they know the way, and can go to pawn alone by themselves. Thus they are forced to purchase the same cloaths seven times over; and, for want of a chest to keep them in at home, it costs thrice as much as they are worth for their lodging in his custody. When they come in, like other prisoners, they first pay garnish, the two-pences for entrancemoney; after this, six-pence a month for every twenty shillings lent, which yet indeed is but nineteen shillings and six-pence; that is, accord. ing to their reckoning of thirteen months to the year, six shillings and six-pence interest, for one pound for a year; which makes thirty-three pounds, six shillings, and eight-pence in the hundred, viz. One third part of the principal, and just twenty-seven pounds, six shillings, and eight-pence more than the statute allows; besides twelve-pence for a bill of sale, if the matter be considerable. So that, since they never lend half the value on any thing that is brought them, if a pawn-broker lay out a hundred pounds, he first makes near forty pounds, per annum, advantage certain, as aforesaid: and then considering how many thieves, &c. (their chief customers that bring the lumping bargains) never intend to redeem, and how many poor are not able, especially since, as soon as the year and day expire, they presently dispose their pawns, or pretend to do so; we may reasonably conclude that these horse-leeches make cent. per cent. at least of their money in a year and all this by a course tending only to the encouragement of thieves, and ruin of those that are honest, but indigent.

We

Near of kin to these caterpillars is the unconscionable tally-man, but a little more adventurous, and dealing so much in wood, that it is supposed his deserts may entitle him to die on a leafless tree. He is one that eateth up the poor, to use a sacred phrase, even as bread, and yet under a charitable pretence of serving and accommodating them: for he lets them have ten shillings worth of sorry commodities, or scarce so much, on security given to pay him twenty shillings by twelve-pence a week. Then his wandering Mephistophilus, with the bundle of rattles, whom we may call the devil's rent-gatherer, haunts them more diligently, than a revengeful ghost does a murderer, or a tormenting conscience, a traytor: and, if they happen to fail the first or second week, snaps them or their security, and makes them, forthwith, pay the utmost farthing; alledging, now their former agreement was void. have nothing to do with those, that deal according to conscience. There is yet another pack of the charitable vermin, that make it their business to lend money by the week. This crafty extortioner commonly keeps a blind ale-house; and you must first, besides a world of compliments, spend two or three shillings at several times, before he be at leisure, or money comes in, or that you can persuade him to like your security; at least you get but eighteen shillings, for every twenty shillings; but must give bond (and him twelve-pence for making it) to repay full twenty shillings at two shillings per week: who, in case of failure, takes the first advantage to be as kind to you, as the last gentleman. And so by these subtleties, and continual returns, they likewise make much more than double of their money in a year's time, as by exact calculation may appear.

These are the Nimrods, the private hunters, in this vast forest of chim

nies, that draw the poor into their nets, and pick them to the very bone. But the bandogs, that they make use of, are the bum-bailey and his setting-cur: the first, a kind of excrescence of the law, like our nails, made only to scratch and claw; a sort of birdlime, where he lays hold, he hangs; a raven that pecks not out men's eyes, as others do, but all his spite is at their shoulders; and you had better have the night-mare ride you, than this incubus. He is one of Deucalion's by-blows, begotten of a stone, and has taken an oath never to pity widow or orphan. His first business is to bait you for money for his confounded civility; next, to call for drink, as fast as men for buckets of water in a confla. gration after which, becoming grave and serious, he advises you, in revenge, to arrest the plaintiff, and offers to do it, with, or without cause; it is all one to him, if he perceive you have money. His follower is an hanger, that he wears by his side; a false dye of the same bale, but not the same cut; for it runs somewhat higher, inflames the reckoning, and so does more mischief. He is a tumbler that drives in the conies; but is yet but a bungler, and knows not how to cut up a man, without tearing, unless by a pattern. This is the hook, that hangs under water to choak the fish, and his officer the quill above, which pops down as soon as ever the bait is swallowed. Though dif. fering in degree, they are both much of a complexion, only the teeth of this latter are more sharp, and he more hungry, because he does but snap, and hath not his full half-share of the booty. A main part of his office is to swear and bluster at their trembling prisoners, and cry, Confound us, why do we wait? Let us shop him;' whilst the other meekly replies, Jack, be patient, it is a civil gentleman, and I know, will consider us;' which species of wheedling, in terms of their art, is called sweeten and pinch. The eyes of these wolves are as quick in their head, as a cutpurse's in a throng; and as nimble are they at their business, as an hangman at an execution. They will court a broken pate to heal it with a plaister of green-wax. and suck more silver out of a wound, than a surgeon. Yet, as these eels are generally bred out of the mud of a bankrupt, so they commonly die with their guts ripped up, or are decently run through the lungs; and, as they lived hated, die unpitied. We speak here of those only that abuse the intentions of the law, and act oppression under the colour of serving common justice.

