with other consolations most convenient to moderate the dolour and displeasure conceived in the hearts of the Catholiques by reason of the success of your a a Viz. the Spanish Fleet 1588. Army contrary to their hope and expectation Also some days after as the commodity offer'd to me to receive the money the said Chesholme delivered to me six thousand two hundred threescore and twelve Crowns of the sun and three thousand seven hundred Spanish Pistolets and likewise hath carryed himself in all his actions since very wisely and as becomes a man of God chiefly when upon the suspicion conceived of his sudden return the King sent to take him I shall behave my self by the Grace of God in keeping and distributing of the mony last sent and of that which resteth yet of the sum according to your Highness prescription and as I ought to answer to God in conscience and to your Highness in credit and to the whole world in the Reputation of an honest man and will manage it in such sort that by the grace of God there shall be fruit drawn thereof pleasant to your Highness It is true that I finde as all others would do that would enterprise such a charge here my self involved in great difficulties For on the one part I am in great danger of the Hereticks and them of the Faction of England by reason of the open Profession that I make of the Cathâ—lick Religion and of the suspition that the last hath of my secret practices and dealings against them On the other part I have much ado to moderate the Appetite that some Catholick Lords have to havâ— the mony presently for the hope which they give of some pretended occasions which will never fall out as they promise The Earl of Huntley made instance to have the third part of the sum which was sent hither as soon as it was delivered to me but he hath not toucht nor shall he touch hereafter a half-penny but upon good tokens I have paid him in the mean time with inexpugnable reasons wherewith in the end he is contented I beseech your Highness by the first Letter it shall please you to write into these parts to the Catholick Lords to remove one errour from a a Huntley Lord Maxwell alias Mortoun and Lord Claud Hamilton three of them who have written in the name of the rest which moves them to think that because they were the first who made offer of their service to the Catholick King that all the money which comes hither should be parted into three and immediately after the arrival thereof delivered to them without giving any part to others who besides them are a great number at the service of the Catholick King and you and who are resolved to hazard all according to their power for the advancement of this Cause Nor will they in any sort depend on the other in the accepting of the Treasure that comes from your liberality but acknowledge it as coming directly from your Highness to whom onely they will be bound and obliged and not to the other three of whom the Earl q Mortoun hath hitherto contented himself with reason As b Lord Mazwell also the Earl of Huntley hath never shewn himself subject to money but since he hath been induced by the third to wit my Lord Claude Hamilton his Vncle who is somewhat covetous of gain and thought under such pretext to make his profit The said Earl of Huntley is constrain'd to remain at Court he is fallen from his constancie in his outward profession of the Catholick Religion partly for having lost all hope of your support before the returning of the said Chesholme because of his long stay there partly by the perswasion of some Politicks partly to avoid the perils imminent to all them that call themselves Catholicks partly to keep himself in the favour of his King who pressed him greatly to subscribe to the Confession of the Hereticks and to be at League with England But for all this his heart is no whit alienated from our Cause for he hath always a good soul although he hath not such vigour to persevere and execute so as is requisite in so great an enterprise But they may help the defects by joyning with him a man of Credit resolute to assist him as we have advised to do since the Baron of b b David Graham Laird of Fintrie In Scotland the Barons were either Great or Small of the latter were Knights and Lairds and none were such formerly but those who held Lands of the King in Capite and had power of life death but now every one will be a Laird as in England an Esquire forsooth Fintrie is put in custody by the King in the Town of Dundee so that he durst not go out of the Gates thereof under the pain of a great sum until occasion may be offered to depart the Country within the limited time And I by the Kings commandment am forbiden to come neer the said Earl because they have attributed to the said Laird of Fintrie and me his constancie in the Catholick Religion and his absence from Court against the Kings will c c i. e. Laird of Fintrie His securement hath somewhat hindred our course and permits me not to move him as it hath pleas'd you to command me and as I desire to dispose of the money joyntly with me So that for the supplying of his want I have associated to the same end a very honest and wise man called Father William Creichtoun Jesuite who was detain'd some years in the City of d d In the Tower of London London after he was taken upon the Sea coming hitherwards from France Likewise I shall help my self by the prudence of Sir James Chesholme eldest brother to the said John who brought the money from your Highness for he is a man confident wise one of our part and very little suspected In the mean time one part of the money is in the principal house of my Lord Levingston a very Catholick Lord the other parthere in Edingborough in surety enough to help as it shall need the Catholick Lords who will come hither presently to resist the designes of them of the English Faction which think to remain at Court with forces to order all things according to their fancies As for the like sum or greater which your Highness intents to send hither it would be very expedient that it were very soon sent hither secretly to help the necessity that may fall out and to cause things to incline to our side when they are in Ballance as there is great appearance they will be by the occasion aforesaid and in case that necessity requireth no distribution the said sum shall be kept and reserved to better occasions or till the arrival of your forces in this Island There is suspition as also Arguments probable enough that Thomas Tyrie who hath brought hither your Highness Letters to our
was to send them aid of Men Ships and Artillery That if during the said Truce or Peace the said Earls Subjects or Tenants should refuse to pay him such Rents and Duties as anciently they were accâ—stomed that then the said King at his own charge was to send two Ships well appointed to be at his command until the said Subjects or Tenants were reduced to their former obedience and the said Ships to be victualed by the Earl That the King should give unto the Earl of Desmond a convenient Pension during his life and unto David Mac Maurice the Earls Seneschâ—l an yearly Pension of a 500 Livres is about to pound Steâ—ling five hundred Livres during his life But this Treaty and its Conditions were never executed by reason the said French King Francis I was otherwise imployed in the Wars of Italy about the Dukedome of Milan and at the Famous battle of b Fâ—bâ—uaâ—y 24. 15â—â— Pavia was taken prisoner and carryed into Spainâ— and at the said fight was Richard de la Pole call'd Duke of Suâ—â—â—olk and by some also termed the White Rose slain And some years before viz. â—513 was his Brother Edmund Earl of Suffâ—olk beheaded on the Tower-hill in London for Treason Here we might also tell of Thomas Fitz Girald Earl of Kildare who solicited the Emperour Charles V to seise upon Ireland Caâ—â—â—d in Coâ—â—tain â—idar and fell into open acts of Hostility and Treason but leaving these let us haste to Queen Elizabeth's time where we shall finde the Tir-Oens who would intitle themselves O-Neals the greatest sticklers Con O-Neal sirnamed Bacco i. e. the lame was such an enemy to the English though Henry VIII bare him some favour that he left a solemn curse upon his Posterity if they ever sowed Wheat 〈◊〉 pag. â—4 spake English or built houses yet he was by Henry VIII created Earl of c Tyrone and to him his son John i. e. Shan succeeded but not content with that Title would make himself greater by a bâ—rbâ—rous kinde of Election viz. throwing up his shooe over his head took upon him the Title of O-Neal and takes up Arms against the Queen but finding himself too weak he went into d England no question in pomp enough having his Guard of e Gallâ— glasses bare-headed curl'd long hair yellow Frocks 〈…〉 Saffron or Piss long Sleeves short Coats with hairy 〈◊〉 Thus falling down at the Queens feet confess'd 〈…〉 and Rebellion with howling and so obtain'd pardon 〈…〉 continued not long in this obedience and scorning the â—iâ—le of Earl of Tir-Oen Baron of Duncannon conferr'd upon him by Queen Elizabeth he would again on his own head reâ—ssume the great name of O-Neal vaunt himself the King of Vâ—â—â—â—r leavie Forces offer the Kingdom of Ireland to Mary 15â—â— Queen of Scots and so hated the English that he built a Castle in f Lake Eaugh which some also call Logh-Sidney in honour of 〈◊〉 Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy of Ireland which he named â—eâ—ghnegall i. e. Hatred to the English Nay he went so far as to strangle some of his own men because they eat English bread Thus he created some troubles but at last in his Cups was stab'd by those he most confided in Of him 't is Recorded that he was such a Drunkard that to a Camdens Elizab. anno 1567. cool his body when too much inflam'd with Wine and Uskabagh he would cause himself to be buryed in earth up to the chin Shan thus dead a Parliament met at Dublin where 't was b Id. in Britan pag. 776. enacted that for the future none should take upon them the name and title of O-Neal yet Queen Elizabeth wink'd at Turlogh Leinigh of the House of O-Neal when by a popular Election he was saluted by the name of O-Neal thinking to get no disturbance by him being of a quiet spirit but in this she was mistaken so powerfully did his friends work upon him in opposition to her Majesty Now when nothing but peace was expected Edmund and Peter year 1569 Boteler c The M S. life of Sir John Perot saith The Earl of Ormonds three Brethren Brothers to the Earl of Ormond with James Fitz-Morice of the House of Desmond and Mac Cartie-More with others flee into Rebellion thinking with the Assistance of the Pope and Spain to thrust out Elizabeth to inflame this the more Don Juan de Mendoza was sent out of Spain But the Earl of Ormond troubled at his Brothers actions hastes out of England to them perswades them to submit and obtain'd the Queens pardon for them The rest were pursued as obstinate and rebellious As for James Fitz-Morice he was so hunted from place to place by the care and industry of Sir John Perrot Lord President of Munster that at last he was forced to submit himself unto the Queens Mercy so the President being at Church in Kilmalock Fitz-Morice comes to him howling and crying for Pardon Perrot caus'd him to prostrate himself and take the d M S. life of Sir John Perot point of his the Presidents naked Sword next to his heart in token that he had received his life at the Queens hands But waving such as these let us hasten to more dangerous exploits and first it is not amiss to know that there was one Thomas Stukley of an ancient and good Family neer Illfracombe in Devonshire and of him a few words by the by Though his parts were good and quick yet his prodigality soon made an end of his estate which in a younger brother as he was is quickly spent yet having a lofty minde he cast about how to live and command over others At last Florida then newly found out in America came into his thoughts and this forsooth he would people not doubting but in time to make himself Prince thereof as may appear by his bold and ambitious Speeches with Queen Elizabeth upon the desire of her assistance for these his projects Concluding with her Stuk. I prefer rather to be Soveraign of a Mole-hill then the highest Subject to the greatest Monarch in Christendom For I am certain to be a Prince before my death Q. Eliz. I hope I shall hear from you when you are setled in your Kingdom Stuk. I will write unto you Q. Eliz. In what language Stuk. In the stile of Princes To our dear Sister At which the great Queen was so far from indignation that she rather pityed and smiled at his impertinences But this his vain designe for Florida sailing for want of money and having spent all he was forced to flee into Ireland where after some stay the better to support his wants he endeavour'd to obtain the Stewardship of Wexford but being disappointed of it he fell into a rage dapperly venting his passion against the Queen and her Government and in this beggerly fury and discontent ships himself for Italy where according to his nature boasting of his own worth and actions and
