But though they that hunt this fault in vs , might best be their owne pray ( faith being the strongest of true and naturall fidelitie : yet must we be accounted vnnaturall , being ballanced in their affections , that draw all causes of compassion to motiues of crueltie , and make theyr condemning reports , the contraries of our dutiful meanings with the like spirit , still breathing more ill will , then truth : He tearmeth the Right Honorable the Lord Cardinall Archbishop Allen , and Father Parsons ( both learned & reuerent men ) two seditious heads , looking happily through such eyes , as iudge all men by theyr owne colours , & what cause haue they giuen to this slaunderer , vnlesse it be counted sedition to gather the ruins of Gods afflicted Church , and to haue prouided Sanctuaries , for persecuted & succourlesse soules : which forced at home , either to liue with a goared conscience , or to lie open to continuall vexations , rather choose to leaue theyr countrie then their Catholike Religion . It was no sedition for many in Queene Maries time , to be harboured in Geneua , maintained them by those that now enuie against vs . It is no sedition to admit such multitudes of straungers , as for theyr faith swarme into England , out of all countries . It is thought Charity to aid the Stats of Flaunders in the behalfe of Religion . It is extolled in your Maiestie as an Honorable fauour to protect the Portingall , and S. Horatio Palanisine : but if wee ( whose case at home ) in respect of our faith is more miserable then any Protestantes in any other Countries , haue chosen two venerable men to procure vs some refuge , from our domesticall scourges , where wee may follow our studies , and exercise Pietie , strait your Maiestie ( though induced to practise the same curtesie to others ) is informed against them as seditious heades . So true it is , the same thing is not it selfe in diuers persons , & yet as God almightie and the world is our witnesse , nothing in those Seminaries , is either intended , or practised , but the releefe and good education of such forsaken men , as from the storme of our English shoare , flie thether for a calme roade , that perfited in the course of learning & vertue , they may returne to offer theyr blood for the recouerie of soules : As for the basenes of theyr birthes , which among other like pointes ▪ is interlaced with as impertinent , as scornefull a parenthesis , as a fitter noate for the penners , than for your maiesties obseruation .

I meane not to dwel long vpon it , for the thing neither importeth any offence to God , not crime against your Maiesty , nor greatly abaseth them , whom excellent vertue , the onely true measure of worthinesse hath ennobled . Yet this without disparagement to any may truely be auoided , that the Cardinalls grace , is of as good & ancient a house , & euery way as worshipfully allied as some of the highest Counselours were in their meaner fortunes , till your Maiesties fauors , and their rare abilities , made them steppes to clime into their present honours . And whether he might of likelihood haue carried as high a sail if the time had equally secunded him with fauorable gales , I leaue to their iudgementes who are priuy to his present estate , greater than England can afford to any cleargy man . For your Maiesty being as able to know , & we lesse willing to vse the excellency of your subiects , than other Princes , it may be iustly presumed , that he might as well haue entred into credite at home , if his Faith had not drawen his foote from the first step , as with strangers in a forraine country , wher nether familiarity with the Peers , nor acquaintance with the Prince but the only fame of his worthines , sent an admiration & loue of him into thir harts , & whosoeuer considereth the manner of his aduancement , being created Cardinal alone , out of the ordinary times , ( a prerogatiue seldom yeelded but to special persons , who marketh his wisdome to haue bin in such reuerence , that in Pope Greg. the 14. his sickenes , he was thought fitest among the Cardinals , to be vizgerent in spiritual causes : who is ignorant of the smal cause of our country , by laws , libels , & other meanes , seeeking to vndermine the Popes Sea ( hath giuen him to reward her subiects , with so high promotions : who finally weyeth the aduentures of our Councel , to hinder his preferment , and darken his vertues with hard information , shal easly beleeue the man to be of rare perfections , that hauing no other wings to beare his credite , but learning and vertue , could reach to so high points of fauour , notwithstanding so mighty lets . As for Father Parsons he hauing placed the vttermost of his ambition , in contempt of honor , & the highest of his wealth in voluntary pouerty : will easlie acknowledge his birth to haue bin of more honest than great parents : yet were they not so meane , but that they were able to afford him such education , as might haue made his good parts a way to no small preferment . And albeit his credit be great with the K. of Spaine , yet did hee neuer Vsurpe the Title of the KINGES CONFESSOVR , as as this inditor would perswade your Maiestie , though some of the simple sort of our English souldiers , in the Gallies , vpon error and ignorance , muttered some such speeches amongst them selues . As for other Priestes how many of them are Knights & Esquires sonnes , as otherwise both to worshipfull and noble houses alleyed , & heires to faire reuenewes , let their owne friendes and Parents dispersed through the whole Realme beare witnesse . This onely wee may say in answere of our obiected basenes , that in the small number of the Catholike Priestes of our Nation , ( which reacheth not to the tenth of the Protestant Ministrie ) there are very neare as many , yea happily more Gentlemen , then in all the other Cleargie of the whole Realme .

