The Gunpowder-treason with a discourse of the manner of its discovery, and a perfect relation of the proceedings against those horrid conspirators, wherein is contained their examinations, tryals, and condemnations : likewise King James's speech to both houses of Parliament on that occasion, now reprinted : a preface touching that horrid conspiracy, by the Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, Lord Bishop of Lincoln : and by the way of appendix, several papers or letters of Sir Everard Digby, chiefly relating to the gunpowder-plot, never before printed.

A SPEECH Made by King JAMES to both Houses of Parliament, up∣on occasion of the discovery of the Gunpowder PLOT; de∣signed to be executed on the 5 Nov. 1605.

MY Lords Spiritual and Tem∣poral, and you the Knights and Burgesses of this Parlia∣ment; It was far from my thoughts, till very lately, be∣fore my coming to this place, that this Subject should have been ministred unto me, whereupon I am now to speak. But now it so falleth out, That whereas in the preceding Session of this Parliament, the principal occasion of my Speech was, to thank and congratulate all you of this House, and in you, all the whole Common-wealth (as being the representative Body of the State)

for your so willing, and loving receiving, and embracing of me in that place, which God and Nature by descent of Bloud, had in his own time provided for me: So now my subject is, to speak of a far greater Thanksgiving than before I gave to you, being to a far greater person, which is to GOD, for the great and miraculous Delivery he hath at this time granted to me, and to you all, and con∣sequently to the whole Body of this Estate,

I must therefore begin with this old and most approved Sentence of Divinity, Mise∣ricordia Dei supra omnia opera ejus. For Al∣mighty GOD did not furnish so great mat∣ter to his Glory, by the Creation of this great World, as he did by the Redemption of the same. Neither did his Generation of the little World, in our old and first ADAM, so much set forth the praises of GOD in his Justice and Mercy, as did our Regeneration in the last and second ADAM.

And now I must crave a little pardon of you, That since Kings are in the word of GOD it self called Gods, as being his Lieu∣tenants and Vicegerents on earth, and so a∣dorned and furnished with some sparkles of the Divinity; to compare some of the Works of GOD the Great King, towards the whole and general World, to some of his Works to∣wards Me, and this little world of my Domi∣nions, compassed and severed by the Sea from the rest of the Earth. For as GOD for the just punishment of the first great Sinner in the original world, when the Sons of GOD

went in to the Daughters of Men, and the cup of their iniquities of all sorts was filled, and heaped up to the full, did by a general deluge and overflowing of waters, baptize the World to a general destruction, and not to general purgation (only excepted Noah and his family, who did repent and believe the threatenings of God's judge∣ment:) So now, when the World shall wax old as a Garment, and that all the impieties and sins that can be devised against both the first and second Table, have, and shall be committed to the full measure; GOD is to punish the World the second time by Fire, to the general destruction and not purgation thereof. Although as it was done in the for∣mer to Noah and his Family by the waters; So shall all we that believe be likewise purged, and not destroyed by the Fire. In the like sort, I say, I may justly compare these two great and fearful Dooms-days, wherewith GOD threatened to destroy me, and all you of this little World that have interest in me. For although I confess, as all mankind, so chiefly Kings, , as being in the higher places like the high Trees, or stayest Mountains, and steepest Rocks, are most subject to the daily tempests of innumerable dangers; and I amongst all other Kings, have ever been subject unto them, not only ever since my birth, but even as I may justly say, before my birth, and while I was yet in my Mothers belly: yet have I been exposed to two more special and greater dangers than all the rest.

The first of them, in the Kingdom where I was born, and passed the first part of my life: And the last of them here, which is the greatest. In the former, I should have been baptized in bloud, and in my destruction, not only the Kingdom, wherein I then was, but ye also by your future interest, should have tasted of my ruine. Yet it pleased GOD to deliver me, as it were, from the very brink of death, from the point of the dagger, and so to purge me by my thankful acknow∣ledgement of so great a benefit. But in this which did so lately fall out, and which was a destruction prepared not for me alone, but for you all that are here present, and where∣in no rank, age, or sex should have been spa∣red; This was not a crying sin of bloud as the former, but it may well be called a roar∣ing, nay, a thundering sin of Fire and Brim∣stone, from the which, God hath so miracu∣lously delivered us all. What I can speak of this, I know not: Nay rather, what can I not speak of it? And therefore I must for horror say with the Poet. Vox faucibus haeret.

