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A56171 Hidden workes of darkenes brought to publike light, or, A necessary introdvction to the history of the Archbishop of Canterbvrie's triall discovering to the world the severall secret dangerous plots, practices, proceedings of the Pope and his confederates, both at home and in forraigne parts, to undermine the Protestant religion, usher the whole body of popery into our church, and reduce all our realms to their ancient vassalage to the Sea of Rome, by insensible steps and degrees : from the first marriage treaty with Spain, anno 1617, till this present : together with the true originals of the late Scottish troubles, Irish rebellion and English civill warres: manifested by sundry ... papers, found among Secretary Windebankes, master Thomas Windebankes, the lord Cottingtons and Arch-bishop of Canterburies writings, and some late intercepted letters from forraigne parts / by William Prynne ... Prynne, William, 1600-1669. 1645 (1645) Wing P3973; ESTC R7996 362,172 332

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these Lords and men hold this Councell of the Army for Ireland a most pernicious Councell But I know not what better he could take for it is most dangerous to raise it in England where all the world is discontent and for to raise an Army here it were to give them the sword in their hands to defend themselves for the part of the Puritans is so great and they have such a correspondence with the Scots Not● that they begin already to break the Altars which the Bishops had erected and to accuse the Bishops of crimes and to demand the re-establishment of many silenced Ministers with a thousand other insolencies c. Your most humble and most obliged servant G. T. This 28. of Iune The same Iesuite writ another Letter in French of the same date with this superscription A Messieur Messieur La mach wherein after a pretty large relation of the Scottish affaires he hath this clause somewhat suteable to the former THey to wit the Scots will first of all have a free and full Parliament they will have a reformation of their own Church and likewise of the Church of England They will that the King resideth 6. months in their Country 〈◊〉 they will have the Arch-bishop of Canterbury as their prisoner they will banish Monsieur Con. which they call the Man of the Pope they demand the banishment of the Catholikes there this is that they demand The King hath never yet opened his mouth to his Counsell of these affaires neither hath hee consulted with any soule living hereupon Note but the Bishop of Canterbury and forasmuch as I can learne all their counsell tendeth to this that there must be an Army raised in Ireland to tame these Rebels the which Counsell men of State hold farre more dangerous and so it is feared that they may call the Palatine in for their King Your most humble and affectionate servant G T. This 28. of Iune There was another Letter of the same date writ to one Monsieur Ford at Paris by another Priest or Iesuite as I conceive but certainly a Papist wherein there are these Passages My Deare c. OVr Scots businesse troubles us shrewdly and growes worse and worse they will have a Parliament and the King for the consequence of it in this Kingdom will never permit it Not● and so they have taken a resolution to leavie an Army in Ireland so to trouble them and subdue them which is held here by wise men to be a very desperate Counsell But the King counsels NONE BUT THE ARCHBISHOP AND THE DEPUTY of Ireland which disgusts all and makes men see more weaknesse in him then was ever imagined Other newes we have none Fitton the Agent for the secular Priests at Rome is here and was presented to the King by my Lord Arundel to whom he had sent from Italy many little toyes but now he knowes he is a Priest I pray you tell my deare Amiable I thank him heartily for his note and have seene his man Iaques Depuis who is a good cutter or graver in stone and continues Catholike honest and known to the Capucins Yours as you know W. Hoill This 28. Iune A Postscript This Letter to Iohn Foord is monstrable TO FATHER SVPERIOVR because you must give him one inclosed from me This very Postscript makes me beleeve both Hoill and Foord to be Iesuites How active and industrious both the English and Scottish Iesuites were in fomenting the Scottish Commotions Warres upon what termes and designs the Papists promised the King their assistance in those warres refusing to ayde him therein except he would grant them a freetoleration of their Religion yea resolving to poyson him with an Italian figge in case he condescended not to their demands and to seize upon the Princes person and traine him up in their Religion you may read at large in my * Pag. 8 9. 13. to 25. Romes Master-piece from the discovery of one who was sent from Rome by Cardinall Barbarino into England to assist Con the Popes Nuncio and privie to the whole Plot which he revealed out of conscience How forwards the Irish Papists were to assist the King and Prelates in this unnaturall warre against the Scots and what large contributions they gave towards the maintenance of the Warre by the instigation of Sir Toby Matthewes a lesuite who went over with the Lord Deputy Wentworth into Ireland for this purpose to animate and stirre up the Popish party there to this Pontificall and Prelaticall warre their Subsidies there granted in Parliament 1639. and the Prologue thereunto with the Rise and Progresse of the Irish Rebellion published by Authority of Parliament will sufficiently demonstrate to justifie the Iesuites forementioned Letters and intelligence to be no fancie but a reall verity How the Arch-bishop carried on this designe of the warre against the Scots in England I shall give you a brief account out of his own Sir Iohn Lambs and Secretary Windebankes Papers The 9. of September 1638. The Arch-bishop received from some great man in Scotland a paper thus indorsed with his own hand 1. That the Garrison● ought to be kept at Barwick and Carlile First for Defence secondly for Nurceries 3. That the Affaires of Scotland ought not to be kept so reserved from the Councell of England And the paper begins thus That the Scottish have a great desire to ruine 102. a Character for the Arch-bishop you need not doubt it c. I beseech your Lordship not to overcharge your selfe by writing to me but at your best leisure c. After which he advised the keeping of Garrisons at Barwick and Carlile c. In December the Arch-bishop received this paper from Sir Iohn Burrowes thus in dorsed with the Bishops own hand Rece Decemb. 31. 1638. Sir Iohn Burrowes A briefe Note out of the Records what the King may doe for raising of men in case of a warre with Scotland Observations concerning warre with Scotland out of Records SUch Lords and others as had lands and livings upon the Borders were commanded to reside there with their retinue Those that had Castles neare the Borders were enjoyned to fortifie them The Lords of the Kingdome were summoned by writ to attend the Kings Army with Horse and Armour at a certaine time and place according to their service due to the King or to repaire to the Exchequer before that day there to make Fine for their said service So were all Widowes Dowagers of such Lords as were deceased So were all Bishops and Ecclesiasticall persons Proclamations were likewise made by the Sheriffs in every County that all men holding of the King by knights service or sergeancy should come to the Kings Army or make Fine as aforesaid with a strickt command that none should conceale their service under a great penalty Like Proclamations were made that all men having 40. l. land by the yeare should come to the Kings Army with Horse and Armour The Earle
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 ●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 other● 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 ye● if the Commission ●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 sh● 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 w●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 in●e●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 wro●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
doe and to that end Sir Phelims brother Terlagh O Neale should be sent to them and the Nu●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. Coll● 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 Sco●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 cou●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 par● disce●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 ●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 himsel●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 ●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 Chancell●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 ●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
