Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A28609
|
The narrative of Robert Bolron ... concerning the late horrid popish plot and conspiracy for the destruction of His Majesty and Protestant religion ... together with an account of the endeavors that were used by the popish party to stifle his evidence.
|
Bolron, Robert, fl. 1674-1680.
|
1681
(1681)
|
Wing B3501; ESTC R35352
|
26,827
|
35
|
said William Banckes answered again that he believed and durst ingage this Informant that I might have the said Rushton if this Informant would be but favourable to the rest and that he would inquire of his Friend and bring him an answer on Thursday next This Informant further says That William Banckes he discourseing about his Majesties former Proclamation concerning the 20 l. due for every Priest taken the said William Banckes added That it were better for him this Informant to take 20 l. and not to appear against the said Thomas Thwing than to have a hand in his blood To which this Informant answered that he would return him an answer next Thursday and that he would not appear against the said Thomas Thwing if he could but discover Rushton so that he might be taken this Informant knowing very well that there are several others which have already given Information against the said Thomas Thwing there being three besides this Informant to prove him a Priest and two of them to prove him a Traytor The CONCLUSION THus have I in Honesty and Sincerity of heart Communicated to my Country-men the deep Designs of the Roman parties and the danger England is in of Subverting it's Government by their attempts I confess my Informations are but plain in their Language not couched in a Rhetorical Style but Calculated for the understanding of all the Commonality of this Land how illiterate soever I acknowledge my self to be much inferiour to many of my fellow Witnesses in acquired parts and abilities yet nevertheless the Spirit of Man according to the expression in the Proverbs is as the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the Belly That Ordinary reason and understanding which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me being heightned and advantaged by Conversation and Trading in the World and especially having the opportunity of being informed in these subtle Intrigues by my residence in that Family where many of those matters were Contrived and Acted could easily make a Judgment without much Logick or Philosophy to what Conclusion such Premises did tend whilst I was One with them in the Design I did often please my self with some pretty Evasions and quirkes which I was taught by my Leaders in case of discovery to evade or at least alleviate the sense of my Punishment They were such as these That it was lawful for a Roman Catholick to deny the truth have some Mental Reservations to himself That owning another Power and Ecclesiastical Supremacy than what is established in the Land I was not bound to declare what really I knew fancying my Examiners to have no Authority to ask me and that I was otherwise obliged by my Religion That if I were Guilty of such Crimes that deserved death yet I might assert my Innocency having before received the Benefit of Absolution Upon these false Maximes I was encouraged to proceed till the Horridness of the Crimes to which I was tempted as to be an Agent in the Kings Death and the Nations ruine and that for Money did stare me in the Face and God affording his gracious Conviction on which I stood and so enabled me to Consider how I might find out a way to extricate my self from these great evils Hence arose my return to Protestantisme and my resolution to discover which discovery I have undertaken and 〈◊〉 aged not out of particular grudge animosity or revenge against any of that Family to which I was related or any other person whatsoever God is my Wilness and my own Conscience also his Vicegerent much less out of any hopes of gain priviledge or preferment which are Motives too for did for Vpright and Faithful minds but only out of love to Religion King and Country who would be all highly concerned if such flagitions and execrable undertakings should attain their designed end But as I in my poor Sphere have Contributed to the prevention of those Evils so I hope others of that Religion will follow my Example and be reclaimed from those Wickednesses which whatever their Priests talk of Indulgences and Pardons would certainly involve them both in Temporal and Eternal destruction 'T is not in my power to Convert that is Gods work and requires an Immediate concurrence of his Grace but methinks the present Informations should at least Convince and stop the Mouths of the most obstinate Gain sayers I know many Clammours are and further will be raised against me by those whom I have deserted as of my being an Heretick Apostate c. But I leave it to the Judgment of all uninterested persons