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Mary and prince Edward his eldest son, upon easy conditions. The lets in former times proceeded in part from the practice of foreign potentates envying the greatness of united crowns; and in part from the flaws of domestick factions within the bodies of both kingdoms, neglecting the benefit of opportunity thus of fered upon the light impressions of private fears. God himself bestowed this union between the realms of Israel and Judah (sever'd much after the same measure and proportion that ours have been so long), as the strongest pledge of favour, and the richest blessing of eternal bounty that his loving kindness could confer upon both states, ut esset rex unus ⚫ omnibus imperans, ut non essent ultra duæ gentes, nec dividerentur amplius in duo regna:' that there might be but one king to reign in differently over all, that they might no longer be reputed two nations; and with a further condition, that from that time forward, they should be no more divided into two monarchies.

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chiefly, that it may not rest hereafter in the power of flesh to sever what hath been conjoined by the hand of grace) rather Margaretæ than to any other jewel of great price, because her name was Margaret, by whom his majesty derives his lineal descent by just title of the Saxon kings. Her name was Margaret, that being eldest daughter to king Henry 7, invested in the blood of our dear sovereign king James, the most absolutely and radically united interest of the two renowned families of York and Lancaster: wherein we are to note ex abundante, that at the point prefixed of one hundred years, in which this worthy princess was conveyed, by a lucky match for this renowned island, to her husband James 4, her royal offspring James 6, our matchless sovereign, made his happy entrance into the possession of all these crowns with a chearful jubilee. I would be glad for my private comfort, and in grateful duty to the gracious bounty of this blessed line, (if it be lawful to intermingle corpus opacum' with so many glorious aspects) in a light touch Many motives of encouragement have been to record and view the revolutions and fortunes propounded, many satisfactions to jealousy have of my own family. For as the duke of Norfolk been tendered, many instruments of excellent was a forward minister in attending this great advantage have been set on work in former princess, by the wise king's direction, to the full times, but to small effect, so long as wisdom accomplishing of the nuptial solemuity; so Lis rather debated, than right determined; and beir in the third degree, by misconstruction of besides, for that nondum tempus a somno humble thoughts, and witty workmanship upon surgere:' but our age is that plenitudo tem- weak suspicion, was drawn into the loss both of 'poris,' that full period of time wherein so life and state, for gazing too much upon the many working causes and inducements draw to gleams of this rising glory; and our royal soveone conclusion of equality in happiness in reign, the true and lawful heir of that peerless both estates, as unless we will embase what Margaret, on whom the service did attend, reour ancestors with less advantage did improve, served by destiny to restore the honour of that disable what they did admire, reject what fading house, which was overcast with a cloud they did recommend, and in a sort repel the of scorn, and as it were to lay new earth to the grace of God which knocketh at our door, we root of that sapless tree whose leaves were must acknowledge, Non fecisse Deum taliter fallen, and the fairest branches withered. Of ⚫ omni nationi,' That God hath not dealt thus myself on whom it hath pleased my inost grawith every nation. For our Rex pacificus,' cious master and dear sovereign to cast more our Delicia Britannæ gentis,' our Leo Ru- favour than either sub spe I could merit, or bens,' (which according to Merlin's predic-in re I can utter, this only shall be said in tion, was to held in one paw the battlements of acknowledgement of favour and admiration of new Troy, in another Sylvam Caledoniam,' grace, which can level in common sense at no other prince that wielded the scepter of this state before) hath by God's blessed providence as well united the parts of England, Scotland and Ireland, in one body of dominion, as the lines of Edgar, Fergus the conqueror, Mac Morrogh, and Cadwallader in one center of conjunction, and thereby compounded out of many waters, that margaritam pretiosam,' for the compassing whereof rather than it should escape our hands, we ought to purchase it at as high a rate, as the wise merchant did that other in St. Luke, qui, inventa una pretiosa margarita, abiit, et vendidit omnia quæ habuit, ut emeret eamn: having found one precious pearl among the rest, went and sold all that he possessed in the world beside, to purchase it.