In this great and horrible attempt, where∣of * 1.1 the like was never either heard or read, I observe three wonderful, or rather miracu∣lous events.

First, in the cruelty of the Plot it self, wherein cannot be enough admired the hor∣rible and fearful cruelty of their Device, * 1.2 which was not only for the destruction of my Person, nor of my Wife and Posterity only, but of the whole Body of the State in gene∣ral;

wherein should neither have been spa∣red, or distinction made of young nor of old, of great nor of small, of man nor of woman: The whole Nobility, the whole Reverend Clergy, Bishops, and most part of the good Preachers, the most part of the Knights and Gentry; yea, and if that any in this Society were favourers of their Profession, they should all have gone one way: The whole Judges of the Land, with the most of the Lawyers and the whole Clerks: And as the wretch himself that is in the Tower, doth confess, it was purposely devised by them, and concluded to be done in this house; That where the cruel Laws (as they say) were made against their Religion, both place and persons should all be destroyed and blown up at once. And then * 1.3 consider therewithal the cruel form of that practice: for by three different sorts in gene∣ral may mankind be put to death.

The First, by other men, and reasonable creatures, which is least cruel: for then both * 1.4 defence of men against men may be expect∣ed, and likewise who knoweth what pity GOD may stirr up in the hearts of the Actors at the very instant? besides the many ways and means, whereby men may escape in such a present fury.

And the Second way more cruel than that, is by Animal and unreasonable creatures: for * 1.5 as they have less pity then men, so is it a grea∣ter horror, and more unnatural for men to deal with them: But yet with them both re∣sistance may avail, and also some pity may

be had, as was in the Lyons, in whose Den Daxiel was thrown; or that thankful Lyon, that had the Roman slave in his mercy.

But the Third, which is most cruel and un∣merciful of all, is the destruction by insensible * 1.6 and inanimate things; and amongst them all, the most cruel are the two Elements of Wa∣ter and Fire; and of those two the Fire most raging and merciless.

Secondly, How wonderful it is when you shall think upon the small, or rather no * 1.7 ground, whereupon the Practisers were enti∣ced to invent this Tragedy. For if these Con∣spirators had only been bankrupt persons, or discontented upon occasion of any disgraces done unto them; this might have seemed to have been but a work of revenge. But for my own part, as I scarcely ever knew any of them, So cannot they alledge so much as a pretended cause of grief: And the wretch himself in hands doth confess, That there was no cause moving him or them, but meer∣ly, and only Religion. And specially, that Christian men, at least so called, Englishmen, born within the Countrey, and one of the spe∣cials of them, my sworn Servant, in an Ho∣norable place, should Practise the destruction of their King, his Posterity, their Countrey and all: wherein their following obstinacy is so joyned to their former malice, as the fellow himself that is in hand, cannot be moved to discover any signes or notes of repentance, except only, that he doth not yet stand to avow, that he repents for not being able to per∣form his intent.

Thirdly, The discovery hereof is not a little * 1.8 wonderful, which would be thought the more miraculous by you all, if you were as well acquainted with my natural disposition, as those are who be near about me. For as I ever did hold suspition to be the sickness of a Tyrant, so was I so far upon the other ex∣tremity, as I rather contemned all advertise∣ments, or apprehensions of practises. And yet now at this time was I so far contrary to my self, as when the Letter was shewed to me by my Secretary, wherein a general obscure ad∣verisement was given of some dangerous blow at this time, I did upon the instant inter∣pret and apprehend some dark phrases there∣in, contrary to the ordinary Grammer con∣struction of them, (and in another sort then I am sure any Divine, or Lawyer in any Uni∣versity would have taken them) to be meant by this horrible form of blowing us up all by Powder; and thereupon ordered, that search to be made, whereby the matter was discover∣ed, and the man apprehended: whereas if I had apprehended or interpreted it to any o∣ther sort of danger, no worldly provision or prevention could have made us escape our utter destruction

And in that also, was there a wonderful providence of God, that when the party him∣self was taken, he was but new come out of his house from working, having his Fire∣work for kindling ready in his pocket, where∣with as he confesseth, if he had been taken but immediately before, when he was in the

House, he was resolved to have blown up himself with his Takers.

