Irish whiles the Brittish forces here had bin thereupon called off and the place therin laid open and as it were given up to the common enemie It is what your Lordship might have observed in your former Treatie with the Rebels that upon your Lordships thereupon withdrawing and sending hence into England the most considerable part of the English army then commanded by you thereby was the remaining Brittish party not long after over-poured and your quarters by the Irish over-run to the gates of Dublin your self also reduced to that low condition as to be besieged in this very Citie the Metropolis and princpall cittadell of the Kingdom and that by those very Rebels who till then could never stand before you and what the end hath bin of that party also so sent by your Lordship into England although the flower strength of the English army here both officers and souldiers hath bin very observable And how much the dangers are at present more then in former ages of hazarding the English interest in this Kingdom by sending any parties hence into any other Kingdom upon any pretences whatsoever is very apparent as in the generalitie of the Rebellion now more then formerly So considering your Lordships present conclusions with and concessions to the Rebels wherein they are allowed the continued possession of all the cities forts and places of strength whereof they stood possessed at the time of their Treatie with your Lordship and that they are to have a standing force if I well remember of 15000 foot and 2500 horse all of their own party officers and souldiers and they with the whole kingdom to be regulated by a Major party of Irish Trustees chosen by the Rebels themselves as persons for their interests and ends to be by them confided in without whom nothing is to be acted Therein I cannot but mind your Lordship of what hath been sometimes by your self delivered as your sence in this particular that the English interest in Ireland must be preserved by the English and not by Irish and upon that ground if I be not deceived did your Lordship then capitulate with the Parliament of England from which cleer principle I am sorrie to see your Lordship now receding As to that by your Lordship menaced us here of blood and force if dissenting from your Lordships waies and designes for my particular I shall my Lord much rather chuse to suffer in so doing for therein shall I doe what is becomming and answerable to my trust then to purchase my self on the contrary the ignominious brand of perfidie by any allurements of whatsoever advantages offered me But very confident I am of the same divine power which hath still followed me in this work and will still folllow me and in that trust doubt I nothing of thus giving your Lordship plainly this my resolution in that particular So I remain Dublin March 14. 1648. Your Lordships humble servant Signed Mic Jones For the Lord of Ormond these By the Lord Lieutenant Generall of Ireland Ormond WHereas our late Soveraign King Charles of happie memory hath bin lately by a party of his rebellious Subjects of England most traiterously maliciously and inhumanely put to death and murthered and forasmuch as his Majestie that now is Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotlana France and Ireland is son and heir of his said late Majestie and therefore by the Laws of the Land of force and practised in all ages is to inherit We therefore in discharge of the dutie we owe unto God our allegiance and loyaltie to our Soveraign holding it fit him so to proclaim in and through this his Majesties Kingdome doe by this our present proclamation declare and manifest to the world that Charles the second son and heir of our late Soveraign King Charles the first of happy memory is by the grace of God the undoubted King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Given at Carrick Febr. 26. 1648. God save the King A NECESSARY REPRESENTATION of the present evills and eminent dangers to Religion Lawes and Liberties arising from the late and present practises of the Sectarian party in England together with an Exhortation to duties relating to the Covenant unto all within our Charge and to all the well-affected within this Kingdome by the Presbytery at Belfast February 15th 1649. WHen we doe seriously consider the great and many duties which we owe unto God and his people over whom he hath made us Overseers and for whom we must give an accompt and when wee behold the laudable Examples of the worthy Ministers of the Province of London and of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland in their free and faithfull testimonies against the insolencies of the Sectarian party in England Considering also the dependency of this Kingdome upon the Kingdome of England and remembring how against strong oppositions we were assisted by the Lord the last yeare in discharge of the like dutie and how he punished the Contempt of our warning upon the despisers thereof We finde our selves as necessitated so the more encouraged to cast in our Mite in the treasury least our silence should involve us in the guilt of unfaithfulnesse and our People in security and neglect of duties In this discharge of the trust put upon us by God we would not be looked upon as sowers of sedition or broachers of Nationall and divisive motions our record is in heaven that nothing is more hatefull unto us nor lesse intended by us and therefore we shall not feare the malicious and wicked aspersions which we know Satan by his Instruments is ready to cast not onely upon us but on all who sincerely endeavour the advancement of Reformation What of late have been and now are the insolent and presumptuous practises of the Sectaries in England is not unknowne to the world For first notwithstanding their specious pretences for Religion and Liberties yet their late and present actings being therewith compared doe clearly evidence that they love