∣pists to make more sure, persuaded one Patrick Cullen an Irishman, and a Fencer, to com∣mit the same Villany against her Royal Person: In this Treason Stanley was very active, who with Sherwood and Holt, two Jesuits, confirmed him in the lawfulness of the action, giving him thirty Pounds towards his Journey into England (being then in the Low-Countries,) but he was taken, confessed all, and is Executed.

* 11.37The English fugitives beyond Seas, persuaded one Edmund York and one Richard Williams with others to kill the Queen: And this wicked Treason was agitated the same time, that Lopez and Cullen were consulting about theirs: But these Traytors were also seized on, and suffer'd: The truth of which Conspiracy appears from their own confession, which take as followeth.

1. They confessed, that for an encouragement; Hugh Owen (a noted Traytor) at Bruxells, had an assignation subscribed by Ibara, the Spanish Secretary, of 40000 Crowns to be given them, if they would kill the Queen.

2. That the said assignation was delivered to Holt the Jesuit, who shewed also the same to York, and produced the Sacrament and kissed it, swearing that he would pay the said Monies when the Murther was committed.

3. That Stanley did earnestly persuade York to undertake it, animating him with the example of his Uncle Rowland.

4. That to forward the Plot, there were several consultations: Holt the Jesuit sitting as President.

5. That Holt said, if the design failed, they would then employ no more English, but Strangers.

6. That at these Consultations, there used several to be present; as Thomas Throg∣morton, Charles Paget, Hugh Owen, Dr. William Gifford, the finisher of Calvino Turcissimus of whose Treasons we have heard formerly, Dr. Thomas Worthington the chief promoter of the Doway Bill, adding some notes to it: He also turned Bristowes Motives into Latin, and in his Old Age, turned Jesuit at Rome.

7. It was also confessed, that there were designed to come into England, to attempt her Death; one Tipping an Englishman, one Edmund Garret at Ensign, with a Walloon, and a Burgundian.

8. That one Young had undertaken a Treasonable action too.

9. It was also confessed, that these three, York, Williams and Young, determined at their coming to England, to have put themselves into the Service of some great No∣blemen of the Queens Councel, thereby to have free access to the Court, and every one of them to seek their opportunities.

10. That Williams, through zeal to the Cause, had wished his Sword in the Queens Gutts.

11. That they had vowed, come what will of it, to be the Death of Her: And how furious and abominable James Arthur the Irish Jesuit and others were in this parricide; (a) 11.38 Dr. Robert Abbot (a little after Bishop of Salisbury) hath abundant∣ly from their Confessions, confuted the impudent Andraeas Endaemon-Joannes and sa∣tisfied all Foreigners.

(b) 11.39Walpool a Jesuit meets with one William Squire in Spain, and procures him,* 11.40 as an Heretick, to be put into the Inquisition, where with afflictions and fair Speeches, he drew him to be a Zealous Romanist.

This done, he persuades him to kill the Queen; commends the Action to him as pious and meritorious, offers him large promises, and at last Squire is fully persuaded, and undertakes the Murther. At this, the Jesuit Walpool rejoyceth, hugs and encourageth him, binds him by several Oaths, under pain of Damnation to be secret, and per∣form his promises, and not to fear Death: for, said he, What doth it profit a Man to gain the whole World, and loose his own Soul? Assuring him, if he did but once doubt of the lawfulness and justness of the Action, that mistrust would be enough to Damn him, such a sin being seldom pardoned.

This said, he embraceth him, then throwing his left Arm about Squires Neck; so hugging him with his right-hand, he makes the sign of the Cross upon Squires Fore∣head; thus Blessing him, God Bless thee my Son, and strengthen thee, be of good Chear; I will pawn my Soul for thine, and thou shalt always have the benefit of my Prayers; and whither thou livest or dyest, thou shalt enjoy a full pardon and remission of all thy Sns. And another time thus encourageth him: There is one thing necessary, which if thou prefer before all other things, and dost fulfil it, I have my desire, and thou shalt be a glorious Saint in Heaven.

Squire thus divelishly resolved, gets into England, goes to Greenwich, where the Court then was, watcheth opportunity; and being inform'd that the Queen was to Ride abroad, goeth to her Horse, holdeth him according to his place; and cunningly puts strong Poyson upon the pumel of the Saddle; yet saying with a loud Voice, as she mounted, God save the Queen. But such was the providence; that her Majesty, neither in getting up, riding, or going down, once touched the Pumel; yet he doubted not, but that in time it would work the intended ruin, fully persuaded the Queen had laid her hands on it.

