The Grand Designs of the Papists, Title page – To the reader
THE Grand Designs OF THE PAPISTS, In the Reign of our late Sovereign Charles the I. And now carried on against His Present MAJESTY, His GOVERNMENT, And the PROTESTANT RELIGION.
Imprimatur. Guil. Iane, Nov. 2. 1678. LONDON, Printed by Henry Hills, Anno 1678.
To the READER.
HE must needs be a man of very slender observation and acquaintance in the World, who is surprised and startled at the news of Plots and Conspiracies against Princes, contrived and managed by the restless Emissaries of the Church of Rome. There is no new thing under the Sun, says the Wise-man. And as to the present case, we may defie the greatest Villain of the whole Order of the Iesuits to form any design, however black and execrable, barbarous and inhumane, which shall be any other than the unavoidable result of their avowed Principles, which we may gather from their Writings, and the repetition of their known Practises, which stand upon record in the Histories of former Ages. This Truth has been convincingly demonstrated by our Protestant Writers in both the parts of it: Insomuch that the Romish Factors, instead of denying the Charge, have begun to save us all further trouble, by giving fresh proof of it themselves; and by a late Traiterous design against His Majesties Person and Government, have endeavoured to confirm our Assertions by a sad and direful Experience; as thinking perhaps, that new Massacres are the most effectual course to stop the cry of the old; and that the readiest way to silence their Adversaries, is, to make them Instances of the truth of the Accusation.
It is not the design of these Papers, to give an account of the discovery of the late Plot, but onelyonly to present the Reader with the Narrative of another, against His Majesties Royal Father of Blessed Memory, so exactly resembling this which now lies under examination, that it can hardly be call'd another, being nothing else but the same thing acted over again, onelyonly with the necessary alteration of circumstances of Time, Place, and Persons.
I will not here undertake to make out the Parallel, which is so obvious to be discerned in almost all the Circumstances of the Story. The onelyonly use I shall at present make of it, is briefly this, viz. From hence to understand, who were the chief promoters of the late Troubles, and the most pernicious enemies to that Royal Martyr: The Sectaries indeed were the most visible and notorious, but they were neither the onelyonly nor the principal Actors in the Conspiracy. The Iesuits can never sit out, when such great Transactions, as Rebellions and Regicide, are going forward. And however the Papist and Fanatick are of contrary Factions, Interests, and Inclinations; yet it is natural enough, that they may both conspire (though with a different intent) to promote and carry on the very same design.
We have here a full discovery made to us, where our danger lies; nor are the Roman practises ever the less mischievous, though usually managed in a way more secret and undiscerned. What is now secretly practised in Colledges and Corners, shall (when ever opportunity serves them) be openly acted in the face of the Sun. What has been once done, may be done again. And let us not flatter our selves, that we can have any security from that sort of men, who can readily break through all Obligations of Gratitude or Religion, for propagating their Cause, though by a Massacre, or a Powder-plot, by the Murder of a King, or the Subversion of a Kingdom. The Lord in his mercy awaken us to see our danger, and in his good time make us a way to escape it; and grant, that we may all, in this our day, know the things that belong unto our peace, before they be hid from our eyes.
WHo and what the Author of this Discovery was; who the chief active Instruments in the Plot; when, and where they assembled; in what vigorous manner they daily prosecuted it; how effectually they proceeded in it; how difficult it is to dissolve or counter-work it, without special diligence, the Relation it self will best discover: Whose verity, if any question, these Reasons will enforce belief:
First, That the Discoverer was a chief Actor in this Plot, sent hither from Rome by Cardinal Barbarino, to assist Con the Popes Legat in the pursuit of it, and privy to all the particulars therein discovered.
Secondly, That the horrour and reality of the Conspiracy so troubled his conscience, as it engaged him to disclose it, yea, to renounce that bloody Church and Religion which contrived it, though bred up in, preferred by it, and promised greater Advancements for his diligence in this design.
Thirdly, That he discovered it under an Oath of Secrecie, and offered to confirm every particular by solemn Oath.
Fourthly, That he discovers the Persons principally employed in this Plot, the places and times of their secret Conventions, their manner and diligence in the pursuit of it, with all other circumstances, so punctually, as leaves no place for doubt.
Fifthly, The principal Conspirators nominated by him, are notoriously known to be fit Instruments for such a wicked design.
Sixthly, Many particulars therein have immediate relation to the King and Archbishop, to whom be imparted this Discovery, and durst not reveal any thing for truth, which they could disprove on their own knowledge.
Seventhly, Sir William Boswel, and the Archbishop, if not the King himself, were fully satisfied that it was real, and most important.
Eighthly, Some particulars are ratified by the Archbishops testimomony, in the Memorials of his own Life, written with his own hand some years before; and others so apparent, that most intelligent men in Court or City, were acquainted with them whiles they were acting, thoughignorant of the Plot.
The first Overture and larger Relation of the Plot it self, were both writ in Latin, as they are here Printed, and faithfully translated word for word, as near as the Dialect will permit. All which premised, the Letters and Plot here follow in order.