know very well that the Protestant Cause is a good Cause and that God will be assistant to them to defeat the assaults which Satan and Antichrist make upon them yet ought not these things to be despised nor they to sleep securely on such perswasions but ought to believe that it is a providence of God that stirs up any to make discovery thereof to those whose life and safety is in hazard that they may the better secure themselves from those enemies who thus assault them To the end therefore that all Protestant Princes and all Professors of the true Religion may have warning to avoid these Conspiracies of the Pope of Rome and all Popish Princes I will through the help of God clearly and undauntedly declare and make known the most wicked Confederacies and devilish Arts and Machinations of the Popish Confederates against the Protestant Religion And what I shall relate are not slight and trivial stories picked up from the discourse of ordinary persons or idle Monkish dreams but what I have heard my self from the Pope's own mouth and from the Cardinals themselves and which have come to my knowledge from the authentick Writings of Popish Princes under their own hands and seals Nor am I frighted with the wrath and indignation which I am like to sustain from Kings and Potent Princes incensed by this discovery For I ought to be more afraid of God who is able to destroy both body and soul than of those who have power only to kill or torment a frail and mortal body Be they inraged and full of indignation and if God so permit fall fierce upon me I am sensible I do acknowledge that it is from God that I am hereunto moved and incited and shall notwithstanding their rage undauntedly make known their treacherous Conspiracies Hear therefore all ye that bear a good will to the Protestant Cause and take good heed to what you hear Pope CLEMENT the Eighth who is at this time Pope of Rome having by strange Artifice obliged to himself well-nigh all the Princes in Europe not willing to neglect so fair an opportunity to establish his tyrannical Power doth endeavour with might and main to carry on and establish the holy League as they call it of all Popish Kings and Princes against the Protestant Interest and which as to the greatest part is already concluded 1. For the Emperour the King of Spain the Archdukes of Austria Albert and Ferdinand the Dukes of Bavaria Lorrain and Savoy and almost all the rest of the Popish Princes except the French King and the great Duke of Tuscany have already consented and subscribed the League and the Pope moves every stone to engage the rest to concur with them and is in hope to effect it 2. This League consists of divers heads The way of proceeding the Time the Preparation the Proportion which each of them is to contribute to this holy War they are plotting and contriving against the Protestants And on this they are in all points agreed that all these Confederates shall with joynt force endeavour the extirpation of Protestant Religion by all the means they can 3. The Emperour about a year ago was earnest with the Pope for money and Aid against the Turk whereby he might be able either to repress his insolence or at last bring him to honourable terms of Peace or some lasting Truce promising that so soon as he shall have dispatched his business with the Turk he will employ all his strength and forces for the Pope against the Protestants or as they call them the Hereticks 4. The Pope is very much inclined to a Peace with the Turk and for this reason would not last year give ear to the Embassadors of the Persian King who pressed him to a general Confederacy against the Turk For the Pope reckons that the Protestants are a greater hinderance to his affected Tyranny than is the Turk And doth oft complain that a long War hath now been managed for forty years together against the Turk to no advantage whereas in the same time with far less expence the Church of Rome might have recovered her Authority in Europe And he doth therefore endeavour to perswade the Turk to seek a Peace and perswades the Emperour to let him have it on reasonable terms 5. In the year 1601. Cardinal Dietrichstein Bishop of Clomute came in great haste from Prague to Rome and brought Letters to the Pope from the Emperour promising the Pope to put in execution by force of Arms the sentence which the Emperour had given in behalf of the Pope against the Protestants in the Cause concerning goods Ecclesiastick which he commanded to be in all places restored to the use of the Church of Rome And from thence the Pope conceived hopes of some occasion to be offered of beginning some broils and commotions in Germany and it was agreed between them that the greatest part of those goods should be distributed amongst those who should be most active in that War 6. The same Cardinal did at the same time promise as he said in the Emperours name that in the mean time while things were getting in readiness for an open War the Emperour and the Princes of Austria would wholly turn out all Protestants within their hereditary Dominions as in Austria Tyrole Croatia Carinthia Stiria and the like places and that they would in like manner fall upon them in Moravia Silesia and Bohemia first without noise if it may be and then by force of Arms especially of those souldiers which come back from the War of Hungary For in such cases they do not think fit to trust the German souldiers and that he had already granted to them the spoiling and pillaging those people in case they return not to the Church of Rome 7. The Popes Legate now resident at Prague did write some months ago that all these things are in great part already dispatched that the Protestants were cast out of those Provinces and the Jesuites by the Emperors permission possess'd of most of the Protestant