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justice_n	esq_n	sir_n	william_n	6,908	5	9.6167	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53414	An exact and faithful narrative of the horrid conspiracy of Thomas Knox, William Osborne, and John Lane, to invalidate the testimonies of Dr. Titus Oates, and Mr. William Bedlow by charging them with a malicious contrivance against the E. of Danby, and the said Dr. Oates with an attempt of sodomy wherein are exemplified from the originals I. Four forged letters dictated by Thomas Knox, II. Five false informations, one paper of memorials, and one other information against Dr. Oates for sodomy, forged by Knox in the names of Lane and Osborne, III. The informations, depositions, examinations, and confessions of the said Knox, Osborne, and Lane, taken upon oath before Sir William Waller and Edmund Warcup, Esq., IV. An account of some depositions taken before the Lords Committees of Secresie, relating thereunto, V. The breviates of the councel for the King at the trials of the said Knox and Lane, Nov. 25, 1679, wherein full satisfaction is given to the world of the whole cause, by the particular evidences of the witnesses in behalf of the King / published by the appointment of me, Titus Oates.	Oates, Titus, 1649-1705.	1680 (1680)	Wing O41; ESTC R4560	41,985	38

Lordships for the heinous Crime he stands guilty of John Lane Coram William Waller A third Examination of John Lane taken by me this third of May 1679. This Examinant having recollected himself further saith that the very day the Lord Treasurer came into the Black Rod Mr. Knox made this Examinant and William Osborn swear they would stand to what he had instructed them to write and said that if they should not the Lord Treasurer would die and that he would not have come in but for them hoping they would swear as they had been by the said Knox directed This Examinant further saith that on Monday last the Nurse belonging to the Goal came to him and told him he should do well to stick to Mr. Knox and that a Gentlewoman very well habited came to the Prison and bid her tell this Examinant that he should be sure to stick to Mr. Knox and not be daunted and what monies foever he should require tho it were a thousand pounds he should have it Whereupon this Examinant asked the Nurse who this Gentlewoman was to whom she replyed she would not discover her name because she would not have her name brought in question and further this Examinant saith not John Lane Coram William Waller Mr. Lane seems now to be a Penitent to have by these two last recanted his first Examination but we must not flatter our selves too much with his sincerity let us have but a little patience and we shall hear him deny what ever he has now owned and justifie what in his first Examination he had justified He has degorg'd himself in those last Papers but resolves to lick up his vomit again and tho he seems to have become a Convert will ere long prove himself an Apostate Whether he thought he should make his Fortune better by telling lyes for his Great Master than by telling truth for the Doctor or what other Reason may be assigned Certain it is that Nov. 4. 1679 before the Lords of the Council being ask'd Whether he had not made two contrary Affidavits before the House of Lords he acknowledged that out of fear he did so but that the first drawn by Willoughby as Mr. Nevil had directed was true and the other false And being flesht in Wickedness and hardened to his own ruin he proceeds to Indict Dr. Oates at the Kings Bench Bar of the horrid and abominable Crimes mentioned in the foregoing Depositions tho the Wisdom of the Jury upon the slightness and Inconsistency of his Evidence threwit out and brought in an Ignoramus I shall now present to the Reader a true Coppy of the Examination of William Osborn which opens much of this accursed design against Dr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow which tho full of now proved Truth yet the Examinant it seems desperately resolved to take his part of shame and punishment with his beloved Accomplices and is since fled from his own Oath and the Justice due to Perjury The Examination of William Osborn of Cullumpton in the County of Devon Vintener taken upon Oath in obedience to an Order of the Lords Committees for examining of Discoveries relating to the late horrid Conspiracy before Sir William Waller Baronet and Edward Wareup Esq two of His Majesties Justices of the Peace this 29th day of April 1679. Middlesex and Westminster This Examinant saith that he served Mr. Titus Oates from the tenth of December last to the latter end of March past That the said Mr. Oates paid this Examinant his Wages very honestly and his usage was civil but he sometimes corrected this Examinant for Misdemeanors at which this Examinant was offended but never intended any mischief to Mr. Oates for it And this Examinant farther saith that Mr. Oates was a passionate man yet very Religious and every morning sent all his Servants to the Kings Chappel to prayers only ordering some one of them to stay at home to dress him and he further saith that he never heard Mr. Oates say he had any design to accuse the Lord Treasurer or any ways to destroy him nor did this Examinant ever hear any discourse between Mr. Bedlow and Mr. Oates tending to any Accusation against the Lord Treasurer but this Examinant did 〈◊〉 the Information that Mr. Bedlow gave against the Lord Treasurer which Mr. Wiggins Mr. Bedlow Clerk shewed to this Examinant after the same was sworn publickly And this Examinant further saith that he never heard Mr. Oates say that he had any acc●●●●ion to make against the Queen or had made any and the worst word he ever heard him speak of the Queen was where is our Dame going which was when he saw the Guard drawn out in the Yard to attend her Majesty And this Examinant further