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Ultimus hic ego sum qui quam benè, quam 'male, nolo dicere, qui de me judicet, alter 'erit.'

The name of the late old countess of Lenox was also Margaret, by whom as daughter, to the queen of Scotland, by an earl of Angus in a second match, the younger branch of that princely line was thoroughly incorporate into the person of the king on his father's side, for a stronger union, if it were possible, both of blood and interest, and for a double ornament of his royal progeny. She was no Margaret I confess, but a worthy Mary, that in the last descent covered fermentum acceptum,' the leaven which she had received by descent into three kingdoms, as the discreet woman in the gospel did her own into three lumps of dough, I resemble the rare object of the king our tili by her blessed issue, founder of our perpemaster's aim, (in seeking to unite and knit toge-tual quiet, they might be all thorowly and com

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ther all his subjects affections, scopes and endeavours, nodo indissolubili,' to this end

pleatly leavened.

Now to draw to the conclusion, which is the

knot of these united ends, that is that worthy, vexation, because you could not have your sovereign, to whom

‹ De nostris annis sibi Jupiter augeat annos.' That you and your disciples, Mr. Garnet, in reward of so great merit of this island, were so hasty to blow up by your Powder-Plots into a higher region, than that wherein his throne was by God established, together with those very walls, which, as I find by antient record, were first by the holy confessor St. Edward raised, of whose family his majesty descends, that one king might be buried, and the chief of his race destroyed within the compass of one monument. But howsoever Mr. Garnet was willing to forget that this place was once sanctified for a refuge and retreat to all sorts of persons in distress, by his own canons; yet God that would not destroy Judah for his servant David's sake, his providence in like sort purposing to continue the piety of that blessed king in this fairest branch of his descent; the justice of that divine majesty holding it an act of Atheism to cast tot inargaritas porcis,' so many pearls to swine, or 'sanctum canibus,' that which is holy to dogs, bounded the malice of these graceless imps within so narrow streights, as it rested not in their power by the murder of our king to stain the Confessor's walls with his own blood, or under the vizard of St. Edward's profession, to extirp the roots of St. Edward's posterity. For in the Proverbs we are certainly assured, that domus justorum permanebit,' the house or generation of the just shall continue: but it falls out in a better consequence, That the skull of faithless Percy should stand centinel where he was once captain pioneer; and Lambeth should now be Catesby's horizon, that was his arsenal: and their giddy pates are left tanquam malus navis,' like the mast of a ship, to use the prophet's phrase, to warn passengers by what just disaster these roving pirates came to their unhappy end; especially for seeking the Golden-Fleece, not by Jason's merit, but by Medæa's sorcery.

To conclude: we may learn of the wise man, that there can be neither wisdom, nor counsel, against God. The ribs of a crazed vessel are too weak to bruise the rock which they rush upon. We spur asses to no purpose, when God's Angel is ad oppositum. Jacob having shrunk a sinew, halted all the days of his life, after he wrestled so long and to so little purpose with God omnipotent. Men are sure to gain no more than their own smart, that kick against the thorn: in such attempts it is neither in him that wills, nor in him that runs, but in God that shews mercy to those that direct themselves according to discipline: for sortes 'mittuntur in sinum,' the lots are cast into the lap, but it is God that disposeth the lottery. Though your purpose were all one with Ahab and Jezabel, in seeking to cut the throat of Naboth for his ground: though you gave out your hymn before this holy act as they proclaimed a religious fast: though you made yourselves sick, as Ahab did, with anguish and

VOL. II.