Now whereas we are most vncourteouslie called a multitude of disolute young-men , wee desire no other euidence to disproue this accusation , then an indifferent censure : For first before our departure out of the Realme , we must resolue to abandon our Countrie friendes , and all such comforts , as naturally all men seeke and finde in theyr natiue Countrie . Wee must relinquish all possibilities of fauour , riches , and credit . We must limite our mindes to the restrained and seuere course of the SOCIETY OF IESVS , or the Seminaries , where the place is in exile , the rules strickt , the gouernement austere , our willes broken , the least fault chastised , & a most absolute vertue exacted . And who can imagine those to be so desolute humors , who this determine to abridge themselues of all actions , of disolutenes , and to imprison their affections within the presinct of a reguler and straight order , and lest happily it may be imagined that wee say more then in proofe we finde , it is knowne to thousandes , and daylie seene , and witnessed by trauellers , that we are there tide to so prezise tearmes in diet , apparell , exercise , & all other things , that wee are much more shortned of our scope , then in any Colledge of our English Vniuersities . I omit the prayer , fasting , haire-cloth , and other chastisements of the body , which being voluntary , yet vsuall ; are to any if not more then partiall Iudges , inuincible groundes against this slaunder , of being dissolute : but let our intertainment at our returne , be a finall ouerthrow of this false imposition : for who can thinke them dissolute , that being by the Lawes , by examples by common experience taught , with what bloody conflictes they are heere to encounter , & howe many feares , daingers , and agonies , both in life ; and death , they vndoubtedly expect , ( are notwithstanding contented ) for reclaiming of soules vnto Gods folde , willing to yeelde their bodies to the hasard of al those miseries foreseene , and foreknowne , and aduisedly chosen before all worldly contentments .

But it may be that some , vnaquainted with our states , will measure our mindes , by our apparell , ( beeing as we confesse ) more agreeable oftentimes , to the common fashion , than to the graue attire that seemeth our calling , neither is our habit , or behauiour so ruffian-like , or disordered , ( as this inditor , euer forgetting trueth , when he remembreth vs , would willingly haue it imagined ) but in this we must yeeld our reason , ( sith we cannot reforme the inconuenience ) till your Maiesty thinke it good to licence vs without daunger , to exercise our functions , much-more mighty is the saluation of our soules , than the externall decency of our apparell , which though it be necessary in time and place , yet is it not so essentiall a point , as for the care thereof , to neglect the charge of Gods flocke , & the safetie of our owne liues : Dauid vpon iust cause fained him mad , but his madnes was an effect of perfect wisedome , and reason the guide of his seeming follie . Iudith laying aside her hairecloth , and widdowes weed , disguised her selfe in such ornaments , as were fitter to allure laciuious eies , them to beare witnes of her sober mind . And if God added grace & beautie to her youthful dresses , to further her iust reuenge vpon her enimies , much more may we hope he will allow a lesse disguisage in vs , to reuiue the soules of our dearest friends . It is no sure argument of inward beautie , to be vaine in shew , seeing a modest and an humble minde , may be shadowed vnder the glorious & courtly robes of a vertuous Hester . And if angels for the benefit of bodyes haue suted their shapes , to the requestes of their Ministers : now appearing like souldiers , as to Iosua : now like trauailers , as to Tobie : now like gratious youths , as to Lot : yea if Christ as the occasion required , seemed to the two Disciples a Pilgrime , & to Saint Marie Magdalene a Gardiner , why may not we for the winning of soules , ( which as God is our witnes is the onely cause of our comming ) frame our behauiour and attyre , to the necessity of our daies , as we read the auncient bishops did , in the persecution of the Vandalls , this therfore cannot be estemed a iust presumption of a dissolute minde in vs , whom not any will to such finenesse , but a desire of safety enforceth vs to weare the liueries of the time .

