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Most Illustrious and Reverend Lord,
WE have willingly and cordially perceived that our offers have been acceptable both to his Royal Majesty, and likewise to your Grace. This is the only Index to us, That the blessing of God is present with you, whereby a
spur is given, that we should so much the more chearfully and freely utter & detect those things whereby the hazard of both your lives, the sub∣version of the Realm and State both of England and Scotland, the tumbling down of his most Excellent Majesty from his Throne is intended. Now lest the Discourse should be enlarged with superfluous Circumstances, we will only premise some things which are meerly necessary to the Business.
They may first of all know, That this good man, by whom the ensuing things are detected, was born and bred in the Popish Religion, who spent many years in Ecclesiastical Dignities. At length being found fit for the expedition of the present Design, by the Counsel and Mandate of the Lord Cardinal Barberino, he was adjoyned to the assistance of Master Cuneus (Con) by whom he was found so diligent and sedulous in his Of∣fice, that hope of great promotion was given to him; yet he, led by the instinct of the good Spirit, hath, howsoever it be, contemned sweet promises, and having known the vanities of the Pontifician Religion (of which he had sometimes been a most severe defender) having likewise noted the malice of those who fight under the Popish Banner, felt his Conscience to be bur∣thened; which burden, that he might ease him∣self of, he converted his mind to the Orthodox Religion. Soon after, that he might exonerate his Conscience, he thought fit, that a desperate Treason machinated against so many souls, was to be revealed, and that he should receive ease if he vented such things into the bosom of a Friend; which done, he was seriously admonished by the said Friend, that he should shew an example of his Conversion and Charity, and free so ma∣ny innocent souls from imminent danger. To whose monitions he willingly consented, and de∣livered the following things to be put in wri∣ting, out of which the Articles not long since tendered to your Grace, may be clearly explica∣ted and demonstrated.
1. First of all, That the hinge of the Business may be rightly discerned, it is to be known, that all those Factions with which all Christendom is at this day shaken, do arise from the Jesuitical off-spring of Cham, of which four Orders a∣bound throughout the World.
1. Of the first Order are Ecclesiasticks, whose Office is to take care of things promoting Reli∣gion.
2. Of the second Order are Politicians, whose Office it is by any means to shake, trouble, reform the state of Kingdoms and Repub∣licks.
3. Of the third Order are Seculars, whose property it is to obtru••e themselves into Offi∣ces with Kings and Princes, to insinuate and immix themselves in Court-businesses, Bargains and Sales, and to be busied in Civil Affairs.
4. Of the fourth Order are Intelligencers, (or Spies) men of inferiour condition, who sub∣mit themselves to the services of the Great Men, Princes, Barons, Noblemen, Citizens, to deceive (or corrupt) the minds of their Masters.
2. A Society of so many Orders, the King∣dom of England nourisheth: For scarce all Spain, France, and Italy can yield so great a mul∣titude of Jesuits as London alone; where are found more than fifty Scottish Jesuits. There the said Society hath elected to it self a seat of iniquity, and hath conspired against the King, and the most faithful to the King, especially the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and likewise a∣gainst both Kingdoms.
3. For it is more certain than certainty it self, that the fore-named Society hath determined to effect an universal Reformation of the Kingdom of England and Scotland. Therefore the deter∣mination of the end, necessarily infers a deter∣mination of means to the end.
4. Therefore to promote the undertaken Villany, the said Society dubbed it self with the Title of, The Congregation of propagating the Faith; which acknowledgeth the Pope of Rome the Head of the Colledge, and Cardinal Barbe∣rino his Substitute and Executor.
5. The Chief Patron of the Society at Lon∣don, is the Pope's Legat, who takes care of the Business; into whose bosome, these dreggs of Traytors weekly deposite all their Intelligences. Now the Residence of this Legation was ob∣tained at London in the Name of the Roman Pon∣tife, by whose mediation it might be lawful for Cardinal Barberino, to work so much the more easily and safely upon the King and Kingdom. For none else could so freely circumvent the King, as he who should be palliated with the Popes Authority.
