Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 84 – Letter 106

Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light · Letter 84 – Letter 106

p. 136SIR, &c.

YOU say nothing of the motion made in the House of Commons, that the King should be moved to with-hold the monies he is pleased to allow Master Secretary: You will receive from my Unckle a Petition, which I cannot but hope will produce some good effect,NOTE. if it be accompanied with some hearty recommendation, from the King, which must be done one of th…se foure wayes; either by his Majesties going to the House, sending for the House to him, sending for the Speaker alone, or by commanding the Counsellours of the Hous… to recommend it in his name; each of these foure wayes as they stand, being more effectuall then the other, but the latter must be done of necessity, though any of the former wayes be taken; for their effectuall speaking in the businesse will be of good use. I doe not understand what there can be objected against the delivery of the Petition being so modest, since if it doe not succeed so well as to obtaine an absolute end of the businesse, yet this benefit we cannot saile of by it, that he will discover so much of their inclination as to give a judgement thereupon, what we are like to trust to:NOTE. I am confident you will find all assistance from the Queen, and so God speed it: when once it is delivered, it must be solicited as heartily as recommended, for the least flacknesse in the solicitation of it will much prejudice the businesse; his Majesty appearing in it onelyonly at the delivery of the Petition will not be sufficient, but …e must be pleased to continue his favour till it be brought to some resolution, &c.

Sir, Your, &c. Ro. Read. Paris 2. Aug. 1641.

SIR,

I Perswade my selfe the conjuncture is now proper for it (the Petition) since this late occasion hath begotten so good an intelligence between the Queen and both Houses; NOTE.and besides, it is said they are upon Counsels in favour of the Roman Cath… liques, &c.

Sir, your, &c. Ro. Read Paris 9. Aug. 1641.

TOm. &c. I returned you the Petition altered, though not altogether in those words that his Majesty directed, NOTE.being of opinion (with submission neverthelesse to better judgement) that the House will never be a meanes for any pardon or abolition, but if they will give way to it, I can expect no more, and I have reason to beleeve there will be n… impediment. And for that which was formerly inserted, that I desired it of them, it could not well beare other sense, then that I …aved their consents, or what was in them to grant, without which I knew it could not be, and with which it was probable there would be no difficulty, it being likewise to be pres…ed, I could not be so ignorant in a businesse so publike and obvio…s, as to thinke the power of abolition could rest onelyonly in them, but onelyonly that their liking was necessarily to be precedent to others: Howsoever, I am exceeding glad the Petition was not presented, and doe bold his Majesties opinion full of wisdom… and favour to me, NOTE.in stirring the businesse as little as may be, and therefore though I send backe the Petition; I wish it should be laid by and not made use of at all untill expresse order from me. For the Motion you intended to make p. 137forbbTo … a Ship, I wish it had been forborne: such a favour from his Majesty (if he should have granted it) being likely to have raised more noise, and brought more prejudice upon his Majesty.

Yours, &c. Francis Windebanke. Paris 23. Aug. 1641.

The Petition intended to be … to the House mentioned in this Letter, is this following.

To the Right Honourable the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses assembled now in Parliament.

The humble Petition of Francis Windebanke, Knight.

Sheweth:

THat whereas the Petitioner is charged, that he hath caused to be … and delivered out of prison sundry Romish Priests, and done other things … the Roman Party, of which there is none that better understands how farre he is … then the Kings Majesty.NOTE. And whereas among his many grievous sufferings since this his misfortune, there is … that afflicts him so much as, That this honourable House hath taken offence at this, or any thing else that hath passed on his Minstry wh…le he had the honour to be … his Majesty.

He most humbly bese…heth this honourable House, in regard that his late Father and himselfe have served the Crowne of England neere these fourscore yeers, and have had the honour to be implyed by the late Queen Elizabeth, King Iames, and his now Majesty, in businesses of great trust, they will be pleased to make the most favourable construction of his services, seeing he had no ill intention, nor hath offended willingly or maliciously; and so to take him and his poore innocent Wife and Children into their commisseration, that he may not con…e in forraigne parts that little fortune which was left him by his Father, and to which he hath made so small and inconsiderable an addition that he and they must perish, if he continue to languish in exile out of his owne Country. And further, most humbly desireth, that this honourable House would be a meanes that he may have an abolition and pardon for whatsoever is past, and permission to returne to safety into England, to passe that little time which … of his life privately in peace, and in the Church of England, whereof he will in life and death continue a true Member, and in which he desireth to bestow the rest of his time in devotion for the prosperity thereof, for the good of the State and for happinesse to attend the Councels, and resolutions of this honourable House.

This Petition being sent into England and here approved, was sent inclosed in a letter from Mr. Tho. Windebanke to Master Basely, to be presented to the House when ever they should fall on his businesse; of which his Secretary Read writ over his opinion in this confident manner to Master Tho, Windebanke.

SIR, &c.

I Being confident that there is no man … England but will be satisfied in his conscience that nine moneths banishment and the losse of the Secretaries place, is a farre greater punishment then any thing my Unckle has done can deserve,NOTE. considering all has been done upon command.

Sir, your, &c. Ro. Read. Paris. 16. Aug. 2641.

This Petition (it seems) was not presented, whereupon Master Read writ thus … Master Tho. Windebanke.

p. 138SIR,

SInce this opportunity of setting our businesse on foot is …, there is no more to be done, but to hope that it will not be called upon till the Kings returne; in the … it is a great comfort to my Uncle to see the continuance of his Majesties … him&c.NOTE.

