Memoirs of Missionary Priests (Volume 1-2); And Other Catholics of Both Sexes, That Have Suffered Death in England on Religious Accounts, from the Yea

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1839. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... JOHN SOUTH WORTH, PRIEST.* John South Worth was born in Lancashire, in the year 1592, being a younger son of the ancient family of the South worths, of Salmesbary, formerly possessed of a considerable estate, but which, ever since the beginning of the reign of queen Elizabeth, has been in a declining condition. He was sent for his education to the English college of Dooay. and was an alumnus and priest of that house, from whence he was sent npon the English mission the 13th of October, anno 1619. The first seat of his missionary labours was his native country of Lancashire; where, after some years employed in his functions, he was apprehended, brought upon his trial, and condemned, for being a priest, in 1627. However, he did not suffer at this time, but was reprieved, and continued a close prisoner in Lancaster castle, where in the following year, as we have seen elsewhere, he was the man tiiat gave the last absolution to father Arrowsmith, when he was going to martyrdom. From Lancaster castle he was, I believe, removed to London, and committed to the Clink, for there I find him in April 1630; when, as Mr. Prynne complains, in his Royal Popish Favourite, page 18, 19, he was, at the instance of the queen, released with fifteen other priests, and delivered to the marquis de Chasteauneuf, the French ambassador, to be transported beyond the seas. If ever he went abroad, as the author above quoted seems to question, he quickly returned again to his master's work, and laboured so diligently therein, that he is complimented by Mr. Prynne, p. 24, with the title of ' A Dangerous Seducer;' who also informs us, 'that he was afterwards committed again to the Clink prison, by the lords of the privy council's warrant; and yet for all that, had liberty to walk abro...