6. Master * 1.1 Cuneus did at that time enjoy the Office of the Popes Legate, an universal Instru∣ment of the conjured Society, and a serious pro∣moter of the business, whose secrets, as like∣wise those of all the other Intelligencers, the present good man, the Communicator of all these things, did receive and expedite whither the business required.
Cuneus set upon the chief men of the King∣dom, and left nothing unattempted, by what means he might corrupt them all, and incline them to the Pontifician party: He inticed many with various inticements; yea, he sought to delude the King himself with gifts of Pictures, Antiquities, Idols, and of other vanities brought from Rome, which yet would prevail nothing with the King.
Having entred samiliarity with the King he is often requested at Hampton Court, likewise at London, to undertake the cause of the Palatine, and that he would interpose his Authority, and by his intercession perswade the Legat of Co∣lon, that the Palatine in the next Diet to treat of peace, might be inserted into the conditions, which verily he promised, but performed the contrary. He writ indeed, that he had been so desired by the King concerning such things, yet he advised not that they should be consented to, lest peradventure it might be said by the Spaniard, that the Pope of Rome had Patroni∣zed an Heretical Prince.
In the mean time, Cuneus smelling from the Archbishop most trusty to the King, that the King's mind was wholly pendulous (or doubtful) resolved that he would move very stone, and apply his forces, that he might gain him to his party: Certainly confiding, that he had a means
prepared, for he had a command to offer a Car∣dinals Cap to the Lord Archbishop in the name of the Pope of Rome, and that he should allure him also with higher promises, that he might corrupt his sincere mind. Yet a fitting occasion was never given whereby he might in∣sinuate himself into the Lord Archbishop (for the Scorpion sought an egg). Free access was to be impetrated by the Earland Countess of A∣rundel, likewise by Secretary Windebanke: The intercession of all which being neglected, he did fly the company or familiarity of Cuneus, worse then the Plague: He was likewise perswaded by others of no mean rank, well known to him, neither yet was he moved.
7. Another also was assayed who hindred ac∣cess to the detestable wickedness, Secretary Cook, he was a most bitter hater of the Jesu∣ites, from whom he intercepted access to the King, he entertained many (of them) ac∣cording to their deserts, he diligently enquired into their Factions; by which means every in∣citement breathing a magnetical (attractive) power to the Popish party, was ineffectual with him; for nothing was so dear unto him that might incline him to Wickedness: Hereupon being made odious to the Patrons of the Con∣spiracy, he was endangered to be discharged from his Office; it was laboured for three years space, and at last obtained. Yet not∣withstanding there remained on the King's part a Knot hard to be untied, for the Lord Archbishop by his Constancy, interposed him∣self as a most hard Rock.
When Cuneus had understood from the Lord Archbishop's part, that he had laboured in vain, his malice and the whole Societies waxed boyl∣ing hot: Soon after Ambushes began to be pre∣pared, wherewith the Lord Archbishop, to∣gether with the King should be taken.
Likewise a sentence is passed against the King (for whose sake all this business is disposed) be∣cause nothing is hoped from him, which might seem to promote the Popish Religion (but e∣specially when he had opened his mind, that he was of this opinion, that every one might be sa∣ved in his own Religion, so as he be an honest pious man.)
8. To perpetrate the Treason undertaken, the Criminal execution * 1.2 at Westminster caused by some writings of Puritans, gave occasion of the first fire; which thing was so much exaspe∣rated and exaggerated by the Papists to the Puri∣tans, that if it remained unrevenged, it would be thought a blemish to their Religion, the flames of which fire, the subsequent Book † 1.3 of Prayers encreases.
9. In this heat a certain Scottish Earl, called ‖ 1.4 Maxwell, if I mistake not, was expedited to the Scots by the Popish party; with whom two other Scottish Earls, Papists, held correspon∣dency: He ought to stir up the People to Com∣motion, and rub over the injury afresh, that he might enflame their minds, precipitate them to Armes, by which the hurtful disturber of the Scottish Liberty might be slain.