saith that one day at Dinner when Mr. Wharton Mr. Oates his Father Dr. Jones and others were present some discourse happen'd between them about Sir John Robinson and sometime after the naming of him Mr. Oates did say these words We have not gone to bed sober these four years which Mr. Thurston Mr. Lane and this Examinant did think to be spoken of the King but this Examinant cannot say 't was spoken of His Majesty in regard he can give no reason why to apply it so And he further saith that he cannot remember or call to mind that he ever heard Mr. Oates speak any undecent words of any passages between His Majesty and Mr. Cheffinch and this Examinant further saith that he hath layen several nights with Mr. Oates but never found he afford the least lascivious or undecent action to this Examinant but did exhort this Examinant from time to time to lead a good course of Life free from doing evil and often made this Examinant to read Sermons and other Books by him And this Examinant further saith That upon the first of April last Mr. John Lane now Prisoner with this Examinant in the Gatehouse and formerly fellow servant with this Examinant to Mr. Oates brought this Examinant to Mr. Knox in the painted Chamber who thence went to the Cloysters in the Abbey with this Examinant where he discoursed about the Earl of Danby and Mr. Knox proposed then to this Examinant That if this Examinant would swear That Mr. Bedlow came to Mr. Oates his Chamber and there said that he had been with the Earl of Danby and that the Earl of Danby had promised him money to go beyond Sea and that this was a contrived story between the said Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow to take away the Earl of Danby's Life that in such case this Examinant should have enough to maintain this Examinant and a Footboy to attend him And this Examinant saith that he met Mr. Knox in the same Cloysters afterwards twice they two being alone when he alwayes continued his discourse and promises of what great rewards this Examinant should have if he would swear that Mr. Bedlow and Mr. Oates in this Examinants hearing contrived the design against the Lord Treasurer whereby to prove

took him by the Privy-Members and said that he would be Friends with the Informant and at the same time when Mr. Oates's hand was in the Informant's Breeches and held him by the Members the said Mr. Oates unbutton'd the Informant's Breeches with the other hand and commanded and forced with an angry Countenance with his hand the Informant to lye down upon his Belly upon the Bed and the said Mr. Oates lay'd down by the Informants side and told the Informant that he had a mind to see whether his back-side were flea'd enough and when he saw that it look'd red he took the Informant about the middle and kiss'd him in a lascivious manner and at the same time the said Mr. Oates thrust his Belly against the said Informant's side and did with his naked Privy-Members press the said Informant's Body hard and the said Informant doth further upon his Oath declare had not a VVoman that was sweeping the next Room kept a noise which made him think the rest of the Servants were come from Prayers he would grievously have abused the Body of the Informant and would certainly have bugger'd him and the Informant durst not cry out for fear of being seiz'd by the Sentinels as aforesaid and this the said Informant doth swear he had tempted to do several other times before John Lane I do believe this to be Lane's hand Tho. Knox. The Information subscribed by Lane as Knox testifies under his own hand was after some time made upon Oath before Sir James Butler for so Lane himself confesses before the Council Novemb. 4. 1679. for which see Col. Mansell's Narrative p. 64. and Sir James Butler himself owns the taking an Affidavit of Lane about Buggery charg'd upon Mr. Oates November the second see the same Narrative pag. 50. In which Information Lane acted both maliciously against Dr. Oates and warily for himself for though he had a great mind the Doctor 's Person and Evidence should be soundly disparaged yet he loved himself too well to be hang'd and therefore he lays the Crime not to be committed which would have stretch'd his own Neck but only attempted which was enough to throw Dirt upon the Doctor 's Conversation and blemish his Testimony Now because a Crime of so high and horrid guilt so contrary to Nature and above the common Standard of Villanies would never gain credit amongst those who knew the former method of the Doctors Conversation they had drawn the Information with so good advice that there was an Answer insinuated to the common Objections that might be made against the truth of it As first why did not Lane cry out for help upon the Attempt made upon him to this you are furnish'd with an Answer it was this The Informant durst not cry out for fear of being seized by the Sentinels It seems he was more afraid of the Sentinels than of the Gallows But it might be asked Why was not the Fact committed as well as attempted to this he hints a fine Answer that had not a Woman that was sweeping kept a noise which made him think the rest of the Servants were come from Prayers he would grievously have abused the Body of the Informant This old Woman was indeed handsomely contrived and so the Poets introduce some God from Heaven to salve all Difficulties when their own Plots have render'd matters intricate but should we ask Lane how the Doctors severe whipping and lashing him with Cords was a proper inducement to Lane's yielding to his Lust which certainly would have raised other passions and why he did not swear that Dr. Oates gave him Sweet meats rather than such severe Penance I know not what he would answer but that it was an errour and they will rectifie it in the next Information It is now time having exemplified all the Letters Informations and Memorials