petition the King who being betwixt the Scylla of a Northerne Army and the Charibdis of a Southerne petition yeelded to a second parliament yet continued and enters into a Treaty with the Scots being out of hopes of any other End unlesse it were of his men and money Thus have you a briefe account of the Scottish broiles and let the Reader but consider the ground thereof viz. the reducing that Nation to a conformity with England now in treaty of accommodation wtth Rome the Instruments raising and â—…omenting it Canterbury and the rest of that Faction zealous for popery and Tyranny and the forwardnesse of the papists who use not to make blind bargaines in the furthering that Designe and give a free and impartiall liberty to the use of his owne reason I doubt not but he will conclude with me and for me that this warre was undertaken as a hopefull meane of subverting the protestant Religion and the native Liberty of the Brittish Naâ—…ion Well Hac non successit alia aggrediendum via The disappointment and foile that the enterprize received by the Scottish businesse was so farre from making them cast away their confidence that they doe but double their diligence and call a Colledge of these State Physitians to recover life into this broken businesse And 〈◊〉 the proverb might not be renewed Dum consulitur Romae capitur Saguntum the sudden result of those Councels appeares to have beene that some way or other this Parliament going a course so contrary to theirs through the lownesse of their present State gaining ground apace though put to dispute every step must be interrupted and disappointed nay rather then faile destroyed And no wonder at this practice against the parliament which went on at that time so roundly against their interests and courses formerly mentioned propounding a further distance from Rome by a Reformation in stead of their reconciliation by corruptions striking sore at the abatement threatning the abolition of Prelacy which they could not spare countenancing Puritans whom they could not endure accusing and punishing Delinquents their grand Instruments not sparing Canterbury or Strafford who were the left and right hands of the Designe So that we need not looke any further for a ground of all possable mischiefes to be plotted and practised against the Parliament then its direct opposition to the projected Designe of Tyranny and Popery which had beene so farre advanced and was now like to be interrupted and broken All the other differences as particularly that of Hull was but the picking a Quarrell and seeking occasion to raise an Army under pretence of a Guard for that purpose to which it is now employed And it being of so great consequence to the discovery of this Mystery that we understand the true naturall ground of this warre on the Kings part as also that the Cure is more easily prescribed when the Cause is found out I shall take a little paines to demonstrate that the ground of these present calamities was not the pretended invasion of the Kings right in the businesse of Hull and the Militia but a resolution to persist in the intended mischiefe to Religion and Liberty To which purpose let it be knowne to the world which to me is sufficiently evident that before the execution of the Earle of Straffoâ—…d when his Majesty had received no other carriage from his Parliament then what he professed himselfe satisfied with and that if the Biâ—…s he had past were againe to be offered he should cheerfully and readily assent unto them even then were dispatched Letters and an Agent to the King of Denmarke from his Majesty complaining of the Parliament that instead of his supplies expected from thence among other Ends ad propulsandos hostes you may easily ghesse who were meant we being in a deepe peace with all popish princes he found it pertinaciter injustis de causis in 〈◊〉 virâ—… exitium intentum defixum undoubtedly Strafford betwixt whose impeachment and execution the Letters were sent and thereupon declares himselfe in these words ad alia consilia â—…nimum convertendum duximus What those Counsels were will hereafter more fully appeare One part of them was executed in the same Letter wherein an Agent was named with credit given and aid desired And that it may appeare this Letter was sent out of which these passages are excerpted not onely the Copy of the Letter but the authentick Answer hath beene seene and that it prevailed in some sort appeareâ—… not onely by the Answer from Denmarke but the Kings declaring upon the Offer to the Scots at Newcastle that he was to have money and horse from Denmarke to encourage them to joyne with him and all this notwithstanding the deepe protestations at that very instant against Forraigne Forces And if there want further proofe it may be added that the intention to bring up the Army to over awe if not destroy the parliament was long before his Majesties departure from London which intention if