10. There, by one labour, snares are prepa∣red for the King: For this purpose the present Business was so ordered, that very many of the English should adhere to the Scots; That the King should remain inferiour in Arms, who (thereupon) should be compelled to crave as∣sistance from the Papists; which yet he should not obtain, unless he would condescend unto Conditions, by which he should permit univer∣sal Liberty of the exercise of the Popish Religi∣on; for so the affairs of the Papists would suc∣ceed according to their desire. To which con∣sent, if he should shew himself more difficult, there should be a present remedy at hand: For the King's Son growing now very fast to his youthful Age (who is educated from his tender Age, that he might accustom himself to the Po∣pish party) the King is to be dispatched; for an Indian Nut, stuffed with most sharp poyson, is kept in the Society (which Cuneus at that time shewed often to me in a boasting manner) where∣in a poyson was prepared for the King, after the example of his Father.
11. In this Scottish Commotion, the Mar∣quess of Hamilton was often dispatched to the Scots in the name of the King, to interpose the Royal Authority, whereby the heat of minds might be mitigated, returned notwithstanding as often without fruit, and without ending the Business: His Chaplain at that time repaired to us, who communicated something secretly with Cuneus. Being demanded of me in jest, whether also the Jews agreed with the Samaritans, Cuneus thereunto answered, Would to God all Mini∣sters were such as he. What you will, may be hence conjectured.
12. Things standing thus, there arrived at London from Cardinal Richlieu, Mr. † 1.5 Tho. Cham∣berlaine, his Chaplain and Almoner, a Scot by Nation, who ought to assist the Colledge of the Confederate Society, and seriously to set for∣ward the Business, to leave nothing unattempted, whereby the first heat might be exasperated. For which Service he was promised the reward of a Bishoprick: He cohabited with the Society four Months space; neither was it lawful for him first to depart, until things succeeding ac∣cording to his wish, he might be able to return back again with good News.
13. Sir Toby Matthew, a Jesuited Priest, of the Order of Politicians, a most vigilant man of the chief Heads, to whom a Bed was never so dear, that he would rest his head thereon, re∣freshing his body with sleep in a Chair for an hour or two, neither day nor night spared his Machinations; a man principally noxious, and himself the Plague of the King and Kingdom of England; a most impudent man, who flies to all Banquets and Feasts, called or not called, never quiet, always in action, a perpetual mo∣tion; thrusting himself into all Conversations of Superiours; he urgeth Conferences familiar∣ly, that he may fish out the minds of men; what∣ever he observeth thence, which may bring any commodity or discommodity to the part of the Conspirators, he communicates to the Pope's Legat; the more secret things he himself writes to the Pope, or to Cardinal Barberino. In sum, he adjoyns himself to any mans company, no word can be spoken that he will not lay hold on, and accommodate to his party. In the mean time, whatever he hath fished out, he reduceth into a Catalogue, and every Summer carrieth or conveyeth it to the general Consistory of the Je∣suites Politicks, which secretly meets together
in the Province of Wales, where he is an accep∣table Guest. There Counsels are secretly ham∣mered, which are most meet for the Convulsion of the Ecclesiastick and Politick Estate of both Kingdoms.
14. Captain Read a Scot, dwelling in Long-Acre Street, near the Angel Tavern, a Secular Jesuit; in his House the business of the whole Plot is concluded, where the Society which hath conspired against the King, the Lord Archbi∣shop, and both Kingdoms, meet together, for the most part every day: But on the day of the Carriers (or Posts) dispatch, which is ordina∣rily Friday, they meet in greater numbers; for then all the Intelligencers assemble and confer in common, what things every of them hath fished out that Week; who that they may be without suspicion, send their secrets by Toby Matthew or Read himself, to the Popes Legate, he transmits the compacted Packet which he hath purchased from the Intelligencers to Rome.
With the same Read, the Letters brought from Rome are deposited under feigned Titles and Names, who by him are delivered to all to whom they appertain, for all and every of their Names are known to him.
Upon the very same occasion Letters are brought hither under the Covert of Father Philips; (he notwithstanding being ignorant of things) from whom they are distributed to the Conspirators.
There is in that very House a Publick Chap∣pel, wherein an ordinary Jesuit Consecrates, and dwells there. In the said Chapel, Masses are daily Celebrated by the Jesuits; and it serves for the Baptizing of the Children of the House, and of some of the Conspirators.
6. Those who assemble in the forenamed House, come frequently in Coaches or on Horse∣back in Lay-mens habits, and with a great Train, wherewith they are disguised, that they may not be known, yet they are Jesuits, and conjured Members of the Society.