Of this Poyson, being great expectation amongst some, and seeing no signs of any such effect, they became incensed against Squire, thinking that he had left them and the Cause in the lurch, and meerly deluded them: Thus jealous and enraged, a revenge is resolved on, and Squire cunningly accused of some design against the Queen, Squire, upon the noise, is Examined, and wondring how any thing should be known against him, yet suspecting Walpool his confession, and believing all was fully discovered, free∣ly confesseth all as above is said; so, as a Traytor, is Condemned and Executed. I shall close my account of the History of making the Penal Laws in this Queens Reign, with the words of the secular Priests in their important considerations relating to what the Papists did, and writ, from 1588 to the end of her Reign; whereby they justyfie the Queen, and lay blame on the Jesuits.

But now we are come to the Year 1588. and to that most Bloody attempt, not only against Her Majesty and our common Enemies, but against our selves, all Catholics:* 11.41 Nay, against this flourishing Kingdom and our Native Country. The Memory of which attempt will be (as we trust) an ever-lasting monument of Jesuiti∣cal Treason and Cruelty.

Then reckoning up the Treasons from 1580. to 1590.

Let us consider, say they, how we our selves all this while have been dealt with, such or us as remained in Prison at Wisbich, (and were committed thither, 1580. and others not long after commit∣ted also thither,* 11.42 to the number of about thirty three or thirty four) continued still in the several times of all the said most wicked designments as we were before, and we were never brought into any trouble for them, but lived there Colledge-like, with∣out any want, and in good reputation with our Neighbours that were Catholics about us. It is true, that towards the number of 50. (as our Memory serveth us) Priests and Catholics of all sorts, within the Compass of the said ten Years were put to Death; we say, upon our knowledges (concerning the most of them) for their Consciences; but our Adversaries (as they think) do still affirm for Treason: Such Priests as in their Examination were found any thing moderate, were not so hardly proceeded with insomuch as 55. (to our remembrance) that by the Laws (we acknowledge) might have been put to Death,* 11.43 were in one Year, viz. 1585. (what time great Mischiefs were in hand) spared from that extremity, and only ba∣nished: which fact, howsoever some have written of it; the Parties themselves ac∣counted it for a great benefit, and so would they also have done (we doubt not of it) if they had been of that number. Whereas therefore Mr. Parsons (as we think) exclaimeth in a Pamphlet set out shortly after; saying, where are now the Old Tyrants of the World: Nero, Decius, Dioclesian, Maxentius and the rest of the great Persecutors of the Christians? Where is Genserick and Henricus with their Arian Hereticks alluding to the State. Here we think both him and divers others that have written to the same effect, very greatly to blame. Sure we are, that the general Cause of Religion, for the which both we and they contend (as oft we have said) getteth no good but hurt by it; and contrary to the Old saying (be he never so bad, yet let him have Justice,) tho some hard Courses have been taken by the State against us, yet hath it not by many degrees been so extream as the Jesuits and that Crue have falsely written and reported of it (nor indeed as they deserved.)

Afterwards they inveigh against the Spanish Invasion, against Parsons for a Book he writ, and against him and Creswel, for another they writ, they go on thus:

Whilst the said Invasion was thus talked of, and in preparation in Spain, a shorter course was thought of,* 11.44 it might have had success. Mr. Hesket was set on by the Jesuits, 1592. or there∣abouts with Father Parsons consent or knowledge, to have stirred up the Earl of Darby to Rebellion against Her Highness.

* 11.45Not long after good Father Holt and others with him, persuaded an Irish-man one Patrick Collen (as he himself confessed) to attempt the laying his violent and villanous hands upon Her Majesty. Shortly after in the Year 1593. that Notable Stratagem was Plotted (the whole State knoweth by whom) for Dr. Lopez the Queens Physi∣cian to have Poysoned her,* 11.46 for the which he was Executed the Year after. This wicked designment being thus prevented by Gods providence, the said Traiterous Je∣suit,* 11.47 Holt and others did allure and animate one York and Williams, to have accompli∣shed that with their Bloody hands, that the other purposed to have done with his Poyson; we mean Her Majesties destruction. Hereunto we might add the late Villanous attempt 1599. of Edward Squire animated and drawn thereto (as he con∣fessed) by Wallpool that pernicious Jesuit.* 11.48 But we must turn again to Father Parsons, whose turnings and doublings are such as would trouble a right good Hound to Trace him. For in the mean time, that the said Traytors one after another, were Plotting and Studying how best they might compass Her Majesties Death; they cared not how nor by what means, he the said Father Parsons so prevailed with the King, as he attempted twice in two sundry Years, his new Invasion, meaning to have proceeded therein,* 11.49 not with such great preparation as he did at the first, but only to have begun the same, by taking some Port Westward. Towards which he came so far onward as Silley with his Fleet. At both which times, God who still hath fought for her Majesty and this Realm; did notably prevent him, by such Winds and Tempests, as the most of his Ships and Men perished in the Sea as they were coming hitherward.

