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TO THE Reader.
Courteous Reader,
_[...]His is not a new, but an old approv'd Book (by the Authority and
Advice of some pious and learned persons) newly reprinted. So that there
is no need of any commendatory Preface, to court thee into a good opinion
of it, or any Apology for my self and this Edition; its own worth will
justifie the work. It is no lying Legend, no vain Romance, no spurious or
unlicenc'd-seditious Pamphlet, but an Authentique History, of an impious
and prodigious Roman-Catholique Conspiracy, of a Popish Powder-Plot;
containing the Examination, Tryal, and evidently-just Conviction and
Condemnation of Popish Powder-Traytors; a Villany so black and horrid, (I
do not say, unchristian onely, but) so inhumane and barbarous,
as has no Parallel in any Age or Nation, (Iewish, Pagan, or Turkish) nor
indeed could have, before the Invention of Gun-powder, and the Unhappy
Institution of the Jesuitical Society, by (a Fanatical Lame Soldier)
Ignatius Loyola. For before that time, the World had no Instrument or
Means so pernicious as Gunpowder, and congruous for effecting such a
Mischief; nor any Order of Men so Impious, as to Approve, Design, and
Endeavor to execute a Villany, so manifestly repugnant to the Law of
Nature and Scripture, to the undoubted Principles of Human Reason, and
Divine Revelation. I well know, that in these six last Centuries, the Pope
and his Party, have Murder'd many thousand better Christians than
themselves, (whom they are pleased to miscall Heretiques) by Armies
raised, and highly incouraged to execute such Bloudy and Unchristian
Purposes; by their Inquisitions and Premeditated Assassinations; as
by their own Authors may, and evidently does appear. One of them (and he
an Historian of good Antiquity and Credit) tells us, of An INFINITE NUMBER
of Heretiques, (the Innocent Waldenses he means) thus Murder'd. And a
Learned and Pious Person says, (and proves it out of their own Writers)
that in the space of 36 years, (and in France onely) 104747 of the same
Waldenses, were inhumanly Slain, upon the same Account. And in 60 Years,
(as the Account is made, and by the Testimonies of their own Authors
proved) no less than 142990 of the same poor Innocent Christians (and in
the same Country) were (by the Pope and his Party) barbarously Murder'd.
And of later Times, (to omit all others) a prudent and sober Roman
Catholique tells us, First of 4000 Waldenses, and then of 50000
Protestants cruelly slain, in the same Country, by the Authority and
Approbation of the Pope and his Party, Drunk with the Bloud of the Saints.
I confess, That those were impious and prodigious Popish Cruelties; yet
such as were not absolutely and immediately Pernicious, and destructive of
the poor Persecuted Christians. For,
I. When Armies were raised to ruin them, they had some time to Consult
their Security, to Fight, (if they were able) if not, to Fly, and so
preserve their Lives.
II. When they were caught, and call'd into the Inquisition, (and so to a
seeming Legal Tryal) they had some time to make their Defence, at least to
Pray, and make their Peace with Heaven.
III. And the Execution of those Cruelties, was upon particular Persons, in
some Village, City, or Province.
But the Hellish Gun-powder Treason and Conspiracy (we are now speaking of)
contrived by the impious Subtilty of the Jesuits, (and their Associates)
and to be executed by the pernicious violence of Gun-powder, would have
been (had it taken the
design'd effect) a far more Secret and Sudden, a more Universal and
Compendious Villany: All the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, all the Commons
and (horresco referens) the King Himself Blown up, and so Murder'd in a
moment: That is, Not some particular Persons onely, but the whole Kingdom
Assassinated; not in Effigie (as in some Countries, they hang Malefactors
they cannot catch) but in its Real Representatives, the whole Parliament
of England. A Conspiracy so Inhuman and Barbarous, of such Diffusive and
Universal Mischief, as (before that time) never was, nor would nor could
have been Approv'd, Continu'd, and Executed, without Gunpowder and
Jesuits. But for a more full Discovery of this Treason, I refer the Reader
to the Book it self, and our publick Acts of Parliament concerning it.
Yet to give him some further Satisfaction and Reason, for the second
Edition of this Book, let him be pleased to know:
I. That since the Happy Discovery of the late Damnable and Hellish
Conspiracy, (as the Two Houses of Parliament truly call it) many Pious and
Learned Persons, desirous to look back and consider the particulars of the
Gunpowder Plot (both Conspiracies being hatch'd and hammer'd in the same
Popish Forge, by the Jesuits and their Adherents) did diligently seek
after this Book, I now publish; but (above 70 years being passed since the
first Impression) they found it not; and therefore to satisfie their
Desires, and supply that Defect, it was thought convenient, and (as the
condition of the Kingdom now Stands, or Staggers) necessary to Re-print
it.
II. Though the Gun-powder Conspiracy was hatch'd in Hell, and carry'd on
with all the Sworn Secresie, and Impious Policy imaginable; yet (there
being no Policy against Providence, nor any
Mischief so mysterious, as to be hid from that All-seeing Eye of him with
whom we have to do) the most gracious and good God of Heaven and Earth,
opportunely discovered that Traiterous Conspiracy, and (in great Mercy)
prevented the Mischief, intended to his People. This was a Miraculous
Mercy, never to be forgotten, but (with all gratitude) kept in perpetual
Memomory, by our whole Nation. God hath so done his Marvellous Works, THAT
THEY OUGHT to be had in REMEMBRANCE. When God delivered his People out of
Egypt, he Instituted the Passover, as a Memorial, that they and their
Children might for ever Remember it. And when our Blessed Saviour Redeem'd
us from (more than Egyptian Bondage) the Slavery of Sin and Satan; he also
Instituted a Sacrament, to help our Infirmity, and be a Memorial of his
unspeakable Mercy--- DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
All our Gracious God requires, or expects from us, is a Grateful Memory
and Acknowledgement of his Mercies; which is impossible to be done, if we
forget them. Seeing then, that this Book contains an Authentique History
of the great Misery and Mischiefs intended, and by Popish Policy and
Cruelty prepared for this Nation, and the unspeakable Mercy of our most
Gracious God preventing it. It was thought fit to Reprint it, as a
Memorial that Men might Read and Remember these Mercies, and Renew and
Continue their Gratitude for ever for them.
III. Another Reason why this Book was a second time Printed and Published,
was, That all, (who had a Mind and Time to read it, without Partiality and
Prejudice) might have Authentique Evidence to convince our Adversaries:
who not only in remote Countreys beyond the Seas, but here in England,
since His Majesties
Happy Return, (and in Print) do indeavor (with a strange Confidence, to
give it no worse name) to persuade Men to believe, That the Gun-powder
Conspiracy was no Popish Plot, but Cecil's Contrivance. One of their late
Scriblers says indeed, That it was A HORRID PLOT; but adds, That it was
suspected, to BE POLITICKLY CONTRIVED BY CECIL. And then afterwards,
towards the end of that Popish Calender or Almanack, he more confidently
saith, That the Gunpowder Treason, was MORE THEN SUSPECTED, TO BE THE
CONTRIVANCE OF CECIL, the great Polititian, to RENDER CATHOLIQUES ODIOUS.
He confesseth (in both places cited, as well he might) That SOME ROMAN-CATHOLIQUES
were in that Plot. But there were
but FEW DETECTED, and they that were Detected, were DESPERADO'S. So that
he would have us believe, that it was not any Popish, but Cecils, (a
Protestants) Contrivance, and those Popish Desperado's (as he calls them)
who were detected in it, were by Cecil the Politician, drawn into that
Conspiracy, to make Catholiques odious. It is almost impossible, that any
Man who is not resolv'd to believe, (or make others believe) a Lie, should
profess and publish such evident Untruths, in matter of Fact, against the
Sense of a whole Nation, and the publick Acts and Declarations of King,
Lords, and Commons in a full Parliament. But (to me) it is no wonder, that
they, who (for their mis-called Catholique Cause) have confidence enough,
impiously to Design, and (as far as they are able) Execute such Prodigious
Conspiracies, against their King and Country, should have equal Impudence
to deny them, when
(for want of success) they and their Unchristian Cause, are concern'd in
such Denial. And here when this Popish Writer, (who otherwise was a Man of
some Parts and Quality) says, That there were only A FEW Papists DETECTED
in that Popish Powder Plot. I shall desire the Courteous and Impartial
Reader to consider:
1. That they were not so Few, as he pretends; as may evidently appear, by
the following Book, which contains the Discovery, Conviction, and
Condemnation, of those Popish Traitors.
2. And considering, That this impious Conspiracy was Contrived and Carried
on, with so great and sworn Secresie, taking Solemn Oaths, and the
Sacrament upon them (never intended for such impious Purposes) to conceal
that horrid Design, and their Practices in the prosecution of it: the
wonder is not, that no more, but that so many were detected.
3. But admit that a Few only, were Detected here in England, so as to
apprehend, and (as they well deserv'd) execute them for their Treason: yet
'tis certain, that the damnable Powder Conspiracy was well known beyond
Seas, to the Popish Party, (especially the Jesuits) long before the happy
discovery of it: as out of Deltio, and some others of their own Writers
has, and (when there is an opportunity) may be made Manifest.
4. When that Popish Calendar (before cited) tells us, That the Papists in
the Powder Treason and Conspiracy, were DESPERADO'S, of a Religion which
DETESTS such Treasons. And afterwards, That all SOBER CATHOLIQUES utterly
DETEST that, and ALL SUCH ABOMINABLE CONSPIRACIES. To this false Flourish,
I shall only say,
First, That I confess, and easily believe, that those Gunpowder Traitors,
were indeed (what he calls them) DESPERADO'S, desperate Villains, else
they would never have undertaken, or acted in a Design so black, and (as
he truly calls it) Abominable Conspiracy, against their King and Native
Country. And, Secondly, If the Gunpowder Plot, was an Abominable
Conspiracy, and they who acted in it Desperado's, and not Sober
Catholiques, (as that Author pretends, to excuse and free his Church from
the Approbation and Guilt of that Horrid and Damnable Conspiracy) then
certainly those Great and Learned Popish Writers are very much to blame,
who in their Publique (and by their Party generally Approved) Writings, so
highly commend those Gunpowder Traitors (and others of their Faction,
justly Condemn'd and Executed for High Treason) and tell us, That they
lived like SAINTS, and (although Condemned
Traitors) DYED MARTYRS. Father Parsons (a Man of a high esteem at Rome,
and with his whole Society) speaking of Garnet (Provincial of his Order,
and a principal Gunpowder Traitor) says, He was AN INNOCENT MAN, who
SUFFERED INIUSTLY; That he lived A SAINTS LIFE, and accomplished the same,
with AN HAPPY DEATH, dying IN DEFENCE OF IUSTICE: And yet it is evident,
that he died for, and in Defence of that horrid and damnable Gunpowder
Conspiracy. So that (with them) Treason and Innocence, Traytor, and
Martyr, seem to signifie the same thing. Nor is Father Parsons onely of
this Opinion; for Petrus Ribadeneira (in a Book published with Approbation
and Authority) has reckon'd Garnet, Southwell, Oldcorne, &c. (Gunpowder
Traitors) amongst the MARTYRS of the Iesuitical Society. Nor do we envy
them that Honor, but rather wish, that all such Traytors were made such
Martyrs. The same Author (in the same Book and Index) reckons Campian (who
was Justly executed for High Treason) amongst the MOST RENOWNED and FAMOUS
MARTYRS of Christ. And that I may neither trouble the Reader, nor my Self,
with more Testimonies, to prove a Truth notoriously known to all, who know
and impartially read their approv'd Authors; I shall only add, what
Bzovius tells us: who endeavouring (de industriâ, & data Operâ) to Prove
the Popes extravagant Power to Depose Kings, and Absolve their Subjects
from their Oaths of Allegiance and Fidelity; he gives us, a Catalogue of
about Thirty Kings and Princes deposed, or (by solemn Anathema's) Curs'd
and Damn'd by the Popes; and cites about an 100 of their Learned and
Eminent Authors, to prove and justifie it. Having done this,
(speaking of Campian, the Gunpowder Traitors, and the rest of their Popish
Party, justly Executed here in England, for their execrable Treasons and
Conspiracies against their Prince and Country) he further tells us, That
an INNUMERABLE Company of English MARTYRS, following their CAPTAINE Edmund
Campian, taught THE SAME THING. That is, they taught the Popes Vast
Supremacy, and his pretended Power, (for there is no Shadow of Ground or
Good Reason for it) to Damne and Depose Kings, and Absolve their Subjects
from their Fidelity and and Sworn Allegiance; for to that end they are (by
him) produced. The Premises consider'd, I appeal to any Sober and
Unprejudiced Reader, whether such desperate, and (amongst them) approved
and received Principles, will not be a great and prevailing Incouragement
to the Jesuits, and such other Popish Fanatiques,
to design and execute any Plot or Conspiracy, to Kill an Excommunicate
King; whom they believe to be an Heretique, devested of Majesty, and all
Royal Authority, and an Enemy to their Roman-Catholique Cause and Church.