which were drawn up by themselves and kept ready to serve the occasion to proceed to those Informations which were taken upon Oath before some or other of his Majesties Justices for the Peace only I must leave this Advertisement That the four Letters the six Informations and the Paper containing three Memorials all of them here transcribed and compared were by Knox delivered into the hands of Sir William waller and Mr. Justice Warcup as he owns upon his Oath before the said Gentlemen The Examination of Thomas Knox lately Servant to the Lord Dumblane before us Sir William Waller and Edmund Warcup Esquire two of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex and City and Liberties of VVestminster taken by us by Vertue of an Order of the Committee of Lords This Examinant saith That on the 1st of April walking in the painted Chamber W. Osborne came to him and told him that he being informed that he had lived in the E. of Danby's Family for some time he had something of moment to communicate to him which might be a means to save the Lord Treasurer whereupon this Examinant walked with the said Osborne into the Abby being in the Abby Osborne delivered Papers drawn up by way of Information being five in number none of them bearing any date and one Paper of several Memorials of John Lane and William Osborne The next day they brought him to the Cloysters in Westminster-Abby several meetings they had afterwards and four Letters they wrote to him About the fifth of April they went together to Mr. Cheyney at Chelsey one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace but he told them the business being of an high nature and matter of State he desired to be excused About a fortnight after this Examinant went to Mr. Dewe upon the same Errand and received the like Answer as Mr. Cheyney had done not long after he went likewise to Mr. Secretary Coventrey who told him that he being a Member of the House of Commons by whom the said Lord Treasurer had been Impeached he could not meddle in that business None of the forementioned Gentlemen his Majesties Justices of the Peace had a sight of any of the Papers but only upon the Information which this Examinant made in his own Name they and Mr. Secretary Coventrey made the same Answer This Examinant being something scrupulous in medling in the business they told him that they had been with Captain Thuar formerly and had acquainted him with this business and that he had advised them it being a nice business to let it alone till the heat of the Parliament should be a little over About a fortnight after that Will. Osborne and John Lane had communicated these matters to the Examinant they complaining that they knew not where conveniently to lodge this Examinant told them he would endeavour to find them Lodgings and the very same day by the direction of the Lord Dunblain's Coach-man went to the Sugar-Loaf in Pickadilly and took Lodgings on his own account for himself and two of his Friends and lay there with them At the time of their going from

the said Lodgings which was four or five days at most the said Osborne and Lane paid to this Examinant two Shillings a-piece and during the time that this Examinant was with them they constantly paid their Club. This Examinant further saith that he hath communicated this business to the Lord Latimere and that he had given the Papers before-mentioned into his hands to be perused which he hath now delivered into our Custody He likewise declares neither to have seen or heard of any body coming to them from the Lords in the Tower or knoweth of their ever having been at the Tower And further this Examinant saith that he never directly or indirectly did supply the said Osborne or Lane with any money or made them any promise of Reward whatsoever only he confesseth that at the Tun-Tavern in S. Martin's Lane he flung down a Guinney on the Table the said Lane saying he had no money and promising to repay it and further this Examinant saith not Tho. Knox. Jurat coram nobis 29. April 1679. William Waller Edmond Warcupp Memorand That after the aforesaid Examination he confessed to us both that he had written a Note this Afternoon being a Prisoner to Mr. Osborne to inform him that he would be examined this afternoon with these other words We always Clubbed and you paid two Shillings at the Sugar-Loaf Tear this He likewise confessed that he had lain in White-Fryers being again examined although before he had denied it William Waller Edmond Warcupp Lane's first Examination The Examination of John Lane Son of Richard Lane at this time one of the Yeomen of the Guard in Extraordinary to his Majesty taken in obedience to an Order of the Lords of the Committee for examining Discoveries relating to the late Horrid Conspiracy before us Sir William Waller and Edmond Warcupp Esq two of his Majesties Justices of the Peace this 29. April 1679. This Examinant saith that he lived with Mr. Oates nine Weeks about the seventh of April last he quitted Mr. Oates his service whilst he lived with the said Mr. Oates he saith he daily sent his Servants to Morning Prayers reserving one only with him to dress him This Examinant saith that whilst he was his Servant he was never charged by Mr. Oates of opening any of his Letters or of any other misdemeanour He further saith that three Informations marked the numbers 1 2 4 and the Memorial marked number 6 were written by Mr. William Osborne and were by this Examinant subscribed none saving the said Osborne being present and three of the Letters marked 2 3 and 4 were written by the said William Osborne and were by this Examinants own hand subscribed John Lane none else being present and thinks that they were truly dated when written This Examinant confesseth that he and Mr. Knox and Mr. Osborne lay privately this day fortnight in White-Fryers from the Tuesday to the Saturday following