One thing for my own part have I cause to thank GOD in, That if GOD for our sins had suffered their wicked intents to have prevailed, it should never have been spoken nor written in ages succeeding, that I had died ingloriously in an Ale-house, a Stews, or such vile place, but mine end should have been with the most Honourable and best company, and in that most Honourable and fittest place for a King to be in, for do∣ing the turns most proper to his Office; And the more have We all cause to thank and magnifie GOD for this his merciful De∣livery. And specially I for my part, that he hath given me yet once leave, whatsoever should come of me hereafter, to assemble you in this Honourable place; And here in this place, where our general destruction should have been, to magnifie and praise him for Our general delivery; That I may justly now say of mine enemies and yours, as Da∣vid doth often say in the Psalm, Inciderunt in foveam, quam fecerunt. And since Scipio an Ethnick, led only by the light of Nature, That day when he was accused by the Tri∣bunes of the people of Rome, for mispend∣ing and wasting in his Punick wars the Cities Treasure, even upon the sudden brake out with that diversion of them from that matter, calling them to remembrance how that day, was the day of the year, wherein GOD hath given them so great a victory

against Hannibal, and therefore it was fit∣ter for them all, leaving other matters, to run to the Temple to praise GOD for that so great delivery, which the people did all follow with one applause: How much more cause have we that are Christians to bestow this time in this place for Thansgiving to GOD for his great Mercy, tho we had had no other errand of assembling here at this time; where∣in if I have spoken more like a Divine, than would seem to belong to this place, the mat∣ter it self must plead for mine excuse: for be∣ing here come to thank God for a Divine work of his Mercy, how can I speak of this deliverance of us from so hellish a practise, so well, as in language of Divinity, which is the direct opposite to so damnable an intention? And therefore may I justly end this purpose, as I did begin it with this Sentence, The mercy of God is above all his works.

It resteth now, that I should shortly inform you what is to be done hereafter upon the oc∣casion of this horrible and strange accident. As for your part that are my faithful and loving Subjects of all degrees, I know that your hearts are so burnt up with zeal in this errand, and your tongues so ready to utter your dutiful affections, and your hands and feet so bent to concurr in the execution thereof, (for which as I need not to spurr you, so can I not but praise you for the same:) As it may very well be possible, that the zeal of your hearts shall make some of you in your speeches, rashly to blame such as may be innocent of this at∣tempt;

But upon the other part I wish you to consider, That I would be sorry that any be∣ing innocent of this practise, either domesti∣cal or forrain, should receive blame or harm, for the same. For although it cannot be denied, That it was the only blind superstition of their errors in Religion, that led them to this desperate device; yet doth it not follow, That all professing that Romish Religion were guilty of the same. For as it is true, That no other sect of Heretiques, not excepting Turk Iew, nor Pagan, no not even those of Calicute who adore the Devil, did ever maintain by the grounds of their Religion, That it was lawful, or rather meritorious (as the Romish Catholicks call it) to murther Princes or peo∣ple for quarrel of Religion. And although particular men of all professions of Religion have been some Thieves, some Murtherers, some Traitors, yet ever when they came to their end and just punishment, they confessed their fault to be in their nature, and not in their profession, (These Romish Catholicks only excepted:) Yet it is true on the other side, That many honest men blinded peradven∣ture with some opinions of Popery, as if they be not found in the questions of the Real pre∣sence, or in the number of the Sacraments, or some such School-question: yet do they ei∣ther not know, or at least, not believe all the true grounds of Popery, which is indeed, The mistery of iniquity. And therefore do we just∣ly confess, that many Papists, especially our fore-fathers, laying their only trust upon