Churches and places not only in Austria and Carinthia but likewise in Silesia and Moravia And that the French souldiers under the command of one Count Benegrave had already burnt some Villages in the borders of Bohemia and that they intended this year to make more progress therein especially by the assistance of the Italians which the Pope sends into Hungary chiefly for this end to spoil and destroy the Protestants 8. The Emperour hath also promised that he will not henceforth confer any chief Offices whether in Civil or Military Affairs on any that are Hereticks or do in any wise favour them And moreover that all lesser Offices now enjoyed by Protestants shall be taken from them unless within a time limited they return to the Church of Rome And by this means the Popes Legate informed that daily many of the Nobility in Germany do renounce the Lutheran and turn to the Romish Religion and that on such
FRANCIS BROCCARD Secretary to Pope Clement the Eighth HIS ALARM TO ALL Protestant Princes With a Discovery of Popish-Plots and Conspiracies After his Coversion from POPERY TO THE PROTESTANT RELIGION Translated out of the Latin Copy Printed in Holland LONDON Printed by T. S. for William Rogers at the Maiden-head over against St Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet 1679. The Translator to the READER THE Author of this Discourse was Francis Broccard sometime Secretary to Pope CLEMENT the Eighth Who by reason of that Employment was well acquainted with the Designes of the Pope and the Popish Party and thereby enabled to Acquaint the World with what Counsels they had then on Foot for the Ruin of all Protestants and Establishing their own Tyranny and Bloudy Interest The Villanous Wickedness of these Vnchristian Designs we may well presume was one great Inducement to make him forsake that Bloudy Religion and turn Protestant For though the Designs were as to others palliated under Specious Pretences yet to him who saw the bottom of those Cursed Contrivances and by what ways and for what ends they were to be brought about they did appear in their true Shape Which notwithstanding the prejudice of his Education and Interest made him detest and abhor such Principles For according to our Saviours own Direction By their Works you shall know them he might be well assured that these Counsels were not the Dictates of the Prince of Peace The time when this Discourse was Written is manifest from the Contents of it to be in the Year 1603. Being later than the Year 1602. which he mentions Num. 21. As a time past and while CLEMENT the Eighth was yet Living as is said in the Preamble who died Feb. the 21. 1604. English Stile and was the same Year in which had happened that Attempt on Geneva by the Duke of Savoy as is said at Num. 37. which began with an intended Surprise early on Sunday Morning Dec. 22. 1602. and ended with a Treaty July 21. New Stile 1603. as Thuanus tells us Lib. 29. And though he do not particularly describe the Gunpowder-Treason here in England which was then contriving though not perfectly formed and was to be executed on our Nov. 5. 1605. Because his Principal Intent was to set forth the Particular Designs on Germany Omitting the particulars on France England and other Countries as he tells at Num. 24 yet he there tells us at Num. 23 24. that out of the English Seminaries were then sent forth into England Emissaries in great Numbers to do Mischief and work Disturbance here And at Num. 40. that a great Navy was then preparing either against Holland or England as there should be occasion and that there were in England and Scotland as well as the Netherlands great Multitudes addicted to the Popish and Spanish Interest who did but wait the opportunity of such an Invasion being ready on all occasions to spend thier Bloud for the Church of Rome How Vniversal the Design was which under the Name of the Holy League was intended against the whole Protestant Party and England amongst the rest and how Subtily Sedulously and Maliciously it was carried on with all the Artifice Falshood and Treachery imaginable is evident by the Discovery made by this Convert who had been an Actor in it and Secretary to the Pope And 't is from such only that we can hope to have a particular Account of such dark Designs When God by his Providence convincing them of the wickedness of these Hellish Plots make those who had been Actors in them to betray their own Counsels And that the Designs here Discovered were not Forgeries of his own Invention but really intended is but too manifest from the History of those Times where we find many of them actually attempted and more in likelyhood would have been if that Pope who died the Year following had lived a little longer And that the same Designs have been ever since pursued as to the general but varied in Particulars as Occasions and Opportunities have required and are so at this day is very evident by the Bloudy Warrs and Massacres ever since in Germany and many other Protestant Countries in pursuant of those Designs And particularly in our late Civil-Warrs in England fomented by Jesuitical Counsels though executed by Schismaticks the Bloudy Massacres in Ireland and the present Popish Design for killing our King subverting our Government murdering his People destroying the Protestant Religion and introducing Popery amongst us Which God hath in like manner Discovered by persons ingaged in it as he did then by the Author of this Discourse The Lord grant that our eyes may at length be opened to discern these Depths of Satan and Antichristian Policy and our Hearts inlarged to Praise him who hath hitherto watched over us and Preserved us and to wait on him by a Faithful Dependance Sincere Repentance and diligent Endeavours to Prevent the Mischiefs which they Designe The Copy from