Nowe whereas the heauy aduersaries of our good names , hath abused your Maiesties eares with a truethlesse surmise , that we shoulde auoide the Realme for lacke of liuing , we humbly resigne his folly , to the correction of your Highnesse wisedome , for to whom can it seeme probable , that we flie for lacke of liuing , of whom many haue vowed all , willingly acepted a voluntary pouerty , leauing that we had , without either hope , or care of getting more , our wealth beeing nowe in well-doing , and our passions , our best possessions , is it like that for wante of liuing any woulde enter into a course , wherin without possibility of preferment they were in apparant hazarde to loose their liues : are anie sledde for such pouerty , that at the least they coulde not haue liued in seruice , with more ease and lesse labour , than they tie themselues vnto , in a most streight life , where they doe more by a willing obedience than they should haue beene put vnto in a hired subiection , or are they of such qualitie , and of so manie pleasing partes , that they can in these seuere times winne men with perill of their Liues , Landes , and Posterities , to entertaine and comforte them , and could they not haue found without plunging themselues in the Sea of daungers , some more easie meanes for a competent maintenance , then to beg it out of so manie exegents , and to wring it through so grieuous oppressions , and why should these feares of wantes pinch them more then infinite others , whom they left behind them ? They are men of as pregnant wittes , as deliuered tongues , as mature iudgements , as most of the Innes of Court , or Vniuersities where they liued : yea , they were already stepped so far into promotion , that they needed not to haue doubted , nothing lesse then lacke of liuing , diuers of them hauing bin Proctors of Vniuersity , Fellowes & Officers of Colledges , and likely to 〈◊〉 rise● to 〈◊〉 higher preheminencie . To ●omitte those that hau● . Reuennewes , and Annuities of they owne , besides the allowance and kinred , with rich & most wealthy families . It pleaseth further this vnfriendly informer ( who seemeth best pleased with displeasing vs ) to deriue our departure from a conscience guilty , of crimes committed , being stil himselfe in the likenesse of his speeches , as voide of veritie , as full of ill will : for if Priestes at theyr arraignement , be in manner charged with Originall sinne , many of them hauing bin scarcely borne , at the rising in the North , which is alwaies a common place to declaime against them . If all the notorious faults , that may any way concerne Catholikes , are made ordinarie inditements , to condemne those that neuer heard of them , till they come to the barre : how much would any fault of their own be obiected , yea and multiplied in the vrging , if any such could haue bin found : but yet none was euer touched for any thing committed before his departure , as all testimonies may depose , and the verie recordes testifie in our behalfe , and to preuent any iust groundes of this oblique , the superiours ( not ignorant how many eyes are busied in watching for the least aduantage against vs ) make diligent scrutenie , for the perfect notice of theyr vertue , whome they admit to Priesthood , who being for the most part among many of theyr owne houses , or standing in the Vniuersities , could not cloake any great enormitie from notice : yea the very age of the greater part ( they going euer very young ) is a warrant to quite them from any such offence , as should force them to flie their Countrie . And as for the rest , which are of riper yeares , they haue bin so notified for theyr morrall life , that they haue made common report theyr harbinger , to take vp their due roomes , in euerie mans good opinion . In sume this being an approued accusation , deliuered by one that in the same discourse , hath empanalled an enquest of vntruths , to finde out him in this also guilty of falsehood , it needeth no other answere , but a wise censure of the Reader : But now most mercifull Princesse licence our too much wronged innocencie , to relate the sharpest doubt of this vnkinde aduersarie , ioyned with those three odious tearmes of fugitiues , rebels , and traytours , & dipped as deep in the bitternes of gaule , as hee would haue it enter into our dearest blood : And first wee craue most humblie but the right of Christians beleefe of our oath , which is the only Certificat to make our thoughtes vndoubted ; vppon hope whereof we oppose our guiltlesse hartes against these tiles , as our best armour of proofe , protesting vpon our soules and saluation , and calling Almightie God and his Angels to witnesse , that as we hope to haue any benefit by the most precious woundes , and death of our Lord IESVS CHRIST : the whole and onely intent of our comming into this Realme , is no other ; but to labour for the saluation of soules , and in peaceable and quiet sort , to confirme them in the ancient Catholike faith , in the which theyr forefathers liued & died , these thousand foure hundred yeares , out of which we vndoubtedly beleeue it is impossible that any soule should be saued .

