Spiller Knight in Commission for Middlesex and Westminster and Deputy-Lieutenant Valentine Saunders Esq one of the Six Clerks both which are justly suspected to be ill-affected in Religion according to the Acts of State. Charles Jones Knight Deputy-Lieutenant and Justice of Peace George Milburne Esq Justice of Peace Edward Morgan Esq their Wives are all Popish Recusants William Jones Deputy-Lieutinant Justice of Peace his Wife suspected to be a Popish Recusant John Vaugban Captain of the Horse suspected for Recusancy Benedict Hall receiver and Steward of the Dutchy of Lancaster he and his Wife are Popish Recusants Sir Thomas Brudenel Knight and Baronet Deputy Lieutenant a Popish Recusant Cutbbert Heron Esq now Sheriff of Northumberland Justice of Peace his Wife a Recusant Sir William Selby Junior Knight Justice of Peace his Wife a Recusant Sir John Canning Knight Justice of Peace his Wife a suspected Recusant Sir Ephraim Widdrington Knight Justice of Peace suspected to be a Recusant Sir Thomas Ridall Knight Justice of Peace his Wife and Eldest Son are Recusants John Widdrington Esq who came out of the same County before his Majesties Proclamation was Published and is now at London attending the Council Table by Commandment and yet not dismist Sir Robert Pierpotnt Justice of Peace his Wife a Recusant Sir Anthony Brown Knight Justice of Peace thought to be a Recusant but not convict Sir Henry Beddingfeild Knight Deputy-Lieutenant and Justice in Oyer and Terminer and in Commission of Sewers Justice of Peace and Captain of a Foot Company his Wife nor any of his Children as is informed come to the Church Thomas Sayer Captain of the Horse his Wife comes not to Church Sir William Yelverton Baronet and Justice of Peace not suspect himself but his Eldest Son and one of his Daughters are known Recusants Sir Henry Minne Knight Justice of Peace and Quorum neither he his Wife or Daughters can be known to have received the Communion and have been presented at the Sessions for Non-conformity Robert Warren Clerk a Justice of Peace justly suspected and that for these Reasons 1. He being in trust for one Ratcliff of Bury Deceased for the Education of his Son he took him from the School at Twelve years Old and sent him beyond the Seas to be brought up there in a Popish Seminary where he hath remained six or seven years as was generally Reported 2. One of his Parishioners doubted in some points of Religion being Sick and desired to be satisfied by him who confirmed him in the Religion of the Church of Rome which he told to his Brothers before his Death who are ready to affirm the same but this was divers years since 3. There being Letters directed to four Knights of that County to call the Ministers and other Officers before them and to cause them to present all such as absented themselves from the Church and were Popishly affected he was desired to present those within his Parish Church of Welford which he accordingly did but left out at the least one half And being asked why he did so He Answered that he was no Informer And being asked of some particulas whether they come to the Church or not his Answer was they did not And why then did he not present them He said they might be Anabaptists or Brownists and would not present them and this certified by three Members of the House 4. He having a Brother dwelling in Sudbury that was presented for not coming to the Church he came to one of the Ministers and told him that he took it ill they presented his Brother Who Answered he did not but if he had known of it he would whereupon he replied he was glad he had a Brother of any Religion 5. One of his Parish named Fage having Intelligence that there was one of the said Parish that could inform of a private Place where Arms were in the Recusants House in the Parish came to some of the Deputy-Lieutenants in Commission for a Warrant to bring the same in form before them to be examined concerning the same And the said Fage delivered the Warrant to the Constable he carried him before the said M. Warren who rated the said Fage for that he did not come to him first telling him that he was a factious Fellow and laid him by the Heels for two hours which the said Fage is ready to affirm Sir Benjamin Tichburn Knight and Baronet Justice of Oyer and Terminer Justice of Peace and Deputy-Lieutenant and in Commission for the Subsidy his Wife Children and Servants Indicted for Popish Recusancy Sir Richard Tichburn Knight Justice of the Peace his Wife presented the last Sessions for having absented her self from the Church for the space of two Months Sir Henry Compton Knight Deputy-Lieutenant Justice of Peace and Commissioners for the Sewers Sir John Shelley Knight and Baronet himself and his Lady Recusants Sir John Gage Knight and Baronet a Papist Recusant Sir John Guldeford Knight their Ladies come not to Church Sir Edward Francis Knight their Ladies come not to Church Sir Garret Kempe Knight some of his Children come not to Church Edward Gage Esq a Recusant Papist Comissioner of the Sewers Thomas Middlemore comes not to Church Comissioner of the Sewers James Rolls William Scot Commissioners of Sewers both Recusants Papists Robert Spiller comes not to Church Sir Henry Guilford in Commission for Piracies and for the Sewers And John Thatcher Esq Commissioner for the Sewers they are either Persons convicted or justly suspected Sir Richard Sandford Knight Richard Brewthwait Esq Gawen Brewthwait Esq their Wives are Recusants Sir William Aubrey Knight Justice of Peace a Recusant Rees Williams Justice of Peace his Wife a convict Recusant and his Children Popishly bred as is informed Sir John Coney Knight a Justice of Peace and Deputy-Lieutenant his Wife a Popish Recusant Morgan Voyl Esq Justice of Peace his Wife presented for not coming to Church but whether she is Popish-Recusant is not known John Warren Captain of the Trained-Bands one of his Sons suspected to be Popishly affected Wherefore they humbly beseech your Majesty not to suffer your loving Subjects to continue any longer discouraged by the apparent sence of that increase both in Number and Power which by the Favour and Countenance of such like ill-affected Governours accreweth to the Popish Party but that according to your own wisdom goodness and Piety whereof they rest assured you will be graciouslly pleased to command that answer of your Majesties to be effectually observed and the Parties abovenamed and all such others to be put out of such Commissions and Places of Authority wherein they now are in your Majesties Realm of England contrary to the Acts and Laws of States in that behalf The Parliament Dissolved upon the Duke of Buckinghams Account Another Parliament Summoned But the Parliament pressing hard upon the Duke of Buckingham the 15 th of June 1626. they were Dissolved before any Answer was given to this Petition and soon after