whether it be not much more just and equal for me though of an inferiour Class to speak the Truth for preventing such high inconveniences as are impending upon us than for persons of Nobility eminency and worth to be instrumental in bringing such mischiefs on us And as it is a comfort to me that I have aimed at Gods Glory and the good of this Land in what I have done so being encouraged and warranted by my superiours I shall not shun the Vtmost hazard in case I may be further instrumental for the detection of evil and promoting of good but still with this Provisoe that I would not accuse any man wrongfully or be a false witness against my Neighbour for any worldly encouragement whatsoever I grant that many deep heads were engaged in these designes but they with whom I conversed had as much Zeal as any and besides were advantaged by fair possessions and estates which they were free enough of to encourage others in these black enterprizes that so those who had no Principle of zeal for the work but were meerly Mercenary might be engaged therein by Pecuniary considerations I pray God for the future all such Mischievous designs may be prevented that the Protestant Religion may flourish amongst us and that the Kings Majesty may have a long and prosperous Reign over us in Truth and Righteousness to the Glory of God and the Comfort of Protestant Professours who though divided and subdivided amongst themselves yet have ALL reason to say Amen The Particular Names of the Persons accused by Robert 〈◊〉 Gent. to be engaged or Abetâ—â—â—â—â—… the Plot. 1. SIr Thomas 〈◊〉 Barronet in the Homer 2. Sir Mâ—â—â—â— Stapylton Barronet in the Messengers Custody 3. Charles Ingleby Esq in the Kings Bench. 4. Thomas Riddall Esq in Morpeth prison 5. Sir Thomas Haggerstod Barronet all out upon security 6. Richard Townley Esq 7. Robert Doleman Esq 8. Dr. Peter Vavesour Gent. 9. Richard Iles Gent. 10. Robert Stanfield Gent. 11. Lady Tempest 12. Thomas Pressicks Gent. 13. Richard Sherbourne Esq in Lancaster Prison both in Newgate 14. Mary Pressicks 15. Tho. Thwing Priest 16. John Pracid alias Cornwallis Priest Prisoner in York Castie both Prisoners in Owse Bridge in York 17. Mrs. Lashalls 18. John Andrews Priest Corker Harcourt and Pinckering are mentioned in the Informations Mrs. Lashalls before mentioned Mrs. Beckwith Mrs. Benningfield Mrs. Cornwallis Ellin Thwing Mary Root Elizabeth Butcher all belonging to the Nunnery These following persons are not as yet apprehended Thomas Gascoigne Esq Richard Sherburne the younger Sir Francis Hungate Barronet Lord Mollyneux Frances Calvert and his Wife Stephen Tempest Gent. Richard York These three are deceased Sir Walter Vavesore John York Christ opher Mitcalfe Priests untaken Winter Gerald or Gerard Jennings John Sturey Francis Brown Nicholas Brown alias Gascoigne Benedictine Monks Robert Killingbeck Fincham Francis Gascoigne Robert Dolman Mr. Ellis Thomas Thwing Thomas Thwing Dr. Stapylton William Rushton Farneby Lodge John Pracid alias Cornwallis William Hardwick Francis Blaxton John Andrews Thomas Addinson Richard Gascoigne Metham FINIS
which Letters were directed to William Hornecastle servant to old Mr. Doleman and hath likewise received several recommendations back again to Sir Thomas Gascoigne and Esq Gascoigne and Lady Tempest before mentioned This Informant doth also remember that in the year 1678. there hath been held at the House of Sir Thomas Gascoigne several Consultations by the afore-mentioned persons for the carrying on the Plot especially a little before the Discovery of it they had a great Consultation by those whose names are mentioned before For after this Informant was out of Sir Thomas his service he did use the House as much as when he was his servant and thereby had opportunity to know it This Informant does also remember that he did hear Sir Thomas Gascoigne say unto the Lady Tempest in the year 1678. about the beginning of September that he had ordered one hundred and fifty pounds to be sent unto Dolebanke to put the poor Catholiques in Arms he hoping that shortly the Blow would be given which money was to be ordered by Father Cornwallis and Mrs. Lashalls which money this Informant did hear Sir Thomas Gascoigne say afterwards that he had sent it And he did hear a Letter read sent by Cornwallis wherein he did desire Sir Thomas Gascoigne's speedy supply for the carrying on so great a Design for that that sum of one hundred and fifty pounds was too little whereupon the said Sir Thomas Gascoigne sent immediately thirty pound more This Informant further saith That Francis Calvert and his Wife told him that there was a Design in hand for the propagating of the Roman Catholick Religion and then he hoped the Priests meaning the Roman Catholick Priests might go publickly and then he said he hoped to be Lord Mayor of York and she said she hoped to be Lady Mayoress of York and they both made