by the two Bulls or Letters of Pope Clement the eight See the Hist of France P. 1196. they ought not to have received the King into the Kingdome then by a greater reason being received the Pope would have him made away as if Kings Free Princes and States were to live but at the pleasure of the Pope The proditorious doctrine of the Josuits did likewise add much fuel to this fiery enterprize which was first made known and revealed by Cateshy to Thomas Winter of Huddington in the County of Worcester when they met together at London who gave his consent and approbation thereunto And shortly after went into Flanders to negotiate with Baldwine the Jesuite with the Constable with Owen with Faewkes and also with Sir William Stanley who for many yeers together did lurk in those parts of the Netherlands that were under the obedience of Albertus Archduke of Austria and Clara Isabella his Wife the Daughter of the King of Spaine and durst not come into England For this was that Sir William Stanley who contrary to his Oath did treacherously deliver up Dâ—venter a rich Town in Oven Yssell to the King of Spaine which had bin gotten a little before by Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester sent into the low Countries with some considerable Forces by Queen Elizabeth to aid the Dutch against the Spaniard but the Town was regained shortly after by the States of Holland He that is false to God will be false to Man and when opportunity serves will keep no faith with them that are no better then Heretikes in his account When Winter had conferred with the parties aforesaid and had imparted to them so much of his minde as he thought convenient at this time he returned back into England and brought with him Guide Fawks a very desperate Souldier and a monstrous instrument of mercilese cruelty And when they came to London they met with Robert Catesby Thomas Percy and John Wright at a house behinde St. Clements Church without Temple Bar where they spake of doing some thing but first they thought it fit to take an Cath of secrecie which they gave to each other upon a Primer the contents whereof here followeth YOu shall swear by the blessed Trinity and by the Sacrament you now purpose to receive never to disclose directly nor indirectly by word or circumstance the matter that shall be proposed to you to keep secret nor desist from the Execution thereof untill the rest shall give you leave And for their further confirmation they went into a more private chamber and there heard Mass and received the blessed Sacrament at the hands of William Gerrard a Priest who told them that it was better that some Innocents did perish with the nocent for the advantage of the Catholicks rather then the service should quaile the necessitie of time and occasion so requiring it And now did Catesby and Winter disclose the business to the rest wherefore they took the Oath which they all approved And Percy by the Authority of the rest was sent to take some house or lower roome either under or near the Parliament house to lay in the Powder which was to be bought by Winter and Fawkes Now while this Cockatrices Egge horrible Treason was hatching to the end that it might succeed well and breake forth into a Basiliske a flying and fire-breathing Serpent whose deadly eye might destroy both Prince and People in a moment in the twinkling of an eye the Papists gave themselves to their devotions and Prayers both at home and abroad For although the vulgar sort knew not of the particulars of the damnable design yet they had a general notion and confused knowledge of some thing to be done in the Parliament for the good of their Church And the Priests and Jesuits themselves did usually conclude their Masses and oblatory Sacrifices with these verses made by Henry Garnet Provincial over the Jesuits here in England Gentem auferte perfidam credentium de finibus Vt Christo laudes debitas persolvamus alacriter Which I English thus Even from the Coasts of faithfull men A faithless Nation take That chearfully to Christ our Lord We may due praises make And others prayed See Speed his Chron. as they were taught thus Prosper Lord their paines that labour in thy cause day and night let Heresie vanish away like smoake let the memory of it perish with a crack like the ruine and fall of a broken house Hereby alluding to their working in the Myne the mounting smoak of the Powder and the violent fall of the Parliament house In Flanders Baldwine was not slack to improve his Interest in Heaven for the speeding of their great errand At Rome Parsons the Jesuite being Governor of that Colledge which was founded by Pope Gregorie the thirteenth for English Fugitives and discontented malignants did give order to the Students of the house after their ordinary devotions were ended to pray for some extraordinary thing Orate proconversione Turcae One while they must pray for the conversion of the Turke some two or three daies together Another while they must pray as long for the Captives in England meaning the Papists that were in Prison But for two moneths together before the day appointed for the execution of their bloodie design Orate pro Captivis in Anglia Parsons commanded them to pray for the intention of their Father Rector which made the Students of the house wonder what their Father Rectors intention should be Orate pro intentione Patris Rectoris They had set formes of Prayer for these things made by Parsons But when they heard of a Barbarous Treason discovered in England sixteen of them forsook the Colledge and came over the Alpes down into France waiting for a better season to return home with some of which who forsook the Church of Rome and embraced the reformed Religion I had some conference The King began his Raign as we have shewed upon the foure and twentieth day of March the last day of the year according to the date of the Lawyers in the yeer of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and two And in the Summer Quarter following and in part of the Autumnal the Plague in London made a lamentable ravage upon mankind the weekly Bills of mortalitie I very well remember were exceeding great But when it pleased God to lighten his hand and relent the violence of his devouring Angel against the people of that City giving good hope that the infection was come to a period then did his Majesty call his Parliament upon the nineteenth day of the next March and upon the seventh of Iuly concluded the first Sessions thereof and adjourned it to the seventh of February in the second yeer of his raign And before that time came he did adjourne it again to the sift of November in the third yeer of his raign and in the yeer of our Lord one thousand six hundred and five which proves a most
