THE POPISH Damnable Plot AGAINST OUR Religion and Liberties Fairly laid open and discovered in the BREVIATS of Threescore and Four LETTERS AND Papers of Intelligence PAST Betwixt the Pope, Duke of York, Cardinal Norfolk, Cardinal Cibo, Cardinal Barbarina, Nuntio and Internuncio for the Pope in Italy, France and Flanders, and the Lord Arundel, Mr. Coleman, Mr. cook, Mr. con. And also the said Mr. Coleman, Albany, Sr. German, Lybourn, Sheldon, Throgmorton, and several others. As they were drawn up by the Secret Committee of the House of Commons, for the satisfaction of the House of Lords, in the Bill against the Duke of York, and expected trials of the Lords. Now Published for the Vindication of the House of Commons upon the said Bill, and for satisfaction of all the faithful Subjects of His Majesties Kingdoms, with several Animadversions and Remarks made upon the said Letters. LONDON, Printed for R. Janeway in Queens-Head Alley in Pater-Noster-Row. MDCLXXX. THE POPISH Damnable Plot AGAINST OUR Religion and Liberties Fairly laid open. Die Martis 25. Martii 1679. REsolved, nemine contradicente, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament assembled, That they do declare that they are fully satisfied, by the Proofs they have heard, there now is, and for divers Years last past hath been a horrid and treasonable Plot and Conspiracy carried on by those of the Popish Religion; for murdering of his Majesties Sacred Person, and for subverting the Protestant Religion, and the ancient and established Government of this Kingdom. Jo. Brown Cleric. Parliament. Sunday April 27. 1679. Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the Duke of York being a Papist, and his hopes of coming such to the Crown, hath given the greatest encouragement and countenance, to the present Conspiracies and Designs of the Papists, against the King and Protestant Religion. ordered, That the Lord Russel do go up to the Lords to desire their concurrence to this Vote. ordered, That the secret Committee bring in an Abstract of all those Letters they have, or can come by, that concern the Duke of York, as to the Plot, with all speed. Sunday May 11. 1679. ordered that a Bill be brought in to disable the Duke of York to inherit the Imperial Crown of this Realm. Resolved, nemine contradicente, That in defence of the Kings Person, and the Protestant Religion, this House doth declare, That they will stand by his Majesty, with their Lives and Fortunes; and that if his Majesty should come by any violent death, which God forbid, that they will revenge it to the utmost on the Papists. ordered, That these Votes be drawn in the form of an Address to be presented to His Majesty; which is as followeth. May 14. 1679. Most dread sovereign, We your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects, the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, do with all humble Gratitude aclowledge the most Gracious Assurances your Majesty hath been pleased to give us, of your constant care to do any thing that may preserve the Protestant Religion, of your firm Resolution to defend the same to the utmost, and your Royal Endeavours that the security of that Blessing may be transmitted to Posterity; and We do humbly represent to Your Majesty, that being deeply sensible that the greatest hopes of success against our Religion in the Enemies thereof, the Papists, are founded in execrable Designs which they have laid against your Sacred Person, and the Life of your Majesty, which is not only our Duty but our Interest with the greatest hazard to preserve and defend; We have employed our Counsels to the making such Provisions by Law as may defeat these Popish Adversaries, their Abettors, and Adherents, of their hopes of gaining any advantage by any violent attempts against your Majesty, and may utterly frustrate their expectation of subverting the Protestant Religion thereby in time to come: And further to obviate, by the best means we can, all wicked Practices against your Majesty while any such Laws are in preparation and bringing to perfection, It is our Resolution, and we do declare, That in Defence of Your Majesty and the Prostant Religion, We will stand by Your Majesty with our Lives and Fortunes, and shall be ready to revenge upon the Papists any Violence offered by them to your Sacred Person. In which we hope your Majesty will graciously be pleased to be the more assured, as we ourselves are the more encouraged, in that the Hearts of all your Majesties Protestant Subjects, with the most sincere Affection and Zeal, join with us herein. May the 19th. The House of Commons attended his Majesty with this Address; whereunto his Majesty was pleased to return this gracious Answer. Gentlemen, I thank you for your Zeal for the preservation of the Protestant Religion and my Person, and I assure you I will do what in me lieth to preserve the Protestant Religion, and am willing to do all such things as may tend to the benefit and good of my Subjects. Wednesday, May 21. 1679. The Chairman of the Committee of secrecy reports several Letters, most of them tending to the great assurance and confidence the Popish Party had by reason the Duke of York being a Papist. After which the Bill to disenable the Duke of York to inherit the Imperial Crown of this Realm, was red a second time, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on friday next following. A true Abstract of which Letters are as followeth. SEVERAL Material Passages OUT OF LETTERS RELATING TO The horrid Popish Plot, The Letters from Albany's Internuncio at Brussels to Mr. Coleman. Aug. 14. 75. Num. 5. GLad to hear of the good condition in which the Dukes Affairs stood, in relation to the proceedings he had with the Parliament, hopes him entire Victory; the Pope and Emperour will assist and serve him and the catholics. 2. Sept. 28.74. Num. 9] The Pope will accommodate the difference between France and Spain, by which means he shall contribute to the advantage of the Duke and catholics, the Emperour likewise zealous. 3. Sir George Talbot, Oct. 30. 74. Num.