King hath not behaved himself according to his duty for he hath accommodated himself in his behaviour more of the affection of our a a Sâ—r Jâ—hn Maitland Chancellor who is of the faction of England and abuseth the credit he hath with the King then according to the instructions given him He hath not presented nor made mention to the King of Colonel Simpills letter whereof I have caused the Copy to be presented to his Majesty by the Earl Bothwell as if it had been sent to him with another of the said Colonels to himself which he received from Thomas Tyrie at his arrival who hath reported to the said Chancellor as that Seigneur Don b b Dâ—n Bernardino de Mendâ—za the Spanish Ambassador in France to carry on the Spanish interest and League against the French King Bernardino spake to him in Paris to the disadvantage of the Chancellor Also he hath reported to the King that my Lord c c He means Mr William Chesholme Uncle to Sir Jameâ— and Mr. John Bishop of Dumblane being returned thither spake to your Highness and to others many things to the great prejudice of his d d The King Highness And it is believed also that he is the cause of the suspition which was conceived of the coming of the said John Chesholme newly to the said Bishop However it be the other reports aforesaid which he hath made have not served to conciliate but to alienate the affection of the King of the Chancellor and many other Hereticks from the said Seigneur Don Bernardino the said Bishop and Catholicks here that have to do with them As for my self although I speak not willingly to the disadvantage of any whatsoever chiefly of them whom I have recommended as I did the said Thomas Tyrie to the said Don Bernardino yet I will prefer the love of the truth to men and would not by concealing thereof bring prejudice to the common good nor to the fidelity that the one oweth to the other and especialy to that we owe all to the King of Spain and your Highness to whom I am presently servant particularly addicted by the obligation of five hundred Crowns of e e The Scotch calls it 500 Crowns of â—eâ—il fee and forty for monthly entertainment which it hath pleas'd your Highness to give me freely in the name of the King of Spain not being required for my part nor other thing for my particular to this present By reason whereof I am the more bound to give your Highness most humble thanks and to endeavour my self to deserve by my most humble and faithfal service as well the said entertainment as the recompence it hath pleas'd your Highness to promise me of your grace and favour The said gift of your liberality came well for my purpose seeing by reason of the danger of my person it behooved me to augment my ordinary train for my greater surety which I was not able longer to have born out without help For from all the Lords of Scotland I have not retain'd but a part onely of the money which I spent travelling for the advancement of this Cause in Spain with his Catholick Majesty and with your Highness in the Low-Countries As for the four hundred Crowns imploy'd for the deliverance of Colonel Simpill out of prison I have put it in Count with the residue which I disbursed of the first sum according as it hath pleas'd your Highness to command me The Earl of Morton to whom I have given consolation by writing in prison hath instantly prayâ—d me also by writing to remember his most affectionate care to your Highness finding himself greatly honour'd by the care it pleas'd you to have of him By the grace of God he is no more in danger of his life by way of Justice it being impossible for his enemies to prove against him any thing which they had supposed in his accusation as also the Kings affection not so far alienate from him as it hath been heretofore And in case he were in danger or that it were requisite for the good of our Cause presently to deliver him we can at any time get him out of prison However in the mean time we wait the Kings pleasure towards his liberty oâ—â—ly to avoid all pursuit that they would make if we deliver him by extraordinary means When in the Kings Name they offer'd him his liberty if he would subscribe the Confession of the Hereticks faith he answered He would not do it for the Kings Crown nor for an hundred thousand lives if he had them to loose and hath offer'd to confound the Ministers by publick disputation I shall sollicite the Lords his friends to procure of the King his liberty very soon for he imports more to the good of our Cause then any of the rest by reason of his Forces which are near England and the principal Town of Scotland and the ordinary Residence of our King as also he is a Lord the most resolute constant and of greatest execution of any of the Catholicks It is no small marvel considering the means the Hereticks have to hurt us and their worldly wits so far passing ours and their evil will and intention against us that me subsist Truely we cannot but attribute the effect thereof to God who when the certain news of the returning of the a a The Spaenish Armado being beat a gâ—eat part of them fled Noâ—h wards round about Scotland and so â—eturn'd home by Ireland Army of Spain by the back of Ireland was dispersed through the Country and the Hereticks of the Faction of England triumphed and the constancie in the outward profession of the Earl of Huntley and others was alter'd caused the Earl of b b Archibald Deuglas Earl of Angâ—s dyed at Smeâ—â— near Dalkeith Jaly 1588 supposed by witchcraft or other evil means Angus to dye who was the chief of the English Faction And the same time grew some dissentions amongst the Hereticks by reason of some Offices which some pretended to usurp above others at Court And by the instant prayers and holyperswasions of two Fathers Jesuites converting to our holy faith two Heretick Earls of the chiefest of Authority amongst them the one whereof is called the Earl of Arrol Constable of Scotland converted by Father Edmund Hay the other called the Earl of Crawford converted by the foresaid Father William Creichton They are both able and wise young Lords and most desirous to advance the Catholick Faith and your enterprises in this Island which they are determin'd to testifie to his Catholick Majesty and your Highness by their own Letters which by the Grace of God I will send by the first opportunity In the mean time they have required me to make you offer of their most humble and most affectionate service promising to follow whatsoever the same Jesuites and I shall think good to be done for the conservation of the Catholicks and to dispose and faciliate the
should fall out for the weal and furtherance of this Cause c. But now I will sayone word of him and so come to some other purposes of our own If I had a thousand tongues with so many mouths with Cicero ' s Eloquence I could not be worthie enough to commend this Gentleman to you and all your company as I shall let you understand God-willing if ever we do chance to meet face to face and therefore whensoever you may prevent him with any benefit either by your self or any other abide not till he crave it of you for he is the worst asker in his own cause that ever you conversed with f f Here follows some private lawbusiness concerning some lands in the Lairdship of Spot My Lord Levingstone is departed out of this world You heard before that g g David Graham Laird of Fentrie yet there was also a rich Citizen of Sterling call'd David Forrester who was kill'd or murdred 1595. David Forester had one son and now hath another born in the Castle of Striveling where he is in custodie hardlie handled There is but one of our Nobilitie which hath of the King of Spain any pension well paid of twelve hundred Crowns the which apparentlie are evil bestowed for he nor any of his as yet hath ever done any kinde of good in the promotion of the Kings Matters wherefore such pensions were better bestowed on others who travel dailie and hourlie putting in hazard both their goods and lives as the Beareâ— hath done and dailie doth and others as he can shew you c. Because I have no other thing to write and have been long enough I commend me to your prayers and you to God Yours at his Power a a i. e. Rob. Abircrumby Robert Sandesoun At Scotland the XV of Decemb. M D XCII The surprisal of these Letters discover'd all and spoil'd the designe David Graham of Fintrie was tryed and found guilty and b 15 or 16 of February 1592. beheaded in the High-street of Edinbrough The Earl of Angus having been imploy'd by the King who then doubted not of his loyalty to quiet some troubles in the North not knowing any thing of the seising of Kar and the discovery of the Spanish designe returns to Edinbrough where he was presently arrested by the c The Mayor and Aldermen Provost and c Bayliffs of the City and sent prisoner to the Castle But from this imprisonment he escapes flees into the North joyns himself with Huntley and Arrol and raise what Forces they can But upon the report of the Kings marching against them year 1593 they fled into the Mountains and seeing no other help sent their Ladies to the King to intercede for them the King tells them he will shew them what favour he can but adviseth them to submit to a tryal In the mean time the Presbyterian Kirk grow very mally part and a Club of their Ministers being jumbled together on their own heads they forsooth would condomn them and so they Excommunicate the Earls of Anguss Huntley and Arrol the Lord Hume and Sir James Chesholme nor could the King by all his Authority and desires get the Brethren to forbear or stay the publication of their sentence Though the Earls had waited upon the King submitted themselves and desired a Trial. But the truth is the Popish Lords gave no signes of real repentance no though the King had used divers means to gain them and was willing to wink at their past crimes upon assurance of their good behaviour for the future yet all his Majesties endeavours were in vain the Jesuits prevailing too much over them with their bad counsels and feeding them daily with hopes of forraign aid No though the King through love exhorted them to enter themselves in custody to pleasure the Kirk and make some signes of a tryal would they give any obedience to the Kings desires These contempts rendring them more odious a Parliament is held and the Roman Lords brought to Tryal and are found year 1594 guilty of Treason and sentence was pronounced against the thrâ—â— Earls and Sir Patrick Gordon Laird of Achindown their Sâ—uâ—checas of Arms are torn by the Herald and their Honours Lands and Estates declared forfeited Yet the King had some favour for them but they grow worse and worse for joyning themselves with the Earl of Bothwell they make a Covenant or Bond amongst themselves at the Church of Memmore and so flee to Arms the main stickler in this business being Sir James Douglas of Spot And opportunately to assist them arrives a Spanish Ship at Montrose which brought some gold for their supplies The King informed of all by the apprehension of Allan Orme servant to Bothwell sends Argile Northwards to quell them Argile gets an Army of 10000 men but a The Battle of Clenlivat October 3. are beat by 900 commanded by Huntley who here lost his Uncle of Achindown and Arrol was sore wounded in his armand leg But for all this the Confederate Lords at the long run were so put to it that they desired liberty to depart the Kingdom giving security to practice no more against the King or Religion so away they went and Bothwell steals into France thence into Naples where he lived miserably and dyed beggerly about the year 1624. The banish'd Lords not finding themselves in that favour beyond Seas as they expected resolve to return home Huntley steals year 1596 over and being got into the North sends a supplication to the King desiring that he might be permitted to stay in the Country upon security to be no more troublesome the King is willing and conditions are consulting of Arrol thinking to slip through the Low-Countries is seis'd on and deliver'd to Mr. Robert Danielstone the Kings Agent there but from him he makes an escape and returns Huntley for some time keeps off the conditions the Kirk being his enemy And his Uncle James Gordon the Jesuit came into the year 1597 Country to perswade him from any reconcilement but at last not onely he but Angus and Arrol submit subscribe to the Faith of Scotland are absolved at Aberdene from their former Excommunications and received into grace and favour of the King About the same time there was discovered a designe to fortifie the Isle of Elsay in the West Seas This Island is a great Rock four miles in compass wherein an old ruinous Tower is built on the steep ascent of the Rock the plot was that by seising on the Island the Forces that the Spanish King had promis'd to send might here be received The main actor in this was Hugh Barklay Laird of Lady-land who having been the year before committed in the Castle of Glasgow had made an escape and fled to Spain and this year return'd to pursue his old designe Having got some followers he enters the Island with an intention to have well victual'd it But Mr. Knox the same who took Ker understanding his purpose
