But the dishonesty of his character and falsity of his statements
by no means prevented the majority of his hearers from believing,
or pretending to believe, his statements; and therefore,
encouraged by the ready reception they met, he ventured to make
fresh and startling revelations. Heedless of the oath he had
taken on the first day of his examination, regarding his
ignorance of the popish plot, he now asserted he was well
acquainted with all its details. For some four years he had been
in the secret employment of the wicked Jesuits, and knew they
intended to stab and poison his majesty, establish catholicity in
England, and make the pope king. So far, indeed, had their evil
machinations been planned, that several popish peers already held
commissions for posts they expected to fill in the future. Lord
Bellasis and Lord Powis were appointed commanders of the forces
in the north and south; whilst Lord Arundel of Wardour had
permission to grant such positions as he pleased. Then the Dukes
of Buckingham, Ormond, and Monmouth, with Lords Shaftesbury and
Ossory, together with many others, were to be murdered by forty
thousand papists, who were ready to rise up all over the country
at a moment's notice. "Nor was there," he added, "a Roman
Catholic of any quality or credit but was acquainted with these
designs and had received the sacrament from their father
confessors to be secret in carrying it out."
It by no means pleased Oates that Bedlow should surpass him in
his knowledge of this hellish plot.
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