whence I Translated this was Printed at Amsterdam by Jacob Younger in the Year 1677. Annexed to the Latin Translation of Mr. Potters Interpretation of the Number 666. FRANCIS BROCCARD Sometime Secretary to Pope Clement the Eighth HIS ALARM After his Conversion to the True Faith of Christ To all Christian Princes Favourers of the Protestant Religion against the Pope and Popish Plots and Conspiracies by him discovered THE most gracious God having marvelously brought me forth from the dismal Darkness of Popery to the clear Light of the Gospel and the pure acknowledgment of his Word I might deservedly be accounted the most ungrateful of all men living if I should not devote and set apart the rest of my life to the glory of his holy Name and the advantage of his Gospel For most unworthy I were and impious if him from whom I enjoy life and salvation I should not vouchsafe to serve and obey in the best manner I can And since for the present I am able to do no more I see no better way and opportunity of bringing glory to God doing good to his Church and testifying my true affection to the Protestant Religion than by detecting and making known the counsels which the Papists the sworn enemies of Christ and his Gospel are contriving and endeavouring to bring to pass against all that have a kindness for the Protestant Cause which in my opinion are such as ought not to be dissembled or concealed nor can be without great offence to his Divine Majesty and great mischief to the true Religion For the whole Popish Party have entred into a most grievous and pernicious Conspiracy against the Protestant Religion and have unanimously united and bound themselves by oath in a most strict and wicked League against all the Professors of it insomuch that without doubt they will be able to do much mischief to the Protestant Cause if those against whom these counsels are first intended to be put in practice do not take timely warning for their own defence I
them are dispersed in several parts and Cities of Italy to make discovery and observation whether any of the Protestant Princes or Nobility come into Italy which whensoever they can discover which is very easy to do by the Jesuites education wherein they are exactly instructed they presently accuse and give notice of them either to the Pope or to the Inquisitors according to the quality of the persons 27. Divers of these Spies at Rome I have known my self when about two years since I was conversant there and to the end that those Protestants who shall thither resort may beware of them I will mention them by name The first I shall name is John Hierom Fendri who lets lodgings at the Sign of the White Lion he with two of his Sons who understand the Germane tongue very well receive from the Pope an annual pension to betray the Germanes who come thither The next is one John Scherver at the Sign of the Black Eagle near the Bridge of St. Angelo The third is a Dutch Taylor in the Street called Via Julia. These three by reason of the employments they exercise run up and down to several Inns and Lodgings as the Bear the Bull the Sword c. where Germanes use to lodge and by occasion of their Language and the Trades they use make use of that opportunity to insinuate themselves into acquaintance with the Gentlemen themselves or with their servants and by little and little by one sign or other easily discover of what Religion and what Country they are and do then presently betray them without distinction whatever their condition be whether Princes or of inferiour quality For all these and many more receive pensions from the Pope to this purpose 28. There are besides these some other Apostates men of learning who do the same but in a more grave and subtle manner for these come not but to great Persons whom the meanness of those others is not fit to converse with Of these is one Gasper Schoppius of Bamberg Dr. Fabor a Physician at the Hospital of the Holy Ghost of Franceford Justus Calvin of Heidleburg John Wouren of Amburg Dr. Joseph of Wormes Arnold Martin of Swilzerland Stephen della Favergia of Geneva a Son in Law of Anthony Calvin Roboll a Frenchman who heretofore Secretary to the Duke of Bullione and many others of the same stamp from almost all parts of Germany These as soon as they understand that any Germane is come of some name or with a handsom retinue presently resort to him and as out of meer officiousness in respect to their Country or Nation proffer their service and assistance and offer to shew them what things remarkable are to be seen and then by degrees begin to discourse with them of the affairs of the Court of Rome and sometimes discourse of the Popish Ceremonies and manners as if themselves were not in all things so well satisfied in the Romish Religion that under this pretence they may make discovery where they be halting And of these wicked Apostates they must have a great care who resort to Rome for few there are who can escape their subtilty and many persons of mean condition are by their means and by the informations they give cast into prison and forc'd to renounce Christ With Princes and Persons of quality the Pope for many reasons thinks fit to deal more mildly but yet for these also he laies snares and useth his endeavour either to seduce them or privately to make them away 29. By means of these Apostates and Spies the Pope hath been made acquainted with the entry and abode of all great persons who of late years have been in Italy and from the day of their entring into Italy they have had some on the Popes behalf who have followed them from place to place observed their actions and motions not presently to seize or commit them for they have learned by experience that these methods do not advantage the Romish Church but to make discovery of their propensions and