our Countries good and our owne confident perswasion that these will much advance the glory of Almighty God the everlasting honour of your Majesty the safety of your Kingdomes and the encouragement of all your good Subjects we doe most humbly beseech your Majesty to vouchsafe a gracious answer This Petition being presented to the King by a Committee of both Houses the King after some deliberation gave this Answer to it That the lawes against Iesuits and popish Recusants should be put inâ—due execution from thenceforth c. Whereupon the Commons soone after sent another Petition to the Lords desiring their concurrence with them in presenting it to his Majesty for removing popish Recusants and those whose Wives were Papists from offices of trust which by law they were disabled to execute which the Lords taking into consideration It was after reported to the Lords and entred in their Journall in this manner Die Iovis viz vicessimo die Maij 1624. The Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury reported that at the meeting this day with the Commons they presented an humble Petition to the King desiring this House to joyne with them therein as heretofore The which Petition was read in haec verba viz. WE your Majesties loyall and faithfull Subjects the Commons by your royall Authority and commandement called to and Assembled in this present Parliament out of all the parts of your Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales doe in all humility give your Majesty most humble thanks that you have so religiously and openly published that your lawes and acts of State against popish Recusants shall be put in due execution and now we hold it our bounden duty amongst other important affaires of your Realme to informe your Majesty of the growth of this dangerous sort of people in this your Kingdome and of their insolency and boldnesse in all the parts thereof insomuch as many of them unknowne to your Majesty have crept into offices and places of government and authority under you to the disheartning of you good Subjects and contrary to your Majesties lawes and acts of State whose names in discharge of our allegiance and duty without respect of persons we in all humblenesse present to your Majesty c. Now in consideration of the great countenance hereby given unto popery the greaâ— griefe and offence to all your best affected and true and loving subjects the apparant danger of the whole Kingdom by putting the power of Arms into such mens hands as by former acts of your Majesties counsell are adjudged persons justly to be suspectedâ— and fit themselves to be disarmed your sayd royall and faithfull subjects doe most humbly beseech your Majesty graciously to vouchsafe that the sayd Lords and Gentlemen hereunder named for this important reason and for the greater safety of your Majesty and of this your Realme and dominion may be removed from all your Majesties commissions of great charge and trust commissions of Lieutenancy Oyer and Terminer and of the peace and from all other offices and places of trust The names of all such persons as are certified to have places of charge or trust in their severall Counties and are themselves Popish Recusants or Non-communicants that have given over suspicion of their ill affection in Religion or that are reported or suspected so to be THe right Honourable Francis Earle of Rutland is certified to be Lord Lieutenant in the County of Lincolne and a Commissioneâ— of the peace and Custos Rotulorum in the County of Northampton and a Commissioner of the peace and of Oyer and Terminer in Yorkeshire and in other counties and that he and his wife are suspected to be popish recusants The right honourable the Earle of Castlehaven is certified to be a Commissioner of the peace and of Oyer and Terminer in Wiltshire and to be suspected to be ill affected in religion and that some of his family either are or lately were recusauts Sir Thomas Compton Knight is certified to be a Commissioner of the peace and of Oyer and Terminer in Warwickeshire and he and the Countesse his wife are certified by same to be suspected to be popish recusants The right honourable Henry Lord Herbert is certified to be a Commissioner of the peace in Monmouthshire and to favour the popish religion and to forbeare the Church The right honourable the Lord Viscount Colchester is certified to be a Commissioner of the peace in Essex and by report that he commeth not to the Church nor receiveth the communion The right honourable the Lord Peter is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Essex and by report that he commeth not to the church nor receiveth the communion and that his wife and family are generally suspected to be popish recusants The right honourable Henry Lord Morlay is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Lancashire and to be suspected to be a popish recusant The right honourable the Lord Windsor is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Buckinghamshire and by common fame to be a popish recusant The right honourable William Lord Evre is certified to be a Justice of the peace in the county of Durham and to be a popish recusant convicted The right honourable the Lord Wooten is certified to be in place of authority in Kent and that he and his wife doe forbeare the church and are justly suspected to affect the Roman religion The right honourable the Lord Teynhani is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Kent and by common report to be a popish recusant The right honourable the Lord Scroope is certified to be a Lord Lieutenant of the Counties of Yorke of the City of Yorke and of Kingston upon Hull and to be a Commissioner of the peace and of Oyer and Terminer in the said Counties and in sundry other Counties and that his Lordship hath not received the Communion once every yeere in the last three or foure yeeres and that his Lordship hath given overt suspicion of his ill affection in Religion by his departure from the Communion on sundry dayes when his Majesties Counsell there resident and others of the Congregation staid behind to receive the same sometimes on Easter-day and sometimes on the fifth day of November and it is testified by witnesse that the Lord Archbishops grace of Yorke and others of his Majesties Counsell there resident were present did receive the Communion once when his Lordship went away and that his Lordship doth rarely repaire to the Church on Sundayes and Holy-dayes in the forenoon and not above twice to the afternoone Sermons whereunto former Lord Presidents with his Majesties Counsell there residing have frequently repaired and whereunto the Counsell now there resident doe ordinarily repaire since he was made Lord President whereof notice is taken by all his Majesties Subjects in those parts to the great griefe of such as are truly affected in Religion Sir VVilliam Courtney Knight is certified to be a Commissioner of the peace and
doe buy whole streets of houses in Paris Lordships in the Country and when they first came hither they were but poore beggers now they keep Coaches what houses have they built in the Covent-garden and what faire houses do they built in Lincoln In-fields And the City must lend money to build them in other mens name And to hide all the Papist will have the Paâ—liament to be held at Yorke and thereby to undoe this poore City The second Paper was as followeth Gentlemen and others that are Christians assist us for the truth of the Gospell that is like to be extinguished viz. The Popes Nuntio doth protest to make us all Roman Catholiques the Ambassador of the Anti-Christ Sir Iohn Winter whose kindred were of the Gunpouder Treason is his associate and doth trust to worke that treachery upon us Sir Kellam Dighigh a maintainer of that Society is going to Rome and the ship-money must defray him as the Queenes Mother and the froggs of Hell in Somerset House Finis Coronet opus For Wednesday next Besides these papers the Apprentices of London drew up and presented this ensuing Petition to the Lord Major and Aldermen of London which was sent to Secretary Windebanke and endorsed with his own hand To the Right Honourable the Lord Major and the Worshipfull Aldermen his Brethren The humble Petition of the Apprentices of London whose Names are under written in the behalf of themselves and others In all submissive manner sheweth THat it is well known unto this Honourable Court that there are many thousand Apprentices in this City with whom their Parents and friends have given some two hundred pounds some more some lesse sums of Money to Merchants or other Tradesmen in London who are bound for severall tearmes of yeares to be trained up in their severall Callings That at the end of their Apprentiship they might exercise their Trades according to the Custome and Charter of the City of London That by reason of the great number of Monopolies Patents and Impositions upon Commodities and Manufactures the Trade of the City is so burthened that to the Petitioners knowledge divers of their Masters are not able to live of their Trades to maintain themselves and their families That many Factors and others have been made free by Redemption together with the liberty that Forraigners use in this City contrary to the Custome and Lawes in that case Ordained and Provided whereby your Petitioners evidently perceive that they are deprived of all hope to live by their calling and that the freedome of this City will not be a benefit but a burthen to them unlesse some speedy course be taken for redresse Further sheweth That by the multitude of Papists Priest and Iesuits residing in and about this City many weak in Learning and young in understanding are subject by their subtill delusions to be drawn away to Romish Religion That many feares are upon us by reason of their audatious and insolent carriages and demeanor in speeches and their furnishing themselves with Armes threatning the ruine of this City which hath been famous for exercise of Trade and Religion May it therefore please this Honourable Court to take the Premisses into due and serious consideration and to be pleased to the future encouragement and lively-hood of the Petitioners who are the inferiour members of this City speedily to move the Kings most excellent Majesty that the evills and feares afore specified may be removed and others in your power may be redressed that so your Petitioners may with cheerfulnesse discharge their duties to Almighty God his Sacred Majesty and their respective Masters And your Petitioners shall be ever bound to pray About the yeer 1635. the Priests and Iesuits by means of Windebanke Canterbury Note and the Lord Treasurer of England procured Mr. Rooks the searcher of Dover to be extrajudicially removed from his place and two professed Popish Recusants Turbervile Morgan and Charls Powell to be thrust into it who held it for the use of Father Leander a Benedictine and Father Price Generall of that Order the former once Chamber-fellow to the Archb of Canterbury in St. Iohns in Oxford and sent over into England to helpe the reconciliation with Rome in which he was very active By meanes whereof the Priests or Jesuits Papists and their Agents had free Passage till this very Parliament in and out of the Realm without search or molestation conveyed their Intelligences to and from Rome and other places with greater security yea sent over divers Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to forraigne Monasteries Seminaries Nunneries without any obstacle dreaming hereupon of nothing else but an absolute triumph over the Protestants and a speedy extirpation of their Religion throughout all our three Kingdomes Whiles we ingaged in this civil war with Scotland by the Prelaticall and Popish parâ—y these Conspirators prepared a great Spanish Fleet to invade us and joyn with the Papists in England then in Arms most of our Captains and Commanders being professed Papists to cut all the Hereticks and Protestants throats while embroyled in a civil war and busied in murdring one another as I have * The Royall Popish Favourite p. 58 59. elswhere manifested But the admirable Providence of our ever gracious God secured us from their bloudy designs by stirring up the Hollanders miraculously to encounter and vanquish that puissant Fleet of Spaniards notwithstanding all the assistance and protection they received from us at which the * See the Breviate of his life p. 22. Archbishop of Canterbury and Spanish Faction were exceeding angry and discontented and by making a happy Accommodation betweene the King and our Brethren of Scotland Iune the 17. 1639. before the Spaniards arrivall on our coasts which was not till about the beginning of October But this Parliament was no sooner called but dissolved againe by the Arch-Bishops and Papists solicitations and a new war resolved on with more vigour and violency then the former Hereupon Secretary Windebanke the great Agent for the Arch-Bishop Queen and Papists writing to his Sonne Tom Windâ—banke then at Paris negotiating the Palsgraves enlargement concerning the Scottish affaires gives this direction to him among others TOm Note c. If you see Doctor Smith the Bishop of Calâ—edon there who is a great confident of the Cardinull he may be a fit instrument to make some discovery of the intelligence the Scots hold there but this must be with great caution c. Your very loving Father Francis Windebanck Drury-lane 12. Decemb. 1639. It seems both the Secretary and his Son had some interest in and acquaintance with this Bishop else they would not make use of him for their Intelligencer These Wars and the Papist forwardnesse to assist his Majesty in them gave great incouragement as it seemes to Cardinall Barbarino to ingratiate himself further with his Majesty as this Clause of Mr. Iohn Graves his letter to the Archbishop endorsed with his own hand thus Recep March 27. 1640.