to his Majesty The contents whereof follow MY Lord out of theleve I beare to some of your friends I have a care of your preservation Theresore I would advise you as you fender your life to devise so me excuse to shift off your affendance at this Parliament For God and Man have toncurred to punish the wickedness of this time And thinke not nightly of this Aovertisement but retire your self into your Country where you may expect the event in safety For though there be no appeatance of any stir yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament and yet they shall net see who burts them This Counsell is not to be contemned because it may doe you good and can doe you no barme 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 vse of it To whose holy profection I commend you The King no sooner read the Letter but after a little pause and then reading it over againe he delivered his judgement of it in such sort as he thought it was not to be contemned for that the style of it seemed to be more quick and pithie then is usual to be in any Pasquil or Libel the superfluities of idle brains But the Earle of Salisbury perceiving the King to apprehend it deeplier then he looked for knowing his nature told him that he thought by one sentence in it that it was like to be written by some Foole or Madman 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 saysing of a Foole if the danger was past o soon as the Letter was burnt the warning behoved to be of little availe when the burning 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 alleadged 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 attemoted in time of Parliament and the Authors thereof unseen except it were only by a blowing up of Powder which might he performed by one base knave in a dark corner whereupon he was move to interpret and construe the latter sentence in the Letter alleadged by the Earle 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 tnrning 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 Earle of Salisbury wondring at his Majesties Commentary which he knew to be so farre contrary to his ordinary and naturall disposition who did ever sin upon the other side in not apprehending nor trusting due Advertisements of practises and perils when he was truly informed 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 then of his own person which could not but have all perished together if this designement had succeeded He thought good to dissemble still unto the King that there had been any just cause of such apprehension And ending the purpose with some merry jest upon this Subject as his custome is took his leave for that time But though he seemed so to neglect it to his Majesty yet his customable and watchfull 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 had acquainted the foresaid Lords what had passed between the King and him in private Whereupon they were all earnest to renew again the memorie 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 Lord Chamberlain then being present with the King At what time it was determined that the said Lord Chamberlain should according to his Custome and Office view all the Parliament houses both above and below and consider what likelihood or appearance of any such danger might possibly be gathered by the sight of them But yet aswell for staying of idle rumors as for being the more able to discerne 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 Monday following At what time he according to this conclusion went to the Parliament house accompanied with my Lord Mountegle being in reale to the Kings service earnest and curious to see the event of that accident whereof he had the fortune to be the first discovered Where having viewed all the lower rooms he found in the vault under the upper house great store and provision of Billets Fagots and Coales 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 Coale 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 Percies man keeper of that house for him but was indeed Cuido Fawkes the owner of that hand which should have acted that monstrous Tragedy The Lord Chamberlain looking upon all things with a heedfull indeed yet in outward appearance but with 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 Earles 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
third whom they should call might acquaint whom they thought fit and willing to the business for many said he may be content that I should know who would not therefore that all the Company should be acquainted with their names to this we all agreed After this Master Fawkes laid into the Cellar which he had newly taken a thousand of Billets and five hundred of Fagots and with that covered the Powder because we might have the house free to suffer any one to enter that would Master Catesby wished us to consider whether it were not now necessary to send Master Fawkes over both to absent himself for a time as also to acquaint Sir William Stanley and Master Owen with this matter We all agreed that he should provided that he gave it them with the same Oath that we had taken it before viz. to keep it secret from all the world The reason why we desired Sir William Stanley should be acquaimed herewith was to have him with us so soon as he could And for Master Owen he might hold good correspondency after with forrain Princes So Master Fawkes departed about Easter for Flanders and returned the latter end of Angust He told me that when he arived at Brussels Sir William Stanley was not returned from Spaine so as he uttered the matter only to Owen who seemed well pleased with the business but told him that surely Sir William would not be acquainted with any Plot as having business now afoot in the Court of England but he himself would be alwaies ready to tell it him and send him away so soon as it were done About this time did Master Percy and Master Catesby meet at the Bathe where they agreed that the company being yet but few Master Catesby should have the others ther 's authority to call in whom he thought best By which Authority he called in after Sir Everad Digby though at what time I know not and last of all Master Francis Thresham The first promised as I heard Master Catesby say fifteen hundred pounds The second two thousand pounds Master Percy himself promised all that he could get of the Earle of Northumberlands rents which was about foure thousand pounds and to provide many galloping horses to the number of ten Mean while Master Fawkes and my self alone bought some new Powder as suspecting the first to be dampe and conveyed it into the Cellar and set it in order as we resolved it should stand Then was the Parliament a new prorogued untill the sift of November so as we all went down untill some ten daies before when Master Catesby came up with Master Fawkes to an house by Enfield-Chace called White-webbes whether I came to them and Master Catesby willed me to enquire whether the young Prince came to the Parliament I told him that I heard that his Grace thought not to be there Then must we haveour horses said Master Catesby beyond the water and provision of more company to surprize the Prince and leave the Duke alone Two daies after being Sunday at night in came one to my Chamber and told me that a letter had been given to my Lord Mounteagle to this effect That he wished his Lordships absence from the Parliament because a blow would there be given which Letter he presently carried to my Lord of Salisbury On the morrow I went to VVhite-VVebbes and told it Master Catesby assuring him withall that the matter was disclosed and wished him in any case to forsake his Country He told me he would see further as yet and resolved to send Master Fawkes to try the uttermost protesting if the part belonged to himself he would try the same adventure On Wednesday Master Fawkes went and returned at night of which we were very glad Thursday I came to London and Friday Master Catesby Master Thresham and I met at Barnet where we questioned how this letter should be sent to my Lord Mounteagle but could not conceive for Master Thresham forsware it whom we only suspected On Saturday night I met Master Thresham againe in Lincolns-Inne walkes Wherein he told me such speeches that my Lord of Salisbury should use to the King as I gave it lost the second time and repeated the same to Master Catesby who hereupon was resolved to be gone but staid to have Master Percy come up whose consent herein we wanted On Sunday Master Percy being dealt with to that end would needs abide the uttermost tryal This suspition of all hands put us into such confusion as Master Catesby resolved to goe down into the Country the Monday that Master Percy went to Syon and Master Percy resolved to follow the same night or early the next morning About five of the Clock being