This from the sincerest of our thoughts , before the throne of God , wee must truelie professe , intending if no other remedie may be had , to let your Maiestie seale it with the best blood that our faithfull , & faultles harts can afford . And if any be so hardened in a set incredulitie , as rather to condemne vs to periurie , than to cleare vs vpon so deep an oath , we will make reason his guide into our intentions , by which if he think vs not as much perished in our wittes , as he supposeth vs to be in our fidelitie , he shall easilie see the truth of our protestation : for first , treason being an offence that carrieth with it selfe a staine of infamie , as can neuer be taken out , and maketh them that commit it dead , & vnpardonable persons . Who can imagine any so foolish , desperate , as to incurre so reprochfull a crime full of certaine perils hauing no other possible marke for his hope , but the vttermost of worldlie euils . And if any one should chaunce to be so farre distracted from his sence , and to throw himselfe into so bottomles a destruction : Yet that so many , and so learned , & so graue men , as dayly suffer for their comming in Priestes , would cast away their labours , liues and credittes , for nothing but a cruell and eternall reproch ; our bitterest enimie would neuer deeme it likelie , and what other inticement shuld allure vs to be traitors , not any perswation that our selues can compasse so great an exploit , ( there being scarce 300. Catholik priests of our nation in the whole world ; a sillie armie to subdue so great a Monarchie ) not any confidence in Catholik assistance , whom none is so mad to think able to doe such an enterprise , being few in number , dispuruied of muniton , narowly watched by Officers , restrained in their liberties , impouirished in their goods , & disabled in all prouisions . Not the imagination to be aduaunced by forraine power : for then we would rather expect the conquest , till the time and oppertunitie were ripe , for vs to enter vpon our hopes , then so venterously to presse vpon the swordes of our enimies , and hazard not only our future expectations , but our present safeties , wee would rather liue abroad , though it were with as hard shifts , as those that now possesse honorable romes did once at Ceneua : then leopard our welfare , to so many so knowne and vneuitable harmes , which we are more likely soone to feele , then so long to eschue . And if wee were to come as rebels into the Realme , our education in Colledges should be aunswerable to the qualities , we should be trained in martiall exercises , busied in publike and ciuell affaires , hardened to the field , & made to the weapon : whereas 1000. eares and eyes are witnesses , that our studies are nothing els but Philosophie & diuinity , our teachers religious men , acquainted with no other knowledge but learning and vertue , all our warlike preparations , the wresting for our wils , the mortifying of our bodies , and a continuall warfare with Nature , to get the victorie ouer our selues : and for other schoolepoints of sedition , wherein this our hard friend findeth vs to be instructed , Almighty God is our witnes , that wee neyther learne nor teach any , hauing only had in our studies , the common end that all men shot at , namely to attaine such knowledge , that might be an ornament to our functions , a help to our conuersations , & a benefit to our countrie . But if by these Schoolepoints of sedition be meant that religion which there we are taught : and here wee professe this meaning aunswereth it selfe : For this cannot be any way treasonable to your Maiesties estate , vnles that it be esteemed offensiue , which was the faith of all your royal auncestors , these 1400 yeres , is the faith of the greatest part of Christendome , and for the defence whereof your Maiesties most worthy father , attained the glorious title of defender of the Faith . But whatsoeuer this informer meant by his schoolepoints of sedition , we hope that your Highnes censure , wil free vs from the thing it selfe , sith neyther likelihood to effectuate any hope at home , nor any likenesse of our education abroad , can in your wisedome seeme to argue vs guiltie of anie rebellious intentions . Let this further be an assured proofe to the contrary , that sith we are so religiously addicted to the end of our comming , that for the atchiuing thereof , we recount our torments , triumphes , & our deathes a glorie : If this end were the ouerthrow of your Maiestie : or if your displeasing had bin the point , that with so many bleeding woundes , wee haue witnessed to be so deare vnto vs , wee would with the losse of fewer liues , haue perfitted our purposes , and long ere this haue brought the cards to an vnfortunate shufling : for whosoeuer hath content̄ed his own life , is Maister of anothers : and he that is resolute to spend his blood , will rather seeke to sell it for the intended price , then with a fruitles affection cast it away for nothing .

No no , most Gratious SOVERAIGNE , Heauen and Earth shall witnesse with vs in the dreadfull day of doome , that our breastes neuer harboured such horrible treasons , and that the end of our comming is the saluation of soules , not the murthering of bodies , wee beeing rather willing to die , then to contribute the least haire of our head to the latter , and not so willing to liue , as to shed the best blood in our bodies : for the first , giue then ( O most gratious Queene ) wise men leaue to see , that they shew themselues no lesse disloyall to your Maiestie , than enuious to vs : that durst diuulge these Fables vnder the name of your Highnes , making their Prince the patronesse of theyr fayned , and deuised falsehood .

Now with what shadow or likelie-hood , can it sincke into any sound beleefe ? that we come with ample authority , to perswade your Maiesties Subiects to renounce theyr duties , and to bind them with othes & Sacraments , to forsweare their naturall allegence to their Princess highnes , & to yeeld all their powers to the Spanish Princes forces : for to say we doe it vppon hope , to be inriched with those possessions that others now enjoy , hath but smal semblance of probabilities , considering how much likelier wee are to inherite your RACKES , and possesse your place of EXECVTION , then to suruiue the present incombences of spirituall liuinges , or to liue to see any dignities at the KING of SPAINE his disposition , and sith both the daylie Martyrdomes of manie before our eyes , and our own euident and hourely daungers , can not but kill in vs all such aspiring fantasies , if any minde were so m●dd● , as to sell his soule at so base a rate .