have here inserted as it is Printed in Rastal in these words Forasmuch as great Rumors Congregations and Insurrections 2 H. 5.7 Rast Stat. 1. pt fol. 205. The Magistrates are to take an Oath to suppress the Professors of the true Religion then called Lollard here in the Realm of England by divers of the King's Leige People as well by them which were of the Sect of Heresie commonly called Lollardy as by others of their Confederacy Excitation and Abetment now of late were made to the intent to adnul destroy and subvert the Christian Faith and the Law of God and Holy Church within this same Realm of England and also to destroy the same our Soveraign Lord the King and all other manner of Estates of the same Realm of England as well Spiritual as Temporal and also all manner of Polity and finally the Laws of the Land the same our Soveraign Lord the King to the Honour of God and in conservation and fortification of the Christian Faith and also in salvation of his Royal Estate and of the Estate and of the Estate of all his Realm willing against the Malice of such Hereticks and Lollards to provide a more open remedy and punishment then hath been had and used in the case heretofore so that for fear of the same Laws and Punishments such Heresies and Lollardries may the rather cease in time to come by the advice and assent aforesaid and at the prayer of the said Commons hath Ordained and Established That first the Chancellor Treasurer Iustices of the one Bench and of the other Iustices of the Peace Sheriffs Mayors and Bailiffs of Cities and Towns and all other Officers having governance of People which now be or hereafter for the time shall be The Oath shall make an Oath in taking of their Charges and Occupations to put their whole power and diligence to put out and do to be put out cease and destroy all manner of Heresies and Errors commonly called Lollardries within the places where they exercise their offices and occupations from time to time with all their power and that they assist the Ordinaries and their Commissaries and them favour and maintain as often as they or any of them to that shall be required by the same Ordinaries or their Commissaries so that when the said Officers and Ministers travel or ride to arrest any Lollard or to make assistance at the instance and request of the Ordinaries or their Commissaries by vertue of this Statute that the same Ordinaries and Commissaries shall pay for their costs reasonably and that the King's Services to the which the same Officers be first sworn be preferred before all other Statutes for the Liberty of Holy Church and the Ministers of the same and in especial for the Correction and Punishment of the Hereticks and Lollards before this time made and not repelled being in their force and also that all Persons convict of Heresie of what estate condition or degree that they be by the said Ordinaries or other Commissaries left to the Secular Power according to the Laws of Holy Church shall lose and forfeit all their Lands and Tenements which they have in fee simple in the manner as followeth that is to say that the King have all the Lands and Tenements which the said Convicts have in fee simple and holden of him immediately as forfeit and the other Lords of whom the Lands and Tenements of such Convicts be holden immediately after that the King is so seized answered of the year the day the waste have Liberty out of the King's hands of the Lands Tenements aforesaid of them so holden as hath been used in the Case of Attainder of Felony Except the Lands and Tenements which be holden of the Ordinaries or their Commissaries before whom any such persons impeached of Heresie be convict which Lands and Tenements intirely shall remain to the King as forfeit And moreover that all the Goods and Chattels of these person so convicted be forfeit to our Soveraign Lord the King. So that no person convict of Heresie and left to the Secular power after the Laws of Holy Church shall forfeit his Lands before that he be dead and if any such person so convict be infeoffed be it by Fine by Deed or without Deed in Lands or Tenements Rents or Services in Fee or otherwise or hath any other possessions or Chattels by gift or grant of any person or persons to another's use then to the use of such convicts that the same Lands or Tenements Rents or Services nor such other Possessions nor Chattels shall be forfeit to our Sovereign Lord the King in no wise and moreover that the Iustices of the King's Bench and Iustices of Peace and Iustices of Assize have full power to enquire of all them who hold any Errors or Heresies as Lollards and which be their Maintainers Receivers Favourers and Sustainers common Writers of such Books as well of their Sermons as of their Schools Conventicles Congregations and Confederacies and that this clause be put in Commissions of Iustices of the Peace And if any persons be indicted of any points aforesaid the said Iustices shall have power to award against them a Capias and the Sheriffs shall be bound to arrest the person or persons so indicted as soon as he may them find by him or by his Officers and forasmuch as the cognizance of Heresie Errors and Lollardies belongeth to the Iudges of Holy Church and not to Secular Iudges such persons indicted shall be delivered to the Ordinaries of the place or to their Commissaries by Indentures betwixt them to be made within ten days after their arrest or sooner if it may be thereof to be acquir or convict by the Laws of Holy Church in case these persons be not indicted of another thing whereof the cognizance belongeth to the secular Iudges and Officers in which case after that they be acquit or delivered before the secular Iudges of such things to the secular Iudges belonging they shall be sent in safeguard to the said Ordinaries or to their Commissaries and to them delivered by Indentures as before to be acquit or convict of such Lollardries Errors or Heresies as is aforesaid after the Laws of Holy Church and that within the term aforesaid provided alwaies that the said Indictments be not taken in Evidence but for Information before the Spiritual Iudges against such persons so indicted but that the Ordinaries commence their Process against such persons indicted in the same manner as tho' no Indictment were having no regard to such Indictments And if any be Indicted of Heresie Error or Lollardry and taken by the Sheriff or other Officer he shall be let to main prize within the said ten days by good Surety to whom the said Sheriffs or other Officers will answer so that the said person or persons which were so indicted be ready to be delivered to the said Ordinaries or to their Commissaries before the end of the said