So that if they should miscarry in any such impious Design and Popish
Conspiracy (as hitherto they have, and (by the Blessing of God) I hope
they ever will) yet they know they shall be highly honor'd by all their
Party, and be so far from having the Brand of Traytors (though the World
well knows they deserve it) that they will pass for SAINTS, stand in red
Letters in their Roman Calendar, and be Magnified for Martyrs. This
incouragement they have to any Plot or Conspiracy, (how impious soever) if
it be against Heretiques, and for their Catholique Cause) from their
received Principles, from their belief of the Popes vast Supremacy and
Infallibility, and their
obligation to promote the Catholick Cause. And (on the other side) they
have no less incouragement, to design and execute any Conspiracies against
Protestants; whom they look upon as the worst of Heretiques, Enemies to
God and their Church, to be persecuted (more Romano) with Fire and Sword,
and not worthy to live in the World. For certainly such an opinion (true
or false) may, and will encourage those who believe it, to endeavor the
extirpation and utter ruine of all those; who (in their judgment) are such
impious and prodigious Villains. What opinion the Popish Party (I blame
not all, some I know, and I hope there be more of a better Temper)
generally have of Protestants (Prince and People) here in England; I shall
give you in the Words of a Popish Pamphlet, writ since His Majesties Happy
Return, to poyson the poor deluded People, with an hatred of all
Protestants, and their Religion.
In that Pamphlet, the Author is pleased to say,
1. That the Protestant Religion is a Cheat, Heresie, and HEATHENISME, pag.
3.
2. That the Protestant Bible, is no more the World of God, than the
TURKISH ALCORAN, pag. 4.
3. That the Protestant Bishops, Ministers, &c. are Cheaters, False
Prophets, and PRIESTS of BAAL, ib.
4. That they are ANTICHRISTIAN, Pseudo-Bishops, Sons of Iniquity, and
Fathers of Mischief, ibid. pag. 16.
5. That our Protestant Religion, is RIDICULOUS and IDOLATROUS, pag. 17.
6. That all Protestant Bishops and Ministers, are Priests of Baal,
MINISTERS of SATAN, and ENEMIES OF GOD, and our Souls, pag. 32.
7. And (to make his Roman-Catholique railing complete) he there adds, That
the KING, (whom God preserve) and the PARLIAMENT were SECTARIES and
HERETICKS, ibid. pag. 32.
These are his own words, and the Articles of the Impeachment which that
Popish Author brings against Protestants; and he further tells us, That he
has CLEARLY PROVED several of those Articles in another Book of his own
making, which he there cites. This he says, and possibly believes, though
he have little Reason for it; it being impossible, that he should have any
(much less a clear) Reason, to prove such Positions which are evidently
untrue. And here I shall crave leave to say,
I. That I do not wonder, that he (and other Popish Writers generally)
should speak so blasphemously against the Bible, and bitterly against the
Protestants, seeing it is evident, that there is no
sort of Christians in the World, whose Religion is so consonant to that
Sacred Book, nor any Book so contradictory, and (when it is seriously read
and believed) so destructive of Popery, as the Bible. Whence it is, that
the reading it in any vulgar Tongue, is prohibited to the People. The
Trent Fathers impiously and blasphemously saying, that if the People
should read the Word of God in a known Tongue, (which was writ by the
Inspiration of the Holy Ghost, that Men might read, believe, and be saved
by it) it would be MORE MISCHIEVOUS than BENEFICIAL to them. Nay, 'tis
manifest that (in their opinion) the reading of the Gospel of our Blessed
Saviour Iesus Christ, in a vulgar Tongue, would be more destructive of
their Religion (as indeed it would) for Divine Truth is more destructive
of Error, than one Error is of another) than the reading of the Turkish
Alcoran in the same
Tongue: whence it is, that the Pope lately & publickly damn'd their own
Missall in French, and as publickly allow'd and approv'd the reading of
the Alcoran in the same Language.
2. When he rails at, and reviles the King and Parliament, calling them
Heretiques and Schismatiques; I desire to know, what Law, or Reason, or
Religion, he has to warant such reviling the Supreme (or any inferiour)
Power, or Ruler of the People. His Roman Law and Religion (which allows
the Deposing and Murdering Kings by Poyson, Pistol, War, or Powder Plots)
may be his Warrant; but sure I am, that such reviling of Kings and Ruling
Powers, is wholly condemned by the Laws of England, and the Laws of God
too. To call his King an Heretique (by our Law) is High Treason, or such a
Crime, as brings upon the Criminal an incapacity to have or hold any
Place, Office or Promotion.
Ecclesiastical, Civil, or Military; and besides, renders him obnoxious to
such other punishments, (as by the Common-Law) may be inflicted. And for
the Divine Laws, God (by Moses) commands, Thou shalt not curse the Ruler
of thy People. No not in thy Heart, (says Solomon.) St. Paul cites the
same Mosaical Law (as obligatory, under the Gospel, so that we may be
sure, it is a natural and moral Law) and (in other words) tells us, what
is meant by Cursing in that place, to wit, Blaspheming, or evil Speaking;
for so he renders that place in Exodus. Thou shalt not speak evil of the
Ruler of thy People. St. Peter (though his pretended Vicar does not)
reckons them who speak evil of Dignities, amongst greater Sinners: So does
St. Iude, Vers. 8, 9. and tells us, that Michael the Arch-Angel DURST NOT
bring any RAILING Accusation against THE DEVIL.
But now, not only the Pope, but every little Popish Priest and Scribler,
dare, and do that to Christian Kings, and Protestant Divines, which the
Arch-Angel durst not do to the Devil.
I do not think that any (who have not strong delusion, to believe a Lie)
can possibly believe, that the Protestant Religion is (what they call it)
HERESIE, HEATHENISME, RIDICULOUS and IDOLATROUS. Or that the Protestant
Bishops and Clergy are ANTICHRISTIAN, MINISTERS of SATAN, ENEMIES of GOD,
and PRIESTS of BAAL. Yet I do think, that those who (against the greatest
Evidence of Sense and Reason in the World) can believe
Transubstantiation and Manifest Contradictions; may also (by a strong
Roman-Catholique Faith) believe all the aforesaid Untruths: and by that
(though most erroneous) belief, be encouraged to murder and utterly
destroy all such, who (in their opinion) are Ministers of Satan,
Heretiques, Enemies of God, and PRIESTS of BAAL; as also to believe, that
Action to be Just and Innocent, and (upon their own Belief and Principles)
have a concluding Argument to prove it thus; The Iews, by the approbation
and encouragement of Elijah, justly slew all Baal's Priests in the Old
Testament; and therefore Roman-Catholiques, by the approbation and
encouragement of the Pope, and a General Council, may destroy Baal's
Priests, (for so they call all the Protestant Clergy) in the New. As the
Authority of Elijah (he being a Prophet, and divinely Inspired) did both
encourage and warrant the Iews; so the authority of the Pope and Council
(being, as they pretend, assisted
by the Holy Ghost and Infallible) may, and will encourage, Roman-Catholiques
(who believe the Pope and Council to be so assisted) and be (to them) a
sufficient Warrant to kill and destroy Heretiques, (and all those they
call Enemies of God, and Priests of Baal. For what greater or surer
Warrant can they have, of the lawfulness and justice of such Designs and
Actions, than the Synodical Decree of the Pope and Council, whose
Authority they believe Supreme, and their Judgment infallible? Sure I am,
that they are taught to give an absolute obedience to all such Commands
and Decrees of their Church, without debating or doubting of their Justice
or Legality: they are not to dispute, but readily execute them; and if
they be repugnant (as many times they are) to their private Judgment and
Senses too, yet they must renounce and reject their Reason, and the
evidence of their Senses too, captivate both to the obedience of their
Church, and without all scruple or doubting) do what She decrees. Amongst
the Directions and Rules given them, that
they may believe as the Church believes, these are Two.
I. They are to remove and reject ALL THEIR PROPER IUDGMENT, and ALLWAYS
have a prepar'd and ready mind to OBEY the CHURCH.
II. And that we may be ALTOGETHER unanimous and conformable with the
Catholique Church; if She define any thing TO BE BLACK, which OUR EYES
SEES WHITE, we are in like manner BOUND to acknowledge that 'tis Black.
These Rules (together with every thing contained in the Spiritual
Exercises of Ignatius) are not onely Approved and Received by the Jesuits;
but being referr'd by the Pope to the Cardinal of St. Clements (a Roman
Inquisitor) to the Popes Vicar General, and the Master of the Sacred
Palace, these three greatMen highly approve and commend them; (as the Pope
himself tells us) That they were FULL of PIETY and SANCTITY, and for
EDIFICATION, and SPIRITUAL PROFICIENCY VERY PROFITABLE.
This is much, but not all. The Pope himself, their Supreme, and (if the
Jesuites and Canonists may be credited) infallible Judge, does approve,
commend, and confirm this doctrine, and that of his own certain knowledge;
and earnestly exhorts all Catholiques, of all Sexes, and in all Countries,
that they would use these Documents, and be instructed by them.
Now this erroneous and impious (yet Roman Catholick) Doctrine, (so highly
approved and commended at Rome, even by the Pope himself) being granted;
it is no wonder, if the Jesuits and the Popish Party securely design and
endeavour the extirpation and utter ruine of Protestants, (Kings or
Subjects) and all those they call Hereticks, with Fire or Sword, Poison or
Pistols, Gunpowder Plots, and any Conspiracies. For, although such actions
(to all sober men, even honest Pagans) are, and ever have been justly
accounted prodigious Impieties; yet to the Jesuits and Popish Party they
are not so. For 1. They are so far from believing such actions sinful,
that when they are done out of zeal for their Catholick Cause, and with
the approbation of their Superiors, (which they never want) they are (in
their esteem) virtuous, and (which is more) meritorious, as will appear
hereafter. 2. But if such actions should (to their own private judgments)
appear to be (what indeed they are) impious; yet
they have been taught and learn'd this Lesson, That they must reject all
their own reason (and sense too) and acquiesce in the judgment of their
Superiors; who (when they say, White is Black, and enjoyn Villanies for
Virtues) must be submitted to, and (with a BLIND OBEDIENCE) obey'd, and
persuade themselves, that ALL THINGS ARE IUST and LAWFUL which are
commanded by their Superiors.
I know that the Jesuits, to hide and palliate the error and impiety of
that absolute and impious obedience, which (by their Rules and
Constitutions) is required of their Inferiors: and to make us believe,
that they expect obedience (and their Inferiors bound to give it) onely in
things just and lawful: They do sometimes seem to give a sober Exposition
and qualification of that universal obedience they require of their
Inferiors, thus: Inferiors must obey their Superiors IN ALL THINGS; that
is, In all things in which there is NO MANIFEST SIN.