Sir Yours, &c. Ro, Read. Paris 23. Aug. 1641

After this, Secretary Windebanks Lady and his Sonne arrived in France and lived in Paris, but his Sonne returning shortly after … to Court, he writ thus to him, concerning the English Fugitives, not Parliament proofe here, and the generall favour there indulged to him.

TOM, &c. Since your departure hence, the Cardinall hath been moved by Monseiur de …eneterre, at the solicitation of Master Foster, that The English now here, and fled hither to avoid the storme in England, might be freed from that law of confiscation of their Estates, in case they come to dys here, which we and other strangers are liable unto here, and hath left it to those of the Nation, to settle by what me…es themselves shall thinke best,NOTE. assuring that the King shall grant it in any ample manner, a…dwithall the advantagious and firme conditions that can be desired: This is a very gre…s priviledge to the Nation, and hath been granted with so much cheerfulnesse and expression of resentment of our condition, that I wish her Majesty will be pleased in those letters which shee will vouchsafe to honour me to the King her …rother, to take notice of it, and to acknowledge it; and if her Majesty shall likewise please in a word or two to Monseiur de Seneterre to give him thanks for his readinesse in it, and to honour me with the Commission of delivering it, I shall hold it a very great favour, and it will be a powerfull motive to him to … his good Offices to the Nation, which I assure you are very much to be valued considering his interest in the Cardinall. What else her Majesty shall please to adde to him concerning my selfe,NOTE. I most humbly subm…t to her wisdome and goodness: If you shall have delivered my letters to her Majesty before these come to your hands you may take some occasion to wait upon her Majesty againe, and with presentation of my most humble services so acquaint her Majesty herewith.

YOURS, &c. Francis VVind…banke. Paris 8. November 1641.

TOM. &c. Before his departure, I made meanes to M…seiur de Chavig…y (for Monseiur Seneterre is not yet returned) to be presented to the King, and to deliver her Majesties letters;NOTE. he seemed to entertaine the motion with extraordinary readiness and desire to …rve the Queen, and to doe me that honour, &c. But I doe make account to take some time to wait upon the Queen here at Saint Germanes and deliver the letter into her owne hands: This you may make knowne to her Majesty there, when occasion shall be presented.

YOURS, &c. FRAN. WINDEBANKE. Paris 31. January 1642.

Many such passages I find in Secretary Windebanks and Reads letters to his Sonne at Court, (over-tedious to recite) conveied hither for the most part under the Earle of Leicesters and Burlamachies cover, and some others; but by these forementioned, you may discerne what favour and respect this Secretary hath found both abroad and at home for his releasing, protecting Priests, Jesuits, Papists, and by whose commands he justifies he did it, who have bin very indulgent to him for it, if those Letters under his owne hand may be credited: And thus much for the releasing onelyonly of Priests and Jesuits, charged in Parliament on this Secretary; whose correspondency with Rome and the Popes N…e…oes you shall heare of further ere long.

p. 193How many letters of grace were granted to the most noted Recusants to stay all prosecutions and proceedings against them before and after their Inditements, you may read in my Royall Popish Favourite, where many of them are recorded, and in Master Glins report 1 Dec. 1640. in the Commons Journall, who reported to the Commons House from the Committee concerning Secretary Windebanke, that there were 64 Letters of grace to stay prosecution against Papists, directed to severall Officers and Iudges, short entries whereof were made in the Signet-Office, and that his house was the place of resort for Priests and Iesuits: Many of these letters of grace and discharges of Priests were gained upon petitions to the King or Queene, presented to them by this Secretary, in whose Trunks they have since been found. Among others, I find a petition of the Lord Viscount Mountgarret (now one of the principal Rebels in Ireland) and of his Ladies, with a draught of a letter of grace inclosed therin for the discharge of all proceedings against them upon an inditement for Recusancy, found against them both at Coventry, with other petitions of Recusants; as namely, of Master Richard Foster, Master Tankred and others, for the abatement of their compositions made with the King for Recusancy in the North, where the compositions of the Lord Viscount Dunbarr, Master Anthony Metcalfe and William Green had formerly been abated; Besides, those Recusants who compounded at low rates in the North (as you have seen) got them abated lower afterwards, and obtained speciall protections from the Commissioners against all future prosecutions, of which I shall give you but one president at large, in the case of Sir Henry Merry.

…OM. DERBY,

WHereas Sir Henry Merry of Barton in the Country of Derby Knight, being a convicted Recusant, hath personally appeared before his Majesties Commissioners, authorized to compound for the forfeitures of the lands and goods of Recusants, convicted within this and other Counties; at the Mannour of Saint Mary, neare the wals of Yorke, the 15. day of August instant, and hath made composition for an annuall rent, to be paid unto his Majesty for all his Mannours, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, with the appurtenances within the severall Counties of Derby and Leicester, and for all arrerages due for the same; and therefore by his Majesties instructions is no further to be disquieted or troubled with vexatio…s informations upon any lawes made against Recusants for his Recusancy onelyonly, so long as he shall duly pay unto his Majesty the rent so compounded for; therefore his Majesties said Commissioners by force of the said composition aforesaid, doe herby require you to take notice of the composition aforesaid, and of his Majesties pleasure in that behalfe.

Dated at the Mannour aforesaid, the said 15. day of August 1634. per Warrant Commissionar. Cha. Radcliffe Clericus Commiss.

To the Sheriffs of the County of Derby and Leicester, and to his Majesties Commissioners of inquiry of lands and goods of Recusants convicted within these Count…es & to all other his Majesties Officers and Ministers whom the premses may concerne, and to every of them.