—] He proffers himself instrumental and Servant to the Duke, and now going from Brussels desires to be written to at Rome. 4. Sir Ed. Verham, July 3.75. Num. 11.] The business of the Cardinal of Norfolk will serve as an evident proof of the Pope's affection to the Concern of England, from whence draw an assured Consequence of what you may hope when the Affairs of the D. shall need the Assistance of Rome. 5. Octob 19. 75. Num.—] Promoting the Affairs of the D. and catholics by the Pope and Emperour, speaks of the deferring the Execution of the Sentence, which might cause some divisions among the catholics, and give occasion of advantage to the Parliament. Sr. Germain's Letters to Coleman. 6. 18/ 28. March 75.] Speaks of the Papists Intrigues with France, and says the D. Lord Treasurer is very well disposed to the success of this business. 7. Num. 37.] Presses to have Coleman come into France with the D's Commission, and farther saith, he may obtain something of the French Ambassador's Promises. 8. Num. 56.] Speaks of a Pension from the Pope to Coleman for his service to the catholics. Jan. 29. to Coleman] St Germain will be always ready to deliver Messages in the favour of the Duke and Duchess, catholics and Coleman to the Confessor and King of France. 18. March 76. Num. 20.] Transaction of a Pension of 100000 l. Sterling for Coleman from France. Builds much upon the Discourse the Duke held with the Grand Treasurer, and directs the means of treating with France. Jan. 29.] A suspicious expression of an intent to persuade the D. to the consent of doing the Work, or as others translate it, to the giving the Blow. Observe that the vigorous Counsels necessary for the catholics came from the Duke by the inspiration of Coleman. Leybourn's Letters directed to Coleman, Secretary to Her Royal Highness. Rome, April 17.] The Letter which the Duke wrote to the Pope, and was given to Mr. con, hath miscarried; the Nuncio of Paris doth aclowledge to have received of Mr. con the packet in which it was, and doth say he sent it hither, but here it cannot be found: The Cardinal of Norfolk sent this to the Pope and Cardinal Cibo, who saith the only Remedy now is a Duplicate. April 30.] Since my last, Cardinal Norfolk hath been pressed with extraordinary earnestness by the Duke of Florence, to writ to the King of England that Mr. plate may not be sent again to Florence, for weighty Reasons; the Letters are all sent directed to Mr. cook, there being some doubt of Mr. Coleman's not being in London. He was also writ to by the Duke of Florence to the same purpose, who accordingly by this Post hath represented the matter to the Lord Arundel, Mr. Coleman, and Cardinal Norfolk is entreated to farther it. May 29.] Mentions the miscarriage of the Dukes Letter to the Pope, recommended long since to come; but the Pope being satisfied it came to his Nuncio at Paris, is resolved without expecting another to direct a Brief to the Duke, and Cardinal Norfolk doth not doubt but the Duke will reply thereupon. June—] The Popes Letter to the Duke of York, the Brief directed to the D. is in Cardinal Norfolk's hands, than which nothing finer or fuller could be expected: Mr.— in four days departs with it, carries also for the Duke and Duchess two pair of Beads from the Pope, with most ample Indulgences; desired that some English Priest should be with the Popes Nuncio at Nimeguen, Doctor Goodwing excusing himself, Mr. con is likely to go: My Service to our Friend in Fleetstreet. 32. XVIII June 25. Mr. plate is now so impertinent, to declare that he was always a Protestant in his Heart, expects with great impatience an Order to call him, and certainly Mr. plate deserves it. July 9. 33 XIX.] The hopes you give, that Mr. plate will be recalled, is very welcome to the Duke of Florence; there is great need of it; for the Inquisition hath begun to stir in it. Cardinal Cybo hath made complaint of it to the Resident of Florence; as I have signified more particularly to my Lord Arundel. XX. July 10.] My last, which was by the Post, acquainted you that the Letter of the Duke of York to the Pope was received, the good man reading it, could not abstain from Tears. Answer will be shortly sent thereupon, the matter hath been done by great tenderness, with expressions of kindnesses as could be expected, as you are desired to signify. 35. XXI. July 16.] The business of Venice ambassador, mentioned in my two last; what hath come to your mind concerning a Match with the Prince of Florence. Our Lady Anne deserves better reflections, than I am able to make of it; setting aside the interest you might move the Duke of Florence, to desire his great respect for the Duke of York would set a great weight upon his inclination to carry him towards it. XXII.] I had yesterday, a Letter from the Duke of Florence, who continues his pressing earnestness, for compassing, here to fore mentioned; I doubt it may linger a great while, if such a reason be expected as may satisfy; I think it might suffice that Mr. plate is very on welcome to the D. of Florence. 36. XXIII. July 20.] The Court there will not be well pleased, till 〈…〉 that obstruct the Peace at Nimeguen be removed. XXVI.] Mr Gr. is your Servant; this day he hath a brief of the Pope, in answer of the Letter of the Duke. 37. July 24. August 6.] These must aclowledge the receipt of yours of June the 28. and July. Sir, one of them was very welcome for the Satisfactory matter it gave me for a Letter unto the Duke of Florence, after a Weeks silence to the point, he is so much concerned; for the same Post did also bring me a Letter from my Lord Arundel to the same effect, which I shall thank him for shortly. Cardinal Norfolk hath writ to the King to take the Queen of sweden into his protection, at the Treaty at Nimeguen; Reasons to prove the Justness of her pretensions, sent to Mr. Cook. carded. Norf. would be w●ll pleased, if Mr. Coleman promote this Interest with the Duke. 38. XXVI. August 3. 74.[ I have had thanks this Week, from the D●ke of F●●●ence, for the account I gave him the last, of what was co●●●ed in Letters, from Lord Arundel and Mr. Coleman, about Mr. P●●●t. Aug. 29. XXVII. 