Let it be scanned with equitie , how little seeming of truth it carrieth , that so manie should vpon so improbable and vncertaine expectations , offer their liues to most probable and certaine shipwracks . And can any imagine vs to be so simple , that we cannot see how impossible it is for Catholikes to do the king any good , though they were as much bent that way as their accusers would haue it thought : doe we not see that they are scattered one among thousandes , and at all such accurrants so well watched , and so ill prouided : that to wish them to stirre in the Kinges behalfe , were to traine them to their vndoing , & to expose them to a generall massacer by domesticall furie , and what better aduocate can plead for vs in this case , then your Maiesties own experience , who in the last attempt of the king , found none more forward to doe all duties , and liberally to stretch theyr abilities , then Catholikes were in your highnes defence , and though they were ceassed for men and money , farre aboue their reuennewes , and so fleeced of theyr armour and weapons , that they were left vnfurnished , for their owne sauegards : yet were they so far from mutining , or touch of disloyaltie , that they willingly yeelded more , then any other of their qualitie , which doubtlesse if Priests had sworne them with othes , or bound them with Sacraments , to the contrarie they would neuer haue done : sith they venture both liues and liberties , for other charitable works of farre lesse weight , then the auoyding of the damnable sinnes , of periurie and sacriledge . It is also well knowne euen vnto the Coyners of these vntrue surmises , that if the King should come so slenderly prouided , as to need the handfull of Catholikes helps , ( who neyther haue conntenance , charge , nor authoritie in the common wealth ) your Maiestie neede not greatly feare , sith it were impossible he should be strong , to whome so weake , and bootles a succour should be necessarie . And to what effect should wee then perswade Catholikes to leaue theyr obedience to your Highnes , sith it can neyther benefit vs , nor auaile them : but rather draw vpon vs , both a manifest subuersion : yea did we not rather strengthen them in their duties , and so confirme them in patience , that with conscience and religious feare they restrained nature . It were imposible for fleshe & blood to disgest the vnmercifull vsage that they suffer by such persons , whose basenes dubleth the iniury of their abuse : for who , if it were not more than the feare of man that hath helde them , would not rather die vpon the enimies that sought their blood , ( as for men of ill mind it were no hard matter ) than to liue to continuall death , & to leaue the authors of their euills behinde them , to triumph ouer their ruines , and to send after them more of their deerest friendes . What gentleman coulde indure the peremtory & insolent imperiousnes of a company of gredy & manerlesse mates , which stil are praying vpon Catholickes , as if they were common booties , & ransack them day & night , brauing them vnder their own roofes , with such surlinesse , as if euery cast-away were allowed to be vnto them an absolute Prince . But happily because we desire to recouer the lapsed , & confirme the standing in the ancient faith of their forefathers , it may be presumed that this is a with-drawing from your Maiesties obedience . But if indifferency may be one of the Iury , disloialty shal neuer be found the sequell of any article of our Religion , which more than any other , tyeth vs to a most exact submission to your Temporall authority , and to all pointes of alleageance , that either now in Catholicks Countries , or euer before in Catholickes times were acknowledged to be due to any Christian Prince : doe not nowe Catholicks gouerned by the Princip●les of their faith , yeelde in respecte thereof with a knowen mildnesse , their goods , liberties , landes , & liues , and doe they not with a most resolute patience obay a scourging , and afflicting hande .

Then howe much more woulde they bee willing to double their duties and increase their seruiceable affections to your Highnesse , if they sounde but the like clemencie that other subiectes enioye , and were not made ( as nowe they are ) common steeles for euerie mercilesse and flint-harted , to strike out vpon them the sparkes of their fury .

It is a point of the Catholike faith , ( defended by vs against Sectaries of these daies ) like subiects are bounde in conscience vnder paine of forfeting their right , in Heauen , and in incurring the guilte of eternall torments , to obay the iust Lawes of their Princes , which both the Protestantes and Puritanes deny , with their father and master Caluin . And therefore if we were not pressed to that , which by the generall verdit of allegeance , was iudged breach of the Lawe of God : we shoulde neuer giue your Maiesty the least cause of displeasure , for ( excepting these points ) which if vnpartial audience were allowed , we coulde proue to imploy the endlesse misery & damnation of our soules , in all other ciuill and temporall respectes , we are so submitted and pliable , as any of your Maiesties best beloued subiectes . If then your highnesse woulde vouchsafe to behold our case , with an 〈◊〉 eie , and not to viewe vs in the mirror of a misse-informed minde , we woulde not doubte , but that your excellent wisedome woulde finde more groundes euen in pollicy , and in the due care of your safetie , to incline your gratious fauour towards vs , stil inthralled in our present vnhappinesse . But it may be , that some more willing to rip vp olde faults , than to admit any clearing of them , when in their hearts they haue already condemned vs to all punishments , will heere bring in Ballards , and Babingtons , matters against vs , as a Golias to ouerthrowe all other proofes of our good meanings . To this first we aunswere , that it were a harde course to reproue all Prophets for one Saule , all Protestantes for one Wyat , all Priestes and Catholickes for one Ballard and Babington .