a rough garment to deceive since they have with a high hand despised the Oath in breaking the Covenant which is so strong a foundation to both whilest they loaden it with slighting reproaches calling it a Bundle of particular and contrary Interests and a Snare to the people and likewise labour to establish by Lawes an Universall Toleration of all Religions which is an Innovation over-turning of Unity in Religion and so directly repugnant to the word of God the two first Articles of our Solemne Covenant which is the greatest wickednesse in them to violate since many of the chiefest of themselves have with their hands testified to the most high God sworne and sealed it Moreover their great dis-affection to the Settlement of Religion and so their future breach of Covenant doth more fully appeare by their strong oppositions to Presbyteriall Government the hedge and Bulwarke of Religion whilest they expresse their hatred
passed in the next Parliament all the arrears of interest mony which did accrue and grow due by way of debt mortgage or otherwise and yet not so satisfied since the 23. of October 1641. untili the perfection of these Articles shall be fully forgiven and be released and that for and during the space of three yeeres next ensuing no more shall be taken for use or interest of money then five pounds per centum And in cases of equitie arising through dis-abilitie occasioned by the distempers of the times the considerations of equitie to be like unto both parties but as for mortgages contracted between his Majesties Roman Catholike Subjects and others of that partie where entry hath been made by the mortgagers against Law and the condition of their mortgages and detained wrongfully by them without giving any satisfaction to the mortgages or where any such mortgagers have made profit of the lands morgaged above countrey charges yet answer no rent or other consideration to the mortgagees the parties grieved respectively to be left for releife to a course of equitie therein 27. Item it is further concluded accorded and agreed upon and His Majestie is further graciously pleased That immediatly upon perfection of these Articles the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerrie Francis Lord Baron of Athunrie Alexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnwall Baronet Jefferie Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neal Miles Reily Gerrald Fennell Esquires shall be authorized by the said Lord licutenant to proceed in hear determine and execute in and throughout this Kingdom the ensuing particulars and all the matters thereupon depending and that such authoritie and other the authorities hereafter mentioned shall remain of force without revocation alteration or diminution untill Acts of Parliament be passed according to the purport and intent of these Articles and that in case of death miscarriage disabilitie to serve by reason of sicknesse or otherwise of any the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord president of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerie Francis Lord Baron of Athunrie Alexander Mac Donnel Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnwall Baronet Jeffery Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tirlagh O Neal Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires and his Majesties Lord Lieutenant or other chief Governor or Governors of this Kingdom for the time being shall name and authorize another in the place of such as shall be so dead or shall miscarrie himselfe or be so disabled and that the same shall be such person as shall bee allowed of by the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerry Francis Lord Baron of Atbunry Alexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnwall Baronet Jeffery Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neal Miles Reilie and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them then living And that the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerie Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Alexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Kt. Sir Richard Barnwal Baronet Jeffery Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neal Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them shall have power to applot raise and leavie meanes with indifferencie and equalitie by way of Excise or otherwise upon all his Majesties Subjects within the said Kingdom their persons Estates and goods towards the maintenance of such Armie or Armies as shall be thought fit to continue and be in pay for his Majesties service the defence of the Kingdom and other the necessary publike charges thereof and towards the maintenance of the Forts Castles Garrisons and Towns of both or either partie other then such of the said Forts Garrisons and Castles as from time to time untill there shall bee a settlement in Parliament shall be thought fit by his Majesties chief Governor or Governours of this Kingdom for the time being by and with the advice and consent of the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerie Francis Lord Baron of Athunrie Alexander Mac Donnel Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnwal Baronet Jefferie Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neal Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennel Esquires or any seven or more of them not to be maintained at the charge of the publike provided that his Majesties Lord Lieutenant or other chief Governor or Governors of this Kingdome for the time being be first made acquainted with such taxes levies and excises as shall be made and the manner of leavying thereof and that he approve the same and to the end that such of the Protestant party as shall submit to the Peace may in the severall Counties where any of their estates lyeth have equallitie and indifferencie in the Assessements and levies that shall concern their estates in the