it he not sufficiently proved by the Declaration of the Lords and Commons of the nineteenth of May 1642. with the depositions and Letters annexed which may possibly prevaile with the indifferent Reader yet the propositions about the same time made to the Scots at Newcastle of joyning with the English Army against the parliament and the bonntifull Offers made thereupon Of 300000. l. to he paid downe Of foure Northerne Counties and the plunder of London The quitting of his Revenues and customes in that Kingdome to their publike use The Kings residence at Yorke for the better accommodation of both Nations or fuller râ—… 〈◊〉 to London which Sir Iohn Henderson who imparted that gracious Message by vertue of Letters of full credence given him by his Majesty signed C.R. can testifie or if he will not many honester men may though the paper be regained may sufficiently convince any man who hath not determined with himselfe Non persâ—…adebis etiamsi persuaseris which I have made the more bold to adde because though the Penner of the Answer to the Petition of both Houses March 26. 1624. defie the Devill whom he knew would never take paines to discover his owne plot to prove there was any such Designe with his Majesties knowledge yet he denies not honest men liberty of speaking the truth And not to let this businesse passe without the just honour and vindication of the Scottish Nation let the world take notice that they not onely refused this offer but acquainted those who were most entrusted with the affaires of the English Parliament and offered rather if need were their best assistance to secure the just and lawfull proceedings and priviledges of Parliament and settle both Nations in truth and peace the embracing whereof might have probably prevented a great deale of bloudshed both in England and Ireland and had beene the Fore-game of our present After-game But they were then so farre more tender of his Majesties honour then their owne safety
that they made use neither of the Kings offer to the Scots by declaring it nor the Scots to them by accepting it and one of them was so farre more ambitious of his Majesties favour then carefull of his owne honour as to acquaint the King with the businesse Aâ—…ke the Lord of Dorset who it was But I hasten from this Digression and returne to that conclusion which I thinke I may clearely make from these premises That his Majesty before any of these apparent Quarrels about Tumules or the like used earnest endeavours for destroying the Parliament so contrary both in its constitution and proceedings to the intended subversion of Religion and Liberty either in their persons or priviledges So that though these plots and transactions did not serve the Kings turn for the intended mischiefe yet they serve mine very well in the cleare proofe of the intention of the mischiefe Something might further be added out of the Irish businesse to make this assertion cleare but I reserve that to its owne place being the Mystery of this Mystery and the Iniquity of this Iniquity By what hath beene declared it may appeare what aspect the King and the Councels in which he was ingaged had toward the Parliament of England Let us proceed to examine the courâ—…es which were afterward taken in prosecution of this Design against them and those that for love of Religion Liberâ—…y adhered to them and by considering the Wayes Counsels Instruments which have beene used in this service we shall obtaine yet further evidence that this present warre undertaken by the King and his party was intended for the subvers on of the professed Religion and establisht Government When therfore the Armies raised both in England and Ireland not without some relustancy as not having performed their intended service were unavoidably to be dis-banded in the declining part of the yeare 1641. we must suppose a Counsell most solemnly to be called at White-hall about July or August before the Kings going into Scotland it being then very seasonable in regard that the Irish Committee especially so able and active men as Gormonston Muskery Plunket Browne and Bourke who were privately treated with was then in England wherein as may appeare by the precedent and future practises it was laid as a ground That this Parliament with the Puritanes their Adherents who stood so obstinately in the way of this propounded and so farre promoted Designe must be removed or subdned And to this End wayes of violence blood being the Whores drinke Revel. 17. 6. and iâ—…perium quolibet pretio constans bene an absolute rule being cheap at any rate are resolved upon especially considering that many broken pieces of the Armies raised against Scotland might easily be made use of againe the Occasion being very little different And in this Conspiracy was that monstâ—…ous Rebellion in Ireland to use the words in the Kings answer to the Petition of the Irish Commanders dated at Oxford December 1. 