Furthermore, the said good Father in the midst of all the said Trayterous enter∣prizes both at home and abroad, (devised and set forward by him and his Companions)

was ploding amongst his Papers, and playing the herauld; how, if all his said wicked designments failed, he might at the last Intitle the King of Spain, and consequently the Infanta his Daughter to the Crown and Kingdom of England. To which pur∣pose he framed, and after published a Book,

wherewith he acquainted the Students in those Seminaries in Spain, and Laboured nothing more, then to have their subscrip∣tions to the said Infanta's Title, therein promissing unto her their present Allegiance, as unto their lawful Soveraign; and that when they should be sent into their Country, they should per∣swade the Catholics there to do the like, without any further Expectation of the Queen of Englands Death.

As Mr. Charles Paget affirmeth in his Book against Parsons.

They confess in these words:

That the Jesuitical designments beyond the Seas,* 11.50 together with certain Rebellions and Traiterous attempts of some Catholics at home, have been the cause of such Calamities and troubles as have happened to us far less (we think) then any Prince living in Her Majesties Case, and so provoked, would have inflicted upon us. And after they tell us, that divers of their Communion have owned so much. I shall conclude this Reign with these words of theirs which fully justifie the making the Laws that were made in it.

We are fully persuaded in our Consciences; and as Men, besides our Learning,* 11.51 who have some experience, that if the Catholics had never sought, by indirect means, to have vexed Her Majesty with their designments against her Crown; if the Pope and King of Spain had never plotted with the Duke of Norfolk: If the Rebels in the North, had never been heard of; if the Bull of Pius the V. had never been known; if the said Rebellion had never been justified: If neither Steukly nor the Pope had attempted any thing against Ireland, if Gregory the Thirteenth had not renew∣ed the said Excommunication, if the Jesuits had never come into England, if the Pope and the King of Spain had not practised with the Duke of Guise for his attempt against Her Majesty, if Parsons and the rest of the Jesuits, with other our Country∣men beyond Seas, had never been agents in these Traiterous and Bloody designments of Throckmorton, Parry, Collen, York, Willians, Squire and such like, if they had not by their Treatises and writings endeavoured to defame their Soveraign and their own Country, labouring to have many of their Books Translated into divers Lan∣guages, thereby to shew more their own disloyalty: if Cardinal Allen and Parsons had not published the Renovation of the said Bull by Sixtus Quintus; if thereunto they had not added their scurrillous and unmanly Admonition, or rather most Prophane Libel against Her Majesty; if they had not sought by false persuasions, and ungod∣ly Arguments to have allured the Hearts of Catholics from their Allegiance, if the Pope had never been urged by them to have thrust the Kingdom of Spain into that Barbarous Action against the Realm, if they themselves with the rest of that gene∣ration, had not laboured greatly with the said King for the Conquest and Invasion of this Land by the Spaniards, who are known to be the cruelest Tyrants that live up∣on the Earth: If in all their Proceedings, they had not from time to time depraved, irritated and provoked both Her Majesty and the State, with these and other such like their ungodly and unchristian practices: But on the contrary, if the Popes from time to time had sought her Majesty, by kind Offices and gentle Persuasions, never ceasing the prosecution of those and such-like courses of humanity and gentleness, if the Catholics and Priests beyond the Seas had laboured continually the furtherance of those most Priest-like and Divine allurements, and had framed their own proceed∣ings in all their words and writings accordingly, if we at home, all of us, both Priests and People, had possest our Souls in meekness and humility, honoured Her Majesty, born with the infirmity of the State, suffered all things, and dealt as true Catholic Priests: If all of us (we say) had thus done, most assuredly the State would have loved us, or at least born with us; where there is one Catholic, there would have been ten: There had been no Speeches amongst us, of Racks and Tortures, nor any cause to have used them; for none were ever vexed that way simply, for that he was either Priest or Catholic, but because they were suspected to have had their hands in some of the said most Traiterous designments: None of Her Majesties Enemies durst so really have attempted her State and Kingdom; we had been in better friend∣ship with those that seek now most to oppose themselves against us, and to all Men (as we are persuaded.) Bonus odor Christi odor vitae ad vitam. Whereas by following the said new violent Spirits, quasi turbae impellentes parietem, we are become, odor Mortis ad mortem, non solum iis qui pereunt, sed etiam iis qui salvi fiunt. And there∣fore let us all turn over the Leaf, and take another course, then hitherto we have done.

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Notes

• * 1.1

  Queen Elizabeth her Accession is the Crown, and her▪ r••••••e••••ete calling of a Par∣liament.