said severall Counties It is concluded accorded and agreed upon and his Majestie is graciously pleased That in the directions which shall issue to any such County for the applotting subdeviding and levying of the said publike assessements some of the said Protestant party shall be joyned with others of the Roman Catholike party to that purpose and for effecting that service and the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerie Francis Lord Baron of Athunrie Alexander Mac Donnel Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnwell Baronet Jeffery Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neil Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them shall have power to leavie the arrears of all excises and other publike taxes imposed by the Confederate Roman Catholikes and yet unpaid and to call Receivers and other accomptants of all former taxes and all publike dues to a just and strict account either by themselves or by such as they or any seven or more of them shall name or appoint and that the said Lord Lieutenant or any other chief Governor or Governors of this Kingdom for the time being shall from time to time issue Commissions to such person and persons as shall be named and appointed by the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerie Francis Lord Baron of Athunrie Alexander Mac Donnel Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnwall Baronet Jefferie Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neal Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them for letting setting and improving the estates of all such person and persons as shall adhere to any partie opposing his Majesties Authority and not submitting to the Peace and that the profits of such estates shall be
Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnewall Baronet Jeffrey Browne Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neile Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them shall be thought fit to be altered and then and in such case or in case of death fraud or misbehavior or other alteration of any such person or persons then such other person or persons to be imployed therein as shall be thought fit by the cheife Governour or Governours for the time being by and with the advice and consent of the said Tho. Lord Visc. Dillon of Costollogh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskery Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Allexander Mac Donnell Esq. Sir Lucas Dillon Kt. Sir Nicholas Plunket Kt. Sir Richard Barnewal Baronet Jeffrey Browne Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neile Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them And when it shall appeare that any person or persons who shall be found faithfull to his Majesty hath right to any of the offices or places about the said customes wherunto he or they may not be admitted untill settlement in Parliament as aforesaid that a reasonable compensation shall be afforded to such person or persons for the same 31. Item as for and concerning his Majesties rents payable at Easter next and from thenceforth to grow due untill a settlement in Parliament It is concluded accorded and agreed upon by and between the said parties and his Majestie is graciously pleased that the said rents be not written for or levied untill a full settlement in Parliament and in due time upon application to be made to the said Lord Lieutenant or other chief Governor or Governors of this Kingdome by the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerie Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Alexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Planket Knight Sir Richard Barnwal Baronet Jeffery Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neal Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them for remittall of those rents the said Lord Lieutenant or any other chief Governor or Governors of this Kingdome for the time being shall intimate their desires and the reason thereof to his Majestie who upon consideration of the present condition of this Kingdome will declare his gracious pleasure therein as shall be just and honorable and satisfactorie to the reasonable desires of his Subjects 32. Item it is concluded accorded and agreed by and between the said parties and his Majestie is graciously pleased that the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer and Goal deliverie to be named as aforesaid shall have power to hear and determine all Murthers Man-slaughters Rapes Stealths burning of houses and corn in Rick or Stack Robberies burglaries forcible entries detainers of possessions and other offences committed or done and to be committed and done since the first day of May last past untill the first day of the next Parliament these present Articles or any thing therein contained to the contrary notwithstanding Provided that the Authority of the said Commissioners shall not extend to question any person or persons for doing or committing any act whatsoever before the conclusion of this Treaty by vertue or colour of any warrant or direction from those in publike authoritie among the confederate Roman Catholikes nor unto any act which shall be done after the perfecting and concluding of these Articles by vertue or pretence of any authority which is now by these Articles agreed on Provided also that the said Commission shall not continue longer then the first day of the next Parliament 33 Item it is concluded accorded by and between the said parties and his Majestie is further graciously pleased that for the determining such differences which may arise between his Majesties Subjects within this Kingdome and the prevention of inconvenience and disquiet which through want of due remedie in severall causes may happen there shall be judicatures established in this Kingdome and that the persons to be authorized in them shall have power to do all such things