Tuesday came the younger Wright to my Chamber and told me that a Nobleman called the Lord Mounteagle saying Arise and come along to Essex-house for I am going to call up my Lord of Northumberland saying withall The matter is discovered Goe back Master Wright quoth I and learne what you can about Essex gate Shortly he returned and said Surely all is lost for Lepton is got on horseback at Essex door and as he parted he asked if their Lordships would have any more with him and being answered no is rode fast up Fleetstreet as he can ride Goe you then quoth I to Master Percy for sure it is for him they seek and bid him be gone I will stay and see the uttermost Then I went to the Court gates and found them straightly garded so as no body could enter From thence I went down towards the Parliament-house and in the middle of Kingsstreet found the Guard standing that would not let me pass And as I returned I heard one say there is a Treason discovered in which the King and the Lords should have been blows up So then I was fully satisfied that all was known and went to the Stable where my Gelding stood and rode into the Country Master Catesby had appointed our meeting at Dunchurch but I could not overtake them untill I came to my Brothers which was Wednesday night On Thursday we took the Armor at my Lord Winsors and went that night to one Stephen Littletous house where the next day being Friday as I was early abroad to discover my man came to me and said that a heavy mischance had severed all the company for that Master Catesby Master Rookwood and Master Grant were burned with Gunpowder upon which sight the rest dispersed Master Littleton wished me to flie and so would he I told him I would first see the body of my Friend and bury him whatsoever befell me When I came I found Master Catesby reasonable well Master Percy both the Wrights Master Rookwood and Master Grant I asked them what they resolved to doe they answered we meane here to dye I said again I would take such part as they did About eleven of the clock came the company to beset the house and as I walked into the Court
ENGLANDS Warning-Peece OR The HISTORY of THE Gun-powder Treason Inlarged with some Notable Passages not heretofore Published Whereunto is Annexed The ACT of PARLIAMENT for Publick Thanksgiving upon the Fifth day of November yearly By T. S. They conceive mischeif and bring forth vanity Job 15.35 Who so is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107 43. London Printed by T. N. for Tho. Pierrepont at the Sun in Pauls Churchyard 1659. TO The Courteous Reader AS time doth weare out the remembrance of actions most famous and worthy of marke so Historie the message of antiquitie doth bring back time with the wonderfull workes thereof to the knowledge of Posterity both for delight and benefit The memorial of this most prodigious Conspiracie which never had any fellow being almost obliterated and forgotten in many places of the land may be renewed revived and presented to succeeding generations by the use of this little Storie Little Books are fittest for little purses Such a one as this whose price I hope will never give just cause of repentance to the discreet buyer All that I desire by it is that the great preserver of man may have everlasting glory and our Nation his everlasting Protection Farewell Your Friend Tho. Spencer Englands Warning-peece OR The Historie of the Gunpowder Treason enlarged with some notable passages not heretofore published MAny and sundry were the Plots and Attempts of Treason against our most gracious Soveraign Queen Elizabeth of famous and ever blessed memorie Pope Pius the sifth cursed her and therefore Parrie and Savage would have stabbed her Somervil and Arderne would have killed her Squire Lopez the Jew would have poysoned her but they did all faile of their purposes for God Almighty blessed her and made her raign long and prosperous maugre the malice of all her Enemies both at home and abroad When the Pope and his welbeloved Sons falsely called Catholicks but truly Papists saw that no sorcerie could prevaile against her they did then cast about how they might serve their own turne and promote their own cause by her Majesties immediate Successor To this end Pope Clement the eight a little before her death sent two Bulls or Letters into England one after another wherein he did forbid any man to claim the Crown and take upon him the Rule and Government of the English Nation that would not conforme himself to the Church of Rome acknowledge the Supremacie of her head the Pope and stoop to his lure yea death was to be endured by his beloved Sons rather then such a one should be admitted that would tolerate any of the Protestant Religion And to debarr the King of Scotland of his right of succession he did liberally bestow upon him the disgraceful names of a Heretick a Schismatick an Apostate another Julian Such were the terrible words of his thunder Much about this time Robert Parsons the Jesuit wrote a Book of honorable descents and put it forth under the name of Dolmax wherein he did intitle the King of Spain to the Crown of England as being descended from Katharine the Daughter of John of Caunt Duke of Lancaster the fourth Son of our King Edward the third who was married to Henry the third King of Castile and Leon. And in another book he saith His Philopater Sect. 2 That it is the opinion both of Divines Lawyers That if any Christian Prince shal fall from the Catholick Religion and seek to draw others from the same he doth presently fall from all princely power and dignity Visib Monar lib. 2. cap. 4 And Sanders another bird of the same wing saith That the King that wil not submit himself to the authority of the Pope ought not to be tolerated but his Subjects ought to chuse another in his place assoon as may be These diplomatical and Jesuitical writings gave life and beginning to the greatest the rarest the vilest Treason that ever was invented plotted attempted against Prince and People famous throughout the world for the horrible infamy thereof the eternal shame of Poperie as shal be shewed in the course of our Historie Upon the soure and twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand six hundred and two Queen Elizabeth a Princess full of happy daies but fuller of immortal Trophees of honor did change her corruptible Crown in this World for an incorruptible in Heaven and within four hours after her decease by the grave and wise Councel that she left behind her James the sixt of Scotland was Proclaimed King of England and Ireland at the Court-gate at Richmond which did much rejoyce the hearts of the godly people in England when they heard of it And in the sweet and pleasant moneth of May his Majesty made a safe arrival at London where he was received with great joy and acclamation The Princes of Europe did stand amazed and wondred when they heard that his Majesty had gotten the possession of two Kingdoms without the shedding of a drop of blood Many of them sent their Ambassadors and the King of Denmark who was brother to his Wife the Queen came in his own person to congratulate the greatness of his fortunes It was now a rare sight in London to see two Kings walke peaceably together in the streets His Majesty for some reasons did deferr his Coronation untill the twenty fifth of July In the meane while some turbulent and discontented spirits plotted a conspiracy and purposed to surprise the King and Prince Henry his eldest Son being instigated and perswaded thereunto by Watson and Clarke two Popish Priests who told them that the Act was lawfull for that the King was no King before he was Crowned The other persons of note involved in this Treason were Thomas Lord Grey of Wilton Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Sir Griffin Markham Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Edward Parham George Broâ—ke Brother to the Lord Cobham Bartholomew Brookesly and Anthony Copley All which were indited Sir Edward Parham was acquitted by the Jury the rest were found guilty and condemned George Brooke and Watson and Clarke the two Priests were executed All the rest were graciously pardoned by his Majesty at which example of mercy the condemned wished that they might sacrifice their lives to gain the love and favor of so merciful a Prince But clemency to offenders makes men bold to offend One Treason is past and a greater follows at the heeles thereof For in the same yeer the old Serpent the Devil doth put it into the heart of Robert Catesby of Ashby in the County of Leicester Esquire to destroy the King with Gunpowder by blowing up the Parliament house when his Majesty the Queen the Prince the Duke the choycest of the Nobility and Gentry were there assembled for doing the turne most proper to their places and degrees And this damnable device he did maintain to be holy and lawful upon this ground of reason That if