a Commissioner of Sewers and a Deputy Lieutenant within the East Riding of York-shire His Lordship is presented to be a popish Recusant and his Indictment removed into the Kings-Bench and his Wife Mother and the greatest part of his Family are popish Recusants and some of them Convicted William Lord Eure in Commission for the Sewers in the East Riding a Convict Popish Recusant Henry Lord Abergaveeny John Lord Tenham Edward Lord Wotton in Commission for Sewers justly suspected for Popery Henry Lord Morley Commissioner for Sewers in Com. Lanc. himself suspected and his Wife a Recusant John Lord Mordant Commissioner of the Peace Sewers and Subsidy in Com. Northampton John Lord St. John of Basing Captain of Lidley Castle in Southampton indicted for a Popish Recusant Em. Lord Scroop Lord President of His Majesties Councel in the North Lord Lieutenant of the County and City of York and Comd. Eborac villae Kingston super Hull presented the last time and continuing still to give Suspicion of his ill affection in Religion 1. By never coming to the Cathedral Church upon those days wherein former Presidents have been accustomed 2. By never receiving the Sacrament upon Common days as other Presidents were accustomed but publickly departing out of the Church with his Servants upon those days when the rest of the Council Lord Mayor and Aldermen do receive 3. By never or very seldom repairing to the Fasts but often publickly riding abroad with his Hawks on those days 4. By causing such as are known to be firm on those days in the Religion Established to be left out of Commission which is instanced in Henry Alured Esq by his Lordships procurement put out of the Commission of Sewers or else from keeping them from Executing their places which is instanced in Dr. Hudson Doctor in Divinity to whom his Lordship hath refused to give the Oath being appointed 5. By putting divers other ill-affected Persons in Commission of the Councel of Oyer and Terminer and of the Sewers and in other places of Trust contrary to His Majesties Gracious Answer to the late Parliament 6. In October last 1625. being certified of divers Spanish Ships of War upon the Coasts of Schâ—â—borough his Lordship went thither and took with him the Lord Dunbar Sir Thomas Metham and William Alford and lay at the House of the Lord Eury whom he knew to be a convict Recusant and did notwithstanding refuse to disarm him although he had received Letters from the Lords of the Council to that effect And did likewise refuse to shew the Commissioners who were to be employed for disarming of Popish Recusants the Original Letters of the Privy Council or to deliver them any Copies as they desired and as his Predecessors in that place were wont to do 7. By giving Order to the Lord Dunbar Sir William Wetham and Sir William Alford to view the Forts and store of Munition in the Town of Kingston upon Hull who made one Kerton a convict Recusant and suspected to be a Priest their Clerk in that Service 8. By denying to accept a Plea tendered according to the Law by Sir William Hilliard Defendant against Isabel Simpson Plantiff in an Action of Trover that she was a convict Popish Recusant and forcing him to pay Costs 9. By the great increase of Recusants since his Lordships coming to that Government in January 1619. It appearing by the Record of the Sessions that there are in the East Riding only one Thousand six Hundred and Seventy more convicted then were before which is conceived to be an effect of his favour and countenance towards them William Langdale Esq convicted of Popish Recusancy Jordan Metham Henry Holm Michael Partington Esquires George Creswel Thomas Danby Commissioners of the Sewers and put in Commission by procurement of the Lord Scroop Lord President of the North and who have all Popish Recusants to their Wives Ralph Bridgman a Non-Communicant Nicholas Girlington whose Wife comes seldom to Church Sir Marmaduke Wycel Knight and Baronet presented the last Parliament his Wife being a convict Popish Recusant and still continuing so Sir Thomas Metham Knight Deputy-Lieutenant made by the Lord Scroop in Commission of the Council of the North and of Oyer and Terminer and other Commissions of Trust all by procurement of the said Lord president since the Kings Answer never known to have received the Communion his two only Daughters brought up to be Popish and one of them lately Married to Thomas Doleman Esq a Popish Recusant Anthony Vicount Mountague in Commission of the Sewers in Com. Sussex his Lordship a Recusant Papist Sir William Wray Knight Deputy-Lieutenant Collonel to a Regiment his Wife a Recusant Sir Edward Musgrave Sir Thomas Lampleigh Justices of Peace and Quorum Sir Thomas Savage Deputy-Lieutenant and Justice of Peace his Wife and Children Recusants Sir Edward Egerton a Non-Communicant Thomas Savage Esq a Deputy-Lieutenant a Recusant and his Wife Indicted and presented William Whimore Commissioner of the Subsidy his Daughter and many of his Servants Recusants Sir William Massie Commissioner for the Subsidy his Lady Indicted for Recusancy and his Children Papists Sir William Courtney Knight Vice-Warden of the Stannery and Deputy-Lieutenant a Popish Recusant Sir Thomas Ridley Knight Justice of the Peace his Wife a Popish Recusant and Eldest Son. Sir Ralph Conyers Knight Justice of Peace his Wife a Popish Recusant James Lawson Esq a Justice of Peace and one of the Captains of the Trained-Bands his Children Popish Recusants and Servants Non-Communicants Sir John Shelley Knight and Baronet a Recusant William Scot Esq a Recusant John Finch Esq not convicted but comes not to Church in Commission of the Sewers These are all Convicted Recusants or suspected of Popery Sir William Mullineux Deputy-Lieutenant and Justice of Peace his Wife a Recusant Sir Richard Houghton Knight Deputy-Lieutenant his Wife and some of his Daughters Recusants Sir William Norris Captain of the General Forces and Justice of Peace a Recusant Sir Gilbert Ireland Justice of Peace a Recusant James Anderton Esq Justice of Peace and one of his Majesties Receivers his Wife a Non-Communicant his Son and Heir a great Recusant and himself suspected Edward Rigby Esq Clerk of the Crown Justice of Peace himself a good Communicant but his Wife and Daughters Popish Recusants Edward Creswel Esq Justice of Peace his Wife a Popish Recusant John Parker Gentleman Muster Master for the County suspected for a Popish Recusant George Ireland Esq Justice of Peace his Wife a Popish Recusant John Preston Esq Bow-bearer for his Majesty in Westmoreland Forrest a Recusant Thomas Covil Esq Jaylor Justice of the Peace and Quorum his Daughter a Recusant Married Sir Cutbbert Halsal Justice of Peace his Wife a Recusant Richard Sherburn Esq Justice of Peace himself Non-resident his Wife and Son Recusants Sir George Hennage Knight Sir Francis Metcalf Knight Robert Thorold Esq Anthony Munson Esq William Dallison Esq in Commission of the Sewers and are justly suspected for Popish Recusants Sir Henry