and from thence they went and lodged in a paved Alley leading out of Chancery-Lane into Lincolns-Inn-fields and there they rested all the next day which was Easter-day and the Night On Monday they removed into Pickadilly to the Sign of the three Sugar-Loaves and there continued till Friday last at which time he was taken These three forementioned Lodgings were taken by Mr. Knox and this Examinant and Mr. Osborne deliver'd their share of Charges from time to time both for Diet and Lodging to the said Mr. Knox and then the said Mr. Knox paid all the expences to the persons to whom it was due but not in their presence This Examinant saith that he Mr. Knox and Mr. Osborne once being at the One-Tun-Tavern in St. Martins-Lane Mr. Knox threw a Guinney on the Table which this Examinant saith he took up and put it into his Pocket Mr. Knox then saying that it should never be said I gave you any money And he further saith that never at any time either Mr. Knox or any other person directly or indirectly gave him either any money or promised him any Reward whatsoever for thus accusing Mr. Oates neither was he by Mr. Knox or any other person ever perswaded to swear for the Lords in the Tower or the Lord Treasurer and further this Examination saith not John Lane Jurat corum nobis Will. Waller Edmund Warcupp Hitherto we find Mr. Lane keeps close to the Cause and stands his ground only the Guinney dropt at the Tun-Tavern in St. Mertins-Lane and by Mr. Lane put into his own Pocket administers some suspicion that there was some practice in the business and especially those words which Knox dropt with the Guinney do greatly confirm it It shall never be said I gave you any money But we are now entring upon those Informations which testifie at once Mr. Lane's relentings though not his repentings and therefore I shall subjoyn two more of Mr. Lane's Examinations which will discover the depths of this Roguery though a little out of time-order Lane's second Examination A further Examination of John Lane Son to Richard Lane at this time one of the Yeomen of the Guard to His Majesty taken by me at the earnest suite and request of the said John Lane this _____ of _____ 1679. This Examinant having been this day brought to the door of the Commitee of Lords in order to a further Examination of what he had formerly deposed being brought back to the Prison without having appeared before the Lords the Committee having by reason of the King 's being come to the House adjourn'd the hearing of the Ex●minant until Fryday morning this Examinant being touched and pricked in his own Conscience with a real and hearty remorse and sorrow for the great Guilt he had contracted in falsely swearing and accusing Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow desired one Mr. R●cks one of the Yeomen of the Guard to endeavour to find out Sir Will. Waller to beg his pardon and to let him know that he was now fully convinced of his sin and should confess the whole naked truth though he should expose his own Reputation to ruine rather than encrease his Guilt by justifying of what in his own Conscience he is convinced to be false This Examinant declareth that the first time he ever met Mr. Thomas Knox it was at the Sign of the Hole in the Wall in Duffins Alley in Kings-street and that there Mr. Knox advised him what he should say concerning Mr. Oates in Reference to any discourse either of the King Queen or Lord Treasurer that at this Examinatnt's coming to that House he was not to ask for Mr. Knox but for the Number 3 After some discourse there how they should contrive an accusation of Mr. Oates The said Knox gave this Examinant directions how to do it and it bei●g late they broke up their meeting This first meeting happened to be on the Tuesday or Wednesday before he left Mr. Oates The second meeting was agreed to be at the Owle in King-street on the Sunday following at three of the

about the Earl of Danby and Dr. Oates He confesses the writing the Letters and informations That they often shifted lodgings that Knox bore their expences and promised them great rewards That Lane being taken Knox sent my Lord Duneblanes Coachman with a hackney-Coach for him that in that Coach they went to Whitefriers where Knox acquainted him that the taking of Lane would expedite the buisiness That Knox gave him money That when Osborne was in the Gate-house Knox sent him a Note to this purpose you will be examined this afternoon we alwayes clubbed and you paid two shillings at the Sugar-leaf Tare this which note Knox has confessed and upon his Examination acknowledged he threw down a Guinny upon the table which Lane took up but to colour the business said it was only lent him but even this gives just ground of suspition to the design and now what will the whole world think and say of the Impudence of these men that after all these disappointments and bafflings after their own confessions retractions yet that they should be buoyed up to that height of confidence as to make a farther attempt upon the Doctors reputation And yet this they did for upon the nineteenth day of this instant November 1679. John Lane had mustered up so much of his declined courages as to prefer an Indictment against Dr. Oates for an attempt to commit upon him the horrid and Abominable sin of Sodomy Which Indictment being brought to the Grand Jury the Incoherence and slightness of his evidencence caused them to return an Ignoramus Dr. Oates not willing to suffer his Good name and the Credit of his Testimony to depend upon the throwing out of that bill brought an Indictment for the King against the said Knox and Lane for Osborne had withdrawn himself which came to be openly tryed at the Kings-bench bar November twenty five 1679. An account whereof the whole Nation does expect and wherein satisfaction shall be now given Novem. 