wills; yet since you could neither occidere nor possidere, your luck was worse than theirs : for by God's powerful and preventing grace, you were thrust as well from all the means and advantages of killing whom you hated, as of possessing what you coveted. It were good therefore that, upon so many plain experiments, you would confess with certain wanderers in the book of Wisdom, Lassatos esse vos,' that you are wearied and over-laboured in these crooked ways, and have been ever since you leaped out. of Via regia, the king's high-way, which neither leads to dishonour, nor ends in misery. No thing is more proper materia, to matter, than to flow, say the philosophers, nisi à for'mâ sistitur,' unless it be stayed and fixed by the form; nor any thing more proper to hummanity, (according to the rule of truth) than to err, if grace direct it not. Mahomet confesseth in his Alcoran, that the throne of Christ was raised by patience, his by revenge; that by miracle, his by tyranny. The modesty and piety of Christians afflicted for the point of conscience in the time of Tertullian, appears by the reason which he gives of their abstinence 'à suffocato et sanguine,' that is, ne

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quo sanguine contaminarentur, vel intra viscera sepulto;' that they might admit no pollution by blood, though it were buried within their bowels.

Pardon me, Mr. Garnet, though I doubt whether in the point of conscience, alone, you would voluntarily and resolutely abide the saw of Esay, the bolts of Jeremy, the gibbet of Peter, the sword of James, or the stoning of St. Stephen, much less make a gathering among those of your profession, towards the preparing of an humble sacrifice for the life of Nebuchadnezzar (as you esteem the king), that with the rage of a tiger sought his life, and waxed thus impatient of that soft and easy hand, which it pleased him in his gracious compassion and tenderness, before the late intended tragedy, to hold over you; so that with Seneca you might justly say, Nihil fœlicitati meæ deerat, 'nisi moderatio ejus.' Those golden comforts of the prophets to contrite offenders, ought at this time to be of greater estimation and value in your thoughts, than all the treasures of the Vatican. You cannot steer the ship of your crazed conscience more safely in this sharp storm, which hath been raised by yourselves, than by the council of Lactantius, which doth warrant, that to minds truly penitent,

Optimus portus est mutatio consilii,' change of resolution is the best haven and safest harbour. After an humble acknowledgment of a grievous sinin fratres vestros,' against your brethren, with the sons of Jacob, and withal, that for this cause chiefly tribulation hath taken hold of your highest top; first, yield unfeigned thanks to Almighty God for preventing this destructive project, that would have cast so great a weight of judgment upon your soul,. and for turning your ill purpose to his honour: then thank your merciful and tender-hearted 2 A

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king, who seeks not to surprize you suddenly, as Levi did Sichem, Quando dolor vulnerum | ' erat gravissimus;' as you would have dealt with him; and to assault you in the greatest horror and the sharpest torture of your crying sin; but by imitation of that eternal object whose person he represents, whose example he regards, agreeably to that record in the book of Wisdom, Dat tempus et locum per que ⚫ potestis mutari à malitia,' gives time and place by which you may be changed from your malice: crave pardon of the world, for leaving such a precedent to future times, of a possibility to achieve so desperate an act, which may perchance, according to the dispositions and humours of men diversly affected as well admonere as prohibere, that is, put the world in mind that such a matter may be, as forbid that it be

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Et rata perpetuo, quæ tribuere, velint.'

THEN the Lord Chief Justice making a pithy preamble of all the apparent Proofs and Presumptions of his guiltiness, gave Judgment. that he should be drawn, hanged and quartered. And my Lord of Salisbury demanded, if Garnet would say any thing else?

Garnet answered, No, my lord; but I humbly desire your lordships all to commend my life to the king's majesty; saying, That at his pleasure he was ready either to die or live, and do him service.

And so the Court arose.

Garnet's Execution.