remarkable date by reason of this monstrous and never enough abhorred Treason This long time between the first and the second Session of the Parliament gave good leisure and liberty to those of the Conspiracy not only to make a large provision of Powder Fagots Billets Barres and whatsoever else they thought necessarie for the execution of their devilish device but also to travell into forraine Countries to visit their Friends and welwishers and to sollicite them for their aid and best assistance when need should require it Winter makes a journey to Valladolit in Castile and Fawkes returnes into Flanders to consult with Sir William Stanley and the rest and then goes over the Alpes to Rome to obtain the blessing of Pope Paul the sift and to take the Counsel of Father Parsons a bitter enemy to his own Country In the latter end of the Summer preceding their intended fatal sift of November they returne back into England and doe finde their Diabolical machination in a safe and secure condition The time for the sitting of the Parliament doth now begin to draw nigh and the Nobility and Gentry that had places in that high Court did make preparation to come up to London The conspirators likewise did make all the preparation they could to give them the blow even that blow that should have been the common ruine of us all Cursed may it be called or blessed or both cursed in respect of the intent but blessed for ever in respect of the event For when we were white for their harvest and ready to be cut down by them then even then did the Almighty by his gracious Providence bring to light and discoverie this infernal and prodigious Plot as shall be shewed in the next part of the History wherein I will follow the Original Carleton and Speed as others have done before me The Saturday of the week immediatly preceding the Kings return from his hunting exercise at Royston which was upon a Thursday ten daies before the Parliament the Lord Montegle Son and Heire to the Lord Morley being in his own lodging ready to goe to supper at seaven 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 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 conceale it what ever might come of it Whereupon notwithstanding the lateness and darkeness of the night in that season of the yeare he presently repaired to his Majesties Palace at Whitehall and there delivered the same to the Earle of Salisbury his Majesties principal Secretary Whereupon the said Earle 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 minde of diverse advertisements he had received from beyond the Seas wherewith he had acquainted aswell 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 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 almes with one open hand but carrying a stone in the other in case of refusal And therefore did the Earle of Salisbury conclude with the Lord Montegle that he would in regard of the Kings absence impart the same Letter to some more of his Majesties Councell whereof my Lord Mountegle liked well only added this 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 Earle of Salisbury presently acquaint the Lord Chamberlaine with the said Letter Whereupon they two in the presence of the Lord Mountegle calling to minde 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 perillous 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 aswell all places of Assemblie 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 Council to wit the Lord Admiral the Earles of Worcester and Northampton to be also particularly acquainted with this accident who having all of them concurred together to the reexamination of the contents of the said Letter they did cenclude 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 behooved 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 aswell for the expectation and experience they had of his Majesties fortunate Judgment 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 practice to ripen if any was whereby the discovery might be the more cleer and evident and the ground of proceeding there upon more safe just and easie And so according to their determination The Letter shewed to the King did the said Earle of Salisbury repair to the King in his Gallery upon Friday being Alhollow 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 given of the Letter but only relating simplie the forme of the delivery thereof he presented it
matter as doth appear by his depositions immediatly following The true Copy of the Depositions of Guido Fawkes taken in the presence of the Counsellors whose names are under written I confess that a practice in general was first broken unto me against his Majesty for releif of the Catholick canse 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 Countries of the Archdukes obeisance 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 Peter and John Wright who all five consulting together of the means how to excute the same and taking a vow among our selves for secreâ—â—e Catesby pro pounded 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 Justioce and Punishment should be executed there This being resolved amongst us Thomas Percy hired and house at Westminster for that purpose near adjoyning to the Parliament house and there we begun to make our Myne about the eleventh of December 1604. The five that first entred into the work were Thomas Percy Robert Catesby Thomas Winter John Wright and my self and soon after me took another unto us Christopher Wright having sworn him also and taken the Sacrament for secresie When we came to the every 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 Christmas when we brought our Myne unto the Wall and about Candlemas we had wrought the Wall half through And whilst they were in working I stood as Sentinell to discry any man that came neer whereof I gave them warning and so they ceased untill 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 yeeld 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 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 yeerly 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 Billet and Fagots which were provided for that purpose About Easter the Parliament being prorogued till October next we dispersed our selves and I returned into the Low Countries by advice and direction of the rest aswell to acquaint Owen with the Particulars of the plot as also least by my longer stay I might have grown suspitious 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 Percy we brought in more Powder and Billers 〈◊〉 cover the same again and so I went fer a time into the Country till the 30 of October It was further resolved amongst us that