Christ and his Merits at their last breath, may be, and oftentimes are saved; detesting in that point, and thinking the cruelty of Puri∣tans worthy of Fire, that will admit no salva∣tion to any Papist. I therefore thus do con∣clude this point, That as upon the one part many honest men, seduced with some errors of Popery, may yet remain good and faithful Subjects: So upon the other part, none of those that truly know and •…•…elieve the whole grounds, and School-conclusions of their Do∣ctrine, can ever prove either good Christians, or faithful Subjects. And for the part of for∣rain Princes and States, I may so much the more acquite them, and their Ministers, of their knowledge and consent to any such villany, as I may justly say, that in that point I better know all Christian Kings by my self, that no King nor Prince of Honor will ever abase him∣self so much, as to think a good thought of so base and dishonourable a Treachery: wish∣ing you therefore, that as GOD hath given me an happy peace and amity, with all other Christian Princes my neighbors (as was even now very gravely told you by my L. Chancel∣lor) that so you will reverently judge and speak of them in this case. And for my part I would wish with those antient Philosophers, that there were a Christal window in my breast, wherein all my people might see the se∣cretest thoughts of my heart, for then might you all see no alteration in my mind for this accident, further than in those two points. The first, caution and wariness in government:

to discover and search out the mysteries of this wickedness as far as may be: The other, after due trial, Severity of punishment upon those that shall be found guilty of so detesta∣ble and unheard of villany. And now in this matter, if I have troubled your ears with an abrupt Speech, undisgested in any good me∣thod or order; you have to consider that an abrupt, and unadvised Speech doth best be∣come in the rela•…•…on of so abrupt and unor∣derly an accident.

And although I have ordained the Proro∣guing of this Parliament until after Christ∣mass upon two necessary respects: whereof the first is, that neither I nor my Council can have leasure at this time both to take order for the apprehension and trial of these Con∣spirators, and also to wait upon the daily af∣fairs of the Parliament, as the Council must do. And the other reason is, the necessity at this time of divers of your presences in your Shires that have Charges and Commande∣ments there. For as these wretches thought to have blown up in a manner the whole world of this Island, every man being now come up here, either for publick causes of Parlia∣ment, or else for their own private causes in Law, or otherwise: So these Rebels that now wander through the Countrey, could never have gotten so fit a time of safety in their passage, or whatsoever unlawful Actions, as now when the countrey by the foresaid occa∣sions is in a manner left desolate, and waste un∣to them. Besides that, It may be that I shall de∣sire

you at your next Session, to take upon you the Judgment of this Crime: for as so extraordinary a Fact deserves extraordinary Judgment, So can there not I think (follow∣ing even their own Rule) be a fitter Judge∣ment for them, then that they should be mea∣sured with the same measure wherewith they thought to measure us: and that the same place and persons, whom they thought to de∣stroy, should be the just avengers of their so unnatural a Parricide: Yet not knowing that I will have occasion to meet with you my self in this place at the beginning of the next Session of this Parliament (because if it had not been for delivering of the Articles agreed upon by the Commissioners of the Union, which was thought most convenient to be done in my presence, where both Head and Members of the Parliament were met toge∣ther, my presence had not otherwise been requisite here at this time:) I have there∣fore thought good for conclusion of this Meet∣ing, to discourse to you somewhat anent the true nature and definition of a Parliament, which I will remit to your memories, till your next sitting down; that you may then make use of it as occasion shall be ministred.