For staying proceedings upon inditements, I shall give you but two or three instances here (omitted in my Popish Royall Favourite) to wit, the Lord chiefe Iustice Richardsons Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in the Kings-Bench, for stay of an Inditement against the Lady Parkins, and Iohn Gibbons, for sending her Daughter beyond sea to be a Nunne, the Copy whereof was sent to Windebanke, who procured it.

Mr. Fanshaw and Mr. Keeling.

ACcording to his Majesties gracious command to me,NOTE. signified by Master Secretary Windebanke, that no further proceedings shall be had upon an inditement against Dame Mary Parkins and Iohn Gibbons, in Michaelmas Terme last, for sending or carrying Mistresse Penelope Parkins, the said Dame Mary Parkins Daughter beyond seas to be a Nunne, contrary to the Statute. These are to will and require you to make the Roll of the Record thereof, and to enter a Cesset processus thereupon, that no p. 140further proceedings be had upon the said Inditement accordingly, for which this shall be your warrant, and so I rest

Your loving friend, Thomas …. From …-Inne this 13. of May

To this I shall adde the same chiefe Iustice his letter to Secretary Windebanke, concerning his staying of Processe against one Lovet.

May it please your Honour;

IT is most true that the businesse concerning Lovet was recommended to my care,NOTE. I have done therin whatsoever was in my power to performe and there hath not been wanting in me the lest duty to either of their Majesties commands; but he being indited of felony for receiving and harbouring of a Priest (and the Priest himselfe) of treason in the same inditement; I cannot discharge him thereof but in a legall way, which is, either by exception to the inditement for insufficiency, or by a legall tryall, or by his Majesties gracious pardon; that which was in my power (being onelyonly to stay Processe and proceedings) I have done, and all his goods which were seized and taken from him, I have long since caused to be restored unto him againe, but nothing will please him, unles…e he may be actually freed and discharged of the inditement, which is not in my power to doe; I have directed him the best course I can, but he will take no way but his owne, and that is to overthrow his inditement by exception to the sufficiency of it in poynt of law; to which end he hath moved me to have a copy of it, which I have been willing and ready with all my heart to grant him, but I could not do it without the consent of master Atturney Generall, it being in a cause neerly concerning the King for felony and treason; I mooved master Atturney Generall for him in his owne presence, who vvished him to attend him at his Chamber, but whether he hath done so or no, I knovv not, for he never comes at me, but as it seems, deales maliciously vvith me under hand, I being as desirous to doe him all the good I honestly and justly may, as ever I vvas to doe any man in my life; for besides my humble duty and service to both their Majestyes, he is a man for some reasons I doe particularly love and affect. This is all that I can write, and therefore vvith most humble thanks to your Honour for your favour,NOTE. vvhichwhich I shall never cease to acknowledge and vvith remembrance of my most humble duty and service, I humbly take my leave and rest

Your Honours most humble and faithfull Servant to becommanded Thomas Richard…. Ba…king 30. May 1634.

Mich. xiij. Caroli Regis. Brownlow,

Ordinat. …st per Cur.Farrington querens, &c. versus Ant. Ingle…ield Ar. quatuordecem die Octobris quod cesset omnis prosecutio inter dictas partes super omnibus Informationibus & actionibus debiti quibuscunque concernentibus Recusantiam …psius Ant.

per Cur.

This yeere we began to have more intimate publike correspondency and trading with Rome then formerly, and on Aug. 7. Bishop Laud being nominated Archbishop of Canterbury by the King, upon the death of Dr. George Abbot, had a serious offer made to him by one who avowed ability to performe it (and therefore doubtlesse a speciall Agent from the Pope) to be A CARDINALL, and a second serious offer of this dignity. August 17. as appeares by his ownaaSee the Breviate of life, p. 1…. Diary. About which time Master Walter Mountague, under pretence of some disgust taken at Court, departed hence privately into France, and from thence towards Rome; by the way he professed himselfe a Papist, and let fall some words, that his designe was for Rome, to reconcile us to it upon the best and fairest termes: As soone as he entred Italy▪ he was most honourably entertained, presented, feasted, and brought on his way towards Rome in very great state and solemnity by all the Italian Princes & States neer whom he passed, and arriving at Rome, was there magnificently received by the Pope and his Cardinals▪ with whom he had private conferences sundry houres together, taking place of all the English then in Rome, as a kind of extraordinary Ambassadour sent from hence; he was daily courted, p. 141visited, feasted with much respect by the Pope and Cardinals, and having dispatched his negotiation there, he was sent for thence to the Court, under pretence of being Vicechamberlin to the Queen, which place was then voyd by death; but soon after he went into France, and there entred into a Monastery for a time (as did then Sir Kenelm Digby) to make himself more capable of a Cardinals Cap; of which it was then voyced he had a promise. The Pope upon his Negotiation at Rome, Oct. 10. 1634. sent over a special Nuncio into England, called Signior Gregorio Panzani, to labour a reduction of us to the vassalage of the Church of Rome, whobbAs the Book entituled The Popes Nuntio, wri… by the Ve…tian Emb…ssadou…, rel…tes p. 7. arrived here at London Dec. 25. 1634. He saluted first the Queen, after that the King, who received and treated him with much kindnesse telling him that he was very welcome, his Majesty remaining uncovered during all the discourse and entertainment; he was entertained, treated with, under the Notion of a Nuncio, residing in and about London, he had frequent accesse to the Court and great persons, to seduce and worke them to his ends; how farre he preceeded in this designe, you may read in the late printed Books intituled, The Popes Nuncio, and The English Pope; what recourse he had to Secretary Windebanke, and what favours he obtained from him in behalfe of the Roman Catholikes, will best appeare by his owne gratulatory letter sent to this Secretary from Rome, after his departure hence, the originall whereof written by the Nuncio himselfe in Italian (thus indorsed with Windebanke owne hand, …1. May 1637. Seignior Gregorio Panzani from Rome, rec. 22 Iune, our stile.) I found among his papers, and have here faithfully exhibited to publike view in English as worthy to be known, as it was afterwards englished and given in evidence upon Oath at the Archbishops triall.