the fame 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 alteration of Religion nor would have we avowed the deed to beours untill 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 neer London where we had not forces enough we resolved to serve our turne with the Lady Elizabeth Commiss Edward Somer set Earle of Worcester Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Thomas Howard Earle of Suffolke Charles Blont Earle of Devonshire Henry Howard Earle of Northampton Robert Cicil Earle of Salisbury Lord Treasurer John Erskeine Earle of Marre William Constable Viscount Dunbar Sir Fohn Popham Sir Edward Cook Sir William Waad But here let us leave Fawkes in a lodging fit for such a guest and taking time to advise upon his conscience and turne our selves to that part of the History which concernes the fortune of the rest of his partakers in this abominable Treason The news was no soouer spread abroad that morning which was upon a Tuesday the fifth of November and the first day designed for that Session of Parliament but some of those conspirators namely Winter and the two Wrights brothers thought it high time to hasten out of the Town for Catesby was gone the night before and Percy at foure of the Clock in the morning the same day of the discovery and all of them held their course with more haste then good speed to Dunchurch upon Dun more in the County of Warwick where Sir Everard Digby and his complices had appointed a match of Hunting that under pretence of that sport they might come together without any suspition though his minde was Nimrod-like more bent upon the blood of reasonable men then brute beasts For when the terrible blow had been given at the Parliament house whereby the King and all the issue Male of the Seed Royal had been destroyed their purpose was to surprize the person of the Lady Elizabeth the Kings eldest Daughter who kept her residence at Combe the Lord Harringtons house by Coventry to proclaim her Queen to provide an Husband for her some Prince of the Popish prosession the Castilian was most likely to have the refusal for to him at this time they were much devoted and so England might have been made a province to Spain Notwith standing all their care to take a solemn Oath receive the blessed Sacrament for the observation of secresie yet asthe day appointed for the execution of their barbarous cruelty did draw nigh so did the knowlede thereofencrease among the common fort of their own faction who did measure their joy by their hopes of good success For upon this Tuesday morning early the Papists of Rowington came to Warwick to Ring the Bells and when Master Themas Hall the reverend Pastor of the Church heard who they were that were ringing he gave command that the Bells should cease saying that their meaning was Popish and superstitious but within two daies he sound it to be proditorious and merciless Let not any man sing a triumph before the victory least he be brought to his Pâ—linody or
compapany of stout fellowes the Town and Country would side with him and so they might have the worst Upon their departure the Townsmen being informed of their ryot and misbehavior at Warwick did set a strong watch upon the high-wayes and presently took one Yorke and Ward and Johnson and Tom Suoâ— servant to Robert Winter the eldest of the three brothers and some of them that came in the Reare seeing their fellows apprehended made a retreat and fled over Bidford bridge towards Campden and Evesham But the maine Troop supposed to be about fourescore went eight miles further to Huddington the house of Robert Winter within foure miles of Worcester Here a neighbor of Crowle the next Parish seeing such an unusual company of strangers and perceiving their muttering and whispering together and also noting the great waste they made in the Barne by putting their horses to a heap of wheate in the chaff did resolve with himself though the way were foul and the night darke to go to Worcester to acquaint the Bayliff of the Towne for then the head-Officer was so called with their number and behavior for he did imagine that they had some bad business in hand Assoon as this man came to the Gate of the City he was apprehended by a watch for they had received Letters of Hue and Cry after the horses by a special messenger who went from Warwick to Wich and so to Worcester about an houre before he came thither The Watchmen threatned to carry him before the Magistrate for a spy he shewed some unwillingness which made them to drag him with more eagerness to that place whether he did desire to goe And when they came to the Convocation house where the Bayliff and his Brethren were in consultation about the strange newes they had received from Warwick he was admitted into their presence to whom he made report of what he had heard and seen at Huddington which gave them full assurance that Rebellion was come into their Country Wherefore a Messenger with all intelligence was posted to Sir Richard Walsh Sheriff of the County who lived on the West side of the River Severne about four miles from VVorcester And a speedy preparation was made both for their own defence and also for the subduement of the approaching enemy Upon the Thursday morning by the dawning of the day foure hundred of them kept their Rendezvouz upon Oddingley Heath near to VVinters house but before they came thither the Rebels were fled Northward thorow the Forrest of Feckenham to Hewell the house of the Lord VVinsor and there they took all the Armour they could finde and carried it away in a Cart which they brought with them from Huddington went that night to Holbeach the house of Stephen Littleton within the edge and confines of Staffordshire about Twenty miles from VVorcester Sir Richard VValsh and the VVigornians pursued them with as much speed as the season of the yeere would give them leave And when they heard that the Rebells had taken harbour at Holbeach they made their advance to the house and besieged it sheltring themselves under the brick-wall which surrounded the house And then did they summon them by a Trumpeter to render themselves to the Sheriff his Majesties Officer but they returned this scornful answer and said That he had need of better assistance then of those few numbers that were with him before he could be able to command or compell them The Sheriff and his company being justly incensed by their arrogant answer did make preparation to give them a furious assault and upon the Friday morning early many of the Country did come in to their aid And the other party within the house did likewise make themselves ready to give them the repulse But as they were drying about two pound weight of Powder a little from the Chimney in their Chamber by the mending of the fire a small coale of fire spurted out upon it which being thereby blown up scorched and burned the faces the hands the sides of Catesby Rookwood Grant and divers others of greatest account among them who were thereby not only made unable for defence but also wonderfully discouraged and cast down For now they did begin to see the pride of their own heart that had deceived them Now they did begin to see the wrath of the Almighty waxing hot against them who had thus perfumed them with their own smoak and paid them with their own Coyn. And therefore they resolved no longer to make resistance but to endeavor to save themselves by flight Stephen Littleton and Robert VVinter made an escape and fled to Hagley in the County of VVorcester where contrary to the Kings Proclamation they were first hid and releived in the Barne of one Perks but doubting of their safety thete by reason of a poore fellow who had been stealing of Conies in the night and being beaten from his worke by foule weather came to the Barne and climbing