432 OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 



they would be so far from liking well of that mitiga 

 tion, as they would cry out it was made to intrap 

 them. And when, notwithstanding all this provision, 

 this poison was dispersed so secretly, as that there 

 were no means to stay it, but to restrain the mer 

 chants that brought it in ; then was there lastly 

 added a law, whereby such seditious priests of the 

 new erection were exiled ; and those that were at 

 that time within the land shipped over, and so com 

 manded to keep hence upon pain of treason. 



This hath been the proceeding with that sort, 

 though intermingled not only with sundry examples 

 of her majesty s grace, towards such as in her wisdom 

 she knew to be papists in conscience, and not in 

 faction; but also with an extraordinary mitigation 

 towards the offenders in the highest degree con 

 victed by law, if they would protest, that in case 

 this realm should be invaded with a foreign army, 

 by the pope s authority, for the catholic cause, as 

 they term it, they would take part with her majesty, 

 and not adhere to her enemies. 



And whereas he saith no priest dealt in matter 

 of state, Ballard only excepted ; it appeareth by the 

 records of the confession of the said Ballard, and 

 sundry other priests, that all priests at that time 

 generally were made acquainted with the invasion 

 then intended, and afterwards put in act ; and had 

 received instructions not only to move an expectation 

 in the people of a change, but also to take their 

 vows and promises in shrift to adhere to the foreigner; 

 insomuch that one of their principal heads vaunted 



