Worcestershire And Brought Up To London: And Of His First Entreaty And
Examination.
When all England was filled with this new rumour by means of this
proclamation, that now the Jesuits were also found to be in the Plot of
Powder, and especially those three, who therefore were named and described
and publicly proclaimed, though Catholics did generally believe the
contrary of them, many being witnesses of their innocency, and of their
often and earnest persuasions to peace and quietness, and to patience in
this time of persecution. And though many wise men did say in their
hearts, “Quam accusationem affertis adversus homines istos?”(347) because
they saw them traduced by the proclamation in general words as heinous
traitors and contrivers of the whole Plot, and as men so proved to be by
the several examinations of the prisoners in the Tower. But when they
looked for these proofs in the examinations, even those which were chosen
out amongst the rest to be published in print, as the chiefest and most
fit for the full discovery of the whole Plot and the plotters of the same;
and finding there no one word of any of them, but the contrary, in that
the whole course of the matter was there seen to be carried by others
there mentioned with all particulars of their proceedings. And hearing
also by many certain reports that the prisoners did all protest there was
no Priests at all guilty of the conspiracy, or that did any ways assist
them therein: these and the like reasons did make the wiser and more
reasonable sort, even of Protestants themselves, to think, as the truth
was, “quod ex invidiâ tradidissent eos.”(348)
But this was no impediment to the forcible authority of the proclamation,
which went out under the King’s name. And instead of particular
accusations, it must suffice for the present, “quod si non essent hi
malefactores, non tradidisset eos potestas regia;”(349) and indeed other
proofs they could have none at all against all the three neither then nor
since, although against two of them, to wit, against Fathers Garnett and
Tesimond,(350) they framed afterwards some pretended matter in particular,
much like to that whereof their Master was accused, “quod subverteret
gentem et prohiberet tributum dari Cæsari:”(351) “Sed sufficit discipulis
ut sint sicut Magister eorum.”(352) In the meantime Father Garnett thought
best to retire himself to a house of great safety near unto the place
where then he was, and there meant to lie private till the heat of this
persecution were passed, and that it might be more safe travelling towards
London where he meant to settle as he had been accustomed. The house was
called Henlip, two miles distant from the city of Worcester, and so large
and fair a house that it might be seen over great part of the country; and
indeed it was so fair and commodious a house that it had often caused the
owner of it much trouble, being an eyesore unto some Puritans of great
wealth that were neighbours, within some miles, and nothing so well
seated; who therefore procured often warrants to search that house in hope
to find some Priest there, for which the house and the whole estate of the
gentleman might be forfeited to the King, and so begged by them that were
the causers and actors of such apprehension. But this being often essayed
was never permitted by God until this time, “quæ erat hora illorum et
potestas tenebrarum.”(353)
The proclamation being published containing, besides other persuasions,
large promises to any that would be discoverers of any of the three; it
happened that there was a gentleman called Humphrey Littleton, then fallen
into trouble for receiving and concealing Mr. Robert Winter, one of the
principal conspirators, and Mr. Stephen Littleton, his kinsman, who had
joined himself unto the conspirators in rebellion. These two having
escaped from this Stephen Littleton his house, where the rest of the
conspirators were, some slain and some taken (as before hath been
declared), and having escaped taking a month and more in several places
where they lay hid, did finally come to this Humphrey Littleton for
harbour: and he received them into his kinswoman’s house, where he then
lay, and kept them in his own chamber, where they were discovered and
apprehended.(354) Humphrey Littleton therefore being in danger of his life
for having harboured them, and seeing so large promises of favour and
rewards to those that would discover any of the three, thought to save
himself from a temporal punishment by doing that which deserved an eternal
pain, and sent up word unto the Council, that he had been not long before
at Mr. Abington his house, called Henlip, before mentioned, where he heard
a Jesuit preach called Ouldcorne, who did there reside for the most part,
and where he thought also Garnett was to be found.
Upon this information a warrant was presently despatched into the country
to Sir Henry Bromley, a Knight, who was the next Justice of account unto
Mr. Abington’s house, and who was best experienced in searching of that
house, which he had often performed before upon less likelihood of
speeding than now he carried with him by means of this discovery, and the
extraordinary authority he had to use his pleasure. He came therefore to
the house on a Sunday morning very early, accompanied with above a hundred
men with him, armed and furnished all “cum gladiis et fustibus”(355) and
with guns, and all kind of weapons, more fit for an army than an orderly
search. And beginning to beat at the gate with great importunity to be let
in presently, the Catholics within the house soon perceiving their
intention, made all the haste possible to hide both the Priests and Church
stuff, and books, and all such persons and things as belonged to the
Priests, or might give cause of suspicion. In the meantime sending to the
gates, as the custom is, to know the cause of their coming, and to keep
them in talk with messages to and fro, from the master or mistress of the
house, all to gain time, whilst they within were hiding all things in the
most safe secret places they had.