up into it to lodge there all night fell into the hole between two mowes where they lay hid they removed themselves and were received harboured and relieved by Humphry Littleton for distinction commonly called Yellow Humphrey who was the Governor of the house in the absence of Mistriss Littleton the owner thereof Here they vvere not many daies but the Cook of the house did vvonder vvhat use this Humphrey Littleton should make of so many dishes of meat in his Chamber at every meals time and to satisfie his own curiosity went secretly to his Chamber dore and peeping thorow they Keyhole saw Stephen Littleton and another man with him at which sight he was so terrified and affrighted as he knew not what to do For to reveale them might endanger their lives and to conceale them might cost him his own After some debate with his own soule he did resolve to save himself harmless what ever came of it and therefore went and disclosed them to one Jobber of the Town to whom he had some relation whereupon followed their apprehension and afterward their conviction condemnation and execution Let us now return back to Holbeach and see how it fared with the rest of this hellish society there shall we finde first the Elder Wright slain secondly the younger Wright his brother thirdly Rookwood and last of all Percy and Catesby were slain by John Street of Worcester who had charged his Musquet as he himself told me with a brace of Bullets and resting it upon the Wall by the Gate shot at them as they were coming in rank and not in file from the dore towards the Gate each Bullet as he thought killed a man for which Fact the King gave him two shillings a day during his natural life to be paid him out of the Exchequer All the rest of these merciless Monsters were taken Prisoners by Sir Richard Walsh and his company who did enrich themselves with the spoile of the Enemy Their Horses their Armes their Silver their Gold becomes
a faire booty for the Conquerors who doe carry them away in triumph to the ordinary Goale of the County where they staied some few daies and then were sent to London to be judged by the Worthies of the Parliament whom they would have destroyed Most of their Servants led by their Masters had a gracions pardon But the Arch. Traytors had famous and honorable justice executed upon them in and about London and some of the meaner sort were sent back into the several Counties where they lived to have their tryal and execution there for the spreading of the more terror And Thomas Winter a principal Agent in promoting this terrible Treason being now a Prisoner in the Tower there made this confession as followeth The Confession of Thomas Winter 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 then can be forgiven nor affecting hereby the Title of a good Subject for I must redeem my Country 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 comand I will briefly set down mine own accusation and how far I have proceeded in this business which I shall the faithfuller doe 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 Country from Alhallontide untill the beginning of Lent in the yeer of our Lord 1603. the first year of the Kings Raign about which time Master Caresby sent thither intreating me to come to London where he and other my friends world be glad to see me I desired him to excuse me for I found my self not very well disposed and which had happned 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 John Wright at Lambeth where he brake with me how necessary it was not to forsake our Country for he knew I had then a resolution to goe over but to deliver her from the servitude in which she remained or at least to assist her with our uttermost endeavors I answered that I had often hazarded my life upon far lighter termes and now would not refuse any good occasion wherein I might doe service to the Catholick cause but for my self I knew no means probable to succeed He said that had bethought him of a way at one Instant to deliver us from all our Bonds and without any forrain helpe to replant again the Catholick Religion and withall 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 mischief and perchance God hath designed that place for their punishment I wondered at the strangeness of the conceit and told him that true it was this strake at the roote 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 Catholick 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 veuture my life But I proposed many difficulties as want of an house and of one to cary the Myne noise in the working and such like His answer was Let us give an attempt and where it faileth pass no further But first quoth he Because we will leave no peaceable and quiet way untried you shall goe over and informe the Constable of the State of the Catholicks here in England intreating him to sollicite his Majesty at his comming hither that the Penall Lawes may be recalled and we admitted into the ranck of his other Subjects withall you may bring over some confident Gentleman such as you shall understand best able for this business and named unto me M. Fawkes Shortly after I passed the Sea and found the Constable at Bergen near Dunkirk where by helpe of Master Owen I delivered my message whose answer was that he had a strict command from his Master to do all good offices for the Catholicks and for his own part he thought himself bound in conscience so to do and that no good occasion should be omitted but spake to him nothing of this matter Returning to Dunkirk with Mr. Owen we had speech whether he thought the Constable would faithfully helpe us or no. He said he beleeved nothing less and that they sought only their own ends holding small account of Catholicks I told him that there were many Gentlemen in England who would not forsake their Country untill they hadtryed the uttermost would rather venture their lives then forsake her in this misery And to add one more to our number as a fit man both for Counsel and execution of whatsoever we should do wished for M. Fawkes whom I had heard good commendations of he told me the Gentleman deserved no less but was at Brussels and that if he came not as happily he might before my departure he would send him shortly after into England I vvent soon after to Ostend vvhere Sir William Stanley as then vvas not but came tvvo daies after I remained vvith him three or foure daies in vvhich time I asked him if the Catholicks in England should do any thing to help themselves vvhether he thought the Archduke vvould second them He ansvvered no for all those parts vvere so desirous of peace vvith England as they would endure no speech of other enterprise neither vvere it fit said he to set any project afoot novv the peace is upon concluding I told him there vvas no such resolution and so fell to discourse of other matters untill I came to speak of Mr. Fawkes vvhose company I vvished over into England I asked of his sufficiency in the vvarrs and told him vve should need such as he if occasion required he gave very good commendations of him And as vve vvere thus discoursing and I ready to depart for Newport and taking my leave of Sir William Mr. Fawkes came into our company nevvly returned and saluted us This is the Gentleman said Sir William that you wished for and so we embraced again I told him some good friends of his wished for his company in England and that if he pleased to come to Dunkirke we would have further conference whether I was then going so taking my leave of them both I departed and about two daies after came Mr. Fawkes to Dunkirke where I told him that we were upon a resolution to doe somewhat