But these are onely Jesuitical frauds, and miserable shifts and
Fig-leaves, which may for some time, and from some, conceal their sin and
shame, but neither are, nor can be any just Apology to vindicate their
Doctrine of Obedience, and justifie and free it from that impiety
wherewith it stands charged. For,
1. The Inferiors, according to
their Rules and received Constitutions) that his obedience may be perfect,
must renounce and reject all his own reason and sense, so far, that if he
see and know such a thing to be black and impious, yet if his Superior
say, It is white and virtuous, he (in contradiction to his own sense and
reason) must both say and think so too. This is that perfect obedience,
which they commend to, and require of all Inferiors, to be paid to any, to
every Superior; and it must be intirely, perfectly, and readily performed,
without any excuse or murmuring. So that if the thing commanded by the
Superior do appear sinful to the Inferior, yet he must not believe what he
knows, but do what he is commanded by his Superior.
2. Those under command (by the Constitutions of that Society)
must look upon their Superiors, as persons in the place of Christ Iesus;
tanquam CHRISTI VICARIOS, & CHRISTI VICEM GERENTES, Christi partes agentes.
By the way, the Reader may observe, that by this Jesuitical Divinity, or
Polity, (call it what you will, you cannot mis-call it, unless you call it
just and true) every Superior in the whole series of that Society, is the
Vice-gerent and VICAR OF CHRIST, and to be obey'd by his Inferiors, as
well as the Pope himself. How the Pope will like this, I neither know nor
care; but sure I am, that a learned Spaniard, and zealous Papist, has both
said, and (by evident instances) proved, that (to gain the Monarchy of the
World to themselves) the Iesuits are both Innovators in matters of Faith
and Religion, rebellious and perfidious to the Pope as well as Secolar
Kings and Princes.
3. And having declared their Superiors to be Gods Vice-gerents and Vicars
of Christ, they further say, that their Superiors are INTERPRETERS of the
DIVINE WILL, to whose Government they have given up themselves, and to
obey their commands, as if Christ himself had given them; so that the will
and judgment of their Superiors is to be THE RULE of theirs, and to be in
all things obey'd. And this absolute, blind, and impious obedience to
their Superiors, Ignatius, the Founder of that Society, highly approves
and commends to them, telling them, That whether their Superiors be wise
or foolish, honest or impious, yet they are equally to be obey'd, as they
are GOD'S VICE-GERENTS, who is infallibly wise, and will supply their want
of understanding AND HONESTY too. So that (by thi[...]
Divinity) let their Superiors be never so simple, sinful, and impious, yet
their Inferiors may securely obey, and do WHATSOEVER they bid them. And
this he thinks (which no wise man would) he has clearly proved out of
express Scripture, Matth. 23. 2, 3. Our Saviour (saith he) when he had
said, The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses chair; he adds, WHATSOEVER
therefore they say unto you, that observe and do. If the Jesuits say, they
succeed those Jews (the Scribes and Pharisees) in Moses Chair, then they
might (though without all sense and consequence) argue for themselves, as
they usually do for the Pope, jure successionis, thus: The Pope sits in
Peters Chair, therefore he is as infallible as he; and whatsoever he says
must be observed. (Thus Pope Agatho argues, and 'tis by Gratian registred,
and by Pope Gregory the 13th. confirmed for Law.) So they argue for the
Pope; and so with equal reason (yet ridiculously) the Society might argue,
(as Ignatius does, a bold Soldier,
but a very bad Disputer) for themselves, thus--- We succeed the Scribes
and Pharisees, and sit in Moses Chair: Therefore whatsoever we say must be
observ'd. But I suppose they will not say, that they succeed the Scribes
and Pharisees, (whose corrupt Doctrine, and impious Manners, our Blessed
Saviour so often, and so justly condemns, and against whom he pronounces
many sad and deserved woes.) And if they deny (as sure enough they will)
that they succeed those impious and heretical Scribes and Pharisees; then
their Founder's reason is worse, and (if that be possible) more
ridiculous, being onely this---WHATEVER those Iews (Scribes and Pharisees)
said, sitting in Moses Chair, was to be observed: Ergo, WHATEVER those
Christians (the Superiors of the Iesuits) say, who do not sit in Moses
Chair, must be observed; Sed apage nugas, Apinasque tricas. Such stuff as
this, is neither worthy to be proposed, nor seriously
confuted: nor had I troubled the Reader (or my self) with any Answer to
it, had not (in their esteem) so great a Saint and Soldier as Ignatius, so
confidently urg'd it; and lest they might think or say, (as sometimes they
do) That such Arguments, because they were not, could not be answered.
Well; but though Ignatius his Reasons are weak, yet his Faith is strong,
and (without any good reason, or concluding premisses) he firmly believes
his Position, (That his Society must give blind and absolute obedience to
all the commands of their Superiors.) and earnestly presseth all his
Society to believe and practise it. And since his decease, (whether
induc'd thereunto by his Authority, or their own Interest, for they
neither have, nor can have any true Reason for a false Position, I know
not) I say, since his decease, his Society have approved, received, and
industriously vindicated his Doctrine of Obedience. For
(to give you a short sum of what they say.)
1. He and they agree, that Inferiors (to the end they may have that
perfect obedience which they require) must renounce and utterly reject all
their own WILLS, JUDGMENT, and SENSES; so far, that, if their Superiors
say, Snow is black, they must believe, and say it is so too, though their
Senses see it is white.
2. Nay, they must not onely renounce, but (as their Founder Ignatius says)
mortifie, kill, and slay their own Wills and Iudgments, by their
obedience. Per obedientiam voluntates vestras ac judicia MACTATE, &c. So
that Inferiors must PERSUADE themselves, that it is DIVINE PROVIDENCE
which moves and rules them by their SUPERIORS. And therefore they must be
like DEAD CARCASES, or a[...] SLAVES in the hand of their
Superiors, which suffer themselves to be MOVED, HANDLED, and CARRIED
WHITHER, and WHAT WAY THEY PLEASE. The Inferior is not permitted to
consider, examine, or try, whether the commands be just, and (according to
the Will of God) lawful; but they must execute and obey them, and that
INTIRELY, READILY, and BOLDLY.
3. And the commands of their Superiors is to be THE RULE both of their
WILLS and IUDGMENTS; and they are bound to believe, that (whatever the
thing enjoyn'd be) HE COMMANDS WELL, and that all the things enjoyn'd are
IUST and GOOD; and so good, that NOTHING BETTER could be done; nor God
better pleas'd with any thing his own Will or Judgment
could suggest, different from the command of his Superior.
4. And lastly, it is all the reason in the world, that they should give
such absolute obedience to their Superiors, were their Principles true,
(which are indeed evidently erroneous and impious) for they say, (as is
before observ'd and prov'd) that every Superior is a VICE-GERENT, and
VICAR OF CHRIST; that his Inferiors are to look upon him as such, and obey
his commands, as the commands of IESUS CHRIST.
The premisses considered, I think we have very much (too much) reason to
believe, that while there are Jesuits in England, Superiors (such as the
Pope, their General, Provincial, &c.) to command, and Inferiors to obey,
it is impossible our Gracious King, or his Protestant Subjects should be
safe, unless they repent, and renounce their impious Principles, and
bloody Practises, (which is impossible, whilst they believe those true,
and these just) or the good God of Heaven and Earth do (as hitherto
in great mercy he has) by a powerful Providence discover and defeat their
Conspiracies. For as it is notoriously known to this, and other Nations;
that during the times of Queen Elizabeth, King Iames, Charles the Martyr,
and our Gracious Soveraign now happily restored, they have impiously
designed and indeavoured, by open War, by Poison and Pistol, Gun-powder
Plots, and horrid Conspiracies, to destroy our Princes and our Religion;
So we have little reason to doubt, but while there are such Persons,
possess'd with a belief of such principles, they will continue to Design,
and (when they have ability and opportunity) execute such damnable, and
(to Protestant Princes and People) destructive Conspiracies. I would not
wrong the meanest Jesuit (were it in danger) to save my life; nor will I
conceal their principles (dangerous to our Countrey and Religion) though
(what I do not fear) I lose it. For this were basely to betray my Religion
and my Countrey too; things which are, and (to all good men) ever should
(and will) be more valuable than a thousand
Lives. Give me leave therefore (courteous Reader) to add, not what I, but
what the Jesuits say of themselves and Society. And here,
1. Father Campian (who though hang'd at Tyburn for High Treason, yet at
Rome is reputed a famous Martyr) tells us,--- That ALL THE IESUITS in the
world have long since entred into Covenant, ANY WAY TO DESTROY all
Heretical KINGS; nor do they despair of doing it effectually, so long as
any one Iesuit remains in the world.
And Father Creswel (if Hospinian cite him right, for in this place and
time I have not the Book about me) in his Philopater, tells us, That ALL
CATHOLICKS are to be so instructed, that when they have an opportunity to
kill Hereticks, they should not suffer any impediment to hinder them. So
that if you say, In
facinus jurasse putes; That the Jesuits are entred into a Covenant to kill
and destroy all Heretical Kings, you wrong them not, for you say no more
than they themselves in print and publickly confess.
2. And this we may the rather believe, because (according to their belief
and principles) if they do this, if they murder a thousand Hereticks,
(Kings or Subjects) it is no mortal sin in them. For they say, (and by
that motive seduce many young Novices into their Society) that they cannot
commit any mortal sin: For Ignatius their Founder, by his Prayers obtain'd
that priviledge for them, that for an 100 years (beginning from the
confirmation of his Order) none of his Society should commit any mortal
sin; and their great Saint Xaverius procured the continuance of that
priviledg for 200 years longer. So that (by this account) since the year
of our Lord 1540. (when the Jesuits Order was confirm'd) to the year 1840.
the Jesuits neither have, nor can commit any mortal sin, if it be true
that they have such a priviledg, which they publickly affirm, not onely to
the common people, but to Cardinal Francisco Borromoeo, as a Learned
Author tells me, and he no Hugonot or Lutheran, but a zealous Spanish and
Romish Catholick. How great encouragement this may give them to kill all
Hereticks, (it being so much for the Catholick cause, and their temporal
interest, and no morta[...] sin) it will highly concern all Protestant
Princes, and their good Subjects, seriously and timely to consider.
3. But as for this priviledg from all mortal sin, which Cardinal
Borromoeus did not, nor is it possible any (who has not strong delusion to
believe a lie) should believe; yet to the Jesuits, who do believe it, and
teach
their Inferiors (who are bound to obey them) to do so too; it must of
necessity be a great encouragement of them to commit any crime, how great
soever, seeing that by that priviledge (let them do or say what they will)
they are secured from any Mortal sin; and for their Venial sins, (if there
were any such) they may put them into Purgatory, but (if their own
approved Principles be true) they cannot hinder them from Heaven and
Eternal Happiness. But let this be as it will, there is another thing,
which may give all Protestants just cause to fear, that the Jesuits will
be very ready to design, and (when and where they are able) execute any
villany, by Poison, Pistol, Gun- powder Plot, or any traiterous and black
Conspiracy, for the destroying and extirpation of all Hereticks,
(especially Protestants) and that thing is, the exceeding corruption of
their Manners, and Personal impieties. For the worst of men will be most
willing (without fear or reluctancy) to commit the greatest wickedness.
Now as for the Personal
wickedness and impieties of the Jesuits; I neither do, nor can say any
thing upon my own knowledge, (being not at all acquainted with their
conversation) but I shall produce such Witnesses, as are without
exception, and may challenge and deserve credit; I mean, all the
Universities of Spain, (Venerable Corporations and Bodies of Men, and they
not Hereticks, but learned and zealous Roman Catholicks) who in a Book (or
Remonstrance against the Jesuits) printed and given to the King of Spain,
give this Character of the Jesuits--- That they are men notoriously
covetous, insatiable, COZENERS, Thieves, and stealers of the Kings
Revenue, arrogant, ambitious, flatterers of Princes, Courtiers, every
where intangling themselves in secular businesses, fraudulent, liars,
corrupters of truth, defamers of vertue, enemies of a Religious life,
lovers of pleasure, impostors
under a veil of piety, Woolves in Sheeps clothing, lovers of novelties,
contemners of the holy Doctors, partners with Calvin and Luther, and
suspected of Heresie, troublers of the publick peace, men of Diabolical
industry, Serpents, and very Cacodoemons or evil Spirits, of whom all
should be aware and fly from them.
