Therefore in the faithful communion and perfect union of the sufferings of all saints that ever have been, or now are, or ever will be, in the union of the most sacred merits of the life, passions and death of God and man, my dear Redeemer and Saviour Christ, I offer myself willingly to what I am now to suffer, begging by all that is good in heaven and in earth, remissions of sins for myself and all the world, particularly for all that may appear to have been my enemies in the concern of my life, as witness, jury, judge, and others, whom I do not esteem as enemies, but as the best of friends; I heartily forgive them, and beg the best of blessings for them all, as being the cause of sending me sooner than otherwise I might have gone, to the happy state of hope for the other world. Whither, before I go, I humbly beg pardon of all in this world, for whatever in thoughts, words or deeds I have committed to offend them, or omitted to do for them, by which any thing might have been mended in them, or myself, I beseech God to bless them all. I beseech God to bless also all my friends, spiritual and temporal; all benefactors; and all by whom I have received good or evil, by words, deeds, or desires.

I beseech God to bless all those of whom I ever had care or charge spiritually or temporally.

I beseech God bless his holy catholic church, and our chief bishop thereof, with all other bishops, priests and clergy.

I beseech God bless this nation, and unite all amongst themselves and to God, in true Faith, Hope and Charity.

I beseech God to bless his majesty's privy council, and make all the secrets of their hearts and their desires such, as that both Charles our king on earth, and God our great king in heaven and earth, may be served, pleased and honoured by them, that men and angels may rejoice at it now, and be public witness of it at the last great day, at the great and last council table, where every secret shall be laid open,' | Luke 12, as Solomon saith, Eccles. ult. when "God will bring into judgment every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.'

I beseech God to bless the parliament now elect, and be so present with them when they sit to judge and discuss the causes of this nation, they may imitate the assembly of those that are to sit upon the twelve thrones at the last great assembly, that they may now judge or determinate of things no otherwise than they hope or fear then to be judged themselves, and determined of to all eternity.

I beseech God to bless all that suffer in this persecution, and let the blessing exprest in the 126th Psalm light upon them speedily, that God turning their captivity, all mouths may be filled with joys, and tongues with singings. Convert, O Lord, our captivity, as streams in the south, that those who now sow in tears, may reap in joy; and for this temporal death, O blessed Trinity, give me eternal life; let my body die to the world for the love of thee, that

my soul may live for ever, and love in thee my God and dear Redeemer, Amen. Sweet Jesus, Amen.

preceding month of July another priest had It appears from the following, that in the been executed at Chester.

"The Speech of Mr. WILLIAM PLESSINGTON,

who was Executed at Chester (for being a Priest of the Church of Rome) July 19, 1679.

"Dear Countrymen; I am here to be executed, neither for theft, murder, nor any thing against the law of God, nor any fact or doctrine inconsistent with monarchy or civil government, I suppose several now present heard my trial the last Assizes, and can testify that nothing was laid to my charge but priest-hood, and I am sure that you will find that priest-hood is neither against the law of God nor monarchy, or civil government. If you will consult either the Old or New-Testament, (for it is the basis of religion) for no priest no religion, St. Paul tells us in Hebrews, the 7, and 12. The priesthood being changed, there is made also of necessity a change of the law, and consequently the priest-hood being abolished, the law and religion is quite gone.-But I know it will be said, that a priest ordained by authority derived from the See of Rome, is by the law of the nation to die as a traitor, but if that be so what must become of all the clergy-men of the Church of England, for the first protestant bishops had their ordination from those of the Church of Rome, or none at all, as appears' by their own writers, so that ordination comes derivatively to those now living.-As in the primitive times, Christians were esteemed traitors; and suffered as such by national laws, so are the priests of the Roman Church, here esteemed and suffer as such. But as Christianity then was not against the law of God, monarchy, or civil policy, so now there is not any one point of the Roman Catholic faith, (of which faith I am) that is inconsistent therewith, as is evident by induction in each several point.-That the pope hath power to depose or give license to murder princes, is no point of our belief. And I protest in the sight of God and the court of heaven, that I am absolutely innocent of the Plot so much discoursed of, and abhor such bloody and damnable designs, and although it be 9 weeks since I was sentenced to die, there is not any thing of that laid to my charge, so that I may well take comfort in St. Peter's words, 1 Pet. 14, 15, 16. 'Let none of 'you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men's matters, yet if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed or sorry. I have deserved a worse death, for though I have been a faithful and true subject to my king, I have been a grievous sinner against God; thieves and robbers that rob on high-ways, would have served God in a greater perfection than I have