15. All the Papists of England contribute to this Assembly, lest any thing should be wanting to promote the undertaken designs, upon whose ••reasury one Widow, owner of the Houses wherein Secretary Windebanke now dwelleth, dead above three years since, bestowed Forty thousand English pounds, so likewise others con∣tribute above their Abilities, so as the business may be promoted unto its desired end.
16. Besides the foresaid Houses, there are Couvents kept also in other more secret places, of which verily they conside not even among themselves, for fear lest they should be discover∣ed. First, every of them are called to certain Inns, (one not knowing of the other); hence they are severally led by Spies to the place where they ought to meet, otherwise ignorant where they ought to assemble, lest peradventure they should be surprized at unawares.
17. The Countess of Arundel, a strenuous She-Champion of the Popish Religion, bends all her Nerves to the Universal Reformation; what∣soever she hears at the King's Court that is done secretly or openly in words or deeds, she pre∣sently imparts to the Pope's Legat, with whom she meets thrice a day, sometimes in Arundel House, now at the Court, or at Tart Hall.
The Earl himself being called about three years since, this year must go to Rome, without doubt to consult there of matters pertinent to the Design.
At Greenwich, at the Earl's cost, a Feminihe School is erected, which is but a Monastery of Nuns; for the young Girls therein are sent forth, hither, and thither, into Forreign Mo∣nasteries beyond the Seas.
Master Porter of the King's Bed-chamber, most addicted to the Popish Religion, is an utter E∣nemy of the Kings, revealing all his Secrets to the Legat by his Wife; for he rarely meets with himself. In all his actions he is nothing inferi∣our to Toby Matthew; it is unexpressible how di∣ligently he intends this business.
His Sons are secretly principled in the Romish Belief, but open Professors of the Reformed: the eldest is now to receive his Father's place under the future King: A Cardinal's Hat is provided for the other, if the Plot takes.
Three years since, Master Porter was to be sent away by the King to Morocco, but was prohibi∣ted by the Society, lest the business should suffer delay.
He is a Patron of the Jesuits, providing Cha∣pels for them to exercise their Religion in, both at home and abroad.
Secretary Windebanke, a fierce Papist, is the greatest Traitour to the King of all. He not on∣ly revealeth the King's greatest Secrets, but also communicates Counsels, by which the Design may be best advanced. He at least thrice every Week converseth with the Legate in the Noctur∣nal Conventicles, and revealeth what is fit to be known; to which end he hireth an House near to the Pope's Legate, to whom he often resorts through the Garden-door; for by this vicinity the Meeting is facilitated. He is bribed with Gifts to be a Partner in the Conspiracy, by whom he is sustained, that he may more sedulously at∣tend his Charge.
His Son is sent expresly to Rome, on purpose to insinuate himself into his Holiness.
Digby and Winter, Knights, Mr. Mountague, who hath been at Rome, the Lord Sterlin, a Kins∣man of the Earl of Arundel, a Knight, the Coun∣tess of Newport, the Dutchess of Buckingham, and many others, who hath sworn to this Con∣spiracy, are all most vigilant in the Plot: Some are enticed with hope of Court, others of Poli∣tical Offices; others attended to the sixteen Car∣dinals Caps vacant, which are detained so, to feed with vain hopes those who expect them.
The President of the said Society was the Lord Gage; a Jesuited Priest, dead some three years since. He had a Palaco adorned with wanton Pictures as pretending to profaneness, but palli∣ating thereby a Monastery, wherein fourty Nuns were maintained, concealed in so spacious a Pa∣lace. It is situated in Queens-street. The Jesu∣its have bought all this Street, and have reduced it to a Quadrangle, where a Jesuitical Colledge is tacitly built, with this hope, that it might be openly finisht assoon as the General Reformation was accomplisht.
The Pope's Legate useth a three fold Character; One common to all Nuncio's; Another peculiar to himself and Cardinal Barberino; A third where∣with he covers some greater secrets to be impart∣ed. Whatsoever things he receiveth from the Society, or Spies, he packeth up in one bundle; with this Address, To Monsieur Stravio Archdea∣con of Cambrai, from whom they are sent to Rome.