Most excellent Sir, Patron most honoured.

I Would have retained my selfe from writing to your most illustrious Lordship, for feare of being to you some impediment, I knowing your many occupations; but I having heard from many persons, and in particular by letters of Seignior Francisco, sometimes my Secretary, the honourable mention that otherwhiles your most illustrious Lordship is wont to make of my person; NOTE.and having also oftentimes understood from the most famous Seignior Cavaliere Hamilton, and from Father John the Benedictin, how much your most illustrious Lordship straineth himself in favouring of me, I have been forced to commit this rude civility, taking in hand my pen to give you trouble;NOTE. I assure your most famous Lordship that I live so much obliged unto you, th… I shall never be able to pretend to satisfie to one and the least particle of that which I owe, seeing that during my abode in London, most rare were those dayes, in which I did not receive from your most illustrious Lordship some grace in the behalfe and favour of the poore Catholikes.. I must also congratulare my selfe with your most famous Lordship, concerning the most noble manners and behaviours of your Lordships Sonnes, the which with their singular modesty, and other most laudable vertues have gained such an opinion, amongst them that have knowne them in this Court, that I could never be able to expresse it, NOTE.and the Lord Cardinall Barberino in particular cannot satiate himselfe in praising them. It grieves me, not to have had the fortune to meet with them in this City, because willingly I would have attested my devotion towards your most famous Lordship; to the which, and to all your most illustrious family, I rest, desiring eternall felicity from Heaven. In the meane while, I humbly entreat you to favour me with some commandement, and I kisse your hands.

Your most illustrious Lordships most devout and most obliged Servant, Greg. Panzani. From Rome the 31. of May 1637.

By this letter you may discerne what intimacy Windebanke had with, and what daily favours he bestowed upon this Nuncio during his abode in London, what curtisies he did for the papists here, what correspondency he kept with Romanists abroad, and what entertainment respect his sonnes then received in the Popes Court from his Creatures for his sake; of which more in due place.

Among the Arch-bishop of Canterbury his papers, I found the copy of a letter said to be written to the Pope, thus indorsed with his owne hand:

Rece. Octob. 15. 1635. A copy of the letter which is reported King Charles did write to Pope Urban the eighth, about the restitution of the Duke of Loraigne.

p. 142Rex magnae Britanniae, &c. Sanctitatisu… Vrbano octavo salutem, &c. Anno 1634.

Maxime Pontifex;

DOmus Lotharingiae, Olim, & modo Principum Regumque mater vinculatrahit dura, as in captivitatem ducitur, orbe spectante & …: Sanguis mihi (optime Pontifex) in venis salit, quem a domo Letharingiae hausi, pulsantque mihi violentes motu… praecordia, dum consanguineos meos Duces, pa…riae sedibus spoljatos …, & hostili… graviter pass…s; sanguis cum in Nobis idem sit, & atiam amor, distrahor tamen affectibus, hinc cognati Lotharingiae oppressi jacent, inde frater me…s triumphator; sed… ut eorum calamitates violenta manu, foveam necesse erit ut hunc …: Itaque pressus utrinque amore, c…gor ad mediationes aliorum Principum confugere, ut amicitiam inter bos mihi caros concilie…, bella amore extinguens, non aliter sane extinguenda nisi faed… sanguinis Christiani effusione. Ad te ergo (Urbane Pontifex) quem omni humanitatis cultu, u… optimum Principem existimavi, revertor; cum hi Principes potestatem tuam … agnoscere videantur, se oves, te que Pastorem suum; …pera igitur (Sanctitatem suam ita obiestor) hisce this Filijs, Patris ut suam vocem andientes, armis sepos…s pace… Christianam meant, exteris que Principibus authoruate… tuam agnoscentibus obedient… exempla sint… Deponatur, te sedente, quodcunque inter illos violentum, sedatique redd…ntur hereditate su… cegnati Duces, caeterique Lotharingiae domus Principes reponantur in avita… sedis. Hoc incumbit tuae in illos potentiae. Curabit preculdabio paterna manus filiorum suorum vulnera, praedicabitque Christianus orbis Urbano …ontfice Roman… domn… Lotharingiam ex qua fere omnes Christiani Principes …lori do…ari, pr…stinae & vitaerestitui. Tot vero inter Reges & Principes, qui hanc Christianissimans domum matrem agnoscunt, Ego V…bano principi optimo, una … illis gratias immortales agam, quodque huic domus Parent… meae a Sanctitate sua…prestabitur, tanquam mihimet meisque Coronis praestitum, grato animo agnoscam. Eterim fatendum est, nihil mihi Contigisse gravius quam optimae illius domus mihi conjunctissimae contemplar… ruinam.

This letter perchance was but a civill complement for a civill end.

About this time Secretary Windebanks (as I conceive) or some other great person, desired to be resolved from Rome of the Popes good affection to the King, which some here questioned: to which be received this answer thence in Italian (sound among Windebanke papers) and it seem… to be written by Cardinall Barberino, with whom this Secretary held intelligence.