1642. for we cannot wish better words though we expect better deeds practised by those mercilesse and idolatrous Rebels more then probably contrived Let us stand behind the curtaine some policie may be learnt and honesty too by way of defiance After the Proposition of the destroying this Parliament in case it could not be reduced to the service of this Catholique Designe which was almost past hope seeing no more royall inclinations in them after so many Acts of Grace besides personall honours and offers made to some accepted by others which was resolved doubrlesse nemine contradicente The next consultation must naturally and necessarily be of the manner which must likewise be Confusion and Blood sceleribus non nisi per scelera tutum est iter But nothing is to be done rashly the Cause being as full of hazard as importance let therefore the State of the Kingdome of England and the neighbour Kingdomes and States in reference to this Cause be duly considered The condition of England may be thus represented for the body of it It consists of Papists Protestants viz. the King Prelates Courtiers and Cavaliers the dissolute Gentry the superstitious Clergy the profane and ignorant people the only Protestants now accounted of all the rest are but Anabaptists and Brownists and a third party of Purita is that is Lovers of the Protestant Religion with the desire of Reformatioâ—… friends to the Parliament and native Liberty of the Subject This latter part though very strong yet may be supposed well ballanced by the other two whom they without a mistake as now appeaâ—…es presumed might be made one upon the Coincidencie of popery absolute power Prelacie indifferency in Religion and profanenesse especially with the advantages of their opposition to puritanisme and Reformation and the manifold pretences that might be continually made against the Parliament And whereas it might be objected that the Parliament now made indissoluble by a late act would be a very great impediment in regard of its power and estimation with the people especially now after their pressures sustained for want of Parliaments This was put of with the projects of defaming and disgraceing it withdrawing some of the Members corrupting others and bringing the Kingdome into that condition that the Parliament shall be constrained to disingage the people by requiring Contribution rather then ingage them by present freedome and reformation England thus represented is no great discouragement to the worke But what shall be done with Scotland a people full of foresight and resolution thâ—…ir late carriage towards this very businesse hath given abundant testimony That they upon the stateing of the Quarrell by the Parliament for Religion and Liberty will easily be drawne into their assistance The course since taken seemes grounded upon such Councell as this The King is to goe into Scotland and so to pasâ—…e by the Armies the Commanders of which may occasionally be saluted and there he may upon the place be advised to what may be best for his ends If by faire offers and pretences they can be deluded let them not be spared that they may be either ingaged by kindnesse or upbraided with unkindnesse If they be found peremptory since there is an advantage of the Kings presence and so many resolved Cavaliers to attend him as there did both Popish and others let some of the Heads of the faction bt taken off as Argyle for one and Hamilton likewise who by playing booty on both sides that he might be sure to save his stake had like to have lost all which was accordingly attempted by Crawfords Designe but through Gods providence prevented by making a difference betwixt the Contrivers and stirring up a more â—…oble resolution in one of the Commanders though since unworthy enough who thought and said it was the worke of Butchers and not Souldiers that was propounded But let the worst be supposed and provided for As Scotland is for the most part Puritanicall so is Ireland Popish And the Irish Papists may first
and who are accounted his Majesties true Subjects who Malignants But all this is easily blasted with the Consideration that they are the Expressions of Rebels pretending his Majesties name and service for their advantage No under favour they are the expressions of his Roman Catholique Subjects so stiled in the late Cessation concluded in his Majesties name and by his Majesties authority September 15. 