* Page 34 44. undervalues the French Mercury and other histories who have written any thing of this Match may peruse at his leasure to satisfie his judgement Conscience in the verity of the premises and of this Mercury to The Parliament upon this relaiâ—on adâ—vised the King to breake off the Spanish treaty and to proclaime an open warre with Spaine for recovery of the Palatinate and defence of the protestant Religion Se the Lords Iournall And Archbishops Diary March 23. whereupon the King on the 23 of February declared to a Committee of Parliament appointed for that purpose That he would send a Messenger presently into Spaine to signifie to that King that his Parliament advised him to breake of the Treaties of the Match and the Palatinat and to give his reasons of it and so proceed to recover the Palatinate as he might Hereupon Bonefires were made in the City by the forwardnesse of the people for joy that we should breake with Spaine In this Parliament to maintaine the war in which they had engaged the King * See 21 Iac. c. 32. 33. the Clergy granted him four intire Subsidies of foure shillings the pound and the Temporalty three intire Subsidies and three fifteens and tenthes The end of granting them is expressed in the Prologue of the Temporalities Act of Grant MOST * * 21. lac c. 33 Gratious Soveraigne we your Majesties most humble faithfull and loving Subjects by your Royall Authority now Assembled in your High Court of Parliament having entred into serious and due consideration of the weighty and most important causes which at this time more then at any other time heretofore doe presse your Majesty to a much greater expence and charge then your owne Treasure alone can at this present support and maintaine and likewise of the injuries and indignities which have beene lately offered to your Majesty and your Children under colour and during the time of the Treaties for the Mariage with Spaine and the restitution of the Palatinate which in this Parliament have beene clearely discovered and layde open unto us and withall what humble advice with one consent and voyce we have given unto your Majesty to dissolve those Treaties which your Majesty hath beene gratiously pleased to our exceeding joy and comfort fully to yeeld unto and accordingly have made your publique declaration for the reall and utter dissolution of them by meanes whereof your Majesty may happily be ingaged in a suddain Warre Wee in all humblenesse most ready and willing to give unto your Majesty and the whole world an ample testimony of our dutifull affections and sinceere intentions to assist You therein for the maintenance of that Warre that may hereafter ensue and more particularly for the defence of this your Realme of England the securing of your Kingdome of Ireland the assistance of your Neighbours the States of the united Provinces and other your Majesties Friends and Allies and for the setting forth of your Royall Navy we have resolved to give for the present the greatest ayde which ever was granted in Parliament to be levied in so short a time c. In this Parliament the Commons presented a sharpe Petition to the Lords against Popish NOTE Recusants desiring the Lords to joyne with them in it to the King of which King Iames having notice writ with his owne hand this following letter to Secretary Conway which I have truely extracted out of the very originall I doubt not but you have heard what a stinging Petition against the Papists the lower House have sent to the higher House this day that they might joyntly present it unto me ye know my firme resolution not to make this a Warre of Religion And seeing I would be loath to be Connycatched by my people I pray you stay the Post that is going to Spaine till I meet with my Son who will be here to morrow morning do it upon pretext of some more letters ye are to send by him and if he should be gone hasten after him to stay him upon some such pretext and let none living know of this as ye love me and before two in the afternoone to morrow you shall with out saile heare from me Farwell Iames R. This Petition was sent up to the Lords as appeares by their * 3 Aprâ—â—â— 1624. Iournall Booke upon the 3. of Aprill 1624. the Coppy whereof is therein recorded in forme following Die Lunae quinto Aprilis 1624. The Petion against Popish Recusaurs which the Commons desire to be presented unto his Majesty and that the Lords joyne with them therein May it please your most Excellent Majesty VVE your Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects the Lords Commons in this present Parliament assembled having to our singular comfort received your Princely resolution upon our humble Petition to disolve the two treaties of the Match and of the Pallatinate and having on our parts with all alacrity and readinesse humbly offered our assistance to your Majesty to maintaine the Warre which may insue there upon yet with all sencibly finding what seditious and Traiterous positions those Incendiaries of Rome and professed Engines of Spaine the Priests and Iesuits infuse into your naturall borne Subjects what numbers they have seduced and doe dayly seduce to make their dependance on the Pope of Rome and King of Spaine contrary to their Allegiance to your Majesty their Leige Lord what daily resort of Priests and Jesuites into your Kingdomes what concourse of Popish Recusants much more then usuall is now in and about the City of London NOTE what boldnesse yea what insolency they have discovered out of the opinion conceived of their forraigne patronage what publique resort to Masses and other exercises of the Popish Religion in the Houses of forraigne Ambassadors there is daily to the great griefe and offence of your good Subjects what great preparations are made in Spaine fit for an Invasion the bent whereof is as probable to bee upon some part of Your Majesties Dominions as upon any other place what incouragement that may bee to your Enemies and the Enemies of Your Crown to have a party or but the opinion of a party within Your Kingdomes who do daily increase and combine themselves together for that purpose What dishartning of your good and loving Subjects when they shall see more cause of feare from their false hearted Country-men at home then from their professed adversaries abroad what apparent dangers by Gods providence and Your Majesties wisdome and goodnesse they have very lately escaped which the longer continuance of those treaties upon such unfitting conditions fomented by your owne ill affected Subjects NOTE would surely have drawne upon Your Majesty and Your State doe in all humblenesse offer to your sacred Majestie these their humble petitions following 1. That all Jesuites and Semminary Priests and all others having taken Orders by any authority derived from the Sea of Rome may by Your Majesties Proclamation be commanded
you who are the chiefe abettors of the popish titular Clergy your Lordships have them now shewing themselves in their presenting this Petition which we hope you will be sensible of for the publike good the good of his Majesty and the glory of God to whose blessing and protection we humbly leave you The returne upon Command to advise upon some moderate course in the exercise of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction Right honourable Our good Lords IN obedience to your Lordships commands We the Bishops and Chancellours present in the City have considered of the wayes for the moderating and easing the pretended burthen whereof the Petitioners complaine in the matter of clandestine Christnings Marriages and Burials And doe find that we that are present cannot resolve of any other course then to referre our selves to our former answer and the lawes now in force and according to our duties to God and the charge laid upon us in the Act 2. Eliz. c. 2. doe humbly desire your Lordships that the said Act for the uniformity of Common-prayer and Service in the Church and the administration of the Sacraments may be duly and truly executed Also the lawes concerning the restoring to the Crowne the ancient Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiasticall and Spirituall and abolishing all forraigne power repugnant to the same may be effectually and fully put in use And that all School-Masters be bound to teach the Schollers for their first booke the grounds of Christian Religion and to use in their Schooles the prayer appointed in the beginning of the Grammer set forth by his Majesties authority with such other books as shall be appointed by the Bishops of this Kingdome and that idle and unprofitable books such as Gesta Romanoruâ— which is now upon the Presse in this City for the use of their Schools which doe but teach them to attend to Fables and lying legends may be banished from the same And forasmuch as sundry of us having no other occasion of comming to this place but your Lordships commands have been now fourteen dayes in Town and doe lye here at charges and are with-holden from performance of our duties at home we humbly entreat your Lordships to licence us to depart What the issue of this businesse was I cannot certainly learne but I find that this very yeere 1630. among other things there fell out a great difference between the Regulars and Secular Priests and popish Titulary Bishops in Ireland which grew to a very great highth as I have formerly touched in the Bishop of Calcedons businesse How farre these differences between them there proceeded in I shall give you a short account out of the Arch-bishop of Armagh his Letter to Bishop Laud who writ thus to him among other things My very good Lord THere came into my hands certaine propositions of our Irish Regulars against the Seculars censured at Paris 15. January a a After the French account who begun the yeere with January as our Almanacks doe But 1630. after our ordinary computation 1631. by sixty Doctors of the Sorbon one whereof is this Superiores Regularium digmores sunt Episcopis siquidem dignitas pastoris petendâ— est ex conditione sui gregis quemadmodum oplio dignior est subulco Another In partibus haereticorum non tenetur populus Christianus necessariam susâ—entationem suo Paracho sub ministrate quia bona Ecclesiastica ab haereticis possidentur Together with them I received the Arch-bishop of Paris his condemnation of two English Books published Ianuary 30. 1631. the one an Answer to certaine assertions of Doctor Kellison in his Treatise of the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy written by Nicholas Smith the other an Apology for the Popes manner of proceeding in governing the Catholikes in England during the time of persecution Author Daniel a Iesu It may somewhat concerne us here to be made acquainted with the Argument of these Books and therefore I make bold to entreat your Lordship that you would give order to one of your Chaplaines to communicate the same unto this bearer who will speedily informe me thereof Your Lordships in all service Ia. Armachanus Drogheda March 17. 1631. The yeere following these differences in Ireland between the Priests and Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Fleming proceeded to a publike Protestation and contestation even inprint as appears by this notable paper of the Priests against him printed at Rhoan both in Latin and English to make it more notorious I shall only trouble you with the English Copy found in the Arch-bishops Study indorsed with Master Dels hand thus May 3 1632. Protestations of the secular Priests in Ireland against Thomas Fleming Arch-bishop of Dublin To all the most Illustrious Arch-bishops and Bishops of Ireland but more particularly to those of the Province of Dublin their honourable Lords David Bishop of Osory Iohn of Perues Ross of Kildare and Matthew Vicar Apostolicall of Laghlem 1 MOST Illustrious Lords and Reverend Bishops the Priests of Dublin make their complaint before you that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis without alleadging any cause against them onely for his will and as his pleasure usâ—th to exile and banish Priests out of his Diocesse And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a 〈◊〉 over the Clergy contrary to the Canons of Holy Church and the lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome 2. Most Illustrous Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint that the same most illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis though humbly sought unto and desired doth refuse to doe them justice in their causes neither yet will â—e permit the Clergy to follow their actions meerly civill before the Magistrate contrary unto the â—eceived custome of this Kingdome from the first conversion of this Nation And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy NOTE contrary unto the Canons of the Church and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome 3. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis in inflicting his Ecclesiasticall censures observeth no canonicall preceeding at all omitting not onely the solemnities of the law but those things also that are necessary and essentiall in all proceedings thereof namely citations and proofe of causes And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy contrary unto the Canons of Holy Church and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome 4. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe complaine that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop Thoms Flemming of the order of Saint Francis refused to heare all proofes against the Regulars in the matter of the eleven propositions condemned at Paris which testimonies or proofs two venerable Priests presented unto him the 15. of November in the yeere of our Lord 1631. in