inclinations that they may the better know how to intice and seduce them 30. The Pope or the Inquisitors so soon as they are informed of any Protestant Prince or person of quality that is come they presently dispatch some person of good condition to attend them and to shew them all civilities and bestow upon them some small presents and to entertain them with very civil language and incourage them not to be afraid Mean while by his Emissaries he neglects not to make attempt on them as to their Religion and doth endeavour by all the civil waies he can either to seduce them from the Protestant Religion or at least to send them out of Italy with better opinions of the Popes proceedings and the Romish Religion Witness hereof are the Princes of Wirtenburg of Anhall of the Palatinate of Newburg and of Saxony who have been tempted by such presents flatteries and artifices And some of their Councellours and Preceptors vigorously assaulted and tempted with large promises of honours and dignities to bring over and pervert their Princes but those of meaner condition are betray'd to the Inquisitors whom by long imprisonments and cruel torments they force to renounce Christ or if they persist constant in the truth then by fire and Sword and cruel torments they kill and destroy them 31. By the coming and abode of the foresaid Princes in Italy they came to understand much of the Protestant Princes differenees among themselves and of the State of Religion in Germany and of the peoples affections toward their Princes The Pope likewise by this means was made acquainted with the strength and counsels of divers of them which aford him opportunity of raising and fomenting discords and jealousies amongst the Protestant Princes and contriving many things for the ruine of the Protestant Cause which before that time he was not able to do And he hopes as he hath often bragg'd by the Protestants own Arms to propagate and establish his Tyranny Let therefore the Protestant Princes take good heed to themselves and if they be wise not confide too much in Popish Princes and forbear coming into Italy and especially to Rome and when at any time they come there let them take heed what persons they have with them and whom they put confidence in 32. The Pope not long since had been informed that a part of Prussia was to descend to a Son of the Marquess of Brandenburg and thereupon he so far prevailed with the Emperour and the King of Poland that they three are joyntly to endeavour that it come not to the House of Brandenburg but to the King of Poland and they have lately sent their Agents the Jesuites into those parts to make way for it For their design is to begin the broils in those parts and for this end the Romish Legate is yet detained at Rome in order thereunto 33. The aforesaid Confederates had endeavoured by their Agents and Emissaries to suborn the
they not thereby dismayed or give it over For they have determined to attempt all waies of kindling a flame in Germany And herein the forreign Princes are also very intent as hoping to extinguish the flames which are yet raging in their own Countries by kindling a fire elsewhere and that by this means those of their own Countries who are men of turbulent and seditious Spirits might have where to employ their fury and satisfy their bloody minds This artifice hath at all times given occasion and fewel to many wars throughout the World It hath long been made use of by the Popes of Italy and the Kings of Spain who have now for many years sate quiet at home and been spectatours of the Wars in the Netherlands in France and Hungary which they for these ends did at first stir up and kindle and do at this day foment and cherish The noble Germans of former ages were not wont to wait for others to bring War home to them and assault them in their own Country but to go out and meet it as far as Italy France and Spain That Heroick vertue is not yet extinguish'd in the Germans breast and that divine Prowess whereby they have conquered great part of the World Let them but rouse it up and exercise that valiant courage and undaunted Prowess against these effeminate and faint-hearted Priestlings who though at present incouraged by our sloth they grow sierce and insolent will not dare in Italy to look the Germans in the face whom they could not in former daies look upon but with terrour Let the Germans look over the noble acts of their Ancestours recorded with glory in the writers of all ages and learn at length to be true Germans that is suppressors of tyranny assertors of liberty and Masters of the world and not suffer the Popes Cowl with a few faint-hearted and lazy Popelings insolently to insult over the valiant and masculine Germane Nation 39. There was a constant same and it was reported by the French themselves that the attempt on Geneva by the Duke of Savoy was with the privity and consent of the King of France For by as agreement made two years since by Cardinal Aldobrandine between the French King and the Duke of Savoy it was covenanted and agreed that the Duke of Savoy might without offence of the King or violation of the Peace assault Geneva But with this condition that when it is taken it shall either be demolished or else so divided between them that the King shall have that part of it which is on that side of the Rosne towards France and the Duke that of the other side toward Savoy At the same time in that treaty with Aldobrandine the King of France made promise of many things concerning receiving the Councel of Trent concerning the Confederacy or Holy League above-mentioned and restoring of the Jesuites which thought they have hitherto been deferr'd yet Cardinal Dosutus and the Kings Embassadour have promised the Pope that the King in due time will perform them all and protested that he is