25 1679. Dominus Rex versus Thomam Knox Johanem Lane For the King The Indictment sets forth that whereas Edward Coleman William Ireland and John Groves and other false Traytors to the Jury unknown 24th of April in the thirtieth year of the King that now is at the Parish of Saint Margarets Westminster did trayterously conspire consult and agree amongst themselves to kill and destroy the King and to raise War against his Majesty within this Kingdome and to change the Religion by Law established to the Superstition of the Church of Rome for which Treasons Trayterous Conspiracies Consultations and Agreements the said Coleman Ireland and Groves were afterwards attainded and put to death for the same And whereas William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford John Lord Bellasis Henry Lord Arundel of Wardour William Lord Petre and Sir Henry Tichbourn Baronet the thirtieth of Nov. last at Westminster were accused of the Treasons aforesaid and thereupon according to due forme of law were committed to the Tower of London to be there safely kept to answer the said Treasons whereof the said Earl of Powis and the other four Lords were by the Commons in Parliament assembled Impeached And whereas Thomas Earl of Danby afterwards that is to say the thirtieth of Nov. last at Westminster was in lawful manner accused of certain Treasons and other misdemeaners and thereupon according to due forme of law was committed to the Tower there to be safe kept to answer the Treasons and misdemeanours aforesaid of which said Treason and misdemeanours the said Earl of Danby is Impeached by the Commons in Parliament assembled And that the Defendants knowing the said Lords to be accused of the Treason and misdemeanours aforesaid and the said defendants being diabolically affected towards the King their natural Lord and contriving and endeavouring with all their might to disturb hinder and stifle the discovery of the said Treasons by the said Earl of Powis Viscount Stafford Lord Bellisis Henry Lord Arundel William Lord Petre supposed to be committed as aforesaid and as much as in them lay to elude the due Course of law and retard the prosecution of justice against the said five Lords Sir Henry Tichbourn and Thomas Earl of Danby They the said Defendants the thirtieth of April last past at the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid falsely maliciously and unlawfully amongst themselves did consult and agree to scandalize Titus Oates Clerk and William Bedlow Gent. Who had given informations of the Treasons aforesaid and whom the said Defendants knew to have given Information of the Treasons aforesaid against the Earl of Powis Viscount Stafford Lords Bellasis Arundel and Petre and to represent them upon the Trial of the said five Lords to be persons of evil Conversation and Witnesses not to be believed And that the Defendant Knox afterwards that is to say the 30th of April last at Westminster aforesaid in the Names and with the consent and agreement of the Defendant Lane and William Osborne to villifie the Information of the said Titus Oates and William Bedlow to be given for the King against the said five Lords last mentioned falsly maliciously subtilly and advisedly did write and cause to be written four Letters and those Letters so written falsly c. did direct and cause to be delivered to himself the said Defendant Knox by which said Letters it was falsly craftily and deceitfully declared that the said Lane and Osborne were very much troubled in their Consciences by reason of certain matters which they well knew and did conceal concerning the unjust contrivances of the said Titus Oates and William Bedlow in accusing the said Earl of Danby to be guilty of the Treasons and other Misdemeanors aforesaid And that the said Titus Oates was a person of a wicked and vicious Life and did make an assault upon the said John Lane and did endeavour to commit with him the said Lane Sodomy And further that the Defendant Knox the sooner and effectually to perswade the said Lane and Osborne falsly to accuse the said Titus Oates and William Bedlow that they the said Titus Oates and William Bedlow had unjustly contrary to all Truth accused the said E. of Danby of the Treasons and other Misdemeanours aforesaid and so to affirm against the Kings Evidence against the Trial to be had of the said Earl of Danby for the Treasons and Misdemeanors aforesaid afterwards the 30th of April last at Westminster falsly advisedly corruptly and against the duty of his Allegiance did give to the said Lane and Osborne divers great summs of Money And did promise to the said Lane and Osborne within a certain time by the said Defendant Knox proposed that they the said Lane and Osborne should have and receive other great summs and other rewards for the same to the great delay obstruction and suppression of Justice c. To this the Defendants pleaded not Guilty The Names of the Jury Empanelled and Sworn were as followeth Sr. John Kirke Knight Thomas Harriot

hatred to center in his destruction I shall not need to tell the world that I mean Dr. Titus Oates he is the person against whom they have shot all the Arrows of obloquy and slaunder 't is his life that must be devoted to the raging waves to appease the Tempest he is the Jonas that must be cast over-board not because he fled from God to Tarsus but because he forsook Rome for God Treason for Loyalty and the Tents of wickedness for the Camp of Israel I have wondred that they who in the Magazine and Treasury of their Church have such variety and with their variety such Stores of Pardons Indulgencies and Dispensations for Incest Murder Adultery Simony Assassinating of Princes dispensed by the hand of their holy Father to all his dear Children cannot lend one Pardon to him that has been instrumental to serve and preserve his natural King and Native Country Is this at last discovered to be the