probability and other Circumstances that there is in the said King and his Ministers as ready a disposition as formerly you have found to proceed further in such a Treaty you may open unto them that you are come accompanied and Authorized with power sufficient on Our part to Treat and Conclude But if you doe discerne any alteration or coldnesse from the former demonstration not onely of a sincere meaning but of a very great desire to give us satisfaction you may then forbeare to make use of your Commission which we must referre to your discretion and advertise us what you perceive If you shall find things in such Case as you shall have cause to fall to Treaty of particulars then for your direction therein you shall understand That this businesse doth consist of two principall parts The one concerning matter of Religion and the other of civill considerations matter of Portion and other charges on their part and Dower and assurance of Dower on our part The matter of Religion is to Us of most pri●cipall consideration for nothing can be to Us dearer then the honour and safety of the Religion which we professe And therefore seeing that this Marriage and Alliance if it shall take place is to be with a Lady of a different Religion from Us It becommeth Us to be tender as on the one part to give them all satisfaction convenient so on the other to admit nothing that may blemish our Conscience or detract from the Religion here established And although We cannot for the present give you precise and particular direction and warrant for all points that will come in question in this subject of Religion yet in generall we have thought good thus farre to authorize you that whereas while you were in Spaine certaine Articles for matter of Religion after a Consultation had by some of their Divines were delivered to you as poynts they were like to insist upon which seeming to you unworthy to be by Us hearkned unto you did utterly reject and refuse yet afterward upon a private conference between you and some others to whom that cause had been committed there was between you a qualification conceived therein though never delivered as a matter approved there We have perused those Articles and added something to them by way of explanation for Our clearer satisfaction and have signed them with our owne hand in a Schedule hereunto annexed And doe let you know that if they shall be admitted there as we have signed them and no further matter in poynt of Religion urged We can be content you proceed and expresse your liking and that you hope it will give Us satisfaction And that you will speedily advertise Us but you shall not so farre consent or conclude at to bind Us untill you have advertised Us and received Our expresse pleasure and assent But if you find any haesitation or doubt made upon them or any new matter added to any of those poynts which you shall find to varie from the true sense of them you shall suspend your proceeding to the approving of any such Alteration and advertise Vs thereof and attend Our further direction and pleasure c. Given at Lincolne the 14. day of Aprill 1617. Tho. Lake The Articles for Religion specified in these Instructions THat for the taking away of all scruples NOTA. and the better Justification of the Match The Dispensation of the Pope is to be procured but thereof His Majesty need to take no kind of notice but to be the meere Act of the King of Spaine That the Children of this Marriage shall no way be compelled or constrained in poynt of Conscience of Religion wherefore there is no doubt that their Title shall be prejudiced NOTA. in case it should please God that they should prove Catholiques That the Family which the Infanta shall bring with her being strangers may be Catholiques and that the Nurses which shall give milke unto the Childre● shall be chosen with her consent and shall be accounted of her Family That the place which shall be appointed for Divine service shall be Decent Capable Free and publike for all those of her Family and that there shall be Administred in it the Sacraments and Divine service according to the Use and Ceremonies of the Church of Rome That in case the Infanta her selfe shall onely have a secret and particular Oratory There shall be appointed for her Family a setled Chappell for the Administring of the Sacraments and for the burying of the dead of the said Family and that this publike Exercise of Religion begin from her first entrance into England That it shall be lawfull for the Ecclesiasticall and Religious persons of her Family to weare their owne Habit. That after the Dispensation granted by the Pope the Marriage shall be celebrated in Spaine per verba de praesenti by a Procurator according to the Instruction of the Councell of Trent And that the yeers and ages ●e without supplement waiting the ten dayes and the Infanta receiving the Nuptiall Benediction But that within certaine dayes to be Limited after her arrivall in England there shall be infacie Ecclesiae used such a solemnization as by the Lawes of England shall make the Marriage valid and takeaway all scruple touching the Legitimation of the Issue That shee shall have a competent number of Chaplaines and a Confessor being Strangers and that amongst them shall be one that shall have power and authority for the government of the rest of her said Family in matters concerning Catholique Religion That there be sitting Assurances given for performance of the said Conditions Given at Lincolne the 4. of Aprill 1617. Tho. Lake KIng Iames being so farre wrought upon by the Popish Faction as thus publikely to engage himselfe in this Marriage Treaty with one of the Romish Religion wherein the Popes owne Dispensation must necessarily be first procured ere the Match could finally be accomplished they then begin to play their game to the best advantage and by tedious delayes and new demands gaine more and more ground upon the King in favour of the Roman Catholiques and their Antichristian Religion First the Commissioners designed for this Treaty multiply and enlarge the former Articles touching Religion in reference to the Infanta and her Family which after two yeers debate were fully concluded on by the Commissioners and both Kings But their agreements were to little purpose the consent of the Roman Pontife the Arch-contriver and Directer of this Plot for the best advantage of the Catholique Cause must be likewise procured and super-added to compleat the Articles without which they were but Nullities and no Dispensation could be expected from him which is first of all provided for in the Conditions Hereupon the Articles were sent to Rome to Pope Gregory the xv who then held that Chair of Pestilence who after many tedious consultations alters and enlargeth divers of the Articles by the advice of his Conclave for the furtherance of
the time of the Princes being in Spaine as aforesaid the Prince consulting and advising with the said Earle and others about a new offer made by the King of Spaine touching the Palatinate which was that the eldest Son of the Prince Palatine should marry with the Emperours Daughter but must be bread up in the Emperors Court The said Earle delivered his opinion that the Proposition was reasonable whereat when Sir Walter Ashton then present falling into some passion said that he durst not for his head consent unto it The Earle of Bristoll replyed that hee saw no such great inconvenience in it for that he might be there bred up in the Emperors Court in our Religion But when the extreame danger and in a manner the impossibility thereof was pressed unto the said Earle he said againe That without some such great action the peace of Christendome would never be had Which was so dangerous and desperate a councell that one so neare to the Crowne of England should be poysoned in his Religion and put into the power of a Foraigne Prince Enemy to our Religion and an unfreind to our state that the consequence thereof both for the present and future times were infinitly dangerous and yet hereunto did his disaffection to our Religion the blindnesse in his judgment caused by sinister respects and the too much regard he had to the House of Austria lead him c. Ro. Heath These Articles were exhibited against the Earle by the Kings owne speciall direction and perused corrected by him before they were put in as appeares by the Lords Iournall the Kings Atturny averring it openly in the House of Peers It seems therefore a great Wonder to many observing men that he who was thus impeached by his Majesties speciall