40.7, 11.] We have had three this Week, one of them gave hopes of a Letter from the Lord Arundel; I am indebted to the Friend in Fleet-street, for two Letters. A brief was sent last Year, Dated about the 9th. of May, and carried from hence, by an Irish Bishop: Cardinal Norf. would know 〈◇〉 it were delivered to C. Q. the answer was late expected. carded. Barbarine is in pain to know whether a Picture which he sent her Royal Highness, hath been received. XX●X 41. Octob. An express dispatched from Nimeguen, by the Popes Nuncio, yesterday brought the welcome news of a peace made between France and Spain: His Holiness went this Afternoon to S. Mary mayor, to thank God for the public benefit, and Te Deum is like to be Sung. 42. XXX. Nov. 2. 43. XXXI. Nov. 20.] In the Country, with Mr. G●●en, would return to Roone to morrow, the former cipher not being understood, inquires again after the Brief, sent last year in May, from the Pope to the Queen; the confidence with which Mr. Coleman ends his Letter to the Prince doth much please, but that delivered by Mr. Can, in naming Duke Lauderdale, the Correspondent of Cardinal Norf. is much wondered at. I hope Mr. Coleman will on this account judge it necessary to proceed with more caution. 18. XXXII. Dec. 1.] Said the D. of Modena intends a journey for London. 19. XXXIII. Jan. 1. 78.] The Letter of the D. about marrying of his Daughter to the Prince of Orange, hath been delivered: I confess the Prince remains satisfied, the D. was in no fault but his intened answer will not touch that point. 19. XXXIV. Same bundle.] The business of Prince Rinold, I fear is not yet ripe. Five Letters from Cardinal Norfolk, to Coleman. 20. XXXV. Rom. 12. June 77.] This sent by his Nephew, in whom, he saith, you may have all confidence in any thing that concerns Mr. Yours, or me, for I assure you, that he hath a right esteem and fidelity for all, and will confer with you; he carrieth along with him something safer for Mr. and Mrs. from my Patron, which you will be glad to see. XXXVI. R. 27. July 27.] The adjoining packet, which I now direct to you, contains the Popes Brief, in Answer of his 2d. Letter of his R. H. My Nephew who carried the other, may be near his Journeys end with it: I assure myself they will be both very welcome, as that which occasioned them was to his Holiness. God grant to this new correspondence a blessing, whereof the whole Nation may have experience of the effects. 22. XXXVIII. Sir William Throgmrotons Letters, Nov. 28. 74.] The French Kings great kindness to the D. and that would help him to be chief Factor; Judges the dissolution of the Parliament an absolute and necessary work, hopes to raise 50000; though the French King should be backward. 23. XXXIIII. Paris Dec. 8. 74.] Had rather have the French King have 2000000 of the catholics, than 30000 of the French Kings promises of 50000. from thence. 24. XXXIV. Decemb. 15. 74.] A passage about dissolving the Parliament, which being compassed, he hopes the K. will never Quit. 25. XI.] We are promised assistance from France, of Moneys, or any thing else. Paris, Decem. 22. 74.] Advice that the D. on his own Score carry on the Trade, and compass the dissolution, if possible, if not make the best Market with France, and Arundel and Coleman to be advised about it, the K. of England immaginably despised. 27. XIII. Jan. 19] He is over-joyed to hear the Parliament may be dissolved without the 3000000 for that it will make the French King sensible of the D●kes power, and interest, and bring him to better terms, and link the French King and Duke, which is the great and necessary interest. 4. About dissolution, and money for it, and reflecting especially upon the K. 28. XI. III. Feb. 20. 29. Feb. 6 74/ 5] Relation to the Transaction for the 3000000. hath these words of the French K. will do nothing; I know not how to help it; but the truth is, he hath so mean an opinion of the K. and his Partners, that I doubt he thinks scarce any thing they can do worth 3000000. it must be something immediately from the Duke, that I must tell him, that will persuade him to hope for better things, when he shall govern. Adieu, I can say, no more. 30. XII. Observe.] This seems the deposing, or destroying of the King, for it must mean something to be done speedily, otherwise it could give no assurance of recompense for 3000000, which was so hard to be partend with, for it was a remote thing to expect and depend on the course of Nature; Whereby the K. being but two years elder then the Duke, the Duke might possibly dy before him. 31. XLVI, Paris Feb. 9.] The whole Transaction for the 3000000. to put off the Parliament, and carry on the French, and D. interest are all for the sake of the catholics. XLVII. 44.] About the same, but hard to be red. Feb. 13. XLIX. 45.] The French King will assist the King against the Parliament, when the Parliament shall play the Prank, and concludes, Let not the Duke nor Ravigny trust the K. with more than needs, you know he is not good at keeping of Secrets. Feb. 20. L. March 16.] compliments of being disappointed by the Treasurer and Lauderdale, magnifies and reviles the K. for being abused by Knaves. LI. 47.] To no great purpose, but that my Lord Arundel is therein name as some body with the French King. Vide a French Paper entitled Instructions. LI. 48. French promise assistance to the Duke, and particularly to help him to Money to buy a new Parliament, if he please. Sheldon's Letters, May 22. 75. Hopes for a Dissolution of the Parliament, whose proceedings are expected by the French King, fears the Lord Treasurer is not a Friend to the catholics; that it's told the D's endeavours have been useful to him. 49. LIII. June 8.] A Prorogation would leave things in the same posture as to Religion, then ill with the catholics; but hopes the D. will improve the occasion, and Lauderdale will sure be of the same opinion; I will not answer for the Treasurer. The last Paragraph mentions Sir Jo. Ar. and Sir Geo. Wakeman. 50. LIV. 75.] Speaks of the secret intercourse betwixt the K. of England and France. 