may be considered that though they be many in themselves yet are they but few being compared with the rest and that their proffers seem probable to be for their owne ends which will be a meanes to weary the Plantators 8. That those who now make these propositions were the chiefe opposerâ— of the payment of the late contribution into the Exchequer least it should grow to be esteemed a revenue of the Crowne and be required of Posterity whereby it may appeare it is for their owne ends 9. That as in the former contribution his Majesties graces did solely redound unto the Recusants so it is now sought in like manner NOTE that they may have all the ease and thanks though the burden lye as heavy on others as on them All which much tending to the disheartning of good and conformable Subjects we desire your Honours by your mediation to his Majesty to prohibit Doctor Bedle Bishop of Kilmore with two more Bishops among others subscribed this Petition at the request of the Gent of that County and as appears by his Letters to the Lord a Dated Novemb. 5. 1633. Deputy and Arch-bishop of Canterbury did very much qualifie the complaints and grievances therein contained by altering the first draught presented to him from a smart Letter unto an humble Petition yet notwithstanding he was specially complained of to the King for setting his hand to this Petition and opposing his Majesties service in Ireland touching the levy of moneys upon Recusants and others to maintain the Army The like accusation of him came to the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury who thereupon writ a sharp Letter of reproofe to him concerning it dated October 13. 1633. to which this Bishop returned an answer on the 5. of November following relating the truth of the fact and justifying his action and withall he writ another Letter of the same date to the Lord Deputy of Ireland a â—opy whereof he sent the Arch-bishop inclosed in his Letter to him to excuse and justifie what he herein did in which Letter there are these memorable passages touching the extraordinary increase and boldnesse of the popish Bishops Priests Monks Recusants in Ireland at that time the copy of which Letter under this Bishops owne hand and Seale I found in the Arch-bishops Study thus indorsed with Master Dells owne hand Receâ—â— December 24. 1633. The Lord Bishop of Kilmore William Bedle his letter to the Lord Wentworth Lord Deputy of Ireland about the maintainance of the Army and the Cavan Petition Right Honourable my good Lord c. IN the midst of the midst of these thoughts I have been advertised from an honourable friend in England that I am accused to his Majesty to have opposed his service and that my hand with two other Bishops onely was to a writing touching the moneys to be levyed on the Papists here for maintenance of the men of warre c. Indeed if I should have had such an intention this had been not onely to oppose the service of his Majesty but to expose with the publike peace mine owne necke to the scâ—ans of the Romish Cut-throats I that know that in this Kingdome of his Majesty NOTE the Pope hath another Kingdome farre greater in number and as I have heretofore signified to the Lords Iustices and Counsell which is also since justified by themselves in print constantly guided and directed by the order of the new Congregation de propagandâ—â—ide lately â—rected at Rome transmitted by the meanes of the Popes Nuntioes residing at Bruxels or Paris that the Pope hath here a Clergy if I may guesse by mine own Diocesse double in number to us the heads whereof are by corporall Oath bound to him to maintaine him and his Regalities contra omnem hominem and to execute his Mandates to their uttermost forces which accordingly they doe stiling themselves in print Ego N. Dei c. Apostoliâ—ae Sedis gratia Episcopus Fermien Oâ—â—orien c. I that know there is in this Kingdome for the moulding of the people to the Popes obedience a rabble of irregular Regulars commonly younger brothers of good houses who are growne to that insolency as to advance themselves to be Members of the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy in better ranks then Priests insomuch as the censure of the Sorbon is faine to be implored to curbe them whâ—ch yet is called in againe so tender as the Pope of these his owne creatures I that knâ—w that his Holinesse hath erected a new University at Dublin NOTE to confront his Majesties Colledge there and to breed up the youth of this Kingdome to his devotion of which University one Paul Harris the Author of that infamous libell which was put forth in print against the Lord Primates Waâ—sted Sermon stileth himselfe in print to be Deane I that know and have given advertisement to the State NOTE that these Regulars dare erect new â—râ—erâ—es in the Country since the dissolving of those in the City that they have brought the people to such a sottish senslesnesse as they care not to learne the Commandements as God himselfe spake and writ them but they â—lock in great numbers to the preaching of new superstitious and detestable doctrines such as their owne Priests are ashamed of and as these they levy collections three foure five six pound at a Sermon shortly I that know that this Clergy and these Regulars have at a generall meeting like to a Synod as themselves stile it NOTE holden at Drogheda decreed that it is not lawfull to take the Oath of Alleagiance and if they be constant to their owne doctrine doe account his Majesty in their hearts to be King but at the Popes discretion In this estate of this Kingdome to think the bridle of the Army may be takeâ—away it should be the thought not of a brain-sick but of a brainlesse man But though I think strong for the establishment of the Army perhaps I would have had it maintained onely by the Recusants sines and mistake that they are gratified by the not exacting of them NOTE let my letters of the 23. of March 1629. to the Lords Justices commanding me to give them ample advertisements in any particular that might further the establishment of true Religion in this Kingdome Let those Letters I say of mine be seen it will be found that I use these formall words Forasmuch as the people are generally very poore and therefore discontented very ignorant and strongly perswaded by their Priests in their owne way and the Recusants for their number farre exceeding the better part I leave it to the Lords wisdome to consider how safe it may be to urge them to come to Church at once by exacting the fines for Recusancy unlesse something doe sound there first which they themselves doâ— conceive they doe not well to refuse to heare c. And to an honourable friend of mine in England not long after touching this very poynt that unlesse impediments were
the Archbishops triall Most excellent Sir Patron most honoured I Would have retained my selfe from writing to your most illustrious Lordship for feare of being to you some impediment I knowing your many occupations but I having heard from many persons and in particular by letters of Seignior Francisco sometimes my Secretary the honourable mention that otherwhiles your most illustrious Lordship is wont to make of my person NOTE and having also oftentimes understood from the most famous Seignior Cavaliere Hamilton and from Father John the Benedictin how much your most illustrious Lordship straineth himself in favouring of me I have been forced to commit this rude civility taking in hand my pen to give you trouble NOTE I assure your most famous Lordship that I live so much obliged unto you thâ—â— I shall never be able to pretend to satisfie to one and the least particle of that which I owe seeing that during my abode in London most rare were those dayes in which I did not receive from your most illustrious Lordship some grace in the behalfe and favour of the poore Catholikes .. I must also congratulare my selfe with your most famous Lordship concerning the most noble manners and behaviours of your Lordships Sonnes the which with their singular modesty and other most laudable vertues have gained such an opinion amongst them that have knowne them in this Court that I could never be able to expresse it NOTE and the Lord Cardinall Barberino in particular cannot satiate himselfe in praising them It grieves me not to have had the fortune to meet with them in this City because willingly I would have attested my devotion towards your most famous Lordship to the which and to all your most illustrious family I rest desiring eternall felicity from Heaven In the meane while I humbly entreat you to favour me with some commandement and I kisse your hands Your most illustrious Lordships most devout and most obliged Servant Greg. Panzani From Rome the 31. of May 1637. By this letter you may discerne what intimacy Windebanke had with and what daily favours he bestowed upon this Nuncio during his abode in London what curtisies he did for the papists here what correspondency he kept with Romanists abroad and what entertainment respect his sonnes then received in the Popes Court from his Creatures for his sake of which more in due place Among the Arch-bishop of Canterbury his papers I found the copy of a letter said to be written to the Pope thus indorsed with his owne hand Rece Octob. 15. 1635. A copy of the letter which is reported King Charles did write to Pope Urban the eighth about the restitution of the Duke of Loraigne Rex magnae Britanniae c. Sanctitatisuâ— Vrbano octavo salutem c. Anno 1634. Maxime Pontifex DOmus Lotharingiae Olim modo Principum Regumque mater vinculatrahit dura as in captivitatem ducitur orbe spectante 〈◊〉 Sanguis mihi optime Pontifex in venis salit quem a domo Letharingiae hausi pulsantque mihi violentes motuâ— praecordia dum consanguineos meos Duces paâ—riae sedibus spoljatos 〈◊〉 hostiliâ— graviter passâ—s sanguis cum in Nobis idem sit atiam amor distrahor tamen affectibus hinc cognati Lotharingiae oppressi jacent inde frater meâ—s triumphator sedâ— ut eorum calamitates violenta manu foveam necesse erit ut hunc 〈◊〉 Itaque pressus utrinque amore câ—gor ad mediationes aliorum Principum confugere ut amicitiam inter bos mihi caros concilieâ— bella amore extinguens non aliter sane extinguenda nisi faedâ— sanguinis Christiani effusione Ad te ergo Urbane Pontifex quem omni humanitatis cultu uâ—â— optimum Principem existimavi revertor cum hi Principes potestatem tuam 〈◊〉 agnoscere videantur se oves teque Pastorem suum â—â—pera igitur Sanctitatem suam ita obiestor hisce this Filijs Patris ut suam vocem andientes armis seposâ—â—â—s paceâ— Christianam meant exterisque Principibus authoruateâ— tuam agnoscentibus obedientâ—â— exempla sintâ— Deponatur te sedente quodcunque inter illos violentum sedatique reddâ—ntur hereditate suâ— cegnati Duces caeterique Lotharingiae domus Principes reponantur in avitaâ— sedis Hoc incumbit tuae in illos potentiae Curabit preculdabio paterna manus filiorum suorum vulnera praedicabitque Christianus orbis Urbano â—ontfice Romanâ— domnâ—â— Lotharingiam ex qua fere omnes Christiani Principes â—lori doâ—ari prâ—stinae vitaerestitui Tot vero inter Reges Principes qui hanc Christianissimans domum matrem agnoscunt Ego Vâ—bano principi optimo una 〈◊〉 illis gratias immortales agam quodque huic domus Parentâ— meae a Sanctitate suaâ—prestabitur tanquam mihimet meisque Coronis praestitum grato animo agnoscam Eterim fatendum est nihil mihi Contigisse gravius quam optimae illius domus mihi conjunctissimae contemplarâ— ruinam This letter perchance was but a civill complement for a civill end About this time Secretary Windebanks as I conceive or some other great person desired to be resolved from Rome of the Popes good affection to the King which some here questioned to which be received this answer thence in Italian sound among Windebanke papers and it seemâ— to be written by Cardinall Barberino with whom this Secretary held intelligence Concerning the demand made to your Lordship if the Pope loveth the King I answer That his Holinesse loves his Majesty better thâ—n any thing in this world better then any Nâ—phewes NOTE then all my whole Family and better then any whatsoever thing or Family belonging to his Beatitude or any Potentate that is And this is a love not onely proceeding from a Soveraigne Bishop but proper to his Holinesse A good counter-signâ— or testimony hereof your Lordship may see in those sine verses made by his Holinesse upon the death of the Queen Grand-Mother of this King 〈…〉 I have seen and shall see oftentimes testimonies to wit the teares which his Holinesse many times hath shed for the re-union of 〈◊〉 person to our holy Religion the which our Lord sheddeth every time that I relate unto him what your Lordship writes to me Vpon this forenamed entercourse with Rome by mutuall Agents they began at Rome to have very good opinion of our favourable inelinations towards them as may appeare by these passages written from Venice by Master William Middleton Chaplaine to the Lord Fielding then English Ambassadour there to Doctor Loud Arch-bishop of Canterbury in whose Study the originall was seized Right Honourable and most Reverend c. WHiles I was writing there came a franciscan Fryar to my selfe his businesse was this A mind he told me he had to leave these parts and with them the Religion herein used that I should doe him a great favour would procure him a passage for England either by sea or by land c. NOTE I fell to question him whether and when he had