done, had they received so many favours and graces from him as I have.-But as there was never sinner who truly repented and heartily called to Jesus for mercy, to whom he did not shew mercy; so I hope by the merits of his passion, he will have mercy on me, who am heartily sorry that ever I offended him.-Bear witness good hearers, that I profess that I undoubtedly and firmly believe all the Articles of the Roman Catholic faith, and for the truth of any of them, (by the assistance of God) I am willing to die, and I had rather die than doubt of any point of faith, taught by our holy mother the Roman Catholic Church. In what condition Margaret Plat one of the chiefest wit- | nesses against me was before, and after she was with me, let her nearest relations declare. George Massey, another witness swore falsly, when he swore, I gave him the Sacrament, and

said mass at the time and place he mentioned' and I verily think that he never spoke to me, or I to him, or saw each other but at the Assizes week; the third witness Robert Wood was suddenly killed, but of the dead why should I speak? These were all the witnesses against me, unless those that only declared what they heard from others. I heartily and freely forgive all that have been or are any way instru mental to my death, and heartily desire that those that are living may heartily repent.-God bless the king and the royal family, and grant his majesty a prosperous reign here and a crown of glory hereafter, God grant peace to the subjects, and that they live and die in true Faith, Hope, and Charity. That which remains is, that I recommend myself to the mercy of my Jesus by whose merits I hope for mercy, O Jesu be to me a Jesus."

258. The Trial of THOMAS KNOx and JOHN LANE, at the King'sBench, for a Misdemeanor:* 31 CHARLES II. A. D. 1679.

On Tuesday the 25th day of November, 1679, | at the King's bench-bar at Westminster, Thomas Knox and John Lane were tried for the misdemeanor and offence hereinafter in the Indictment expressed; which trial was in manner following.

Proclamation being made in usual manner for information, and the defendants called to their challenges, the jury were sworn, whose names follow.

Sir John Kirk, Thomas Harriot, Henry John- | son, Simon Middleton, Hugh Squire, Francis Dorrington, John Roberts, Rainsford Waterhouse, Thomas Earsby, Joseph Radcliffe, James Supple, Richard Cooper.

Who being numbered, the clerk of the crown charged them with the indictment thus:

Cl. of Cr. Gentlemen, You of the jury that are sworn, hearken to your charge; you shall understand that the defendants stand indicted by the oaths of twelve honest and lawful men of the county of Middlesex, by the names of Thomas Knox of the parish of St. Margaret's,

Published in the next year, under the title of "The Trial and Conviction of Thomas Knox and John Lane, for a Conspiracy to defame and scandalize Dr. Oates and Mr. Bedloe; thereby to discredit their evidence about the Horrid Popish Plot: at the King's-Bench-bar at Westminster, on Tuesday the 25th of November, 1679. Before the Right Hon. Sir William Scroggs, knt Lord Chief Justice, and the other Judges of that Court. Where, upon full evidence, they were found Guilty of the offence aforesaid. London: Printed for Robert Pawlett, at the Bible in Chaucery lane, near Fleetstreet, 1680."

I do appoint Robert Pawlett to print the 'Trial of Thomas Knox and Johu Lane, and ⚫ let no other person presume to print the same.' WILLIAM SCROGGS.

Westminster, in the county of Middlesex, labourer, and John Lane of the same parish and county, labourer, for that whereas Edward Coleman, William Ireland, and John Grove, and other false traitors against our sovereign lord Charles 2. by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. to the jurors aforesaid unknown, the 24th day of April, in the 30th year of the reign of our said sovereign lord the king, at the parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster, in the county of Middlesex, traiterously amongst themselves had conspired, consulted, and agreed, to bring and put to death and destruction our said sovereign lord the king, and war against our said sovereign lord the king within this kingdom of England to stir up, and the religion in the said kingdom of England, rightly and by the laws of the said kingdom established, to the superstition of the Romish church to change and alter, and the government of the said kingdom of England to subvert; for which their said most wicked treasons, and traiterous conspiracies, consultations, and agreements, the said Edward Coleman, William Ireland, and John Grove, in due manner and according to the laws of this kingdom of England, were afterwards attainted, and underwent the pain of death for the same. And whereas William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford, John lord Bellasis, Henry lord Aruudel of Wardor, William lord Petre, and sir Henry Titchbourn, bart. the 30th day of November; in the 30th year of the reign of our said sovereign lord the king aforesaid, at the parish of St. Margaret's Westminster, aforesaid, in the county of Middlesex aforesaid, of the treasons aforesaid were lawfully accused, and thereupon, according to due form of law, were committed to the Tower of London, being the prison of our said sovereign Lord the king, there safely to be kept to answer for the trea

