39.
Francis Suarez, The Works of.
Suarez was a Spanish Jesuit. On Sunday, November 21st, 1613, some books of this author derogatory to princes were publicly burnt at Paul's Cross.[21]
40.
A book without title or date, but plainly of Catholic tendency. Written by John Cotton, 1613.
I have not been able to meet with a copy of this book, but the following extract from a letter from Rev. Thomas Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering, dated June 24th, 1613[22] furnishes a brief notice of the author, and the proceedings against him for this publication.
"There hath lately come forth a proclamation against one Cotton, a west country gentleman and a great recusant, charging him with high treason against the King and state for having published a very scandalous and railing book against his Majesty; and promising a very large reward to whosoever could apprehend him and bring him in. At the very self same time, this Cotton being to cross the Thames and enquiring of the watermen what news, they not knowing the man told him what was newly happened concerning himself. Whereupon being landed, he muffled himself in his cloak, thinking thereby to pass unknown to any of his acquaintance that he might haply meet. But he had not passed thence many paces when one Maine, a follower sometimes of the late Lord of Devonshire, and a sure friend of his, meeting him in the street and discovering well what he was, warned him likewise of danger, with protestation nevertheless not to make any benefit of the discovery of his friend, but wishing him to provide for his own safety. Thereupon Cotton demanding his opinion what he thought fittest to be done, he advised him to submit himself to the king's mercy: whose counsel he followed, and presently went and surrendered himself into my Lord of Southampton's hands, and so rests at his Majesty's mercy."
And in another letter from Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering, of June 30th, 1613,[23] the writer says "My last letters advertized you of what had lately happened concerning Cotton, who yielding himself to the king's clemency, doth nevertheless utterly disavow the book, and constantly denieth to be the author of it, Hereupon his study hath been searched, and there divers papers found, containing many several pieces of the said book, and (which renders the man more odious) certain relics of the late saints of the gunpowder treason, as one of Digby's fingers, Percy's toe, some other part either of Catesby or Rookwood (whether I well remember not) with the addition of a piece of one of Peter Lambert's ribs, to make up the full mess of them. If the proofs which are against him will not extend to the touching of his life, at least they will serve to work him either misery and affliction enough."
The following is a copy of the proclamation for the apprehension of Cotton:—
"By the King.