c. intimates MAy it please your Grace c. I humbly beseech your Grace to pardon these my presumptions and this other Information which I shall assure your Grace They have printed at Rome a Book of Fastidius a Britain Bishop De Vitâ Christianà which THE CARDINALL FRANCISCO BARBARINO INTENDS TO DEDICATE TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY Note A Book of singular Devotion and Piety and of great Antiquity the Author being a Bishop in England about 300. yeers after 〈◊〉 Saviour Lucas Holstenius a very learned man hath the care of the Edition but hath not I thinke as yet finished his Annorations upon it For the Text he and I compared the Manuscript which is also very ancient with the printed Copy and I finde it exactly to agree c. Your Graces most obliged servant Iohn Greaves Ligorn March 3. Nay this War and the other designes of the Popish party notwithstanding the second Treaty with the Scots and the present Parliaments summons and meeting did so elevate the Papists hopes in England that Mr. Brudnell and Mr. Somerset went purposely over into Italy in November 1640. Note to sue for Cardinalls Caps upon an expectation of a new creation of Cardinals as the passages of these ensuing Letters writ to Secretary Windebancke from Rome found among his Papers and indorsed with his own hand abundantly evidence RIght Honorable Sir c. Mr. Thomas Sommerset is safely arrived at Ligorn upon his journey to Rome I conceive to prosecute his own intentions Your honors most affectionat and humble Servant Iohn Wilford The 3. of November 1640. SIr Mr. Thomas Sommerset is at Florence where Mr. Brudnell is also arrived There are some hopes of a Creation before Christmas the Pope being troubled with a Catarre which argues a multiplicity of humors Yours Iohn W. Novemb. 10. 1640. Right Honourable Sir THe Pope his Catarre arguing a multiplicity of humors dangerous in 74. yeers of age gave occasion to his Physition to suggest so much to Cardinall Barbarino and to him to make serious instance with the Pope for a Creation lest some sudden sicknesse portended by those Catarres prevent him This makes the pretendants expect the complements of their desires about Christmasse and indeed there would not be much improbability in it the creation importing the Pope and Nephew so much if the dispute about the nominated by the Crownes were ended But as yet nor France nor Spaine hath had promise of having Abbot Peretti or Mon Seigniâ—ur Massarini created Mr. Sommerset is come to Florence upon his arrivall here and his Negotiation we shall see what hopes either he or any others WHO AYME AT OUR ENGLISH CARDINALS CAP MAY PROMISE THEMSELVES Note c. Your Honors most affectionate and humble servant Iohn Wilford Novemb. 10. 1640. About this very time it seemes Mr. George Fortescue had some speciall Commission and imployment at Rome from hence it may be to succeed Sir William Hamilton in his negotiation there or to sollicite a Cardinalls Cap as this Letter of his to Secretary Windebanke found among his papers imports Right Honourable Vnderstanding by my Kinsman that your Honour desired light in two points concerning my selfe I was glad of the occasion to present with these lines my humble service and to assure your Honour though unknown I have ever upon all occasions proâ—essed my selfe a passionate servant of yours and shall be ever most ready to doe your Honour all service To those points I affirmed not that I had leave of his Majesty to follow that particular businesse for I my selfe knew it not Note till I came to the City where I met with my Commission and Instructions not seen before Immediatly at my arrivall here I addressed my selfe to Sir William and carried my selfe with that obedience to his intimation as in that passage I rather referre my selfe to Sir Williams report then to my owne relation which so much would tend to my commendation Upon his intimation I moved my Master to imploy some subject of his owne in that businesse which very graciously upon my letter he hath done So that a primo ad ultimum I never medled in that businesse For my comming to Rome I might very well conceive no place forbidden me his Majesty giving me so faire a leave to serve his Highnesse Neither hath the License which his Majesty gave me to travell any restriction at all In these I presume your Honour will discover with what resignation I have carried my selfe all along and with what obedience to his Majesties pleasures though so suddenly made knowne unto me and without any command at all As in these so desire I in all to give your Honour a true accompt of my actions which God willing shall be ever most suitable to an obedient Subject to his Majesty a most zealous Patriot to his Country and to your Honour a servant most ambitious of your command And shall I understand that my Letters shall be agreeable to your Honour I shall make bold to present them sometimes with the respect of Your Honours most humble and most obedient Servant Geo Fortescue Rome this 11. Oct. 1640. A Postscript The Phisitians having given notice to the Cardinall of the increase of the Popes Catarrs Note the Cardinall thinkes seriously of the new creation of Cardinalls in which it is thought the Kings shall have the Caps they desire This Letter needs no great Commentary but clearely shewes that this Gentleman met both with a Commission and Instructions from hence at Rome and was to doe some speciall service there About May 1640. Con the Popes second English Nuncio returning from England to Rome to be Cardinal the Pope sent a Nephew of his Count Rosetâ— to succeed him who being but yong and unexperienced the Pope commended him by this speciall Bull Note to the old active English lesuit Sir Toby Matthew very intimate with the Archbishop Windebank Wentworth Lord Deputy of Ireland the Earl of Arundel and most great Lords and Ladies about the Court or city as to his Angle Gardian the copy whereof I found among Windebanks papers written with his own hand which intimates that the Pope had very great hopes of reducing England to its ancient vassallage to him in a very short space by the help of those female active Amazons and instruments who laboured day and night to effect this designe of his Dilecto filio Tobiae Matheo Societat Iesu sacerdoti Urbanus Papa 8. DIlecte sili salutem Apostolicam benedictionem Note Ardens animarâ—m zelus quo jaâ— a tot annis in vinea Domini laborando strenuum te militem exhibuisti promeretur ut tuae virtuâ—i debitam laudem reddamus Sane magnâ cum exultatione audivimus * * See Romes Master-peece p. 19 20. 21. labores quos sustines ut sedis Apostolicae amplitudinem augeas quo caritatis zelo omnibus omnia fias ut omnes lucri facias Decet certè te virum Apostolicum
the principall contrivers and abbetters of this conspiracy in which all the Irish Popish Bishops Priests Friars Iesuits and scattered like Frogs in severall Popish Kingdoms and Seminaries were very active I shall onely adde to this That William O Conner an Irish Priest servant to the Queen-Mother who lodged at one Mistris Scarlets house in Coven-Garden and shifted his habit very often to disguise himself coming to one Anne Hussey an Irish Gentlewoman a little after Easter 1640. with another Irish man in his company having a long gray coat a sword girt close to his side to her lodging and going with her thence to Mistris Prinocks house in the Strand she demanded of O Conner who his companion was who answered he was one of the number of 7000. that were in privat pay AND IN READINES TO AYD THE CATHOLICKS Note AND TO OUT THE PROTESTANTS THROATS THAT SHOULD RESIST THEM and that he was one who played on the Flute to the Drum After which about the end of July 1640. he came to her foresaid lodging and said He came upon great occasion and in great haste and he must immediatly return back for he had three Letters from the Queen-Mother to deliver to three Ambassadors the Spanish the Venetian the French Note TO SEND TO THE POPE FROM WHOM OR FROM HIS LEGATE WE MUST KNOW WHEN TO BEGIN THE SUBDUING OF THE PROTESTANTS That they must first BEGIN TO CONQUER ENGLAND BEFORE IRELAND Being demanded by him How or in what manner will they begin with England And when will it be He replyed When the King goes to Scotland To which she answering There was no hopes of the Kings going to Scotland He replyed He warrant you he doth He further added That he had long been imployed by the Queen-Mother in her businesse with all the Princes of Christendom That they had some designe to cut off and kill the King adding That they would kill an Heretick at any time for the advancement of the Mother-Church of Rome and swore by Saint Francis and Saint Dominick that he would do it He further said He was bound to keep the Queen-Mothers secrets and that he would be burnt in fire before he would reveal them All this she discovered soon after to the Lords of the Councell by whom and by severall Iustices of Peace she was examined upon Oath and produced Letters of this Priest written to her with his own hand whereupon he was Committed close Prisoner to the Gate-house where he yet remaines unprocâ—eded against After this she attested it in the Parliament House upon Oath before the Rebellion brake forth and witnessed it since upon Oath at the Archbishops Tryall who said she was mad when she attested it at the Councell Table demanding of her how she durst speak any thing of this Nature of the Queen-Mother and telling her she was set on and hired by the City of London to do this Note and Commanded her to be Committed But she producing the Priests own Letter and he confessing it to be his own hand before the Lords she was sent only to one of the Sheriffs of Londons house and there secured till released by the Parliament About the time of this discourse the Earl of Worcester a great Papist and very powerfull in Southwales bordering next to Ireland procured a Commission from His Majesty for to be Lord Lieutenant and Commander in chief of all Southwales as the Lord Herbert his Son an Arch-Papist hath been since the Rebellion brake forth as appears by this Minute an Originall draught of a Letter under Secretary Windebanks own hand to the then Lord Chamberlain signifying as much HIS Majesty being well inclined to employ the Earl of Worcester in some particular service best known to himself in South-Wales Note being most confident of his Loyalty Duty and good affection to His Person and Service hath thought fit to acquaint Your Lordship therewith considering the great Power and Interest Your Lordship hath in those parts and hath commanded me in his Name to signifie his pleasure to Your Lordship that you give speedy and effectuall order to all Your Principall Officers Note Tenants and Dependents and such others as have relation to you that as soon as the said Earl shall produce any Commission or Authority from His Majesty for the performance of any service in those parts they fail not to obey His Lordship in all such thinges as by vertue of such Power given by him and His Majesty he shall require and Command This His Majesty expects Your Lordship shall do with expedition to the end Your Officers there may be the better prepared whensoever the said Earl shall exercise any such Commission from His Majesty that so His Majesties service may not suffer His Majesty hath already signified His pleasure to the Lord President of the Marches to this effect who hath yielded all obedience and conformity thereunto and His Majesty is confident that in that Your Lordship and those who have Relation to you will give place to none This coÌ„mission was ordred to be brought into the Commons house as dangerous But the happy unexpected Treaty and assembling of this Parliament frustrating the intended Massacre and Designe of subduing the Protestants in England for the present the Plot in Ireland still proceeding and was to be put in execution on the 23. of October 1641. on which day all the Forts and Towns in Ireland should have been surprised at an instant by the Popish Rebells and most of the Protestants destroyed and accordingly that very night Charlemont Fort was on the 23. of October at night surprised by Sir Phelim O Neale a principall actor and conspirator in the Rebellion who there took the Lady Calfield prisoner and murthered the young Lord Calfield her Son And at that time Sir Phelim ô Neale himself and other of his companions told her That Dublin castle and city Note and most other Forts of Ireland were surprised by their confederates the Papists that the Tower of London was taken by their party and the Archbishop of Canterbury released thence a good signe he was their friend that ENGLAND and the Protestants there were then or would be very shortly in the same or as bad a condition as Ireland and Protestants there were and some of them said that their party had taken Edenbrough castle All which was attested upon Oath by the Lady Calfield and her Gentlewoman Mistris Mary Woodrose at the Triall of Mac Mohon in the Kings * Attested on Oath at Mac â—Mohones triall by Sir William Steuart Sir William Colc Sir Williâ—m Hamilton Sir Charles Coot Sir Arthur Lofiâ—s and others Bench in Michaelmas Term last where this was likewise attested upon Oath That ALL THE PAPISTS IN ENGLAND WERE PRIVY TO THE PLOT IN IRELAND and intended the like in England which we have since experimentally found to be true Divers other Forts were the same day and soon after surprised by the Irish Rebels and