1643. and ranked equally with other his Majesties good Subjects and therefore no reason to discountenance this Evidence not yet those of the like nature hereafter to be produced However it aboundantly shewes the end for which it was mentioned the proving that Rebellion to be a Quarrell of Religion Let us now trie what Evidence may be brought forth to prove that the Papists in Ireland and the Armies in England engaged against the Parliament are doing the same work and that there is a line of Communication betwixt their Counsells To this purpose let us consider a Commission and a Cessation to which whatsoever else is to be said in this matter may be reduced Common fame none of the worst witnesses hath brought to every mans eares the noyse of the Kings favouring the Irish Massacre and that the Catholique Subjects there have called themselves the Queenes Army and intimated themselves the Kings by saying they had good warrant in black and white for their proceedings and crying out upon the English Parliament and Puritanes as the Kings Enemies and theirs It were well worth the knowing the truth of this so important businesse Let us goe as neare it as the nature of a Mystery will admit And first let the Copy of the Commission said to be given by the King to his Catholique Subjects of Ireland be read and examined From our Camp at Newrie this fourth of November 1641. Philem Oneale Rorie Macguire To all Catholiques of the Romish Partie both English and Irish within the Kingdome of Ireland we wish all Happinesse Freedome of Conscience and Victory over the English Hereticks who have for a long time tyrannized over our bodies and usurped by Extortion our Estates BE it hereby made known unto you all our Friends and Countrey-men that the Kings most excellent Majesty for many great and urgent Causes him thereunto moving reposing trust and confidence in our fidelities hath signified unto us by his Commission under the great Seal of Scotland bearing date at Edingburgh the first day of this instant October 1641. and also by Letters under his signe manuall bearing date with the said Commission of divers great and heinous astronts that the English Protestants especially the Parliament there have published against his Royall Prerogative and also against our Catholique Friends within the Kingdom of England The Copy of which Commission we have here sent unto you to be published with all speed in all parts of this Kingdome that you may be assured of our sufficient warrant and authority herein THE COMMISSION CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the faith c. To all our Catholike Subjects within Our Kingdome of Ireland greeting Know ye that We for the safeguard and preservation of Our person have been enforced to make Our abode and residence in our Kingdom of Scotland for a long season occasioned by reason of the obstinate and disobedient carriage of Our Parliament in England against Vs who have not onely presumed to take upon them the government and disposing of those Princely Rights and Prerogatives that have justly descended upon Vs from Our Predecessours both Kings and Queens of the said Kingdome for many hundred yeares past but also have possessed themselves of the whole strength of the said Kingdome in appointing Governours Commanders and Officers in all parts and places therein at their own wils and pleasures without Our consent whereby we are deprived of Our Soveraignty and left naked without defence And forasmuch as we are in Our selfe very sensible that these stormes blow aloft and are very likely to be carried by the vehemency of the â—…rotestant Party into Our Kingdome of Ireland and endanger Our Regall power and authority there also Know yee therefore that we reposing much care and trust in your duties and obedience which we have for many years past found Doe hereby give unto you full power and authority to assemble and meet together with all the speed and diligence that a businesse of so great a Consequence doth require and to advise and consult together by sufficient and discreet numbers at all times dayes and places which you shall in your judgements hold most convenient and materiall for the ordering setling and effecting of this Great work mentioned and directed unto you in Our Letters and to use all politick wayes and meanes possible to possesse your selves for Our use and safety of all the Forts Castles and places of strength and defence within the said Kingdom except the Places Persons and Estates of Our loyall and loving Subjects the Scots and also to arrest and seize the Goods Estates and Persons of all the English Protestants within the said Kingdom to Our use And in your care and speedy performance of this Our will and pleasure we shall perceive your wonted duty and allegiance unto Vs which we shall accept and reward in due time witnesse Our selfe at Edinburgh the first day of October in the seventeenth yeare of Our Reigne This Deponent maketh Oath that about the middle of November last living then in the Parish of Saint Michans neare Dublin being accompanied with one master Stapleton of Dublin aforesaid Gentleman they happened into the company of a Popish Priest commonly called Father Birne who being formerly acquainted with the said master Stapleton desired to drink with him at a Taâ—…ern called the Bull upon Merchants key in Dublin where 〈◊〉 of the injuries and troubles of the times the Priest answered that the Irish not