Concerning the demand made to your Lordship, if the Pope loveth the King? I answer, That his Holinesse loves his Majesty better th…n any thing in this world: better then any N…phewes,NOTE. then all my whole Family, and better then any whatsoever thing or Family belonging to his Beatitude, or any Potentate that is: And this is a love not onelyonly proceeding from a Soveraigne Bishop, but proper to his Holinesse; A good counter-sign… or testimony hereof your Lordship may see, in those sine verses made by his Holinesse upon the death of the Queen, Grand-Mother of this King.… I have seen, and shall see oftentimes testimonies, to wit, the teares which his Holinesse many times hath shed for the reunion of … person to our holy Religion, the which our Lord sheddeth every time that I relate unto him, what your Lordship writes to me.

VponUpon this forenamed entercourse with Rome by mutuall Agents, they began at Rome to have very good opinion of our favourable inelinations towards them; as may appeare by these passages written from Venice by Master William Middleton (Chaplaine to the Lord Fielding then English Ambassadour there) to Doctor Loud Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in whose Study the originall was seized.

Right Honourable and most Reverend, &c.

WHiles I was writing, there came a franciscan Fryar to my selfe, his businesse was this: A mind, he told me he had to leave these parts, and with them the Religion herein used; that I should doe him a great favour would! procure him a passage for England either by sea or by land, &c. NOTE.I fell to question him, whether, and when he had been at Rome? he told me, in Iune and Iuly last past; I asked him how the affaires …ent there? he told me, Their opinion of us was, that his sacred Majesty was favourable p. 143to the Catholiques, that SOME GREAT ONES ABOVT HIM, were so to, or IN HEART MORE;aaThe Archbishop himselfe. ONE he names, concerning whom as at home, so abroad (as of old of the best of men) there was much … among the people; for some said he was a good man, others said nay, he deceiveth the people, &c. There is, as I am informed by a discreet Gentleman at Florence, a Jesuit lately returned from England to Rome, who pretend… to have made a strict discovery of the state of England as it stands for Religion: how King is disposed, how Queene, what Lords are of the Puritan faction, what not… but by name, his honour o… Dorset and Pembroke are strong for Precisians. He sayes that the Puritan… are shrendfellowe…,NOTE. but those which are counted good Protestants are faire conditioned honest men, and think they may be saved in any Religion; I am promised the relation written; if it come to my hands, and there be any thing in it worthy your Graces view, I shall hereafter humbly present it to you, as now my selfe,

Your … most humble and most obedient Servant William …. The letter is thus indorsed with Master Dels hand, Recepi. Octob. 9. 1635.

Soone after this I find a paper of intelligence written to Secretary Windebanke from Rome the 29. of December 1635. wherein there is this passage; There is a …ew Ambassadour from England arrived in this Court (Major Bret as I conceive) for whom there was a speciall lodging provided and entertainment at the publike cost.

What his businesse was, but to negotiate a reconciliation I know not; which proceeded so far that it was generally reported at Rome, we should have an English Cardinal, and it was conceived by some Roman Catholike that the Arch-bishop had a hand in sending Bret to Rome, as is evident by this letter of Master Middleton, from Venice, to the Arch-bishop himselfe informing him hereof.

Right honourable and most reverend &c.

IN Rome there is great talke of an English Cardinall; and the man who is already … Catholicke must be the man,NOTE. Mr. Mountague. Your Lordship I know will … if not at this yet at that I shall now write. A Catholick discoursing with me let a word fall and this it was; That within this twelve monethmonth the Pope did wish, that his sacred Majesty of England were, at once his trusty s…nne for thou he would not be used a… he … by French or Spaniard; the same party did not aske the question but only thus, I wonder whether my Lord of Canterbury have any hand in the sending of Serjeant Major Bret to Rome? I answered because (I saw he was fishing) surely no, because,NOTE. as you know, it is written he comes from the Queen, and in her name; Rome is very kind to our English Gentlemen; I humbly entreat your Graces pardon, if in a desire to let nothing I heare scape your knowledge, I must lowly offer unto you such things as will make you lose so much time as you shall read the Letter: but though your Lordship lose a little time, let not me, I beseech you, loose that good opinion which I hope you have conceived of

Your Graces most really devoted and obedient Servant William Middleton. December 21. 1635.

In these two letters there are some clauses concerning Francis…us de Sa…ta Clara his book▪ intituled, Deus. Natura & Gratia, written purposely & printed in England to reconcile us to Rome, and afterward licensed and printed at Rome it selfe, to this end; though the Jesuits did some of them dislike it, as over-moderate, of which more in its due place.

In the yeer 1636. Signior Gregorio Panzani the Popes Nuncio in England, and Major Bret, our English Agent at Rome, being discharged of their negotiations, Signior … a Scot) was appointed by the Pope to succeed Panzani at his Nunciog…rio▪ and Sir William Hamilton (a Scot too) sent hence Leger to Rome; what letters▪ present…, pictures he carried with him from hence and from whom is worthy inquiry. That Windebanke … were privy to this succession and negotiation, will appeare by this letter of … Phi…lips (the Queen… Confessor) to him, the originall whereof found among his …, is ready to be produced thus indorsed with Windebanks owne hand, 9 Iune 1636. Father Phillips rec. 10.

p. 144Right honourable;

YEster night after your honours departing from Hampton Court, I received this inclosed: the Gentleman who sent it to me from Paris writeth, that Sir William Hamilton departed from thence the 3. of Iune, NOTE.that is our 24. of May, so that now he must be heere unto Rome: He writeth also, that Seignior Georgio Conco, whom the Pope doth send to the Queen, was to depart from Rome, about the …0. of May; if he have heard of Sir Williams hasty going, it may be he will stay till his arrivall which I could wish, because he both can and would help him better at the beginning then any other I know; I rest ever

Your Honours most humble and devoted Servant, R. Phillips. From Ha…pton-Cou…t the 9. of June 1636.