But Sir Henry Bromley, impatient of this delay, caused the gates with
great violence and force of men to be broken down, which yet he could not
perform in so short a time (by reason they were very strong and answerable
to the greatness of the house) before they within had made all safe which
they would hide from this violent invasion. The Knight being entered by
force, sent presently some principal persons with men enough to assist
each of them into all the several parts of the house, as well to take
possession of the same, as to make stay of any persons that were
suspicious, and to be sure that nothing should then be hidden after his
entry. Himself showed unto the mistress of the house (Mr. Abington himself
being not then at home) his large commission to search, and the
proclamation against those for whom he would search. She yielded to his
authority, and gave him full power to do his will. He began after the
accustomed manner, to go through all the rooms of the house, which were
many and very large; he had with him Argus his eyes, many watchful and
subtle companions, that would spy out the least advantage or cause of
suspicion, and yet they searched and sounded every corner in that great
house till they were all weary, and found no likelihood of finding that
they came for, though they continued the daily search, and that with
double diligence, all the whole week following. But upon Saturday two
laymen that did usually attend upon the two Priests, and were hid in a
place by themselves, being almost starved to death, came out of their own
accord. For they had placed the Priests in another secret conveyance where
there was some provision of victuals laid up for their sustenance a few
days; but themselves were forced to go into a place on the sudden, which
though it were safe from finding, yet had no provision at all to eat, and,
as I have heard, they had but one apple between them in all those six or
seven days. Whereupon they thought it best to come out; and yet not that
so much to save themselves from death by famine, as for that they
perceived the resolution of the searchers to be of staying in the house
until they had either found or famished those whom they knew to be within.
Therefore these two virtuous men being in hope that upon their taking, the
searchers would be satisfied and depart (as either thinking them to be
Priests, or that if there had been any more to be found, they would also
have been forced to come out), this hope made them resolve to offer
themselves to their enemies’ hands, to save the lives of those whom they
loved better than themselves. And their coming out was in such manner as
could endanger nothing but themselves; one of the two especially, whose
name was Nicholas Owen, abounding in discretion, which was the man that
attended on Father Garnett, and is thought by all men to have been a
Brother of the Society, of whom we shall have occasion to speak
afterwards, for he suffered many and great torments, and is now a glorious
martyr.
They therefore perceiving that some of the searchers did continually by
turns watch and walk up and down in the room where they were hidden, which
was a long and fair gallery four square, going round about the house, they
watched their time when the searchers were furthest off, and came out so
secretly and stilly, and shut the place again so finely, that they were
not one whit heard or perceived when or where they came out, and so they
walked in the gallery towards the door, which they thought belike to have
found open. But the searchers being turned back in their walk, and
perceiving two strange men to be there, whom they had not seen before,
presently ran unto them, and asked what they were. They answered they were
men that were in the house, and would be content to depart if it pleased
them. The others asked whether they were Priests: they answered they were
Catholics, and that further they would not answer, being no doubt desirous
to be taken for such, the better to satisfy the insatiable mind of those
blood-suckers. Then being asked where they had been all that while, they
answered they had hid themselves, being Catholics, to avoid taking. And
being urged to tell or show the place where, they absolutely refused.
But the searchers knowing well that it must needs be in the gallery by all
circumstances, began afresh to search more violently than ever, and to
break down the wainscot with which the gallery was lined, and the walls
also in a number of places. And so they continued with all violence for
five or six days after, and leaving no place untried in so great leisure
as they had, it pleased God to end the misery in which they kept those two
good Fathers by their so long and strait inclosure, and to deliver them
“in manus quærentium animam illorum,”(356) by permitting the searchers at
last to light upon the place itself, where they had been hid so many days,
“sustentati aquâ, angustiæ et pane tribulationis.”(357) For the Fathers
were resolved (as since I have been informed) there to have ended their
days (which could not much longer have continued, the uneasiness of the
room and their slender provision considered) rather than by coming out to
have endangered their friends in whose house they had been so charitably
entreated. But it was God’s will to have their great patience and many
virtues better known by their public sufferance of violent death, than it
could have been if they had been in that manner privately pined up in a
corner. The searchers therefore having found and entered the secret place,
they took out the two Fathers out of their close and painful prison, and
they seized upon such Church stuff and books as were also laid up in the
same place, which had made the room more strait and uneasy for the Fathers
than otherwise it would have been. When the Fathers were taken, they soon
knew who Father Ouldcorne was, because he had continued in that country
many years and was well known and highly respected by most of the
Catholics in all those parts.