enduring to have them called Rebels had sufficient warrant for what they did and stood strongly in defence of their actions and presently to justifie his words produced a writing according to the tenour of the premises mentioned in this writing abovesaid whereof the Deponent desired a Copy and he willingly yeelded unto it and thereupon he wrote this Copy out of his literatim in the presence of the said master Stapleton who is now living in Dublin This is the true copy of that Commission with the annexed Warrant and Deposition for I will conceale nothing in a businesse of this importance as it came to my hands in a paper thus endorsed A copy of the forged Commission in Ireland published by those traiterous Rebels Sir Philemy Oneale Knight Rory Maguier Esquire and others with their lying perswasiâ—…n to seduce and stirre up the whole Romish Party to Rebellion wherein may be seene how heinously his Majesty is abused and the Parliament unjustly taxed by the â—…apists This last clause I take for granted but as for the rest give me leave to try whether
suppresse the Protestants among themselves and so not onely occasion the Exhaustion of England and the distraction of the Parliament there by a warre but also be servâ—…ceable upon the perfection of their worke or an allowed Cessation from it to strengthen the Kings party in Enâ—…land or annoy Scotland to the prevention of their Assistance Very good or at least very true But what may be expected of Holland from the people little hindâ—…ance being drowned in their owne interest of gaine Were we all Spaniards we could have supplies from thence for our money and from the Prince of Orange who hath well gained not onely by that state but upon it all possible assistance by reason of the contraâ—…t of marriage with England and the possibility there may be of requiting him in the same kind when our worke is done Which by the way when the Netherlanders are awake they shall doe well â—…o consider of and reflect upon the Belgick blood and English treasure expended in the freeing them from that bondage to which by 〈◊〉 at supplies against the Parliament they are hastening againe As for Denmarke the case is cleere the Obligation of Consanguinity the interest of Royaltie will ingage that Prince and to put it utterly out of doubt the incouragement given by Letters under his owne hand is abundantly sufficient As for France and Spaine Popery and Monarchy or rather Tyranny will bring â—…n them notwithstanding their great and important differences as Pilate and Herod to joyne in crucifiing Christ The greatest doubt may seeme of France Spaine having a firmer interest in the Papists of Ireland and England but considering it is for the Catholique Cause And that if the proceedings of the true Protestants of England and Scotland prosper it may be an ill president to the Protestants of France to strive to regain what the other strive to keep no doubt he will cast a favourable eye upon this businesse as now appeares by sending his Agent into Scotland to hinder the Union of the two Nations Things being thus digested as in all reason they might and were no wonder though the King upon his returne from Scotland and the Rebellion begunne in Ireland altered his language and carriage to the Parliament and sought nothing more then occasions of beginning the Quarrell as by the illegall accusation of their members Going to the house of Commons to demand them so attended upon whose instigation and with what intention appeares by the Queenes carriage at his frustrate returne as also by the confessions of divers of that desperate Guard These violent assassinating courses attempted in England and Scotland practised in Ireland though they are not certaine Evidences are usuall signes of a Popish Designe and Jesuiticall Councels After this attempt not through pretended feare for his Majesty adventured into the City the next day with a small Guard but through indignation at the disappointed mischiefe and as the Lord Digbie saith to keepe the Cavaliers from trampling and reproach the King removes from London cum tota sequela except some who were left to be Agents in City and Parliament for this great service whom we could as well have spared And now the plot of raising an Army long before contrived being ready for the birth Iune Lucina fâ—…r opem Let the Queen find a pretence to goe into Holland taking with her the Crowne Jewels which were pawned or sould not to gaine but lose the Pearle of price with the more freedome to negotiate forreigne supplies of Money Armes Ammunition and Commanders whither likewise some other officious persons as Iermine Digbie c. were before by his Majesties warrant despatched and to speake without flattery she did speciall service for which no doubt she shall have her Indulgences and Pardons free as she hath occasion to use them In the meane while the King is going on pilgrimage in Devotion to this Romish Cause and though continually petitioned for returne and obtested by bleeding Ireland makes little stay till he comes to York where after the Courting of that Country and his many Protestations taking the Lords in for security Iune 15. 