and William Bedlow, against them the said William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford," William lord Petre, John lord Bellasis, and Henry lord Arundel, for our said sovereign lord the king, to be given, falsly, maliciously, subtilly, and advisedly, did write and cause to be written three letters, and those letters, so written, falsly, craftily, unlawfully, and adhimself the said Thomas Knox, by which said letters falsly, craftily, and deceitfully, it was declared, That they the said John Lane and William Osborne were greatly troubled in their consciences by reason of certain things which they well knew, and had concealed concerning the unjust contrivances of the said Titus Oates and William Bedlow, in accusing the said Thomas earl of Danby, to be guilty of the treasons and other misdemeanors aforesaid, and that the said Titus Oates was a person of a wicked and vicious life, and made an assault upon the said John Lane, and with the said John Lane to commit that detestable sin called sodomy before that time had endeavoured. And that he the said Thomas Knox, the sooner and more effectually to persuade the said John Lane and William Osborn falsly to accuse the said Titus Oates and William Bedlow, that they the said Titus Oates and William Bedlow unjustly, and against all truth, had accused the said Thomas earl of Danby, of the treasons and other misdemeanors aforesaid, and so to affirm against the evidence of our said sovereign lord the king, upon the trial of the said Thomas earl of Danby, for the treasons and other misdemeanors aforesaid, to be had afterwards, to wit, the said 30th day of April, in the 31st year of the reign of our said sovereign lord the king aforesaaid, at the parish aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, falsly, advisedly, corruptly, and against the duty of his allegiance, unlawfully gave to the said John Lane and William Osborn, divers great sums of money, and also further falsly, advisedly, corruptly, and against the duty of his allegiance, the day and year aforesaid, at the parish aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, did promise unto the said John Lane and William Osborn, that they the said John Lane and William Osborn, within a certain time, by the said Thomas Knox to the said John Lane and William Osborn propounded, divers other great sums of money, and other great rewards therefore should have and re

sons aforesaid; whereupon they the said William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford, John lord Bellasis, Henry lord Arundel of Wardor, and William lord Petre, were in parliament impeached by the Commons in the same parliament assembled. And whereas Thomas earl of Danby afterwards to wit the said 30th day of November, in the 30th year aforesaid, at the parish aforesaid, in the county afore-visedly, did direct and cause to be delivered to said, of certain treasons and other misdemeanors was lawfully accused, and thereupon, according to due form of law, was committed to the said Tower of London, there to be safely kept to answer for the treasons and misdemeanors aforesaid, of which said treasons and misdemeanors be the said Thomas earl of Danby is impeached in parliament, by the Commons in the same parliament assembled, that they the said Thomas Knox and John Lane, well knowing the said William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford, John lord Bellasis, Henry lord Arundel of Wardour, William lord Petre, and Thomas earl of Danby, to be accused of the treasons and misdemeanors aforesaid; and they the said Thomas Knox and John Lane, being devilishly affected towards our said so sovereign lord the king, their supreme and natural lord, and devising, and with all their strength intending the peace and tranquility of this kingdom of England to disturb, and to hinder and stifle the discovery of the said treasons, by the said William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford, John lord Bellasis, Henry lord Arundel, and William lord Petre, as aforesaid supposed to be committed, and, as much as in them lay to elude the due course of law, and the prosecution of Justice against the said William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford, William lord Petre, John lord Bellasis, sir Henry Tichbourn, and Thomas earl of Danby to retard, they the said Thomas Knox and John Lane, afterwards, to wit, the 30th day of April, in the 31st year of the reign of our said sovereign lord the king, at the parish aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, falsly, maliciously and unlawfully did consult and agree among themselves, Titus Oates clerk, and William Bedlow gentleman, who informations of the treasons aforesaid had given, and whom they the said Thomas Knox and John Lane, the day and year aforesaid, well knew to have given information of the treasons aforesaid against them the said William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford, John lord Bellasis, Henry lordceive, against the duty of their allegiance, to Arundel, and Wiliam lord Petre, to scandalize and upon the trial of the said William earl of Powis, William viscount Stafford, John lord Bellasis, Henry lord Arundel, and William lord Petre, to represent them to be persons of evil conversation, and witnessses not deserving credit. And that he the said Thomas Knox afterwards, to wit, the said 30th day of April, in the 31st year aforesaid, at the parish afore said, in the county aforesaid, in the names, and with the consent and agreement of the said John Lane, and one William Osborn, to disgrace the information of the said Titus Oates

the great retarding, obstructing and suppressing of justice, in manifest contempt of the laws of this kingdom of England, to the evil and pernicious example of all others in the like case offending, and against the peace of our said sovereign lord the king, his crown and dignity. To this indictment, the said Thomas Knox and John Lane, by their attorney, pleaded that they are Not Guilty, nor either of them is Guilty of the offence aforesaid, and further withal put themselves upon the country, and the king's attorney likewise. And your charge is to enquire if they are Guilty or Not Guilty."

