A true narrative of the Popish-plot against King Charles I and the Protestant religion as it was discovered by Andreas ab Habernfeld to Sir William Boswel Ambassador at the Hague, and by him transmitted to Archbishop Laud, who communicated it to the King : the whole discoovery being found amongst the Archbishops papers, when a prisoner in the Tower, by Mr. Prynn (who was ordered to search them by a committee of the then Parliament) on Wednesday, May 31, 1643 : with some historical remarks on the Jesuits, and A vindication of the Protestant dissenters from disloyalty : also, A compleat history of the Papists late Presbyterian plot discovered by Mr. Dangerfield, wherein an account is given of some late transactions of Sir Robert Peyton.

The large particular Discovery of the PLOT and Treason against the King, Kingdom, and Protestant Religion, and to raise the Scotish Wars, written in Latin.

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 and detest those things whereby the hazard of both your lives, the subversion of the Realm and State both of England and Scotland, the tumbling down of his Excellent Majesty from his Throne, is intended. Now lest the discourse should be en∣larged with superfluous circumstances, we will only premise some things which are meerly necessary to the business.

You 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 Barbarini, he was adjoyned to the assistance of Master Cuneus (Con) by whom he was found so diligent and sedulous in his Office, 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 sometime been a most severe defender) having likewise noted the malice of those who fight under the Popish banner, felt his Conscience to be burdened; which burden that he might ease himself 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 in 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 many innocent souls from imminent, danger To whose monitions he willingly consented,

and delivered the following things to be put in writing, out of which the Articles not long since tendered to your Grace, may be clearly explicated 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 Christendom is at this day shaken, do arise from the Jesuitical Off-spring of Cham, of which four Orders abound throughout the World.

Of the first Order are Ecclesiasticks, whose Office it is to take care of things promoting Religion.

Of the second Order are Politicians, whose Office it is by any means to shake, trouble, and reform the state of Kingdoms and Republicks.

Of the third Order are Seculars, whose property it is to obtrude themselves into Offices with Kings and Princes, to insinuate and immix themselves in Court businesses, bargains and sales, and to be busied in civil affairs.

Of the fourth Order are Intelligencers, (or Spies) men of inferiour condition, who submit themselves to the services of great men, Princes, Barons, Noble-men, Citizens, to deceive (or corrupt) the minds of their masters.

2. A Society of so many Orders, the Kingdom of England nourisheth: for scarce all Spain, France, and Italy, can yield so great a multitude of Jesuits, as London alone; where are found more than 50 Scotish 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 against 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 determination 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 College, and Cardinal Barbarini his substitute and Executor.

5. The chief Patron of the society at London, is the Popes Legat, who takes care of the business; into whose bosom, these dregs of Traytors weekly deposite all their Intelligences. Now the residence of this Legation was obtained at London in the name

of the Roman Pontiff, by whose mediation it might be lawful for Cardinal Barbarini 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 Cuneus did at that time enjoy the Office of the Popes Legat, an Universal Instrument of the conjured society, and a serious Promoter of the business, whose secrets, as likewise those of all other Intelligencers, the present good man, the Commu∣nicator of all these things, did revive and expedite whither the business required.

Cuneus set upon the chief men of the Kingdom, and left nothing unattempted, by what means he might corrupt them all, and in∣cline them to the pontifician party: he inticed many with various incitements, 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 familiarity 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 Colen, that the Palatine, in the next Diet to treat of peace, might be inserted into the Conditions; which verily he promised, but performed the con∣trary. He writ indeed, that he had been so desired by the King concerning such things, yet he advised that they should not be consented to, lest peradventure it might be said by the Spaniard, that the Pope of Rome had patronized an heretical Prince.

In the mean time, Cuneus smelling from the Archbishop, most trusty to the King, that the Kings mind was wholly pendulous (or doubtful,) Resolved, That he would move every stone, and apply his forces, that he might gain him to his party: Cer∣tainly confiding, that he had a means prepared. For he had a command to offer a Cardinals 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 insinuate himself into the Lord Archbishop. Free access was to be gained by the Earl and Countess of A — likewise Secretary W — The intercession of all which being neglected, he did flie the company or familiarity of Cuneus, worse than 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 access to the detestable wickedness, Secretary Cook, he was a most bitter hater of the Jesuits, whom he intercepted from acces, to the King, he entertained many (of them) according to their deserts, he diligently enquired into their factions; by which means every incitement, 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 Conspiracy, he was endangered to be discharged from his Office; it was laboured for three years space, and at last obtained.

Yet notwithstanding there remained on the Kings part a knot hard to be untied, for the Lord Arch-Bishop, by his constancy, interposed himself as a most hard rock.