as shall be proper and necessary for them to doe and the said Lord lieutenant by and with the advice and consent of the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costollogh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskerry Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Alexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnwall Baronet Jeffery Brown Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neal Miles Reilie and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them shall name the said persons so to be authorized and doe all other things incident unto and necessarie for the setling of the said intended Judicatures 34. Item at the instance humble suit and earnest desire of the General Assembly of the confederate Roman Catholikes It is concluded accorded and agreed upon that the Roman Catholike regular Clergie of this Kingdom behaving themselves conformable to these Articles of Peace shall not be molested in the possessions which at present they have of and in the bodies scites and precincts of such Abbies and Monasteries belonging to any Roman Carholike within the said Kingdom until settlement by Parliament and that the said Clergie shall not be molested in the enjoying of such pensions as hitherto since the Watres they enjoyed for their respective livelihoods from the said Roman Catholikes and the scites and precincts hereby intended are declared to be the bodie of the Abbie one garden and Orchard to each Abbie if any there be and what else is contained within the walls meares or ancient fences or ditch that doth supply the wall thereof and no more 35. Item it is concluded accorded and agreed by and between the said parties that as to all other demands of the said Roman Catholikes for or concerning all or any the matters proposed by them not granted or assented unto in and by the foresaid Articles the said Roman Catholikes be referred to his Majesties gracious favour and further concessions In witnesse whereof the said Lord Lieutenant for and on the behalfe of his most Excellent Majestie to the one part of these Articles remaining with the said Roman Catholiques hath put his hand and Seal And Sir Richard Blake Knight in the Chaire of the Generall Assembly of the said Roman Catholikes by order command and unanimous consent of the said Catholikes in full Assembly to the other part thereof remaining with the said Lord Lieutenant hath put his hand and the publque Seal hitherto used by the said Roman Catholiques the 17. of January 2648. And in the 24. year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES by the Grace of God King of Great Brittain France and Ireland c. SIR I Have not thus long forborn to invite you with these under your command to a submission to his Majesties authoritie in me and a conjunction with me in the waies of his service out of any the least aversion I had
the Peace Oyer and Terminer Assises and Goale Delivery in and throughout the Kingdome to continue during pleasure with such power as Justices of the Peace Oyer and Terminer Assizes and Goale delivery in former time of Peace have usually had which is not to extend unto any crime or offence committed before the first of May last past and to be quallified with power to hear and determin al civil causes coming before them not exceeding ten pounds Provided that they shall not intermeddle with titles of Lands provided likewise the authority of such Commissioners shall not extend to question any person or persons for any shipping cattle or goods heretofore takēn by either party from the other or other injuries done contrary to the Articles of cessation concluded by and with the said Roman Catholicke party in or since May last but that the same shall bee determined by such indifferent persons as the Lord Lieutenant by the advice and consent of the said Thomas Lord Visc. Dillon of Costollogh Lord Presi of Connagh Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskery Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Allexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnewall Baronet Jeffry Browne Donnogh O Callaghan Tirlagh O Neile Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seven or more of them shall think fit to the end that speedy and equall justice may be done to all parties grieved And the said Commissioners are to make their Estreats as accustomed of peace and shall take the ensuing Oath viz. You shall sweare that as Justice of the Peace Oyer and Terminer Assizes and Goale delivery in the Counties of A. B in all articles to the commission to you directed You shall do equall right to the poore and to the Rich after your cunning and wit and power and after the Lawes and Customes of the Realme and in pursuance of these Articles And you shall not be of councell of any quarrell hanging before you And the issues fines and amerciaments which shall happen to be made and all forfeitures which shall happen before you you shall cause to bee entred without any concealment or imbeazling and send to the Court of Exchequer or to such other place as his Majesties Lord Lieut. or other cheif Governor orGovernors of this Kingdome shall appoint untill there may be accesse unto the said Court of Exchequer You shall not let for gift or other cause but well and truly you shall doe your office of Justice of the Peace Oyer and Terminer Assises and Goale delivery in that behalfe and that you take nothing for your office of Justice of the Peace Oyer and Terminer Assizes and Goale delivery to be done but of the King and Fees accustomed and you shall not direct or cause to be directed any warrant by you to be made to the parties but you shall direct them to the Sheriffs and Bayliffs of the said counties respectively or other the Kings Officers or Ministers or other indifferent persons to doe execution thereof so helpe me God c. And that as well in the said Commission as in all other commissions and authorities