1642. whose honours were pawned for his Majesties intentions whereby it was thought the people were better prepared then indeed they were he goes to Hull and upon Sit Iohn Hothams refusall takes occasion to raise a Guard for his person in a place whose Loyalty was so much magnified which by the helpe of the Commission of Array and forreign supplies hath ingendred a plentifull issue of three or foure Armies But what is all this to the subversion of the Protestant Religion if there had been any such intention in the raising the Army the Papists whose speciall interest it was should have beene taken in who are by a Proclamation dated at York August 10. 1642. forbidden not onely the Court a place so unfit for them the Queen being now absent but any Office or service in the Kings Army and as if his Majesty were so farre from expecting their assistance that he feared their vengeance in his instructions to the Commissioners of Array August 29. 1642. dated at Nottingham charge is given that Recusants be disarmed This cannot be denied but it may be contradicted as it was by his Majesty in an answer to the Petition of the Recusants of Lancashire dated at Chester September 27. 1642. where they are not onely allowed but according to the knowne Law of the Land required to provide sufficient armes for themselves their servants and tennants And wheras it may be said the case was different in August and September it s yeelded his Majesties Case was different though his Cause the same To have received them before others were ingaged had beene to disingage the Protestants and interrupt the worke in its tender beginnings And therefore it must be so timed that as many Protestants as could be deluded with pretences might be drawne in and ingaged beyond a retreat before the assistance of the Papists was required Thus have you an account of those groundâ—… for which those Counsels Conâ—…rivances and disguises by which the maine Army countenanced by the Kings favour and presence was raised against the Parliament I have no minde to trace it over-shooes through that innocent blood which hath been spilt by it neither is it to my present purpose to doe it The indeavours to the same end in the North by the Earle of Newcastle in Wales and Cornewall by the Marqu of Hertford and Sir Ralph Hopton These latter grounded rather as I suppose upon the Principles of Prerogative then Popery I purposely omit onely let me take notice that this worke of darknesse hath made the darke corners of the land its refuge and received most assistance from places most void of the knowledge of God which we are in a high degree to impute to the more then barbarous cruelty of the Prelats not onely not providing but preventing their supplies and discouraging the Liberality and Piety of those who indeavoured the
and may hereafter do the liâ—…e service in England and Scotland if in this their preâ—â—nt extremity they may be respited and relieved And whereas it is of very great consequence that the Papists and all that will upon any pretence or for any advantage adhere to them in this Cause be firmely united together against the Puritans and their adâ—…erents whether in Engâ—…and or Scotland It is concluded and accorded betwixt the two Etcaetera's that a Cessation oâ—… Armes the like was never heard of should bee agreed on from whence the Catholike Cause and Party may expect these Advantages 1. Free importation of Armes Ammunition Victuals and Provisâ—…ons of all kinds and free accesse of any of their Conâ—…ederates â—…rom any part of the world 2. 〈◊〉 tranâ—…portation iâ—…to Eâ—…gland or other parts of such suppliâ—…s which sâ—…all be necessary for his Majesties service against the Puritans and Paâ—…iament tâ—…ere 3. The strengthning the Popish party with the Union of the indifferent Protestants and consequently weakning and dividing the Adversary upon whom the whole strength may bee now turned 4. Either an advantage to ruine the Scottish Army in Ulster if they refuse the Cessation and stay or if they withdraw an opportunity to settle Ireland and among England or Scotland as occasion shall be 5. That some usefull Prisoners as the Earl of Antrim who was then in hold might be released 6. That there shall be a Reserve of Wood-Kernes whom this Cessation shall not reach who shall kill and spoil at their pleasure thâ—…se who may be presumed disaffected to the Catholike Cause And thus have I made bold to represent to the world this horrid gastly Monster of the Irish massacre and I hope more to the worlds benefit then my own content raked in this sink of iniquity The Evidence is furnished Let the diligent impartiall Reader and the Conscience of mankinde make a judgement upon it But