Your Maiesties sister reigned not the sixt part of your time , & yet sundrie rebellions were attempted by the Protestant faction against her , in that short space , as euerie Chronicle can witnes : whereas in this your Maiesties prosperouse raigne of 35. yeares in all England , the Catholikes neuer rose but once in open field to haue wonne the freedome of conscience , which the Protestants in those few yeares laboured with so many mutinies : for as for Parrie , hee neuer professed in like , nor action to be a Catholike : yea , and he tooke it offenciuely with signification of his minde , in hoat wordes , that some vpon surmise , had so named him , and therefore howsoeuer hee might by aspiring thoughts , or mercinarie mutinies , be by any forraine enimie vsed to euill practises , it cannot iustly be layed against vs , whom neyther priuitie nor consent to his intentions , can any way touch : and as for the action of Babington , that was rather a snare to intrap them , then any deuise of their owne , sith it was both plotted , furthered , and finished , by S. Frauncis Walsingham , & his other complices , who laied & hatched al the particulers thereof , as they thought it would best fall out to the discredit of Catholiks , & cutting of the Queene of Scots : for first it is to be known to all , that Poolie being Sir F. Walsinghams man , and throughly seasoned to his Maisters tooth , was the chiefe instrument to contriue and prosecute the matter , to draw into the net such greene wittes , as ( fearing the generall oppression , and partly angled with golden hookes ) might easilie be ouer wrought by M Secr. subtile & sisting wit : for Poolie masking his secret intentions vnder the face of Religion , and abusing with irreligious Hypocrisie all Rites & Sacraments , to borrow the false opinion of a Catholike , still feeding the poore gentlemen with his masters baits , and he holding the line in his hand , suffered them like silly fishes to play themselues vppon the hooke , till they were throughly fastned , that then he might strike at his own pleasure , and be sure to drawe them to a certaine destruction . And though none were so deepe in the very bottome of that conspiracy as Poolie himselfe , yet was hee not so much as indited of any crime , but after a little large imprisonment ( more for pollicy than for any punishment ) set at liberty , & in more credit then euer he was before : for it being a set match , & he hauing so well performed his euil part ( though to please Babes . ) A stroke was giuen to beat him , yet doubtlesse he was largely fed in priuie pay , as so Christian pollicy did best deserue . It is also known by Phillips the deciphers letters to his party practisioner , G. Gifford , in whose chest and chamber they were taken at Parris , & by G. Giffords owne examination , that these Gentlemen were bought and sold , being drawen blindfolde , to be workers of their ouerthrow , and carrie with silly Isaac the fire , in which they them selues were to be sacrificed . And sure it is , that all the letters that fed them with forraine hopes , all the deuises that wrought them into home-bred imaginations , sprung all out of the Fountaine of Sir FRAVNCIS WALSINGHAMS fine head : for GILBERT GIFFORD hauing some yeares before beene Maister Secretaries intelligencer , ( as the date of Phillippes Letter vnto him discouered ) when the matter was once on foote in England , was made the meane to followe it in Fraunce among certaine of the Scottish Queenes friendes , more apt to enter , then able to go through great dissignements , where he knowing of the letters , and the course how they were conueyed , discouered all to M. Secretarie , to whom also he brought diuers of the like tennor , written partly to the Queene , partly to Babington , at his owne comming into England : wheras more than 3. months before , the councell would seeme to know these intentions : and when by often resort to Sir Frauncis Walsinghams house , in priuate sort hee had taken of him priuie directions , to make his course the more plausible for his proceedings in Fraunce , he practised here with the French Embassadours Mounsieur Catanense , whom then he knew to be verie well affected both to the Scottish Queene , & to the Duke of Guyes , & though he were a man of more then ordinarie discourse : yet with so forsworne an hipocrisie , and so deep periuries , did Gifford ouer reach him , that when the traine was discouered , some of the Gentlemen inraged with so great impietie , said that though it were a great part of the Gospel that an English man would be true , they should hardly beleeue it , for that Diuell Giffordes sake , as in their passion they tearmed him : But so it was that Gilberts wit farre too good for so bad an owner , & newly refined by M. Secretaries forge , wonne so much credit , that he being commended and beleeued , as his desire was , he went ouer to intreate by meanes with the Duke of Guyse , and such others as were thought fit to be taken in , as stales to countenance the matter , and to put the Gentlemen in vaine expectations , till the thred were spunne to the intended length . And so far was this vnfortunate wretch giuen ouer to desperate malice , that first to possesse him more of M. Secretaries good opinion , and to shew his aptnesse to be vsed in such exploits , he dedicated to him , a booke of hys owne compiling , breathing such Infamies , and Atheismes , as best became the spirit of so periured and Apostata : and on the other side , to shun the suspition of being M. Secretaries bad instrument in this vnchristian pollicie , he was himselfe confessed , purposely Graduated , and as it is thought made Priest : so impious were the meanes to wrest the poore Gentlemen from their duties , to theyr confusion . Phillips also , who was M. Secretaries right