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CHAP. V. Their frequenting Quakers meetings, with their Apparel.
NOw as what hath already been said and shewen, may be a sufficient mo∣tive to all Princes not to credit these Wolves in Lamb Skins; we will give a word of Caution now to the people by this following relation. There dwelt an English Merchant in Naples, who by reason of his Trade and Traf∣fick often resorted to Rome, where he acquainted himself with a College of Jesuits, whereof the greatest part were English: he had at last so frequent and familiar intimacy, whereof was White-bread, Harcourt, Fenwick, Ireland, Gaven and Turner, with them, that he had the names of above 30 of them: but some few years since, his occasions calling him into England, he past by Rome, and calling there at the College, he enquired for such and such Gentlemen by their Names, it being Answered, That there was not one of them there, he asked what was become of them? they told him that his Holiness had sent them all over into England, to do the work he had set them upon. This Gentleman landed in Exeter, where his occasions lay chiefly, but his business calling him up to London, as he past by the Town of Dorchester, he espyed a great concourse of People, and approaching nearer, he found that they were those people called Quakers, but earnestly looking upon White-bread their Teacher, he knew him again, to be one of those Jesuits with whom he was acquainted at Rome, and calling him by his Name, asked how he did, who replyed, I know thee not, but the Gentleman said to him again, What? do you not know me? I am sure I know you very well. The Jesuit upon this, wished him to stay till he had done, which the Gentleman did; and then they went both into the Merchants Inn, and being in private, White-bread acknowledged he was the same party, and kneeling down at the Gentleman's Feet, asked pardon and begged his life of him; the Merchant answered him, That for his part he would not have a hand in his Blood, but said to him, Go thy wayes, thou art a Villain, and I hope divine Justice will find thee out: but having asked him what was become of the rest of his Society, he told him that part of them were there in the West of England, and the others in the North.
Their habits too are so various that 'tis hard to know them, sometimes ap∣pearing like simple Quakers, sometimes armed like Commanders, and others sometimes like Gallants of the Town, with their Feathers and powdered Per∣ruques, so that disguising themselves into so many shapes, 'its impossible to know them; but if Perruques were once out of Fashion, then should they be deprived of one of their shifts, at least to persons to whom they are well known.