doe and to that end Sir Phelims brother Terlagh O Neale should be sent to them and the Nuâ—ie which should be undertaken by Sir Conne Kenish and his Brothers for whom Sir Phelim in regard they were his Brothers in Law his deceased Lady being their Sister did undertake Moreover it was agreed that Sir Phelim Mr. Relly Mr. Collâ— Mac Mahone and my Brother should with all the speed they could after that day raise all the forces they could and follow us to Dublin but to arme the men and succour us and defend and Garrison the Towne and Castle and likewise Master Moore should appoint Leinster Gentry to send like supply of men Then there was feare of the Scots conceived that they should presently oppose themselves and that that would make the matter more difficult and to avoyd which danger it was resolved on not to meddle with them or any thing belonging to them and to demeane themselves towards them as if they were of themselves which they thought would pacifie them from any opposition Note and if the Scots would not accept of that offer of Amity but would oppose them they were in good hope to cause a stir in Scotland that might divert them from them and I beleeve the ground for that hope was that two yeares before in or about the beginning of the Scoâ—s troubles my Lord of Tirone sent one Torilagh O Neale a Priest out of Spaine and that this I take it was the time that he was in Treaty with Cardinall Richelieu to my Lord of Argile to treat with him for helpe from my Lord for him to come into Ireland as was said for Marriage between the said Earle and my Lord of Argiles Daughter or Sister I know not which and this Messenger was in Ireland with whom Mr. Torilagh O Neale Sir Phelims Brother had conference from whom this relation was had that said Messenger went into Scotland as I did heare from the said Mr. Neale or from Emer Mac Mahone afore named I know not from which of them but what he did there I couâ—d never heare by reason that my Lord of Tyrone was presently after killed They were the more confirmed therein hearing that my Lord of Argile did say neare on the same time as I ghesse and when the Army was raised in Ireland as I thinke to a great Lady in Scotland I know not her name but did heare that she was much imbarked in the troubles of that Kingdome Note then she questioning how they could subsist against the two Kingdomes of England and Ireland that if the King did endeavour to stir Ireland against them he would kindle such a fire in Ireland as would hardly or never be quenched And moreover they knew my Lord to be powerfull with the Ilanders Red-shankes in Scotland whom they thought would be prone and ready to such Actions they for the most parâ— disceâ—ded out of Ireland holding the Irish Language manners still and so we parted The next day being Wednesday from Lough Rosse every man went about his own task and so when I came home I acquainted my Brother with al that was done and what they had appointed him to doe and did like according as they appointed me send to Mr. Relly to let him know as much and the 18. of the same moneth I began my Iourney to Dublin and when I came to Dublin being the day before the appointed day of putting that resolution in execution there I met with Captaine Conn O Neale sent out of the Low Countries by Colonell O Neale who was sent after the Messenger sent by us formerly to the said Colonell was by him dispatched with his Answer to encourage us in our resolution Note and to speedy performance with assurance of succour which he said would not â—aile of the Colonells behalfe and for the more certainty of help from him and to assure us that the Colonell had good hopes to procure ayde from others he said that it was he himselfe that was imployed from him to Cardinall Richelieu twice that some men who gave very faire promises to assure the Colonells expectation Note with which he said that the said Colonell was really with himselâ—e assured of the Cardinalls ayde and that he was likewise commanded by the Colonell upon our Resolution of the day to give notice thereof to him and that he would be within fourteen daies over with them with ayde but he landed nine or ten daies before and meeting with Captaine Brian O Neale who made him acquainted with what was resolved he did write all the matter to Col. O Neale so as he was sure of his speedy comming and so that Evening he and I came to meet the other Gentry and there were met Mr. Moore Col. Burne Col. Pluncket Captaine Fox and other Leinster Gentry a Captaine I thinke of the Burnes but I am not sure whether a Burne or Toole and Captaine Bryan O Neale and taking an accompt of those that should have been there it was found that Sir Phelim O Neale Mr. Col. Mac Mahone did faile of sending their men and Col. Burne did misse Sir Morgan Kennanaugh that had promised him to be there but he said he was sure he would not faile to be that night or the next morning in Town and of the two hundred men that was appointed there was only eighty present yet notwithstanding they were resolved to goe on in their resolution and all the difference was at what time of the day they would set on the Castle and after some debate it was resolved in the after-noone and the rather hoping to meete the Col. there then for they said if they should take the Castle and be enforced by any extreamity for not receiving timely succour out of the Country having them they could not want and so parred that night but to meete in the morning to see further what wrs â—o be done and immediatly thereon I came to my Chamber and about nine of the clocke Mr. Moore and Captaine Fox came to me and told me all was discovered and that the City was in Armes and the Gates were shut up and so departed from me and what became of them or of the rest I know not nor thinke that they escaped but how and at what time I doe not know because I my selfe was taken that morning To this I shall adde his Examinations taken before the Lords Iustices of Ireland and since in England The Examination of Connor Lord Magwire Baron of Eniskillin taken before us Charles Lord Lambart and Sir Robert Meredith Knight Chancellâ—r of his Majesties Court of Exchequer the 26. day of March 1642. by Direction of the Right Honorable the Lords Iustices and Councell VVHo being Examined saith That about the time when Mr. Iohn Bellew came out of England with â—he Commission for the continuance of the present Parliament Koger Moore in the said Moores Chamber in the house of one Peter de Costres of this City acquainted him
Doore of his Lodging in the Tower and with a bed-cord let himselfe downe and having gotten over two walles waded through the ditch and so escaped Lawr Whitaker Isaaâ—k Pennington The Examination of Hugh Mac Mahone taken the 20. day of Octob. 1644. I. HE saith that the Warrant which Philip O Neale told him of was for the seazing of some strong Holds in his Country Note which was the County of Cavan remembreth not whose hand or hands were subscribed to it besides Sir Maur Eustaces and that the intention of that Warrant was that the strong Holds of that County should be seized upon untill they of that County had satisfaction unto their demands and grievances which were to be presented to the Parliament He remembreth not the date of that Warrant nor how long it did beare date before the discovery of the Plot remembreth not who wâ—re acquainted with the Warrant besides Orelly and himselfe saving only one Hugh Orelâ—y who was then present when Philip Orelly shewed it to this Examinant and Philip Orelly told him that the like Warrant was to goe into all Shieres of that Kingdom and that it was to be accompanied with a Commission from the King or with other Copies of it which he saith he hath * * That is by some Oxford cavalliers sinâ—e his escape out of the Tower Sâ— he twice confessed it herâ—tâ—fore p. 238 239. since heard to be false II. He confesseth he was at Philip Orellyes house five nights before the discovery of the Rebellion and that he told him this except that the designe thereof was resolved upon in the May before and that the matter touching the seazing of the Castles of the Kingdome was referred to a Committee of Parliament to be considered of and saith that the Lord Magwire met him that night at Orellyes house with his wife and children but denyeth that the Lord Magwire heard any of the conference which this Examinant had with Philip Orelly but only at this Examinants departure from thence in the morning he said he should meere this Examinant in Dublin but upon better advertisement this Examinant saith that at his taking leave of the Lord Magwire this Examinant said to him What if the matter be as Orelly said and that we seaze upon the Castle at Dublin how if the City stir The L. Magwire answered What should they stir for when we * * This he feined since his appâ—ehension after his escape the carriage of the Rebels in all other parts and the Testimonies p. 241 242 24â— contradicting it wil do no body no hurt perhaps we may shoot off a warning-piece when we have taken the Castle in some voyd place or some Chimnies to make a noise III. He knoweth not any thing IV. V. He saith he did discourse about that Plot with one Rory Mac Mahone and Kedman Mac Mahone but did not consult with them about it otherwise then by telling them what Philip Orelly had told him and that he was the first and last that ever told him of it and he thinketh Rory Mac Mahone and Redman are still living but where he knoweth not VI. He saith that one Art Mac Mahone and two Boyes did accompany him to Dublin the 22. of October of which boyes one was 24. or 25. yeares old and the other 16. or 17. which Art was also taken there and put in prison and for the two boyes he knoweth not what became of them and saith that 8. persons came up after him out of the County of Monaghan which were part of the twenty that were to be sent up out of that County but remembreth not the names of any of those eight persons and he spake not with any of them VII He saith that Ockonelly as he remembreth told him of the taking of Charlemonâ— or of some stir about it but by whom it was taken or seazed upon he knoweth not if it were taken nor knowes who was at the taking of it VIII He knoweth the L. Blanyes house in the County of Monaghan but knoweth nothing of the Fort of Mont-Ioy nor whether there be such a place or no. IX He knoweth not what Forts or places were taken in this rebellion X. He knoweth most of the parties named in this Inter but denyeth that ever he had any discourse with any of them about the rebellion more then that he told two or three of them what Philip Orelly had told him XI He had speech with Con Mac Bryan Mac Mahone so far as to tell him what Orelly had told him but with the other man no speech at all XII No speech with any of them XIII He knoweth of no other encouragement given to him but that Orelly told him that the King did say to Pluncket sticke you to me and I will sticke to you and the Commission formerly mentioned which the Lord * * Since his escape here but confesseth it here before p. 231. Magwire said was not true XIV Knoweth no more then he hath said but that Mackennay should come up from the County of Monaghan with twenty men to be of the number of those that should seaze the Castle Isaack Penington Lawrence Whitaker To these Examinations I shall adde this ensuing Testimony which will more fully discover the bloody intentions of those Conspirators against the Protestants and English in Ireland Iohn Carmicks Testimony upon Oath to the Iury in Court at the Kings Bench in Westminster Hall upon the triall of Hugh Oge Mac Mahon Esquire the 18. of November 1644. THat upon the 21. of October 1641. Fergus O Howen one of the followers or servants of Bryan Mac Gwire Esquire came to my Chamber in the Castle of Eniskillin in the County of Fermanagh in Ireland and after he indeavoured to bind me to keepe secret a matter of great concernment which he said he had to disclose unto me and particularly to conceale it from Sir William Cole and all other English-men He discovered unto me that the Lord Magwire and the above named Hugh Oge Mac Mahon accompanied with sundry Irish-men of the Counties of Fermanagh and Monaghan did take their Iournies out of the said Counties upon the nineteenth and twentieth daies of October 164â— to the City of Dublin with resolution and intent to surprise and seaze upon his Majesties Castle of Dublin and to murther * * Note and kill his Highnesse Lords Justices and Councell of the Kingdome of Ireland and the rest of the Protestants there and also to possesse themselves of the City of Dublin and to put all the Protestants there likewise to the Sword and that to that effect there were other great men and others of the Papists of that Kingdom to repaire unto and meet them in Dublin on Saturday 23. Octob. 1641. or there abouts And that all the Castles Forts Seaâ—ports and Holds that were in the possession of the Protestants in the severall Counties and Provinces in the Kingdome of Ireland were then also designed and