in England if the Peace with Spaine helped us not but had as yet resolved upon nothing such or the like talke we passed at Graveling where I lay for a winde and when it served came both in one passage to Greenwich near which place we took a pair of Oares and so came up to London and came to Master Catesby whom we found in his lodging he welcomed us into England and asked me what news from the Constable I told him good words but I feared the deeds would not answer This was the beginning of Easter Terme and about the midst of the same Terme whether sent for by Master Catesby or upon some business of his own up came Mr. Thomas Percy The first words he spake after he came into our company was Shall we alwaies Gentlemen talke and never doe any thing Master Catesby took him aside and had speech about somewhat to be done so as first we might all take an Oath of secresie which we resolved within two or three daies to doe so as there we met behinde Saint Clements Master Catesby Master Percy Master Wright Master Guy Fawkes and my self and having upon a Primer given each other the Oath of secrecy in a Chamber where no other body was we went after into the next room and heard Mass and received the blessed Sacrament upon the same Then did Master Catesby disclose to Master Percy and I together with Jack Wright tell to Master Fawkes the business for which we took this Oath which they both approved And then wâ—s Master Percy sent to take the house which Master Catesby in mine absence had learned did belong to one Ferris which with some difficulty in the end he obtained and became as Ferris before was Tenant to Whinniard Master Fawkes underwent the name of Master Percies man calling himself Johnson because his face was the most unknown and received the Keys of the house untill we heard that the Parliament was adjourned to the seventh of February At which time we all departed several waies into the Country to meet again at the beginning of Michaelmas Terme Before this time also it was thought convenient to have a house that might answer to Master Percies where we might make provision of Powder and Wood for the Mine which being there made ready should in a night be conveyed by boate to the house by the Parliament because we were loth to foule that with often going in and out There was none that we could devise so fit as Lambeth where Master Catesby often lay and to be keeper thereof by Master Catesbies choice we received into the number Keyes as a trusty honest man this was about a month before Michaelmas Some fortnight after towards the beginningof the Terme Master Fawkes and I came to Master Catesby at Marecrofts where we agreed that now was time to begin and sit things in order for the Mine so as Master Fawkes went to London and the next day sent for me to come over to him when I came the cause was for that the Scottish Lords were appointed to sit in conference of the Union in Master Percies house This hindred our beginning untill a fortnight before Christmas by which time both Master Percy and Master Wright were come to London and we against their coming had provided a good part of the Powder so as we all five entred with tooles fit to begin our work having provided our selves of Baked meats the less to need sending abroad We entred late in the night and were never seen save only Master Percies man untill Christmas Eve In which time we wrought under a little entry to the Wall of the Parliament house and underpropped it as we went with Wood. Whilst we were together we began to fashion our business and discoursed what we should do after this deed was done The first question was how we might surprize the next heire the Prince haply would be at the Parliament with the King his Father how should we then be able to seise on the Duke This burthen Master Percy undertook that by his acquaintance he with another Gentleman would enter the Chamber without suspition and having some dozen others at several dores to expect his coming and two or three on horseback at the Court gate to receive him he would undertake the blow being given until which he would attend in the Dukes Chamber to carry him safe away for he supposed most of the Court would be absent and such as were there not suspecting or unprovided for any such matter For the Lady Elizabeth it were easie to surprize her in the Country by drawing friends together at an Hunting near the Lord Haringtons and Ashby Master Catesbies house being not far off was a fit place for preparation The next was for money and horses which if we could provide in any reasonable measure having the Heire apparent and the first knowledge by foure or five daies was oddes sufficient Then what Lords we should save from the Parliament which was first agreed in general as many as we could that were Catholicks or so disposed But after we descended to speake of particulars Next what forrain Princes we should acquaint with this before or joyne with after For this point we agreed that first we could not enjoyn Princes to that secresie nor oblige them by Oath so to be secure of their promise besides we knew not whether they will approve the project or dislike it And if they doe allow thereof to prepare before might beget suspition and not to provide till the business were acted the same letter that carried news of the thing done might as well intreat their helpe and furtherance Spain is too slow in his preparations to hope any good from in the first extremities and France too near and too dangerous who with the shipping of Holland we feared of all the world might make away with us But while we were in the middle of these discourses we heard that the Parliament should be a new adjourned untill after Michaelmas upon which tidings we broke off both discourse and working untill after Christmas About Candlemas we brought over in a Boat the Powder which we had provided at Lambeth and laid it in Master Percies house because we were willing to have all our danger in one place We wrought also another fortnight in the Mine against the stone wall which was very hard to beat thorow at vvhich time vve called in Kit Wright and near to Easter as vve vvrought the third time opportunity vvas given to hire the Cellar in vvhich vve resolved to lay the Povvder and leave the Mine Novv by reason that the charge of maintaining us so long together besides the number of several houses vvhich for several uses had been hired and buying of Powder c. had laine heavie on Master Catesby alone to support it was necessary for him to call in some others to ease his charge and to that end desired leave that he with Master Percy and a
worship the Devil that did hold it lawful or rather meritorious to kill Prince or people for quarrel of Religion the Papists only excepted who do palliate and cover all their perfidious practises with the fair pretext of conscience and the good of the Catholick cause When did the Bishop of Rome who is commonly called the Pope ever call any of these Priests and Jesuites in question that fled hence into Italy who were Fomenters of this damnable Conspiracy much less punished them for it Whatsoever is done in favor of the Church of Rome must be accounted well done though never so ill done His Holiness so called by an antiphrase and his Parasites will command bloody Massacres will commend Treason and Rebellion Pope Innocent the third who lived in the time of our King John and was his great and troublesome Enemy decreed an immortal war against the poor Christians that went under the names of Valdenses or Albigeans charging them with all kindes of Heresies because they blamed and detested the Vices and Errors of the Pope and his Clergy Many Princes are commanded by the Pontifical Authority to arme against them and the Croisado is preached against them as against Infidels See the History of France pag. 125. 