would bring up and marry according to their Interests thinking thereby also to oblige many of the Nobility to their Cause upon hopes of having her to Wife and with her the Crown She was now at Comb the Lord Harrington's House in Warwich-shire where to secure her they contrived a great Hunting-Match to be the Sixth of November on Dunsmore-Heath under which pretence many Romanists would meet well Appointed and surprise her by force As for a present supply of Moneys Sir Everard Digby promised Fifteen hundred pounds Mr. Francis Tresham Two thousand pounds and Piercy all that he could get of the Earl of Northumberland his Kinsman his Rents which was about Four thousand pounds They also contrived how to keep the Slander of such a Villany from themselves and Religion so determined to throw the Crime upon the Puritans a sort of people bad enough of themselves that we need not load them with other mens Faults by declaring them to be the Traytors who blew up the Parliament To carry on which false report they had framed a Proclamation which they had got printed and ready for publishing upon the Sign given which they supprest and burnt upon the discovery though some of them by chance came to view and were seen and read by Dr. Parker Dean of Lincoln Sir W. Ellis Recorder of the said City and other persons And the better also to get the same Credit with the people Keys Brother-in-law to Mr. Pickering had a few days before either borrowed or bought the swift Horse well known in London and thereabouts of Mr. Pickering of Tichmarch-grove in Northamptonshire a noted Puritan whom they also designed to kill upon which Faux having fired the Match and Touchwood leading to the Train was to escape as they bore him in hand but their design was to kill him at his taking Horse for Pickering's Man which the people would easily believe seeing the Horse so well known to them and the multitude once perswaded of this would be more facil to joyn with them under notion of doing Justice upon such supposed Traytors and Wretches They also consult how to keep the Romish Lords from going that day to Parliament the better to strengthen their Cause by their preservation But in the height of all their hopes and expectations a discovery is made thus Some of them supposed by Monteagle to be Piercy but Bishop * Ans to Sir Ant. Weldons Court of K. James pag. 73 M. S. Goodman saith it was Tresham who wrote the Letter having a great affection to the said Lord Monteagle Son and Heir to the Lord Morley had a mind to preserve him also from the intended slaughter So one Evening a Letter sealed is delivered in the Street the Strand by an unknown Fellow to one of the Lord's Foot-men charging him to deliver it with care to his Lord. Monteagle opens it finds it without Date or Subscription writ with a very bad hand and in a stile he knew not what to make of thus My Lord OVT of the love I bear to some of your Friends I have a care of your Preservation therefore I would advise you as you tender your life to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance this Parliament For God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time And think not slightly of this Advertisement but retire your self into your Countrey where you may expect the Event in safety For though there be no appearance of any stir yet I say they shall receive a Terrible blow this Parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them This Counsel is not to be contemned because it may do you good and can do you no harm for the Danger is past as soon as you have burn'd this Letter and I hope God will give you the Grace to make good use of it To whose holy Protection I commend you Monteagle wondred at the Letter and its delivery and thinking it might relate to some mischief thought it his duty to make it known so away he goeth to White-Hall shews it to the Earl of Salisbury then Secretary of State who tells some other of the Privy-Council of it and the King being returned from his Hunting at Royston they deliver it to Him His Majesty having seriously considered it and all other circumstances concluded that it might relate to some Design to blow up the Parliament and in this jealousie ordered the Rooms and Vaults about the House to be searched which was done the night before the Sessions when in the foresaid Cellar under the Lords-House were found the Barrels of Powder and at the door standing Guido Faux booted and spurr'd with a large Dark-Lanthorn now to be seen in Oxford Library with Matches Tinder-Box and other Materials for his Design Faux was presently carried to Court and examined where he appeared sturdy and scornful maintaining the Design to be lawful That James was not his King because an Heretick was sorry that the Plot fail'd and that he had not blown up the House with himself and those who were sent to search affirming That God would have had the Plot conceal'd but it was the Devil who reveal'd it At last Faux himself confest all that he knew of the Treason Thus far discovered the King suspecting some Commotions or Risings sent with all speed to prevent them by timely notice by Lepton and others This was that Mr. John Lepton of York-shire who rid so often betwixt London and York in one Week viz. in May 1606 who though he won his Wager yet was a Loser never getting his winnings Piercy Wright c. who now lurked about London to expect the fatal Blow informed of the discovery take Horse making what haste they can to their Companions appointed to be at the Rendezvous on Dunsmore In brief according to their abilities they run into open Rebellion but to their own Destruction The High-Sheriffs with other Magistrates and Loyal Subjects so hunting them that they were either all dispersed slain or taken and the chief of them afterwards condemned and executed Mr. Osborn whose Observations and Principles are not always approvable Memoires of K. James pag. 38. tells us that his Catholique Majesty sent an Agent on purpose to congratulate King James his great preservation A flattery so palpable as the Pope could not refrain laughing in the face of Cardinal D'Ossat when he first told it him Thus he This Agent was Don Juan de Mendoza who brought very rich Presents with him Whether it was Flattery or Hypocrisie or no is no great matter it being the custom of Princes though Enemies to use such Ceremonies And I can tell him farther That a little after the Plot a sudden report being spread that King James was kill'd and Sir Lewis Lewkenor then Master of the Ceremonies being sent by the Council to certifie the Forreign Minister of the King's safety and health Don Pedro de Cunigo the Spanish Ambassador at London seemed almost mad for joy and for
may give you an hint what little credit may justly be given to such Tales and when men have trapt any as Impostures so oft in lying and cheating they have small reason to believe them in their other Stories or Actions And besides these Forgeries when we consider what compact jugling and delusions there may be and that the Devil also may have a hand in the imployment as also some may have their Natural causes we should not so easily believe all to be gold that glistereth nor every thing we see or hear to be a Miracle wrought by God since b 2 Thessal 2. â— Antichrist himself must deceive by signs and lying Wonders Though as I have no power to hinder Almighty God from working Wonders so have I no Authority to deny that he doth do any by his faithful Instruments and I am apt to believe upon good Reason that the Church of Great Britain since the Reformation may glory and triumph in this blessing as well as their fellow-Christians beyond Sea CHAP. IV. Their Idle Extravagant and Prophane Titles and Prerogatives appropriated to the Pope HAving hitherto seen how lavish they are in the commendations of their inferiour Christians those but as it were fellow-Subjects or of the same rank in obedience with themselves what lofty strains and towring Encomiums may we expect when they advance to magnifie their Lord and Master their Infallible Judge and what not If in any thing they observe Sir Philip Sidneys Rule If the man such praises have What must he that keeps the knave And if when several of their Wits have strain'd themselves to compare the great Cardinal a Many of which you may finde collected together in a Quartâ— Book call'd Scriptorum Galliae Maledicentiae Adulationes Impiae Anno 1635. Richelieu to God Almighty for Power and Wisdom though he hath not hitherto been held one of the greatest Saints we may not hope for less Blasphemies to be produced to the honour of their Roman Bishop whom they fancy to command Heaven and Hell and so at his pleasure to dispose of their souls to either of those places But that good Emperour b Volaterran lib. 23. fol. 266. Alexander Severus rejected all such cogging Claw-backs As c Ant. Panormita de rebus gestis Alphonsi Alonso that wise King of Aragon did not onely hate but several times punish his flattering creenging Courtiers whom he justly call'd the Plague of Princes it being a truth not easily denyed that next to such a Treason as Presbytery the dissembling fawning Favorite is the discredit of his King and the ruine of his Country What the Popes have done by way of command to others to proclaim to the World the Commendations Strength Power Vertue and Authority of his Holy-Chair would be a task too tedious and difficult to search exactly and throughly into Yet that such endeavours have been somewhat Ancient appears by Augustinus de Ancona now better known by the name of Triumphus who above three hundred years ago was commanded by Pope John XXI or XXII to write a Treatise to this purpose which he did where he boldly maintains that no d De Potestate Ecclesiasticâ— Quest 44. Art 1. law can be made to binde Christians but by the Popes Authority as of old the Israelites received none but by the Intercession of Moses Nor is this all but he makes all the world to be so much the Popes Right and Inheritance that he expresly gives us this Caution of Interpretation of some Facts in History viz. That if we meet with any Emperours to have given any e Id. Part. 1. Quest 1. Art 1. Temporal Priviledges or Lands to any Popes as they say Constantine did to Sylvester we must here understand that they did not at all give that which was their own to give but onely forsooth restore that which had formerly been taken away from them by Tyranny and Injustice Or if on the contrary we read of any Popes to have given off any such Temporal Benefit we must then suppose that it was done more for peace-sake then really to give to others a true Title to them Fine Rules if they were true to keep all Jurisdiction and Territories in their own clutches But alas they are too simple and childish to be imbraced by any but fools and suchlike Papal Scriblers Not long after him we have a trusty Spaniard Alvarus Pelagius Confessor to Balthassor Cossa call'd John XXII or XXIII who writ a large Book in part to vindicate his Master by many then held an Antipope This Alvarus amongst other things affirms that no Emperour must be held to rule a De planctu Ecclesiae lib. 1. cap. 13. justly who received not his Power and Authority from the Roman Church especially after Christ had granted all Rule and Government to St. Peter which seems a pretty Paradox as if the Church at Rome by right ruled all the world before ever St. Peter was ever there or held as Supream there or for ought that I know before any other Christian in that City had any abode Nor will that which followeth any whit mend the matter viz. that every Pope hath all the same or as much power upon Earth as Jesus Christ himself had and that the Pope is as a God to the Emperour Some years before this Vrban the Sixth and Clement the Seventh bandying for the Popedom the Christians not agreeing which of them was the true one insomuch that the Kings themselves were also divided from which troubles it may be he might expect some disadvantage However it was he had one Johannes de Therano his Chamberlain who upon his command writ a Book to lessen all Temporal Authority in Princes in which he very finely evades these words Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods by affirming that these words of Christ have place onely for a time viz. until his Ascention and that after his Ascention they are of no force or value proving it from this Verse b Joh 12. 32. When I shall be lifted up from the Earth I will draw all men unto me which he interprets by all Kings and Kingdoms to be under the Popes jurisdiction a bundle of such strange Assertions that c Tom. 2. pag. 232. Coquaeus himself seems almost ashamed of them But to go on long before any of these above five hundred years d Anno 1131. ago in a Council at Rheimes some one or other for his certain name I finde not made a learned and wise Sermon as he thought in commendation of the Pope telling his Auditors that he was greater than Moses greater than any Angel greater than Solomon nay except God there is none like unto him either in Heaven or Earth And that this might carry the more credit with it they have foisted this into the Works of e Sermo ad Synod Rhemens beginning Grave est quod mihi injungitur St.
say to him Why do you so since his power is such as to dispence beyond Law it self and so of Injustice can make Justice either by correcting or changing the Laws or Rights and b Dist 34. c. Lector Gloss dispence too against the Apostle Their Canon-Law brags that Constantine the Great call'd the Pope a c Dist 96. c. Satis evidenter God But their extravagant Gloss speaks out more plainly in these very words d Credere Dominum Deum nostrum Papam Conditorem c. Extra Joh. XXII Tit. 14. de verborum significat cap. 4. Cum inter nonnullâ—s Gloss Sect. Declaramus prope finem OUR LORD GOD THE POPE Because e Warn-word to Sir Fran. Hastings's wastward Encount 1. c. 2. Sect. 10. Father Parsons affirmeth he could never finde any such expression though he saith he sought much for it I have been the more exact and plain in the Quotation as also to confute f Apol. pro Hen. Garn. Andraeas Eudaemon-Johannes and some others who are apt to perswade their Readers that there is no such thing to be found at least in those Copies that they can meet withal for confutation of which take this Catalogue of Editions which I have met withal in which they will finde the said words expresly set down Lugduni Lutet Paris 1526 1522 1556 1561 1559 * 1585 1572 * 1601 * 1584 * 1612 Several of which viz. those you see here noted with the Asterisks were Vid. Pet Moulin vates lib. 5. cap. 6. printed after Pope Gregory the Thirteenth had corrected the Canon-Law and were as they confess printed and publish'd according to the Roman Copy by Authority of the said Pope And it may be from suchlike wicked expressions as this that abominable Varlet Francois Ravaillac drew this Blasphemous Doctrine g Parceque faisant la guerre contre le Pape c'estoit la faire contre Dieu d'â—utant que le Pape estoit Dieu Dieu â—stoit le Pape Pâ—ocez Examen Confessions c. du Fâ—ancoâ—s Ravaillac pag. 39. Is Casauban Epâ—st ad Front Ducaeum pag. 14 The Pope is God and God is the Pope And therefore supposing that Henry the Fourth of France would make War upon the Pope he thought himself obliged to murther the said King lest he should fight against God that is the Pope However though I cannot say that the wisest of them think the Pope really to be God yet this I am certain of that they commonly paint one so like the other with a Triple Crown and all other Pontifical Garments that you can scarce know whether they designed it for the Picture of God Almighty or the Pope But others would have us to think that he is not really a God no more than he is really a man but something or other between both according to our Country-man in their h Gloss g Clâ—mâ—â—t in Proem Gloss â— Papa Papa stupor Mundi Qui maxima rerumes Nec Deuses nec homo quasi neuter es inter utrumque Pope the worlds wonder greatest in all the world Nor God nor Man but between both thou' rt Purld And now can we think that they give these almost-almighty Titles and Power to his Holiness without sure grounds and good cause And that of all Reasons and Authorities the Canon-Law which hath been so carefully composed and so often revised by their wisest ones doth not afford the best No surely and therefore for a taste take some of their invincible Arguments and those too for more Authority framed by the Popes themselves and so infallibly true Can any deny that the Pope hath all a Extra Com. de Major Obed. c. Unam Sanctam Temporal as well as Spiritual jurisdiction seeing the Apostles said b Luke 22. 