51. LVI. July 25.] Hopes the D. will take other measures, and there will be some need of the French K. who will be instrumental. 52. LVII. July 13.] France not upon sure Foundations till the D. be able to secure it, and promiseth to have the D. set in such a posture. 54. LVIII.] To put the D. in that posture and great endeavour of France, but Ravigni not a fit Instrument, but such an Ambassador as may be wholly subordinate to the Dukes Commands, Commends Sir Ellis Layton for a good Instrument, Lord Treasurer fails of nothing. Col. Aug. 7.] Nothing clear but the complying of the D. and catholics together. 55. Aug. 30. 56. LX. 24, 75.] Speaketh of the proposal made by the Spanish Ambassador in England, which makes France jealous, cautious, for the advantage of the catholics, and saith the Duke prefers Religion. LXII. 58.] Saith he had said to pompion, that the D. was attached with France, and also considering the Design of Spain, it was not to be relied on to promote the catholics Cause. What Measures the Spanish Ambassador hath taken, unless he engages the D. upon the account of the catholics, he will not find his account. Coleman's Letters: All Nine or Ten fit to be red. Will. Rices Letters. LXIV. 60.] They are Eleven, and said to be the E. of Barkshires, I have received them, but cannot see any thing in them material. That of March 24. 75. MC. 10. seems to be the best of them. Cardinal Norfolks Letters. LXIII. 59.] Are all in general about the satisfaction the Pope at Rome took in the D. and what shall be endeavoured and done so far as possible for him and the catholics, yet Vel. the Cardinal is name, pray red two or three of them, as shall be thought fit. Animadversions On the foregoing BREVIATS. I Begin with their Ends: Here we find Religion not only preferred by the Pope, but Duke of York also, above Concerns of Crowns and Kingdoms; and of those he so impatiently expects, and hath so long, so hotly, so primitively pursued, to the extreme hazard of his Brother and sovereigns Life, and Royal Family. Ante Diem Frater Fratris Dom. inquiratur annos. The other Conspirators also do all design and practise all things altogether for the good of the English catholics, and catholic Religion: Here they play the Devils for Gods sake. Tantum Religio potuit suadere malorum? A shane to those Clergy and Gentry, that are not as zealous to preserve and propagate the true, as they the false. The means by which they seek to bring this about, the Advance of the Duke of York to such a posture, and by such measures, as no Protestant, not Mr. Ravigni the King of France's ambassador was fit to be made privy to, or act in, which might speedily produce to the French King advantages of more than 300000 l. which was more than he valued the King and all his Party to be worth, or able to deserve, which doth strongly intimate that he was to be removed. A Foundation was to be laid by the DUke, whereon the French King might raise the Fifth Universal Monarchy, and the Papists enjoy their fanatic expectations under it without doubt: And to the same end, the Peace betwixt France and Spain was to be promoted at the Treaty of Nimegen. The Daughters of England were to be disposed of to Popish Princes, the Lady Anne to the Duke of Florence. It was a fault, though well removed by the Duke, by his Letters Excusatory to the Pope, and so cast on the King without doubt, yet not to be acknowledged, as well excused in the Popes Answer, that he might understand that all Matches into Royal Blood, and hopes thereby of inheriting Kingdoms, ought to be reserved, and will be hereafter to be disposed by his Holiness on such his Favourites, the fierce and sworn Enemies of all heretics, and their Abettors, as he should commend or approve. The late Long Parliament was to be dissolved, that the King who was not like to have another so much at his Command, might not have them to rely on, and so be compelled to stick to the Papists, and their councils to despair of help from Parliaments; or if he called a new one, they might out-bribe, and so out-vote him and his Party in Elections of Parliament men, and so in the Parliament itself with the French money: This they call buying a Parliament for the Duke, by which they hoped to make him Admiral General, and all things; and at last turn our Annual Parliaments of England into perpetual Parliaments of Paris. 1 queen. How our Hedgers will prevent the next Popish Successor of that Crown Jewel, and Inestimable Prerogative of buying and selling all his Protestant Subjects for Slaves, which is a more profitable and Honourable way, than burning them within or without their Houses. 2 queen. Whether he will sell them as the Primitive Christians to the Spanish Mines; B. C. would not out of his compassionate Conscience free them all by Habeas Corpus's, till he meet with another Lord C. J. Pophams Case. 3 queen. Whether a catholic Jury, by a second Purchase, added to a catholic Parliament by a late experiment, have not taught us, that the Writ de Heretico Comburendo taken away, hath promoted us heretics to be first hanged, and then burnt at Tyburn, if they please, for greater honour, and especial favour; after the example of the Pious and Valiant Lord Cobham, who deserved this Epitaph, Dextera per ferrum Pietas spectata per Ignes. Here I should have come to the Enumeration and Description of the Conspirators, but being they are such Strangers unto me, that I know the Duke of York no more than the Pope, and may safely take my Oath, that to my best remembrance I have rarely seen, and scarcely know any, or but two at most whom every one knows, and adorns with their dogged rhetoric; and I believe and hope they know me as little, or less: The best way I can think of for my Readers satisfaction, instead of giving their Characters, I will set down their Correspondents, by which he may Characterize them, if he pleases, in his own Thoughts. Noscitur ex Socio qui non cognoscitur ex se. But now before I come to Enumerate them, I call to mind that I know a Third, whom of all of them I wish I had never known; and he also is none of the Delights of Mankind. I begin with his Holiness; a