On the 3d of May, Garnet, according to his Judgment, was executed upon a scaffold, set For that purpose at the West-end of St. hurch. At his arise up the scaffold, much amazed, fear and guiltiness apbis face. The Deans of Paul's and er being present, very gravely and ly exhorted him to a true and lively God-ward, a free and plain acknowat to the world of his offence; and if her treason lay in his knowledge, to den his conscience, and shew a sorrow ad detestation of it: but Garnet, impatient persuasions, and ill-pleased to be exhorted them, desired them not to trouble him, he une prepared and was resolved. Then the der of London, who was by his majesty

to be there, asked Garnet if he had

any thing to say unto the people before he died: it was no time to dissemble, and now his treasons were too manifest to be dissembled; therefore, if he would, the world should witness what at last he censured of himself, and of his fact; it should be free to him to speak what he listed. But Garnet, unwilling to take the offer, said, His voice was low, his strength gone, the people could not hear him, though he spake to them; but to those about him on the scaffold, he said, The intention was wicked, and the fact would have been cruel, and from his soul he should have abhorred it had it been effected: but he said, He had only a general knowledge of it by Mr. Catesby, which in that he disclosed not, nor used means to prevent it, herein he had offended; what he knew in particulars was in confession, as he said. But the Recorder wished him to be remembered, that the king's majesty had under his handwriting these four points amongst others: 1. That Greenway told him of this, not as a fault, but as a thing which he had intelligence of, and told it him by way of consultation. 2. That Catesby and Greenway came together to him to be resolved. 3. That Mr. Tesmond and he had conference of the particulars of the Powder Treason in Essex long after. 4. Greenway had asked him who should be the Protector? but Garnet said, That was to be referred till the blow was past. These prove your privity besides Confession, and these are extant under your hand. Garnet answered, Whatsoever was under his hand was true. And for that he disclosed not to his majesty the things he knew, he confessed himself justly condemned; and for this did ask forgiveness of his majesty. Hereupon the Recorder led him to the scaffold to make his Confession publick.

Then Garnet said, Good countrymen, I am come hither this blessed day of The Invention of the Holy Cross, to end all my crosses in this life: the cause of my suffering is not unknown to you; I confess I have offended the king, and am sorry for it, so far as I was guilty, which was in concealing it; and for that I ask pardon of his majesty. The Treason intended against the king and state was bloody, myself should have detested it, had it taken effect. And I am heartily sorry that any Catholicks ever had so cruel a design.' Then turning himself from the people to them about him, he made an apology for Mrs. Anne Vaux, saying, There is such an honourable gentlewoman who hath been much wronged in report: for it is suspected and said, that I should be married to her, or worse. But I protest the contrary: she is a virtuous gentlewoman, and for me a perfect pure virgin. For the pope's breves, sir Edmund Baynam's going over seas, and the matter of the Powder-Treason, he referred himself to his Arraignment, and his Confessions: for whatsoever is under my hand in any of my Confessions, said he, is true.'

Then addressing himself to execution, he kneeled at the ladder-foot, and asked if he might have time to pray, and how long. It was all

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swered, He should limit himself, none should am sorry that I did dissemble with them: But interrupt him. It appeared he could not con- I did not think they had such proof against stantly or devoutly pray; fear of death, or hope Ime, till it was shewed me; but when that was of pardon, even then so distracted him for oft proved, I held it more honour for me at that in those prayers he would break off, turn and 'time to confess, than before to have accused. look about him, and answered to what he over- And for my brother Greenway, I would the heard, while he seemed to be praying. When truth were known; for the false reports that he stood up, the Recorder finding in his beha- 'are, make him more faulty than he is. I viour as it were an expectation of a Pardon, 'should not have charged him, but that I wished him not to deceive himself, nor beguile thought he had been safe. I pray God the his own soul; he was come to die, and must catholicks may not fare the worse for my die; requiring him not to equivocate with his 'sake; and I exhort them all to take heed they last breath; if he knew any thing that might ' enter not into any treasons, rebellions, or inbe danger to the king or state, he should now 'surrections against the king. And with this utter it. Garnet said, It is no time now to ended speaking, and fell to praying; and equivocate; how it was lawful, and when, he crossing himself, said, 'In nomine Patris et Fihad shewed his mind elsewhere: but, saith he,lii, et Spiritus Sancti;' and prayed, Maria I do not now equivocate, and more than I have confessed I do not know. At his ascending up the ladder he desired to have warning before he was turned off. But it was told him, he must look for no other turn but death. Being upon the gibbet, he used these words: 'I commend me to all good Catholicks, and I pray God 'preserve his majesty, the queen, and all their posterity, and my lords of the privy council, to whom I remember my humble duty, and I