unpardonable sin Has every crime its expiation with them but Repentance Is this the only mortal heinous sin that deserves utter extermination and excision Will no sacrifice be accepted but his blood Must his life pay the price of his Loyalty I dare aver it had this Gentleman been really guilty of all those and ten times more than all these enormities they have falsly and impudently laid to his charge a slender confession and slighty pennance might have procured a most easie Absolution provided alwaies he had been true to the Cause and would have embarqued his soul in the same Leaky Bottom of their Pseudocatholick Church with themselves but the greatest Treason with them is to discover and prevent their Treasons the highest crime to dilate and impeach their crimes and nothing renders a man more incapable of forgiveness than not to need it The Protestants have indeed been under some disadvantagious Circumstances that have rendred them less capable to defeat the designs of their politick enemies amongst which none has more encouraged the Papists to proceed in their so often baffled enterprizes than the incredulousness of the Protestants themselves for the fine and Mercurial wits of the Jesuits and their accomplices had raised a Treason to that superlative height of Impiety that it was somewhat too big for the bore of our faith it had almost stranded the belief of those who looked into their own hearts for a footstep of such wickedness and attended not the presidents upon Record of the like practices though in some particulars it must be confessed they have outvyed former Ages and themselves Had it been a modest piece of Roguery an ordinary Essay of Treason or some common instance of Jesuitical contrivance we should have found an ordinary faith for its entertainment and easily admitted the credibility of it but when malice is rampant when villany is transcendent and got above all the predicaments all the Schemes of usual devilishness this this is that which poses and puzzles the thoughts of common siz'd sinners how to conceive mankind should be so desperately debauched so horribly degenerated as to engage in unparallel'd unpresidented mischiefs But our Catholicks are resolved to cure us for ever of our Infidelity and to let us know by Antopsie that henceforward there is no evil so great which their daring towring Inventions cannot excogitate and when they have done if we will sit with our fingers in our mouths execute it too so that now they have furnisht us with a faith even to Plerophory that they are full as bad as the publick Justice of the Nation has represented them Out of the vast Mass of complicated Villanies which adorn the story of this hideous Plot I have singled out one and but one particular wherein to gratify the curious and satisfy the Judicious And that shall be the Cursed Design of Thomas Knox William Osburn and John Lane to invalidate the testimony of Dr. Oates and Mr. William Bedlow by fixing upon them a Conspiracy against the life of the Earl of Danby Prisoner in the Tower but especially to charge the former of those worthy Persons with a Crime which had it been true must have renderd him a Person so scandalous and vicious in his morals as would have caused a suspicion in the breasts of all that were possest with the truth of it of the veracity of the said Dr. Oates in all is former and future Testimonies Why these men of prostituted consciences should only attempt the murder of the Doctors good name and not dispatch him out of the way by Dagger Pistol or Poyson I can ascribe to nothing but to the vigilance of the same never slumbering eye that has hitherto preserved his Majesty and the Protestant Religion against those Hellish attempts which have been made upon them but seriously all Protestants must reflect upon it with admiration that in so long time they that could in a moment send Mr. Justice Godfrey out of the way have not been able to destroy one no not one of those many who have appeared to accuse them wherein we must adore the goodness of God who by his own hand could but would not and by the same hand has restrained them who would but should not be able to touch them But that I may not make a Porch so unproportionably great that the house may run out at the portall I shall not move passion or compassion any further but leave the Reader to his own Impartial thoughts to make reflections and commentaries upon the ensuing Narrative Farewel A faithful and particular Account of a most horrid Contrivance of the Papists to invalidate the evidence of Dr. Titus Oates by representing his Person scandalous and his veracity questionable which accursed design was managed by Thomas Knox William Osburn and John Lane as the Instruments but governed by wiser heads then their own When I have informed the Reader that Mr. Knox was formerly servant to the Lord Dumblain Son to the Earl of Danby he will easily suggest to himself the reason why he was so active an Instrument in this great affair and when he shall know also that Mr. Osburn and Mr. Lane were or had been Servants to Dr. Oates he will easily justify the prudence of the Confederates to draw them by the greatest promises and reward into the Confederacy But it will be necessary to let the Reader know in a few and but a few more words that these lesser and lower wheels only moved according to influence and direction of greater Politicians that what ever these common sea-men had to do with the tackle yet there were more subtle heads that attended the Steerage and Compass That Mr. Lane had intimacy with Mrs. Cellier who was the great Agent between the Lords in the Tower and the small Engineers that were plying abroad appears from the deposition of Anne Blake servant to the said Cellier as I find in Collonel Manfel's Narrative That the Lords in the Tower were mightily concerned for their beloved friend Mr. Lane Mr.