These Particulars considered, it will be evi∣dent to all,
1. That the Conspiracy against the King and Lord Archbishop is detected, and the means whereby ruin is threatned to both demonstrat∣ed.
2. The Imminent dangers to both Kingdoms are rehearsed.
3. The Rise and Progress of that Scottish Fire is related.
4. Means whereby these Scottish troubles may be appeased are suggested; for after the Scots shall know by whom and to what end their minds are incensed, they will speedily look to them∣selves, neither will they suffer the Forces of both parts to be subdued, lest a middle Party interpose, which seeks the Ruin of both.
5. With what Sword the King's Throat is assaulted, even when these stirs shall be ended, Cuneus his Confession, and a visible Demonstra∣tion sheweth.
6. The Place of the Assembly in the House of Captain Read is nominated.
7. The day of the eight daies dispatch by Read and the Legate is prescribed.
8. How the names of the Conspirators may be known.
9. Where this whole Congregation may be circumvented.
10. Some of the principal unfaithful ones of the King's Party are notified by name; many of whose names occur not, yet their habitations are known, their names may be easily extorted from Read.
If these be warily proceeded in, the strength of the whole business will be brought to Light, so the Arrow being foreseen, the danger shall be avoided; which that it may prosperously suc∣ceed, the Omnipotent Creator grant.
The Archbishop's Indorsement with his own hand.
Received Octob. 14. 1640. The Narration of the great Treason, concerning which the Discoverer promiseth to Sir William Boswell to discover, which is against the King and State.
That the Papists were instrumental to promote our late troubles, besides the present discovery, the original whereof was found in the Archbi∣shop's Library after his death, and the confirma∣tion hereof by a Bull of Pope Ʋrbanus Octavus directed to Sir Toby Matthews a prime person con∣cerned herein, wherein mention is made of the chief occurrences declared and manifested in that discovery, which Bull was found amongst the Papers of Mr. Secretary Windebanke, and expresly faith that young Count Rosetti the Apostolick Nun∣tio was committed by his Holiness to the care and administration of the said Sir Toby as a person well versed and knowing in our affairs; and moreover not to speak of our late discoveries (as that some Jesuits are said to have Preached in the Field Conventicles in Scotland) the Reverend Dr. Du Moulin Prebend of the Church of Canter∣bury hath openly and in Print averr'd, That he is ready to prove what he hath publickly wrote, that there sate a Council of Popish Priests and Jesuits in Lon∣don to signifie the condition of our Affairs to Rome and Paris during our late intestine Wars, and that when our late good King [now the blessed and glori∣ous] Charles, and the first was taken and imp••isoned with a design to bring his sacred Head to the Block, they gave notice hereof to others of their Confederacy of the Sorbon in Paris, then almost wholly Jesuited, desiring a resolution of this important Question, That seeing the state of England was in a likely posture to change the Government, whether it was lawful for the Catholicks to work that change for the advancing and securing the Catholick Cause in England, (by making away the King) whom there was no hope to turn from his Heresie. The Answer of the Sorbon was affir∣mative, and at Rome it was concluded by the Pope and Councel, That it was both lawful and expedient for the Catholicks to procure that alteration. Dr. Du Moulin in answer to a Popish, Lying, and Scan∣dalous Pamphlet, entituled, Philanax Anglicus.
This the aforesaid Reverend and very aged Divine hath promised to make good, and to prove the matter of fact, if any Romanist (which to this day none ever hath done) shall require it at his hands, and this challenge hath been made publick for almost the space of twenty years now last past; and none hath yet appear'd.
A Copy of Pope Ʋrban the Eighth his Bull to Sir Tobias Mathews.
His name was said to be George Con, and a Scotch∣man, but whether he had a∣ny Com∣mission for Legacy, not known, at least would not be ac∣know∣ledged by the Pa∣pists.
When Prinn, Bast∣wick, and Burton had their ears cut off in the Pillo∣ry, and Prin•• stig∣matized.
The Common-Prayer Book sent into Scot∣land im∣plying Transub∣stantiation in the Sa∣crament.
Or Max∣field.
Of whom mention is made p. 768. and there cal∣ed Cha••∣bers.