Sir William Hamilton soone after arrived at Rome as English agent there, where he had special lodgings provided for him, and a pension of 500. l. per annum granted to him in another Hamiltons name, out of the Exchequer here for his service there. Before this time the Congregation of propagating the Faith at …ome, having good hopes of the conversion and reduction of England to their obedience, constituted Cardinall Barbarino Nephew and Vice Chancellour to the late deceased Pope, …a…ron and Protector of the English and Scottish Nation, as CardinallaaSee p. …09. …dovisius was of the Irish, who to facilitate their designe erected a speciall society of foure orders or Jesuits in England, whereof the Popes Legat for the time being residing in England was the chief Patron, and Cardinall Barbarin… the principall Superintendent, as you may read more at large in mybbPage …3, See. Romes Master-piece, from one who was privy to the plot, & sent over hither by Cardinall Barbarino to assist Con; this Cardinall held intimate correspondence wi…h Windebanke, as is apparant by the forementioned letter of Panzani, and by these ensuing passages in Master Thomas VVindebankes letter to him from Rome, wherein he thus expresseth his entertainment at Rome by Sir William Hamilton and this Cardinall, to his Father.

Sir,

MY most humble duty remembred, &c. Sir William Hamilton hath been pleased to put so great an obligation upon me as to invite me to his house, for the time that I am in Rome: I would very willingly have avoyded the putting him to such an inconvenience, but he pressed it so farre, that I could not refuse the receiving of that favour; the Cardinall Barbarino, I understand, HATH LONG EXPECTED ME HERE, having had notice of my being in Italy; and I am afraid THAT OUT OF RESPECT TO YOU, he will put some honour upon me, but I will avoid all ingagements as much as with civility I may, &c.

Your most obedient Sonne Thomas Windebanke. Rome the 6. Septemb. stilo novo 1636.

The originall letter is thus indorsed, with Secretary Windebanks owne hand, 6 Sept. 1636, Tom. from Rome receiv. 22 our stile. Answ. 23. directed to Sir Iohn Borough… at Ratisbone. This Letter was seconded with another, thus endorsed by him, 10. Sept. 1636. Tom. from Rome, rec. 30. Sept. our stile.

SIR,

MY most humble duty remembred: in my last of the 6. of this present, I have given an account of my arrivall at Rome, and of the favour Sir William Hamilton was pleased to doe me, to invite me to his house; this note, he did it with so much earnestnesse, that I could not avoyd the receiving of the honour. I have beene to visit the Cardinall Barbarino, who having had notice of my arrivall here, sort to visit me first. He is so obliging and courteous to all our Nation that I the lesse wonder as the honour he doth me, NOTE.to take notice of me; but I hope his favours will stay there; I see no reason I should thinke otherwise, &c.

Your most obedient Sonne, Tho. VVindebanke. Rome the 10 of Sept. stilo novo, 1636.

p. 145About this time the same yeare an English Friar then residing in Rome, Reader of Divinity in the Covent of Saint Mary de Ara Caeli, stiling himselfe, Ludovicus â Sancta Maria, published certaine Theologicall conc…usions in print, to be there publickly disputed, dedicated to Cardinall Barberino, with his armes in Copper, & a Cardinalls Cap, over them for a crest; and Roman antiques supporting them: on the left hand were the armes of the King of England standing lower then the Cardinalls, supported in like maner, cut in Copper & standing over the conclusions, to which there was this title in Capitals, Eminentissime et reverendissimo Principi, Francisco Cardinali Barberino, sanctae Romanae ecclesiae Vice-Cancellario, R R. ANGLIAE, SCOTIAE, nec non Seraphiae Religionis PROTECTORI, VIGILANTISSIMO. Fra…er Ludovicus à sancta Maria ANGL VSUS. D, D. D. Then followes a short dedication of these Conclusions to him, which begins thus; MAGNAE BRITANIAE PATRONO MAXIMO, et Britanicae Nationis, & Minorum Familiae minimus, Theologiam devovet suam, &c. CONCLVSIONES THEOLOGICAE, &c. ROMAE, ex Typographia Ludovici Grignani, 1636. Superiorum permissu, By which glorius printed paper it is evident, that they were now so bold with us at Rome, as to proclaime this Cardinall; The greatest Patron and most vigilant Protector of the English and Scottish Nation, and Realme of England, and to place his Armes above the Kings. This Frier, whose right name was Kerton, alias Morton, soon after this came over into England, where notwithstanding his vowed chastity, he was so excessively given to the flesh, defiling not only Maids, but maried Woemen, that he was enforced to leave the Realme, as appeares by this Minute of Instructions, written with Secretarie Windebankes owne hand, for his Son Mr. Tho. Windebanke when he went into France to negotiate the Palsgraves enlargement.