kind, good Natured, Old Gentleman, if you can believe either the Cardinal Norfolk, or Mr. oats, not unknown to that Scarlet Hat. You may be sure he keeps Intelligence with no mean persons; and I had as leave you as I should trouble yourself to number his Briefs, Bulls, or babbles, as they signify in English, and differ little in value from those our Children blow and play withall; but that being more costly, though as empty and vain, they are sport for their Masters, the Childishly deluded Grandees of the World, with whom I leave them. The French King would be offended if he should not be Assigned the next Place after his Holiness; and he, if any Contemporary to the expected Fall of the Romish Babylon, may stand Parallel and Antitype to Nimrod the Mighty Hunter before God in our days: I doubt he hath not chosen a good Season to erect his Fifth Monarchy, nor is his Kingdom furnished with Lasting Materials for such a work; but above all, I mislike the Cement of Christian Blood, with which he seeks to fasten the Fleet in Sands, whereon he hath laid the Foundation of his Walls and Bulwarks for the defence of his Rapine, wherein he glories, as some of those Heathen Monsters, who thought themselves worthy the Name of Great conquerors, because they had been cruel bloody Butchers, and Oppressors of the Ages they lived in, and were more truly styled by sober Historians, The Scourges and Plagues of Mankind: He is the Great Patron and Protector of all our Conspirators, not excepting our vilest Enemies, and most unworthy a Kings Favour; the Assassions, Incendaries, and Massacring Villains who burnt the City of London, designed to Murder the King, and bury him with the massacred Citizens in the Ashes of that Renowned City. This is not the first time that the French Monarch hath been invited by his Jesuit Confessor to take the advantages of base Treasons, against their loving, disarmed, and peaceable Neighbours, which the Generous Romans scorned to take against their public, armed, and most dreadful Enemies. I have red some where, that Father cotton, Confessor to Hen. 11. of France, discovered to him the Gun-Powder Treason, and offered him the advantage of invading England, at the moment of that Astonishing Blow, destitute of Prince or council to Conduct them in their Defence. And the truth is, not only the Gun-Powder Treason, but the Fire of London, without some such Confederacy with France, were little less frantic than Venners Action; though the latter proved mischievous enough to our Citizens, when the Accounts of Rome and London are cast up, the Jesuits Crack of thirty thousand pound, or he fourteen thousand pound gain, may be found some one hundred thousand pound per Annum lost to their Party in a few years: And how the same Society will reward Lewis the Fourteenth at last, for not assisting them with his Land-Forces to go through their work at that time, as they expected, I neither know, nor care; but Henry the Eleventh paid his neglect to them with the expense of his dearest Hearts Blood, and disappointment to his most Glorious Designs, when best prepared for them: And some to justify their malice against him, would bear us in hand, that it was Henry's Treason against his Confessor, and his Papal Holiness, for which he deserved at their hands as many Deaths, as he saved Protestants lives, that was about thirty thousand; that gave King James the Honour of so profound a Speculation, by which he was supposed to have devined the Powder-Plot, and the happy deliverance of Himself, Queen, Family and People, from that till then unheard of Treason; if so, we owe to his Memory. But it may be this Haughty Prince never concerned himself to look in his own Person to so poor a Design as the hiring a few Rascals to fire and plunder his Neighbours Towns: For if it be true that I have heard, his Minister Lovoy knows, and hath estimated the Means and Costs of burning all his Masters Enemies out of their Towns and Cities; but whether he knew the Artifice before, or learned it at our costs in the London experiment, he hath not been suspected, that I have heard, to put it since in practise, though he ranted it at no very great sums of Crowns; and assured himself, that the Wandring Priests and friars which swarm in all populous Towns, could not stand against the Temptations of so many Lewis's, and would think the exchange very advantageous, to give Fire, and take Gold; at that rate he did Calculate it. But neither do I find that any of his great Ministers, Colbert or pompion, were concerned with these Pimping Traytors: St. Germain, and such like Correspondents, were thought sufficient to manage these Intrigues against such an inconsiderable Party as they esteemed the Kings to be; and well might, if Lauderdale and Danby were their Correspondent Pensioners, though not through-paced when slowly paid. The third place and degree in the Mystery of Iniquity, I think will be allowed to our D. of York: For Spain, he had sometimes a contrary Interest to that of our ruin, and the Emperour too far off to be feared, though his assistance be also strongly promised to our destruction by the Popes Internuncio. Albany. The King of England, for what appears here, holds indeed a secret Intelligence with the French King, but nothing is discovered in it which might not be for the public good of his own Kingdom, and all Christendom: His Correspondence with Cardinal Norfolk interceding for a Banished and Deposed Queen, may have not only compassion and courtesy, but gratitude in it. We leave him therefore to stand or fall by his Master, as he is not only above our private Ken and judgement, but out of the reach of all Courts of Judicature, even that of his Parliament, who cannot Commence any Session without his Personal Presence, if in capacity to come; and he cannot be both Judge and Party in his own Cause, in a Court where there is no Appeal. Concerning the Duke, there are two Questions, de Jure, and de Facto. De Jure, whether he may be Impeached, or no, I dispute not; De Facto, is my enquiry what he hath done to deserve it, if he be responsible. His Correspondents I find