minding the Governance and Order of his most loving Subjects 1 Ed. 6. ca. 1. Rast Stat. f. 902. The Administration of the Lords Supper restored and the punishment inflicted on despisers and neglecters of it more moderate than what the Papists inflicted on the Protestants to be in most perfect unity and concord in all things and in especial in the true Faith and Religion of God and wishing the same to be brought about with all Clemency and Mercy on his Highness part towards them as his most Princely Serenity and Majesty hath already declared by evident proof to the intent that his most loving Subjects provoked by Clemency and Goodness of their Prince and King should study rather for love than fear to do their duties first to Almighty God and then to him and the Commonwealth nourishing concord and love amongst themselves yet considered and perceived that in a Multitude all were not of that sort that Reason and the Knowledge of their Duty could move them from Offences but many had need of some bridle of fear and that same were men most contentious and arrogant for the most part or else most dlind and ignorant by the means of which sort of men many things well and godly instituted and to the Edification of many were perverted and abused and turned to their own and others great loss and hindrance and sometime to extream destruction the which doth appear in nothing more or sooner than in matters of Religion and in the great and high Mysteries thereof and particularly instanceth in the most comfortable Sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour Iesus Christ and sets forth that the same was Instituted by Christ himself the words of the Institution and for what end and then saith that notwithstanding this the said Sacrament had been marvelously abused by such manner of men before rehearsed who of wickedness or else of ignorance and want of learning for certain abuses then-to-fore committed of some in misusing thereof had condemned in their hearts and speech the whole thing and contemptuously depraved despised or reviled the same most holy and blessed Sacrament and not only disputed and reasoned unreverently and ungodly of that most high Mystery but also in their Sermons Preachings Readings Lectures Communications Arguments Talks Songs Plays or Iests name or call it by such vile and unseemly words as Christian Ears do abhor to hear rehearsed From this preamble I gather that the Popish Clergy had been greatly guilty of defaming the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper as used by the Protestants according to our Saviour's Institution and that this Law was made to inhibit such defamations and to effect the same with as much Clemency and Gentleness as the nature of the thing and the circumstances of time would bear as will appear by what was Enacted for Reformation of such abuse which was That whoever was guilty of the like abuse after the time in the Act for that purpose mentioned should be imprisoned and make fine and ransome at the King's Will and Pleasure That three Justices of the Peace at least whereof one to be of the Quorum should have power to take Informations and Accusations by the Oaths and Depositions of two able honest and lawful Persons at the least and then to trye the party accused by a Jury at their Quarter Sessions From which I observe First that the Reformers did not make any Offence relating to the Sacrament high Treason as the Papists had done denying Transubstantiation 2. That they did not leave it to the Clergy to examine in a Summary way and convict and then deliver the Offender over to the Secular power to be burnt but left the Party to be accused by Legal Witnesses and Tryed by a Jury of Honest and Legal Men according to the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom Nay 3 dly They were so far from restraining the party accused of his Liberty That it is particularly provided by the said Statute that they might take Bail for his appearance After which it was Enacted by the same Act and which I desire you to take in Doctor Burnet's own words That it being more agreeable to Christ's first Institution and the practice of the Church for five hundred years after Christ Hist Reform pt 2. p. 41. that the Sacrament should be given in both the kinds of Bread and Wine than in one kind only it should be commonly given in both kinds except necessity did otherwise require and it being also more agreeable to the first Institution and the Primitive Practice that the People should receive with the Priest than that the Priest should receive it alone Therefore the day before every Sacrament an Exhortation was to be made to the People to prepare themselves for it in which the benefits and dangers of worthy and unworthy Receiving were to be expressed and the Priests were not without a lawful Cause to deny it to any who humbly asked it From which I observe That this Act was made to restore the Administration of the Lords Supper to its Antient and Primitive usage in both kinds with the Priest and that the Priest had not power to refuse giving it to any without just ground and that however here is no Penalty annexed either Spiritual or Temporal Several other Laws were made in order to carrying on the Reformation which inflicted no Penalty upon the Popish Clergy or Layety but were made for the well governing the Church of England as it stood then Reformed and put it out of the power of the Papists to hurt them Rast Stat. f. 904. as the 1 E. 6.2 for the Election of Bishops 1 Ed. 6.12 for repealing 5 R. 2.6 2 H. 5.7.25 H. 8.14.31 H. 8.14 34 H. 8.1 and 35 H. 8.5 Which were the severe Laws that the Popish Bishops and Prelates had obtained against the Professors of the true Religion whom they had nick-named in derision Lollards Hereticks and Gospellers When the Reformation in Edward the 6 th's time had restored the right Administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper they rested for two years before they reformed the Liturgy to the end they might by degrees and with all Acts of Clemency and Kindness draw the Papists off from their Innovations and Corruptions but finding that would not do in the 3 d. year of Ed. 6. An Act for Vniformity of Service and Administration of the Sacraments throughout the Realm was made and enjoyned upon much milder penalties than any Laws relating to Religion that were made by the Papists for the Excellency of the Preamble of which Act and that the truth of the Penalties may appear I have inserted both 23 E. 6. Ca. 1. Rast Stat. f. 932. An Act for Vniformity upon mild Penaltus injoyned Whereas long time there hath been had in this Realm of England and in Wales divers forms of Common-Prayer commonly called the Service of the Church that is to say the use of Sarum of York of
