Unto these foresaid prisoners, Mr. Thomas Abington, the master of the house where they were taken, was also [pg 157] 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 [pg 158] 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 [pg 160] 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.
Chapter XI. Of Father Garnett, His Carriage To The Tower And Subtle Usage There. Also Of The Usage Of Fr. Ouldcorne And Nicholas Owen, Ralph, And John Grisoll In The Same Place.
The expectation of this matter touching Father Garnett was great in every place, and the conceits of men very diverse and their discourses different what would become of so notable a man, being so famous for learning and piety and modesty as that his very enemies could speak no other but much good of him, unless they would so apparently wrong their judgments by judging contrary to the sight of all men. Some thought he should have favour, because they saw him used with such respect; some deemed it most likely they meant to permit his friends to redeem his life, as not finding sufficient pretence to put him to death, and therefore better to gratify some courtier with that which would be given for his life; in which hope I know one devout gentlewoman who offered 500l. as a fee to a courtier, that was very likely to obtain it if that had been their intention. Others judged this stay that was made of sending him to the Tower was but to give such hope to Catholics, and to see who would make suit for him in any kind; others, again, that it was done to try his constancy first by fair means, meaning afterwards to make trial of him by contrary usage, if that would not serve the turn. Briefly, the general report was that he was free from the Plot, and not to be touched with this conspiracy, which even Protestants affirmed to be most likely, in that he was not accused by any of the [pg 162] conspirators, as might be easily seen in their printed examinations, for that above all the rest would have been printed, if by favour or force or fear it could have been wrung out of them. Now as for Catholics, it was generally their opinion that he was innocent, for they knew very well he could not be guilty who had so often and so effectually laboured to stay them from all attempts or disobedience, though in matters of much less moment than this so cruel intention against the Parliament House.
But whilst all London and England was full of expectation what issue this cause would have, and every man gave his judgment of the matter according to his several humour and opinion, that course was taken which was from the first intended, and he was delivered up to the Lieutenant of the Tower, a fit instrument for such a purpose, as being a man most pliable to the will of those that had no will to do Father Garnett good. And the man's mind and manner of proceeding may be seen by his first salutation to Father Garnett when he was brought into the Tower, for presently he began to revile him, saying “he was a plotter of all treasons.” But Father Garnett gave him no answer, and being demanded why he did not answer to those accusing words, he said “he was not moved with his words, for Christ his Master had taught him by His own example to bear quietly such contumely.”
His lodging and first usage there was not evil in exterior things (supposing the condition of the place), which doth allow no bed or any such provision to any prisoner but such as himself doth provide from his friends abroad; which help, until it be procured, a prisoner there may by favour have some straw to lie upon, and that was Father Garnett his couch until such necessaries could be sent unto him, which in his case could hardly be procured without danger to the senders, nor but by divers circumstances. First he was to send to some known prisoner or [pg 163] notorious Catholic, not as acquainted with him, but as by request in the way of charity. Then that party did send unto his friends, and after that it was not long in doing, but yet all done with great circumspection, as not doubting but all those that brought such things to that Catholic's house that must seem to send them, would be watched narrowly, and perhaps dogged to their home, which is an ordinary practice in all such cases.