to be issued in pursuance of the present Articles this clause shall be incerted viz. That all officers civill and martiall shall be required to be aiding and assisting and obedient unto the said Commissioners and other persons to be authorized as above said in the execution of their respective powers 29 Item It is further concluded accorded and agreed upon by and between the said parties and his Majesty is further graciously pleased that his Majesties Roman Catholicke Subjects do continue the possession of such of his Majesties Cities Garrisons Townes Forts and Castles which are within their now Quarters untill settlement by Parliament and to be commanded ruled and governed in cheife upon occasion of necessity as to the Martiall and Military affairs by such as his Majesty or his cheife Governour or Governours of this Kingdom for the time being shall appoint and the said appointment to be by and with the advice and consent of the said Thomas Lord Viscount Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskery Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Allexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnewall Baronet Jefferey Browne Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neile Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seaven or more of them and His Majestyes cheife Governour or Governours is to issue Commissions accordingly to such persons as shall be so named and appointed as aforsaid for the executing of such comand rule or Government to continue untill all the particulars in these present Articles agreed on to passe in Paliament shall be accordingly passed only in case of death or misbehaviour such other person or persons to be appointed for the said command rule and Government to be named and appointed in the place or places of him or them who shall so dye or misbehave themselves as the cheife Governor or Governors for the time being by the advice and consent of the said Thomas Lord Visc. Dillon of Costologh Lord President of Connaght Donnogh Lord Viscount Muskery Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Allexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas Plunket Knight Sir Richard Barnewall Baronet Jeffrey Browne Donnogh O Callaghan Tyrlagh O Neile Miles Reily and Gerrald Fennell Esquires or any seaven or more of them shall thinke fit and to bee continued untill a settlement in Parliament as aforesaid 30 Item It is further concluded accorded and agreed upon by and between the said parties and his Majesty is further graciously pleased that all customes and tenths of prizes belonging to his Majesty which from the perfection of these Articles shall fall due within this Kingdome shall be paid unto his Majesties receipt or until recourse may be had thereunto in the ordinary legal way unto such person or persons and in such place or places and under such Controls as the Lord Lieutenant shall appoint to be disposed of in order to the defence and safety of the Kingdome and the defraying of other the necessary publicke charges thereof for the ease of the Subjects in other their levyes charges and applotments And that all and every person or persons who are at present intrusted and imployed by the said Roman Catholicks in the entries receipts collections or otherwise concerning the said customes and tenths of Prizes doe continue their respective imployments in the same untill full settlement in Parliament accountable to His Majesties receipts or untill recourse may be had thereunto as the said Lord Lieutenant shall appoint as aforesaid other then to such and so many of them as to the cheife Governour or Governours for the time being by and with the advice and consent of the said Tho. Lord Visc. Dillon of Costologh Lord Pres. of Connaght Donnogh Lord Visc. Muskery Francis Lord Baron of Athunry Allexander Mac Donnell Esquire Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Sir Nicholas
to it more then to the worst of errours by excluding it under the name of Compulsion when they imbrace even Paganisme and Judaisme in the Armes of Toleration Not to speake of their Aspersions upon it and the Assertors thereof as Antichristian and Popish though they have deeply sworn to maintaine the same Government in the first Article of the Covenant as it is established in the Church of Scotland which they now so despite and fully blaspheme Againe It is more then manifest that they seek not the vindication but the extirpation of Lawes and Liberties as appeares by their seizing on the person of the King and at their pleasures removing him from place to place not onely without the consent but if we mis-take not against a direct Ordinance of Parliament their violent surprizing imprisoning and secluding many of the most worthy Members of the Honourable House of Commons directly against a declared Priviledge of Parliament an Action certainly without parallell in any age and their purposes of abolishing Parliamentary power for the future and establishing of a Representative as they call it in stead thereof Neither hath their fury stayed here but without all rule or example being but private men they have proceeded to the tryall of the King against both the Interest and Protestation of the Kingdome of Scotland and the former publique Declarations of both Kingdomes besides the violent hast reiecting the hearing of any defences with cruell hands have put him to death an act so horrible as no history divine or humane hath laid a President of the like These and many other their detestable insolencies may abundantly convince every unbyassed Judgement that the present practise of the Sectaries and their Abettors doe directly over-turne the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdomes roote out lawfull and supreme Magistracy the just priviledges whereof we have sworne to maintaine and introduce a fearfull confusion and lawlesse Anarchie The Spirit of God by Solomon tells us Pro. 30. 