to be first the Pope, against whom the public Enemy of his King and Country not to be at enmity, at least actually to be reconciled, as this D. was by Dr. Armstrong Franciscan, is High-Treason by as good a Law of his Grandfather, as that by which, being a foreigner born, his Title to the Crown was recognised against the Right Heirs of Ed. VI. English born, under which also he must claim his Succession to the Crown of England; and this Correspondence had since the indemnity, by which he would avoid his Treasonable apostasy from the Church, and his Allegiance. His Trading with the Pope for Briefs, Beads, and Indulgences, his excusing his Daughters Marriage to his cousin of Orange; his Charming Letters, breaking the good Old Gentlemans Heart at Rome into Tears, and receiving so fine, full tender returns in babbles, Bulls, or Briefs, and promises of endeavouring all things for him, show how fit he is to Reign over Free-men, who is stooped so low, to become of a Free Prince, a Vassal and Pensioner of the See of Rome. I need not, after this, object to him his Correspondence with the French King by his Confessor, in whose pedantic hand his Advices shall be sure to be corrected only to the Concerns of home, but betrayed to their General and Society, and made Truckle under their Intrigues. His Factory and Trade with France for the catholics of England, if it signify nothing against his Brother and Sovereign whilst alive, which is scarce possible, considering his and their Temptations to make a false step or two to ascend a Throne, and advance an oppressed Church of beloved Friends, against its suspected or declared Enemies; it is a direct Conspiracy against the Law, Liberties and Religion of the Protestant Kingdom, and tends to the dissolution of the Government, and destruction of himself and Royal Brother. That we may rightly understand his Concerns in the Plot, we must consider, as far as our Letters enlightened us, his End, his Correspondents, his Actions, his Instruments, the Character they give him, and the odious comparisons, by which they extol him above his Brother; of whose virtues we have as many thankful remembrances, as we have true acknowledgements of the Dukes Vices: I wish here had been some mention of his wise council; but here Coleman is all, and inspires him with those vigorous Counsels which are necessary for catholics. N. 13. First, For his end, he professes to do all for the catholic Religion, and his catholics. N. 59. For all other English men, and their Representative Body, are his declared enemies, and designed materials only for his Valour to work on by Fire and Sword, to the attaimment of a Glorious Victory, to Usher him in Triumph into his share of the Papal Fifth Monarchy. N. 1. The means to this are; Improving the long Prorogation. Taking new measures. Such as will speedily please France, and compensate 300000 l. they advance; impossible for his inconsiderable Brother and Party to do. All which spelt together, are in one word to Kill the K. massacre his Subjects, and fire his good Towns and Cities, whether the D. will understand it so or no. Another special means to his catholic ends, was to dissolve the then Parliament, that was Killing the People in effigy in their Representative, as things then stood; and to that also, the readiest way was Killing the K. the D's. complete, expected designed Victory at one Blow. His next means and more effectual then Sword and Fire( take the Plague into) which the jesuits know easily to transport now, it is bringing up the King of France's rear, and paying his quarters in the Low-countrys of Germany, and shall not be long from us if they can help it over, is the Purchase of a Parliament with French money— Here observe why he was no friend, nor his catholics to the last long Parliament; they were pensioners, but not all for his interest, nor all pensioners. His Father hid and his catholic friend Clifford, had not in three times sufficiently deboched the People, to see themselves and their Country in a Drunken mood, nor turned out all sober men out of the Corporations, nor had money enough to buy false and double Elections; enough at once with false Sheriffs, and returns to make a Committee of Elections, six to turn out all honest men, that is all English Gentlemen whom they nickname Presbyterians by Test fair or foul play out of the Parliament. But now the craft of the Bribery, &c. being better known, and the people some degrees further deboched, after the example of the Court 300000 l. French money, as he well computed would buy a Parliament, and that once bought he never needed to throw a Fire-Ball more in the City, Protect nor give Pensions for the London Incendiaries; nor draw a a Sword against the fanatic: the terror of one Troop of Granadeers to guard such a Parliament will do his work, and make him absolute Victor over us, our Parliaments, Laws, Liberties, Lives and Religion. Oh the sordid niggardliness or folly of the Ministers of the French King; for I believe his lofty Majesty never looks so low as through this design, that complied not seasonably with this proposal, which would by a strange Metamorphosis have Converted the Kingdom of England to a catholic Kingdom, London to Paris, England unto France. His Correspondents are next to be considered; in this I have partly prevented myself, namely in his Concerns with the Pope, and we find little of his Correspondency with the French King; for though we red here of Trade and Kindness, and how much he thought to please, and how strongly he was atached to France, and their sole Factor for the catholics, and to lay a sure foundation for France to build on; yet that French Monarch seems to keep state, and not to correspond personally with him, nor by his Ministers for ought here appears, but by his Confessor, and other inferior Agents, with his Secretary Coleman. Of the Duke of Florence we find only that he is inclined to the Duke with great respect recovers upon a Proposition of a Match with Lady Anne, Num. 21. With the Cardinal Norfolk and others, he had held correspondency by Coleman his or his Dutchesses