28. Behold here are two Swords and Christ answered That it is enough Which is also sufficiently testified by Christ's saying Peter c Job 18. 11. Mat. 26. 52. put up thy sword into the sheath What need any man question the d Extra Com. c. Unam sanctam Greg. de Major Obed c. Solitae Popes Authority to depose Kings seeing God told the Prophet Jeremiah saying e Jer. 1. 10. Behold I have this day set thee over the Nations and over the Kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down to build and to plant Is it not as plain as a Pike-staff that there is but one Supream Authority in the World and that that is the f Extra Com. c Unam sanctam Pope because God g Gen. 1. 1. created heaven in the Beginning for it is not said in the plural number in the Beginnings And therefore he that believes not that the Pope is the Chief must be an Heretical Manichee Again is it not impudence to deny the h Greg de Major Obed. c. Solitae Pope to be above any Emperour be he East or West seeing God himself decided long since the Controversie by creating i Gen. 1. 16. two great Lights viz. the Sun and the Moon whereby he did plainly demonstrate that the Pope is as far above the Emperour as the Sun is greater than the Moon And for the Kings they are no more to be compared to the Pope than k Dist 96. c. Duo sunt Lead is to Gold Upon the strength of these Authorities and mighty Reasons though not a Rush to the purpose their Writers vapour with his Holiness over all poor Hereticks l Comment in c. Oportchat pag. 48. Sect. 9. Rodericus Cupers thinks that those who deny the Popes Temporal and spiritual Supremacy deny also the Gospel and the great m Sum. Patt 3. Tit. 22. c. 5. Antoninus of Florence that he hath power not onely on earth but in Heaven and Hell Doctor n Tract de jurisdict part 4. cent 1. cas 56. Sect. 1. Marta saith that he is Judge of all men in the World And so any may appeal from their secular Judges to him He being the o Ibid. Sect. 8. Fountain and Original of all Temporal jurisdiction and having all the Power that p Id. cap. 25. Sect. 20. Christ had q Quodlibet VI. Quaest 23. fol. 369. a. Henricus à Gondavo with his Commentator Marcus Vitalis Zuccolius and r De Potestar Rom Pont. l. 2. c. 9. Sect 7. cap. 10. Alexander Carerius with a multitude of others are great sticklers for this his Authority and the later of them tells us that it is the common opinion of all their Divines and Canonists Nay Stephanus an Arch-bishop in one of their Lateran Councils applauded the Opinion That the Å¿ Concil Edict Regia Tom. 34. pag. 449. Pope was above all Power both of Heaven and Earth One tells us that he is not onely the Judge but the t Jo. Rubeus in Bonifac. VIII pag. 216. Spouse of the Vniversal Church and the Arbitrator of Heaven and Earth u Isidor
and dated his Letters from the year of his Popedom And now I talk of datings I might speak here of Philip the First of France of his Excommunication An. 1100. and how some would thence conclude that he was thereby deprived from his Kingdom and bring for a proof some datings not with the Raign of the King but the year and Rule of Christ under this form Regnante Christo But seeing c Hist de France tom 2. p. 89. § 5. Scipion Dupleix slights it as of no validity and that vastly read David Blondellus hath in a particular large a De formulae Regnante Christo usu Treatise shewn its mistake and that such Forms have been many times used when no Excommunication or Censure obliged it I shall not trouble the Reader nor my self any farther with it CHAP. III. 1. The Kings of England denyed the Popes Coercive Authority over them or their Dominions 2. The troubles of England by the arrogancie and obstinacie of Thomas à Becket against his Soveraign King Henry the Second Sect. 1. The Kings of England denyed the Popes Coercive Authority over them or their Dominions HAving now seen in part how the greatest Emperours have been tost about by the Popes it will not be amiss to hint at their indeavours to reduce England to the slavery of their humours and what may we not expect from their pretended grand Spiritual jurisdiction when we shall see an Archbishop and a born Subject too bandy against his Soveraign Henry the Second which story is here related As for England the Pope would be Lord over it as well as other Nations nor did his Religion any way advance the Obedience and Allegiance of Subjects For though one Pope had approved of King William the First his Conquest by sending him a b Speed book 9. c. 2. § 2. consecrated Banner an Agnus Dei and one of St. Peters Hairs in way of his good speed Yet the next Pope viz. Gregory the Seventh demands fealty from him as may appear by the Kings Dr. Geo Hakewell's Answ to Dr. Cariers Letter pag. 141. Answer in Sir Robert Cottons Library Hubertus Legatus tuus Religiose Pater ad me veniens ex tua parte me admonuit quatenus tibi successoribus tuis fidelitatem facerem de pecunia quem Antecessores mei ad Romanam Ecclesiam mittere solebant melius cogitarem unum admisi alterum non admisi fidelitatem facere nolui nec volo quia nec ego promisi nec Antecessores meos Antecessoribus tuis id fecisse comperio Hubert your Legat Holy Father coming unto me advertised me as from you that I was to do fealty to you and your Successors and that I should bethink my self better of the Money which my Predecessors were wont to send the Church of Rome the one I admitted the other I admitted not The fealty I would not perform neither will I because neither my self promised it nor do I finde that my Predecessors performed it to yours Upon which refusal some suppose Gregory returned that furious and uncivil Letter seen amongst his other a Lib. 7. Ep. 1. Epistles to his said Legat Hubert in which he accused the King of Impudence and that he had done more against the Church than all the b Nemo omnium Regni etiam Paganorum contra Apostolicam sedem hoc praesumpsit centare quod is non eâ—ubuâ—â— facere Ib. Pagan Kings themselves had offer'd Nor did his Son King Henry the First acknowledge any subjection to the See of Rome for though Pope Paschal the Second expected it and accordingly thus wrote to him to put him in minde of it Paschalis servus servorum Dei dilecto filio Henrico illustri Anglorum Regi salutem Apostolicam Benedictionem Cum de manu Domini largius honorem divitias pacemque susceperis miramur vehementius gravamur quod in Regno potestateque tua Beatus Petrus in B. Petro Dominus honorem suum justitiamque perdiderit Sedis enim Apostolica Nuntii vel literae praeter jussum Regiae Majestatis nullam in potestate tua susceptionem vel aditum promerentur nullus inde clamor nullum inde judicium ad sedem Apostolicam destinatur Paschal the servant of servants of God to our beloved Son Henry the renowned King of England health and Apostolical Benediction Since you have plentifully received Honour Riches and Peace from the hand of the Lord We exceedingly wonder and take it in ill part that in your Kingdom and under your Government St. Peter and in St. Peter the Lord hath lost his Honour and Right in as much as the Nuntio's and Breves of the See Apostolick are not thought worthy entertainment or admittance into your Dominions without your Majesties Warrant No Complaint now no Appeal comes from thence to the Apostolick See To which King Henry the First after some terms of Complement replies in this manner Eos Honores eam Obedientiam quam tempore Patris mei Antecessores vestri in Regno Anglia habuerunt tempore meo ut habeatis volo eo videlicet tenore ut dignitates usus consuetudines quas Pater meus tempore Antecessorum vestorum in Regno Angliae Ego tempore vestro in eodem Regno meo integre obteneam Notumque habeat Sanctitas vestra quod me vivente Deo auxiliante Dignitates usus Regni Angliae non minuentur Et si Ego quod absit in tanta me dejectione ponerem Optimates mei imo totius Angliae populus id nullo modo pataretur Habita igitur Charissime Pater utiliori deliberatione ita se erga nos moderetur benignitas vestra ne quod invitus faciam à vestra me cogatis recedere obedientia That Honour and Obedience which your Predecessors had in the Kingdom of England during the raign of my Father my will is that you should have in my time with this condition That my self fully and wholly enjoy all the Dignities Prerogatives and Customs which my Father enjoy'd in the said Kingdom in the time of your Predecessors And I would that your Holiness should understand that during my life the Dignities and Prerogatives of the Crown of England by Gods Grace shall not be diminished And if I should so far debase my self which God forbid my Lords and Commons would by no means indure it Wherefore most dear Father upon better advice let your gentleness be so tempered towards us that I be not inforced which I should unwillingly do to withdraw my self from your obedience But to save my self trouble I shall refer the Reader to Sir a Rep. part 5. Edward Coke and Mr. b Hist of the the Popes intolerable Usurpations Prynne where he may abundantly satisfie himself that the Kings of England not onely slighted the Papal Coercive Power but all along exercised Authority in and over Ecclesiastical Causes Though the Pope made it his business to trample upon all Temporal Jurisdiction and make it a meer
Bring him a weapon that before had none That yet he might not idly loose his breath But dye reveng'd in action not alone And this good chance that this much favoureth He flacks not for he presently speeds one And Lyon-like upon the rest he flies And here lyes one and there another lies 74. And up and down he traverses his ground Now wards a felling blow now strikes again Then nimbly shifts a thrust then lends a wound Now back he gives then rushes on a main His quick and ready hand doth so confound These shameful beasts that four of them lies slain And all had perisht happily and well But for one act that O! I grieve to tell 75. This coward Knight seeing with shame and fear His men thus slain and doubting his own end Leaps up into a Chair that loe was there That whilst the King did all his courage bend Against those four that now before him were Doubting not who behind him doth attend And plyes his hands undaunted unâ—ffear'd And with good heart and life for life he stir'd 76. And whilst he this and that and each mans blow 'T is said that some of the strokes of the Swoâ—ds were to be seen in the Walls till these late times when the Castle was demolisht that King James by reason of this murther had no mâ—nd to take so full a view of the Castle at his coming out of Scotland as he at first intended being told of it as he was beholding the Castle Doth eye defend and shift being laid to sore Backward he bears for more advantage now Thinking the wall would safe-guard him the more When loe with impious hand O wicked thou That shameful durst not come to strike before Behind him gav'st that woful deadly wound That laid that most sweet Prince flat on the ground 77. Monster of men what hath thy fury done Vpon an overpressed Innocent Lab'ring against so many he but one And one poor soul with care with sorrow spent Could thine own eyes indure to look upon Thy hands disgrace or didst thou not relent But what thou didst I will not here Divine Nor stain my thoughts to enter into thine 78. But leave thee wretch unto black Infamy To dark eternal horror and disgrace The hateful scorn to all Posterity The out-cast of the world last of the Race Of whose curst seed Nature did then deny To bring forth more her fair-works to disgrace And as asham'd to have produc'd that past She stays her hand and makes this worst her last 79. There lyes that comely body all imbrude With sacred blood a midst the foul he shed Those holy streams became with that vile rude Vnhallowed stains confusedly interspred Ah! why was grosness with such grace indude To be with that sweet mixture honoured Or serv'd it but for some vile grave ordain'd Where an unbalmed Corps should be contain'd 80. Those fair distended limbs all trembling lay Whom yet nor life nor death their own could call For life removed had rid all away And death though entring seiz'd not yet on all That short-tim'd motion that soon finish shall The Mover ceasing yet a while doth stay As th' Organ sound a time survives the stop Before it doth the dying note give up 81. So holds those Organs of that goodly frame The weak remains of life a little space But ah full soon cold death possest the same Set are those Sun-like Eyes bloudless that face And all that comely whole a lump became All that fair form which death could scarce disgrace Lyes perisht thus and thus untimely Fate Hath finisht his most miserable state Though King Richard II thus lost his Kingdom and life by the Invasion of Henry IV yet no sooner came Henry V to the Crown but he shew'd his respect to Richard having his Corps convey'd from Langley to Westminster where he had him honourably buryed Stow p. 343 344. close by his Queen Anne his first Wife according to his desire when living and which was more observed yearly a day in memory of the said Richard The Epitaph of the said King Richard runs thus according to the Monkish mode of Poetry in those times Prudens Mundus