command as the worst of Councellors and a strong perswader of him to become a professed Roman Catholik an advancer of Popery and Papists then should become his principle Cabinet Councellor to advise him to side with the Popish party in England Ireland Scotland against his Parliament and Protestant subjects now But to pretermit his present Councells which seeme to justifie the former Articles the Earle of Bristoll himselfe in his answere * In the Lords Parchment Iournall P. 249. c. to the 7th Article confesseth that there was a generall received opinion in the Spanish Court that his Majesties comming thither was with intention to become a Roman Catholike and that the Conde Gundimar that very morning pressed the Earle not to hinder so pious a worke for so he tearmed it of his Majesties conversion seemed to be assured of the Duke of Buckinghams assistance therein whereupon he told his Majesty That the Generall opinion in that Court was that his Majestyes comming thither was WITH INTENTION TO BE A ROMAN CATHOLIKE AND THERE TO DECLARE IT c. Whereupon he intreated him not to suffer his businesse to be overthrowne by permitting that conceit of his conversion any longer to remaine with the Spaniards not to do any thing that might give them hope therein alleaging that it was impossible the Mariage could be without a dispensation And so long as the Spaniard who were to procure the dispensation should have hope of his Majesties conversion they would rather clogge the Dispensation then hasten it for whiles they should have hope of all by his convertion they would never content themselves with a part to which they were tyed by the Articles agreed upon At which time his Majesty was pleased to aprove of his opinion and said he would expect the dispensatory and did thereupon afterward send Master Andrews to Rome to hasten it By all these Articles and passages it is most perspicuous that there was a professed designe in the Duke of Buckingham the Earle of Bristoll Secretary Calvert Cottington Porter Gage and other instruments who contrived the Princes dangerous Journey into Spaine to pervert the Prince in his Religion to make him and all his Children professed Roman Catholikes and the Prince Palatine too and by this meanes to set up Popery in their Dominions to suppresse the Protestant Religion and Professors of it in all places that so the Pope might become Lord Paramount over them and all their Subjects and they his sworne Vassalls How far the Archbishop was privy and assistant to this designe you may partly read in the Breviat of his life P. 3. 14. and shall heare more heareafter in its proper place What the aymes of the Pope and Spaniard were in contriving the Princes progresse into Spaine appeares First by the forementioned common report in the Spanish Court that it was to become a professed Roman Catholike c. Secondly by this notable Letter of the Pope to the Bishop of Conchen one Coppy whereof I found in the Archbishop of Canterburies Study indorsed with his owne hand and another among Secretary Windebankes and the Lord Cottingtons sequestred Papers exhorting him to take this happy opportunity to convert subject and reconcile the Prince and his Dominious to the Sea of Rome Greg. P p 15 us Venerabili Fratri Episcopo Conchen in Hispaniarum Regnis Inquisitori generali VEnerabile Frater salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem Orthodoxae Religionis tutelam fae●citer existimamus in amplissimis Hispaniae Reg●●s commendatam esse Fraternitati tuae scimus enim quàm vigilanter excubant in illustri ista statione Caveas ne ulla impiorum D●gmatum monstra in ecclesiasticae vineae sepes irrepant Verum occasio tibi hoc tempore divinitus oblata est per quam pictatis tuae beneficia è regnorum istorum sinibus educere et ad exteras Nationes proferre possi● Accepimus istuc nuper appulisse Walliae principem Brittaniae R●gis silium spe ductum Catholici Matrimonij Cupimus eum non frustra commorari in illorum Regum aedibus quibus illustre Catholici Cognomentum Ponti●icae Authoritatis defensio et Religionis proferendae studium peperit Quare NOTE Apostolicis litteris horramur Catholicam Majst●tem ut eum Principem redigere suaviter cone●ur sub Romanae Ecclesiae ditionem cui veteres magnae Brittaniae Domini Coronatum Caput et Imperij fasces Caelo plaudente submi●erunt Ad hanc autem victoriam comparandam quae victis aeternos caelestis beatitudinis pollicetur triumphos atque principatus non Regalis Ae●arij vis●era exhauriend● non saevientium militum legiones conscribendae sunt sed Arma lucis è Caelo petenda quae divini luminis splendore ejus Principis oculos alliciant atque ex illius animo errores omnes mansuetudine prostigent In ijs vero tractandis quae sit vis et ars Fraternitatis tuae jampridem accepimus NOTE Quare●e monemus ut ad Catholicum Regem Religiosus consiliarius accedas easque rationes dispicias quibus insigne aliquod beneficium Brittaniae Regnis et Romanae Ecclesiae in presenti rerum opportunitate comparetur Re● ipsa magna atque gravissima est quare eam
Britain for the defence of Kingdomes and for a devine Oracle the which will easiely arrive and that without difficulty if you open your heart to the Lord that knocks upon which depends all th● happines of that Kingdome It is from this our great Charity that we cherish the praises of the Royall Name NOTE and that which makes us desire that you and your Royall Father might be stiled with the names of Deliverers and Restorers of the ancient paternall Religion of Great Britain This is it we hope for trusting in the goodnesse of God in whose hands are the hearts of Kings and who causeth the people of the Earth to receive healing to whom we will alwayes labout with all our power to render you gracious and favourable In the interim take notice by these Letters of the care of our Charity which is none other then to procure your happinesse and it will never grieve us to have written them if the reading of them stirre but the least sparke of the Catholique Faith in the heart of so great a Prince whom we wish to be ●illed with long countinuance of joy and flourishing in the glory of all vertues Given 〈◊〉 Rome in the Pallace of S. Peter the 20. of Aprill 1623. in the Third yeare of o●r Popedome The Prince of Wales having received this Letter made this following answer which was after published in print MOst Holy Father I received the dispatch from your Holinesse with great content and with that respect which the pietie and care wherewith your Holinesse writes doth require It was an unspeakeable pleasure to me to read the generous exploits of the Kings my Predecessours to whose memory posterity hath not given those p●aises and Elogies of honour as were due to them I do 〈◊〉 that your Holines hath set their examples before my eyes to the end that I might imitate them in all my actions for in truth they have often exposed their estates and lives for the exaltation of the holy Chaire And the courage with which they have assaulted the enemies of the Crosse of Jesus Christ hath not beene lesse than the care and thought which I have to the end that the peace and Intelligence which hath hitherto been wanting in Christendome might be bound with the bond of a true concord for like as the common Enemy of peace watcheth alwayes to put hatred and dissention betweene the Christian Princes● so I believe that the glory of God requires that we should indeavour to unite them NOTE And I doe not esteeme it a greater honour to be discended from so great Princes than to imitate them in the zeale of their piety In which it helps me very much to have knowne the mind and will of our thrice honoured Lord and Father the holy intentions of his Catholike Majestie to give a happie corcurrence to so laudabl● a designe For it grieves him extreamely to see the great evill that grows from the division of Christian Princes which the wisdome of Your Holinesse foresaw when it judged the Marriage which you pleased to designe betweene the Infanta of Spain● and my selfe to be necessary to procure so great a good for 't is very certaine that I shall never be so extreamely affectionate to any thi●g in the world as to endeavour allyance with a Prince that hath the same apprehension of the true Religion with my selfe Therefore I intreate Your ●olinesse to beleeve that I have been alwayes very far* NOTE from incouraging Novelties or to be a partisan of any Faction against the Catholick Apostolike Roman Religion But on the contrary I hav●●ought all occasio●s to take away the suspition that might rest upon me and that I will imploy my selfe for the time to come to have but one* Religion and one Faith seeing that we all beleeve in one Iesus Christ. Having resolved in my selfe to spare not●ing that I have in the world and to suffer all manner of discommodities even to the hazarding of my estate and life for a thing so pleasing unto God It rests only that I thank Your Holinesse for the permission which you have been pleased to afford me that I pray God to give you a blessed health and his glory after so much travell which Your Holinesse takes within his Church Signed CHARLES STEWARD Fiftly by dedicating and writing Bookes unto his Highnesse to seduce him to the Romish Religion by inviting him to behold their * Mercure Francois Tom. 9. Anno 1623. p. to 539. 