catholic Secretary, amongst whose papers, part here abstracted, were found with the inter-Nuncio Albany by Sir E. D. who assures him of special assurance from the Pope of Rome when his Affairs shall need. Num. 3. July 3.75. I have spared to set down this ingenious and learned mans name at length, but J can hardly believe my own eyes, but if he be indeed a Correspondent with Rome by Albany and Cardinal Norfolk, as I find it here expressly declared, considering the Eminent Place he hath and doth serve in, and very great Person he is related to, the great interest he hath in the Nobility and Gentry of his Country none of the least considerable in England, his Estate already settled on his Son who Voted against the Duke as I am informed, I am astonished to think in what estate the poor people of England will find it themselves, when these Pillars whereon She seemed to me to rely, and be supported most strongly and gloriously, are either rotten at heart, or thus dissemble with God and their Prince to keep their employments. And I am out of measure confounded, when I consider that in a County of so numerous and noble Gentry, he could divide the Clergy and carry a Vote against the mayor part of them: for his next relation in which his Power appears greater then if he had carried it for himself. Heu quatum Mortalia pectora— Noctis habent, And if any of the Gentlemen of that County, who so numerously Voted against his Interest, which seems strange to me can or have deterred him; I beg of them by all that is sacred, that they would apply themselves and by their Interest in his Majesties Parliament and those few friends they can any ways find and be assured of to heal our Breaches& unite all sober Protestants in the common Interest of Peace and Religion, and not bite and devour one another; for if they be not wholly devoured by one another, they will certainly expose themselves with that Party and Kingdom they are so zealous for, to be a prey to their Common Enemies. Which that God of his Infinite Mercy will prevent wholly, as he goes on to Detect wonderfully, and thereby graciously warn us to Repent, and return to Him for Protection and Safety: Is the Prayer of their poor countryman, who with Bleeding Heart, and Mournful Eyes, laments the sad Condition of his Prince and country, who seem to him Confounded by these Prodigious Traitors, to run fiercely with open Eyes to the dreadful pit of Slavery, Popery, and utter Confusion, whereunto they are Sold by them they confided in, and could not possibly expect to be so Wicked, untilthis Incredible Discovery made of their, in all Ages to be unparalleled, and for ever to be abhorred Dissimulation and sordid Treachery: From which, Good God deliver us, Amen, Amen. I come now to the D's Actions, so far as they appear here. He is Inspired, and Pressed on by his Secretary Coleman, to all Vigorous Counsels necessary for the catholics. N. 13. endeavours to be useful to the French King. N. 52. He improves the Occasion of the Prorogation for him, with Lautherdale's Advice. May 22.75. The D's Improvement of the Prorogation, was Coleman's Bribery for Votes, which the Treasurer was jealous of. The Jesuits Improvement was to Cut the King's and Subjects Throats in the mean time, if they could. He Trades and Factures with France for catholics on his own Score. N. 38.41. Throgmorton. Nov. 23. 1674. Paris. Dec. 1. 1674. Paris. Dec. 22. 1674. Paris. Was against the Treasurers Trade for himself and his King. N. 38.41. Throgmorton. Nov. 23. 1674. Paris. Dec. 1. 1674. Paris. Dec. 22. 1674. Paris. And seeks to be Sole or Chief therein, to the Exclusion of the Grand Treasurer, by the French King's Kindness and Dissolution of the Parliament, against the Treasurers Interest therein, by two pensioners: Hinc ille Laerymae. N. 38.41. Throgmorton. Nov. 23. 1674. Paris. Dec. 1. 1674. Paris. Dec. 22. 1674. Paris. He will take other Measures, wherein there will be need of the French King's Instrumentallity, as is hoped by Sheldon. July 25.75. Nn. L V. He is to be put in a Posture by the great endeavours of France( for which Ravigni is no fit Instrument to secure the French Foundation) for this he must have an ambassador wholly at his Command: Sir Ellis Leyton is a good one. July 13.29. N. 56, 57, 58. He is to be persuaded to the Blow( that is, to sign the K's Execution) to please France speedily, by his Government. N. 44, 45. He will do nothing for Spain, unless the catholics find their Account therein, Aug. 30. Sep. 24. Octob. 1. N. 58, 59, 60, 61. He gives great satisfaction to the Pope, who by Cardinal Norfolk, promises to do what is possible for him to the catholics. N. 62. He writes oft to the Pope, and very pathetically. N. 17.20.33.36. Ap. 1676. Jul. 10. Ja. 1o. 78. Jul. 27.77. Discourses with the Grand Treasurer, upon which much is built. March 22/ 76. N. 11. D. 〈◇〉 derdale privately with Cardinal Norfolk, for mentioning that Coleman is Corrected and Cautioned N. 31. Nov. 20.76. Is sure to help forward the Dissolution of the Parliament( no Friend to his Grace when the Treasurer is dubious, N. 52) yet he disappoints where he finds not his Interest as well as the Treasurer. May 22.75. N. 49. Earl of Danby, late Lord Treasurer, no friend to catholics, as was feared by Sheldon; May 22.75. N. 52. Neither was he Undertaker for him as for the D. and 〈◇〉 derdale, to improve the Prorogation for the catholics Good( that is at least) Bribing and making Votes for them. Ibid. He disappoints their Expectation, and so doth Lauderdale. N. 49. But much is laid and built on him, after his Discourse with the D. March 1675/ 6, N. 11. St. Germain. And speaking of the Papists Intrigues with France, saith the Lord Treasurer is very well disposed to the Success of this Business. March 1675/ 6. N. 6. Heaven only can and doth hitherto preserve that People, whose chief Ministers of State, entrusted with the highest Concerns of their Prince, country, and Religion, betray all to foreigners and irreconcilable Enemies. To him be Praise and Glory for ever. Amen. Lord ARUNDEL. Corresponds with the Duke of Florence. N. 15.25, 26, 27. By