Wade the Clerk of the Councel by putting together these torn pieces of Paper with much pains and singular Dexterity discovered the Design Their spight was all at the Queen and the better to procure her ruin Martins Book against the Queen Foulis Hist l. 7. cap. 4. f. 338. there was a little Book composed and called a Treatise of Schism which amongst other things exhorted the Women at Court to Act the same against the Queen as Judith had done with Commendation against Holosernes The Author of this pernicious Pamphlet was one Gregory Martin formerly of St. Johns Colledge in Oxford and Contemporary with Campian The Duke of Norfolk made him Tutor to his eldest Son and indeed his Learning was noted being a good Linguist and one who had read much but in his writing he was very passionate and so sometimes inconsiderate One * Carter Prints Martins Book Concertat Eccles Cathol Angl. part 2. f. 127. c. Ruston de Schism Angl. l. 3. William Carter who had formerly been Amanuensis to Dr. Harpesfield one of Bishop Bonners Creatures and was now the chief Printer for the Romanists keeping two Presses at their Devotion gets this Book commended by Allen and Prints above a thousand for which he is tryed confesseth the Printing it vindicateth all is contained in it is condemned and executed and hath the Honour to be registred amongst their Martyrs By reason of these Treasons before mentioned as also upon occasion of Rumors from all parts that great Dangers were at hand and threatned to prevent the wicked Designs The Subjects of England Associate and Treacherous Practices of the Papists and to provide for the Queens safety upon which the Welfare both of the Realm and Religion depended many Men of all Degrees and Conditions throughout England by Leicesters means and out of their own publick Care and Love whilst they stood not in Fear of her but were full of Fear for her bound themselves in an Association by mutual Vows Subscriptions and Seals to prosecute to the Death as far as lay in their Power all those that should Attempt any thing against the Queen Upon which the Parliament meeting on Munday 23 d. Day of November 27 El. A Bill was in this Sessions brought into the House of Commons for Provision to be made for the Surety of the Queens Majesties Royal Person and the continuance of the Realm in peace and for confirming the said Association There was also in this Session of Parliament another Bill brought into the House of Commons against Jesuits Seminary Priests and other disobedient Persons and one William Parrey by Nation a Welshman born of obscure Parentage and of mean Estate by Title a Doctor of the Law though but indifferently Learned a Man exceeding proud Camb. Annals f. 305. D' Ewes his Journal f. 340 341 342. Bakers Cron. f. 364. Parry's contempt to the House of Commons when this Bill was read the third time which was Decemb. the 17th 1584. and with little or no Argument passed the House in very violent Terms spake directly against the whole Bill standing up for the Jesuits and pleading that the said Law svoured of Treasons was full of blood danger despair and terror or dread to the English Subjects of this Realm but refused to give his Reasons to the House or any other but the Queen for which he was committed to the Serjeants Custody till the House considered of his Crime and being called in again and he persisting in his contempt It was resolved that for that he did speak to the Bill and gave his Neggative voice so directly and undutifully and in contempt of the House would not shew his Reasons for the same being against the ancient Orders and Usage of that High Court and not for that he said he would shew them only to be discovered to her Majesty he should be committed to the Serjeants Ward till the Matter should be farther Examined On the 18th of December the Queen sent a Message to the House approving and commending what they had done in this matter and letting them know that Doctor Parry had been examined and made a discovery partly to the satisfaction of her Majesty and therefore desired that upon his humble submission and acknowledgement of his fault he might be dispensed with which was accordingly done But Feb. the 18th being in the Tower for Treason was disabled from being longer a Member of the House of Commons Parry's Treasonable Conspiracy for taking away the Queens Life Camb. Annals f. 306. Foulis Hist l. 7. ca. 4. f. 338. D' Ewes Journal f. 350. This very Parry when he got to be Parliament man was a Papist and afterwards accused by Edmond Nevil who claimed the Inheritance of Charles Nevil late Earl of Westmorland one of the Ring-leaders in the forementioned Plot in the North who a little before ended his Life in a Miserable Exile and the Title of Lord Latimer as next Heir Male to have been ingaged in a secret design for taking away the Queens Life This Parry had been pardoned formerly by the Queen of a Burglary and Assault for which he was Tryed and Condemned and to requite her enters into a Conspiracy to take away her Life which he being resolved to do and being then beyond Seas comes forthwith for London and the better to get access to the Queen and credit with her resolves to discover how he had been perswaded to kill her which he doth at White-Hall as cunningly as he can The Queen gave him the hearing and began to put some confidence in him He afterwards engageth the said Mr. Nevel in the design who declared himself convinced of the lawfulness and braveness of the Action so they both swear in Parry's Lodgings Secrecy to kill her yet all this while Parry carried it so fair with the Queen that She not only thought him a trusty Loyal Subject but intended him a liberal Pension or Allowance Foulis Hist l. 7. c. 4. f. 141. 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 Leicester and Sir Christopher Hatton the Queen wonders at the juggle and contrivance but had it kept secreet And the better to find out the Plot Parry is sent for by Secretary Walsingham to his house there to see if he would any way confess this who had shewed himself soreedy on his own head to discover the Foreign de-signs against her Majesty The Secretary entertains him kindly 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 bore an extraordinary devotion to her the Matter was the Queen had been advertized 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