For albeit it be true, that at the first Session of my first Parliament, which was not long af∣ter mine Entry into this Kingdome, It could not become me to informe you of any thing belonging to Law or State here: (for all knowledge must either be infufed, or acqui∣red, and seeing the former sort thereof is now

with Prophesie, ceased in the World, it could not be possible for me, at my first Entry here, before Experience had taught it me, to be able to understand the particular Mysteries of this State:) yet now that I have reigned almost three years amongst you, and have been careful to observe those things that belong to the Office of a King, albeit that Time be but a short time for experience in others, yet in a King may it be thought a reasonable long time, especially in me, who, although I be but in a manner a new King here, yet have been long acquainted with the office of a King in such another Kingdom, as doth nearest of all others agree with the Lawes and Customes of this State. Remitting to your considera∣tion to judge of that which hath been con∣cluded by the Commissioners of the Union, wherein I am at this time to signifie unto you, That as I can bear witness to the fore∣said Commissioners, that they have not agreed nor concluded therein any thing, wherein they have not foreseen as well the Weale and Commodity of the one Countrey, as of the other; So can they all bear me record, that I was so far from pressing them to agree to any thing, which might bring with it any pre∣judice to this People; as by the contrary I did ever admonish them, never to conclude upon any such Union, as might carry hurt or grudge with it to either of the said Nations: for the leaving of any such thing, could not but be the greatest hinderance that might be to such an Action, which GOD by the Laws of

ture had provided to be in his own time, and hath now in effect perfected in my Person; to which purpose my Lord Chancellor hath better spoken, then I am able to relate.

And as to the nature of this high Court of Parliament, It is nothing else but the Kings great Council, which the King doth assemble, either upon occasion of interpreting, or abro∣gating old Lawes, or making of new, accor∣ding as ill manners shall deserve, or for the publick punishment of notorious evil doers, or the praise and reward of the vertuous and well deservers; wherein these four things are to be considered.

First, Whereof this Court is compo∣sed. * 1.9

Secondly, What Matters are proper for it. * 1.10

Thirdly, To what end it is ordained. * 1.11

And Fourthly, What are the meanes and wayes whereby this end should be * 1.12 brought to pass.

As for the thing it self, It is composed of a Head and a Body: The Head is the King, the Body are the members of the Parliament. This Body again is subdivided into two parts; The Upper and Lower House: The Upper compounded partly of Nobility, Tem∣poral men, who are heritable Councellors to

to the high Court of Parliament by the honor of their Creation and Lands: And partly of Bishops, Spiritual men, who are likewise by the vertue of their place and dignity Coun∣sellors, Life-Renters, or Ad vitam of this Court. The other House is composed of Knights for the Shire; and Gentry, and Bur∣gesses for the Towns. But because the num∣ber would be infinite for all the Gentlemen and Burgesses to be present at every Parlia∣ment, Therefore a certain number is selected and chosen out of that great Body, serving onely for that Parliament, where their per∣sons are the representation of that Body.

Now the Matters whereof they are to treat ought therefore to be general, and rather of such matters as cannot well be performed without the assembling of that general Body, and no more of these generals neither, then necessity shall require: for as in Corruptissima Republica sunt plurimae leges: So doth the life and strength of the Law consist not in heap∣ing up infinite and confused numbers of Lawes, but in the right interpretation and good execution of good and wholsome Laws. If this be so then, neither is this a place on the one side for every rash and harebrain fellow to propone new Laws of his own invention: nay rather I could wish these busie heads to remember that Law of the Lacedemonians, That whosoever came to propone a new Law to the People, behoved publickly to present himself with a Rope about his neck, that in case the Law were not allowed, he should be

hanged therewith. So wary should men be of proponing Novelties, but most of all, not to propone any bitter or seditious Laws, which can produce nothing but grudges and discontentment between the Prince and his people: nor yet is it on the other side a convenient place for private men under the colour of general Laws, to propone no∣thing but their own particular gain, either to the hurt of their private neighbours, or to the hurt of the whole State in general, which many times under fair and pleasing Titles, are smoothly passed over, and so by stealth procure without consideration, that the pri∣vate meaning of them tendeth to nothing but either to the wreck of a particular par∣ty, or else under colour of publique benefit to pill the poor people, and serve as it were for a general Impost upon them for fil∣ling the purses of some private persons.