Mr. Leybourne, and with Cardinal Cibo; by the same. N. 19. And with 〈◇〉 and Cardinal Norfolk. N. 15. He is of the Council, and Coleman, with the Duke for carrying on the Trade, and making good Markets with France for Bribing, &c. N. 41. Dec. 22.74. And for Dissolving the Parliament. He is some Body with the French King. N. 50. PARLIAMENT. Proceedings suspected by France. N. 52. May 22.75. Their Dissolution hoped for. N. 52. May 22.75. The French King will assist against them. Ibid. Their Dissolution necessary. N. 37. Nov. 28.74. To be Dissolved for the catholic sake N. 1. Aug. 14.15. The Dukes Case with them good N. 1. Aug. 14.15. He hopes to have Victory over them. Ibid. He is to have French Money, to have a Parliament for his turn, if he will have any. N. 51. Instructions. The Parliament is advantaged by the Division amongst catholics, to avoid which, their Censure is to be deferred. Oh that we could learn this Wisdom of our Enemies. N. 5. Oct. 19.75. The Parliaments Pranks provided against by the King of France, by all means he can. N. 48. Their and our Enemies wait for their Halting, God give them Wisdom and us Patience. Their Prorogation ill for catholic Religion, in comparison of a Dissolution, but favourable by the D. of Y. and Lauderdale. N. 52. May 22.75. If Parliament Dislolved, the King will never quit the catholics Interest and Counsels. N. 39. Dec. 15.74. Here in these Private and Familiar Letters we learn to distinguish between those they publicly pretend to be Enemies to, and those whom they truly account their Enemies( that is, who they are that the Papists and French Factions do truly hate and seek to destroy) not any Parties with or Dissentors from the Church of England, whom by their bawling Agents and Pamphlets, they contiuually rail at, calumniate, and seek to divide and provoke one against another; but it is the Noble and Valiant Protestant Gentry whom they fear and hate, the Parliament, the whole Free People of England by them represented, their Laws, Libetties, and Religion, in gross by them protected, the Governours and Governed, and Government itself; which whilst it stands, the Greatness of France thinketh itself not to stand secure, nor hold his Conquest fast and sure to him. Here you may see what their Loyalty, Gratitude, and Kindness to their Good King is; others pity and cover his Infirmities: the Old Apostates, by whose favour warmed, these Snakes become Considerable and Terrible, as Throckmorton here and every where, very impertinently insulting, abusing, inveghing against him, and exposing him; but never express any Compassion towards him, or the least good wish towards him, his Affairs, or his Reformation; and make and mention him only as a Foil to his Brother, whose virtues they as insolently boast and exaggerate, as they flatteringly and knavishly conceal his Vices; which if they be not more wicked in a Subject, that pretends so much Holiness and Religion, by the hypocrisy that covers them, they are more dangerous in a Prince, and render him unacceptable and uncapable of the Government he so ambitiously seeks and aspires to, by exposing his King and country to the greatest horrors and dangers imaginable: I need not instance in any, they are too well known. I delight not in Detraction, here the reason is manifest why he and they did procure the Long Illegal Prorogation for Seventeen Months, and endeavoured then, and have since Dissolved the late Long Parliament: namely, That they might Corrupt the Government of their country, by buying to them, with French Money, the Votes of as many Electors and Members as they could draw to their Party against their country, their King, and his Party; which, as inconsiderable as they make and esteem it apart, joining oft with their country, stopped these Jehues in their furious Carrier, by which they driven Charle's Wain so madly by France to Rome; that is, by Temporal to Spiritual Vassalage and Slavery. Not a word of Presbyterians, fanatics, Sons of the Church, those misty Names of mighty use with these Jugglers, wherewith they so amuse the People in their public Writings, and strangely confounded and Divide Them, that they may not know whom to follow in their necessary Defence against these Cut-Throats; that so whilst they Massacre one Party whom they publicly pretend especially to hate, the other may not take the Alarm to trouble or oppose them. Methinks it pities me to see my Honest countrymen in that Noble Romans lamentable Condition, when in a Bloody War he sadly complained, Quem fugiam video quem sequar non video. Here to their Friends they lay off their Disguise, they glow-worm themselves, and frankly confess to one another, Their Enemies over whom they seek Victory, and with whom they will have no Peace, are the whole Body of the King and English People, Parliament and Government, as the Bulwarks of their Religion, Laws and Liberties, which they seek to Dissolve by their Desolation. These Roman Wolves fly at the Throat. In the Parliament is the Throat of the public; It is the Neck that joins the Head and Body. The King and People that conveys the Influences of Peace and Justice from the Head of every Member, they would Cut off, and for ever so separate( if possible) from one another, that thereby they might frame to themselves a Monstrous Anarchy, by leaving the Kingdom without a Head; and joining the Head to their misshapen Limbs, if they could pull down the Parliament once by Force, or Fraud, Arms or Money, and pull out their Throats. If they could Kill or Corrupt the Dogs, they would easily and at their pleasure, devour the poor Sheep. Thus much was thought necessary in this Conjuncture of Infidelity and Distrust, to undeceive the Prejudiced, confirm the Staggering, convince the Nullifidian, establish the Faithful, encourage the Drooping, vindicate the King's Evidence, awaken and cheer his Faithful Subjects to Watch and Defend him; clear and justify the last Parliament in their Honourable and just Proceedings, till the Matters and Proofs before them, much more Full and Copious, may be brought to a public Hearing and free Decision. FINIS.