To specifie, that Master Kerton, here called Morton, in his order called Ludovicus à sancta Maria, did live so most wickedly in England since his being Priest, in drawing maryed Women and others to sinne carnally, NOTE.and committed such horrible A…ts in prosecuting his lust, that if he commeth hither againe, he will assuredly be publiquely punished according to the Lawes, to the great scandall of his Religion; therefore let them be told there that they prevent his returne. If you heare Father Francis his Booke or person touched, let them know, that we understand assuredly, that it proceedeth from the Iesuites, who imploy others in it, as they did against Father Leander▪ till it cost him his life; and if that upon their Informations, they proceed against such persons who though in all things Catholique, yet are more discreet and temperat, and not intermedling with matters of State,NOTE. THAT THE KING WILL BE MVCH OFFENDED. Write to Mr. Secretary Cooke any thing that is good, except the most secret Passages.

By this Minute of Instructions, you may clearely discerne, not only the Le…dnes of this Leacherous Fryer, but that this Secretary held corespondency with those of his order in foraigne parts, advising them not to permit him to come over againe into England, to prevent punishment and scandall to their Religion: That he was a great Patriot of Franciscus a Sancta Clara his Booke (writ purposly to reconcile us to Rome) and that the Iesuites prosecution of him for it, would be very displeasing to himselfe and the King to, and to informe the Roman party so much at Paris.

But to returne to Rome, Mr. Thomas Windebanke at his being there received a Trunke with sundry things in it sent from Cardinall Barberino to Con, the Popes Nuntio, which must be conveyed to Secretary Windebankes Agent Richant, to avoyd search, the truth whereof is manifest by his Sons owne Letter thus endorsed by him: 26. March, 1637. Tom from Padua, Re. 8. Aprill our stile.

SIR.

I Gave advise in some of my former of a Trunke I sent from Livorno into England unto Mr. Richant to be delivered unto you, but have not as yet received any Newes of the arrivall of it: I sent not the Keyes, as not desirous it should be opened untill my comming home,NOTE. because few of the things in it are mine, but the CARDINALL p. 146BARBERINES TO MASTER CON: he told me there was no hast in the delivery of them so that I might doe it my selfe, &c.

Your most obedient Sonne, Thomas Windebanke. Padoa the 26. March, Stilo no. 1637.

IN June following this Cardinall sent a statue from Rome into England for this Secretarie or some**See Romes Master-peece. pag. 16. greater persons use, of which the Lord Scudamoore then Leget Embassador at Paris gave him this advertisement in a Letter written with his owne hand, (endorsed with Windebanks, when received.)

Right Honourable, here is come to Paris one Mr. Chambers with the statue from Cardinall Barberine, another, the servant of him that made the Statue comming along in company to take it forth, but no where upon any termes till it be in England: upon Munday next, Mr. Chambers purposeth to set forward for Deep, &c.

Your Honours to Command I. Scudamoore. Paris Iune 16. 1637.

In Aprill 1639. Another of Secretary Windebankes sonnes being at Rome, writ thus from thence in an Italian Letter to him, (manifesting what respect and corespondency he had there among the Roman Catholikes:) Most deare Father, I salute you, &c. Especialy not being in any place my selfe, where I am not looked upon by all those that professe themselves SERVANTS, of your most Illustrious Honour: HERE IN ROME your most illustrious Lordship hath many, amongst the which, Sir Will. Hamilton, Signior Gregoria Panzani, Note.(the Popes first Nuncio in England) and Father Iohn (agent for the English Bernedictines) kisse yor hands, &c.

From Rome the 15th, of Aprill: 1639. Your most observant Son. Christopher Windebanke.

By all these Passages and Letters, it is very evident, what Intelligence this Secretary held with the Catholike party in Rome, what respect he and his received from them, and what a freind he was to their agents and friends here.

On the first of I…n. 1637. one M. Foster a Papist, delivered this Secretary, A discourse concerning the Impediments of the peace of Christendome, together with the remedies; (endorsed with Windebankes own hand,) wherin there is this passage among other, manifesting an endeavour of reconciliation betweene Papists and Protestants by their comming over to the Popish Tenents. The 4th. Impediment is, that without an union in Religion, no stable or certain Peace amongst Christian Princes can be established: for that therby occasion wilbe given for the house of Austrea, either to advance or defend the Catholike Religion, &c. Neither is this impediment without GOOD HOPE TO BETAKEN AWAY… because now none but the confused Rabble of Anabaptists,Note. and Brownists, and some small Troopes of Separatists, with a few Calvenists, and rigid Lutherans do insist upon the Doctrine, of Justification by saith only, (whereupon hath depended the principle controversie between the Catholiks and Protestants:) It will therefore be more easily removed, if learned men who have moderat spirits shall be employed in the great businesse, concerning the procuring of an happy unity of Faith and Religion in our Westerne Churches.Note.

About this season Richard Mountague Bish. of Chichester, (a great confident of the Arch-Bishops, **See the Pops Nuncio, pag. …1. 14, 16.intimate with Pauzani the Popes Legate, and one who very passionatly desired a reconciliation with the Church of ROME) who first disturbed the p. 147peace of our Church with his Popish and Arminian Tenents, for which he was questioned, and his Bookes called in and censured by the Parliament, though afterwards advanced to a Bishoppricke (for a Passe for his Sonne to travell to Rome) extant under his hand and Seale.

Right Honourable.

MY humble service premised, I make bould to trouble your Honour in a Mediation for a small matter, I suppose, to his Majesty, It is that he would be pleased to grant my Son leave to go see Rome in his Travill, NOTE.which he is desirous to do, and I am desirous he should; It is a clause restreyned in his License, I thinke of ordinary course, howsoever I humbly desire your Honours favour therein, I do not use my Lo. Grace because he meddles not that way, and especially, because his good friends and mine would give it out, that we had sent my son to Rome to be a Priest or Iesuit; but if you please to acquaint him therewith and remember my duty to his Grace, I shall thanke you, and ever rest at your Honours service.