mater gratiæ, Maria mater misericordiæ, tu me a malo protege, et hora mortis suscipe.' Then, In manus tuas, Domine, commendo 'spiritum meuin:' Then, Per crucis hoc sig'num' (crossing himself) fugiat procul omne malignum. Iufige crucem tuam in corde meo, 'Domine;' Let me always remember the cross: and so he returned again to Maria mater ' gratiæ,' and then was turned off, and hung till he was dead.

X 82. A true Report of the Arraignment, Tryall,. Conviction, and Condemnation, of a Popish Priest, named ROBERT DREWRIE,* at the Sessions-house in the Old Baylie, on Friday and Wednesday, the 20th and 24th of February; the extraordinary great Grace and Mercie offered him, and his stubborne, traytorous, and wilfull Refusall. Also the Tryall' and Death of HUMPHREY LLOYD, for maliciouslie Murdering one of the Guard. And, lastly, the Execution of the said ROBERT DREWRIE, drawn in his Priestly Habit, and as he was a Benedictine Fryer, on Thursday following to Tiborne, where he was hanged and quartered. London; printed for Iefferie Chorlton, and are to be sold at his Shop adioyning to the great North Door of Paules, A. D. MDCVII. [3 Harl. Misc. 36.] 5 Ja. I. 1607.

IN
a case deseruing so well to be spoken off,
concerning iniury to God's glory, and apparant
wrong of our countrey, ouer-run with too
many men of such daungerous quality, I

This Article, though but unsatisfactory and indistinct, has yet been thought worthy of insertion, because it records a transaction curious in itself, and interesting from its connection with the history of the period during which it occurred. It is proper to mention, that this Drewrie was one of thirteen Priests who a little before the death of queen Elizabeth had signed the following Declaration :

THE SECULAR PRIEST'S LOYAL PROTESTATION. "WHEREAS it hath pleased our dread sovereign to take notioe of the faith and loyalty

thought it the duty of an honest subiect, to say somewhat, so farre as truth would warrant me, because slaunder and detraction are no meane enemies to such maner of proceedings.

of us her natural-born subjects, Secular Priests, and of her princely clemency hath given a sufficient earnest of some merciful favour towards us, being all subject by the laws of the realm to death, by our return into our country after our taking the order of priest-hood, since the first year of her majesty's reign; and only demandeth of us for this intended favour, an assurance of the said fidelity unto her majesty's person, crown, estate and dignity. We whose names are under-written, in most humble-wise prostrate at her majesty's feet, do acknowledge ourselves infinitely bound unto her majesty

Robert Drewrie being apprehended by his maiesties messengers at the White-Fryers, and afterward brought before the right reverend father in God, the lord bishop of London; declared himselfe there, as Garnet, his maister, had done before, Multorum nominum,' to be a man of many names, but yet no one of them being good. For, as no lesse than sixe severall names would serve Garnets turne, so this man had three to shadow him by, viz. Drewrie, Browne, and Hamden, but Drewrie was the last in his owne deliuering, and appearing to be his true name indeede.-His aunswers were equivocal and very confused, denying his priesthoode, and seeming so cunning, as if no hold were to be taken of him. But he being better known to the state then himself imagined, and his many daungerous practises suffici

therefore; and are most willing to give such assurance and satisfaction in this point as any Catholick priests can give unto their sovereign. "First, Therefore we acknowledge and confess the queen's majesty to have as full authority, power and sovereignty over us, and oyer all the subjects of the realm, as any of her highness's predecessors ever had. And farther, we protest that we are most willing and ready to obey her in all cases and respects, as far forth as ever Christian priests within this realm, or in any other Christian country, were bound by the law of God, and Christian religion, to obey their temporal princes.