hand , held correspondent with Gilbert Gifford , stil keeping the ice from breaking , till they were all vpon it , whome they meant to drowne in the same destruction . And to draw the Queene of Scottes into the better opinion of this designement , whome experience had taught to suspect so daungerous motions . The matter was with continuall and secret meetinges verie seriouslie vrged with her agents in Fraunce , in whome it is feared they relyed too much affiance : but whether for loue to theyr Maister , they were apt to entertaine anie hope of her deliuerie , or for league with M. Secretary , too ready to build vpon his foundations , they induced the Queene to like of their good will , that were willing to aduenture their states and liues to doe her seruice , and as things were by these inuentions , ripening in Fraunce : so Poolie no lesse diligently plied the matter at home , continually conuersing with Ballard , & the gentlemen , & laboring to draw more conies in to the hey . It is strange to marke with what cunning the graue and wiser sort of Catholikes , were sounded a far off , not by reuealing any direct intention : but so nicely glancing at generall pointes , with iffes & andes , that they neuer vnderstood the language , till effects did consture these roauing speaches : yet when so much of their disposition was known , by their vnwillingnes to heare , & peremtorines in cutting off the Officers of such discourses , there was no lesse care vsed to conceale these purposes from them , then there had bin cunning to serch out how they would deeme of them : for it was feared , their wisedome would haue found out the fraud , & vntimely haue launced an vnripe impostume . It is further knowen that the coppie of that letter which Babbington sent to the Queene of Scots , was brought ready penned by Poolie , from M. Secretary : the answere whereof , was the principal grounds of the Queenes condemnation . There was also found in Sir Frauncis Walsinghams accountes after his decease , a note of 7000. pounds bestowed vpon Nato & Curlie , who being the Queenes Secretaries , framed such an answere as might best serue for a bloody time , & fit his intention that rewarded them with so liberall a fee . This made Phillippes so bold to aduise Gifford by his Letters , that if he came in any suspition of detecting the Queene , he should lay it eyther to Nato , or Curlie , whose shoulders being bolstred with so large bagges , he thought would be best able to beare the burden away : It is also certaine that Barnard ( ● M. Secretaries vndoubted agent ) went ouer into Fraunce about this practise , there free passages being warranted with all securitie : when they had beene there so long , that Barnard might looke into these proceedings , that in those Countries were actors in the matter , he returned againe with Ballard , and hauing a large Commission from Sir Frauncis Walsingham , to take what manner of horses hee would , out of anie Gentlemans Parke , or Pasture , and of other vnusuall liberties , he went with Ballard into the North , there he sought with what sleights he could , to haue wonne diuers Gentlemen , making Ballards credit his countenance , and drawing the poore men vnwittingly to be the occasion of his own and others ruine . In the end hauing cusoned another to get a Letter of commendations to the Lord Prior of Scotland : he sifted out of him what he could , & taking with him a Letter touching this matter , hee brought it with all the intelligence and successe of his malicious Pilgrimage , to the Councell . And though hee were thus inward and conuersant with Ballard , carrying him to sundrie Gentlemen of account , to feele & tempt them about this action , and to drawe them into the desired compasse : yea though himselfe were a motion to some , to enter into it , pretending that he had ouer reached M. Secretarie , in getting that Commission : yet was hee neuer called to the barre , but hired to stay a time in restraint , with such a recompence for his seruice , as might be well perceaued to be large , by his liberal spending , & plenty in prison , hee being otherwise a hungrie and needy marchant , without eyther trade or liuing to maintaine such expences : and how priuie S. Frau. was to the whole course of the Gentlemens actions , and to the certaine period of the time , wherein all his indeuours would come to the full point , may be gethered by this , that being by a Priest that was to be banished sued vnto for 20. dayes respite to dispatch his busines : first repeating the number , and pausing a while with him selfe . No saith he , you shall haue but 14. for if I should grant you any more , it would be to your hinderance , as you shal heare hereafter : wherein he said true , for much about that time , was publike notice taken of Babbingtons matter , all waies were watched , infinite houses searched , hewes & cries raised , frights bruted in the peoples eares , and all mens eies filled with a smoke , as though the whole Realme had beene on fire , whereas in trueth , that was but the hissing of a fewe greene twigs , of their own building , which they might without any such vprore haue quenched with a handful of water , but that made not so much for their purpose as this buggish terible shows : and thought they were so well acquainted with all the Gentlemens hearts , that they might euery houre in the daye or night , haue drawen them in the nette like a couie of partridges . Yet forsooth , must some of them be suffred purposely to flee that they might haue the better colour to make those generall demonstrations of a needles feare . Iohn Sauage likewise when he came to the Courte , was so wel knowen to be a chicken of that feather , that two Pentioners were charged to haue an eie vnto him , and to watche so long as he stayed there , and