535 to 539. 562. solmne Processions to induce him to reverence and adore their ambularitie Hostia or Breaden God carying him to their most religious places persons famous for pretended miracles especially to the holy Nunne of Carion to whom the Popes Nuncio sent a speciall dispensation to entertaine the Prince and to discourse with him as a thing necessary for the good of the Catholike Church Sixtly by presenting him with Popish Pictures as * Ibid. p. 556 with the beautifull Pictures of our Lady of Saint Ioseph and of sweet Iesus to omit all other Artifices Some Months after the Princes arivall in Spaine the long expected dispensation for the mariage came from Pope Gregory the 15. to the Spanish Court before which time the Prince was not admitted to speake with the Infanta in quality of a Suiter but of a Prince * The Vocall Forrest p. 125. 126. 127. Mercur● Francois but it came clogged with an unhappie unexpected clause thrust in of purpose to retard the proceedings Namely That whereas there were certaine Articles condiscended to by King Iames in favour of the Roman Catholikes in England and other his Majesties dominions the Pope demanded caution from the King and Prince for performance of them before the Marriage consummate To which the King answered That he could give no other caution but his owne and the Princes Royall words and Oaths confirmed by his Councell of State and exemplified under the great Seale of England which security was tendered but this would not satisfie unlesse some Soveraigne Catholique Prince would ingage himselfe for them Thereupon all matters were like to goe off the hinges and a bruite went abroad that the Prince intended to get away covertly At last Conde Olivares propounded three wayes of accommodation The first was that Prince Charles should become a Papist The second that th● Infanta should be delivered to him upon the former security without further condition The third was to binde him as fast as they could and not trust him with any thing Whiles matters were thus canvasing and gathering ill bloud the King of Spaine profered to engage himselfe by Oath for the Kings and Princes performance of the Articles to satisfie the Pope provided he must first consult with his Ghostly Fathers whether he might doe it with safe Conscience or no. Whereupon the businesse was referred to a Committee of Learned Divines Whether the King of Spaine might with safety of Conseience take an Oath in the
humbly beseech you as we assure our selves you doe to lay the serious consideration thereof to your Royall and pious heart and that some timely course may be taken for redresse therein And now if to all these your Majesty will be pleased to adde the consideration of the circumstance of time wherein these courses tending to the destruction of true Religion within these your Kingdomes have been taken even at such times when the same is with open force and violence persecuted in other Countries NOTE and all the reformed Churches of Christendome either depressed or miserably distressed we doe humbly appeale to your Majesties Princely judgement whether there be not a just ground of feare that there is some secret and strange cooperating here with the enemies of our Religion abroad for the utter extirpation thereof and whither if these courses be not speedily redrest and the profession of true Religion encouraged we can expect any other but misery and ruine speedily to fall upon us especially if besides the visible and apparant dangers whereby we are encompassed round about you would be pleased piously to remember the displeasure of Almighty God alwayes bent against the neglect of his holy Religion the stroaks of whole divine justice we have already felt and doe still feele with smart and sorrow in great measure c. This memorable Petition and Remonstrance predicting and if then cordially embruced pursued preventing all those bloody warres and miseries which since have justly befallen us by the growing Popish party both in England and Ireland being presented to his Majesty by the Commons House was not onely slighted disregarded and taken very ill by his Majesty and his Privy Counsellours but likewise called in and suppressed and Bishop Land in the Kings name by his speciall command as he pretends returned this p●remptory answer to it in writing the originall whereof was found in his Study under his owne hand contrary both to his knowledge and conscience A Preface first and then as followes AND although We are not bound to give an account of Our Actions but to God onely out of the honour and integrity of Our Grace the love and care of Our people the great and hearty desire We have to take off all feares and jealousies from Our loyall and loving Subjects We have thought fit to declare these reasons following why We have called in this Remonstrance which yet We presume and constantly beleeve 〈◊〉 framed and delivered up unto Us with good intentions though by amisguised Zeale For first that Remonstrance begins at Religion and feares innovation of it innovation by Popery But We would have Our Subjects of all sorts to call to mind what difficulties and dangers We endured not many yeers since for Religions sake that We are the same still and our holy Religion is as pretious to Vs as it is or can be to any of them and we will no more admit innovation therein then they that think they have done well in fearing it so much 'T is ●ue that all effects expected have not followed upon the Petition delivered at Oxford but We are in least fault for that for supply being not afforded Vs di●inabled Us to execute all that was desired and caused the stay of those legall proceedings which have helped to swell up this Remonstrance Yet let all the Countie of England be examined and London and the Suburbs with them neither is there such a noted encrease of Papists nor such cause of feare as is made nor hath any a●nounted to such an odious Tolerating as is charged upon it nor neere any such For that Commission so much complained of both the Matter and 〈◊〉 of it are utterly mistaken for it doth not dispense with any Penalty or any course to be taken with any Papist for the exercise of their Religion no nor with the 〈…〉 or not conformity to Ours It was advised for the encrease of Our profit and the returning of that into Our purse which abuse or connivency of in●eriour Ministers might perhaps divert another way If that or any other shall be abused in the execution We will be ready to punish upon any just complaint The next feare is the daily growth and spreading of the Arminian Faction called a cunning way to bring in Popery But We hold this charge as great a wrong to Our Selfe and Our Government as the former for Our People must not be taught by● Parliament Remonstrance or any other way NOTE that We are so ignorant of Truth or so carelesse of the profession of it that any Opinion or Faction or whatever it be called should thrust it selfe so farre and so fast into Our Kingdomes without Our knowledge of it this is a meere dreame of them that wake and would make Our loyall and loving People think We sleepe the while In this charge there is great wrong done to two eminent Prelates that attend Our Person for they are accused without producing any the least shew or shadow or proof against them and should they or any other attempt innovation of Religion either by that open or any cunning way We should quickly take other order with them and not stay for your Remonstrance To help on this Our people are made beleeve there is a restraint of Books Orthodoxall But We are sure since the late Parliament began some whom the Remonstrance cals Orthodox have assumed to themselves an unsufferable liberty in printing Our Proclamation commanded a restraint on both sides till the passions of men might subside and calme and had this been obeyed as it ought We had not now been tossed in this tempest and for any distressing or discountenancing of good Preachers We know there is none if they be as they are called Good But Our good people shall never want that spirituall comfort which is due unto them And for the preferments which We bestow We have ever made it Our great Care to give them as rewards of desert and paines but as the preferments are Ou ts so will We be Judge of the desert Our Selfe and not be taught by a Remonstrance For Ireland We thinke in Case of Religion 't is not worse then Queen Elizabeth left it and for other affaires 't is as good as We found it nay perhaps better and We take it for a great disparagement of Our Government that it should be voyced that new Monasteries NOTE Nunneries and other Superstitious Houses are erected and replenished in Dublin and other great Townes of that Our Kingdome for We assure Our Selfe Our Deputy and Counsell there will not suffer God and Our Government so to be dishonoured but We should have had some accompt of it from them and We may not endure to have Our good people thus missed a They are 〈◊〉 into bloody 〈◊〉 with shewes There is likewise somewhat considerable in the time when these practises to undermine true Religion in Our Kingdomes are set on foot The Remonstrance 〈◊〉 Vs it is now when