resolvâ—d to be surprised and taken by the Irish Papists and the Protestants in every of those Castles Forts Sea-ports and Holds Note to be then also put all to the sword by the Irish Papists in Ireland in their owne severall parts and limits by men thereunto chiefly and particularly appointed by the contrivers thereof And especially this Castle and Towne of Eniskillin with the rest will also be taken Note and all you that be Protestants in it put to the sword whereof I give you this notice advising you to get your selfe and goods out of this Towne and Castle with all expedition and sell your stocke of Cattle and whatsoever else you have in the Country for any money that you can get for them for I assure you these things that I tell you will come to passe before it be seaven daies next after this day and this Castle and Towne will be no place of refuge or safety for you wherefore I desire and advise you againe to get you hence with all speed Note for the warre against the English and Protestants will be universally raised throughout the Kingdome of Ireland which if you finde not to be true as I say before it be full fourteen daies to an end then I will give you leave to cut off my head Whereupon I presently acquainted Sir William Cole with this and even then also one Flartagh Mac Hugh a Gentleman and Free-holder of that County came to the said Sir William the said one and twentieth of October in Anno 1641. declaring upon Oath that the Plot for the surprising of the Castle and City of Dublin the Castle of Eniskillin and all the Castles and strengths in Ireland which were in the possession of Protestants in that Kingdome Note together with some further mischiefe to be done to the Protestants in generall was to be put in full execution by the Papists upon the 22. and 23. of October 1641 throughout the said Kingdome And that Bryan Mac Coconnaught Mac Gwire Esquire did send him the said Flartagh Mac Hugh to give notice and warning thereof to the said Sir William Cole whom he earnestly desired to be upon his Guard upon Friday the 22. and Saturday the 23. of October 1641. For the Lord Magwire who is gone with Mac Mahon this Prisoner now at the Baâ— and others to Dublin this weeke with purpose to possesse themselves of thâ— Castle and City of Dublin hath written his letters lately to Conn O Rourke Owen O Rourke Murtagh Oge O Flumagon and others to goe on with that Plot in these parts and hath appointed his Brother Rory Mac Gwire in his absence to command the Irish Papists of this County of Fermanagh for the surprising of the Castles and houses of the Protestants and especially this Castle and Towne of Eniskillin And after he had ended this Relation he requested the said sir William Cole and me that his name should not be used as in discovering of the said evills least it should prove his ruine and destruction amongst his Country men and thereupon he departed promising to returne with further Intelligence of the progresse of that matter unto the said Sir William Cole Of all which the said Sir William dispatched letters of notice unto the Lords Iustices and Councell of Ireland the same day and also gave notice by severall other letters and Messengers to his Neighbours the undertakers and other Protestants in the severall parts next adjoyning to him And yet upon the 23. of October 1641. Redmond Mac Rory Mac Mahon cousen German of the prisoner at the Bar with armed multitudes and Collours displayed did enter into the Town of Clownis in the county of Monaghan and possessed themselves of the Castle and all other houses there and did rob and spoyle the Protestants viz. Edward Aldrith Esquire and others of all their money plate houshold-stuffe goods and chattels within and without doores as Robert Aldrith Gentleman Iohn Mac Reavy and others affirmed upon Oath before the said sir William Cole And upon the 23. of October 1641. or there abouts Art Roe Mac Mahon Esquire kinsman of the prisoner at the Bar did surprise and seaze upon the Castle Fort and Towne of Monaghan in the County of Monaghan did rob strip and dispoile hang and kill the Protestants there as namely Richard Blayney Esquire a Parliament man Luke Ward Gentleman and others and did then also imprison the Lady Blayney wife of Henry Lord Blayney and some of her servants and others Protestants as was also affirmed upon Oaths of the persons afore-said before the said sir William Cole And Colonell Mac Bryan Mac Mahon of Fearney being the Earle of Essex his Lands in that County another kinsman of the prisoner at the Bar did break out the same time into open Rebellion in the said County of Monaghan he being a Papist and a Member of the Parliament then in Ireland as was also affirby the persons afore-said upon Oath before the said sir William Cole And Neill Mac Kennay of the Troogh Esquire another kinsman of the prisoner at the Bar did rebell the day aforesaid in manner aforesaid in the said County of Monaghan and did seaze upon the Castle of Glosslogh and imprison Mr. Robert Barkclay a Protestant Minister and his wife after he had robbed them of all their goods he the said Minister and others did upon Oath also affirme before the said Sir William Cole and Redmond Mac Mahon cousen German of the prisoner at the Bar with Colours displayed and armed multitudes did upon the 18. day of December 1641. or there abouts come with Rory Mac Gwire with armed men in all to the number of 1500. or there abouts before the Castle of Lisgoole in the County of Fermanaugh in Ireland where they murthered and burned Thomas Grahum Gentleman Matthew Moore a Protestant Minister Richard Peasant Richard Rainebow and others to the number of one hundred thirty and one protestants or there abouts And also the same Rebells afterward viz. upon the 25. of December 1641. or there abouts after quarter given unto Tho. Trotter Francis Trotter Alexander Bell and other Protestants to the number of 152. persons or there abouts which for safety of their lives fled into the Castle of Tully in the County of Fermanagh belonging to sir Geo Hume Baronet Note did murther them all then burned the said Castle the same day which was done by the coÌ„mand or permission of the said Rory Mac Gwire brother of the said Lord Mac Gwire by the aggravation and councel of one Patrick O Cassedie a papist Fryer who concluded his invective Exhortation in these or the like words Note I will take the sin and guilt of the bloud of these Heretiques upon my Soul and do absolve you all thereof and therefore spare not one of them This proved upon Examination of Edmond Grace Rich Fawcet and divers other English Protestants that were then present upon oath before the said Sir William Cole whose
Iesuites sundry yeares how the very Popish Irish Rebels themselves have been in great numbers imporâ—ed and entertained in his Majesties Armies with much respect yea some of the chiefest of them highly honoured and favoured at Court to the very envy of the Protestant party there notwithstanding all their bloody massacres in Ireland and England too and their base Irish coyne made currant in England by speciall Proclamation how they have gained Letters of Mart from the King to spoyle and rob his Protestant Subjects Ships Goods Persons by sea and what hopes they have that the City of Bristoll it selfe shall be shortly put into their power notwithstanding their Generall Assemby held at Kilkenny in nature of a Parliament where they have erected severall Courts of Iustice civill and military created sundry Iudges See the Actâ— thereof printed 1642. Officers of all sorts imposed arbitrary Taxes enacted Lawes usurped to themselves both a transcendent Regall and Parliamentary Power which yet they execute in their own names as a SVPREAM COVNCELL hath been already so fully related in Dr. Iones his book of Examinations The Rise and Progresse of the Irish Rebellion The Mystery of Iniquity The Acts of the Generall Assembly of the Rebels at Kilkenny An. 1642. with sundry other late printed Relations and Declarations of both Houses concerning Ireland yea in sundry Oxford Aulicusses and are so experimentally known to most that I shall totally pretermit them And conclude only with the Testimony of Sir Arthur Lofâ—us delivered upon oath in the Kings Bench in Mac-Mohuns triall concerning the Popes Bull lately sent from Rome to the Irish Rebels portending more massacres and warres both there and here to this effect Note That his Holinesse did give them his fatherly Benediction and a plenary indulgence for all their sinnes for the extraordinary service they had done for the Catholique Cause and Church in invading extirpating the Hereticks in Ireland exhorting them to proceed on in that acceptable service till they had fully compleated that work A true copy of which Bull sent to the Lords Justices in Ireland he both saw and read How the English Papists all privy to that Designe as was then attested on oath at the same triall to divert all assistance of the Irish Protestants from hence have raised up a bloody civill warre in England to the ruine of many thousand gallant men on either part and almost utter desolation of our Kingdome how contrary to his Majesties first Orders Proclamations they have all had free accesse to his Court Armies Forts and received very gracious entertainment if not great commands in both and how both English Irish Dutch French Italian Spanish and German Papists have combined all their Purses Forces Armes Pollicies and Power together to assist the King who yet adheres unto their party Councels against his Parliament and Protestant Subjects is so experimentally known to all of all sorts especially to the Protestants in his Majesties Court Armies Quarters that it would be a meere unnecessary expence of time and paper to make any particular relation of them Should I here insert all other papers concerning Papists and their proceedings which have come unto my hands I might tire both the Reader and my selfe and make my Gate farre larger then my City I shall therefore close up this introduction with three late Letters from beyond the Seas discovering fully to the world how vigorously the Popish Faction still carry on their designes of reconciling us speedily unto Rome and are now in agitation to procure a Cardinals Cap from the New Pope for the Lord Aubeny Brother to the Duke of Lenox one of the late Commissioners sent from Oxford to the Parliament about the Treaty of Peace to which our present Negotiations with the Pope for a Cardinalship for so great a Person at this nick of time is a very sad inauspicious Prologue â—ngaging all who have any sparks of reall love to God Religion his Majesty their Countrey or Posterity to look about them with greatest care for feare of Circumventions The first Letter was written out of Flanders by some Priest or Iesuite of the Spanish Faction to Mr Henry Howard relating the manner of the New Popes election with the Queens sending Sir Kenelm Digby to Rome to him for a Cardinals Cap for the Lord Aubeny since made an Abbot in France and intimating that there is some designe to make the Lord Herbert a professed Papist Governour of Bristoll ere long and to put that City and Castle into the Papists hands where thousands of them at this present reside and some overtures of putting this designe in speedy execution if our late intelligence thence deceive us not have been lately made and much feared by the Inhabitants This Letter was intercepted in its passage towards Oxford and brought to the Committee of Examinations where the Originall remaines out of which I copied it YOu heare ere this that Cardinall Pamâ—ilio a Roman borne a great Lawyer and a very wise man Note is made Pope with the name of Innocentius Decimus he was made by the Spanish Faction who having excluded Cardinall Sachetti though a gallant man but desired above all by the French and Barbarinoes and after that excluded also another a Dominican whom Barbarino desired to advance by these exclusions our Faction of which the Cardinall of Florence was the Capo constrained Barbarino to joyne with them in favour of Pamfilio as being also a Creature of the last Pope but the French Faction opposed all they could though in vaine He hath been Nuntio in Spaine eight yeares that it is conceived he is well affected to that Crowne but I wish he may carry himselfe indifferently and like an Vniversall Father and only favour that party which shall most apply it selfe to reason He is 70 yeares old and a halfe but of a very strong Constitution His Nephew being but one is not above 18 yeares old and so he is not sit for Businesses hee hath therefore made choyce of three or foure Cardinalls to assist him in the Government and Cardinall Pancirellio being one of them is to lodge in S. Peters as his chiefe Confident He will certainly set instantly upon the businesse of the Generall Peace part of his Armes is a Pigion which is a good Augury Tell me whether the Archbishop of York be at Oxford Note he is a gallant man and of good intentions be acquainted with him Where is my Lord Herbert all this while is he Governour of Bristoll It is writ from Paris lately that Sir Kenelm Digby is going to Rome sent by the Queen and among other things he must sollicite a Cap for the Duke of Lenox his Brother In my conscience betweene you and me I think Mr Thomas Courtney deserves it infinitely better and would make good use Thus I end Yours c. The 22 of Octob. 1644. Burne this Letter I pray you and tell me you have done it To my very good Friend Mr Hen Howard
