Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 142
Right Honourable,
THree Months agoe and more I wrot signifying to your Honour, that after I came from London, it being mo…e then a quarter of a yeare, before I could reach the wished place I did aime at, to see the desolation of which, and generally, of all the parts I did passe through, I was so disconsolated, that all be it, I oft thought to discharge my respective salutes to your honour, yet present cares and occasions did ever prevent my intention. Notwithstanding at last, I did take the boldnesse to intreat, that your Honour would let me know your commands, in discharge of which your Honour, God willing, shall finde me most solicitous and carefull. But least such my former letters hath miscaried, as severall to Sir William Howard, and other honourable friends has done, I resumed the boldnesse to make a Briefe repetition of the same, letting your honor know that I have found King Iames letter (of happy memory) which my Lord Hay then Embassador after his return to London, moved his Majesty to write to Prince Godefrid then Bishop of Wurtzburge, wherein his Majesty was pleased to give thanks to the Bishop for the favours done,NOTE… as to himselfe. Moreover his Majesty was pleased to take * notice of us his poore Subjects commending us to the Bishops noble charity. I finde also Prince Godefrids answer to his Majesty, w…it by occasion of Abbot Ogilby; whom the Bishop did commend to his Majesty, intreating that at his request the said Abbot Ogleby might have free passage to see his native Country out of the which he had beene 40. yeares and more, The Prince who is now, does truely honour his Majesty and respect his Subjects, of the which my Lord Arundell about two yeare agoe being here received a worthy token and likewise of this Bishops and Princes curteous respects, Mr. Taylor, who about three months agoe on his way to England in transitu comming hither, can give evident testimony both to his Majesty and to your Honour, which according to your promise made to me, I doubt not but he has already done. Last of all, my Lord Craven has reason to renound this Princes singular favours toward him▪ by whose meanes he has not only obtained freedome, but likewise being heere at Wurtzburg has received particular curtisies and favours of his highnesse, which I doubt not, but at occasion his Lordship will declare at length to your Honour. At divets occasions being called to the company and Counsell of the principalls heere, as the best meanes to obtaine to peace, I use severall inductions, arguments and reasons for to advance and promoove the restitution of our Prince Palatihat; against the which albeit there be strong adversaries, yet further considerations may hapily move their hearts to condiscend thereunto. The Catholique Bishops and Princes thirst mightily for Peace, but higher powers and some Generalls and Commanders of Warrs on both sides, for their privat ends, by practicall inventions and factious coll…tions labour to the contrary, in the which they are like to continue so long Germanie can afford them maintinance, of the which in most parts here, there be greater scarsity, and that at an extraordinary rate. Of the particular miseries and desolation of the most parts in Germanie, as likewise of other occurrences, if I did not perswade, with my selfe that your Honour had every, fortnight certaine …nformation, I would write at length, but unwilling to impesh your Honours more serious businesse I abstaine from superfluous discourse, My Lord Craven desired me in this my letter to salute your Honour with all respect, as his singular good friend and Patrons Patron: he went …tom hence much of eight dayes agoe, after expedition of some busines in Holland, soon thereafter Godwilling he thinkes to see his wished Country and honourable friends amongst the which he esteemes your Honour most trusty, of which before mentioned curtesies done to his subjects if your Honour thinke that his Majesty will be pleased to take notice by writing a kind letter to the Bishop after advertisement, I shall send the aforesaid letters to your Honour, I heare for certaine that matters betwixt our Kings Majesty and Scotland are (God be glorified) composed and agreed, whereupon for conclusion of some Articles there is a Parliament Convocat at Edinborough, where the Kings Majesty is said to be for the present. In this accident I hope his Majesty has had, a sufficient tryall of the fidelity of his Catholike Subjects who in this or any other occasion, NOTE▪I am confident, by their true service will endeavour to deserve his Majesties love and affection towards them. For my owne part while as I live I will professe my fidelity to his Majesty, as my dread Soveraigne, obeying and honouring him above all Kings and temporall Princes on the earth. Praying God to multiply upon his Majesty heavenly and temporall blessings,NOTE. with my best wishes for your Honours good health, and prosperity, I rest. In the Scots Abbacie at Wortzburg.
Your honours most humble servant and beadsman. Audomarus Ioannes Abbas. This 13. of August 1639.
A Postscript.
P. S. I humbly beseech your Honour to give order, that these inclosed safely be delivered: in the like or any occasion, I shall be alwaies most ready to serve your Hnour.
These contributions, and this Assembly of the Papists 1639 with the Popes Nuncioes residence among us, were so publikely known, & the Papists grew so insolently bold thereupon, that the Apprentices and common people tooke notice of it, whereupon they scattered these two insuingpapers in the streets of London, and pasted up some of them in publike places, from whence they, were taken and carried to Secretary Windebanke, among whose papers they remained. The first was this.