THE

GRAND DESIGNS OF THE PAPISTS,

IN THE

REIGN OF OUR LATE SOVEREIGN CHARLES THE FIRST,

And now carried on against

His present Majesty, his Government, and the Protestant Religion.

Imprimatur. Guil. Jane, Nov. 2, 1678.

London, printed by Henry Hills, anno 1678. Quarto, containing forty pages.

TO THE READER.

He must needs be a man of very slender observation and acquaintance in the world, who is surprised and startled at the news of plots and conspiracies against princes, contrived and managed by the restless emissaries of the church of Rome. There is no new thing under the sun,' says the wise man. And, as to the present case, we may defy the greatest villain of the whole order of Jesuits to form any design, however black and execrable, barbarous and, inhuman, which shall be any other than the unavoidable result of their avowed principles, which we may gather from their writings, and the repetition of their known practices, which stand upon record in the histories of former ages. This truth has been convincingly demonstrated by our Protestant writers in both the parts of it; insomuch that the Romish factors, instead of denying the charge, have begun to save us all further trouble, by giving fresh proof of it themselves: and, by a late traiterous design against his majesty's person and government, have endeavoured to confirm our assertions, by a sad and direful experience; as thinking, perhaps, that new massacres are the most effectual course to stop the cry of the old, and that the readiest way to silence their adversaries, is, to make them instances of the truth of the accusation.

It is not the design of these papers, to give an account of the discovery of the late plot, but only to present the reader with the narrative of another against his majesty's royal father, of blessed memory, so exactly resembling this, which now lies under examination, that it can hardly be called another, being nothing else but the same thing acted over again, only with the necessary alteration of the circumstances of time, place, and persons.

I will not here undertake to make out the parallel, which is so obvious to be discerned, in almost all the circumstances of the story. The only use, I shall at present make of it, is briefly this, viz. from hence to understand, who were the chief promoters of the late troubles, and the most pernicious enemies to that royal martyr. The Sectaries, indeed, were the most visible and notorious, but they were neither the only, nor the principal actors in the conspiracy; the Jesuits can never sit out, when such great transactions, as rebellions and regicide, are going forward. And, however the Papist and Fanatick are of contrary factions, interests, and inclinations, yet it is natural enough, that they may both conspire, though with a different intent, to promote and carry on the very same design.

We have here a full discovery made to us where our danger lies; nor are the Roman practices ever the less mischievous, though usually managed in a way more secret and undiscerned. What is now secretly practised, in colleges and corners, shall, whenever opportunity serves them, be openly acted in the face of the sun. What has been once done, may be done again. And let us not flatter ourselves, that we can have any security from that sort of men, who can readily break through all obligations of gratitude or religion, for propagating their cause, though by a massacre, or a powder-plot, by the murder of a king, or the subversion of a kingdom. The Lord, in his mercy, awaken us to see our danger, and, in his good time, make us a way to escape it; and grant, that we may all, in this our day, know the things that belong unto our peace, before they be hid from our eyes.

WHO, and what the author of this discovery was; who the chief active instruments in the plot; when, and where they assembled ; in what vigorous manner they daily prosecuted it; how effectually they proceeded in it; how difficult it is to dissolve, or counter-work it, without special diligence, the relation itself will best discover; whose verity, if any question, these reasons will inforce belief:

First, That the discoverer was a chief actor in this plot, sent hither from Rome by Cardinal Barbarino, to assist Con, the pope's legate, in the pursuit of it, and privy to all the particulars therein discovered.

Secondly, That the horror, and reality of the conspiracy, so troubled his conscience, as it engaged him to disclose it, yea, to renounce that

bloody church and religion which contrived it, though bred up in, preferred by it, and promised greater advancements for his diligence in this design.

Thirdly, That he discovered it under an oath of secrecy, and offered to confirm every particular by solemn oath.