  D'Ewes Jour∣nal of Q. Eliz. Reign, f. 1. Cambd. An∣ce••s f. 12. Hist. R. f. 2 pt. f. 373.
• * 1.2

  Cambd. Hist. f. 13.
• 1 1.3

  How the Laws stood as to the Papists, before any new ones were made.

  25 F. 3. ca. 2.
• 2 1.4

  Rog. Hov. in Hen. 2.

  13 R. 2. sta. 2. ca. 2 Co. Inst. 3.100. ca. 36.
• 3 1.5

  16 R. 2 ca. 5.3 Inst. 120, 121 126.12. Co. 37.40. Davis 84.
• 4 1.6

  Co. Rep. 5. f. 12, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28. and Co. Inst. 3. Ca. 36.
• 5 1.7

  Co. Inst. 3. ca. 67. f. 144.
• * 1.8

  1 Eliz. ca. 1. Rast. Stat. 2. part. f. 1.

  The Crown re∣stored to its An∣tient Jurisdicti∣on in causes Ec∣clesiastical, a power given to delegate the ex∣ercise of it; the Oath of Supre∣macy, and what shall be taken for Heresie ascer∣tained.
• * 1.9

  Hist. Ref. pt. 2. ib. 3. f. 386.
• * 1.10

  1 E••iz. ca. 2 Rast. Stat. p. 2 f 5.

  An Act of Ʋni∣formity

  Camd. Annal. fol. 27.
• * 1.11

  il ••ean trying the Bishops for being guilty of a Misdemeanor, i•• not complying with a Popish Prince against this Law be justified?
• * 1.12

  The Penalty an∣n••••ed to this Law justified.
• * 1.13

  5 Eliz. ca. 1 Rast. Stat. pt. 2. f. 39. An Act to ex∣clude the Popes Pretences to a∣ny Authority here in Eng¦land. The rea∣sonableness of it, and the Penal∣ties annexed to it.
• * 1.14

  Cambd Annals fol. 58.
• * 1.15

  The Queens mild usage of the Pa∣pists.
• 1 1.16

  Foulis Hist. of Romish Trea∣sons. li. 7. cap. 2. fol. 325.

  The secular Priests in their important consi∣derations, con∣fess not above 12 in 10 years, and of those 12, some were attainted of Treason. Col∣lections f. 41. Lord Treasurer Burleigh hasserts the same f. 28. Abr. Bzov. de Rom. Pontif. c. 46. p. 621.
• 2 1.17

  Execution for Treason, not for Religion p. 6.7.
• 3 1.18

  Dr. Burnet in his Hist. of the Ref. gives much the same Account of the usage of these Men. pt. 2d. lib. 3. f. 396. Cambd. doth so likewise, fol. 28, 29. his An∣nals.
• * 1.19

  Cambd. An∣nals, f. 28.
• * 1.20

  Baker's Chron. f. 395.
• * 1.21

  The Priests con∣fess the Queen's mild usage of Papists.

  Lord Burleighs Execution for Treason.

  The Secular Priests impor∣tant considerati∣ons, and the Je∣suits reasons un∣reasonable. f. 34.
• * 1.22

  Ibid. f. 35. She was presently deprived by the Pope and the Queen of Scots pretended a title to the Crown.
• 1 1.23

  Hist. Council of Trent, f. 410, 411.

  The grounds of making 13 Eliz. ca. 2.
• * 1.24

  Cambd. An∣nals, lib. 1. f. 107.

  In 1568, the Priests exercise Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction un∣der the See of Rome.

  Rodolph ex∣cites the Queen's Subjects against her.

  Cambd. An∣nals. f. 118. Foulis Hist. lib. 7. ca. 3. p. 330. Udal's Hist. of Mary Queen of Scotland, p. 119, 169. In 1569. The first Rebellion under the Earl of Westmer∣land, fomente•• by Morton the Priest.

  Cambd. An∣nals, f. 133, 134, 135, 136. Collection, f. 9.
• * 1.25

  Hish. Acount of the Jesuits Behaviour for the first 25 years of Queen Eliz. f. 35.
• * 2.1

  Execution for Treason, Col∣lection. p. 2.
• * 2.2

  The second Re∣bellion was in the same year, and be••ded by Leonard Dacres.

  Cambd An∣nals, fol. 136, 137.
• * 2.3

  The third Re∣bellion was in Ireland in the same Year; bea∣ded by the Bote∣lers.

  Cambd. An∣nals. f. 137.

  The Reason of these Rebellions was Pope Pius Quintus his Bull.

  Camb. Annals, fol. 145.

  Baker's Chro. fol. 34.

  Foulis li. 7. ca. 2. fol. 325.

  Collection, f. 3. Pope Pius Quin∣tus his Bull.