seeing the discovery and foresight of mischief is but half a wise mans work which now every body pretends to and I for company Let us study in a few words to declare the best Rules of prevention to this Inundation of Tyranny and Popery which from the Romish Sea is like to overwhelm us The prudâ—…nt man foresees the Plague and hides himselfe Many rules both of Piety and Policy might be laid down upon the grounds of Scripture Reason and Experience But since the most of them are so well summed up in that solemne League and Covenant agreed on and entred into by these two Nations of England and Scotland I will not scatter them but propound the deliberate Entrance into that Covenant and the faithfull pursuance thereof to be the most Religious and reasonable way to unite and strengthen the too much divided party of true Protestants against these Conspiracies discovered which are likely yet further to enlarge their bounds There are some it may be who stand off for want of the Kings consent We want not good authority though such is our unhappinesse that for the present his concurrence is rather to be wished then hoped In the mean time let not the Truth and Gospel of Christ be sacrificed to the Counsels and Consederacies of evill and unreasonable men Especially when they who have a great share in enacting and conserving those Lawes by which our Religion is confirmed have engaged themselves and their authority with us Neither let us be startled at the noise of a Proclamation that turns Religion into Treason and Union into Sedition Proclamations are neither the Laws of England nor yet of the Medes and Persians which alter not but may be retracted either with some difficulty as that against Scotland or more ease as that concerning Irelâ—…nd Others there are who are not strangers to the present affaires but there is something that â—…its nearer them then Religion or publike Liberty which they are loath to adventure by such an engagement in this declining State of the Parliament affaires and therefore study an ungodly and unprofitable Neutrality To these men I wish a sound mind and a changed heart to 〈◊〉 first the Kingdome of God Let such conâ—…ider that if he who was the Way the Truth and the Life prescribed the true way to life they are in the false his rule in such cases is He that saves shall lose And let them know further that they will one day have more need of protection from God then his Cause hath now of theirs when they shall without repentance receive this repulse Goe to the gods whom yee have served Me think it should not be in vain to spend a word or two upon that more tâ—…mperate party of them who are now unhappily engaged against the Parliament in this wretched Cause Sure there are some to whom the Counsels of the Digbies and the insolent carriage of Prince Rupert his Harpyes are little lesse odious then these courses which the two Houses of Parliament are constrained to There is yet place for Repentance God send Grace And if the sense of their own honour which they take so much paines to bury in the ruines of their Countries Liberty nor yet of the honour of God which if not their intentions yet certainly their Actions desperately strike at in this apparent danger to Religion yet let the consideration of the issue of that work they are about supposing their prevailing not so probable as they may conceive a little move them Will it not as much trouble them to see the Kingdome governed as now one part of it is by a Spanish Popish â—…unto as by an English Protestant Parliament To see their beloved moderation swallowed up in the violence of that desperate Iesuiticall party that rules at the Court as in the supposed Severity oâ—… those Councels Civill or Ecclesiasticall that govern at the City Let such men be assured that their Ends unlesse such as are consistent with Tyranny and Popery must give way to the predomâ—…nant Interest which will be sound to be that of the Feminine Planet in the Issue when they have served they shall like uselesse Instruments be laid aside and dis-regarded Certainly the intentions of those who are drawn in to this Popish confederacy are so different that I am confident if they prevaile against us their Quarrels will be as many and bitter against each other as now against the Parliament Vices are opposite and destructive not only to vertue but one to another Me thinks these Gentlemen who pretend to justice peace moderation and something of Religion should think themselves but ill associated in the midst of such prophane plundering companions to which they are not so much companions as subjects Sure they cannot be well at ease to see the first fruits of this Irish Cessation presented to their union but how then can they endure when his Majesties Reregard of his Romane Catholique Subjects shall be brought over with their hands full of the bâ—…ood of more then 100000 offencelesse Protestants whom they have cruelly massacred Sure