Richardus jure Secundus R Holinshed vol. 3. Per factum victus jacet hic sub marmore pictus Verax sermone fuit plenus ratione Corpore procerus animo prudens ut Homerus Ecclesiae favit Elatos suppeditavit Quemvis prostravit Regula qui violavit And so much for King Richard II his miseries and murther and as for his Epitaph the ignorance and well-meaning of the Rimer shall pardon his Poetical faults being held famous and of great esteem in those times As of later times Ortuinus Gratius and the rest of the Magistri nostri and Virtuosi in the Epistolae obscurorum virorum thought their own Latine and Learning far above that of Erasmus Reuchlin and such others truely famous and immortal for their Learning and Oratory Sect. 3. The grand dispute and troubles amongst the Cordeliers concerning the trifling and childish Questions of the largeness of their Capuchin or Hood and the usage and right of the Bread and meat which they eat ANd now amongst all there Tragedies take one piece of foolish gravity where you shall finde the Pope and his Cardinals as serious about meer trifles as if in the Consistory they were met onely to invent the Game of Goose and his Holiness sitting consulting and troubling his head as wisely as Pantagruel in Rabelais in deciding the non-sence Law-case between the two foolish Lords I have heard of two Italian Brothers who fell out and kill'd each other upon the dispute which of them should possess the Heavens and command the Stars and History tells us that the Sir Hen. Wottons State of Christend p. 147 148. Aetolians and Arcadians had cruel Wars for a Wild-Boar that the Carthagenians and the people of Piraca for a Sea-rovers-ship that the Scots and Picts for a few Mastiff-Dogs and that the Wars between Charles Duke of Burgundy and the Switzers began for a Cart-load of Sheep-skins And some will tell us that that great hatred and antipathy betwixt the a Car. Garcia Antipatia de los Franceses y Espannoâ—es cap. 17. page 236. Epit. of the French Kings p. 280 this hapned anno 1463. French and Spaniards began meerly because the French were not so gloriously clad as the the other at an interview betwixt Lewes XI and Henry IV the King of Castile And the Indian Histories assure us that the King of Pegu having three white Elephants wanted a fourth for his Coach which to obtain from the King of Siam who had one b Myst of Jesuitis Part 3. pag. 54. rais'd an Army of a Million of men in which were three thousand Camels five thousand Elephants and two hundred thousand Horses whereby he destroy'd the Kingdom of Siam and forced the poor King to kill himself for the loss of his whole Empire and all
ours here That I may testifie by this present the affection that I have to the Weal of the one and the other having ever before my conversion been one of the number of your friends and servants for the respect of the last to the which the first of Religion which is the greatest and most important that is in the world being joyned thereto I am also become altogether yours which I most humblie beseech your Highness cause to be signified to his Catholick Majestie and to promise him in my behalf that he hath not in this Countrie a more affectionate servant then I neither yet your Highness as you shall understand more amply of my intention in particular by him by whom your Highness shall receive this present To whom after I have most humbly kist your hand I beseech the Creator to give you the accomplishment of your holy desires Your Highness most humble and most affectionate Servant Francis Earl of Errol From Edinbrough this XXIV of January M D LXXXIX At the same time the foresaid Mr. Robert Bruce the chief Agent writ to Francisco Aguirre a Spaniard then at Antwerp telling him that when he is again sent into Scotland Cause your self to be set on land near Seaton where I pray you to enter secretly and there you shall be kept till I come and finde you c. The following part of this Letter was writ in such cunning and obscure terms that they could not understand it We formerly heard of the imprisonment of some Lords for their Rebellion and now the King thinking for ever to make them his by his grace and favour releaseth them all freely onely Morton enter'd bond of an hundred thousand pound Scotch not to practice any more against him or Religion But in most the King found himself mistaken For William Creichton the Jesuite being forced to leave Scotlâ—nd year 1590 gets into Spain where he becomes Agent for the Old Cause Hath several consultations with King Philip how to advance the business and having brought all things to a fair pass sends Mr. William Gordoun son to the Laird of Abiryeldie with Letters to Mr. a He dyed at Paris 1620 aged 77 years he writ Controversiarum Christianae fidei Epitomen 1591. James Gordoun a Jesuit and brother on the Fathers side to George Earl of Huntley whereby he gave him and the Romanists in Scotland to understand what pains he had taken with the Spanish King and that the said King had confess'd to him that he had been deceived by the English and so would for the future follow the way and advice given him by the said Creichton both for the invading of England and the alteration of Religion in Scotland And the better to carry all on the said Creichton desired as many Blanks and Procurations as could be had of the Scotch Noblemen for the greater credit and assurance of his dealings and agitations At this the Romanists take heart and not to seem wanting on their parts they deal with some of the Nobility from whom they get Blanks subscribed two of which were procured of them by Sir James Chesholme one of the Kings chief Servants one of them year 1592 was thus subscribed in French De vostre Majestie tres humble tres obeisant Serviteur Guiliame Compte de Anguss Another thus subscribed De vostre Majestie tres humble tres obeisant Serviteur Franzoys Compte de Errol Other two Blanks were procured of them in Latine by Robert Abircrumby the Jesuite one of the main sticklers in these plots Thus Guilielmus Angusie Comes Another thus Franciscus Errollie Comes Other two Blanks were procured by Mr. George Ker brother to the Lord Newbottle thus subscribed Georgius Comes de Huntlie All these several Blanks should have been fill'd up and supplyed by way of Letters to the King of Spain and Credentials or Certificâ—â—â—s in behalf of the said Creichton at the discretion of the â—â—â—d Creichton and a There was one Jâ—mes Tyâ—ie a Scotch Jeâ—â—iâ—e wâ—o dyâ—â— at Râ—me 1597 and wâ—it under the nâ—â—e oâ— Gâ—â—â—g◠〈…〉 de Anâ—â—â—â—itaâ—e Eâ—cles Sâ—â—tiâ— buâ— whether this was the same Tâ—rie I know 〈◊〉 James Tyrie who should have writ over them what he thought most fit to carry on the Caâ—se Besides these there were two other Blanks thus subscribed in the midst of two open sheets of Paper Guillielmus Angussie Comes Georgius Comes de Huntlie Franciscus Errollie Comes b This â—â— Patrâ—â—k â—â—dâ—n 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 was Unâ—â—â—â— the â— â—oâ— Hanâ—â—â— Patricius Gordoun de Auchindoun Miles One of these two last Blanks should have been fill'd up with Procurations and whatsoever the said Creichton and James Tyrie should think fit for the confirmation of that which Mr. George Ker who was to carry them had in direction and credit from the Subscriberâ— The other to contain the Articles to be concluded on â—or the better security both of King Philip and the Scotch Nobility The sum of which credit was an assurance that these Noblemen should raise a power of Horse-men and meet the Spanish Army at their landing and to assist and accompany them into England And for farther encouragement these c Subscribers took the burthen on them and engaged that all the Romanists in Scotland would joyn and assist in the said Cause Besides these Subscriptions the Earls of Anguss Huntlie and Arrol deliver'd their Seals or Coats of Armes in wax for a further confirmation Nor did they doubt of carrying all before them the King of Spain having promis'd to send them by the latter end of Spring 1592 an Army of thirty thousand men to have landed either at Kirkudbricht in Galloway or at the mouth of Clyde according as the wind served And besides this to send good store of money to raise Forces in Scotland and to supply the said Army whereof a In this I follow the Scotch Copies of the Examinâ—tions but Archbishop Spotswood hath 15000. pag. 390. which I suppose to be a mistake in the Printer four or five thousand should remain within Scotland who with the assistance of the Romanists there should alter the Religion and the rest of the Army was to pass into England For the carrying of these Blanks and some Letters into Spain they had once concluded that Sir James Chesholme one of King James his chief Servants should be the Messenger being through-paced for the Cause he having then occasion to pass over to his Uncle William Chesholme by them call'd Bishop of Dumblane but the said Sir James being let by some private business that he could not be ready soon enough they pitch'd upon the foresaid Mr. George Ker Doctor of the Laws brother to the Lord Newbottle But he was b Decemb. 27. 1592. he was taken by Mr. Andrew Knox Minister of Pasley and afterwards Bishop of the Isles Ker was imprisoned but afterwards escaped apprehended as he was taking Ship and his blanks and other Letters seiz'd on some of which Letters take as followeth
per Tho. White Mayor of Waterford These two Letters you may see in the honourable a Pacata Hibernla lib. 2. cap. 3. pag. 142 143 144 145. Sir George Carew afterwards Earl of Totnes but with some mistakes by the Printer wherefore I have followed the Authentick Manuscript Copies whence he took his And thus much for the troubles in Ireland till we come to the next Century Though here it may not be amiss to add that several of the Irish Nobility either by the Queens or their own instigations conveyed themselves over to be Instructed in our English Universities as M S. Matriculâ— Antiqua Univers Oxon. Richard Bourke Baron of Dunkellyn studies at Christ-Church after this his Brother Thomas Baron of Dunkellyn at Magdalen Colledge Bernard Orwoirk a Knights son of Conaught at New-Colledge and Thadeus Bryan an Earls son at Lincolne Colledge in Oxford and in Cambridge I finde the Lord b Sir George Paule's life of Archbishop Whitgift p. 17. § 35. Dunboy's son at Trinity Colledge under the Tuition of the then Dr Whitgift afterwards the careful and worthy Archbishop of Canterbury So at the beginning of King James his Raign Henry O Brian Baron of Bryken and his younger Brother Brian O Brian entred themselves together in Brazen-Nose Colledge in Oxford Thus was the Kingdom of Ireland by the well bringing up of their Nobility designed to be well civiliz'd that they might the more appear like men and Christians which would the better oblige them to their Queen and her Government This makes it convenient to nurture up your very Enemies the better to reclaim them in Religion Learning and Morality But Sir John Perot was out in his Politicks when he taught the Irish the use of Arms whereby they afterwards became more formidable to the English and put them to far greater troubles and straits to reduce them to obedience The end of the Sixth Book A CONTINUATION OF THE REBELLIONS AND Treasonablepractices OF THE ROMANISTS IN ENGLAND From the year MD to MDC BOOK VII CHAP. I. The Supreme HEAD of the Church King Henry VIII declared deprived of his Dominions BEing now come to England here we might finde matter year 1500 enough of the Papal malice to make up a large Volume but herein we must studie brevity and in so doing leave the particular Relation of Fights and Tumults to other Writers But first a word by the by concerning Henry VIII who procured to himself a great deal of ill will by declaring himself an absolute King over all his Subjects by being Supreme Head under Christ both of Church and State within his Dominions At this many of his Subjects boyl and grew scrupulous would finde many faults which were neither made nor intended and so cry down what was never set up Queen Elizabeth willing to give them content left out the word Head which was the main word they started at and was call'd the a 1 Elizabethae cap 1. Supream Governour of this Realm and of all other her Highness Dominions and Countries as well in Spiritual or Ecclesiastical things or causes as Temporal And in the form for Bidding Prayers thus b Q Elâ—z â—â—â—â—nctions anno 155â— Supreme Governour of this Realm as well in Causes Ecclesiastical as Temporal At this the Romanists not onely took exceptions but falsely spread abroad that by this Title the Kings or Queens of England took upon them to be in c Adeâ— quidâ—m 〈…〉 in administran lis Sacramentis sacerdotalem potestatem arrogari Sanders de 〈…〉 vâ—d pag. 316 317. Insoâ—uch as if He i. e the King pleaseth he 〈…〉 personaâ—ly Râ—flâ—ctions upon the Oaths of Supremacie and Allegiâ—â—â— â—wâ—g 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holy Orders might adminâ—ster the Sacraments and had Sacerdotal Qualifications and Authority To take away this Rub and the better to satisfie the people the Qâ—â—â—n and her Convocation published this following Interprâ—â—â—â—ion An Admonition to simple men deceived by Malitious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Majesty being informed that in certain places of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sundry of her Native Subjects being callâ—d Ec 〈…〉 Miniâ—try of the Church be by sinister perswasion and 〈…〉 induced to finde some scruple in the form of 〈…〉 by an Act of the last Parliament is prescribed to be 〈…〉 persons for the Recognition of their Allegiance 〈…〉 which certainly never was ever meant nor by any 〈…〉 or good sence can be thereof gathered would that 〈…〉 subjâ—cts should understand that nothing was is or 〈…〉 meant or intended by the same Oath to have any other Du 〈…〉 or Bond required by the same Oath then was ackâ—â—wâ—â—â—ged to be due to the most Noble Kings of famous memorie 〈…〉 the