been at Rome he told me in Iune and Iuly last past I asked him how the affaires ●ent there he told me Their opinion of us was that his sacred Majesty was favourable to the Catholiques that SOME GREAT ONES ABOVT HIM were so to or IN HEART MORE a a The Archbishop himselfe ONE he names concerning whom as at home so abroad as of old of the best of men there was much 〈◊〉 among the people for some said he was a good man others said nay he deceiveth the people c. There is as I am informed by a discreet Gentleman at Florence a Jesuit lately returned from England to Rome who pretend● to have made a strict discovery of the state of England as it stands for Religion how King is disposed how Queene what Lords are of the Puritan faction what not● but by name his honour o● Dorset and Pembroke are strong for Precisians He sayes that the Puritan● are shrendfellowe● NOTE but those which are counted good Protestants are faire conditioned honest men and think they may be saved in any Religion I am promised the relation written if it come to my hands and there be any thing in it worthy your Graces view I shall hereafter humbly present it to you as now my selfe Your 〈◊〉 most humble and most obedient Servant William 〈◊〉 The letter is thus indorsed with Master Dels hand Recepi Octob. 9. 1635. Soone after this I find a paper of intelligence written to Secretary Windebanke from Rome the 29. of December 1635. wherein there is this passage There is a ●ew Ambassadour from England arrived in this Court Major Bret as I conceive for whom there was a speciall lodging provided and entertainment at the publike cost What his businesse was but to negotiate a reconciliation I know not which proceeded so far that it was generally reported at Rome we should have an English Cardinal and it was conceived by some Roman Catholike that the Arch-bishop had a hand in sending Bret to Rome as is evident by this letter of Master Middleton from Venice to the Arch-bishop himselfe informing him hereof Right honourable and most reverend c. IN Rome there is great talke of an English Cardinall and the man who is already 〈◊〉 Catholicke must be the man NOTE Mr. Mountague Your Lordship I know will 〈◊〉 if not at this yet at that I shall now write A Catholick discoursing with me let a word fall and this it was That within this twelve moneth the Pope did wish that his sacred Majesty of England were at once his trusty s●nne for thou he would not be used a● he 〈◊〉 by French or Spaniard the same party did not aske the question but only thus I wonder whether my Lord of Canterbury have any hand in the sending of Serjeant Major Bret to Rome I answered because I saw he was fishing surely no because NOTE as you know it is written he comes from the Queen and in her name Rome is very kind to our English Gentlemen I humbly entreat your Graces pardon if in a desire to let nothing I heare scape your knowledge I must lowly offer unto you such things as will make you lose so much time as you shall read the Letter but though your Lordship lose a little time let not me I beseech you loose that good opinion which I hope you have conceived of Your Graces most really devoted and obedient Servant William Middleton December 21. 1635. In these two letters there are some clauses concerning Francis●us de Sa●ta Clara his book intituled Deus Natura Gratia written purposely printed in England to reconcile us to Rome and afterward licensed and printed at Rome it selfe to this end though the Jesuits did some of them dislike it as over-moderate of which more in its due place In the yeer 1636. Signior Gregorio Panzani the Popes Nuncio in England and Major Bret our English Agent at Rome being discharged of their negotiations Signior 〈…〉 a Scot was appointed by the Pope to succeed Panzani at his Nunciog●rio and Sir William Hamilton a Scot too sent hence Leger to Rome what letters present● pictures he carried with him from hence and from whom is worthy inquiry That Windebanke 〈…〉 were privy to this succession and negotiation will appeare by this letter of 〈◊〉 Phi●lips the Queen● Confessor to him the originall whereof found among his 〈◊〉 is ready to be produced thus indorsed with Windebanks owne hand 9 Iune 1636. Father Phillips rec 10. Right honourable YEster night after your honours departing from Hampton Court I received this inclosed the Gentleman who sent it to me from Paris writeth that Sir William Hamilton departed from thence the 3. of Iune NOTE that is our 24. of May so that now he must be heere unto Rome He writeth also that Seignior Georgio Conco whom the Pope doth send to the Queen was to depart from Rome about the ●0 of May if he have heard of Sir Williams hasty going it may be he will stay till his arrivall which I could wish because he both can and would help him better at the beginning then any other I know I rest ever Your Honours most humble and devoted Servant R. Phillips From Ha●pton-Cou●t the 9. of June 1636. Sir William Hamilton soone after arrived at Rome as English agent there where he had special lodgings provided for him and a pension of 500. l. per annum granted to him in another Hamiltons name out of the Exchequer here for his service there Before this time the Congregation of propagating the Faith at ●ome having good hopes of the conversion and reduction of England to their obedience constituted Cardinall Barbarino Nephew and Vice Chancellour to the late deceased Pope ●a●ron and Protector of the English and Scottish Nation as Cardinall a See p. ●09 ●●dovisius was of the Irish who to facilitate their designe erected a speciall society of foure orders or Jesuits in England whereof the Popes Legat for the time being residing in England was the chief Patron and Cardinall Barbarin● the principall Superintendent as you may read more at large in my b Page ●3 See Romes Master-piece from one who was privy to the plot sent over hither by Cardinall Barbarino to assist Con this Cardinall held intimate correspondence wi●h Windebanke as is apparant by the forementioned letter of Panzani and by these ensuing passages in Master Thomas VVindebankes letter to him from Rome wherein he thus expresseth his entertainment at Rome by Sir William Hamilton and this Cardinall to his Father Sir MY most humble duty remembred c. Sir William Hamilton hath been pleased to put so great an obligation upon me as to invite me to his house for the time that I am in Rome I would very willingly have avoyded the putting him to such an inconvenience but he pressed it so farre that I could not refuse the receiving of that favour the Cardinall Barbarino I understand HATH LONG EXPECTED