very well addicted to the See of Rome but that he hath not been able yet to make good his promise because of the League he was to confirm with the Helvetians and some Protestant Princes who he fears would be highly offended if he should put those things in present execution but he will do it in a short time But to speak what I think I am of this opinion as to the King of France which also I have of ten heard from the mouth of the present Pope to wit that the King plays the Politician and is firm to neither part 40. The King of Spain under pretence of blocking up Algiers hath prepared a great Fleet in the Mediterranean and Tyrrhene Sea but means to go forth with it out of the Streights either against the Hollanders or against the English and in expectation of this Navy it is that Albertus lies so long before Ostend Of this his intention there be many evidences one of them is very apparent that this Navy is for the most part furnished with very great Ships which are very proper for the Ocean but not so fit for the 〈◊〉 of Africk and the Mediterranean for which Gallies are more convenient and such only Charls the fifth made use oâ— But there are more certain arguments which I have observed from their Councels Let them therefore take heed whom it concerns Nor will it be long ere they make this expedition if they can but secure themselves of a safe Port on the Coaâ—… of the Ocean which they are endeavouring with all their power For this they say is the only obstacle to their business that they have not any Ports or Harbours large enough to receive a numerous Fleet which if they could once obtain they boast that they should have forces innumerable and insuperable both by Land and Sea And truly there are in Holland Zeland Frisland England and Scotland very great numbers who adhere to the Popish and Spanish Interest and who daily sollicit the Popish Princes to take arms against those Countries and promise them all their assistance if once they arive there And within these few weeks the Jesuits who in those Countries live in disguise and say Masses have written to their General Claudius Aquaviva that the number of Papists fit to bear arms within the Provinces of Holland and Zealand only are thirty thousand and more and they are so zealous therein that they are ready on any occasion to spend their blood for the Romish Church Their letters were read in the Congregation as they call it for the Propagation of the Faith and with so great applause that they were all of one opinion that in case a Navy should there arrive it would be easie to raise a very great party and they conceive hopes of very great success for the Catholicks in those parts if once Albertus's affairs succeed well And in truth the States ought with greater severity to restrain the petulancy of these rebellious Spirits that they grow not worse by too much indulgence 41. The Ecclesiasticks in Germany that is to say the Bishops of Mentz and Collogne have given information to the Pope that there are up and down in Germany divers Confederaices amongst the Protestant Princes and frequent meetings to that purpose partly for maintaining Calvinism against the Lutherans and partly for maintaining Lutheranism against the Calvinists and that they are at this time at greater discord amongst themselves more incensed and more inraged against one another than ever they were all of them against the Papists And added moreover many particulars concerning their Factions in state affairs and other emulations and hatreds of each Religion against the other and of differences among themselves and how the people stand affectd toward their Princes from whence they might presage and were in hopes that in a short time the Protestants will fall soul upon one another and by that means the Popish Religion be greatly promoted The aforesaid Confederates on this occasion spare neither for pains not cost to cherish and foment these discords contentions and animosities amongst the Protestants and which is very pernicious and much to be lamented have so prevailed through their subtilty and our sloth that for promoting and furtheing these discords they make advantange of the simplicity shall I say or malignity of Protestant Princes and Councellors And many there are at this time through the Craft of the Papists and Artifices of some Courtiers so bewitched as to think verily that the Popish Monarchs and Princes bear no ill will to the Protestant Interest and which is more that the Pope himself favours this Religion and is desirous of Peace with us And being deluded with this vain perswasion and besotted as it were with this deadly lethargy they who should be most watchful over the Lords slock are fallen a sleep I beseech therefore most Illustrious Princes all of you who have renounced the Popish Idolatry and imbraced the Protestant Religion whether by the name of Luther or Calvin that laying aside all discords and animosities if any be amongst your selves you would all agree in one solemn League and truly sacred amongst your selves against your professed and sworn enemies would believe that the whole Popish party whoever they be are your worst enemies and if you give not credit to my bare narration observe I beseech you their actions and motions for you will easily discern that it is all true which I have here written And herein I have not consulted my own advantage but what is necessary for the safety of your selves and the whole Protestant Interest I have omitted many particulars that I might not be over tedious which yet if I shall find you to make a due use as you ought of what is now written I will not fail to add for the common Interest of the Protestant cause In the mean time be watchful take heed to your selves and give thanks to God Francis Broccard Secetary to the Pope FINIS