remembrances which I last put into your hands may stay for times of more leisure The sicknes increases sorely yet I cannot get out of London God blesse you with health in those parts in which prayers I â—est Your Lordships loving poore Friend to serve You Will. Cant. Lamb. Iuly 4. 1637. After this on the 23. of Iuly the Service Book was to bee read in all Churches of Edenborough the chiefe City of that Kingdom as a president for all the rest where it found such publike generall opposition by the people that the designe of reading it was prevented and the Bishops and others who were to put it in execution were inforced to give the people good words promises nor to bring in the book among them NOTE till further order for feare of being torn in peeces The particulars whereof being at large related by otherâ— I shal pretermit Vpon tydings of this tumultuous opposition the Arch-bishop writ this letter to the Earl of Traquarer Lord Treasurer of Scotland August 7. 1637. concerning Tithes and it August 7th 1637. FOr the Commission of Tithes I was ever against it in my own Judgment and there in I agreed with my Lords of St. Andrews and Rosse since neither of them hath given me sufficient reason why J should change my minde yeâ— if the Commission â—ye a sleepe a while to see what may be said further for it J thinke t is not amisse And then if nothing can be said that shall make it appeare more beneficiall to that Church then yet it doth to me it may be with the better deliberation quite extinguished The truth is at least as it appeares to me in the present use of it it is made a publicke pretence to privat ends My Lord J thinke you know my opinion how J would have Church-businesse caried were I as great a Master of Men as I thanke God I am of things T is true the Church as well there as else where hath beene overborne by violence both in matter of maintenance and jurisdiction Note But if the Church will recover in either of these she her Governours must proceed not as shee was proceeded against but by a constant temper shâ— must make the world see she had the wrong but offer none And since Law hath followed in that King dome perhaps to make good that which was ill done yet since a Law it is such a reformation or restitution would be sought for as might stand with the Law and some expedient be found out how the Law may be by some just Exposition helped till the state shall see Cause to abolish it His Majesty takes it very ill that the businesse concerning the stablishment of the Service booke hath beene so weakly caried and hath great reason to thinke himselfe and his Government dishonoured by the late tumult in Edenborow Iuly 23. and therefore expects that your Lordship and the rest of the honourable Councell set your selves to it that the Liturgy may be established orderly and with Peace to repaire what hath beene done amisse Note For his Majesty well knowes the Clergy alone have not power enough to goe through with a businesse of this nature and therefore is not very well satisfied with them either for the Omission in that kind to advise for assistance of his Lords Councell or for the preparation or way they tooke For certainly the publication a weeke before that on the next Sunday the prayers according to the Liturgy should be read in all the Churches of Edenborow was upon the matter to give those that were ill affected to the service time to communicate their thoughts and to premeditate and provide against it as it is most apparent they did Nor is his Majesty well satisfied wâ—th the Clergy that they which are in authority were not advertised that they might attend the countenancing of such a service so much tending to the honour of God and the King And I am verily perswaded if that accident of the marriage of your Kinsman had not carryed your Lordship out of the City that day some things would not have beene altogether so bad and my Lord privy seale would have had the better assistance Neither was this the best Act that ever they did to send away their letters apart without acquainting the Councell that their advertisements might have come by the same Messenger together with their joynt advise which way was best to punish the Offendors at least the prime and chiefe of them and which to prevent the like disorders And after so long time of preparation to be to seeke who should read the service is more then strange to me unlesse they think such a businesse can do it selfe but his Majesty out of his piety and wisedome gave by the Messenger which the Bishops sent such full directions both to the Lords of the Councell and the Lords of the Clergy as I hope will settle the businesse from further trouble But the Proclamation which you have now sent up to the King I have not yet seene Of all the rest the weakest part was the interdicting of all Divine service till his Majestyes pleasure was further known And this as also the giving warning of the publishing his Majesty at the first reading of the letters and report of the Fact checked at Note and commanded me to write so much to my Lord of Saint Andrews which I did And your Lordship at the Councell Iuly 24. spake very worthily against the inâ—eâ—dicting of the service For that were in effect as much as to disclaime the work or to give way to the insolency of the baser multitude and his Majesty hath commanded me to thankyou for it in his name But the disclayming the Book as any act of theirs but as it was his Majestes command was most unworthy T is most true the King commanded a Liturgy it was time they had one They did not like to admit of outs but thought it more reputation for them as indeed it was to compile one of their own yet as neere as might be and they have done it well will they now cast downe the milke they have given because a few Milke-maids have scolded at them I hope they will be better advised Note certainly they were very ill advised when they spake thus at the Councell boord But my Lord of this there was not one word in the letter So I hope they have done with that W. Cant. Vpon this Letter the designe of imposing the Service-Booke was more strenuously prosecuted then before and divers Ministers were enjoyned to read it by a certain day in their Churches under paine of Horning and the Bayliffes of Edinborow were so terrified and wroâ—e upon by the Lord Treasurer and Councell that they writ this submissive Letter to the Archbishop thus superscribed To the most Reverend Father in God and our very honourable good Lord the Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate and Metropolitan of all England these
The originall whereof is thus Indorsed with the Archbishops owne hand Rece September 1 1637. From the City of Edenborough Their readinesse to receive the Liturgy Most Reuerenà Father in God and our very good Lord. VVEE regreive from our hearts that tumult which did fall out in our Churches that day of the imbringing of the Service Book Wherin now these of His Majesties Councell who has laboured the tryall thereof will give testimony of our innocency since that time and rinsig of his Majesties Councell in this feriall time we have dayly concurred with out ordiner and our Ministry for setling of that Service as the Right Honorable the Earl of Traquair L. Treasurer with the Bishop of Galloway and Dunbleane will beare witnesse Who has spared neither paines noâ— attendance to bring that purpose to any good conclusion and although the poverty of this City be great being almost exhausted with publick and common works yet we have not bin inlacking to offer good meanes above our power to such as should undertake that service and in all things wherein we have bin required wee have ever bin ready really to approve our selves obedient and loyall Subjects to his Majesty in all his Royall Commandements which we have vowed ever to second to our lives end And we being infinitely obliged to your Graces favour Wee now presumed by these lynes to give your Grace that assurance of obedience upon our part in this purpose and in all other purposes wherein we may contribute to the advancement of His Majesties service as can be expected of good Subjects Whereof if His Majesty by your Grace shall be pleased to rest assured what things any other shall suggest we will accept it from you as ane great accumulation of favour for all which your Grace shall ever find us most thankfull remembrancers and most ready really to expresse our thankfulnesse when ever we shall be made so happy as your Grace shall have occasion to use our service Thus from our hearts wishing you all happinesse we kisse your Graces hand Your Graces most affectioned and humble Servants the Bayliffes of Eden I Cochrane Bayliffe I. Smyth Bayliffe Al. Linfie Bayliffe C Hammilton Bayliffe Eden this 19th of August 1637. But notwithstanding this submission of the Bayliffes of Edenburgh yet most of the Ministers and People strenuously opposed the Service-booke and presented divers Petitions to the Lords of secret Councell against it whereof this was one of the principall presented to them August 23 1637 containing some reasons against receiving the Booke MY Lords of secret Councell Vnto your Lordships humbly meaâ—es and shews We your subjects Master Alexander Henderson Minister at Lenchars Master George Hamilton Minister at Newbourne and Master Iames Bruce Minister at Kings-Barnes That where we were required of late by the Moderator of our Presbytery to receive two Copies of the new Booke of Common Prayer and declaring our selves willing each of us to receive any of the sayd Bookes to read that wee might know what it contained before we could promise to practise it Alleadging that in the matters of Godsworship we were not bound to blinde obedience It was refused by us and taken out of some of our hands And yet we are now charged with Letters of horning Decreed be your Lordships upon a narrative that we have refused the sayd Bookes out of curiosity and singularity To provide each one of us two of the sayd Bookes for the use of our Paroches Which hath made us who were never before acquainted with any charge from Authority and knowing no other way so just and voyd of offence to have recourse to your Lordships Most humbly entreating that the charge may bee suspended for the reasons following First Because this Book is neither warranted by the authority of the generall Assembly which are the Representative Kirke of this Kingdom hath ever since the Reformation given direction in matters of Gods Worship nor by any Act of Parliament which in things of this kinde hath ever bin thought necessary by his Majesty and the Estates Secondly Because the liberties of the true Kirke and the forme of Worship and Religion received at the Reformation and universally practised since were warranted by the Acts of the general Assemblies and divers Acts of Parliament specially of the Parliament 1567 and the late Parliament 1633. Thirdly The Kirke of Scotland is a free and Independent Kirke and her owne Pastors sould be most able to discerne and direct what doth best beseeme our measure of Reformation and what may serve most for the good of the people Fourthly It is not unknowne to your Lordships what disputing division and trouble hath beene in this Kirke about some few of the maine Ceremonies contained in this Booke which being examined as we shall be ready a competent time being assigned by your Lordships to shew will bee found to depart farre from the forme of worship Reformation of this Kirk and in points most materiall to do all neer to the Kirke of Rome Note which for her Heresies in Doctrine Superstition and Idolatry in worship tyranny in government and wickednesse every way is al 's Antichristian now as when we came out of her Fifthly The people have been otherwise taught by us and by our Predecessors in our places ever since the Reformation and so it is likely they will be found unwilling to the change when they shall be assayed even where their Pastors are willing In respect whereof The sayds Letters of horning whole effect and execution thereof ought to be suspended simpliciter in time comming Therefore we beseech your Lordships that we may have Letters Direct charging the persons who have caused vse this charge against us to compeir personally bring and produce the sayd Letters of horning with the executions and indorsations thereof before your Lordships at a certaine day to be seene and considered of And in the mean time to suspend them And your Lordships Answer The Copy of this Petition was sent up to London to the Archbishop together with the Answer of the Bishop of Rosse thereunto who received both of them September 5 1637. as appears by the endorsments under his own hand The Answer to this Petition was as followeth A short Answer to the Petition of the Ministers given in to the Lords of His Majesties Councell the 23 of August 1637. THe Narrative of the Petition concerning the Moderator of the Exercise His carriage as we heare is false and where they pretend that they knew not what was in the Booke it appeares by their many objections and exceptions they object and except against it in all parts of it almost that they are too well versed in it but abuse it pitifully To the first reason it may be truly replied That not the generall Assembly which consists of a multitude Note but the Bishops having authority to governe in the Church are the representative Church of the Kingdom And that the matters of