And as to the end for which the Parlia∣ment is ordained, being only for the advance∣ment of Gods glory, and the establishment and wealth of the King and his people: It is no place then for particular men to utter there their private conceipts, nor for satisfa∣ction of their curiosities, and least of all to make shew of their eloquence, by tyning the time with long studyed and eloquent Orati∣ons. No, the reverence of GOD, their King, and their Countrey being well setled in their hearts, will make them ashamed of such toyes, and remember that they are there as sworn Councellors to their King, to give their best

advice for the furtherance of his Service, and the flourishing Weale of his Estate.

And lastly, if you will rightly consider the means and wayes how to bring all your la∣bors to a good end, you must remember, That you are here assembled by your lawful King to give him your best advices, in the matters proposed by bim unto you, being of that nature, which I have already told, where∣in you are gravely to deliberate, and upon your consciences plainly to determine how far those things propounded do agree with the Weale, both of your King, and of your Country, whose weales cannot be separated. And as for my self, the world shall ever bear me witness, That I never shall propone any thing unto you, which shall not as well tend to the Weale publick, as to any benefit for me: So shall I never oppone my self to that, which may tend to the good of the Common-wealth, for the which I am ordained, as I have often said. And as you are to give your advice in such things, as shall by your King be proposed: So is it on your part your duties to propone any thing that you can, after ma∣ture deliberation judge to be needful, either for these ends already spoken of, or other∣wise for the discovery of any latent evil in the Kingdom, which peradventure may not have come to the Kings eare. If this then ought to be your grave manner of proceed∣ing in this place, Men should be ashamed to make snew of the quickness of their wits here, either in taunting, scoffing, or de∣tracting

the Prince or State in any point, or yet in breaking jests upon their fellowes, for which the Ordinaries or Alehouses are fitter places, than this Honourable and high Court of Parliament.

In conclusion then, since you are to break up, for the Reasons I have already told you, I wish such of you as have any charges in your Countreys, to hasten you home for the re∣pressing of the insolencies of these Rebels, and apprehension of their persons, wherein, as I heartily pray to the Almighty for your prosperous success: So do I not doubt, but we shall shortly hear the good newes of the same; And that you shall have an happy re∣turn, and meeting here to all our comforts.

Here the Lord Chancellor spake touching the Proroguing of the Parliament. And hauing done, his Majesty rose again, and said.

Since it pleased GOD to grant me two such notable Deliveries upon one day of the week, which was Tuesday, and likewise one day of the Moneth, which was the fifth; thereby to teach me, That as it was the same Devil that still persecuted me: So it was one and the same GOD that still mightily deli∣vered me; I thought it therefore not amiss, that the one and twentieth day of Ianuary, which fell to be upon Tuesday, should be the day of meeting of this next Session of Parlia∣ment, hoping and assuring my Self, that the same GOD who hath now granted me and you all so notable and gracious a Delivery,

shall prosper all our affairs at that next Sessi∣on, and bring them to a happy conclusion. And now I consider God hath well provided it that the ending of this Parliament hath been so long continued; For as for mine own part, I never had any other intention, but only to seek so far my weale, and prosperity, as might conjunctly stand with the flourishing State of the whole Common-wealth, as I have often told you: So on the other part I confess, if I had been in your places at the beginning of this Parliament (which was so soon after mine entry into this Kingdom, wherein ye could not possibly have so perfect a knowledge of mine inclination, as experi∣ence since hath taught you) I could not but have suspected, and mis-interpreted divers things, In the trying whereof, now I hope, by your experience of my behaviour and form of government, you are well enough cleared, and resolved.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Three mira∣culous e∣vents be to be observed in the At∣tempt
• * 1.2

  1 The cruel∣ty of the Plot.
• * 1.3

  Three ways how man∣kind may come to death.
• * 1.4

  1. By Man.
• * 1.5

  2. By unrea∣sonable creatures.
• * 1.6

  3. By insen∣sible things.
• * 1.7

  2. The small ground the Conspira∣tors had to move them.
• * 1.8

  3. Miracu lous event, the discove∣ry.
• * 1.9

  1.
• * 1.10

  2.
• * 1.11

  3.
• * 1.12

  4.