This Character of the Jesuits is none of mine, it is a Spanish History,
not my calumny of them. I do, and shall pray for them, that if they be
guilty of all, or some of this, (as I fear they are) God Almighty would be
graciously pleased to give them true penitence and pardon too. What Answer
they have given (or can give) to this accusation (which has been publick,
and in print above 40 years) I know not, I have not yet heard of any. In
the mean time, I shall desire the Reader to consider the quality of the
Witnesses, who charge them with so many and enormous crimes. 1. They are
no Protestants, (or any they do or dare call Hereticks) but Papists. 2.
Nor they simple Persons, but Corporations, and Bodies of men.
3. Nor they Townsmen, and meer Laicks, so that it might be thought, they
did it out of hatred or envy; according to the Gloss in their Canon Law,
Laici sunt Clericis oppidò infesti; but they are great and learned Bodies
of men, Universities. 4. Nor some few of them, but many; All the
Universities of a great Kingdom. 5. And that a most Catholick Kingdom,
very zealous for the Pope and Popery, to wit, Spain. 6. Nor is it any
private Testimony, given in some particular Court, but publick, exhibited
to their King in print, and so to the World. 7. Lastly, they witness
against persons they had great reason and opportunities to know, living
amongst them, and having continual conversation with them, and so must
needs be Testes idonei, most competent Witnesses against them. And
therefore Protestants have very great reason and evidence to believe, that
the Jesuits are such persons, as their own Party, by such Authentick
Testimonies, prove them to be.
The premisses considered, that is, the Principles, the Persons, and
Encouragements
the Jesuits have to seek the ruine and destruction of all Protestants,
(Princes and People) the advice of the Universities of Spain will (to all
prudent men) seem very reasonable, That persons of such Principles (Ab
omnibus sunt cavendi, & fugiendi, (I may add) fugandique) should be with
all care and caution avoided, and banish'd out of all Protestant Countreys;
it being morally impossible (as sad experience shews) they should enjoy
peace and safety long, where such restless Spirits (encouraged and
resolved to endeavour their ruine) do remain.
But besides these (peculiar to the Jesuits) there are more and greater
encouragements (common to them and all the Popish Party) to design and
endeavour the extirpation of all Hereticks (especially Protestants, who,
in their account, (and truth) are most dangerous to their erroneous and
superstitious Novelties) and the ruine of the Protestant Religion. For
Pope Innocent the Third, (and his General Council) promised those Soldiers
(Cruce signati, or Crusado's, as they
call'd them) who having assum'd the Character of the Cross, were arm'd for
the extirpation and destruction of Hereticks, with fire and sword, the
same priviledges they had, who went to fight against the Turks and
Sarazens, to recover the Holy Land. Now the Priviledges granted to those
Soldiers sent against the Turks, (to omit several Temporal advantages
granted them for that service) were especially and principally two.
1. The Pope and General Council grants them a plenary Indulgence, and
Pardon of all their sins. This they have here, while they liv'd.
2. They promise those Soldiers, not onely Heaven, and Glory in it, but a
greater degree and measure of it hereafter.
And here I shall desire the Courteous Reader to consider, 1. The
excellency of the Reward, Grace here, and Glory hereafter. 2. Who it is
that promises all this; the Pope, and a great, and (by them) approved
General Council. 3. The assurance and certainty they may have of enjoying
what's promised, arising from the Authority and Infallibility of the Pope
and Council, who make the Promise; whose Authority and Judgment is, and to
all Papists, (unless they will deny their received Principles) Supreme and
Infallible. 4. And seeing so glorious a reward is (by such Authority)
promis'd for murdering Hereticks, they may be assured, that the doing it
is (at least) innocent and lawful; unless they will confess (which would
overthrow the foundation of their Religion) that the Pope and General
Council may be guilty of so great an error and impiety, as to promise
Heaven for impious and unlawful actions, which neither do nor can deserve
any thing but Hell and Damnation. 5. Many things may be, and are lawful,
which are not necessary, nor (in some times and circumstances)
expedient. But this destroying Hereticks with Fire and Sword, (according
to the Popish Principles) is not onely lawful, but a necessary duty,
(which upon pain of Excommunication and a Curse) they are bound to do. For
(by the Decree of Pope Innocent and his General Council) all Secular
Supreme Powers are to be COMPELL'D to take an Oath PUBLICKLY to extirpate
all Hereticks; and not onely Supreme Powers, but all Inferior Powers and
Governours, Ecclesiastical and Civil, are to take such Oath. So that
(being bound both by the Decree of the Council, and a Sacred Oath to do
it) it must of necessity be a Duty, which they are bound to do; that is,
to destroy all Hereticks: and that so necessary a duty, that if Kings were
but NEGLIGENT, and did not presently do it, they were to be
Excommunicated; and if they did not give satisfaction within
a year, it was to be signified to the Pope, that he might presently depose
them, and absolve their Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance, and give
away their Kingdoms to Catholicks, who would be bloody, obey the Pope, and
destroy Hereticks.
By the premisses it does (to me, and will, I believe, to many more) seem
evident, that the murdering Heretical, Protestant (for at Rome they are
believ'd and declar'd Hereticks) Excommunicated Kings and Subjects, is not
onely, 1. A lawful Action; but 2. in the judgment of the Church of Rome, a
necessary duty, (at least in sometimes and cases) though to all other
sober Christians a damnable sin: And 3. such a meritorious duty, as shall
have remission of sins here, and a higher degree of Glory hereafter: 4.
And the doers of it shall (in their Popish Calendars and Martyrologies) be
render'd to posterity, not for (what indeed they are) impious Murderers,
but glorious Martyrs. Now how great encouragement such impious Principles
and Promises may give those, who have faith enough to believe them,
to contrive and attempt any villany, for the Catholick Cause, and utter
extirpation of all Protestants, (whether Princes or People) times past
are, and (unless the gracious and powerful Providence of Heaven prevent
it) future times may be sad witnesses. Certainly, traiterous and horrid
Gun-powder Conspiracies, murdering innocent Christians, (even Kings and
Princes) causâ indictâ & inauditâ, neither is, nor can be a just means to
obtain Indulgences, Remission of sins, and the Crown of Martyrdom.
Traitors may be Murderers, but surely no Martyrs: such villanies (however
approv'd, and highly rewarded by the Pope and his Party) may be a Roman,
but no Christian way to Heaven. However, all those unhappily deluded
Souls, who believe (as all the through-pac'd Papists do and must) the Pope
and Councils Infallibility, and power to make good their promises, will
(as hitherto they have) be willing to design and endeavour the destruction
of all Hereticks, (all Protestants to be sure, whether Kings or Subjects)
either by raising Armies, open War and Rebellion, (when they have ability)
or by Assassinations, by Pistol or Poison, or Gun-powder Conspiracies,
when they have it not, (as I pray, and hope, they never will) I trust,
that the infinitely wise and powerful Providence of God, which (for the
time past) has graciously preserved our Princes and Religion, and
discovered and defeated all the black and impious Conspiracies of their
Popish Enemies, will (for the future, if our ingratitude and impenitence
do not hinder it) continue that preservation, to the comfort of his
Church, and confusion of her Enemies: Former favours thankfully received
from God, being sure pledges and assurances of future.
To conclude; When the impious designs of Rome (which had been working ever
since the Reformation) did not prosper; when they could not (though
cunningly and constantly endeavour'd) either by Poison, Pistol, or open
War, take away Queen Elizabeth, to bring in Mary Queen of Scotland; when
they saw King Iames
in quiet possession of the Imperial Crown of England, and saw his Learning
and Love to the truly Catholick and Apostolick Faith of the Church of
England, to be such, that they despaired (as well they might) ever to be
able to seduce him into a belief of their new Trent Creed, and Popish
Superstitions: they had no more patience, (loesa patientia fit furor) but
resolv'd (by a new and unheard of Villany, a Gun-powder Conspiracy) to
take away and murder him, that seeing he would not be for their Religion,
he should not be able to be against it. But that which increased the
despair of the Jesuits, and the Popish party, and their rage and fury
against that good King, (their lawful Sovereign) was a solemn and pious
Protestation, made by the King, before the Lords of his Court, and by them
publickly declard to all the Judges, the Lord Chancellor of England, the
Bishops and Great Officers of State, in the Star-chamber. By which they
plainly perceived, that as their Religion was never like to have the
King's
personal approbation, so he would never grant any TOLERATION of it to any
others. That Protestation of that learned & wise King, because it is
worthy of perpetual memory, (though now almost forgot) and the knowledge
of this present Age, and all Posterity, I shall here faithfully set down,
as I find it in our Authentick Records. The occasion of that Protestation
was this, Some of the discontented Puritan party had set a foot a
scandalous report of the King, THAT HE MEANT TO GRANT A TOLERATION TO
POPERY. This highly offended his Majesty, and, in contradiction to it, and
confutation of it, he publickly made this solemn Protestation, THAT HE
NEVER INTENDED TO GIVE ANY TOLERATION TO POPERY; AND THAT HE WOULD SPEND
THE LAST DROP OF BLOOD IN HIS BODY, BEFORE HE WOULD DO IT, &c. That God
Almighty would be graciously pleased to preserve and bless His Sacred
Majesty, and the whole Royal Family; and
discover, and (by his powerful Providence) defeat all the impious
Conspiracies of their Enemies, that they may enjoy health and peace here,
and Heaven hereafter; This is, and, (as in Duty and Loyalty I stand bound)
while I live, ever shall be, the constant prayer of,
(Courteous Reader) Thy faithful Friend and Servant, T. L.
London, Cal. Febr. M. DC. LXXVIII.
To return to the top click here
King IAMES HIS SPEECH To Both Houses of Parliament, On occasion of the
GUNPOWDER-TREASON: With a Discourse of the manner of its Discovery, and a
perfect Relation of the whole Proceedings against those horrid
Conspirators.
LONDON, Re-printed by His Majesties Printers.
M. DC. LXXIX.
White-hall, Decemb. 12. 1678.
By License from the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry, this Book,
containing King James his Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on occasion
of the Gun-powder Treason; with a Discourse of the manner of its
Discovery, and a perfect Relation of the whole Proceedings against those
horrid Conspirators: May be Reprinted.
IO. COOKE.
A SPEECH Made by King JAMES to both Houses of Parliament, upon occasion of
the discovery of the Gunpowder PLOT; designed to be executed on the 5 Nov.
1605.
MY Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and you the Knights and Burgesses of this
Parliament; It was far from my thoughts, till very lately, before my
coming to this place, that this Subject should have been ministred unto
me, whereupon I am now to speak. But now it so falleth out, That whereas
in the preceding Session of this Parliament, the principal occasion of my
Speech was, to thank and congratulate all you of this House, and in you,
all the whole Common-wealth (as being the representative Body of the
State)
for your so willing, and loving receiving, and embracing of me in that
place, which God and Nature by descent of Bloud, had in his own time
provided for me: So now my subject is, to speak of a far greater
Thanksgiving than before I gave to you, being to a far greater person,
which is to GOD, for the great and miraculous Delivery he hath at this
time granted to me, and to you all, and consequently to the whole Body of
this Estate,
I must therefore begin with this old and most approved Sentence of
Divinity, Misericordia Dei supra omnia opera ejus. For Almighty GOD did
not furnish so great matter to his Glory, by the Creation of this great
World, as he did by the Redemption of the same. Neither did his Generation
of the little World, in our old and first ADAM, so much set forth the
praises of GOD in his Justice and Mercy, as did our Regeneration in the
last and second ADAM.
And now I must crave a little pardon of you, That since Kings are in the
word of GOD it self called Gods, as being his Lieutenants and Vicegerents
on earth, and so adorned and furnished with some sparkles of the Divinity;
to compare some of the Works of GOD the Great King, towards the whole and
general World, to some of his Works towards Me, and this little world of
my Dominions, compassed and severed by the Sea from the rest of the Earth.