He had also been often seen by many heretics of the country, and was once
in their hands before in Queen Elizabeth’s time, taken on the sudden by
some that came to search the house, as he was walking with another
gentleman in the garden. But then out of his ready wit he escaped their
hands; for coming with the searchers to the door, which went of the
parlour into the garden, and finding it locked (which it is like the
servants had done after they perceived the search, because they would have
respite to pull down the altar and to hide the Church stuff and other
things of peril), Father Ouldcorne, therefore, finding this door shut,
called the servants hastily, as if he did reprehend them for keeping out
the Queen’s officers, and when they came to open the door he stept in
first, as if he did continue his speech of finding fault with their long
stay, and suddenly clapt to the door upon the searchers, leaving them shut
out and in the garden with the other gentleman; himself presently got into
a secret place, perhaps the same which now was found, though then they
could not find neither it nor the man again, though they sought him long
and with great diligence. And the like strange escapes had happened to
Father Garnett often, though in other manner.
And so we see, that when God will protect, he can hide a Felix between two
walls, and make spiders His workmen to cover the entry with their webs.
And again, when it is His pleasure to deliver up His servants to their
last conflicts, no secret, no hide, no defence shall serve; but He will
deliver them like sheep to the devouring of wolves, when He hath ordained
them to so high an honour, as to suffer for His holy name, “ut simul
compatiantur in hoc sæculo, qui conregnaturi sunt in futuro.”(358) So it
fell out to these two holy men, who after they had spent so many years in
the gaining of souls, labouring both faithfully and fruitfully in God’s
vineyard, so that they might say with the blessed Apostle, “Bonum certamen
certavimus, cursum consummavimus, fidem servavimus:”(359) what was now
remaining but that they should be called by the just Judge to receive
“illam coronam justitiæ quæ reposita erat illis,”(360) and which therefore
the Apostle doth not only appropriate to himself, but “iis etiam qui
diligunt adventum Christi,” which truly was performed by these two in
great measure, as both in their life and at their death they showed
abundantly. Thus therefore Father Garnett and Father Ouldcorne being
taken, and Father Ouldcorne soon known who he was, they laboured much to
know whether the other were Father Garnett or no, and though they brought
divers unto him to see if they did know him, yet they could find none for
a good while that could and would discover who he was, until at last one
poor man was brought, who had drunk too much of that cup of contradiction
with which the craft of heresy hath sought of late to infect the minds of
some of the weaker sort, thereby to divide, and so to destroy the kingdom
of faith in our country; and this poor man, I hope rather out of
simplicity than malice, took knowledge of him, having known him before and
been beholden to him, and called him both by his own name Garnett, and by
other names that he had known him to go by, by which he was also described
in the proclamation. And this silly man did utter it with a kind of
spleen, as seeming to hope that now the Jesuits would bear less sway than
he thought they had done. It is thought he hoped for some favour from the
Council for this his good service unto them (though a Priest, and then a
prisoner in Worcester); but I cannot hear that he reaped any fruit besides
a wounded conscience “ex hâc delatione et accusatione fratris sui;”(361)
and Father Garnett’s answer unto him was with great mildness and charity,
according to his custom. Sir Henry Bromley now having what he desired,
presently despatched posts unto the Council with this news, and kept the
prisoners at his own house in the meantime until he might receive further
order.