manner of doubt by reason of actuall Invasion of the Scotish Rebels with so great an Army and the same so far advanced that the whole Kingdom may soon be over-run unlesse by a great power they be repelled and beaten back And whereas His Majesties Subjects of the North parts of this Kingdom do cheerfully hold together and serve His Majesty in this great occasion at their own charge both with their Bodies and Fortunes without trouble to His Majesty We have therefore thought good hereby to pray and require your Lordships to acquaint the Country with the sence of this Boord in this particular and that We doubt not but His Majesties Subjects of that County will in this occasion shew as much forwardnesse and zeal for the common safety wherein We are all so neerly concerned as is either shewn now in the Northern parts or hath been practised in any other time of danger heretofore in this Kingdom Which We do hereby effectually recommend to your Lordships care and bid your Lordship very heartily farewell From White-Hall the 16. of September 1640. Your Lordships very loving Friends W. Cant. Guil London Arundell and Surrey Dorset Fra. Cottington Fra. Windebank Tho. Roe To our very good Lord the Lo Cottington Lo Lieutenant of the County of Dorset and in his Lordships absence to his Deputy Lieutenants After the Scots entrance into England the Archbishop received this Letter of Intelligence from one Iohn Rocket mentioned in his * See the Breviate of his life p. 23. Diary which lively sets forth their opinion of him To the most Reverend Father in God William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate and Metropolitan of all England and one of His Majesties most Honorable Privie Counsell At his Pallace this c. Lambeth Right Reverend Father DUty binds me to study your Graces health and to frame my weake endeavours correspondent to your gracious pleasure which is the accomplishment of my desire and joy the only motive of my Intelligence I therefore desire to acquaint your Grace with what is dangerous to your person and adverse to your happinesse which is that I received from the Scots of which I am Sole witnesse and your Grace only made acquainted with viz. After the late Skirmish betwixt the English and the Scots at Newburne my occasions urged me to return to Blaiden a Town betwixt Newburne and Newcastle whether my journey tending the Rebellious Scots tooke me upon Chestenmore the midd-way betwixt Durham and Newcastle either for a Spie or a Iesuit And being had to Durham was detained there for the space of four dayes viz. from the 8. day of September till the 13. when being examined I fashioned my speech for their humours and complyed my self as neer as I could to their dispositions with which at length they were affected supposing me to be one of their beloved Brethren whereon great tokens of love and familiarity were moved and private discourse for the space of five houres relating such news whereof they were knowing wherein they vomited the venome of their malicious minds and revealed the extremity of their wrath against your Grace Calling you Papist Priest Note a new Bonner a Superstitious and proud Bishop on whom if they might not revenge the Lords Quarrell satisfie their minds and cut off Superstition by cutting down your Grace the mighty son of Belial and high Priest of Baal For in such tearms they expressed their mischievous thoughts We hope and know we have some holy and zealous Brethren in England who● will take up our Quarrell against this rageing Tyrant and Bloud-sucking Wolf the Archbishop of Canterbury whom they hoped to heare slaine shortly if not by themselves by some people litle suspected These things or worse right reverend Father I heard and I alone which I could not refraine but signifie to your Grace with all the hast I could whereby you might avoid their rage and crueltie and your person might be preserved in safety in spight of all their envious Plots flourishing in this Kingdome gloriously for which earn●stly and truely prayes Your humble Servant in all duties most ready though unknowne John Rocket From Seth Bernard his house in the Minster yard at York September 16. 1640. This Letter is thus Endorsed with the Archbishops own hand Rece Septemb. 21. 1640. From Mr. Iohn Rocket a man whom I never saw The hatred of the Scots against my Person and Life I shall conclude with Mr. Alvyes Letter to him the then Arminian and Superstitious Vicar of Newcastle Thus Endorsed with the Archbishops hand Rece Octob. 19. 1640. Mr. Alvyes Case in and since his flight from Newcastle To the most Reverend Father in God William by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate and Metropolitan of all England and one of His Majesties most Honorable Privie Counsell Most Reverend and Right Honorable I Make bold to represent unto your Grace the sum of that which I lately represented to His Maj●sty in an humble Petition that I am for the present Outed of all my Spirituall promotions to the yeerly value of 300. l. and have most of my moveable goods seized upon by the Rebells being forced upon some threatning speeches given out by them that they would deale more rigoro●sly with me then others suddenly to desert all and to provide for the safety of my Self Wife and seven Children by a speedy flight in the night time how they would have dealt with me they have since made evident by their harsh dealling with two of my Cura●s whom I le●t to Officiate for me in my absence who have not only been interrupted in reading Divine Service but threatned to be Pistold if they would not desist from the execution of their Office And whereas I had lately purchased 60. l. per anum in Northumberland and hoped to have been supplyed that way in these calamitous time till I might with safety return they have since I presented my Petition to His Majesty seized upon that also and commanded my Servant to be accomptable to them for it this is my case at this time His Majesties gracious Answer returned to my Petition by Mr. Secretary Vane was That he would recommend me in special manner to your Grace and it pleased His Majesty further to signify Note that he had received good Intelligence from me and that hereafter I should have a remembrance over and above for it There was a Letter found in Newcastle superscribed to the Lords of the Scottish Army which coming first to my hands I presented to His Majesty Another Letter was sent me from a Merchant in Newcastle which discovers the miserable estate of that Town I shewed it to Sir Henry Vane I my self also was commanded by His Majesty to give in to the Lord Bishop of Durham a short relation of some remarkeable passages of the Scots proceedings in or neer about Newcastle which accordingly I did and least any of them have not as yet come to your
Graces hands I have here inclosed them all Thus with my prayers for the long continuance of your Graces health and happy government of this Church I humbly take my leave Your Graces in all due observance Eldard Alvey York Octob. 16. 1640. What else concerns the Archbishops activity and proceedings in the Scottish Troubles and Wars you may read in the Articles exhibited against him to the Lords in Parliament by the Scotch Commissioners and the House of Commons But before I leave this subject I shall onely give you a little more light how active the Papists were to concur with the Archbishop a●d Prelates in setting on these Scottish Wars Troubles and what advantages they made of them Not long before the Scottish troubles one Francis Smith a great Iesuit discoursing with Mr. * See the Popish Royall Favourite p. 31. Iames Wadd●sworth and one Mr. Yaxley in Norfolk touching some points of Religion used these speeches It is not now a time nor way for us to bring in our Religion by Disputes or Bookes of Controversy But IT MUST BE DONE BY AN ARMY and BY FIRE AND SWORD This Smith usually frequented Lambeth house and Windebanks Lodgings with whom he was very familiar and was no doubt a great stickler in raising the Scottish Tumults and fomenting that war as well as other Iesuits to further which and advance the Catholick cause the Queen-Mother of France unexpectedly came over into England and landed at Harwich about the 19. of October 1638. This war was no sooner resolved on by the King by the Archbishop and his confederations instigations but the Popes Nuncio with the Priests Iesuits and Roman Catholicks of England and Wales all privy to the plot assembled together in a kind of Parliament or generall Counsell of State at London in Aprill 1639. In which Councell convened by the Queens command Con the Popes Nuncio sate President where in imitation of the Bishops and Clergies forementioned Contributions to maintain this war they all resolved upon a liberall Contribution towards it To which end the Queen her self Sir Ke●elm Digby and Mr. Walter Mountague together with the Noblemen Gentlemen Priests and Recusants assembled at London writ severall Letters to all Recusants in the severall Counties of England and Wales to excite them to a most liberall and free Benevolence towards the maintenance of this warre appointing speciall Collectors publikely to gather in the same in regard whereof all Processe against Recusants were stayed by His Majesties speciall direction who was privy to this assembly and contribution as is evident by his * See the Royall Popish favourite p. 16. answer to Mr. Pulfords Petition The verity of this contribution of the Papists is most apparent by these ensuing Copies of their severall Letters produced and read in the Commons House * See the Diurnall Occurrences c. p. 22. to 23. Ianuary 28. 