For as GOD for the just punishment of the first great Sinner in the
original world, when the Sons of GOD
went in to the Daughters of Men, and the cup of their iniquities of all
sorts was filled, and heaped up to the full, did by a general deluge and
overflowing of waters, baptize the World to a general destruction, and not
to general purgation (only excepted Noah and his family, who did repent
and believe the threatenings of God's judgement:) So now, when the World
shall wax old as a Garment, and that all the impieties and sins that can
be devised against both the first and second Table, have, and shall be
committed to the full measure; GOD is to punish the World the second time
by Fire, to the general destruction and not purgation thereof. Although as
it was done in the former to Noah and his Family by the waters; So shall
all we that believe be likewise purged, and not destroyed by the Fire. In
the like sort, I say, I may justly compare these two great and fearful
Dooms-days, wherewith GOD threatened to destroy me, and all you of this
little World that have interest in me. For although I confess, as all
mankind, so chiefly Kings, , as being in the higher places like the high
Trees, or stayest Mountains, and steepest Rocks, are most subject to the
daily tempests of innumerable dangers; and I amongst all other Kings, have
ever been subject unto them, not only ever since my birth, but even as I
may justly say, before my birth, and while I was yet in my Mothers belly:
yet have I been exposed to two more special and greater dangers than all
the rest.
The first of them, in the Kingdom where I was born, and passed the first
part of my life: And the last of them here, which is the greatest. In the
former, I should have been baptized in bloud, and in my destruction, not
only the Kingdom, wherein I then was, but ye also by your future interest,
should have tasted of my ruine. Yet it pleased GOD to deliver me, as it
were, from the very brink of death, from the point of the dagger, and so
to purge me by my thankful acknowledgement of so great a benefit. But in
this which did so lately fall out, and which was a destruction prepared
not for me alone, but for you all that are here present, and wherein no
rank, age, or sex should have been spared; This was not a crying sin of
bloud as the former, but it may well be called a roaring, nay, a
thundering sin of Fire and Brimstone, from the which, God hath so
miraculously delivered us all. What I can speak of this, I know not: Nay
rather, what can I not speak of it? And therefore I must for horror say
with the Poet. Vox faucibus haeret.
In this great and horrible attempt, whereof the like was never either
heard or read, I observe three wonderful, or rather miraculous events.
First, in the cruelty of the Plot it self, wherein cannot be enough
admired the horrible and fearful cruelty of their Device, which was not
only for the destruction of my Person, nor of my Wife and Posterity only,
but of the whole Body of the State in general;
wherein should neither have been spared, or distinction made of young nor
of old, of great nor of small, of man nor of woman: The whole Nobility,
the whole Reverend Clergy, Bishops, and most part of the good Preachers,
the most part of the Knights and Gentry; yea, and if that any in this
Society were favourers of their Profession, they should all have gone one
way: The whole Judges of the Land, with the most of the Lawyers and the
whole Clerks: And as the wretch himself that is in the Tower, doth
confess, it was purposely devised by them, and concluded to be done in
this house; That where the cruel Laws (as they say) were made against
their Religion, both place and persons should all be destroyed and blown
up at once. And then consider therewithal the cruel form of that practice:
for by three different sorts in general may mankind be put to death.
The First, by other men, and reasonable creatures, which is least cruel:
for then both defence of men against men may be expected, and likewise who
knoweth what pity GOD may stirr up in the hearts of the Actors at the very
instant? besides the many ways and means, whereby men may escape in such a
present fury.
And the Second way more cruel than that, is by Animal and unreasonable
creatures: for as they have less pity then men, so is it a greater horror,
and more unnatural for men to deal with them: But yet with them both
resistance may avail, and also some pity may
be had, as was in the Lyons, in whose Den Daxiel was thrown; or that
thankful Lyon, that had the Roman slave in his mercy.
But the Third, which is most cruel and unmerciful of all, is the
destruction by insensible and inanimate things; and amongst them all, the
most cruel are the two Elements of Water and Fire; and of those two the
Fire most raging and merciless.
Secondly, How wonderful it is when you shall think upon the small, or
rather no ground, whereupon the Practisers were enticed to invent this
Tragedy. For if these Conspirators had only been bankrupt persons, or
discontented upon occasion of any disgraces done unto them; this might
have seemed to have been but a work of revenge. But for my own part, as I
scarcely ever knew any of them, So cannot they alledge so much as a
pretended cause of grief: And the wretch himself in hands doth confess,
That there was no cause moving him or them, but meerly, and only Religion.
And specially, that Christian men, at least so called, Englishmen, born
within the Countrey, and one of the specials of them, my sworn Servant, in
an Honorable place, should Practise the destruction of their King, his
Posterity, their Countrey and all: wherein their following obstinacy is so
joyned to their former malice, as the fellow himself that is in hand,
cannot be moved to discover any signes or notes of repentance, except
only, that he doth not yet stand to avow, that he repents for not being
able to perform his intent.
Thirdly, The discovery hereof is not a little wonderful, which would be
thought the more miraculous by you all, if you were as well acquainted
with my natural disposition, as those are who be near about me. For as I
ever did hold suspition to be the sickness of a Tyrant, so was I so far
upon the other extremity, as I rather contemned all advertisements, or
apprehensions of practises. And yet now at this time was I so far contrary
to my self, as when the Letter was shewed to me by my Secretary, wherein a
general obscure adverisement was given of some dangerous blow at this
time, I did upon the instant interpret and apprehend some dark phrases
therein, contrary to the ordinary Grammer construction of them, (and in
another sort then I am sure any Divine, or Lawyer in any University would
have taken them) to be meant by this horrible form of blowing us up all by
Powder; and thereupon ordered, that search to be made, whereby the matter
was discovered, and the man apprehended: whereas if I had apprehended or
interpreted it to any other sort of danger, no worldly provision or
prevention could have made us escape our utter destruction
And in that also, was there a wonderful providence of God, that when the
party himself was taken, he was but new come out of his house from
working, having his Firework for kindling ready in his pocket, wherewith
as he confesseth, if he had been taken but immediately before, when he was
in the
House, he was resolved to have blown up himself with his Takers.
One thing for my own part have I cause to thank GOD in, That if GOD for
our sins had suffered their wicked intents to have prevailed, it should
never have been spoken nor written in ages succeeding, that I had died
ingloriously in an Ale-house, a Stews, or such vile place, but mine end
should have been with the most Honourable and best company, and in that
most Honourable and fittest place for a King to be in, for doing the turns
most proper to his Office; And the more have We all cause to thank and
magnifie GOD for this his merciful Delivery. And specially I for my part,
that he hath given me yet once leave, whatsoever should come of me
hereafter, to assemble you in this Honourable place; And here in this
place, where our general destruction should have been, to magnifie and
praise him for Our general delivery; That I may justly now say of mine
enemies and yours, as David doth often say in the Psalm, Inciderunt in
foveam, quam fecerunt. And since Scipio an Ethnick, led only by the light
of Nature, That day when he was accused by the Tribunes of the people of
Rome, for mispending and wasting in his Punick wars the Cities Treasure,
even upon the sudden brake out with that diversion of them from that
matter, calling them to remembrance how that day, was the day of the year,
wherein GOD hath given them so great a victory
against Hannibal, and therefore it was fitter for them all, leaving other
matters, to run to the Temple to praise GOD for that so great delivery,
which the people did all follow with one applause: How much more cause
have we that are Christians to bestow this time in this place for
Thansgiving to GOD for his great Mercy, tho we had had no other errand of
assembling here at this time; wherein if I have spoken more like a Divine,
than would seem to belong to this place, the matter it self must plead for
mine excuse: for being here come to thank God for a Divine work of his
Mercy, how can I speak of this deliverance of us from so hellish a
practise, so well, as in language of Divinity, which is the direct
opposite to so damnable an intention? And therefore may I justly end this
purpose, as I did begin it with this Sentence, The mercy of God is above
all his works.
It resteth now, that I should shortly inform you what is to be done
hereafter upon the occasion of this horrible and strange accident. As for
your part that are my faithful and loving Subjects of all degrees, I know
that your hearts are so burnt up with zeal in this errand, and your
tongues so ready to utter your dutiful affections, and your hands and feet
so bent to concurr in the execution thereof, (for which as I need not to
spurr you, so can I not but praise you for the same:) As it may very well
be possible, that the zeal of your hearts shall make some of you in your
speeches, rashly to blame such as may be innocent of this attempt;
But upon the other part I wish you to consider, That I would be sorry that
any being innocent of this practise, either domestical or forrain, should
receive blame or harm, for the same. For although it cannot be denied,
That it was the only blind superstition of their errors in Religion, that
led them to this desperate device; yet doth it not follow, That all
professing that Romish Religion were guilty of the same. For as it is
true, That no other sect of Heretiques, not excepting Turk Iew, nor Pagan,
no not even those of Calicute who adore the Devil, did ever maintain by
the grounds of their Religion, That it was lawful, or rather meritorious
(as the Romish Catholicks call it) to murther Princes or people for
quarrel of Religion. And although particular men of all professions of
Religion have been some Thieves, some Murtherers, some Traitors, yet ever
when they came to their end and just punishment, they confessed their
fault to be in their nature, and not in their profession, (These Romish
Catholicks only excepted:) Yet it is true on the other side, That many
honest men blinded peradventure with some opinions of Popery, as if they
be not found in the questions of the Real presence, or in the number of
the Sacraments, or some such School-question: yet do they either not know,
or at least, not believe all the true grounds of Popery, which is indeed,
The mistery of iniquity. And therefore do we justly confess, that many
Papists, especially our fore-fathers, laying their only trust upon
Christ and his Merits at their last breath, may be, and oftentimes are
saved; detesting in that point, and thinking the cruelty of Puritans
worthy of Fire, that will admit no salvation to any Papist. I therefore
thus do conclude this point, That as upon the one part many honest men,
seduced with some errors of Popery, may yet remain good and faithful
Subjects: So upon the other part, none of those that truly know and [...]elieve
the whole grounds, and School-conclusions of their Doctrine, can ever
prove either good Christians, or faithful Subjects. And for the part of
forrain Princes and States, I may so much the more acquite them, and their
Ministers, of their knowledge and consent to any such villany, as I may
justly say, that in that point I better know all Christian Kings by my
self, that no King nor Prince of Honor will ever abase himself so much, as
to think a good thought of so base and dishonourable a Treachery: wishing
you therefore, that as GOD hath given me an happy peace and amity, with
all other Christian Princes my neighbors (as was even now very gravely
told you by my L. Chancellor) that so you will reverently judge and speak
of them in this case. And for my part I would wish with those antient
Philosophers, that there were a Christal window in my breast, wherein all
my people might see the secretest thoughts of my heart, for then might you
all see no alteration in my mind for this accident, further than in those
two points. The first, caution and wariness in government:
to discover and search out the mysteries of this wickedness as far as may
be: The other, after due trial, Severity of punishment upon those that
shall be found guilty of so detestable and unheard of villany. And now in
this matter, if I have troubled your ears with an abrupt Speech,
undisgested in any good method or order; you have to consider that an
abrupt, and unadvised Speech doth best become in the rela[...]on of so
abrupt and unorderly an accident.
