The annals of King James and King Charles the First ... containing a faithful history and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and transactions of parliaments in England from the tenth of King James MDCXII to the eighteenth of King Charles MDCXLII : wherein several material passages relating to the late civil wars (omitted in former histories) are made known.

Andreas ab Habernfield his Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, concerning the Plot revealed to him, Dated at the Hague, Septemb. 14. New Stile, 1640. which he sent en∣closed in Sir William Boswell's first Letter, Septemb. 14. 1640.

Most Illustrious and most Reverend Lord,

ALL my Senses are shaken together as of∣ten as I revolve the present business, nei∣ther doth my Understanding suffice to con∣ceive what wind hath brought such horrid things, that they should see the Sun-shine by me; for besides expectation this good man be∣came known unto me, who when he had heard me discoursing of these Scottish stirs, said, that I knew not the Nerve of the business, that these things which are commonly scattered abroad

are superficial. From that hour he every day became more familiar to me, who acknowledg∣ing my Dexterity herein with a full breast pou∣red forth the burdens of his Heart into my bo∣some, supposing that he had discharged a bur∣den of Conscience wherewith he was pressed. Hence he related to me the Factions of the Je∣suits, with which the whole earthly world was assaulted, and shewed, that I might behold how through their poyson, Bohemia and Germany were devoured, and both of them maimed with an irreparable wound; that the same Plague did creep through the Realms of England and Scotland, the matter whereof revealed in the adjacent writing he discovered to me: Which things having heard, my Bowels were contract∣ed together, my Loins trembled with horrour that a pernicious Gulf should be prepared for so many thousands of Souls, with words mo∣ving the Conscience; I inflamed the mind of the man, he had scarce one hour concocted my admonitions but he disclosed all the secrets, and he gave free liberty that I should treat with those whom it concerned, that they might be inform∣ed hereof. I thought no delay was to be made about the things; the same hour I went to Sir William Boswell the King's Leger at the Hague, who being tied with an Oath of Secresie to me, I communicated the business to him, I admo∣nished him to weigh these things by the ballance, neither to defer but act, that those who were in danger might be speedily succoured; He, as becomes an honest man, mindful of his duty, and having nearer looked into the business, re∣fused not to obey the motions; moreover he forthwith caused that an Express should be dispatched, and sent word back again what a most acceptable Oblation this had been to the King and your Grace, for which we rejoyced from the Heart, and we judged that a safe and favourable Deity had interposed it self in this business, whereby you might be preserved.

Now that the verity of the things related might be confirmed, some principal Heads of the Conspiracy were purposely pretermitted, that the knowledge of them might be extorted from the circumvented Society of the Conspi∣rators.

Now the things will be speedily and safely promoted into Act, if they be warily proceeded in at Bruxels. By my advice, that day should be observed wherein the Packet of Letters are dispatched, which under the title of, to Mons. Strario Arch-Deacon of Cambray, tied with one Cover are delivered to the Post-Master; such a Packet may be secretly brought back from him, yet it will be unprofitable, because all the inclo∣••ed Letters are written Characteristically: Like∣wise another Packet coming weekly from Rome, which is brought under this Subscription, To the most Illustrious Lord Count Rosetti, Legat for the time; these are not to be neglected; to whom likewise Letters writ in the same Chara∣cter are included; That they may be under∣stood, Read is to be consulted with. The fore∣named day of dispatch shall be expected: In Read's House an accumulated Congregation may be circumvented, which succeeding, it will be your Graces part to order the business. The intestine Enemy being at length detected by God's Grace, all bitterness of mind which is caused on either side, may be abolished, delive∣red to Oblivion, deleted and quieted, the Ene∣my be invaded on both parts: Thus the King, and the King's Friends, and both Kingdoms near to danger shall be preserved, delivered from e∣minent danger.

Your Grace likewise may have this Injuncti∣on by you, if you desire to have the best ad∣vice given you by others, that you trust not o∣vermuch to your Pursevants, for some of them live under the stipend of the Popish party; How many Rocks and how many Scylla's, how many displeasingCharybdes appear before your Grace, in what a dangerous Sea the Cockboat of your Graces life, next to Shipwrack is tossed, your self may judge, the Foredeck of the Ship is spee∣dily to be driven to the Harbour.

All these things I whisper into your Graces ear, for I know it bound with an Oath of Secre∣sie, therefore by open Name I would by these presents become known to your Grace,

Hague, Sept. 14. S. N. 1640.

Your Graces most Observant and most Officious, Andrew Habernfeld.

Andreas ab Habernfeld, a Physician or Chaplain (as some affirm) to the Queen of Bohemia, His Endorsement hereon,

Illustrissimo ac Reverendissimo Dom. Domino Guliel∣mo Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, Primati & Me∣tropolitano totius Regni Angliae, Domino meo.

The Archbishops Endorsement with his own hand,

Received Octob. 14. 1640. Andreas ab Habern∣feld his Letters sent by Sir William Boswell about the Discovery of the Treason.