VIII her Majesties Father or King Edward the 〈…〉 Brother 〈…〉 her Majestie forbiddeth all manner her Subjects to 〈…〉 credit to such perverse and malicious persons which 〈…〉 maliciousâ—ie labour to notifie to her loving Sub 〈…〉 of the said Oath it may be collected that the 〈…〉 of this Realm Possessors of the Crown may 〈…〉 and Power of Ministrie of Divine Service in 〈…〉 her said Subjects be much abused by such evil 〈…〉 〈…〉 her Majestie neither doth nor ever will châ—llenge 〈…〉 theâ— that was challenged and latelie used by the 〈…〉 Kings of famous Memorie King Henry the VIII and 〈…〉 VI which is and was of ancient time due to 〈…〉 of this Ream that is under God to have the 〈…〉 Rule over all manner of persons born within 〈…〉 â—ominions and Countries of what Estate ei 〈…〉 Temporal soever they be so as no other Forraign Power shall or ought to have any Superioritie over them And if any person that hath conceived any other sence of the form of the said Oath shall accept the same Oath with this Interpretation sence or meaning her Majestie is well pleased to accept everie such in that behalf as her good and obedient Subjects and shall acquit them of all manner of Penalties contained in the said Act against such as shall peremptorilie or obstinatelie take the same Oath And as if this were not authentick enough she took care that this interpretation of hers should be confirm'd by Act of Parliament in this following Proviso Provided also that the Oath expressed in the said Act made in V Elizabetha cap. 1. the said first year shall be taken and expounded in such form as is set forth in an Admonition annexed to the Queens Majesties Injunctions published in the first year of her Majesties Reign that is to say to confess and acknowledge in her Majestie her Heirs and Successors none other Authoritie then that was challenged and lately used by the Noble King Henry the eighth and King Edward the Sixth as in the said Admonition more plainly may appear And as if this were not satisfactory she provided to have the Interpretation of this Oath thus inserted amongst our Articles of Religion thereby the better to demonstrate how far we are from giving any Priestly Function to our Soveraigns XXXVII Of the Civil
which Nevil Parry offer'd to call cozen in him he endeavours to foment a discontent and having as he thought fully brought over discourseth more openly with him At last he opens to him about killing the Queen which he call'd An Act honourable and meritorious to God and the world At several times they consult about it either of killing of her in White-hall Garden and so to escape by water or by St. James's on horse-back But at all this Nevil seem'd staggering Parry to take away all doubts from him lent him a b It was call'd A Defence of English Catholicks against the Book call'd The Execuâ—ion of Justice which Book was made by the Lord Burleigh Book made by Dr. Allen afterwards for his Treasons made Cardinal which had been sent him out of France And now this Book wrought with Parry himself you shall see by his own confession thus It redoubled my former Conceits every word in it was a warrant to a prepared minde it taught that Kings may be Excommunicated Deprived and violently handled It proveth that all Wars Civil or Forregn undertaken for Religion is honourable Nevil also declares himself convinced of the lawfulness and braveness of the action and so they both swear in Parry's lodging secrecie and to kill her of which thus Parry in his Confession He came to me the next morning to my lodging in London offer'd to joyn with me and took his Oath upon a Bible â—o conceal and constantly to pursue the enterprise for the advancement of Religion which I also did and meant to perform THE KILLING OF THE QVEEN WAS THE MATTER The manner and place to be on Horse-back with eight or ten Horses when she should ride abroad about S. James or some other like place All this while Parry carryed himself pretty fair with the Queen several times conferring with her telling her of Cardinal Como's Letter by which discoveries though he did it onely the better to gain opportunity and credit he obtained so much favour of the Queen that she not onely thought him a trusty loyal Subject but intended him a liberal Pension or Allowance Whilst he thus gets esteem with the Queen and at the same time contrives her death Nevil resolves to discover all doth so and is examined by Leycester and Sir Christopher Hatton The Queen wonders at the juggle and contrivance but had it kept secret and the better to finde out the Plot Parry is sent for by the a Sir Fran. Walsingbam Secretary to his house there to see according as the Plot was laid if he would any way confess this who had shew'd himself so ready on his own head to discover the Forraign designes against her Majesty The Secretary entertains him kindely telling him that the Queen had appointed him to deal with him in a matter that highly concerned her Majesty knowing him to be one who bare an extraordinary Devotion to her Having thus begun the Secretary told him that the Queen had been advertiz'd that there was some plot in hand against her own person wherewith she thought he could not but be made acquainted considering the great trust that some of her greatest Enemies reposed in him Of this she desired to understand his knowledge and whether he himself might not some time have let slip some suspitious words not with any real designe against her but to discover the intention of others Parry strongly confiding in Nevil earnestly denyed it again and again with several protestations that he was neither party nor privy to any such motion or enterprise Walsingham dealt fairly with him telling him that there was a Gentleman and his friend who would prove the contrary to his face Yet Parry denyeth all though probably had he confest and these were hints enough and accused Nevil at this first asking he might have saved himself and in this his great cunning was overseen Parry thus obstinate in denyals is not permitted to go home but lodged that night at Mr. Secretaries house within London This puts him in a peck of troubles fills his head full of suspitions and having consulted with his pillow the next morning he desired to speak with the Secretary which granted he confesseth that now he had call'd to remembrance that he once had speech with one Nevil concerning a point of Doctrine contain'd in one of Dr. Allens books where it was maintain'd that it was lawful to take away the life of a Prince to benefit the Roman Religion but protested that he talked nothing of the Queen That night he was examin'd at Leycester-house before several but still he denyed all whereupon Nevil was brought before him who punctually justified every circumstance before his face yet the other as formerly denyed all However he is sent to the Tower where perceiving the exactness of the proof against him he freely and of his own head confess'd all and sent his humble Letter to the Queen which take as followeth YOur Majesty may see by my voluntary confession the dangerous fruits of a discontented minde and how constantly I pursued my first conceived purpose in Venice for the relief of the afflicted Catholicks continued it in Lyons and resolved in Paris to put it in adventure for the restitution of England to the ancient obedience of the Sea Apostolick You may see withal how it is commended allowed and warranted in Conscience Divinity and Policie by the POPE and some great Divines though it be true or likely that most of our English Divines less practised in matters of this weight do utterly mislike and condemn it The enterprise is prevented and conspiracie discover'd by an honourable Gentleman my kinsman and late familiar friend Mr. Edmond Nevil privy and by solemn Oath taken upon the Bible party to the matter whereof I am hardly glad but more sorry in my very soul that ever I conceived or intended it how commendable or meritorious soever I thought it God thank him and forgive me who would not now before God attempt it if I had liberty and opportunity to do it to gain your Kingdom I beseech Christ that my death and example may as well satisfie your Majesty and the world as it shall glad and content me The Queen of Scotland is your prisoner let her be honourably intreated but yet surely guarded The French King is French you know it well enough you will finde him occupied when he should do you good he will not lose a Pilgrimage to save you a Crown I have no more to say at this time but that with my heart and soul I do now honour and love you am inwardly sorry for mine offence and ready to make you amends by my death and patience Discharge me a Culpa but not a Poena good Lady And so fare well most gracious and the best natured and qualified Queen that ever lived in England â—rom the Tower the 14 of February 1584. W. Parry In short Parry is Arraigned and Tryed at Westminster where at first he confesseth
Royal Dignity Titles Rights and Pretences to England and Ireland declares her Illegitimate and an Vsurper of the Kingdoms and absolves all her Subjects from their Obedience and Oaths of Allegiance due to her So he expresly commandeth all under pain and penaltie of Gods wrath to yeild her no Obedience Aid or Favour whatsoever but to imploy all their power against her and to joyn themselves with the Spanish Forces who will not hurt the Nation nor alter their Laws or Priviledges onely punish the wicked Hereticks Therefore by these presents We Declare that it is not onely lawful but commendable to lay hands on the said Usurper and other her adherents and for so doing they shall be well Rewarded And lastly to all these Roman assistants is liberally granted a Plenary Indulgence and remission of all their sins Here we have the sum of this Treasonable Libel with which Allen thought to do great matters against his Queen and Country and these were prepared to be spread abroad the Kingdom upon the Spaniards landing yet no sooner is the news known of their defeat but Allen calls in the Impression burning all he could lay his hands on onely some few escaped his Fingers both he and the Printer having before given some Copies to their Friends The Romanists for the most part priz'd it dearly though some more sober disliked it as too severe yet some others we need not Question might be of the Jesuit Currey's opinion viz. That it was a work of thaâ— worth as it would yet bite in time to Quodlibets pag. 240. come This Invasion was very much assisted by the English Romanists though not by all for the Lord Montague and some others were against it In Flanders lay Charles Nevil Earl of Westmerland the Lord Pagit Sir William Stanley with about seven hundred more English ingaged and ready to joyn with the Prince of Parma against their own Country What Company in England would have taken their parts I know not This is certain that Philip Earl of Arundel the unfortunate Eldest Son of Norfolk was unhappily too much Priest ridden which procured his imprisonment and a tryal the cause of all which might be laid to Allen who had such a sway and power over the said Earl that he could make him do any thing And the Earl was over-perswaded to set his affection on the Spanish Fleet rejoycing at its coming praying heartily for its success and grieved beyond measure at its overthrow But he is not the first Nobleman who confided too much in bad counsel and whose Zeal for Religion hurryed him on to inconveniences As for Cardinal Allen he was born in Lancashire of good Parentage was bred up at Oxford in Orial-Colledge where he was Proctor was preferr'd to a Canonship in York in Queen Elizabeth's days quits England becometh Pensioner to the Spaniard to carry on whose designes against his Queen and County he was very industrious for which service Sixtus V. created him a Cardinal 1587. August 7 and he dyed at Rome 1594. October 16. We have formerly shown his seditious and King deposing Principles of which his foresaid Admonition will give a farther Quodlibets pag 240 241 247. proof and who were the Promoters of this Invasion his own words will best tell you The King of Spain at length as well by his Holiness Authoritie and Exhortation as by his own unspeakable Zeal and Piety moved also not a little by My humble and continual suit together with the afflicted and banished Catholicks of our Nation of all and every Degree who have been by his special compassion and Regal Munificencie principallie supported in this our long Exile hath condescended at last to take upon him this so Holy and Glorious an Act c. And then proceeds to incourage nay and threaten too the English to take up Arms against their Queen and to joyn with the Spaniards and the other Invaders If you will avoid the Popes the Kings and other Princes high indignation let no man of what degree soever Obey Abet Aid Defend or Acknowledge her c. Adding That otherwise they should incur the Angels Curse and Malediction and be as deeply Excommunicated as any because that in taking her part they should fight against God against their a How cometh Philip to be lawful King of England Vid. Tho. Bels Anatomy pag. 98 124. lawful King against their Country and notwithstanding all they should do they should but defend her bootless to their own present destruction and eternal shame As for the Secular Priests you shall hear Watson and Bluet the chief of them thus Confess We had some of us greatly approved the said Rebellion highly extol'd the Rebels and pitifully bewail'd their ruine and overthrow Many of our affections were knit to the Spaniards and for our obedience to the Pope we all do profess it The attempt both of Pope and Spaniard failing in England his Holiness as a Temporal Prince displayed his Banner in Ireland the Plot was to deprive her Highness first from that Kingdom if they could and then by degrees to depose her from this In all these Plots none more forward then many of us that were Priests These are the words set down in the Book call'd b Pag. 15. Important Considerations composed by Bluet and Watson two Priests As for the Jesuits but of Parsons I shall treat more particularly hereafter you shall hear what c C. W. A Reply to Father Paâ—sons Libel fol. 64 65. Clark the Priest saith who with Watson suffer'd afterwards for Treason against King James First it is most certain that all the world had very admirable expectance of that Army and the Jesuits more then any Secondly it is plain by the Cardinals Book d They would hint to us as if Parsons were the Compiler of the Admonition but 't is certain that Allen was the Author of it his name being to it and Pitseus with the other Romanists confessing Allen to be the Author if it were his written as a preparative to that action that he was made Cardinal of purpose for that Exploit and to have been sent hither presently upon the Spaniards Conquest But Father Parsons saith that he labour'd to set forward at that time the Cardinals preferment if you will believe him which maketh it evident a primo ad ultimum that Father Parsons was a dealer in that action Thirdly it is certain that the Jesuits in Rome were great with the Spanish Ambassador-Leger there and had great recourse unto him when the matter was on foot doth not this then argue them to be concurrers thereunto Fourthly it is likewise most true that the English Jesuits in Rome appropriated certain Palaces in London to themselves to fall unto their lots when this matter was in handling to wit Burghley-house Bridewel and another which I have forgot making themselves cock-sure of their already-devoured Prey This all the Students that lived in the e Viz. The English Colledge at Rome