1640. on which day Sir Kenelm Digby and Mr. Mountague were brought upon their knees at the Commons Barre for furthering this Collection with their Letters which they there professed they did write and disperse onely in duty to the King to relieve him he being at that time in great distresse for moneys The Queens Letter for the Levying of money Henretta Maria R. VVE have so good a beleefe of the loyalty and affection of his Majesties Catholike Subjects as we doubt not but upon this occasion that hath called his Majesty into the Northern parts for the defence of his Honour and Dominions they will expresse themselves so affected as we have alwaies represented them to his Maj●sty so in this common consent which hath appeared in the Nobility Iudges ●entry and others to forward His Majesties service by their persons and states Note We have made no difficulty to answer for the same correspondency in his Catholike Subjects as Catholikes notwithstanding they all have already concurred to this his Majesties service according to the qualities whereof they are when others of the same quality were called upon for we beleeve that it bec●me us Note who have been so often interested in the s●licitation of their benefits to shew our selves now in the perswasion of their gratitude Therefore having already by his Majesty by other meanes recommended to them this earnest desire of ours to assist and serve his Majesty by some considerable summe of money freely and cheerfully presented We have thought fit to the end th●t this our desires may be the more publik● and the more authorized hereby to give you Commission and direction to distribute Copies under your hand of this testification thereof unto those that have met in London by our direction Note about this businesse and unto the severall Collectors of every County And as we presume the 〈◊〉 they will raise will not be unworthy our presenting to the King so sh●ll we be very sensible of it as a particular respect to our selves and will endeavour in the most efficatious manner we can to improve the merit of it and to remove any apprehension of prejudice that any who shall imploy themselves towards the successe of this businesse may conceive by this they may be assured that we will secure them from all such objected inconveniences And we are very confident that this our first recommendation will be so complyed with all Note as may not onely afford us particular satisfaction but also faciliation towards their 〈◊〉 advantages Given under our signet at White Hall this 17. of April 1639. Sir Kenelme Digbies and Master Mountagues Letter concerning the Contribution IT is sufficient already knowne to every one the extraordinary Graces and Protections● Note we owe the Queenes Majesty to whose favourable intercession we must ascribe the happy moderation we live under so as we doubt not but an occasion of the expression of our gratitudes will joyfully be embraced by every body which the present estate of his Majesties affaires doth now offer us We have already by our former Letters endeavoured to prepare you to a cheerefull assistance of his Majesty in his declared journey to the Northerne parts for the securing of his Kingdome and such other purposes as his Royall wisedome shall resolve of That so you may really demonstrate your selves as good Subjects as God and nature requires of you Now Her Majesty hath been graciously pleased to recommend unto us the expressions of our duties and zeale to his Majesties service by some considerable gift from the Catholiques and to remove all scruples that even well-aff●icted persons may meete with she undertakes to secure us and all that shall employ themselves in this businesse from any inconvenience that may be suspected by their or our forwardnesse and declaration in this kind It will easily appeare to every body how much it imports us Note in our sence of her Majesties desires to pr●sse everybody to straine himselfe even to his best abilities in his Proposition since by it we shall certainly preserve her graciousnesse to us and
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 unproc●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 cōmission 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 ●Mohones triall by Sir William Steuart Sir William Colc Sir Willi●m Hamilton Sir Charles Coot Sir Arthur Lofi●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
the 24 we met again in Councell and sent to all parts of the Kingdome the inclosed Proclamation and issued Pattents to draw hither seven horse Troopes as a further strength to this place and to be with us in case the Rebels shall make head and march hitherward so as we may be necessitated to give them Battell we also then sent away our Letters to the Presidents of both the Provinces of Munster and Conaught and we likewise then sent Letters to the Sheriffes of the five Counties of the Pale to consult of the best way and meanes of their own preservation That day the Lord Viscount Fitzwilliam and the Lord of Houth and since the Earle of Kildare Trigall and the Lords of Dunsany and Slane all Noble men of the English Pale came unto u● declaring that they then and not before heard of the matter and professed all Loyalty to his Majesty and concurrence with the State but said they wanted Armes whereof they desired to bee supplyed by us which wee told them we would willingly doe as relying much on their faithfulnesse to the Crown but wee were not yet certaine whether or no we had enough to Arme our strength for the Guard of the City and Castle yet we supplyed such of them as lay in most danger with a small proportion of Arms and Ammunition for their Houses lest they should conceive we apprehended any jealousie of them And wee commanded them to be very diligent in sending out Watches and making all the discoveries they could and thereof to advertise us which they readily promised to doe And if it fall out that the Irish generally rise which we have cause to suspect then we must of necessity put Armes into the hands of the English Pale in present and to others as fast as wee can to fight for defence of the State and themselves Your Lordship now sees the condition wherein we stand and how necessary it is first that we enjoy your presence speedily for the better guiding of these and other the publike affaires of the King and Kingdome and secondly that the Parliament there be moved immediately to advance to us a good sum of money which being now speedily sent hither may prevent the expence of very much Treasure and blood in a long continued warre and if your Lordship shall happen to stay on that side any long time we must then desire your Lordship to appoint a Lievtenant Generall to discharge the great and weighty burthen of commanding the Forces here Amidst these confusions and disorders fallen upon us we bethought us of the Parliament which was formerly adjourned to November next and the Terme now also at hand which will draw such a concourse of people hither and give opportunity under the pretence of assembling and taking new councells seeing the former seemes to bee in some part disappointed and of contriving further danger to this State and people wee have therefore found it of unavoydable necessity to prorogue the Parliament to the 24 day of February next and therefore we doe by Proclamation prorogue it accordingly and to direct the Term to be adjourned to the first of Hillary Terme excepting only the Court of Exchequer for hasting in the Kings money if it be possible We desire that upon this occasion your Lordship will be pleased to view our letters concerning the Plantation of Conaught dated the 24 of April last directed to Mr Secretary Vane in that part thereof which concernes the County of Monaghan where now these fires do first break out In the last place we must make known to your Lordship that the Army we have consisting but of 2000 foot and a 1000 horse are so dispersed in Garrisons in severall parts of the foure Provinces for the security of those parts as they continually have been since they were so reduced as if they be all sent for to be drawn together not only the places whence they are to bee drawne and for whose safety they lie there must be by their absence distressed but also the Companies themselves comming in so small numbers may bee in danger to be cut off in their March nor indeed have we any money to pay the Souldiers to enable them to March. And so we take leave an● remaine Your Lordships to be commanded From his Majesties Castle of Dublin 25. Octob. 