the apprehensions of this cannot but shake their Prerogative faith and make them apprehâ—…nd themâ—…elves in more danger from their confederates then tâ—…eir supposed 〈◊〉 Iâ—… this labour to them be lost I am sorry but gâ—…ad it was â—…o more 〈◊〉 me â—…peak to them who are counsellable that is â—…hose who in the trutâ—… aâ—…d uprightnesâ—…e oâ—… their Hearts have â—…ntred into this 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 engaged 〈◊〉 to the presâ—…rvation oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nd Libeâ—…ty such must labour â—…or stedâ—… in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lest out medicinâ—… prove our poyson Let none of us go about to deceive our selves with unprofitable Treaties or hopes of a yet impossible Accommodation but cheerfully and faithfully accomplish a speedie and firm Union with the Councels and strength of Scotland which will encourage not onely religious but wise men to joyn with us it being beyond a reasonable expectation that by our own strength or wisdom we should extricate our selves from this growing calamity in which we are daily more and more involved It now becomes every man to wind up his thoughts to a Christian resolution befitting the present necessities and Condition of the Church of God and walk worthy of it and let the Lord do what seemeth good unto him I might now make my self a great deal of more work and create some trouble to my Reader if I should after this satisfaction I have given to my own heart and the friends of this Cause of Religion go about to satisfie the world and answer their severall quarrels with this undertaking but I will be more mercifull to the Reader and more just to my self then to accuse my self by excuses Onely I will give you a taste of that which I am like to have plenty The first Question will be Who is this I answer it matters not who but what The next is a position Sure he was a mad-man thus to provoke Maiesty it self did he ever learn that verse in Homer {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Yes but he hath and that in Iob too In such a cause as this let me not I pray you accept any mans person neither let me give flattering titles unto man I hope to see the day when I shall be accounted a better subject to the King then he that accuses me In the meane time I am satisfied with being a good subject to the Kingdom no Traitor to the Church If I have incurred any danger it is to shew thee thine if a good Protestant But there need not have been so much bitternesse used which often disadvantages a good Cause It is the language of the times and not mine A filthy ulcer must have a sharpe lance the massacre of Ireland is a bitter cup Quis temperet invectivis Here are many things produced in this Treatise that are but slender proofs Then take them altogether Altogether are but a rapâ—…idy scraped up out of the Parliament Declarations and such scandalous pamphlets as Plain English and the English Pope Truth is a common inheritance and now so scarse that I was glad to take it where I could find it Tush I can tell mrre of these affairs then this Discoverer Then tell them or tell me and I will But Mercurius Aulicus will be sure to meet with you This is no time to be afraid of Court Bull Beggers but if he meet with me he must go out of his way I tell truth he tels lies But I have now done and it may be done that which hath provoked almost every body but my own conscience which witnesses with me that I have not written any willing or negligent falshood nor to my best understanding any unseasonable or unnecessary truth There is no man but will stand in need of some charity I shall find it from them that have it from those that have it not I will not expect it There are other Mysteries in this world of Iniquitie carried on by them who under the pretence of Service do the greatest dis-service and dishonour to the Cause of Religion and Liberty which must either be amended or not concealed let other men do their share as I have done mine and the world will certainly be either honester or wiser This Discourse cannot be better concluded then with that which is the earnest and constant request of the Author to the Lord God of Hosts the God of Israel that seeing wisdom and might are his he would vouchsafe wisdom to the Councellors courage and constancy to the Souldiers willingnesse to the people and faithfulnes to all those that have or shall engage themselves in this great Cause so infinitely valuable beyond the estates and lives of all that undertake it To him be glory and peace upon Israel FINIS Imprimatur hic Liber Decemb. 12. 164â—… IOHN VVHITE O duâ—…um a Puâ—…itan in another copy * This discovery was pâ—…nned upon the sight of the naâ—…ed Cessation as it came from â—…reland before the short coveâ—…ing of the Grounds and Motives c. which are not so considerable â—…s to occasion â—…ny alteration unlesse of the â—…ord pretended