Fourthly, That he discovers the persons principally employed in this plot, the places and times of their secret conventions, their manner and diligence in the pursuit of it, with all other circumstances, so punctually, as leaves no place for doubt.

Fifthly, The principal conspirators, nominated by him, are notoriously known to be fit instruments for such a wicked design.

Sixthly, Many particulars therein have immediate relation to the king and archbishop, to whom he imparted this discovery, and durst not reveal any thing for truth, which they could disprove on their own knowledge.

Seventhly, Sir William Boswel, and the archbishop, if not the king himself, were fully satisfied that it was real, and most important.

Eighthly, Some particulars are ratified by the archbishop's testimony, in the memorials of his own life, written with his own hand some years before; and others so apparent, that most intelligent men in court, or city, were acquainted with them whilst they were acting, though ignorant of the plot.

The first overture and larger relation of the plot itself were both writ in Latin, as they are here printed, and faithfully translated word for word, as near as the dialect will permit. All which premised, the letters and plot here follow in order.

Sir William Boswel's first Letter to the Archbishop concerning the

May it please your GRACE,

Plot.

HE offers (whereof your grace will find a copy here inclosed) towards

the second hand, and in speech, by a friend of good quality and worth in this place. But soon after, as soon as they could be put into order, were avowed by the principal party, and delivered me in writing by both together; upon promise and oath, which I was required to give, and gave accordingly, not to reveal the same to any other man living but your grace, and, by your grace's hand, unto his majesty.

In like manner they have tied themselves not to declare these things unto any other but myself, until they should know how his majesty and your grace would dispose thereof; the principal giving me withal to know, that he puts himself, and this secret, into your grace's power, as well, because it concerns your grace so nearly, after his majesty, as, that he knows your wisdom to guide the same aright; and is assured of your grace's fidelity to his majesty's person, to our state, and to our church.

First, your grace is humbly and earnestly prayed to signify his ma jesty's pleasure, with all possible speed, together with your grace's disposition herein, and purpose to carry all with silence from all, but his majesty, until due time.

Secondly, when your grace shall think fit to shew these things unto his majesty, to do it immediately, not trusting to letters, or permitting any other person to be by, or in hearing; and to intreat and counsel his majesty, as in a case of conscience, to keep the same wholly and solely in his own bosom, from the knowledge of all other creatures liv ing, but your grace, until the business shall be clear, and sufficiently in his majesty's, and your grace's hands, to effect.

Thirdly, not to inquire, or demand, the names of the parties from whom these overtures do come, or any further discoveries and adver tisements in pursuit of them which shall come hereafter, until due satisfaction shall be given in every part of them; nor to bewray unto any person, but his majesty, in any measure or kind, that any thing of this nature, or of any great importance, is come from me.

For, as I may believe these overtures are verifiable in the way they will be laid, and that the parties will not shrink; so I make account, that, if never so little a glimpse or shadow of these informations shall appear by his majesty's, or your grace's speech, or carriage, unto others, the means, whereby the business may be brought best unto trial, will be utterly disappointed and the parties who have in conscience towards God, and devotion to his majesty, affection to your grace, and compassion of our country, disclosed these things, will run a present and extreme hazard of their persons and lives. So easily it will be conjectured (upon the least occasion given upon his majesty's, or your grace's parts) who is the discoverer: by what means, and how he knows so much of these things, and where he is; these are the points, which, together with the offers, they have pressed me especially to represent most seriously unto your grace.

For my own particular, having most humbly craved pardon of any error or omissions, that have befallen me in the managing of this busi ness, I do beseech your grace to let me know:

First, whether, and in what order I shall proceed hereafter with the parties?

Secondly, what points of these offers I shall chiefly and first put them to inlarge and clear?

Thirdly, what other points and inquiries I shall propose unto them? And in what manner?

Fourthly, how far further I shall suffer myself to hear and know these things?

Fifthly, whether I shall not rather take the parties answers, and discoveries, sealed up by themselves, and having likewise put my own seal upon them, without questioning or seeing what they contain, so to transmit them to his majesty or your grace?

Sixthly, whether I may not insinuate upon some fair occasion, that there will be a due regard held of them, and their service, by his majesty and your grace: when all particulars undertaken in these general offers, and necessary for perfecting the discovery and work intended, shall be effectually delivered to his majesty or your grace?

Upon these heads, and such others, as his majesty, or your grace, shall think proper in the business, I must, with all humility, beseech your grace to furnish me with instructions, and warrant for my proceed