  Cambd. An∣nals, fol. 146. Fowlis. 331.
• * 3.1

  Cambd. An∣nals, f. 148. Fowlis Hist. lib 2. ca. 3. f. 327. Collections, f. 24 Felton hanged as a Traytor for publishing the Bull.
• * 3.2

  The 4th Rebelli∣on was in Ire∣land, begun in the beginning of 13 Eliz. by Co∣nogher O Bri∣en, Earl of Twomond. Cambd. An∣nals, f. 153.
• * 3.3

  Collections, f. 2, 3
• * 3.4

  Contrivances by the Pope, the King of Spain, the Guises, and the Queen of Scots, against Queen Elizabeth and the Prote∣stant Religion. Fowlis, p. 330, 331.

  Cambd. An∣nals, lib. 2. f. 154.
• * 3.5

  Camd. Hist. lib. 2. fol. 157. Baker's Chron. f. 344.
• 1 3.6

  Some Writers say 150000. Crowns.
• * 3.7

  Cambd. An∣nals, p. 158. Baker Chron. fol. 844.

  Camb. Annals. li. 2. fol. 162.
• * 3.8

  Camb. Annals, p. 163

  Baker's Chron. fol. 344.

  Camb. p. 166. Fewlis Hist. li. 7. ca. 3. p. 326. 13 Eliz. ca. 1.
• * 3.9

  Rast. Stat. pt. 2. fol. 136.

  To bold that the Laws and Sta∣tutes cannot li∣•••••• the Crown, and bind the Succession, Trea∣son during the ••ucc••s Life, and a Premu∣nire ever after.
• * 3.10

  Keble. Stat. fol. 827.
• * 3.11

  13 Eliz. ca. 2. Rast. Stat. pt. 2 fol. 138.

  Against bring∣ing in Bulls, &c. from Rome; and reconciling, and being recon∣ciled to the See of Rome.
• * 3.12

  The Secular Priests own the Reasonableness of making these Laws.

  Collection of several Treatises concerning the reasons and oc∣casions of the Penal-Laws. The 1st. printed in 1583. the se∣cond in 1601. the third in 1662. and all reprinted in 1688. fol. 36.
• * 3.13

  Collection. f. 37
• * 3.14

  Collection. f. 38.
• * 3.15

  Story's Plot. Cambd. Hist. li 2. fol 168. Dyer. 13 Eliz. fol. 298.

  Baker's Chron. fol. 343.

  The Duke of Norfolk execu∣ted.
• * 3.16

  14 Eliz. ca. 1. Rast. Stat. p. 2. fol. 188.
• * 3.17

  14 Eliz. ca. 2. Rast Stat. pt 2. f. 188

  Against Consp¦••ring to deliver any imprisoned for Treason.
• * 3.18

  Camb. Annals fol. 188.

  Baker's Chron. f. 347.
• * 3.19

  Cambd. An∣nals, f. 224, 225
• * 3.20

  Steukly's Plot. Cambd. Annals f. 230.

  Baker's Chron. f. 354.
• * 3.21

  Fitz-Morris his Plot.

  Camb. Annals, f. 336.
• * 3.22

  They were then ingaged in a Conspiracy for the Subversion of the Protestant Religion.

  Desmond car∣ries on the Re¦bellion.

  Camb. Annals, f. 238, 239, 240.

  Baker's Chron. f. 355.
• * 3.23

  Camb. Annals, f. 241, and 256. Another Conspi∣racy in Ireland, for the destructi∣on of the Prote∣stant Religion.
• * 3.24

  Colledges fra∣med abroad, f••r breeding up Se∣minary Priests to be sent hither to alienate the hearts of the Queens Subjects from her.

  Camb. Annals. f. 244, 245. Baker's Chron. f. 356.
• * 3.25

  Camb. Annals, f. 245.

  Collection, f. 42.
• * 3.26

  Camb. Annals, f. 246.
• * 3.27

  Parsons and Campian sent into England by the Pope, to promote the Popish inte∣rest here.

  The Faculties themselves are Printed verbatim in English and Latin, by the L. Burligh, in his Exami∣nation for Treason. Col. f. 12, & 13. And by Foulis in his History, f. 337.

  The Character of Parsons and Campian, Cambd. An. f. 246. Bakers Chron. f. 356.
• * 3.28

  Camb. Annals, f. 247.
• * 3.29

  Camb. Annals f. 270.
• * 3.30

  But five Pa∣pists put to death in ten Years.
• * 3.31

  Camb. Annals f. 271.

  Lord Burleigh saith the same thing, Collecti∣on. f. 28.
• * 3.32

  Camb. Annals. f. 272.
• * 3.33

  The Popish Te∣rets spread a∣broad.
• * 3.34

  Sir Simon D' Ewes his Jour∣nal of the House of Com∣mons. p. 266.
• * 3.35

  Sir Walter Mildmay's Speech.