continue your daily Plotting of so Tragical Stratagems against Recusants It is ordered that none of these Five knoweth who the other Four be for the better preventing the discovery of the rest if so any one by attempting and not performing should be apprehended It is also already agreed who shall first attempt it by shot and so who in order shall follow In accomplishing of it there is expected no other than assurance of Death yet it will willingly be embraced for the preventing of those general Calamities which by this your transcendent Authority and Grace with His Majesty are threatned unto us And indeed the difficulties herein are more easily to be digested since Two of the intended attempters are in that weak estate of Body that they cannot live above three or four Months The other Three are so distressed in themselves and their Friends as that their present griefs for being only Recusants do much dull all aprehensions of Death None is to be blamed in the true censuring of Matters for the undertaking hereof Nor are they to be blamed for it for we protest before God we have no other means left us in the World since it is manifest that you serve but as a Match to give Fire unto his Majesty to whom the worst that we wish is that he may be as great a Saint in Heaven as he is King on Earth for intending all mischiefs against the poor distressed Catholics Thus giving your Lordship this charitable admonition the which may perhaps be necessary hereafter for some others your inferiours at least in grace and favour if so they run on in their former inhumane and unchristian rage against us I cease putting you in mind For 't is true and Spiritual Resolution that where once True and Spiritual Resolution is there notwithstanding all dangers whatsoever the weak may take sufficient revenge of the great Your Lordships well admonishing Friends c. A. B. C. c. It may be your Lordship will take this but as some forged Letter of some Puritans thereby to incense you more against Recusants But we protest upon our Salvation it is not so Neither can any thing in humane likelihood prevent the effecting thereof but the change of your Course towards Recusants This Letter at the beginning affords fair seeming to detest the Gun-Powder-Plot as Watson did the Popish Treasons in Queen Elizabeths time and was hanged for Treason in the beginning of the Reign of King James but little credit is to be given to what they say if it be considered that the very design of it is to apoligize for Murther and that they therein assert that although they Murther Privy Counsellors yet the Murtherers may be good men nor are they to be blamed for it for it is a true and spiritual resolution What influence this Letter had the sequel will evince for the said Oath was immediately confirmed by Act of Parliament and the Papists injoyned to take it in the Circumstances and upon the Penalties in the Act for that purpose mentioned the sum and substance of which Act followeth it is Intitled An Act for the better discovering and repressing of Popish Recusants The Preamble of the Act runs thus 3. Jac. 1. c. 4. Rast Stat. f. 591. Papists must receive the Sacrament and take the Oath of Allegiance c. upon pecuniary mulcts if neglected FOrasmuch as it is found by daily Experience that many His Majesties Subjects that adhere in their hearts to the Popish Religion by the infection drawn from thence and by the Wicked and Divelish Councel of Iesuits Seminaries and other like Persons dangerous to the Church and State are so far perverted in the point of their Loyalty and due Allegiance to the Kings Majesty and the Crown of England as they are ready to entertain and Execute any Treasonable Conspiracies and Practices as evidently appears by that more then barbarous and horrible Attempt to have blown up with Gun-powder the King Queen Prince Lords and Commons in the House of Parliament Assembled tending to the utter Subversion of the whole State lately undertaken by the instigation of Iesuits and Seminaries and in Advancement of their Religion by their Schollars Taught and Instructed by them to that purpose which Attempt by the only goodness of Almighty God was discovered and defeated And where divers Persons Popishly affected do nevertheless the better to cover and hide their false Hearts and with the more safety to attend the opportunity to execute their mischievous Designs repair sometimes to Church to escape the Penalty of the Laws in that behalf provided Then for the better discovery of such Persons and their Evil affections to the Kings Majesty and to the State of the Realm to the end that being known their Evil Purposes might be the better prevented It was enacted that every Papist that Conforms shall Yearly receive the Sacrament upon twenty pounds Forfeiture upon the first Years neglect forty pounds the second sixty pounds the third and so forwards sixty pounds Yearly until he or she shall have received it That Papists their Children of Nine Years and Servants shall be once a Year presented at the general or Quarter Sessions Which presentments are to be recorded at the Sessions That the Iustices of Assize and Goal Delivery and Iustices of Peace shall hear and determine the Offence That Proclamation shall be made at the Assizes or Sessions for the Offender to render his body to the Sheriff Bayliff or Keeper of the Goal of the Liberty before the next Assizes or Sessions c. And if the Offender doth not he stands Convicted and forfeits twenty pounds a Month for every Month contained in the Indictment whereon he his Convicted That every Conviction shall be certified into the Exchequer that the King may refuse twenty pounds a Month and take two parts of the Papists Lands save their Mansion House That the Kings two parts shall not be Leased to Papists Noblemen and Noblewomen are excepted That the Oath of Allegiance shall be tendred to all Persons of the Age of Eighteen Years or above Convicted or Indicted for Recusancy for not going to Church for not receiving the Sacrament or that pass through any Country Shire or Liberty and unknown Who refuse taking this Oath incur a Premunire except Women covert who are to be Committed to the Common Goal without Bail or Mainprize till they take the Oath No Indictment or other Proceedings against the Papists shall be discharged or reversed for default of Form but Conformity discharges all Proceedings whatever Felony in any that go beyond Seas to serve any Forreign Prince c. or being there shall voluntarily serve such Prince not first having taken the Oath Felony in any Gentleman or Person of higher Degrée or any that is or hath born Office in Camp Army or Company of Souldiers to go beyond the Seas voluntarily to serve a Foreign Prince or shall voluntarily serve any Prince unless he first enters into Bond
