A true relation of the Popish-plot against King Charles I and the Protestant religion.

The Arch-Bishop of Canterburies Letter to the King, concerning the PLOT; with the King's Directions in the Margin, written with his own hand.

[I beseech your Majesty read these Letters as they are Endorsed by Figures, 1, 2, 3, &c.]

May it please your Majesty,

AS great as the Secret is which comes here∣with, yet I choose rather to send it in this silent covert way, and I hope safe, than to come thither,

Ye had reason so to do,

and bring it my self. First, because I am no way able to make has t enough with it. Secondly, because should I come at this time, and antedate the meeting, Sept. 24. there would be more jealousie of the business, and more enquiry after it: Especially, if I be∣ing once there, should return again before that day, as I must, if this be followed, as is most fit.

The danger it seems is eminent, and laid by God knows whom; but to be executed by them which are very near about you. (For the great honour which I have to be in danger with you, or for you, I pass not, so your Sacred Person, and the State may be safe.)

It is an unanswerable Dilemma.

Now, may it please your Majesty, This information is either true, or there is some mistake in it: If it be true, the Persons which make the Discovery will deserve thanks and reward; if there should be any mi∣stake in it, your Majesty can lose nothing but a little silence.

The business, (if it be) is extream foul. The Discovery thus by God's Providence offered, seems fair. I do hereby humbly beg it upon my knees of your Majesty, that you will conceal this business from every creature, and his name that sends this to me. And I send his Letters to me, to your Majesty, that you may see his sence

both of the business and the Secrecy. And such Instructions as you think fit to give him, I be∣seech you let them be in your own hand for his Warrant, without imparting them to any. And if your Majesty leave it to his descretion to fol∣low it there in the best way he can, that in your own hand will be Instruction and Warrant e∣nough for him. And if you please to return it herewith presently to me, I will send an express away with it presently.

I concur totally with you in opinion, assuring you, that no body doth, or shall know of this business; and to shew my care to conceal it, I re∣ceived this but this

Afternoon, and now I make this dispatch before I sleep. Here∣with I send his War∣rant, as you advise, which indeed I judge to be the better way.

In the mean time, I have by this Express re∣turned him this Answer, That I think he shall do well to hold on the Treaty with these men, with all care and secrecy, and drive on to the Dis∣covery, so soon as the business is ripe for it, that he may assure himself and them, they shall not want reward, if they do the Service. That for my part he shall be sure of Secrecy, and that I am most consident, that your Majesty will not impart it to any. That he have a special eye to the eighth and ninth Proposition.

I like your answer extreme well, and do promise not to deceive your confidence, nor make you break your word.

Sir, for God's sake, and your own safety, Se∣crecy in this Business: And I beseech you, send me back this Letter, and all that comes with it, speedily and secretly, and trust not your own Pockets with them. I shall not eat, nor sleep in quiet, till I receive them. And so soon as I have them again, and your Majesties Warrant to pro∣ceed, no diligence shall be wanting in me to help on the Discovery.

I have sent all back. I think these Apostyles will be warrant e∣nough for you to pro∣ceed, especially, when I expresly command you to do so.

This is the greatest business that ever was put to me. And if I have herein proposed, or done any thing amiss, I most humbly crave your Ma∣jesties pardon. But I am willing to hope I have not herein erred in judgment, and in fidelity I never will.

In this I am as far from condemning your judgement, as suspe∣cting your Fidelity.

These Letters came to me on, Thursday, Sept. 10. at night, and I sent these away according to the date hereof, being extreamly wearied with writing this Letter, copying out those other which come with this, and dispatching my Letters back to him that sent these, all in my own

hand. Once again secrecy for God's sake, and your own. To his most blessed protection I commend your Majesty and all your Affairs: And am,

Your Majesties most humble faithful Servant, W. Cant.

Lambeth, Sept. 11. 1640.

The Arch-Bishop's Postscript.

As I had ended these, whether with the labour or indignation, or both, I fell into an extreme faint Sweat; I pray God keep me from a Feaver, of which three are down in my Family at Croyden.

These Letters came late to me, the express being beaten back by the wind.

Superscrib'd by the Arch-Bishop, For your Sacred Majesty

The Arch-Bishops Indorsement with his own hand.

Received from the King, Sept. 16. 1640.

The King's Answer to the Plot against him, &c.

York, Sept. C. R. 13. 1640.

: By the King, Yours Apostyled.