When Cuneus had understood from the Lord Arch-Bishops part, that he had laboured in vain, his malice and the whole Societies waxed boyling hot: soon after ambushes began to be prepared, wherewith the Lord Arch-Bishop together with the King should be taken.

Likewise a sentence is passed against the King (for whose sake all this business is disposed) because nothing is hoped from him which might seem to promote the Popish Religion; but especially when he had opened his mind, that he was of this opinion, That every one might be saved in his own Religion, so as he be an honest and pious man.

8. To perpetrate the Treason undertaken, the criminal Execu∣tion at Westminster, caused by some Writings of Puritans, gave occasion of the first Fire: which thing was so much exasperated and exaggerated by the Papists to the Puritans, that if it remained un∣revenged, it would be thought a blemish to their Religion; The Flames of which Fire, the Scotch Book of Prayers increases, occa∣sioned by it's alterations.

9. In this heat, a certain Scotish Earl, called Maxfield, if I mistake not, was expedited to the Scots by the Popish Party; with whom two other Scotish Earls, Papists, held correspondency: He was to stir up the People to Commotion, and rub over the injury afresh, that he might enflame their minds, precipitate them to Arms, by which the hurtful disturber of the Scotish Liberty might be slain.

10. By this one labour, snares are prepared 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 assistance from the Papists, which yet he should not obtain, unless he would descend unto conditions, by which he should per∣mit Universal liberty of the exercise of the Popish Religion; for so the affairs of the Papists would succeed according to their desire. To which consent, if he should shew himself more difficult, there should be a present remedy at hand. The King is to be dispatched: For an Indian Nut, stuffed with most sharp Poyson, is kept in the So∣ciety (which Cuneus at that time shewed often to me in a boasting manner) wherein a Poyson was prepared for the King; after the Example of his Father.

11. In this Scottish Commotion, the Marquess of Hamilton, often dispatched to the Scots in the Name of the King, to interpose the Royal Authority, whereby the heat of minds might be mittigated, returned notwithstanding as often without fruit, and without ending the Business: His Chaplain at that time repaired to us, who com∣municated some things secretly with Cuneus. Being demanded of me in jest, Whether also the Jews agreed with the Samaritans? Cuneus thereunto answered; Would to God all Ministers were such as he: What you will may be hence conjectured.

12. Things standing thus, there arrived at London from Cardinal Richelieu, Mr. Thomas Chamberlaine, his Chaplain and Almoner, a Scot by Nation, who was to assist the College of the confederate Society, and seriously to set forward 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 according 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 Politici∣ans, a most vigilant man of the chief heads, to whom a Bed was never so dear, that he would rest his head thereon, refreshing 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 and perpetual motion; thrusting himself into all Conversations of Superiours; he urgeth Conferences familiarly, 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 Barbarini. In sum, he adjoins 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, what∣ever he hath fished out, he reduceth into a Catalogue, and every Summer carrieth it to the general Consistory of the Jesuits Politicks, which secretly meets together in the Province of Wales, where he is an acceptable guest. There Counsels are secretly hammered, which are most meet for the Convulsion of the Ecclesiastic, and Po∣litic Estate of both Kingdoms.

14. Captain Read, a Scot, dwelling in Long-acre-street, near the Angel Tavern, a secular Jesuit, who for his detestable office performed (whereby he had perverted a certain Minister of the Church, with secret incitements to the Popisn Religion, with all his Family, taking his Daughter to Wife) for a recompence, obtained a Rent, or Impost upon Butter, which the Country People are bound to render to him, procured for him by some chief men of the Society, who never want a spur, whereby he may be constantly detained in his Office. In his House the business of the whole Plot is concluded, where the Society, which hath conspired against the King, the Lord Arch-Bishop, and both Kingdoms, meet together, for the most part every day: But on the day of the Carriers (or Posts) dispatch, which is or∣dinarily Friday, they meet in greater numbers; for then all the In∣telligencers assemble, and confer in common, what things every of them hath fished out that Week; who, that they may be with∣out suspition, send their secrets by Sir Toby Matthew, or Read him∣self, to the Pope's Legat; he transmits the compacted Packet, which he hath purchased from the Intelligencers, to Rome.

With the same Read, the Letters brought from Rome are deposired, under fained Titles and Names, and 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 also are brought hither un∣der the covert of Father Philip; (he notwithstanding, being igno∣rant of things) from whom they are distributed to the Conspirators.

There is in that very House, a publick Chappel, wherein an or∣dinary Jesuit Consecrates, and dwells there. In the said Chappel Masses are daily celebrated by the Jesuits, and it serves for the Bap∣tizing of the Children of the House, and of some of the Con∣spirators.