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Secondly, Whereas for these many years past, divers conspiracies against her majesty's person and estate, and some forcible attempts for invading and conquering her dominions, have been made under we know not what pretences and intendments of restoring Catholick Religion by the sword; (a course most strange in the world, and undertaken peculiarly and solely against her majesty and her kingdoms, among other princes departed from the religion and obedience of the See Apostolick no less than she) by reason of which violent enterprizes her majesty, otherwise of singular clemency towards her subjects, hath been greatly moved to ordain and execute severer laws against Catholicks, which by reason of their communion with the See Apostolick in faith and religion, were easily supposed to favour these conspiracies and invasions, than perhaps had ever been enacted or thought upon, if such hostilities and wars had never been undertaken. We, to assure her majesty of our faithful loyalty al in this particular case, sincerely protest, by this our publick fact make known the Christian world, that in these of t piracies and invasions which anade by any foreign prince o disturbance and subversion ste and dominions, under the and intendments; we will rules of Christian religion, ded country from all these vioInjuries. And moreover, we selves resist them, as inconve

ently discouered and scanned; after such priuate examinations as were thought convenient, time was appointed for his publique tryall, which followed as hereafter shall be declared.

On Friday, being the 20th day of February, in the forenoone, my lord mayor, maister recorder, and other of his maiesties justices of the peace, sitting at the Sessions-House in the Old-Baily, by vertue of his highnesse commission of Oyer and Terminer, for goale deliuerie, for London, and the county of Middlesex : Robert Drewrie, priest, and a fryer of the Benedictine order, was brought before the bench. His enditement, according to forme of lawe in that case made and prouided, was openly read vnto him; whereunto he pleaded, Not Guilty, but, for his tryall, did put himselfe vpon God and his country. Then was a verie sufficient

nient means to introduce Catholick Religion into our country, but also earnestly perswade Lay-Catholicks to do the same.

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Thirdly, If upon any such invasions the pope should excommunicate every one that would not forsake the foresaid defence of her majesty and the realm, and take part with such conspirators and invaders; in this case we do think ourselves and the Lay-Catholicks not bound in conscience to obey this censure, but will defend our prince and country.-And because nothing is more certain than that whilst we endeavour to assure her majesty of our dutiful affection and allegiance by this our Christian and sincere protestation; there will not want those who will condemn and misconstrue our lawful fact: Yea, and by many sinister suggestions and calumnies discredit our doings with the Christian world, but chiefly with the pope's holiness, to the greatest prejudice and harm of our good names and persons that may be, unless we maturely prevent their malice herein. We most humbly beseech her majesty, that in this our recognizing, and yielding Csar's due unto her, we may also by her gracious leave be permitted, for avoiding obloquy and calumnies, to make known by like publick act, that by yielding her right unto her, we depart from no bond of that Christian duty which we owe to our supreme spiritual Pastor.-And therefore we acknowledge and confess the bishop of Rome to be the successor of St. Peter in that See; and to have as ample, and no more authority or jurisdiction over us and other Christians, than had that apostle by the gift and commission of Christ our Saviour. And that we will obey him so far forth as we are bound by the laws of God to do, and may stand with performance of our duty to our temporal prince, in such sort as we have before professed: For as we are most ready to spend our blood in defence of her majesty and our country, so will we rather lose our lives than infringe the authority of Christ's Catholick Church." 2 Coll. Eccl. Hist. 664, 3 Harl. Misc. 37.

This paper, says bishop Bancroft under his own hand, was delivered to me by the priests. Ex Biblioth. R. Harley Armig.

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