yet was he suffered to goe vp and downe , and vsually to haunt the presence , till all irons were hotte that were laide in the fire , to feare the credite of poore Catholickes , and to giue the Queene of Scottes her deathes wounde : it was also noted , that after Ballard was inchaunted with Poolies charmes , he became a stainger to all Iesuites and other Priestes , beeing limited by the politicke rules of his promptor , to such company as Master Secretary knewe to be of diuine sights , to see through so many mistes , as he by his instrumentes had alreadie cast before their eies , the Gentelmen were also throughlye charmed , to keepe their councells from the wiser and mature sort of Catholickes , whome there was no hope to make them parties . Of which Iohn Charnocke at the barre saide the reason to be because the older , the colder , yet the true grounde was a speciall promise of Master Secretary to keepe the threede out of their handes that woulde soone haue vnwounde it to the bottome , for what man that had but knowne the first sillable of pollicye , woulde thinke it a likelye course for them , to alter the whole state of so great a kingdome to quite contrarye Religion and gouernmente , that neither hadde power to backe them , ( as then there was none readie , nor helpes at home to support them ) being al but priuate gentelmen , ( neither of wealth , nor sufficient credit for such a matter ) to carry with them any great numbers , who would not haue pittied their indiscretion , that intending so great an alteration , thought it a fit way to goe pickeing here & there one , as if such plots in so many young tongues could lie hidden so long , as to giue them respite to gleane a sufficient army . And for men that pleadged their heades in so daungerous attempts , to be so credulous , as to rest their hopes vpon so fliting & faire promises of forraine helps , without the certainty of such preparation of shippes & men , as might come in due time to followe their beginnings , was a most childishe sight . And therefore for any man of experience that had looked to it , there would haue offered it selfe a iust suspition , that the plotte was rather a traine to entrappe the actors in it , than a meane to effect that intended by it . For though they had cut off some of the Councell : yea , and dismantled the realme of your sacred maiesty , ( which Gods goodnesse neither woulde , nor we hope wil permit ) yet had their purpose beene farre from any semblance of their desired issue , for then they must haue proclaimed either the Queene of Scotts , or at least by some means haue sought her deliuery , & consequentlie haue notified to the worlde that for her rising was your Maiesties going downe . And what a tide of resistance would this notice haue done , none can be so seely but he must needs see . For first by the oath of association , al the Nobility had bin bound , to persist hir to death , which many without an oth would otherwise haue beene apte enough to doe . The crowne also beeing lefte without anie declared owner , a faire goale for them that runne first at it , no doubte but diuerse competitors woulde haue hindered her course , to haue made her hopes-way to so faire an aime . Then the act of PARLIAMENT excluding straingers from the Crowne , ( as she by diuerse meanes was diuoulged to be ) woulde also haue added dainger to her claime , especially considering the auncient & deepe rooted dislike , betweene the Scottishe and the Englishe , no small motiue to a popular mutiny : but most of all her vehemency in the Catholicke religion , ( against which both the Nobility , Cleargy , & commons were most violently bent ) woulde haue made them ready in that respecte , to take heed of the least of these lettes , to exclude her from the Crowne , and to translate the title to some other more suteable , to their beleefe . All which impedimentes meeting so full with euery eie , that did but loke towards them , must needs haue made any in reason to conclude it an impossibility for these gentlemen to haue compassed their drifte , which also they might easily haue discerned , had they not bin bewitched with master secretaties fine deuises , & deluded with his spies , cosoning letters and messages from forraine partes , for the Spanishe fleete was not ready in two yeers after , and in Fraunce , ( more than a fewe that in Gascoine were imploied against the Hugonits ) there was no kinde of prouision by sea , nor lande , yea the king was then knowen to be so sure a friend to England , and so sharpe an enimy to the Guisian partie , in which the Queenes affiance was only fastined , that he woulde neuer haue suffered her hopes to haue had 〈◊〉 by any French assistants . And from Scotland they neuer looked for any aide , knowing that if they were not euery way blinde , howe the king was wholly carried a way with an English byas , and so setled in the possession of the Crowne , and in the bent of the contrary faith , that what soeuer he might haue attempted for himselfe , it was neuer likely he woulde haue followed their designement , of which the principall scope was the alteration of Religion . And he that in respecte of his beleefe , refused with the Infant of Spaine , the present possession of the Lowe-Countries assistance for the chalenging of his other titles , and promised to be proclamed heire , if the Spanishe king should faile , was doubtlesse much better armed against their slender perswations which could neuer haue tempted him with such glorious offers . Finally the weaknesse of their beginning was an apparant proofe that it was conceaued and bred by them that woulde be sure to bring it to an abortion , and neuer suffer it to preuaile to any other purpose , but to make vs more hatefull , and to bereaue your Maiesty of your more infamed than faulty Cosen .