Those who assemble in the forenamed House, come frequently in Coaches, or on Horse-back in Lay-mens Habit, 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 Design. Out of whose Treasury, a Widow, owner of the Houses, wherein Secretary W. now dwelleth, dead above three Years since, be∣stowed forty Thousand English Pounds; so likewise others contri∣buted above their abilities, so as the business may be promoted un∣to its desired end.

16. Besides the foresaid Houses, there are Conventicles also kept in other more secret places, of which they dare not confide, even among themselves, for fear lest they should be discovered. 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 surprised at unawares.

17. The Countess of A — a strenuous She-Champion of the Popish Religion, bends all her Nerves to the Universal Reformation; whatsoever she hears at the King's Court, that is done secretly, or openly, in words or deeds, she presently imparts to the Pope's Legat, with whom she meets thrice a day. Sometimes in A — House, now at the Court, then at Tarthal. He scarce sucks such things by the Claw.

The Earl himself, called now about three years since, this year ought to go to Rome, without doubt to consult there of serious things concerning the Design.

At Greenwich, at the Earls cost, a Feminine School is maintained, which otherwise is a Monastery of Nuns; for the young Girls there∣in, are sent forth hither and thither, into Foreign Monasteries beyond the Seas.

Mr. P — of the King's Bed-Chamber, most addicted to the Popish Religion, is a bitter enemy of the King, he reveals all his greatest Secrets to the Pope's Legat; although he very rarely meets with him, yet his Wife meets him so much the oftner, who being informed by her Husband, conveys secrets to the Legat. In all his actions, he is nothing inferiour to Sir Toby Matthew; it cannot be ut∣tered, how diligently he watcheth on the business.

His Sons are secretly instructed in the Popish Religion; openly, they profess the Reformed. The eldest is now to receive his Fathers Office, under the King which shall be. A Cardinal's Hat is provided for the other, if the Design shall succeed well.

Above three Years past, the said Mr. P — was to be sent away by the King to Marocco; but he was prohibited by the Society, lest the business should suffer delay thereby.

He is a Patron of the Jesuits, for whom, for the exercise of Religion, he provides Chappels both at home and abroad.

Secretary W — a most fierce Papist, is the most unfaithful to the King of all men, who not only betrays and reveals even the King's greatest secrets, but likewise communicates Counsels, by which the Design may be best advanced. He, at least thrice every Week, converseth with the Legat in Nocturnal Conventicles, and reveals those things which he thinks fit to be known; for which end, he hired a House near to the Legats House, whom he often resorts to, through the Garden door; for by this vicinity, the meeting is fa∣cilitated.

The said Secretary is bribed with Gifts to the Party of that con∣jured Society, by whom he is sustained, that he may the more seri∣ously execute his Office.

He sent his Son expresly to Rome, who was to insinuate himself into the Roman Pontif.

Sir D — Sir W — Mr. M — the younger, who hath been at Rome; my Lord S — a Cousen of the Earl of A — the Countess of N — the Dutchess of B — and many others, who have sworn into this Conspiracy, are all most vigilant in the Design. Some of these are inticed with the hope of Court, others of Po∣litical Offices; Others attend to the sixteen Cardinals Caps that are vacant, which are therefore detained idle for some years, that they may impose a vain hope on those who expect them.

The President of the aforesaid Society was my Lord Gage, a Jesuit Priest, dead above three years since. He had a Palace ador∣ned with lascivious Pictures, which counterfeited Profaneness in the House, but with them was palliated a Monastery, wherein forty Nuns were maintained, hid in so great a Palace: It is situated in Queen-street, which the Statue of a Golden Queen adorns. The secular Jesuits have bought all this Street, and have design'd it into a Quadrangle, where a Jesuitical College is built in private, with this hope, that it might be openly finished, as soon as the univer∣sal reformation was begun.

The Pope's Legat useth a threefold Character or Cipher; one of which he communicates with all Nuncioes; another, with Car∣dinal Barbarini only; with a third, he covers some greater secrets to be communicated.

Whatsoever things he either receiveth from the Society, or other Spies, those he packs up together in one bundle, dedicated under this Inscription; To Monsieur Stravio, Arch-deacon of Cambray: From whom at last they are promoted to Rome.

These things being thus ordered, if every thing be laid to the Ballance, it will satisfie in special, all the Articles pro∣pounded.

WHEREIN

1. THe Conspiracy against the King and Lord Arch-Bishop is detected, and the means whereby ruin is threatned to both, demonstrated.

2. The eminent dangers of 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 themselves, 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 De∣monstration, sheweth.

6. The place of the Assembly in the House of Captain Read is nominated

7. The day of the eight days dispatch by Read and the Legat 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 things 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 succeed, the Omnipotent Creator grant.

The Arch-Bishops Indorsement with his own hand.

Received, October 14. 1640.

The Narration of the great Treason, concerning which he promised to Sir William Boswell to discover, against the King and State.