131. This was in the year of our Lord a thousand two hundred and ten Simon Earl of Montfort is chosen General of the Army who enters into Languedoc and there besieges Bezeirs with such cruel success as having taken it the blood flowed by the loss of threescore thousand persons And when preparation was made for a new search to root out the remainder of them Lewis the ninth of France commonly called St Lewis would not give allowance to any further proceeding against them within his Dominions saying that they must be perswaded by reason and not constrained by violence For piety is a duty of man unto God over which worldly force hath no power Pope Sixtus the fifth mnde a Panegyrick Oration in his consistory wherein he did praise and commend the Divelish Fryer an excrement of Hell See King James his Apol. pag. 67 pa. 75. that murthered King Henry the third of France by sheathing a knife in the bottom of his belly Cardinal Richard Allen an English Fugitive being honored by the Pope with the degree of a red hat was not ashamed to publish in print an Apology for Sir William Starlies treason maintaining that by reason of Queen Elizabeth's excommunication and Heresie it was not only lawfull for any of her Subjects but they were even bound in conscience to deprive her of any strength which lay in their power to do And whether it were armies towns or fortresses of hers which they had in their hands they were obliged to put them in the King of Spain her Enemies hand she no more being the right owner of any thing But whatsoever the Cardinal saith the best policy is to be an honest man And Oldcorn that refined and sublimated Fryer preached Treason upon Treason and Rebellion upon Rebellion For after the discovery of this horrid intended Massacre and a little before notice was given to the Sheriff of the County of his hiding and for his apprehension at Henlip aforesaid he did there preach consolitary Doctrine to his popish Anditory exhorting them not to faint for the misgiving of this Enterprise nor think the worse thereof See King James his Premonition pag 127 128. that it succeeded not alleaging diverse Presidents of such godly enterprises that misgave in like manner especially that of St Lewis King of France who in his journey to the holy Land was taken prisoner by the Sultan of Egypt and the greatest part of his Army was destroyed by the Plague and thereupon exhorted and perswaded them not to give over but still to hope that God would bless their enterprize at some other time though this did fail By these demonstrations we may know the mind of all of that profession and what they would do if they had the power in their hands and were Lords over us When they want force of argument and sound reason to perswade us they will then use force of arms fire and sword treason and rebellion to destroy us which should rouse up our spirits and ingender in our hearts First a detestation of the bloody but cherlie and most ignoble practises of the Pope and his Adherents Secondly gratulation and thanksgiving to the most high God who hath hitherto compassed us about with songs of deliverance And lastly circumspection caution valour and vigilance for the time to come that we be not suddenly surprized and swallowed up quick of our implacable Enemies while we dally and play with Popery The Scorpion is not without a sting though he doth not always strike A Cain a Cataline a Catesby full of Malignity hating with cruel hatred will always be working some great mischief And therefore to our own safety and security our own diligence and sedulitie is evermore required Their thoughts are vain who think that their watching can preserve the City which God himself is not willing to keep And are not theirs as vain who think that God will keep that City for which they themselves are not carefull to watch The providence of the Almighty must be served with the use of lawful means In the Third YEAR of KING JAMES An ACT for a publicke Thanks-giving to Almighty God on the fifth day of November every Year FOrasmuch as Almighty God hath in all Ages shewed his Power and Mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverance of his Church and in the protection of Religious Kings and States And that no Nation of the earth hath been blessed with greater benefits then this Kingdom now enjoyeth having the true and free profession of the Gospel under our most Soveraigne Lord King James the most Great Learned and Religious King that ever reigned therein inriched with a most hopeful and plentiful Progenie proceeding out of his Royal loynes promising continuance of this happiness and profession to all posterity the which many Malignant and Divellish Papists Iesuites nnd Seminary Priests much envying and fearing conspired most horribly when the Kings most excellent Majesty the Queen the Prince and all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons should have been assembled in the Vpper-House of Parliament upon the fifth of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and five suddainly to have blown up the said whole house with Gun-powder an invention so inhumane barbarous and cruel as the like was never before heard of and was as some of the principal Conspitors thereof confesse purposely devised and concluded to be done in the said House that where sundry necessary and Religious Laws for preservation of the Church and State were made which they falsely and standerously term cruel Laws enacted against them and their Religion both place and persons should be all destroyed and blown up at once which would have turned to the utter rume of this whole Kingdom had it not pleased Almighty God by inspiring the Kings most excellent Majesty with a Divine spirit to interpret some dark phrases of a Letter shewed to his Maiesty above and beyond all ordinary construction thereby miraculously discovering this hidden treason not many hours before the appointed time for the Execution thereof Therefore the Kings most excellent Maiesty the Lords Spiritual and temporal and all his Maiesties faithfull and loving Subiects do most iustly acknowledg this great and infinite Blessing to have proceeded meerly from God his great mercy and to his most holy name do ascribe all Honor Glory and Praise and to the end this unfeigned thankfulness may never be forgotten but be had in a perpetual remembrance that all ages to come may yield praises to his Divine Maiesty for the same and have in perpetuall memory This joyful day of deliverance Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most excellent Majesty the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same that all and singular Ministers in every Cathedral and Parish Church or other usuall place for common Prayer within this Realm of England and the Dominions of the same shall always upon the fifth day of November say morning Prayer and give unto Almighty God thanks for this most happy Deliverance And that all and every Person and Persons inhabiting within this Realm of England and the Dominions of the same shall always upon that day diligently and faithfully resort to the Parish Church or Chappel accustomed or to some usual Church or Chappel where the said Morning Prayer preaching or other service of God shall be used then and there to abide orderly and soberly during the time of the said Prayers preaching or other service of God there to be used and ministred And because all and every person may be put in mind of this Duty and be the better prepared to the said Holy Service Be it enacted by authority aforesaid that every Minister shall give warning to his Parishoners publikely in the Church at Morning Prayer the Sunday before every such fifth day of November for the due observation of the said Day And that after Morning Prayer or preaching upon the said fifth day of November they read distinctly and plainly this present ACT. FINIS