I am hindered with a report of a most present danger, that I can write no more at this time. 'Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered.' Farewell.

"EDMOND CAMPIAN."

Secretary Walsingham, one of a steady head, (no more than needful for him who was to dive into such whirlpools of state,) laid out for Campian's apprehension. Many were his lime-twigs to this purpose. Some of his emissaries were bred in Rome itself. It seems his Holiness was not infallible in every thing, who paid pensions to some of Walsingham's spies sent thither to detect catholics. Of these, Sled and Eliot were the principal. Surely, these setters could not accomplish their ends, but with deep dissembling and damnable lying. If any account such officers evils, I deny it not, but add them to be necessary evils in such a dangerous juncture of time. Always set a to catch a the greatest deer-stealers make the best park-keepers. Indeed, these spies were so cunning, they could trace a labyrinth, without the guidance of a clew of thread; and knew all by-corners at home and abroad. At last Eliot snapped Campian in his own lodging, and in great triumph he was carried to the Tower.

; and

42, 43. Pretended Cruelty in racking Papists, excused in some Degree.

The papists tell us of seven deadly racks in the Tower, all of them exercised on some or other their prisoners therein. One rack called "the duke of Exeter's," the other" the scavenger's daughter;" and these haply had their grandchildren: God keep all good men in the joyful ignorance of them and their issue! Campian is said thrice or four times to have been tortured on them,* ad luxationem ac quassationem omnium membrorum; if the report thereof be not racked beyond the proportion of truth. However, we request the ingenuous,

First. To consider, there scarce passed a leap-year, wherein the papists did not lay their eggs, or hatch some treason against the queen, which excuseth such severity used to detect conspiracies. Secondly. I find when father Briant, a priest, was racked most cruelly, he confesseth, Se nihil quicquam doloris sensisse," that he felt no pain at all."+ Were this false, I wonder so religious a man would report it; were it true, I wonder that Campian (every inch as religious as Briant) had not the same miraculous favour indulged

SANDERS De Schismate Anglicano, page 409.

+ RIBADENEIRA's Continuation of SANDERS De Schismate Anglicano, in his Diary, anno 1581, month of March.

to him. Thirdly. Campian, presently after his racking, wrote letters with his own hand; which shows he was not so disjointed with such cruelty as is pretended. Lastly. Those who complain of Campian's usage have forgotten, or will not remember, how Anne Askue,† and Cuthbert Simpson (on whom no shadow of treason could be charged) were most cruelly and causelessly racked by popish persecutors, as a preface to their ensuing martyrdom.

44-46. Persons's three wonderful Escapes. Our Observation on his fourth Escape. Persons politicly returneth to

Rome.

We leave Campian for a time in a safe place, where we are sure to find him at our return, to behold how it fared with father Persons, diligently sought for by Walsingham's setters, and therefore as eminent for making his three escapes, as writing his "Three Conversions." 1. By hiding himself in a stack of hay, hard by a public inn, whither messengers were sent to attach him. 2. Being amused with grief, and fear, and fright, he could not find a house in London, (otherwise well known unto him,) whither he intended to go; and, by losing his way, saved his life, that place being beset with soldiers to apprehend him. 3. When scarce gone out of a house on the Thames' side but the same was searched by the officers, who routed an army of crucifixes, medals, agnus Deis, and other popish trinkets therein. To these a fourth may be added,§ more miraculous than all the rest: When Persons was apprehended by a pursuivant at Northwich in Cheshire, and put into a chamber fast bolted, and locked upon him, the door did three times together miraculously and of its own accord fly open.

By the reader's favour, as I dare not deny belief to this passage, attested by a catholic father; so I cannot but wonder thereat. Peter and Paul each of them had once their prison-doors open, Acts xii. 7; xvi. 26; Persons exceeds them both, three several solemn times his prison was set open. Did he not tempt Divine Providence, which once and again offered unto him a way to escape, to expect a third call to come forth? Had Providence (angry that the courtesy, twice tendered, was not accepted) left him alone, none would have pitied him, if caught and sent to keep company with his dear friend, father Campian, in the Tower.

CAMDEN'S "Elizabeth" in this year.

Askew. See page 113 of this volume.-EDIT.

Sometimes written Ashcough and 1 Continuatio Sanderi De Schis

mate Anglicano, page 404. § Vide SHELDON "Of Miracles," page 25; and GEE'S "One Foot out of the Snare," page 71.

But Persons knew full well, that miracles (though cordials in extremity) are no bill of fare for men's daily diet, and, therefore, he must not constantly expect such wonderful deliverances. Besides, no doubt, he remembered what passed in the fable; though this his good genius had helped him at a dead lift, yet the same intended not to wear out all his shoes, and to go barefoot himself, in making a trade constantly to preserve him. Wherefore, juniores ad labores, let younger men take the task and trouble upon them. This wary bird would not be caught, to whistle in the cage to the tune of Walsingham. Wherefore over he went to Rome, and there slept in a whole skin as good reason it was so great a general should secure his person from danger.

END OF SECOND VOLUME.

LONDON:-Printed by James Nichols, 46, Hoxton Square.