Jacobs ladder, or, The devout souls ascention to Heaven, in prayers, thanksgivings, and praises in four parts ... : with graces and thanksgivings : illustrated with sculptures / by Jo. Hall.

Of the Powder Treason.

THe Plot was to undermine the Parliament-house, and with Pouder to blow up the King, Prince Clergy, Nobles, Knights, and Bur∣gesses, the very confluence of all the flower of Glory, Piety, Learning, Prudence and Authority in the Land, Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Al∣lies; Friends, Foes, Papists and Protestants all at one blast.

This damnable design was cou∣trived by some Priests, Jesuits and other Papists, to which end they took lodgings near the Parliament house, and then all the Conspira∣tors took an oath of secresy in these words.

You shall swear by the blessed Trini∣ty, and by the Sacrament you now pur∣pose to receive never to disclose directly or indirectly, by word or circumstance

the matter that shall be proposed to you to keep secret, nor desist from the execu∣tion thereof till the rest shall give you leave.

And now the business went on apace, and all things being ready, the 5th of November 1605. was the day designed for the execution, but about ten days before a letter directed to my Ld. Monteagle was delivered by an unknown person to his footman in the street with a strict charge to give it to his Lords own hand which accordingly he did, and the Lord being troubled at the contents presently imparted it to the Secretary of State, who soon presented it the King, which was in these Words

My LORD,

Out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preserva∣tion; therefore I would advise you, as you tender your life to devise some ex∣cuse to shift off your attendance at this

Parliament, for God and man have con∣curred to punish the wickedness of this time, and think not slightly of this ad∣vertisement▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 retire your self into your Country, where you may expect the e∣vent with safety; for though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible Blow this Parlia∣ment, and yet they shall not see who hurts them; this counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no harm, for the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the let∣ter; and I hope God will give you the grace to make use of it, to whose holy protection I commend you.

The King reading this letter, did conclude by several dark passages in it, that it contained in it some ex∣traordinary design, and therefore by the Blow did suppose was meant some blast of Gun-pouder. And after strict search made under the Parliament house about mid∣night, the very night before the

Parliament was to set, at the door of the entrance of the cellar was found one Guy Fauks clothed and booted, he was apprehended, and then removing some billets that were laid to prevent discovery, they found the serpents nest stored with thirty six barrels of pouder, and searching the Villain, there was found about him a dark lanthorn three matches, and other instru∣ments for blowing up the pouder.

And thus was this horrible plot discovered, and we saved, and the Conspirators received their deser∣ved punishment.

Those that were first in the Treat son were

Robert Catesby, Thomas Piercy, Tho. Winter, Robert Winter, John Wright, Chr. Wright, Guy Fauks, Gentlemen, and Bates Catesbies Man.

Persons made acquainted with and promoters of it were

• Sr. Everard Digby
• Ambrose Roohwook Esq
• Francis Wesham Esq
• Robert Kegs John Grant Gent.