Your Majesty and States on the other part for private Men to accomplish their corrupt Ends. His Majesties ANSWER to the Fourth ARTICLE TO the fourth Article His Majesty is most willing to punish for the time past and prevent for the future any of the Deceits and Abuses mentioned in this Article and will account it a good Service in any that will inform himself his Privy Council Officers of his Revenue Judges or learned Council of any thing that may reveal this Mystery of Iniquity and His Majesty doth strictly command every one of them to whom such Information shall be brought that they suffer not the same to dye but do their utmost Endeavour to effect a clear Discovery and bring the Offenders to Punishment and to the intent no concealed Toleration may be effected His Majesty leaves the Laws to their Course 5. Article THat as the Persons of Ambassadors from Foreign Princes and their Houses be free for the Exercises of their own Religion so their Houses may not be made free Chappels and Sanctuaries unto Your Majesties Subjects popishly affected to hear Mass and to participate in all other Rites and Ceremonies of that Superstition to the great Offence of Almighty God and Scandal of Your Majesties People loyally and religiously affected that either the Concourse of Recusants to such Places may be restrained or at least such a vigilant Watch set upon them at their return from those Places as they may be apprehended and severely proceeded withal Vt qui palam in Luce peccant in Luce puniantur His Majesties ANSWER to the Fifth ARTICLE TO the fifth His Majesty is well pleased to prohibit and restrain their coming and Resort to the Houses of Ambassadors and will command a vigilant Watch to be set for their taking and punishing as is desired THat no place of Authority and Command within any the Counties of this Your Majesties Kingdom or any Ships of Your Majesties 6. Article or which shall be employed in Your Majesties Service be committed to Popish Recusants or to Non-communicants by the Space of a Year past or to any such Persons as according to Direction of former Acts of State are justly to be suspected as the Place and Authority of Lords Lieutenants Deputy Lieutenants Justices of the Peace or Captains or other Officers or Ministers mentioned in the Statute made in the third Year of the Reign of Your Father of Blessed Memory and that such as by Connivance have crept into such Places may by Your Majesties Royal Command be discharged of the same His Majesties ANSWER to the Sixth ARTICLE TO the Sixth His Majesty is perswaded that this Article is already observed with good Care nevertheless for the avoiding as much as may be all Errors and escapes in that kind His Majesty will give Charge to the Lord Keeper that at the next Term he call unto him all the Judges and take Information from them of the State of their several Circuits if any such as are mentioned in this Article be in the Commission of the Peace that due Reformation be made thereof and will likewise give Order to the Lord Admiral and such other to whom it shall appertain to make diligent Inquiry and certificate to His Majesty if any such be in place of Authority and Command in His Ships or Service THat all Your Majesties Judges Justices and Ministers of Justice unto whose Care and Trust Execution which is the Life of Your Majesties Laws is committed may 7. Article by Your Majesties Proclamation not only be commanded to put in speedy Execution those Laws which stand in force against Jesuits Seminary Priests and Popish Recusants but that Your Majesty would be further pleased to command the said Judges and Justices of Assize to give a true and strict Account of their Proceedings at their Returns out of their Circuits unto the Lord Keeper by the Lord Keeper to be presented unto Your Majesty His Majesties ANSWER to the Seventh ARTICLE TO the seventh His Majesty doth fully grant it 8. Article AND for a fair and clear Eradication of all Popery for the future and for the breeding and nursing up of a Holy Generation and a peculiar People sanctified unto the true Worship of Almighty God that until a Provisional Law be made for the Training and Educating of the Children of Popish Recusants in the Grounds and Principles of our Holy Religion which we perceive will be of more Power and Force to unite Your People unto You in fastness of Love Religion and Loyal Obedience then all Pecuniary Mulcts and Penalties that can possibly be devised Your Majesty would be pleased to take it into Your Princely Care and Consideration these our humble Petitions proceeding from Hearts and Affections Loyally and Religiously devoted to God and Your Majesties Service and to the Safety of Your Majesties Sacred Person we most zealously present to Your Princely Wisdom craving Your Majesties chearful and gracious Approbation His Majesties ANSWER to the Eighth ARTICLE TO the eighth His Majesty doth well approve it as a Matter of necessary Consideration and the Parliament now sitting he recommendeth to both Houses the Preparation of a fitting Law to that effect And His Majesty doth further declare that the Mildness that hath been used towards those of the Popish Religion hath been upon Hope that Foreign Princes thereby might be induced to use Moderation towards their Subjects of the Reformed Religion but not finding that good Effect which was expected His Majesty resolveth unless he shall very speedily see better Fruits to add a further degree of Severity to that which in that Petition is desired The Parliament after this made a Law against the Papists Intituled An Act to restrain the Passing or Sending of any to be Popishly bred beyond the Seas The Substance whereof take as followeth That 3 Car. 1. ca 2. Keebles Stat. f. 1098. By this Law Papists are prohibited sending their Children or others beyond Seas to be instructed in the Popish Religion FOrasmuch as divers ill affected Persons to the true Religion within this Realm had sent their Children into Foreign Parts to be bred up in Popery notwithstanding the Restraint of it by 1 Jac. 1. It was enacted That that Law should be put in Execution and further that if any Person or Persons being Subjects should pass over or go convey or send or cause to be sent or conveyed any Children or other Person beyond Seas to the Intent and Purpose to enter into or be resident or trained up in any Priory Abbey Nunnery Popish Vniversity Colledge or School or Houses of Iesuits Priests or in any Private Popish Family and shall be there by any Iesuite Seminary Priest Friar Monk or other Popish Person instructed perswaded or strengthned in the Popish Religion in any sort to profess the same or should convey or send or cause to be conveyed or sent any sum or other thing towards the maintenance of any already gone or sent under any