Your poore Beadsman, R. C. Aldingbo…e, Ianuary 26.

To which, for explanation sake, I shall subjoyne a passage out of the Letter of Godfrey Goodman, Bishop of Glocester, written to Canterbury in the Tower, concerning his dissent from the new Canons Aug. 30 1642. the original whereof is in my hands.

Most Reverend, &c. Bishop Mountague of Norwich did privately encourage me to dissent (though I confesse I was little moved with his words, for I never had an opinion of that man) yet in publike to please Your Grace, he pressed my deprivation, falsly quoting some Councells (God forgive him as I doe) At that instant I could have proved, NOTE.How that in His Person He did Uisit and held correspondency with the Popes Agent, and reco…ved his Letters in behalfe of his sonne who was then travelling to Rome, and by his Letters he had extraordinary entertainment there. This, Bishop Mountague would ascribe to the fame and credit which he had gotten by his writings, which in truth I thinke are not worth the Reading, &c. Loe here one Bishop impeaching another, for holding correspondency with the Popes Agent, with whom in verity both these Popish Bishops and many others held strict Intelligence.

But to returne to the Popes 2d. Nuncio, Con, and his proceedings here. VponUpon his arivall in England, (if we believe his Companion and assistant in a discovery made to the Archbishop and King Himselfe, even out of Conscience, which you may reade at large in my**Page 13. … 26. Romes Master-peece) he was entertained and setled at London by the Popes and Cardinall Barbarinoes mediation, as a Nuncio; that so he might the more easily and safely worke both upon the King and Kingdome. Where first he sets upon the chiefe men at Court, leaving nothing unattempted to corrupt and incline them all to the Roman party; he attempted (writes he) to seduce the King himself with Pictures, Antiquities, Images & other vanities brought from Rome, entring into familiarity with his Majesty, who oft requested him at London, & Hampton-court to mediate the restitution of the Palsegrave to the Palatinate; which he promised in words, but advised the contrary, least the Pope should seeme to partonize an Haereticall Prince: Hee was very intimate with Sir Toby Matthew, Captaine Reade, the Countesse of Arund…ll, Endymion Porter, and his Wife, but especially with Secretary Windebanke, who revealed all the Kings secrets to him, communicated Councells to and with him, the better to advance his designes, meeting with him at Night-conventicles, at least thrice every weeke; for which end he tooke an house neere to his lodging, to which be frequently resorted through a Garden doore. Besides this Nuncioes with his confederates at Court, & conjured society of Jesuites in London, held consta…t weekly meetings, Councells at Capt. Reeds House in Long-Acre & elsewhere▪ sent and received weekly intelligences, dispatches to, and from Rome; and proceeded so farre, as to Erect a Colledge of Iesuites in Queene-street, which they purchased, p. 148and a Nunnery in the Lord Gages house there, who was Generall of the Jesuites, and another Nunnery at Greenwitch; he erected, established a Popish Hierarchie throughout the Realme of England, having Officialls, Vicars-Generall, Provincialls, Arch-Deacons, &c. in every County almost, as there you may reade at large, and in the Popes Briefe, lately published by speciall order of Parliament. Hee had Commission to profer a Cardinalls Cap to the Archbishop, and fed others, with hopes and promises of vacant Cardinalls Hats and other Dignities, to make them more industriously zealous to drive on his designes. By the Archbishop of Canterburies, the Nuncioes and these Iesuites meanes the Scotish Troubles, Warres were first raised, and revived againe, when pacified without bloudshed.

What influence the Popes Nuncio, Jesuites, Priests, Papists, in and about London had in the raising, fomenting, maintaining, driving on the Scotish differences, and Warres, you may reade at large in Rimes Master-peece, and the Popish Royall Favourite, to which for brevity I refer you, and shall add some new evidences of it in due place: What an Arch-Stickler and Incendiary the Arch-bishop was therein, what methods, instruments, policies & councells he used to foment and promote the same you may reade in the Articles exhibited against him in Parliament by the Scotish Commissioners, and I shall here give you a summary account thereof out of such Authentick Letters, Papers which Gods providence hath brought unto my hands.

The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury having made a very large successefull progresse in the introduction, advance of many Popish Doctrines, Superstitions, Ceremonies, Innovations in our Church of Engl: by sundry secret policies and open violent persecutions (reserved for their proper place, and therefore omitted in this Introduction to his tryall,) had a designe to introduce the same not onelyonly into Ireland, where he was Dominus fac totum, whiles he was Bishop of London, having the Lord Deputie, Councell, Bishops, and Clergie there at his owne becke, and devotion (as appeares by sundry Letters thence;) but likewise into the Church of Scotland, where the Bishops and Court-Clergy were exceeding prone, but the other Ministers and people very averse to entertain them. Whereupon he was no sooner warme in his Arch-bishoprick, but he begins to set on foote his designes upon the Church of Scotland: to which end he first practised to bring certain new orders, & Ceremonies into his Majesties Chappell there, to make that the only patterne by degrees to which all other Churches there should conforme, as he made the**See the Cole from the Altar, and Order of Councell Table concerning Saint Gregori…s. Kings Chapell here in Engl. the only rule, and Canon which all Cathedralls, Chapells, and parish Churches were to bee regulated by. To this end the drawes up certaine Articles concerning his Majesties Chapell in Scotland, with a Letter to command Obedience to them: A Coppie whereof, I found in his study thus indorsed with his owne hand.