  Sir Simon D' Ewes. f. 284.
• * 3.36

  Note, These things were spoke soon after they happened whilst they were fresh in memory.
• * 3.37

  The Church of England.
• * 3.38

  23 Eliz. ca. 1. Rast. Stat. 2. part f. 243.
• * 3.39

  Treason in Re∣conciler and Reconciled to the Church of Rome.
• * 3.40

  Col. f. 39. The Secular Priests Con∣fession.

  Of the Pope the Spaniard and Duke of Norfolk's Plot.

  Steukley's Plot.
• * 3.41

  The Popes In∣vading Ireland in 1579.
• * 3.42

  The Queen Ex∣communicated by Gregory 13th.
• * 3.43

  Parsons and Campians coming into England in 1580.
• * 3.44

  The Popes Ban∣ner displayed in Ireland to de∣pose the Queen.
• * 3.45

  The Queen Vindicated and commended.
• * 3.46

  The Papists themselves con∣fess not above twelve Execu∣ted in ten years.
• * 3.47

  The Jesuits in∣direct answe∣ring of plain Questions.
• * 3.48

  The Queen's Proclamation upon the com∣ing over of the Jesuits & Se∣minary Priests. This is a Mi∣stake, for the Law made by this Parliament was 23. Eliz. Cap. 1. that made it Trea∣son in conver∣ter and conver∣ted to the Church of Rome, and the Law here men∣tioned is 27. Eliz. Cap. 2.
• * 3.49

  The Parliament excused.
• * 3.50

  Heywoods Practices.
• * 3.51

  Campian an∣swered as Sherwin did.
• * 3.52

  The Question propounded to Campian and others.
• * 3.53

  Somervils Conspiracy. Camb. Annals. f. 289.

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. cap. 4. f. 338. Bakers Chron. f. 361.
• * 3.54

  Francis Throgmor∣ton's Conspiracy.

  Camb. Annals. f. 294.298. Bakers Chron. f. 362.
• * 3.55

  Camb. Annals. f. 299. Foulis Hist. l. 7. cap. 5. f. 345.

  The Earl of Arundel and Northumber∣land were in∣gaged. Camb. Annals. f. 310, 311. there you will see the design was for delivering the Queen of Scots for the Conquering of England, and the de∣struction of the Protestant Religion.
• * 3.56

  Martins Book against the Queen.

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. cap. 4. f. 338.
• * 3.57

  Carter Prints Martins Book. Concertat. Eccles. Cathol. Angl. part. 2. f. 127. &c. Ruston de Schism. Angl. l. 3.
• * 3.58

  The Subjects of England Associate.
• * 3.59

  Camb. Annals f. 305.

  D' Ewes his Journal f. 340, 341, 342.

  Bakers Cron. f. 364.

  Parry's con∣tempt to the House of Com∣mons.
• * 3.60

  Parry's Trea∣sonable Conspi∣racy for taking away the Queens Life.

  Camb. Annals. f. 306.

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. ca. 4. f. 338. D' Ewes Jour∣nal. f. 350.
• * 3.61

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. c. 4. f. 141.
• * 3.62

  Parry's Confession.

  Camb. Annals. f. 306.
• * 4.1

  Cardinal Co∣mo's Letter to Parry.

  Foulis Hist. lib. 7. cap. 3. f. 393.
• * 5.1

  Parry's Letter to Queen Eli∣zabeth, Foulis Hist. lib. 7. cap. 4. f. 341.
• * 5.2

  Parry's Ar∣raignment and Confession.
• * 6.1

  27 Eliz. cap. 1. Rast. Stat. 2. part. f. 283.
• * 6.2

  Treason in any Successor, or o∣ther for them, to take away the Queens Life. And in case it happens, to be tried, not∣withstanding the Succession; and their Issues utterly exclud∣ed from the Crown.
• * 6.3

  Commissioners to try such Traitors, in case the Queen should be killed.
• * 6.4

  The Association approved and confirmed.
• * 7.1

  27 Eliz. cap. 2. Rast. Stat. 2. part. f. 285.

  Treason for Priests and Jesuits to come into England: Harbouring them Felony, &c.
• * 7.2

  Reflections upon the foregoing Plots, Trea∣sons and Acts of Parliament occasioned by them.
• * 7.3

  1. H. 7.4. Fitz. Abr. tit. Parl. 3. Bro. Abr. tit. Parl. 37. Plowd. 238. b.
• * 7.4

  The Secular Priests confess the truth of all the foregoing Account.

  Collect. f. 44. The Popes Plot with King of Spain and Duke of Guise. Mendoza.
• * 7.5

  Throgmor∣tons Confession you have Prin∣ted, Camb. An∣nal. l. 3. f. 297. Arden and So∣mervil.