a scoffing at the Parson of the Town who was then going in that part of the street over against their House for then both of them said that he was but a pitiful Preacher and no more fit to preach a Sermon than they were fit to say Mass and that the Town did not love him because he was a little inclined to favour the Presbyterian Faction They further said that they hoped ere long that he would be glad to hide his head in a corner and Mrs. Calvert took up a knife lying upon the shop-board and said she wished it in the heart of all those that would not be of her persuasion And she further said she could freely kill the Parson to do God good service The said Francis Calvert told this Informant that he did of purpose procure himself to be made Sheriff of York that he might the better understand how to rule if he were made Mayor All which words were spoken to this Informant by them another also being present whom this Informant thinks was Mr. Calverts Daughter and it is about a year ago as this Informant remembers since he heard the words spoken This Informant says also that there are several Roman Catholicks who do keep Ale-Houses and under that pretence do Lodge Priests in their Houses and therefore this Informant leaves it to your Lordships Judgment whether it be not fitting to put forth a Proclamation for all Popish Ale-Houses to be put down This Informant says He knows by information where there does two or three Popish Priests at certain times come whose names are Mr. Winter Mr. Gerald or Gerard and Mr. Jennings who this Informant does know very well to be Priests This Informant does also further declare That what he speaks here is nothing but the real Truth neither hath he Malice against any man nor does he expect think or hope for any reward but shall reckon himself very well rewarded if he can but serve his King and Country and satisfie the World that the snares of Death were prepared for them This Informant doth further confess That he hath used his utmost endeavour to stifle the Plot and to persuade the world there was no Plot at all which was contrary to his knowledg and does humbly beg His Majesties Gratious Pardon This Informant says that William Banckes a School-master living in High-Holborn came to the Lodging of this Informant upon the sixth of January and being in a Room with him privately he the said William Banckes did ask him this Informant if Mary Presicks and Thomas Thwing now Prisoners in Newgate were to be tryed this Sessions to whom this Informant replyed that he did not believe that they would be tryed untill the next Sessions after this Then the said William Banckes said he was very glad to hear that good news that he had been inquiring for him two or three times and taking him this Informant by his Right Hand and looking about him with an intent as he himself confessed that no body was near to over-hear our discourse then told this Informant that he had a very great secret to communicate unto him but that he this Informant should solemnly promise him that he would not discover it to which this Informant replyed not suspecting any thing that he would keep secret what ever he told him this Informant thinking he would discover some Priest or other person that could confirm this Informants Evidence whereupon the said William Banckes told him this Informant that if he would not appear and give evidence against Mary Pressickes and the others in Custody that he would help him this Informant to a Friend that would give him a considerable sum of money and that it were better for him this Informant to take a sum of Money than to take lives and that he was desired by his Friend to speak to this Informant about it And that he would ingage that it should not be discovered that he this Informant did take Money But if this Informant would not abscond himself but appear against the Prisoners that then he would lessen his Evidence against them but not to speak his full knowledge of them and to do them all the favour that this Informant possibly could but he could wish he this Informant would not appear and that he would ingage him that he should be well rewarded for his pains and that he was sure that if he this Informant would not appear and give in his Evidence against the Prisoners no other Persons would These words were spoken by the said William Banckes several times to him this Informant to all which this Informant replyed that he did intreat him to meet him this Informant next Thursday again and that then he would discourse with him about it but that he would not divulge to any the discourse between them This Informant further says That the said William Banckes did promise him this Informant to meet him again on next Thursday to discourse with him about it This Informant further says that he told the said William Banckes that he could hartily Wish to have had William Rushton a Romish Priest in Custody which