made the Papists were ingaged in a most Horrid Plot against the Protestant Religion and the Parliament having now made this Act whereby the Papists are excluded from all Places of Profit and Trust it is not hard to believe that their Malice was thereby greatly heightned and their Rage very much increased against the Protestants and their Actings put it beyond doubt that it was so For this Act passed in the Year 1673. and then it is we find them deeply ingaged in contriving our Destruction and so inhumane were they that notwithstanding the late King Charles the Second's Kindness to them yet unless he would fully comply with them in the butchering his Protestant Subjects extirpating the Protestant Religion which they called a * Coleman's Tryal p. 69. Pestilent Heresie and the introducing of the Romish Superstition and Idolatry he must be taken out of the way to make room for one that would I confess I have met with very many that have owned the Dis-believing of any such Design but when I seriously reflect upon the Letters that were produced against Mr. Coleman and owned by himself to be his when I consider the Evidence that was given by all the Witnesses that proved the Horrid and Treasonable Popish Plot that was discovered in 1678. and the Agreement that there is in the Substance of the thing although there may be some Variations as to Circumstances when I consider the Witnesses were Strangers to one another that did so agree in their Testimony and that the Discovery was so sudden and the Witnesses came in so quick one after another after the Discovery that it is not to be presumed there could be any Subornation when I consider the Credit they had with the King himself and with four Parliaments when I consider the great Attempts notwithstanding to take the Odium off the Papists and cast it upon the Protestants when I consider the unwearied Pains taken by the Papists and some that are much worse because they espoused their Cause under a Protestant Vizar to lay the Murther of Sir Edmond-Bury-Godfrey at the Protestants Door and to wipe off the Stain thereof from the Papists when I consider the Methods that were taken in the late King James the Seconds his Reign so exactly pursuant to what was designed in case Charles the Second had fallen as was contrived * Either by Shooting Poison or Stobing the first of which Methods was by granting a general †The Declaration for Liberty of Conscience Designed to be published in case the Popish Plot had then taken effect you may find printed in Coleman's Trial p. 58. Liberty of Conscience and thereby deluding divers Protestants to serve a Popish Interest although against their Wills it is to me matter of Amazement that there should remain the least doubt of the Truth of that Plot in the Minds of any that are really Protestants especially when I consider that there wanted nothing in the late King James's Reign but a Parliament to take off the Penal Laws and Tests to bring that Popish Plot to the highest Perfection that the Papists ever designed and what Endeavors there were to obtain that is sufficiently known To run through the whole Series of that Popish Plot would be to draw out this Account of the Grounds of making the Penal Laws to a Length beyond what its Design can warrant which is the publick Good and therefore as a Confirmation of the Truth of that Plot and to refresh the Memory of those who perhaps are willing to forget it I shall here only insert Coleman's Letters as you will find them printed in his Tryal and also Bedloes Depositions as they were taken before and printed by Sir Francis North then Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas and afterwards made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England for the good Services he had done the Crown Coleman's Letters are as followeth Mr. Coleman's First Letter SInce Father St. German has been so kind to me Coleman 's Tryal p. 44. as to recommend me to your Reverence so advantagiously as to encourage you to accept of my Correspondency I will own to him that he has done me a Favour without consulting me greater than I could have been capable of if he had advised with me because I could not then have had the Confidence to have permitted him to ask it on my Behalf And I am so sensible of the Honour you are pleased to do me that though I cannot deserve it yet to shew at least the Sense I have of it I will deal as freely and openly with you this first time as if I had had the Honour of your Acquaintance all my Life And shall make no Apology for so doing but only tell you that I know your Character perfectly well though I am not so happy as to know your Person and that I have an Opportunity of putting this Letter into the Hands of Father St. Germans Nephew for whose Integrity and Prudence he has undertaken without any sort of Hazard In order then Sir to the plainness I profess I will tell you what has formerly passed between your Reverences Predecessor Father Ferryer and my self About three Years ago when the King my Master sent a Troop of Horse Guards into his most Christian Majesties Service under the Command of my Lord Durass he sent with it an Officer called Sir William Throckmorton with whom I had a particular Intimacy and who had then very newly imbraced the Catholic Religion to him did I constantly write and by him address my self to Father Farryer The first thing of great Importance I presumed to offer him not to trouble you with lesser Matters or what passed here before and immediately after the fatal Revolution of the Kings Declaration for Liberty of Conscience to which we owe all our Miseries and Hazards was in July August and September 1673. when I constantly inculcated the great Danger the Catholic Religion and his most Christian Majesties Interest would be in at our next Sessions of Parliament which was then to be in October following at which I plainly foresaw that the King my Master would be forced to something in prejudice to his Alliance with France Which I saw so evidently and particularly that we should make Peace with Holland that I urged all the Arguments I could which to me were Demonstrations to convince your Court of that Mischief and pressed all I could to perswade his most Christian Majesty to use his utmost Endeavor to prevent that Session of our Parliament and proposed Expedients how to do it But was answered so often and so positively that his most Christian Majesty was so well assured by his Embassador here our Embassador there the Lord Arlington and even the King himself that he had no such Apprehensions at all but was fully satisfied to the contrary and looked upon what I offered as a very zealous Mistake that I was forced to give over arguing though not believing as I did