And although I have ordained the Proroguing of this Parliament until after
Christmass upon two necessary respects: whereof the first is, that neither
I nor my Council can have leasure at this time both to take order for the
apprehension and trial of these Conspirators, and also to wait upon the
daily affairs of the Parliament, as the Council must do. And the other
reason is, the necessity at this time of divers of your presences in your
Shires that have Charges and Commandements there. For as these wretches
thought to have blown up in a manner the whole world of this Island, every
man being now come up here, either for publick causes of Parliament, or
else for their own private causes in Law, or otherwise: So these Rebels
that now wander through the Countrey, could never have gotten so fit a
time of safety in their passage, or whatsoever unlawful Actions, as now
when the countrey by the foresaid occasions is in a manner left desolate,
and waste unto them. Besides that, It may be that I shall desire
you at your next Session, to take upon you the Judgment of this Crime: for
as so extraordinary a Fact deserves extraordinary Judgment, So can there
not I think (following even their own Rule) be a fitter Judgement for
them, then that they should be measured with the same measure wherewith
they thought to measure us: and that the same place and persons, whom they
thought to destroy, should be the just avengers of their so unnatural a
Parricide: Yet not knowing that I will have occasion to meet with you my
self in this place at the beginning of the next Session of this Parliament
(because if it had not been for delivering of the Articles agreed upon by
the Commissioners of the Union, which was thought most convenient to be
done in my presence, where both Head and Members of the Parliament were
met together, my presence had not otherwise been requisite here at this
time:) I have therefore thought good for conclusion of this Meeting, to
discourse to you somewhat anent the true nature and definition of a
Parliament, which I will remit to your memories, till your next sitting
down; that you may then make use of it as occasion shall be ministred.
For albeit it be true, that at the first Session of my first Parliament,
which was not long after mine Entry into this Kingdome, It could not
become me to informe you of any thing belonging to Law or State here: (for
all knowledge must either be infufed, or acquired, and seeing the former
sort thereof is now
with Prophesie, ceased in the World, it could not be possible for me, at
my first Entry here, before Experience had taught it me, to be able to
understand the particular Mysteries of this State:) yet now that I have
reigned almost three years amongst you, and have been careful to observe
those things that belong to the Office of a King, albeit that Time be but
a short time for experience in others, yet in a King may it be thought a
reasonable long time, especially in me, who, although I be but in a manner
a new King here, yet have been long acquainted with the office of a King
in such another Kingdom, as doth nearest of all others agree with the
Lawes and Customes of this State. Remitting to your consideration to judge
of that which hath been concluded by the Commissioners of the Union,
wherein I am at this time to signifie unto you, That as I can bear witness
to the foresaid Commissioners, that they have not agreed nor concluded
therein any thing, wherein they have not foreseen as well the Weale and
Commodity of the one Countrey, as of the other; So can they all bear me
record, that I was so far from pressing them to agree to any thing, which
might bring with it any prejudice to this People; as by the contrary I did
ever admonish them, never to conclude upon any such Union, as might carry
hurt or grudge with it to either of the said Nations: for the leaving of
any such thing, could not but be the greatest hinderance that might be to
such an Action, which GOD by the Laws of
ture had provided to be in his own time, and hath now in effect perfected
in my Person; to which purpose my Lord Chancellor hath better spoken, then
I am able to relate.
And as to the nature of this high Court of Parliament, It is nothing else
but the Kings great Council, which the King doth assemble, either upon
occasion of interpreting, or abrogating old Lawes, or making of new,
according as ill manners shall deserve, or for the publick punishment of
notorious evil doers, or the praise and reward of the vertuous and well
deservers; wherein these four things are to be considered.
First, Whereof this Court is composed.
Secondly, What Matters are proper for it.
Thirdly, To what end it is ordained.
And Fourthly, What are the meanes and wayes whereby this end should be
brought to pass.
As for the thing it self, It is composed of a Head and a Body: The Head is
the King, the Body are the members of the Parliament. This Body again is
subdivided into two parts; The Upper and Lower House: The Upper compounded
partly of Nobility, Temporal men, who are heritable Councellors to
to the high Court of Parliament by the honor of their Creation and Lands:
And partly of Bishops, Spiritual men, who are likewise by the vertue of
their place and dignity Counsellors, Life-Renters, or Ad vitam of this
Court. The other House is composed of Knights for the Shire; and Gentry,
and Burgesses for the Towns. But because the number would be infinite for
all the Gentlemen and Burgesses to be present at every Parliament,
Therefore a certain number is selected and chosen out of that great Body,
serving onely for that Parliament, where their persons are the
representation of that Body.
Now the Matters whereof they are to treat ought therefore to be general,
and rather of such matters as cannot well be performed without the
assembling of that general Body, and no more of these generals neither,
then necessity shall require: for as in Corruptissima Republica sunt
plurimae leges: So doth the life and strength of the Law consist not in
heaping up infinite and confused numbers of Lawes, but in the right
interpretation and good execution of good and wholsome Laws. If this be so
then, neither is this a place on the one side for every rash and harebrain
fellow to propone new Laws of his own invention: nay rather I could wish
these busie heads to remember that Law of the Lacedemonians, That
whosoever came to propone a new Law to the People, behoved publickly to
present himself with a Rope about his neck, that in case the Law were not
allowed, he should be
hanged therewith. So wary should men be of proponing Novelties, but most
of all, not to propone any bitter or seditious Laws, which can produce
nothing but grudges and discontentment between the Prince and his people:
nor yet is it on the other side a convenient place for private men under
the colour of general Laws, to propone nothing but their own particular
gain, either to the hurt of their private neighbours, or to the hurt of
the whole State in general, which many times under fair and pleasing
Titles, are smoothly passed over, and so by stealth procure without
consideration, that the private meaning of them tendeth to nothing but
either to the wreck of a particular party, or else under colour of
publique benefit to pill the poor people, and serve as it were for a
general Impost upon them for filling the purses of some private persons.
And as to the end for which the Parliament is ordained, being only for the
advancement of Gods glory, and the establishment and wealth of the King
and his people: It is no place then for particular men to utter there
their private conceipts, nor for satisfaction of their curiosities, and
least of all to make shew of their eloquence, by tyning the time with long
studyed and eloquent Orations. No, the reverence of GOD, their King, and
their Countrey being well setled in their hearts, will make them ashamed
of such toyes, and remember that they are there as sworn Councellors to
their King, to give their best
advice for the furtherance of his Service, and the flourishing Weale of
his Estate.
And lastly, if you will rightly consider the means and wayes how to bring
all your labors to a good end, you must remember, That you are here
assembled by your lawful King to give him your best advices, in the
matters proposed by bim unto you, being of that nature, which I have
already told, wherein you are gravely to deliberate, and upon your
consciences plainly to determine how far those things propounded do agree
with the Weale, both of your King, and of your Country, whose weales
cannot be separated. And as for my self, the world shall ever bear me
witness, That I never shall propone any thing unto you, which shall not as
well tend to the Weale publick, as to any benefit for me: So shall I never
oppone my self to that, which may tend to the good of the Common-wealth,
for the which I am ordained, as I have often said. And as you are to give
your advice in such things, as shall by your King be proposed: So is it on
your part your duties to propone any thing that you can, after mature
deliberation judge to be needful, either for these ends already spoken of,
or otherwise for the discovery of any latent evil in the Kingdom, which
peradventure may not have come to the Kings eare. If this then ought to be
your grave manner of proceeding in this place, Men should be ashamed to
make snew of the quickness of their wits here, either in taunting,
scoffing, or detracting
the Prince or State in any point, or yet in breaking jests upon their
fellowes, for which the Ordinaries or Alehouses are fitter places, than
this Honourable and high Court of Parliament.
In conclusion then, since you are to break up, for the Reasons I have
already told you, I wish such of you as have any charges in your Countreys,
to hasten you home for the repressing of the insolencies of these Rebels,
and apprehension of their persons, wherein, as I heartily pray to the
Almighty for your prosperous success: So do I not doubt, but we shall
shortly hear the good newes of the same; And that you shall have an happy
return, and meeting here to all our comforts.
Here the Lord Chancellor spake touching the Proroguing of the Parliament.
And hauing done, his Majesty rose again, and said.
Since it pleased GOD to grant me two such notable Deliveries upon one day
of the week, which was Tuesday, and likewise one day of the Moneth, which
was the fifth; thereby to teach me, That as it was the same Devil that
still persecuted me: So it was one and the same GOD that still mightily
delivered me; I thought it therefore not amiss, that the one and twentieth
day of Ianuary, which fell to be upon Tuesday, should be the day of
meeting of this next Session of Parliament, hoping and assuring my Self,
that the same GOD who hath now granted me and you all so notable and
gracious a Delivery,
shall prosper all our affairs at that next Session, and bring them to a
happy conclusion. And now I consider God hath well provided it that the
ending of this Parliament hath been so long continued; For as for mine own
part, I never had any other intention, but only to seek so far my weale,
and prosperity, as might conjunctly stand with the flourishing State of
the whole Common-wealth, as I have often told you: So on the other part I
confess, if I had been in your places at the beginning of this Parliament
(which was so soon after mine entry into this Kingdom, wherein ye could
not possibly have so perfect a knowledge of mine inclination, as
experience since hath taught you) I could not but have suspected, and mis-interpreted
divers things, In the trying whereof, now I hope, by your experience of my
behaviour and form of government, you are well enough cleared, and
resolved.
To return to the top click here
A DISCOURSE Of the Manner of the Discovery of the Gunpowder-Plot, together
with the Examinations and Confessions of some of the most notorious
Conspirators concern'd in it.
THere is a time when no man ought to keep silence. For it hath ever been
held as a general rule, and undoubted Maxime, in all well governed Common-wealths,
(whether Christian, and so guided by the Divine Light of GOD'S Word; or
Ethnick, and so led by the glimmering twi-light of Nature) yet howsoever
their profession was, upon this ground have they all agreed, That when
either their Religion, their King, or their Countrey was in any extreme
hazard;
no good Countreyman ought then to withhold either his tongue or his hand,
according to his calling and faculty, from aiding to repel the Injury,
repress the Violence, and avenge the Guilt upon the Authors thereof. But
if ever any people had such an occasion ministred unto them, It is surely
this People now, nay this whole Isle, and all the rest belonging to this
great and glorious Monarchy. For if in any Heathenish Republick, no
private man could think his life more happily and gloriously bestowed,
then in the defence of any one of these three, That is, either pro Aris,
pro Focis, or pro Patre patrioe; And that the endangering of any one of
these, would at once stir the whole body of the Common-wealth, not any
more as divided members, but as a solid and individual lump: How much more
ought we, the truely Christian People, that inhabit this United, and
truely happy Isle, under the wings of our gracious and religious Monarch?
Nay, how infinitely greater cause have we to feel, and resent our selves
of the smart of that wound, not onely intended and execrated (not
consecrated) for the utter extinguishing of our true Christian profession,
nor joyntly therewith onely for the cutting off of our Head and Father
Politick, Sed ut nefas istud & sacrilegiosum parricidium omnibus modis
absolutum reddi possit? And that nothing might be wanting for making this
sacrilegious Parricide a pattern of mischief, and a crime (nay, a Mother
or Storehouse of
all crimes) without example, they should have joyned the destruction of
the body to the head, so as Grex cum Rege, Arae cum focis, Lares cum
Penatibus, should all at one thunderclap have been sent to Heaven
together: The King our Head, the Queen our fertile Mother, and those young
and hopeful Olive plants, not theirs but ours: Our reverend Clergy, our
honorable Nobility, the faithful Counsellors, the grave Judges, the
greatest part of the worthy Knights and Gentry, as well as of the wisest
Burgesses; The whole Clerks of the Crown, Council, Signet, Seals, or of
any other principal Judgement seat. All the learned Lawyers, together with
an infinite number of the Common people: Nay, their furious rage should
not onely have lighted upon reasonable and sensible creatures without
distinction, either of degree, sexe, or age; But even the insensible
stocks and stones should not have been free of their fury. The Hall of
Justice; The House of Parliament; the Church used for the Coronation of
our Kings; The Monuments of our former Princes; The Crown, and other marks
of Royalty; all the Records, as well of Parliament, as of every particular
mans right, with a great number of Charters and such like, should all have
been comprehended under that fearful Chaos. And so the earth as it were
opened, should have sent forth of the bottom of the Stygian Lake such
sulphured smoke, furious flames, and fearful thunder, as should have, by
their diabolical
Domesday destroyed and defaced, in the twinckling of an eye, not onely our
present living Princes, and People, but even our insensible Monuments
reserved for future ages. So as not only our selves that are mortal, but
the immortal Monuments of our antient Princes and Nobility, that have been
so preciously preserved from age to age, as the remaining Trophees of
their eternal glory, and have so long triumphed over envious time, should
now have been all consumed together; And so not onely we, but the memory
of us and ours, should have been thus extinguished in an instant. The true
horror therefore of this detestable devise, hath stirred me up to bethink
my self, wherein I may best discharge my conscience in a cause so general
and common, if it were to bring but one stone to the building, or rather
with the Widow, one mite to the common Box. But since to so hateful and
unheard of invention, there can be no greater enemy then the self, the
simple truth thereof being once publickly known and divulged; and that
there needs no stronger argument to bring such a Plot in universal
detestation, then the certainty that so monstrous a thing could once be
devised, nay concluded upon, wrought in, in full readiness, and within
twelve hours of the execution: My threefold zeal to those blessings,
whereof they would have so violently made us all Widows, hath made me
resolve to set down here the true Narration of that monstrous and
unnatural intended Tragedy, having
better occasion by the means of my service, and continual attendance in
Court, to know the truth thereof, than others that peradventure have it
only by relation at the third or fourth hand. So that whereas those worse
than Catalines, thought to have extirped us, and our memories; their
infamous memory shall by these means remain to the end of the world, upon
the one part; and upon the other, Gods great and merciful deliverance of
his Anointed, and us all, shall remain in never-dying Records. And GOD
grant that it may be in Marble Tables of Thankfulness engraven in our
hearts.