Examinations I did write and did see and hear the several examinants depose the same And I did see the said Castles on fire about the times aforesaid And further I say that I have heard sundry credible persons in Ireland relate that the Roman Catholiques in that Kingdome Note did brag and report that they did destroy 152000. Protestants in the province of Ulster in the beginning of this late Rebellion and the Examinations of sundry English and Scotch men protestants taken upon Oath at severall times by Sir William Cole a Iustice of Peace in the County of Fermanagh in Ireland doth particularly shew the number of 764 Protestants hanged kild burned and drowned in that County by the Rebells there in that Rebellion besides many that were cut off touching whom no evidence could appeare And it was averred upon the Oaths of Flartagh mac Hugh Iohn Oge mac Hugh and Terlagh Oge Mac Hugh before the said Sir William Cole that 150. men were appointed to surprise the Castle of Eniskillin under the leading of Don Magwire and Bryan Mac Rory Mac Gwire Note who were to murther the said Sir William Cole and his wiâ—e children and servants and throw them over the wall into the River and then to doe the like unto the Protestants in the Town and Corporation of Eniskillin for which service they were not only to have the spoyle and riches of the said Castle and Town but to have also the Barony of Clanawley granted and confirmed in Fee to them and their Heires from the said Lord Mac Gwire and his Heires And the said Don Mac Gwire was for the same taken in February or March last or there abouts by the said Sir William Cole to whom he confessed upon his Examination that he was to have surprised and taken the Castle and Town of Eniskillin the 23. of Octo. 1641. but denyed that he had any intent to kill the said Sir William or his wife or children wherefore the said Sir William did commit him to prison in his Majesties goal at Eniskillin about February or March 1643. where he remained the 18. of May 1644. when the said sir William and my self came on his Iourney hither into England and where I beleeve he yet continueth in safe custody and so will until he be brought to Iustice. Iohn Carmick The like was then attested by Sir William Cole Sir William Hamilton Sir Arthur Loftus Sir Charls Coâ—t and others upon oath at this Triall and that the Irish Rebels did rip up divers Irish womâ—ns bellies great with childe and tosse their Infants upon their pikes and throw them to their dogs to eat ravished some to death buried others alive drowned others after quarter and used unheard of cruelties of sundry kindes without provocation And yet now they must be reputed the Kings good subjects and sent for over into England to commit the like cruelties on us here which should cause all English mens hearts and bloods to rise up for vengeance against such blood-sucking Villains The manner of the discovery of that Conspiracy and apprehension of some of the Conspirators who were to surprise Dublin last is thus expressed by the Lords Iustices of Ireland in a Letter to the Earl of Leicester then Lord Deputy extracted out of the Originall The Lords Iustices of Irelands Letters to the Earl of Leicester c. Octob. 1641. MAy it please your Lordship On Friday the 22. of this Moneth after nine of the clock at night this bearer Owen Connelly servant to Sir Iohn Clotworthy Kt came to me the Lord Iustice Parsons to my house and in great secrecy as indeed the case did require discovered unto me a most wicked damnable Conspiracy plotted and contrived and intended to be also acted by some evill-affected Irish Papists here The Plot was on the next morning Saturday the 23. of Octob. being Ignatius day about nine of the clock to surprise his Majesties Castle of Dublin his Majesties chiefe strength of this Kingdom wherein also is the principall Magazine of his Majesties Armes and Ammunition and it was agreed it seemes amongst them that the same houre all other his Majesties Forts and Magazins of Armes and Ammunition in this Kingdome should be surprised by others of those Conspirators and further Note that all the Protestants and English throughour the whole Kingdom that would not joyn with them should be cut off and so those Papists should then become possessed of the government and Kingdom at thesame instant As soone as I had that Intelligence I then immediatly repaired to the Lord Iustices Palace and thereupon we instantly Assembled the Councell and having sate in Councell all that night as also all the next day the 23. of October in regard of the short time left us for the consultation of so great and waighty a matter although it was not possible for us upon so few houres warning to prevent those other great mischiefes which were to be acted even at that same houre and at so great a distance as in all the other parts of the Kingdome yet such was our industry therein having that night caused the Castle to be that night strengthned with armed men and the City guarded as the united councells of those evill persons by the great mercy of God to us became defeated so as they were not able to Act that part of their Treachery which indeed was principall and which if they could have effected would have ended the rest of their purposes the more easie Having so secured the Castle we forth-with laid about for the apprehension of as many of the offenders as we could many of them having come to this City but that night intending it seemes the next morning to Act their parts in those treacherous and bloudy crimes The first man apprehended was one Hugh Mac Mahone Esquire Grand-soâ—n to the Traytor Tirone a Gentleman of a good fortune in the County of Monoghan who with others was taken that morning in Dublin having at the time of their apprehension offered a little resistance with their swords drawn but finding those we imployed against them more in number and better armed yeilded He upon his Examination before us at first denyed all but in the end when he saw we laid it home to him he confessed enough to destroy himself and impeach some others as by a Copy of his Examination herewith sent may appeare to your Lordship We then committed him untill we might have further time to examine him againe our time being become more needfull to be imployed in Action for securing this place then in examining This Mac Mahon had been abroad and served the King of Spaine as a Lieutenant Colonell Upon conference with him and others and calling to mind a Letter we received the weeke before from sir William Cole a Copy whereof we send your Lordship here inclosed we gathered that the Lord Magwire was to be an Actor in surprising the Castle of Dublin wherefore we held it necessary to
secure him immediatly thereby also to startle and deter the rest when they found him laid fast his Lordship observing what we had done and the City in Armes fled from his Lodging early before day it seemes disguised for we had laid a watch about his Lodging so as we thinke he could not passe without disguising himselfe yet he could not get forth of the City so surely guarded were all the gates There were found at his Lodging hidden some Hatchets with the Helves newly cut off close to the Hatchets Note and many Skeines and some Hammers In the end the Sheriffes of the City whom we imployed in strict search of his Lordship found him hidden in a Cockloft in an obscure house farre from his Lodging where they apprehended him and brought him before us He denyed all yet so as he could not deny but he had heard of it in the Country though he would not tell us when or from whom and confessed that he had not advertised us thereof as in duty he ought to have done But we were so well satisfied of his guilt by all circumstances as we doubted not upon further Examination when we could be able to spare time for it finde it apparent wherefore we hold it of absolute necessity to commit him close prisoner as we had formerly done Mac Mahone and others where we left them on the 23. of this moneth in the morning about the same houre they intended to have been Masters of that place and this City That morning also we laid wait for all those Strangers that came the night before to Town and so many were apprehended whom we finde reason to belive to have hands in this Conspiricy as we were forced to disperse them into severall Goales and wee since found that there came many Horsemen into the Suburbs that night who finding the Plot discovered disperst themselves immediately When the houre approached which was designed for surprizing the Castle great numbers of Strangers were observed to come to Town in great parties severall wayes who not finding admittance at the Gates staid in the Suburbs and there grew numerous to the terrour of the Inhabitantss we therefore to help that drew up and instantly signed a Proclamation commanding all men not dwellers in the City or Suburbs to depart within an houre upon paine of death and made it alike penall to those that should harbour them which Proclamation the Sheriffe Immediatly proclaimed in all the Suburbs by our commandement which being accompanied with the example and terrour of the committall of those two eminent men and other occasioned the departure of those multitudes And in this case all our lives and fortunes and above all his Majesties Power and regall Authority being still at the stake Note we must vary from ordinary proceedings not onely in executing Martiall Law as we see cause but also in putting some to the Rack to finde out the bottome of this Treason and all the Contrivers thereof which wee foresee will not otherwise be done On that 23 day of this Moneth we conceiving that as soone as it should be known that the Plot for sâ—izing Dublin Castle was disappointed all the Conspiratos in the remote parts might be somewhat disheartned as on the other side the good Subjects would be comforted and would then with the more confidence stand on their guard did prepare to send abroad to all parts of the Kingdom this Proclamation which we send you herein inclosed and so having provided that the City and Castle should bee so well guarded as upon the sudden wee could provide wee concluded that long continued consultation On Saturday at twelve of the clock at night the Lord Blaney came to Town and brought us the ill newes of the Rebels seizing with 200 men his House at Castle Blainey in the Countey of Monoghan and his wife children and servants as also a House of the Earle of Essexs called Carrickmacrosse with 200 men and a house of Sir Henry Spotwords in the same County with 200 men where there being a little Plantation of Brittish Note they plundered the Town and divers houses and it since appeares that they burnt divers other Villages and robbed and spoyled many English and none but Protestants leaving the English Papists untouched as well as the Irish. On Sunday morning at three of the clock we had intelligence from Sir Arthur Tirâ—ingham that the Irish in the Town had that day also broken up the Kings store of Arms and Munition at Newry where the store for Arms hath been ever since the Peace and where they found threescore and ten barrels of Powder and armed themselves and put them under command of Sir Con-Magenis Knight and one Cerly a Monke and plundered the English there and disarmed the Garrison And this though to much is all that we yet heare is done by them However wee shall stand on our guard the best we may to defend the Castle and City principally those being the peeces of most importance But if the Conspiracie be so universall as Mac Mahoun saith in his Examination it is namely that all the Counties of the Kingdome have conspired in it Note which wee admire should so fall out in this time of universall peace and carried with that secresie that none of the English could have any friend amongst them to disclose it then indeed we shall be in high extremity and the Kingdom in the greatest danger that ever it underwent considering our want of men money and armes to enable us to encounter so great multitudes as they can make if all should so joyne against us the rather because we have pregnant cause to doubt that the Combination hath taken force by the incitement of Iesuits Nâ—tâ— Preists and Fryars All the hope we have here is that the old English of the Pale and some other Parts will continue constant to the King in their fidelity as they did in former Rebellions And now in these streights we much under God depend on aide forth of England for our present supply with all speed especially money we having none and Armes which we shall exceedingly want without which we are very doubtfull what account wee shall give to the King of his Kingdome But if the Conspiracy be only of Mac Guire and some other Irish of the kindred and friends of the Rebell Tyrone and other Irish in the Counties of Down Monaghan Cavan Termanagh and Armagh and no generall revolt following thereupon we hope then to make head againstâ—them in a reasonable measure if we be enabled with money from thence without which we can raise no forces so great is our want of moneys as we have formerly written and our debt so great to the Army nor is money to be borrowed here and if it were we could engage all our estates for it neither have we any hope to get in his Majesties Rents and Subsidies in these disturbances which addes extreamely to our necessities On Sunday morning