21. That a servant to reigne is one of the foure things for which the earth is disquieted and which is cannot heare We wonder nothing that the earth is disquieted for these things but we wonder greatly if the earth can beare them and albeit the Lord so permit that folly be set in great dignity and they which sit in low place That servants ride upon horses and Princes walke as servants upon the Earth Eccles. 10. ver. 6 7. Yet the same Wise man saith Pro. 19. 10. Delight is not seemely for a foole much lesse for a servant to have rule ever Princes When we consider these things we cannot but declare and manifest our utter dislike and detestation of such unwarrantable practises directly subverting our Covenant Religion Lawes and Liberties And as Watchmen in Sion warne all the Lovers of truth and well-affected to the Covenant carefully to avoyde compliance with or not bearing witnesse against horrid Insolencies least partaking with them in their sinnes they also be partakers of their plagues Therefore in the Spirit of meeknesse wee earnestly intreate and in the authority of Jesus Christ whose servants wee are Charge and obtest all who resolve to adhere unto truth and the Covenant diligently to observe and conscientiously to performe these following duties 1. First That according to our solemne Covenant every one study more to the power of godlinesse and personall reformation of themselves and families because for the great breach of this part of the Covenant God is highly offended with these Lands and justly provoked to permit men to be the Instruments of our misery and afflictions 2. Secondly That every one in their station and calling earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. And seeke to have their hearts established with grace that they be not unstable and wavering carried about with every winde of doctrine but that they receive the truth in love avoyding the company of such as withdraw from and vilifie the publique Ordinances speake evill of Church-Government invent damnable errors under the specious pretence of a Gospel-way and new Light and highly extoll the persons and courses of notorious Sectaries least God give them over to strong delusions the plague of these times that they may beleeve lies and be damned 3. Thirdly That they would not be drawne by Councell Command or Example to shake off the ancient and fundamentall Government of these Kingdomes by King and Parliament which we are so deeply ingaged to preserve by our solemne Covenant as they would not be found guilty of the great evill of these times condemned by the Holy Ghost the despising of Dominion and speaking evill of Dignities 4. Fourthly That they doe cordially endeavour the preservation of the Union amongst the well-affected in the Kingdomes not being swayed by any Nationall respect remembring that part of the Covenant That wee shall not suffer our selves directly nor indirectly by whatsoever Combination perswasion or terrour to be divided or withdrawne from this blessed Union and Conjunction And finally albeit there be more present hazard from the power of Sectaries as were from Malignants the last yeare yet wee are not ignorant of the evill purposes of Malignants even at this time in all the Kingdomes and particularly in this and for this cause we exhort every one with equall watchfulnesse to keep themselves free from associating with such or from swerving in their judgements to Malignant principles and to avoyd all such persons as have been from the beginning knowne opposers of Reformation refusers of the Covenant combining themselves with Papists and other notorious Malignants especially such who have been chiefe Promotors of the late Ingagement against England Calumniators of the worke of Reformation in reputing the miseries of the present times unto the advancers thereof and that their just hatred to Sectaries incline not their mindes to favour Malignants or to thinke that because of the power of Sectaries the cause of God needs the more to feare the Enmity or to stand in need of the helpe of Malignants OBSERVATIONS UPON the Articles of Peace with the Irish Rebels on the Letter of Ormond to Col. Jones and the Representation of the Presbytery at Belfast ALthough it be a Maxim much agreeable to wisdom that just deeds are the best answer to injurious words and actions of what ever sort their own plainest Interpreters yet since our enemies can finde the leisure both wayes to offend us it will be requisite we should be found in neither of those wayes neglectfull of our just defence To let them know that sincere and upright intentions can certainly with as much ease deliver themselvs into words as into deeds Having therefore seen of late those Articles of Peace granted to the Papist Rebels of Ireland as speciall graces and favours from the late King in reward most likely of their work don and in his name and authority confirm'd and ratifi'd by James Earle of Ormond together with his Letter to Col. Jones Governour
leave as not within our Cognisance to the proper cure of instruction praying for them Neverthelesse if any be found among us declar'd atheists malicious enemies of God and of Christ The Parlament I think professes not to tolerate such but with all befitting endeavours to suppresse them Otherwaies to protect none that in a larger sense may be tax'd of irreligion or atheism may perhaps be the ready way to exclude none sooner out of protection then those themselves that most accuse it to be so generall to others Lastly that we invite such as these or incourage them is a meer slander without proof He tells us next that they have murderd the King And they deny not to have justly and undauntedly as became the Parlament of England for more bloudshed and other hainous Crimes then ever King of this Land was guilty of after op'n tryall punisht him with death A matter which to men whose serious consideration