Cl. of Cr. Make an O yes.

Crier. O yes! if any one will give evidence on the behalf of our sovereign lord the king, against Thomas Knox and John Lane, of the misdemeanors and offence whereof they stand indicted, let them come forth and give their evidence.

to this matter: that there hath been an horrid and abominable conspiracy against the king, the nation, the religion, and the law, appears (my lord) by the proceedings in parliament, wherein the Lords and the Commons have several times jointly declared so, and I think, it is so public that no body will doubt there is such a thing; who is guilty, that is another

matter.

Serj. Maynard. Your lordship says right. But my lord, the first discovery of this conspiracy came from a single person, one that stood single and discouraged a long time, and that there were endeavours to discourage his further discovery, that will appear. My lord, when it stood so, it happened that sir Edmundbury Godfrey had taken his examination, and these things will be material in the end of the cause.

Mr. Trenchard. May it please your lordship, and you gentlemen of the jury, Thomas Knox and John Lane stand indicted for a great and L. C. J. This court must take notice of that, high misdemeanor, and the indictment sets because some have been tried, convicted, and forth, that whereas Coleman, Ireland, Pick-condemned for it by this court. ering, and Grove, and other false traitors did conspire to destroy the king, and change the religion established by law, to levy war against our sovereign lord the king, and to introduce popery, and for these treasons were convicted, attainted, and executed; and further sets forth, that the lord Powis, lord Arundel of Wardor, and others, were accused of the said treasons, and were committed to the Tower, and afterwards were impeached for the same by the Commons in parliament assembled; as also that Thomas earl of Danby was impeached of high-treason and other misdemeanors; that the defendants knowing Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow had given information of these treasons, to stifle the evidence, and to scandalize them, did falsly conspire to represent them as wicked persons, and men of no credit. And the indictment further sets forth, that the defendant Knox, with the agreement of Lane, and one Osborn, did cause several letters to be writ, in which it was contrived to accuse the said Oates and Bedlow, that they had conspired falsly to accuse the said earl of Danby, and that Oates was a person of a vicious conversation, and had a design to attempt an assault upon the person of the said Lane, with an intention to commit that detestable sin of sodomy; the better to effect which wicked designs, the said Knox gave several sums of money to Osborn and Lane, and had offered great rewards unto them. To this indictment they have pleaded Not Guilty, and you are to try whether they are Guilty or Not, of this misdemeanor.

Then sir John Maynard, the king's eldest serjeant at law, pursued the charge thus:

Serj. Maynard. May it please your lordship, and you gentlemen of the jury; this cause is of great consequence; and, my lord, I desire the jury to observe, that their question this day is not to enquire whether the lords or the other persons accused and impeached in parliament are Guilty or Not; but the question before them, is, Whether the persons that stand here indicted, are guilty of wicked and vile endeavours to discountenance and suppress the evidence, and scandalize their persons, who were to give evidence against these lords; we are not to give evidence against the lords, but against these persons.

L. C. J. (Sir Wm. Scroggs) You are right, brother.

Serj. Maynard. Gentlemen, something I must observe to you, that is an inducement

6

Sir E. Godfrey having taken the examination of Oates, then the endeavour was to suppress this examination that he had taken, and that by no less a wickedness than the barbarous murder of that honest gentleman, whom you all knew; and they not only took away his life, but they did strive to baffle and defame him, when he was dead, and that will appear too, and is public and known. My lord, all this while stood Oates single; it fell out by the mercy of God, that a further discovery was made by Bedlow, he was examined, aud it is publicly known, and public justice hath gone upon it.-The next attempt was to corrupt the testimony of Bedlow with bribes and rewards, and by other ways; and the person that transacted it, Reading, is attainted of it, Scelere tutandum est scelus,' when men have invented and designed any great wickedness, they are forced to enter upon others to cover and conceal the former. My lord, it proceeded now, and comes to that which will be the question this day. Having gone all these ways, now they return again, to see if they can disgrace and baffle the evidence Oates and Bedlow had given, and the way to that is by disparaging and scandalizing them with foul offences, especially Dr. Oates; and that was thus, (as we shall prove to your lordship) Lane had been a servant with Oates, and the other was one of the like condition, and he was tampered with to accuse Dr. Oates of that horrid sin of sodomy, and I think if he were such an one, little credit were to be given to such a man. This was the design they were to accomplish. And we shall prove to you, in order to it, there were letters written (and contrived by Knox indeed) written by Osborn who is not now before you, but a contrivance of them all. And, my lord, there must be a pretence; for in truth these persons had been examined, and had charged him with this offence, but upon further examination they had renounced their discovery.

L. C. J. Had they all given evidence? Or who did?

Serj. Maynard. No, my lord, pardon me, I