dignetur adhibere eidem committimus commendamus Datum in Castris nostris Catholicis XXX o Martis M. DC Sanctitatis vestrae Obedientissimi filii fidelissimi subditi a a Tir-Oen O Neale b b Ja. Fite-Thomas James Desmond c c Florence Mac Cartie Mac Cartie More d d Dermond Mac Owen Cartie Dermond Mac Cartie alias Mac Donogh Tyrone daily growing more powerful in Ireland Queen Elizabeth to stop his career sends over Sir Charles Blunt Lord Montjoy as Lord Deputy of that Kingdom and the Presidency of Munster being void by the unfortunate death of Sir Thomas Morris who was slain by the Rebels She also at the same time sent over Sir George Carew well acquainted with the Countrey to be Lord President of the Province of Munster Of this Sir George Carew by the way He was Son to George Carew Doctor in Divinity Archdeacon of Totness in Devonshire afterwards Dean of Windsor c. Sir George was by Queen Elizabeth made Lord President of Munster by King James Baron of Clopton and by King Charles I. Earl of Totness was Master of the Ordinance and Privy-Councellor to both the said Kings He was a faithful Subject a valiant and prudent Commander an honest Councellor a Gentile Scholar a lover of Antiquities and a Patron to Learning Besides his Translations out of French he wrote a large History of his Three years Transactions in Munster in which other accidents of Ireland are interwoven 't is Printed under the Title of Pacata Hibernia In which either Mr. Stafford the Publisher or the Printer hath committed several gross oversights both in the Latin and English Parts Besides thefe he hath in four large Volumes collected several Chronologies Charters Letters Deeds Monuments and other Materials belonging to Ireland To which Manuscript Collections having been much beholden in my Irish Narratives I thought it fit in these few lines gratefully to give the World notice of it wishing that others of the Nobility would as they ought to do follow his generous and industrious Example thereby to advance the honour of their Countrey and Families and not live like idle Heirs of their Ancestors Titles That the credit of Nobility may once again advance and the Honours and Titles might not be ashamed of the Persons that vainly bear them And thus much by the By of the gallant and honourable Earl of Totness who dyed in the City of Wâ—stminster without Issue in the year MDC XXIX the XXVII of March In the mean time the Rebellion goeth on in Ireland and the better to encourage their Sin and Treason the Pope sends a Letter to the Irish commending them for their taking up Arms or acting such villanous Exploits And to all that do any way assist the said Tir-Oen he gives a full pardon and remission of all their sins meriting forsooth as much as if they had fought against the Turk or endeavoured the recovery of the Holy-Land The Letter it self being but short take as followeth Clemens PP VIII UNiversis singulis Venerabilibus fratribus Archiepiscopis Episcopis Praelatis nec non Dilectis filiis Principibus Comitibus Baronibus ac populis Regni Hiberuiae Salutem Apostolicam Benedictionem Cum jam diu sicut accepimus vos Romanorum Pont. Praedecessorum nostrorum ac nostris Apostolicae sedis cohortationibus adducti ad vestram libertatem recuperandam eamque adversus Haereticos tuendam conservandam bonae memoriae Jacobo Giraldino primum qui durum servitutis juguâ— vobis ab Anglis Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae desertoribus impositum summo animi ardore depellere dum vixit pro viribus procuravit Deinde Johanni Giraldino ejusdem Jacobi Consobrino E novissime dilecto filio nobili viro Hugoni Principi Onel dicto Comiti Tironensi Baroni Dungenaniae Capitaneo Generali Exercitus Catholici in Hibernia conjunctis animis viribuâ— praesto fueritis ac opem auxilium praestiteritis ipsique Duces eorum milites manu Domini Exercituum illis assistente progressu temporis plurima egregia facinora contra hostes viriliter pugnando praestiterint in posterum praestare parati sunt Nos ut Vos ac Dux Milites praedicti alacrius in expeditionem hanc contra dictos Haereticos opem imposterum etiam praestare studeatis spiritualibus gratiis favoribus vos prosequi volentes eorundem Praedecessorum nostrorum exemplo adducti ac de Omnipotentis Dei misericordia ac beatorum Petri Pauli Apostolorum ejus authoritate confisi vobis omnibus singulis qui praedictum Hugonem Ducem ejusque Exercitum Catholicae fidei assertores propugnatores sequimini ac illis vos adjunxeritis aut Consilio Favore Commeatibus Armis aliisque bellicis rebus seu quacunque ratione eis in hac Expeditione operam dederitis ipsisque Hugoni Duci ejusque exercitus militibus universis singulis si vere poenitentes Confessi ac etiam si fieri poterit sacra Communione refecti fueritis plenariam omnium Peccatorum suorum veniam remissionem ac eandem quae proficiscentibus ad bellum contra Turcas ad recuperationem Terrae Sanctae per Romanos Pont. concedi solita est misericorditer in Domino concedimus non obstantibus si opus sit nostris Decretis de non concedendis Indulgentiis ad instar ac in susceptionis Indulgentiarum occasione anni Jubilaei aliisque Constitutionibus Ordinationibus Apostolicis ceterisque contrariis quibuscunque Verum quia difficile foret praesentes nostras ad omnium quorum interest notititiam pervenire volumus ut earum exemplis etiam Impressis manu alicujus Notarii Publici subscriptis ac sigillo personae in dignitate Ecclesiastica Constitutae munitis eadem fides ubique habeatur quae eiisdem praesentibus haberetur Datum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum sub Annulo Piscatoris die XVIII o Aprilis MDC Pontificatus nostri Anno IX M. Vestrius Barbianus The Rebels thus fortified with the Pope's Blessing never doubted but with the fame of this Benediction so to encrease their numbers as to be able to carry all before them and utterly free themselves from their obedience But herein they found themselves deceived For Montjoy the Lord Deputy what with the Soldiers he found in Ireland and the new Recruits from England so followed the Rebels in Vlster and other places that some of them were forced to submit and Tyrone was forced to secure himself in Bogs and such like Fastnesses And in the Southern parts of the Kingdom in Munster Sir George Carew the Lord President what by his policy cherishing by counterfeited Letters distrust amongst the Rebels so making divisions amongst themselves and what by his Industry and Valour taking most of their strong Holds from them several of them were forced to lurk in corners for their security and others content to submit themselves to the Queen's Mercy and Protection But most of these submissions were but counterfeit and feigned
Exercituum ope et virtute prospere a vobis pluries pugnatum est adversus Anglos Ecclesiae et fidei Desertores magnam ex his voluptatem in Domino cepimus ipsique Patri miserecordiarum Deo gratias egimus qui adhuc in Regno isto reliquit sibi multa millia Virorum qui non curvaverint genua sua ante Baal hoc est Impias Haereses et prophanas novitates non sunt sequnti imo eas detestati fortiter pugnant pro haereditate Majorum suorum pro fidei salute integritate et unnitate cum Ecclesia retinenda quae una est Catholica et Apostolica extra quam non est salus Laudamus egregiam pietatem et fortitudinem tuam Fili et Principum et Coeterorum omnium qui tecum juncti ac foederati nulla pro Dei gloria pericula recusant seque Majoribus suis qui bellicae virtutis et Catholicae Religionis studio ac laude imprimis floruerunt dignos Nepotes et justos successores ostendunt et palam profitentur Conservate filii hanc mentem conservate Unionem et Consensionem vestram et Deus Omnipotens Deus Pacis et Concordiae erit vobiscum et pugnabit pro vobis et quem admodum fecit prosternet inimicos suos ante faciem nostram Nos autem qui Nobilitatem tuam et vos omnes avitae fidei et gloriae Imitatores paternae amamus et gerimus in Visceribus Jesu Christi non cessamus Deum nostrum Orare pro vestra felicitate et salute vestrique soliciti sumus et erimus semper quantum cum Deo poterimus atque ubi opus fuerit scribemus efficaciter ad Regis et Principes Catholicos filios nostros ut vobis et causae vestrae omni ope suffragentur Cogitamus etiam propediem mittere ad vos peculiarem Nuntium nostrum et hujus sanctae Sediâ— â—n qua Deo Authore meritis licet imparibus praesidemus virum pium prudentem zelo Dei praeditum et nobis probatum qui nostri erga vos amoris testis sit vobisque omnibus in rebus ubi usus venerit adjumento sit ad Salutarem et Necessariam Unionem vestram conservandam ac Catholicam fidem propagandam ac omnia denique pro sui muneris Officio officienda quibus Dei honor et cultus in Regno isto augeatur Interea placuit has nostras Literas ad vos praemittere testes amoris nostri in vos Regnum istud et ut vos omnes tanquam filios nostros in Christo dilectos paterno affectu consolaremur ipsum vero Petrum Lombardum quem Nobilitas sua Oratorem et Negotiorum gestorem constituit apud nos et jam libenter audivimus deinceps audiemus Tibi vero et caeteris qui tibi unanimes pro fidei Catholicae propugnatione adhaerent nostram et Apostolicam benedictionem benigne impartimur Deumque precamur ut Angelos emittat in circuitu vestro et pios conatus vestros sua coelesti gratia dirigat vosque dextra suae potentiae perpetuo tueatur Datum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum sub annulo Piscatoris die xx Januarij Anno Pontificatus nostri ix 1601. Silvius Antonianus Cardinalis Besides this Mateo de Oviedo who had the confidence upon the Popes account to call himself Arch-bishop of Dublin being now in Ireland to carry on the Rebellion writ to James Fitz Thomas who call'd himself Earl of Desmond this following encouraging Letter My most honourable good Lord HAving long desired a fit opportunity to write unto you the same is now offered by Mr. * * Viz. John Fitz Thomas Brother to James the titular Earl of Desmond John whereof I am very glad that by such a most sure and faithful Messenger I might open my mind to your Lordship as also to shew that most certain and undoubted hope of aid is shortly to come I would most willingly have come unto your Lordships presence which lately I have essayed and doubtless would have done unless I had been hindred by those Lords which told me that present and imminent dangers were to be fear'd in my journey unless I had an Army of Soldiers to conduct me and now but that there is a necessity of my returning into Spain I would have come to you in company of Master John But I hope that most speedily and most fortunately I shall return unto you again In the mean time I have pretermitted nothing which might tend to your profit as well to Our Catholique Master as any other whatsoever which now also in Spain I will perform I would therefore entreat your Excellency That you would be of good courage together with all other of your Faction and that you would fight constantly and valiantly for the faith and liberty of your Countrey knowing and firmly hoping that the help of my Lord the Catholique King is now coming which when it cometh all things shall be prosperous and will place you in your former liberty and security that ye may possess your designed peace and tranquillity The Almighty conserve your Lordship in safety long to continue From Donegall the xiiith of January 1601. These Benedictions and the assured hopes that the Rebels had of the hastning of the Spanish Succours made them grow more bold and daring insomuch that many hundreds of the Conaght and Vlster-Traytors hurried themselves into a Body thinking to invade Munster but Carew by his vigilancy and policy quite frustrated their design by the loss of some hundreds of such desperate Vagabonds Yet their plottings go on and at the desire of Florence Mac Cartie Donoghe Mac Cormock who call'd himself also Cartie sent this Letter to the King oâ— Spain HAving received direction from the Earl of Clan-care I would not omit this opportunity at the departure of the * * Mateâ— de Oviedo Arch-bishop of Dublin and Don Martin de la Cerda to make known to your Majesty how the said Earl hath written to your Majesty by two or three ways but understanding that these Letters came not to your Royal hands he hath now again written by me to your Majesty making offer as well of his person and lands as of his Vassals and Subjects to your Royal Service humbly beseeching your Majesty to receive favour and aid him with your Power and liberal Hand seeing there is no other that can and will assist us better against the Hereticks in this Holy Enterprise From Donegall the vth of January 1601. Your Majesties Loyal Vassal to kiss your Royal Hand Donoghe Cartie At Dongall was the chief Rendezvous of Tyrone and the great ones of his Party in the North where they made a Solemn League or Covenant for the better strengthning of which they all received the Sacrament and afterwards Tir-Oen wrote this Letter to Florence Mac Cartie OVR Commendations to you Mac Cartie More I send shortly to you according to our Trust of you that you will do a stout and hopeful thing against the Pagan