WHile this Land and whole Monarchy flourished in a most happy and
plentiful Peace, as well at home as abroad, sustained and conducted by
those two main pillars of all good Government, Piety and Justice, no
forreign grudge, nor inward whispering of discontentment any way
appearing; The King being upon his return from his Hunting exercise at
Royston, upon occasion of the drawing near of the Parliament time, which
had been twice Prorogued already, partly in regard of the season of the
year, and partly of the Term; As the winds are ever stillest immediately
before a storm; and as the Sun blenks often hottest to foretell a
following shower: So at that time of greatest calm, did this secretly
hatched thunder begin to cast forth the first flashes, and flaming
lightnings of the approaching
tempest. For the Saturday of the week, immediately preceding the King's
return, which was upon a Thursday (being but ten days before the
Parliament) The Lord Mountegle, Son and Heir to the Lord Morley, being in
his own Lodging, ready to goe to supper, at seven of the clock at night,
one of his Footmen (whom he had sent of an errand over the street) was met
by an unknown man, of a reasonable tall personage, who delivered him a
Letter, charging him to put it in my Lord his Masters hands: which my Lord
no sooner received, but that having broken it up, and perceiving the same
to be of an unknown, and somewhat unlegible hand, and without either Date
or Subscription; did call one of his men unto him for helping him to read
it. But no sooner did he conceive the strange contents thereof, although
he was somewhat perplexed what construction to make of it (as whether of a
matter of consequence, as indeed it was, or whether some foolish devised
Pasquil, by some of his enemies to scare him from his attendance at the
Parliament) yet did he, as a most dutiful and loyal Subject, conclude not
to conceal it, whatever might come of it. Whereupon, notwithstanding the
lateness and darkness of the night in that season of the year, he
presently repaired to His Majesties Palace at Whitehal, and there
delivered the same to the Earl of Salisbury, His Majesties Principal
Secretary. Whereupon the said Earl of Salisbury having read the Letter,
and heard the
manner of the coming of it to his hands, did greatly encourage, and
commend my Lord for his discretion, telling him plainly, that whatsoever
the purpose of the Letter might prove hereafter, yet did this accident put
him in mind of divers advertisements he had received from beyond the Seas,
wherewith he had acquainted, as well the King himself, as divers of His
Privy Counsellors, concerning some business the Papists were in, both at
home and abroad, making preparations for some combination amongst them
against this Parliament time, for enabling them to deliver at that time to
the King, some petition for toleration of Religion: which should be
delivered in some such order and so well backed, as the King should be
loth to refuse their requests; like the sturdy beggars craving alms with
one open hand, but carrying a stone in the other, in case of refusal. And
therefore did the Earl of Salisbury conclude with the Lord Mountegle, that
he would, in regard of the Kings absence, impart the same Letter to some
more of His Majesties Council; whereof my L. Mountegle liked well: only
adding this request by way of protestation, That whatsoever the event
hereof might prove, it should not be imputed to him, as proceeding from
too light, and too suddain an apprehension, that he delivered this Letter,
being only moved thereunto for demonstration of his ready devotion, and
care for preservation of His Majesty and the State. And thus did the Earl
of Salisbury presently
acquaint rhe L. Chamberlain with the said Letter. Whereupon they two, in
presence of the Lord Mountegle; calling to mind the former intelligence
already mentioned, which seemed to have some relation with this Letter:
The tender care which they ever carried to the preservation of His
Majesties Person, made them apprehend, that some perilous attempt did
thereby appear to be intended against the same, which did the more neerly
concern the said Lord Chamberlain to have a care of, in regard that it
doth belong to the charge of his Office to oversee as well all places of
Assembly where His Majesty is to repair, as his Highness own private
Houses. And therefore did the said two Counsellors conclude, That they
should joyn unto themselves Three more of the Counsel, to wit, the Lord
Admiral, the Earls of Worcester and Northampton, to be also particularly
acquainted with this accident, who having all of them concurred together
to the re-examination of the Con tents of the said Letter, they did
conclude That how slight a matter it might at the first appear to be, yet
was it not absolutely to be contemned, in respect of the care which it
behoved them to have of the preservation of His Majesties Person: But yet
resolved for two reasons, First, To acquaint the King himself with the
same, before they proceeded to any further Inquisition in the matter, as
well for the expectation and experience they had of His Majesties
fortunate Judgement in cleering and solving of obscure Riddles and
doubtful
Mysteries; as also, because the more time would in the mean while be given
for the Practise to ripen, if any was, whereby the Discovery might be the
more clear and evident, and the ground of proceeding thereupon more safe,
just, and easie. And so according to their determination, did the said
Earl of Salisbury, repair to the King in His Gallery upon Friday, being
Alhallow day, in the afternoon, which was the day after His Majesties
arrival, and none but himself being present with His Highness at that
time, where without any other Speech or Judgement giving of the Letter,
but only relating simply the form of the delivery thereof, he presented it
to His Majesty. The Contents whereof follow.
MY Lord, out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of
your preservation. Therefore I would advise you, as you tender your life,
to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this Parliament. For
God and Man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this Time. And
think not slightly of this Advertisement, but retire your self into your
Countrey, where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no
appearance of any stir, yet I say, they shall receive a terrible Blow this
Parliament, 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 Letter. And
I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it: To whose Holy
protection I commend you.
The King no sooner read the Letter, but after a little pause, and then
reading it over again, he delivered his judgement of it in such sort, as
he thought it was not to be contemned, for that the Stile of it seemed to
be more quick and pithy, than is usual to be in any Pasquil or Libel (the
superfluities of idle brains:) But the Earl of Salisbury perceiving the
King to apprehend it deeplier than he looked for, knowing his Nature, told
him that he thougt by one sentence in it, that it was like to be written
by some fool or mad man, reading to him this Sentence in it. For the
danger is past, as soon as you have burnt the Letter; which he said, was
likely to be the saying of a fool: for if the danger was past so soon as
the Letter was burnt, then the warning behoved to be of a little avail,
when the burning of the Letter might make the danger to be eschewed. But
the King by the contrary, considering the former sentence In the Letter.
That they should receive a terrible Blow at this Parliament, and yet
should not see who hurt them, joyning it to the sentence immediately
following, already alledged, did thereupon conjecture, That the danger
mentioned
should be some suddain danger by blowing up of Powder, For no other
Insurrection, Rebellion, or whatsoever other private and desperate Attempt
could be committed or attempted in time of Parliament, and the Authors
thereof unseen, except only if it were by a blowing up of Powder, which
might be performed by one base knave in a dark corner; whereupon he was
moved to interpret, and construe the latter Sentence in the Letter (alledged
by the Earl of Salisbury) against all ordinary sense and construction in
Grammar, as if by these words, For the danger is past, as soon as you have
burned the Letter, should be closely understood the suddainty and
quickness of the danger, which should be as quickly performed, and at an
end, as that paper should be of blazing up in the fire; turning that word
of as soon, to the sense of, as quickly. And therefore wished, that before
His going to the Parliament, the under rooms of the Parliament-house,
(might be well and narrowly searched. But the Earl of Salisbury wondring
at this His Majesties Commentary, which he knew to be so far contrary to
His ordinary and natural disposition, who did rather ever sin upon the
other side, in not apprehending nor trusting due Advertisements of
Practises and Perils when he was truly enformed of them, whereby he had
many times drawn himself into many desperate dangers: and interpreting
rightly, this extraordinary Caution at this time, to proceed from the
vigilant care he
had of the whole State, more than of His own Person, which could not but
have all perished together, if this designment had succeeded: He thought
good to dissemble still unto the King, that there had been any just cause
of such apprehensions. And ending the purpose with some merry jest upon
this subject, as his custom is, took his leave for that time. But though
he seemed so to neglect it to His Majesty; yet his customable and watchful
care of the King, and the State still boyling within him. And having with
the Blessed Virgin Mary laid up in his heart, the Kings so strange
judgement and construction of it; He could not be at rest till he
acquainted the foresaid Lords what had passed between the King and him in
private. Whereupon they were all so earnest to renew again the memory of
the same purpose to His Majesty, as it was agreed that he should the next
day, being Saturday, repair to His Highness: which he did in the same
Privy Gallery, and renewed the memory thereof, the L. Chamberlain then
being present with the King. At what time it was determined; that the said
Lord Chamberlain should, according to his custom and Office, view all the
Parliament Houses, both above and below, and consider what likelyhood or
appearance of any such danger might possibly be gathered by the sight of
them: but yet, as well for staying of idle rumours, as for being the more
able to discern any mystery, the nearer that things were in readiness, his
journey thither was
ordained to be deferred till the afternoon, before the sitting down of the
Parliament, which was upon the Munday following. At what time he
(according to this conclusion) went to the Parliament house, accompanied
with my Lord Mountegle, being in zeal to the Kings service, earnest and
curious to see the event of that accident, whereof he had the fortune to
be the first discoverer: where having viewed all the lower rooms, he found
in the Vault, under the Upper House, great store and Provisions of
Billets, Faggots and Coals: And enquiring of Whyneard, Keeper of the
Wardrobe, to what use he had put those lower Rooms and Cellars: he told
him,, That Thomas Percy had hired both the House, and part of the Cellar
or Vault under the same, and that the Wood and Coal therein was the said
Gentlemans own provision. Whereupon the Lord Chamberlain, casting his eye
aside, perceived a fellow standing in a corner there, calling himself the
said Percy's man, and keeper of that house for him, but indeed was Guido
Fawkes, the owner of that hand, which should have acted that monstrous
Tragedy.
The Lord Chamberlain looking upon all things with a heedful indeed, yet in
outward appearance with but a careless and rackless eye (as became so wise
and diligent a minister) he presently addressed himself to the King in the
said Privy Gallery, where in the presence of the Lord Treasurer, the Lord
Admiral,
the Earls of Worcester, Northampton, and Salisbury, he made his report,
what he had seen and observed there: noting, that Mountegle had told him;
That he no sooner heard Thomas Percy named to be the possessor of that
house, but considering both his backwardness in Religion, and the old
dearness in friendship, between himself, and the said Percy, he did
greatly suspect the matter, and that the Letter should come from him. The
said Lord Chamberlain also told, That he did not wonder a little at the
extraordinary great provision of Wood and Coal in that house, where Thomas
Percy had so seldom occasion to remain: As likewise it gave him in his
mind, that his man looked like a very tall and desperate fellow.