  Dr. Parry. Earl of Nor∣thumberland.
• * 7.6

  The Earl of Arund. tryed and fined only. Camb. Annals. f. 330.

  He was in 1589. tryed for high Treason, and Condemned, but the Queen spared him Camb. Annals. f. 424.429.
• * 7.7

  Gifford, Sa∣vage, Ballard and others Plot to kill the Q. Camb. Annals. f. 336. Foulis Hist. l. 7. cap. 5. sec. 1. f. 343. Bakers Chron. f. 367.
• * 7.8

  Babington and divers other Gentlemen en∣gaged in this de∣sign of taking off the Queen.
• * 7.9

  The Plot disco∣vered.
• * 7.10

  Ballard appre∣hended.
• * 7.11

  The Queen of Scots at the bottom. Cam. Annals. from f. 33, to f. 35. D' Ewes Journal. f. 392, 393, 395, 400, 401, 405, 408.

  A Commission Issued for trying Mary Queen of Scots groun∣ded on 27 Eliz. Cap. 1.

  Camb. An. l. 3. f. 347.
• * 7.12

  Whitgift Bakers Chron. f. 369.
• * 7.13

  The substance of the Commissi∣on. Cambd. Annals, f. 348.
• * 7.14

  Mary Queen of Scots Tryed. Camb. Annals f. 361.
• * 7.15

  The Sentence.
• * 7.16

  The Parlia∣ment.

  29. Eliz. Cap. 1. Rast. Stat. 2. Part. f. 334.
• * 7.17

  An Act of Par∣liament for proscribing Babington and the Rest.
• * 7.18

  The Tryal and Condemnation of Mary Queen of Scots appro∣ved, and Her Execution de∣sired by the Parliament, and their Rea∣sons for it. D' Ewes Journal, 392, 393, 395, 400, 401, 405, 408. Camb. Annal. l. 3. f. 363.
• * 7.19

  D' Ewes Journal, f. 400.

  Queen Eliz. in a great streight.

  Camb. Annal. f. 363, 364, 365.
• * 7.20

  A message from Qu. Eliz. to the Parliament. Camb. Annal. l. 3. f. 365.
• * 7.21

  The Parlia∣ment Concur in their former Opinion, their Reasons for it.
• * 7.22

  D' Ewes Journal, f. 405.
• * 7.23

  The Queens Speech in An∣swer to the Parliaments Reasons.

  Camb. Annal. f. 366.
• * 7.24

  Queen Eliza∣beth foresaw she should be reflected upon for this Acti∣on, but by the Papists only. She could not suspect the Pro∣testants would judge hereby of her, or censure her.
• * 7.25

  D' Ewes Jour. f. 407.
• * 7.26

  Queen of Scots carriage to a Bi∣shop and Dean of the Church of England.

  Camb. Annals f. 308.
• * 7.27

  The French Ambassadours Reasons against executing the Queen of Scots. Camb. Annals f. 374.
• * 7.28

  The Answer to those Reasons.
• * 7.29

  A Plot by the French Ambas∣sador, to take away the Queens Life. Camb. Annal. f. 377.

  Stafford enga∣ged in it, but refused it, and proposed one Moody who undertook it.
• * 7.30

  Camb. Annal. f. 379.

  Bakers Chron. f. 371.

  The Queen pri∣vately signed a Warrant to ex∣ecute the Queen of Scots and delivered the same to Davi∣son.

  Camb. Annal. f. 387, 389, 383.

  Bakers Chron. f. 371.

  Davison Ac∣quaints the Council with it. The Councel execute her before the Queen knew it. Queen Eliza∣beth Resents it. Camb. Annal. f. 388.

  Bakers Chron. f. 372.
• * 7.31

  A great fine in those days.
• * 7.32

  Yorks Plot. Camb. Annal. f. 397.

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. cap. 7. f. 356.

  Bakers Chron. f. 373.
• * 7.33

  The Parlia∣ment met 22d. Feb. 28, 29. Eliz.
• * 7.34

  Sr. Christo∣pher Hattons Speech D'Ewes journal f. 408.
• * 11.1

  29. Eliz. cap. 6, Rast. Stat. 2. Part. f. 338. An Act to en∣force the Exe∣cution of 23. Eliz.
• * 11.2

  The Secular Priests Con∣fession of the Plots before-mentioned. Collect. f. 45. Babingtons Plot.
• * 11.3

  Stanley's Trea∣son.
• * 11.4

  Allen before named.
• * 11.5

  The Pope plot∣ting again. Camb. Annal. f. 402. Ba∣ker's Chron. f. 374.
• * 11.6

  The Contri∣vance of the Spanish Invasi∣on. Camb. An∣nal. f. 403, 404.
• * 11.7

  Sir William Stanley before named.
• * 11.8

  Camb. Annal. f. 410. Baker's Chron. f. 374. The Number of the Armada.
• * 11.9

  Sixtus Quintus Curseth Queen Elizabeth. Foulis Hist. li. 7. ca. 6. f. 350. Camb. Annals, f. 410.
• (a) 11.10

  Ant. Cica∣rella in vità Sexti V.