thereof hath left no certain precept or example undebated is so farr from giving offence that wee implore and beseech the Divine Majesty so to uphold and support thir spirits with like fortitude and Magnanimity that all thir ensuing actions may correspond and prove worthy that impartiall and noble peece of Justice wherein the hand of God appear'd so evidently on our side Wee shall not then need to feare what all the rout and faction of men basely principl'd can doe against us The end of our proceedings which he takes upon him to have discover'd The changing forsooth of Monarchy into Anarchy sounds so like the smattering of some raw Polititian and the overworne objection of every triviall talker that wee leave him in the number But seing in that which followes he containes not himself but contrary to what a Gentleman should know of Civility proceeds to the contemptuous naming of a person whose valour and high merit many enemies more noble then himself have both honour'd and feard to assert his good name and reputation of whose service the Common-wealth receaves so ample satisfaction t is answerd in his behalf that Cromwell whom he couples with a name of scorne hath done in few yeares more eminent and remarkable Deeds whereon to found Nobility in his house though it were wanting and perpetuall Renown to posterity then Ormond and all his Auncestors put together can shew from any record of thir Irish exploits the widest scene of thir glory He passes on in his groundless conjectures that the aime of this Parlament may be perhaps to set up first an elective Kingdome and after that a perfet Turkish tyranny Of the former wee suppose the late act against Monarchy will suffice to acquitt them Of the latter certainly there needed no other patterne then that Tyranny which was so long modelling by the late King himself with Strafford and that arch Prelat of Canterbury his chief Instruments whose designes God hath dissipated Neither is it any new project of the Monarchs and their Courtiers in these dayes though Christians they would be thought to endeavour the introducing of a plain Turkish Tyranny Witnesse that Consultation had in the Court of France under Charles the ninth at Blois wherein Poncet a certain Court projector brought in secretly by the Chancellor Biragha after many praises of the Otteman Government proposes means and wayes at large in presence of the King the Queen Regent and Anjou the Kings Brother how with best expedition and least noyse the Turkish Tyranny might be set up in France It appeares therefore that the designe of bringing in that Tyranny is a Monarchicall designe and not of those who have dissolvd Monarchy As for Parlaments by three Estates wee know that a Parlament signifies no more then the Supream and generall Councell of a Nation consisting of whomsoever chos'n and assembld for the public good which was ever practis'd and in all sorts of Government before the word Parlament or the formality or the possibility of those three Estates or such a thing as a Titular Marquess had either name or being in the World The Originall of all which we could produce to be farr newer then those all Ages which he vaunts of and by such first invented and contriv'd whose authority though it were Charles Martell stands not so high in our repute either for himself or the age he liv'd in but that with as good warrant we may recede from what he ordain'd as he ordaine what before was not But whereas besides he is bold to allege that of the three Estates there remaines onely a small number and they the Dreggs and Scum of the House of Commons this reproach and in the mouth of an Irish Man concernes not them onely but redounds to apparent dishonour of the whole English Nation Doubtless there must be thought a great scarcity in England of persons honourable and deserving or else of Judgement or so much as honesty in the People if those whom they esteem worthy to sit in Parlament be no better then Scum and Dreggs in the Irish Dialect But of such like stuffe wee meet not anywhere with more excrescence then in his own lavish pen which feeling it selfe loose without the reines of discretion rambles for the most part beyond all Soberness and Civility In which Torrent he goes on negotiating and cheapning the Loyalty of our Faithfull Governour of Dublin as if the known and Try'd Constancy of that valiant Gentleman were to be bought with Court fumes He layes before him that there remaines now no other liberty in the Subject but to professe blasphemous opinions to revile and tread underfoot Magistracy to murther Magistrates to oppresse and undoe all that are not like minded with us Forgetting in the mean while himself to be in the head of a mixt Rabble part Papists part Fugitives and part Savages guilty in the highest degree of all these Crimes What more blasphemous not opinion but whole Religion then Popery plung'd into Idolatrous and Ceremoniall Superstition the very death of all true Religion figur'd to us by the Scripture it selfe in the shape of that Beast full of the names of Blasphemy which wee mention to him as to one that would be counted Protestant and had his breeding in the house of a Bishop And who are those that have trod under foot Magistracy murder'd Magistrates oppress'd undone all that syded not with them but the Irish Rebels in that horrible Conspiracy for which Ormond himselfe hath either been or seem'd to be their enemy though now their Ringleader And let him aske the Jesuitea about him whether it be not their known Doctrine and also practise not by faire and due processe of Justice to punish Kings and Magistrates which we disavow not but to murder them in the basest and most assassinous manner if thir Church-Interest so require There will not need more words to this Windy Railer convicted opnly of all those Crimes which he so confidently and yet falsely charges upon others We have now to deale though in the