Esquire Henry Johnson Esquire Simon Middleton Esquire Hugh Squire Esquire Francis Derrington Esquire John Roberts Esquire Rainsford Waterhouse Esquire Thomas Earsby Esquire Joseph Ratoliffe Gent. James Supple Gent. Richard Cooper Gent. The Names of the Counsel learned in the Law who pleaded on behalf of the King against the Defendants Mr. Attorney General Mr Sollicitor General Mr. Sergeant Maynard The Recorder of London Sr. Francis Winnington Mr. William Williams Mr. Thomas Smyth Mr. John Trenchard The Names of the Counsel assigned to the Defendant Lane Mr. Holt Mr. Darnel The Names of the Counsel entertained for the Defendant Knox. Mr. Withins Steward of Westminster Court Mr. Soroggs Son to the Lord chief Justice Mr. Saunders The Names of the Witnesses ready to swear to the particular Clauses hereafter mentioned only it is to be observed that the Cause being exceeding clear by the Testimony of some few of the more considerable Witnesses the rest were not called To prove the Attainder of Coleman Ireland and Groves See the Records To prove that they were put to death Mr. Tisser To prove the Commitments of the Lords and Sr. Henry Tichburn Mr. Clare Mr. Reynolds To prove the said five Lords Impeached Mr. Clare To prove the Accusation and the Commitment of the Earl of Danby Mr. Reynolds To prove the Empeachment of the Earl of Danby Mr. Goodenough That Lane had a design at his first coming to Dr. Oates in Nov. 1678 to accuse him which his Father discovered by some expressions to Mr. Radford to the same effect that he was afterwards accused Mr. Radford That Lane desired after this to be re-admitted in the Doctors service Mr. Allen. That Lane declared whilst he was with Doctor Oates that he hoped to get one thousand pound in a short time Sam. Oates That Lane desired Mr. Reex to find out Sr. William Waller so that he might confess the truth of the whole Contrivance to him being pricked in Conscience for the false Oaths he had taken Robert Reex To prove that Lane and Osborn confessed that they were suborned by Knox to swear falsly against Doctor Oates before Sr. William Waller and Mr. Warcupp and that he had given them Money to do the same and this they confest before a Committee of the Lords These Examinations proved by Sr. William Waller Mr. Warcupp Mr. Relfe Mr. Snow To prove that Lane and Osborne were made to Swear by Knox to stand fast to what he had instructed them to write and that the Lord Treasurer would not have surrendred himself but for them Sr. William Waller Lanes Confession 3d. May 1679 and Lanes 3d. Examination To prove the Letters Confessed by Osborne Mr. Justice Warcupp As to Knox his Endeavours to take off Mr. Oates and Bedlows Testimony To prove that Knox endeavoured to suborn Henry Wiggins offering him a reward to swear against Captain Bedlow Henry Wiggins Mr. Wiggin's Mother That Mr. Wiggins acquainted Mr. Palmer a Yeoman of the Guard with these Proposals presently after they were made Mr. Palmer To prove that Knox made several Proposals to one Thurston late Servant to Doctor Oates and promised to be very kind to him if he could find any thing to swear against his Master John Thurstone To prove that Knox Lane and Osborn being imprison'd in the Gate-House for this contrivance Knox offered Slightham the Gaolers man a good reward to let him hold Correspondence with Lane by Letters and desired him to go to Lane and tell him he feared Osborne had betrayed them about the matter of Doctor Oates and desired him to speak to him to stand fast to him and then they should be two against one Richard Slightham To prove that Knox Lane and Osborne went to Justice Dewy and Knox told him he came from my Lord Latimer who presented his Service to him and that Knox was advised to come to him by that Lord to take an Information against Doctor Oates Mr. Dewy That they went also to Justice Cheyney at Chelsea Mr. Cheyney That Knox confessed he lent Lane a Guinny and that Osborn and Lane confessed that Knox assured 〈…〉 ●…ever want Money nor Preferment Sr. William Waller Mr. W●●c●pp To prove that Knox confessed to Sr. William Waller and Mr. Warcupp that whilst he and Mr. Osborn were Prisoners he the said Knox sent a Note to Osborn to inform him that he would be examined the afternoon and with these