  Allen sent into the Nether∣lands to carry on the Design.
• * 11.11

  Their Methods.
• * 11.12

  Em. Meteram. Hist. Belg. lib. 15. p. 473, 474. Sam. Purchas. Pil∣grims. vol. 4. l. 10. c. 11. p. 1895, 1896.
• (a) 11.13

  No such thing.
• (b) 11.14

  What did the Pope and Spaniard do?
• (c) 11.15

  A Slande∣rous Ʋntruth.
• (d) 11.16

  And very justly, as ap∣pears by the Relation before given.
• (e) 11.17

  A damn'd Lye.
• (f) 11.18

  Protestants he means.
• * 11.19

  Queen Eliza∣beths Prepara∣tion to defend her self.

  Camb. Annal. f. 405.
• * 11.20

  A Trick of the Spaniards.

  Camb. Annals. l. 3. f. 407, 408, 409, 410.
• * 11.21

  The Spanish Fleet at first disperst by Tem∣pest. Camb. An. from 411. to 418.

  The Fleets en∣gage.

  The Spaniard beaten.
• * 11.22

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. cap. 6. f. 351, 352.

  Camb. Annals. f. 490.

  Bakers Chron. f. 381.
• (a) 11.23

  How com∣eth Philip to be lawful King of England.
• (c) 11.24

  C. W. A Reply to Fa∣ther Parson's Libel, f. 64, 65.
• (d) 11.25

  They would hint to us, as if Parsons were the Com∣piler of the Ad∣monition; but its certain that Allen was the Author of it, and Parsons with the other Romanists con∣fess Allen to be the Author.
• (e) 11.26

  Viz. The English Col∣ledge at Rome.
• * 11.27

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. cap. 7. f. 354.
• * 11.28

  Camb. Annals f. 457.

  Bakers Chron. f. 379.
• * 11.29

  Heskets Plot to depose the Queen and set up the Lord Strange.

  Fowlis Hist. l. 7. c. 7. f. 354. Camb. Annals l. 4. f. 477.
• * 11.30

  Lopez his Treason against Queen Eliz. Camb. Annals l. 4. f. 484. Fowlis l. 7. c. 7. f. 354. Bakers Chron. f. 381.
• * 11.31

  Lopez his Confession.
• * 11.32

  A Nunnery founded with the very Mony that was given to Poyson Queen Eliz. Tho Robinsons Anatomy of the Nunnery of Lisborn. p. 9.
• * 11.33

  This Mony, or part of it, for security to Lopez was delivered to the Custody of the English Nuns, then at Roan in France; which Money [the Plot failing and Lopez Executed] was given to the said Nuns, who carried it with them to Lisbon in Portugal, where they settled themselves in a Nunnery as appears by their Register Book.
• * 11.34

  A Parliament called to secure the Queens Person and the Protestant Re∣ligion against the Plots and Conspiracies of the Papists.
• * 11.35

  35. Eliz. c. 2. Rast. Stat. part. 2. f. 399. Papists not to remove above 5 miles from the place of their abode.
• * 11.36

  Cullens Trea∣son.

  Foulis Hist. l. 7. c. 7. f. 356.
• * 11.37

  York and Williams Con∣spiracy to kill the Queen. Fouils Hist. l. 7. c. 7. f. 356. Camb. Annals f. 495. Bakers Chron. 382. Their Confessi∣on.
• (a) 11.38

  Antilogia, c. 8. f. 116, to 121.
• (b) 11.39

  There were three Brothers of Norfolk all Jesuits, viz. Henry, Mi∣chael and Richard Wal∣pools, Robert Abbot, Anti∣log. f. 122, 123.
• * 11.40

  Walpools Con∣spiracy with Squire against the Queens Life.
• * 11.41

  The Secular Priests confess all the matters before related to be true. Collection, f. 46.
• * 11.42

  Collect. f. 94.
• * 11.43

  Camb. saith 70. Annals f. 295.
• * 11.44

  Heskets Plot.
• * 11.45

  Cullen.
• * 11.46

  Lopez.
• * 11.47

  York and Williams.
• * 11.48

  Walpool.
• * 11.49

  The Spaniard designed a Se∣cond Invasion.
• * 11.50

  Collect. 53, 54.
• * 11.51

  Collect. 55, 56 57.