Unto these foresaid prisoners, Mr. Thomas Abington, the master of the
house where they were taken, was also now adjoined, who came home to his
own house two days after the search began, and was presently apprehended,
that he might be in safety if any of these supposed traitors should chance
to be taken in his house: because then by the laws he loseth both life and
living. Sir Henry Bromley soon after receiving order from the Council to
bring up Father Garnett and Father Ouldcorne with a good guard and
strength to London, he performed presently their commandment, and went
towards London attended with a great number of horses for the more safe
custody of his charge. But the more he conversed with Father Garnett, the
more he grew in estimation of him, and the more he showed in all things to
respect him, although the man be otherwise a very earnest Puritan, and one
of the forwardest that way of all Worcestershire. It happened by the way
that the Minister who went with Sir Henry Bromley as his chaplain or
preacher, seeing Father Garnett so modest and to speak so little,
especially of matters of controversy, thought belike that he had been
utterly unskilful in them, and desirous to get himself some credit in that
kind, began to provoke Father Garnett to the combat; but Father Garnett,
loth to give offence unto any, and esteeming the example of modesty more
fruitful to a proud heretic than to contend with one so likely to resist
the known truth, did once or twice put him off with a mild answer, showing
only what the other should believe in such a case, and forbearing to
allege any further reasons. Whereupon the heretic grew more insolent (as
their custom is), and then began in sort to triumph in the hearing of
others, which Father Garnett perceiving, and then doubting that his good
meaning would be so easily discerned by his silence as misconstrued,
without giving further answer to the Minister, he hastened his horse a
little to overtake Sir Henry Bromley that rode before, and told him how
his Minister had divers times provoked him to disputation, which he had
purposely forborne, being loth to give offence unto him in whose custody
now he was; and partly also, because he knew such disputations to be often
fruitless where there is no judge of authority to restrain the subdued
party from entering into terms of blasphemy and such like, which himself
was not willing to hear, and therefore thought it better in such a case to
be silent. But that if it pleased Sir Henry to hear the one and restrain
the other in case it should be offered, he then for his part was very
ready to give his Minister satisfaction to anything he would or could
propound. Sir Henry commended very much his wisdom and government in the
manner of his proceeding, and called the Minister presently, willing him
to propound all things freely that he would, but yet with modesty. So the
Minister began to discourse after their diffuse manner, producing many
things not digested into any good method, nor founded upon any sure
grounds of faith or learning. Father Garnett suffered him to speak his
fill, as long as he seemed to continue in one matter, and then desired
leave to speak. Then he in few words and excellent order related the
substance of all that the other had said, and then repelled it with so
substantial grounds, and with such demonstration of learning, and that
even in those kinds which they most esteem and stand upon, which is the
Scriptures and Tongues, that it put the Minister to silence and the Knight
to great admiration, and all the audience were so satisfied both with his
modesty and profound learning as it was reported presently by them all
over London, to the great commendation of the good Father. But Sir Henry
Bromley did seem so greatly to admire and affect him, that he affirmed to
divers gentlemen of account, when he came to London, that he never in his
life met the like man to Mr. Garnett either for modesty, wisdom, or
learning, and that he would kneel before the King to save his life, if he
were not found guilty of the Powder.
When they were come to London, the two Fathers were first committed close
prisoners to the Gatehouse, their two servants to other prisons. When
Father Garnett was carried into the prison, there stood a great number of
prisoners at the gate expecting to see him as he passed, whom he seeing,
asked aloud, “Is there any of you that be in for the Catholic faith?” And
divers Catholics answering, “Yes, yes, we are Catholics, and prisoners for
our conscience,” “Then,” said he, “I am your fellow.” So he was locked up
in a chamber.
And it was two days after before he was examined, whereof the reason was
guessed to be in that the Council, hearing so much fame of his virtue,
gravity, and learning, and knowing well how much he was respected by many
great persons, and esteemed also by the Ambassadors of the Catholic
Princes then residing in London, it made them very wary, and to deliberate
much how to proceed with him, and would not call him to examination before
they had informed themselves of as much as they could learn of his words
and carriage at his taking and bringing up to London, many of which (to
our great grief and loss) are unknown to us; for that the three that were
taken and brought up with him are all put to death, and were kept close
until their death, and the times also have been so troublesome since, that
we could not have such means as we desire to meet and talk with those that
were eyewitnesses of many notable accidents, which we hope to do
hereafter, and to have many things brought to light which will be greatly
to God’s glory and all our comfort.
The third or fourth day after Father Garnett was committed to the
Gatehouse he was sent for to be examined by five or six of the Privy
Council, at which time, as ever after, they used him with great respect,
unusual from meaner Commissioners than the Privy Council when Priests are
examined, and especially those of the Society, whom, as being more hated
by them, they are accustomed to revile with many bitter and disgraceful
terms, whereof traitor is the least. But to Father Garnett the contrary
was so far used that the Lords themselves would seldom speak unto him but
they would put off their hat, and sometimes hold it off a good while, and
they did usually call him Mr. Garnett at every word. Of this his first
examination we have not the particular; but this only in general, that he
answered so to all their questions that he gave them great satisfaction,
and they after his departure gave him great commendation. Yea, one of the
Council said, “he could not be misliked but for matter of doctrine only.
As for the Powder he was clear of it.” So he was sent back to the
Gatehouse for the time. But that time was very short, for he was soon
after lodged in a stronger hold and in a straiter prison, where neither
any that wished him well could come near him to understand how he was
used, and where there wanted not instruments full of subtlety and cruel
hatred against him, who would be sure to use him far otherwise than so
mild a disposition and so worthy a man deserved.