This could not but increase the Kings former apprehension and jealousie:
whereupon he insisted (as before) that the House was narrowly to be
searched, and that those Billets and Coals should be searched to the
bottom, it being most suspitious that they were laid there only for
covering of the Powder. Of the same mind also, were all the Counselors
then present. But upon the fashion of making of the search, was it long
debated: for upon the one side they were all so jealous of the Kings
safety, that they all agreed, that there could not be too much caution
used for preventing his danger. And yet upon the other part, they were all
extream loth and dainty, that in case this Letter should
prove to be nothing but the evapouration of an idle brain; then a curious
search being made, and nothing found, should not only turn to the general
scandal of the King and the State, as being so suspicious of every light
and frivilous toy, but likewise lay an ill savoured imputation upon the
Earl of Northumberland, one of His Majesties greatest Subjects and
Counselors; this Thomas Percy being his kinsman, and most confident
familiar. And the rather were they curious upon this point, knowing how
far the King detested to be thought suspicious or jealous of any of His
good Subjects, though of the meanest degree. And therefore, though they
all agreed upon the main ground, which was to provide for the security of
the Kings Person, yet did they much differ in the circumstances, by which
this action might be best carried with least dinne and occasion of
slander. But the King himself still persisting that there were divers
shrewd appearances, and that a narrow search of those places could
pre-judge no man that was innocent, he at last plainly resolved them, That
either must all the parts of those rooms be narrowly searched, and no
possibility of danger left unexamined, or else he and they all must
resolve not to meddle in it at all, but plainly to go the next day to the
Parliament, and leave the success to Fortune, which he believed they would
be loth to take upon their consciences: for in such a case as this, an
half doing
was worse than no doing at all. Whereupon it was at last concluded, That
nothing should be left unsearched in those Houses: And yet for the better
colour and stay of rumour, in case nothing were found, it was thought
meet, that upon a pretence of Whyneards missing some of the Kings stuff or
Hangings which he had in keeping, all those rooms should be narrowly
ripped for them. And to this purpose was Sir Thomas Knevet, (a Gentleman
of His Majesties Privy Chamber) employed, being a Justice of Peace in
Westminster, and one, of whose antient fidelity, both the late Queen, and
our now Sovereign have had large proof: who according to the trust
committed unto him, went about the midnight next after to the Parliament
house, accompanied with such a small number, as was fit for that errand.
But before his entry into the house, finding Thomas Percy's alledged man
standing without the doors, his Cloaths and Boots on, at so dead a time of
the night, he resolved to apprehend him, as he did, and thereafter went
forward to the searching of the house, where after he had caused to be
overturned some of the Billets and Coals, he first found one of the small
Barrels of Powder, and after all the rest, to the number of thirty six
Barrels, great and small: And thereafter searching the fellow, whom he had
taken, found three Matches, and all other instruments fit for blowing up
the Powder, ready upon him, which made
him instantly confess his own guiltiness, declaring also unto him, That if
he had happened to be within the house when he took him, as he was
immediately before (at the ending of his work) he would not have failed to
have blown him up, house and all.
Thus after Sir Thomas had caused the wretch to be surely bound, and well
guarded, by the company he had brought with him, he himself returned back
to the Kings Palace, and gave warning of his succese to the Lord
Chamberlain, and Earl of Salisbury, who immediately warning the rest of
the Council that lay in the house, as soon as they could get themselves
ready, came, with their fellow-Counselors, to the Kings Bed-chamber, being
at that time near four of the clock in the morning. And at the first entry
of the Kings Chamber door, the Lord Chamberlain; being not any longer able
to conceal his joy, for the preventing of so great a danger, told the King
in a confused haste, that all was found and discovered, and the Traitor in
hands, and fast bound.
Then, Order being first taken for sending for the rest of the Counsel,
that lay in the Town, The prisoner himself was brought into the House,
where in respect of the strangeness of the accident, no man was stayed
from the [...]ight, or speaking with him. And within a while after, the
Council did examine him; Who seeming to put on a Roman resolution, did
both to the Council, and to every other
person that spake with him that day, appear so constant and setled upon
his grounds, as we all thought we had found some new Mutius Scaevola, born
in England. For notwithstanding the horror of the Fact, the guilt of his
conscience, his suddain surprising, the terror which should have been
strucken in him, by coming into the presence of so grave a Council, and
the restless, ond confused questions that every man all that day did vex
him with, yet was his countenance so far from being dejected, at he often
smiled in scornful manner, not only avowing the Fact, but repenting only,
with the said Scaevola, his failing in the execution thereof, whereof (he
said) the Devil and not GOD was the Discoverer: answering quickly to every
mans objection, scoffing at any idle questions, which were propounded unto
him, and jesting with such as he thought had no authority to examine him-
All that day could the Counsel get nothing out of him touching his
Complices, refusing to answer to any such questions which he thought might
discover the Plot, and laying all the blame upon himself; Whereunto he
said, he was moved only for Religion and conscience sake, denying the King
to be his lawful Sovereign, or the Anointed of GOD in respect he was an
Heretick, and giving himself no other name than Iohn Iohnson, servant to
Thomas Percy. But the next morning being carried to the Tower he did not
there remain
above two or three days, being twice or thrice in that space re-examined,
and the Rack only offered and shewed unto him, when the masque of his
Roman fortitude did visibly begin to wear and slide off his face; And then
did he begin to confess part of the truth, and thereafter to open the
whole matter, as doth appear by his depositions immediately following.
A TRUE COPY Of the Declaration of Guido Fawkes, taken in the presence of
the Counselors, whose Names are under-written.
I Confess, that a practice in general was first broken unto me, against
His Majesty for relief of the Catholique Cause, and not invented or
propounded by my self. And this was first propounded unto me about Easter
last was Twelve moneth, beyond the Seas, in the Low Countreys of the
Arch-Dukes obeysance, by Thomas Winter, who came thereupon with me into
England, and there we imparted our purpose to three other Gentlemen more,
namely, Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, and Iohn Wright, who all five
consulting together of the means how to execute the same, and taking a vow
among our selves for secresie; Catesby propounded to have it performed by
Gunpowder, and by making a
Myne under the upper House of Parliament: which place we made choice of
the rather, because Religion having been unjustly suppressed there, it was
fittest that Justice and Punishment should be executed there.
This being resolved amongst us, Thomas Percy hired an house at Westminster
for that purpose, near adjoyning to the Parliament House, and there we
begun to make our Myne about the 11 of December 1604.
The five that first entred into the work, were Thomas Percy, Robert
Catesby, Thomas Winter, Iohn Wright, and my self: and soon after we took
another unto us, Christopher Wright, having sworn him also, and taken the
Sacrament for Secrecy.
When we came to the very foundation of the Wall of the House, which was
about three yards thick, and found it a matter of great difficulty, we
took unto us another Gentleman, Robert Winter, in like manner with Oath
and Sacrament as aforesaid.
It was about Christmass when we brought our Myne unto the Wall, and about
Candlemas we had wrought the Wall half through: And whilest they were in
working, I stood as Sentinel, to descrie any Man that came near, whereof I
gave them warning, and so they ceased until I gave notice again to
proceed.
All we seven lay in the House, and had Shot and Powder, being resolved to
die in that place, before we should yield or be taken.
As they were working upon the Wall, they heard a rushing in a Cellar of
removing of Coales, whereupon we feared we had been discovered: and they
sent me to go to the Cellar, who finding that the Coales were a selling,
and that the Cellar was to be let, viewing the commodity thereof for our
purpose, Percy went and hired the same for yearly rent.
We had before this provided and brought into the House Twenty Barrels of
Powder, which we removed into the Cellar, and covered the same with
Billets and Faggots, which were provided for that purpose.
About Easter, the Parliament being Prorogued till October next, we
dispersed our selves, and I retired into the Low-Countreys, by advise and
direction of the rest, as well to acquaint Owen with the particulars of
the Plot, as also least by my longer stay I might have grown suspicious,
and so have come in question.
In the mean time Percy having the key of the Cellar, laid in more Powder
and Wood into it. I returned about the beginning of September next, and
then receiving the key again of Perey, we brought in more Powder and
Billets to cover the same again, and so I went for a time into the
Countrey till the 30 of October.
It was further resolved amongst us, that the same day that this Act should
have been performed, some other of our Confederates should have surprised
the person of the Lady
ELIZABETH, the Kings eldest Daughter, who was kept in Warwickshire at the
Lord Haringtons House, and presently have proclaimed her Queen, having a
Project of a Proclamation ready for that purpose; wherein we made no
mention of altering of Religion, nor would have avowed the deed to be
ours, until we should have had power enough to make our Party good, and
then we would have avowed both.
Concerning Duke CHARLES the Kings second Son, we had sundry Consultations
how to seise on his Person. But because we found no means how to compass
it (the Duke being kept near London, where we had not Forces enough) we
resolved to serve our turn with the Lady ELIZABETH.
The Names of other Principal Persons, that were made privy afterwards to
this horrible Conspiracy.
Everard Digby Knight.
Ambrose Rookwood.
Francis Tresham.
Iohn Grant.
Robert Keyes.
Commiss.
Nottingham.
Suffolke.
Northampton
Marre.
Popham.
Worcester.
Devonshire
Salisbury.
Dunbar.
Edw. Coke. W. Waad.
ANd in regard that before this discourse could be ready to go to the
Press, Thomas Winter being apprehended, and brought to the Tower, made a
Confession in substance agreeing with this former of Fawkes, onely larger
in some circumstances: I have thought good to insert the same likewise in
this place, for the further clearing of the matter, and greater benefit of
the Reader.
Thomas Winters Confession, taken the xxiii. of November 1605. in the
presence of the Counsellors, whose Names are under-written.
My most Honorable Lords,
NOt out of hope to Obtain Pardon: for, speaking of my temporal part, I may
say, The Fault is Greater than can be forgiven; nor affecting hereby the
Title of a good Subject: for I must redeem my Countrey from as great a
danger, as I have hazarded the bringing of Her into, before I can purchase
any such opinion; Only at your Honors command I will briefly set down mine
own Accusation, and how farr I have proceeded in this business; which I
shall the faithfuller do, since I see such courses are not pleasing to
Almighty God, and that all, or the
most material parts have been already confessed.
I remained with my brother in the Countrey from Alhallontide until the
beginning of Lent, in the year of our Lord 1603. the first year of the
Kings Reign: about which time Master Catesby sent thither, intreating me
to come to London, where he and other my friends would be glad to see me.
I desired him to excuse me: for I found my self not very well disposed;
and (which had happened never to me before) returned the Messenger without
my company. Shortly I received another Letter, in any wise to come. At the
second summons I presently came up, and found him with Master Iohn Wright
at Lambeth, where he brake with me, how necessary it was not to forsake
our Countrey (for he knew I had then a resolution to go over) but to
deliver her from the servitude in which she remain'd, or at least to
assist her with our uttermost endevours. I answered, That I had often
hazarded my life upon far lighter termes, and now would not refuse any
good occasion, wherein I might do service to the Catholick Cause; but for
my self I knew no mean probable to succeed. He said that he had bethought
him of a way at one instant to deliver us from all our Bonds, and without
any forreign help to replant again the Catholick Religion; and withal told
me in a word, It was to blow up the Parliament-House with Gunpowder; for,
said he, in that place have they done us all
the mischiefe, and perchance GOD hath designed that place for their
punishment. I wondred at the strangeness of the conceipt, and told him,
That true it was, this strake at the Root, and would breed a confusion fit
to beget new alterations; But if it should not take effect (as most of
this nature miscarried) the Scandal would be so great which Catholique
Religion might hereby sustain, as not only our Enemies, but our Friends
also would with good reason condemn us. He told me, The nature of the
disease required so sharp a remedy, and asked me if I would give my
consent. I told him, yes, in this or what else soever, if he resolved upon
it, I would venture my life. But I proposed many difficulties, As want of
an House, and of one to carry the Myne, noise in the working, and such
like. His answer was, Let us give an attempt, and where it faileth pass no
farther. But first, quoth he, Because we will leave no peaceable and quiet
way untryed, you shall go over, and informe the Constable of the state of
the Catholicks here in England, intreating him to sollicite His Majesty at
his coming hither, that the Penal Lawes may be recalled, and we admitted
into the rank of his other Subjects: withal, you may bring over some
confident Gentleman, such as you shall understand best able for this
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