end if it had not been by the instigation of their zealous Priests and Jesuits though born Subjects such as were Father Archer White Ractor Mulrony Leinagh c. Mahonne O Dullany a Priest Edward Raghter a Dominican A Continuation OF THE HISTORY OF THE Romish Treasons AND USURPATIONS BOOK X. CHAP. I. Divers Plots against Queen Elizabeth and King James Rawleigh's Designs against King James The Life of Father Parsons THIS Century might afford us several dismall Contrivances against the Crown and Prosperity of Great Britain but of some I shall but slightly touch as being commonly known and in others I must not be too critical and open lest I should offend against Sir Walter Rawleigh's Prudential Rule Not to follow Truth too near the heels lest she should kick back and strike out my Teeth And here I might speak at large of the several Designs as well of Puritan as Papist to hinder King James from his true succession to the Crown of England as sometimes endeavouring to make him odious to Queen Elizabeth to prevent her declaring for him as by telling her of the King's intimacy with Clement VIII which they endeavoured to year 1599 make out to her by a Letter of his to the said Bishop a thing had it been true might not have deserved such a Censure as Deprivation seeing the Pope may be as civilly treated with as other Potentates a thing not to be denied by any but an Impertinent Puritan or an Irrational Enthusiastick But they hoped that her Jealousie of Religion augmented by her Age and some Expressions in the Letter might perswade her to make Mountains of Mole-hills and in such a pet to declare some other to the Crown which as some hoped might have brought such troubles upon the Kingdom that in the hurry a Romanist might have slipt himself into the Throne to which so many pretended But she was too wise to be cheated by such Toys presently she perceiving the drift she suspected the cheat And a meer forgery it was in respect of King James though his knavish Secretary Balmerinoch * Propenderet animo ad Religionem Romanam Rob. Johnston Hist Rerum Brit. p. 448. one warping towards Popery had given some ground for such a story For he by the Instigation of his Kinsman Sir Edward Drummond a Romanist had penn'd a Letter to the said Clement VIII in favour of the Bishop of Vaison a Scotch-man for his preferment to a Cardinalship which by shuffling in among other Letters to be signed the King had hastily a dangerous oversight where are knavish Secretaries set his hand to the other sealing it with the Royal Signet entrusted to him by his Office Queen Elizabeth by the by challenged King James with this But he protested his Innocency by denying any such thing so did James Elphingston Lord Balmerinoch who also got Drummond to forswear it Raleigh and other Enemies to the Scotch Title could then proceed no farther though they had used such Interest at Rome as to get a Copy of it which they shew'd to the Queen as the Original and she to Mr. David Foulis the King's Agent who satisfied her Majesty by proving to her by the Testimony of her Stationers that the Date of the Letter was older than the stamp or mark of the Paper whereby it could not be the Original and so might be a Cheat as well as a Copy But afterwards * Mat. Tort. pag. 47. 1608 1609. Bellarmine retorting this Letter to the King Balmerinoch was farther examined and tried who confest all was condemned of Treason and as a Traytor to be beheaded but by Queen Ann's Intercession was pardoned A man he was of good Parts but especially knew how to filch pilfer and embezel Church-Lands and if it should be possible for a covetous man as he was to be honest yet 't is certain that he who robs God and the Church can never be a Friend to the King but for his own Interest Queen Elizabeth is now old and weak cannot live long so 't is needless to attempt any more against her Person whose death they daily expected and it might anticipate their quickest Designs No man's right and succession to the Crown is so much fear'd as that of King James and therefore to prevent Him must be the main Care and Contrivance There was one Francis Mawbray Son to the Laird of Barnebowgall who had lived some while in the Infanta's Court at Bruxels he they year 1601 say undertook to take this rub out out of the way by killing the King to which purpose he intends for Scotland but taketh England in his way At London one Daniel an Italian Fencing-Master discovers the Plot to the Queen she for a further trial hath them both seiz'd on and sent into Scotland Mawbry supposed guilty is cast into Edenburgh Castle whence thinking one night to escape out of a Window by his Bed-sheets which proving too short he fell upon the Rocks and so dyed his Body was hang'd for some time then quartered and fixt upon the Gates and several places of the City This failing another Design is in hand In Italy Ferdinando I. the Grand Duke of Tuscany by the intercepting of some Letters discovereth a Plot to take away King James his Life by Poyson The Duke who had formerly been a Cardinal moved with the Fame of the King's Learning and Virtue and it may be had some hopes of his Conversion upon the former false Letters resolved to discover and prevent it At this time Mr. Henry Wotton sojourned in Florence and was well acquainted year 1602 with Signior Vietta the Duke's Secretary upon whose Commendations Wotton is pitched on to be the Messenger The Letters and excellent Antidotes against Poyson such as were not then known in Scotland were delivered to him who disguised under an Italian Garb and Name of Octavio Baldi hasteth to Scotland cometh to the King discovereth himself and the Conspiracy and after some stay returneth to Florence He was afterwards Knighted by King James and famous for his Learning Languages and Embassies In these Designs against the King's right to the Throne Pope Clement VIII was not wanting who intended the Crown for some of his Friends Card. D'Ossat Let. 191. 268. 272. And perceiving that some in England were tampering to promote the Interest of the Lady Arabella in this case he thought it best to deal warily He had a mind that the Duke of Parma should enjoy the Crown but this upon better thoughts he supposed would not be feasible by reason that Arabella's Interest might be too strong And therefore Parma being married he casts another way about and thinks upon Cardinal Farnese younger Brother to Parma who being unmarried might be wedded to Arabella and so did not question by their joint Forces and Interests to carry the Crown To carry on this business nothing was thought more convenient than to unite all the Romanists in England that their Cause might not suffer by any dissentions amongst
themselves about this Succession And seeing Experience had told them That their Clergy had a great awe and authority over the Laity so it was best then to have all their Clergy to be of the same mind and to prosecute the same Ends and they hoped that their Laity would not then be divided To which purpose they conclude of an Arch-Priest who should have a Jurisdiction over the rest who were to act according to his Rules and Instructions And in these Designs Father Parsons was a main Stickler and Contriver the Pope also had drawn up some Bulls and sent to his Nuncio in the Netherlands to divulge and spread them abroad at convenient time wherein he declared That not any though never so near in * Quantum cunque propinquitate sanguinis niterentur nisi ejusmodi essent qui fidem Catholicam non modo tolerarent sed omni ope ac studio promoverent more Majorum jurejurando se id praestituros susciperent c. Bull. Clement VIII blood should after Q. Elizabeths death be admitted to the Crown but such an one as would not only tolerate the Roman Religion but would swear to promote and resettle it and that in the mean time Cardinal Farnese might in this Island have the greater Vogue the Pope made him Protector of England as he was of other Countreys Nay rather than fail the same Pope had * 1597. D'Ossat Let. 87. formerly exhorted the French and Spaniard to unite invade England and divide it between them Nor did they neglect to instigate the Family of the Pools to have a right Yet for all these Attempts and other Endeavours of the Jesuits Winter Desmond and such like who plotted His Exclusion upon the death of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth he was proclaimed and received as the undoubted King James I. of England but of Scotland VI. However no sooner is he set in the Throne but an odd medley-Plot is agitated against him composed of such variety of Religions and Interests that it seemed to puzzel the World that such a wise man as Raleigh should be in it but that they knew Discontent would thrust a daring Spirit upon any thing to satisfie it self The main Ingredients of this Conspiracy were Henry Brook Lord Cobham seem'd to be Protestants George Brook his Brother Thomas Lord Gray of Wilton a Rank Puritan William Watson the Author of the Quodlibets where he rants dapperly against the Jesuits for their Treasons and Plots Romish Priests William Clark who had writ against Father Parsons for the same Crimes Sir Griffin Markham a Zealous Romanist Sir Walter Raleigh a States-man and Soldier and troubled with no more Religion than would serve his Interest and turn Count Arembergh Ambassador from the Arch-Duke of Austria Zealous Romanists Matthew de Lawrencie a Merchant but an Instrument employed by Arembergh And some other such like Their Designs were To set the Crown on the Lady Arabella or to seize on the King and make him grant their desires and a Pardon To have a Toleration of Religion To procure Aid and Assistance from Forreign Princes To turn out of the Court such as they disliked and place themselves in Offices Watson to be Lord Chancellor George Brook Lord Treasurer Sir Griffin Markham Secretary of State Lord Gray Master of the Horse and Earl-Marshal of England For more security Watson draweth up an Oath of Secrecy But all is discovered they are seiz'd on examined and tryed The two Priests plead James is not King because not then Crown'd But that excuse is declared idle most of them are found guilty and condemned Watson Clark and George Brook were executed the rest reprieved Gray dyed in the Tower the last of his Line Raleigh was beheaded 1618. the rest discharged of Imprisonment but dyed miserably poor Markham and some others abroad but Cobham as we are * Oshorn's Traditional Memoires of K. James p. 12 told in a Room ascended by a Ladder at a poor Womans House in the Minories formerly his Landress dyed rather of Hunger than a natural Disease I need not here speak how their * Respons ad Edictum Reg. § â—6 Card. Allen's Answer to the Execut. of Justice p. 185. Priests endeavoured to amuse the people with what Troubles there would be at the death of Elizabeth nor how to alienate the Crown they published to stir up many Titles and Pretenders divers Pamphlets as Lesley Heghington Creswell Crag a Scotch Jesuit but his Book was burnt and never printed And we are told That the Jesuits were entreated to * Is Casaubon Epist ad Front Ducaum assist in this Plot but they desired to be excused as having another Design in their thoughts which some think was meant of the Gun-powder-Treason And to all these Contrivances Father Parsons was no bad wisher OF this Parsons seeing he then made such a noise in the world and § 11. § is by those of his Order commended as one of the most holy men of his time whilst others though Romanists will look upon him no otherwise than the greatest Villain then living in the world I shall say something here the better to inform Posterity 'T is true the Industrious Dr. Thomas James almost LX. years ago undertook to write his Life and therein to set down nothing but what the Priests and Romanists themselves writ of him which accordingly he did but it containing more of Satyre than History I shall make little or no use of that Collection now so rarely to be met with for they were all bought up by the Jesuits themselves it is call'd THE JESVITS DOWNF ALL. Some Romanists have boldly asserted Parsons to have been a Bastard begotten by the Parson of the Town Stockgursee in Somersetshire and therefore call'd Parsons though they say his right name was * Or Cubhuck A. P. A Reply to a Libel call'd A brief Apol. p. 324. Cowback and this hath been in a manner generally believed But to do him what right I can I shall not be unwilling to allow here some mistakes as to the place and though upon enquiry I am informed that those Parish-Records are now lost whereby I cannot satisfie my self as well as Manifestation of folly f. 89 I would yet I shall in part be guided herein by himself and other Enquiries He was born at Nether-Stowey in Somersetshire a Vicarage in the year 1546. His Father a Blacksmith was once an Enemy to Rome but was as they say reconciled to that Church by Alexander Briant who was executed and his Mother dyed at London in the same perswasion They had XI Children this Father Parsons being the middlemost He was Dr. Sutclyf's Blessing on Mount Gerizzin p. 220 288. instructed in the Latin Tongue by John Hayward or Haywood once a Monk or Canon-Regular of the Abbey of Torr who came out of Devonshire to be Vicar of Stowey he was held a notable Twinger and suspected as kind enough with Parsons Mother lying at her House Thus fitted