COuld it be imagined, that it could ever enter into the heart of Man to commit Murder un­der a Conceit of Religion; or for God's sake Traiterously to kill not only God's Image, but his Vicegerent too? Could it be thought, that under the most obliging, best-natur'd, and gracious Prince in the World, any persons could be found so profligately wicked, as to Conspire against his Life? And this too amongst a sort of men that have made such mighty boasts of their Loyalty! What Sentiments must we have of such People? Or how can we express their Tempers better, than in that Expostulation of the Re­verend Author of The Practice of Piety? P. 783. [Page 2] If they are Saints, who be Scythians? Who are Can­nibals, if they Catholicks?

On Tuesday the 14th. of Decemb. 1678, there were Three of these Romish Emissaries, on a most fair and equal Tryal, Condemned to die, not in the least for their Religion, unless Treason and Murder be an essen­tial constitutive part of it; not for being Roman Ca­tholicks (as they absurdly love to call themselves) nor for being Popish Priests, or seducing good Subjects to their Idolatrous and Traiterous Principles: though both these latter Facts they know are made Capital by our most necessary Laws, for preservation of the Government. 'Twas not, I say, for any of these Causes; and therefore let not any of their Party at home or abroad, who make Lies their Refuge, and devote all their Endeavours to misrepresent things, cry out, as they were wont to do, and too lately, with an impudence to be equall'd by nothing but their ma­lice, have done. That the poor innocent Catholicks are prosecuted, persecuted, martyr'd, &c. for their Religion.

But to satisfie all the World, Be it known, they were Apprehended, Tryed, Convicted and Condemn­ed for the highest of Crimes; for it was a crime of the same species that at first made Angels Devils, I mean Treason, High Treason, aggravated to the highest pitch; being not only to destroy our establisht Religi­on, but likewise subvert the Government, and in or­der [Page 3] thereunto to Murther His Most Gracious Majesty, our Soveraign Lord the King (whom, may the Hand of Heaven, as hitherto through a Thousand dangers from different Factions, so ever protect, and long pre­serve.)

As for the qualities of these persons, we have little to say; If any of them were well descended, or rela­ted, we are sorry they should not retain that loyalty and vertue which had added luster to their Ancestors. One of them was without dispute of the Jesuits Order, and a man of parts; the other two (as far as I can learn) but Lay brothers of the Society: The first instigated the last to the horrid attempt: But as to par­ticulars of the proof, I refer the Reader to a peculiar Narrative, which is expected from Authority, of the whole procedure.

The Holy-days intervening, and upon some other im­portant considerations, they had a large time allowed them for Repentance, and fitting themselves for Death; but on Friday the 24th of this instant January, two of them, viz. William Ireland and John Grove were brought to Execution (the other, for good reasons, being for the present respited): They were drawn both together in one Sledge, with White Hats, and Grey-Clothes; one of them had a Book in his hand, and was often observ'd to whisper to the other.

By the vast multitudes that crouded to see them pass, and the general sense of the people, it was apparent how zealous the English Nation in general, and this famous City in particular, are in their respects to his Majesty, and how concern'd to bring all those to just punishment that shall any way make attempts against His Sacred person, or endeavour to destroy the Protestant Religion, and introduce abominabie Popery, which can never be effected without subversion of the Government.

At the place of Execution, they said something, as Prayers; but otherwise talked little that could be heard, by reason of the vast throng of Spectators; and so suffered most deservedly according to the dread­ful sentence.

But since there is so much talk of Jesuits, and in­deed not only we, but all Europe, has reason enough to beware of them; It may not be amiss to give the Reader some account of the Original of those trouble­some Companions, how long they have been in the World, and who was their Founder.

The person that Instituted them, was Ignatius Loy­ola, a Spanish Soldier, in the year 1540. He had been a fellow debauched in his youth, and having spent all his Patrimony, grew so devout, as to set up for a New Order, whom blasphemously he called, The Fel­lows, Companions, or the society of Jesus; and amongst [Page 5] other Provisions, besides the three Vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience, establisht, That all Members thereof should take another special Vow —That whatever the Roman Bishop for the time being shall Com­mand, they shall execute the same without Tergiversation or excuse. This was just after Luther began the Re­formation; and the Pope having need of such trusty sticklers, you may be sure encouraged them: but that which made them first famous, was, Teaching of Schools, which they discharged with great diligence and dexte­rity; thereby, not only engaging Parties, but also im­printing a lasting veneration in Youth for that Socie­ty under which they had been bred. To tell you all the Lying Miracles they attribute to this Catholick Lance-presade, requires a Volume. I shall only ven­ture to shew one piece of their impudence, in the de­testable words of Valderama, one of that Order, de Canoniz. Loyolae, p. 51.

'Tis not to be wondred, that Moses did very great Miracles, for he wrought them by the power of the Name of God, engraven in his staff: Nor is it any more that the Apostles did so many wonders, when all was done in the Name of God. But that our blessed Ignatius should, with his own Name written in a piece of paper, do more Miracles than Moses and all the Apo­stles put together, this indeed raises in us an ex­cess of Admiration for him.

For my part, I judge the greatest Miracle we are beholden to him for, is, That he has set up such a mischievous Gang, so destru­ctive wherever they come to Government, and yet Christendom should suffer them so mightily to increase.—The said Loyola's Mot­to was —Cavete, vobis Principes; where-ever you see us, look to your selves.—This is the honestest trick that ever I Read of from a Jesuit; 'tis fair warning, and they may well be laught at that will not take it.