words We always clubbed and you paid two shillings at the Sugar-loaf Tear this Sr. William Waller Mr. Warcup That Lane hath been kept this last Summer at the house of the Earl of Powis that he had ten shillings per week allowed him to give Evidence against Dr. Oates That Knox was to have thirty or fourty Pounds to carry on the Business and that Osborn Knox and Lane were to be rewarded by the Lords in the Tower for their Evidence against Doctor Oates Mr. Dangerfield Mrs. Blake Mrs. Edwards That Lane waited with a great Club to knock down Mr. Reex at Mrs. Maynards door that Knox would have had the said Mrs. Maynard swear that Mr. Reex offer'd her one hundred Pounds to swear in Doctor Oates his business Mrs. Maynard Mrs. Tyrrel If George Neal one Bowring and George Deeplow be produced as Witnesses for the Defendants To prove that Neal hath made application several times to be re-admitted to Doctor Oate's Service since he was turned away Sr. Thomas Stringer Mr. Weal Robert Gyde Mrs. Brooks Henry Lord Mr. Smith That Bowring was turn'd out of Doctor Oates his Service for keeping company with Knox Lane and with Papists Mr. Saunders Mr. Money Mr. Allen Samuel Oates junior That Bowring hath made application to be re-admitted to Doctor Oates his Service Mr. Smith Mr. Robert Gyde That Deeplow about a week before Doctor Oates turn'd him away declared that he wondred at the wickedness of Lane and Osborn in accusing his Master Seeing he appear'd to him a very upright and honest Man Moses Gwyn Mr. Samuel Oates George Gregory That Deeplow thanked Doctor Tong for helping him into Doctor Oates his Service Doctor Tong. If Lane's Mother or Sister be produced as Witnesses To prove that Lane's Mother said her Son was drawn in by Plays and Treats c. to accuse Doctor Oates and that Knox offer'd her Son Money in the Gatehouse to stand to his first Information Margery Walker To prove that Mary Lane said Now my Lord Treasurer must lose his Head for my Brother has confessed All Mrs. Sterling That Knox was with Mrs. Wiggins on fryday last to perswade her not to come in against him and then said she should have a Reward Mrs. Wiggins And thus at length I have conducted the Reader through this dark and intricate Labyrinth of Confederated Roguery wherein some will question whether there was more of the Devil in the Contrivance then of God in the Discovery and Defeating of the Design but we have seen Divine Wisdom and Mercy triumphing over humane and hellish Malice and Subtlety I have studiously forborn to give the Reader the trouble of the Minutes of the Tryal the judicious are better satisfied with a brief Synopsis of the Cause than with the tedious Speeches of Witnesses which are frequently interrupted with Questions and some of them perhaps not very material or pertinent Let it suffice that the Evidence was so clear against the Defendants Knox and Lane that the Jury without any delay found for the King against them to the very great satisfaction of the Court and Company which was exceeding great Many Noble Men Gentlemen and eminent Citizens coming with great expectations of the issue of this Tryal which was managed with that Justice Impartiality indifferency between the King and the Defendants that some have been heard to say they could never believe a 〈◊〉 before but now they were abundantly satisfied Knox and Lane were immediately taken into Custody and are now in Prison a●…ending the Sentence of the Law which though it hath not hitherto been pronounced yet they must know that the higher Justice lifts up its Hand the heavier it will strike and compensate the slowness with the severity of the Punishment which being bounded by the Law can never be too great for such Monstrous Malefactors Osborne indeed fled from Justice which argues more Modesty then these others can pretend to which chuse rather to outface Justice then seem to fear it and are more Ambitious of a Martyrdom that may register them in the Roman Calendar though their Names never appear in the Roll of Christian Worthies Yet let us not despair of their Repentance having Instances before our Eys that as there are none so vile but the Catholicks will use them for Instruments so there are none so obdurate but the Divine Grace can make them Converts FINIS