1641. Poscript THe said Owen Connelly who revealed this Conspiracy is worthy of very great consideration to recompence that faith and loyalty which hee hath so extreamly to his own danger expressed in this businesse whereby under God there is yet hope left us of deliverance of this State and Kingdom from the wicked purposes of those Conspirators And therefore we bese●●● your Lordship that it be taken into consideration there so as hee may have a marke of his Majesties most Royall bounty which may largely extend to him and his Posterity we not now being able to doe it for him As wee were making up these our Letters the Sheriffe of the County of Monoghan and Dr Teats having fled came unto us and informe us of much more spoyle committed by the Rebels in the Counties of Monoghan and Caven And that the Sheriffe of the County of Caven joynes with the Rebels being a Papist and prime man of the Irish. What encouragment these Conspiratours had from Rome to proceed on in this design after it was in part prevented will evidently appeare by these three Letters written from thence to the Lord Mac Guire and Sir Phelym Oneale in Irish intercepted by the Lords Iustices in Ireland and sent over thus truly translated into England together with a Letter May 11. 1642. In which we may clearely discover that Cardinall Barbarino who was so intimate with Windebanke and held correspondency with him and the English Papists had a great hand in plotting this long intended Rebellion and was privy to it ere it brake forth A Copy of a Letter from Francis Mac Guire from Rome to the Lord Mac Guire The superscription Deliver me to Connor Mac Guire Lord of Eniskilin or in his absence to his brother Rowry Mac Guire in Ireland My honoured Lord THousand commendations unto you to Bryan Rowry and the rest I have heard of yours and Hugh Oge his imprisonment truly I never heard worse newes in all my life who esteeme that it is rather much good then any hurt which will redownd to you and the whole Nation from these your troubles Truly my Lord if you bee dead through that attempt the ●which God forbid it is a most glorious and everlasting name Note which you have added to your selfe The Pope and the two Cardinals his two Nephewes are acquainted with your case and heard likewise how valorously Phelym and Rowry and the rest of the Gentlemen their assistants have behaved themselves and rejoyced greatly thereat so that I make no question he will help you if you demand his side as becomes you therefore Bonaventura O C●nny brother to Eneas O Con●y who
by Bishop Bedles letters the Commons petition and other Evidences p 101 to 214 Cherished in Ireland of purpose by the Lord Deputy Wentworth to ballance the Protestants and make them serve his turnes in Parliament p 113 117 118 238. Their t●mult in Dubliu p 119 Divisions between the secular Priests and regular in Ireland and their titular Archbishop of Dublin p 106 to 110. The Deput●es project to pack a Parliament in Ireland and conquer that Nation and Kingdome by it p 114 to 119. The Protestants grieved and oppressed by the Papists there p 110 to 113 The Protestation of the Archbishops and Bishops there against a Toleration of Popery p. 83. The rise and progresse of the late Irish Rebellion and the chiefe Actors in it p 218 to 252. Discovered in grosse to the King and Windebank above a yeare before it brake out p 219 220 c. All the Irish in forraigne parts privy to and active in it especially their Priests and Friers p. 220 to 252. All the Papists in England privy and assistant to it p. 226 251. The Pope Cardinall Barbarino and Irish at Rome privy to it and much rejoyced at it p 230. c. 247. to 253. The Spaniards French and other popish States acquainted with it and assistant to it p 220. to 253. Above one hundred fifty two thousand Protestants murthered and destroyed the foure first months by the Rebels p. 226 242 243. The Pops Indulgance granted to the Rebels for extirpating the Heriticks and exhorting them to persevere in and accomplish that worke p. 251. Mr Henry Iermyn his plot and ●light p 212 213. His Letter to Windebank into France and power with the Queene p. 131. 134. Iudge Iones a character of him p. 220. L. Archbishop Laud privy to the Kings and Dukes voyage into Spain and a furtherer of that Match p 34 Writ letters to the Duke of Buckingham into France and was privy to that macth p 73 74. A procurer and count●nancer of Dr Manwarings and Sybthorpes Sermons in justification of Lones and arbitrary taxes imposed by the Kings prerogative without a parliament and accused in parliament for licensing them p 86 90. Accused by the Commons as a Favourer of Arminians and persons popishly affected Iun. 11. 1628. p 92. His saucy and scandalous false answer to the Commons Remonstrance p 93 94 95. Bishop Bedles and Vshers letters to him concerning the power and encrease of papists in Ireland p. 101 to 113. The Lord Deputy Wentworth his desperate dispatch to him concerning parliaments in Ireland p. 114. to 118. Windebanke made Secretary of State by him p. 122 123. Presents his humble service to him out of France p. 127. What opinion they had of him at Rome and Venice p. 143. Twice proffered seriously a Cardinals Cap p. 140. He advanced Bishop Montague an Arminian and one who held correspondency with the popes Nuncio p. 146 147. His Innovations in England and power in Ireland p. 148. His whole proceedings letters directions alterations Contributions c. concerning the late Scottish Lyturgy and Warres against the Scots p. 148 to 189. He fradulently ex post facto procureth and forgeth divers Warrants from the King written wi●h his owne and his Secretary Dells ●and touching the Scottish Canons Lyturgy Contributions and intelligence with the Scottish Bishops p. 149. 152 156 174. His many popish alterations and insertions for the introducing of Altars Transubstantion the sacrifice of the Masse Prayer to Saints and other Popish rites writ with his own hand and taken out of the Roman Missall and Pontificall made in the New Scottish Liturgy worthy observation p. 156 to 164. An Enemy to the Sabbath p. ●58 The Kings chiefe Councellor in the Scottish Warres by the Iesuites owne letters and adviseth him to subdue them by an Irish Army p. 170. 171. his Listing Assessing and conventing men before the Councell Table to lend to the Scotish Warres his and the Clergies large contributions towards these Wa● with his letters to further the s●me p. 174. to 189. The Lord Conwayes and other letters to him concerning the Scotts affaires and Wars p. 172. 173. 174. 183. to 189. His tyranny injustice in the high Commission and intimacy with Father Leander and other Popish Priests and Recusants p. 205. to 209. 198. The Irish Rebells reported their Confederates in England had taken the Tower of London and rescued film from the Parliament p 226. His pride in Scotland and here page 205. 206. 207. Earle of Leicesters favours to Windebanke in France p. 130. 133. Father Leander Generall of the English Benedictiones Archbishop La●ds Chamberfellow in Oxford and very intimate with him here sent over to reconcil● us to Rome p. 145. 206. 207. persecuted by the Iesuites p. 144. Livet a Papist proceedings against him stayed by royall command p. 140. Ludovicus a sancta Maria his Theologicall conclusions printed at Rome p. 145. his Lecherous and lewde behaviour in England Ibid. Cardinall Ludovisio protector of the Irish Nation p. 109. M. Marshall Law the Lord Conwayes advice about it p. 185. 186. Master Moore a chiefe Actor in the Irish Rebellion p. 227. to 237. Henry Mac Carter his full examination touching the Irish Rebellion p. 202. 203. 204. Masse endeavoured to be introduced by Archbishop Land in the Scottish Li●urgy into which he inserts divert things out of the Masse Roman Missall p. 158. to 163. Mac-Mohon's examinations touching the Irish Rebellion p. 237. to 241. Maguires examinations Confession touching the Irish Rebellion p 226. to 240. Nich Le Maistre his testimony concerning the designe of the French match p. 69. Sir Toby Mathew a dangerous active Iesuite p. 210. 211 The Popes Bull to him commending his last Nuncio Rossetti to his charge as to his Angell Gardian p. 201. 211. Si● Henry Merry a Recusant his protection p. 139. Master Middletons Letters to Archbishop Laud from Venice p. 142. 143. Bishop Mountagu● advanced by Laud an Arminian his intimacy with the Popes Nuncio his letter to Windebanke for a Licence to his sonne to goe to Rome and his entertainment there p. 146. 147. Master Walter Mountague his first voyage to Rowe his extraordinary entertainment in his passage thither there this intimacy with the Pope and Cardinalls promised and expected a Cardinals Cap his dangerousnesse Sir Kelime Digbies late letter to him and the Queenes intention to make him a Cardinall at this present could he procure his liberty p. 140. 141. 143. 210. 211. 212. 253. 254. His Letters to the Papists concerning a contribution against the Scotts p. 190. 191. his intimacy with Windebanke p. 131. 132 133. 134. N Nuncioes sent from the Pope into England see C●n Pau●ani Rossetti The Apprentices and People take notice of them p. 895. to 199. 208. to 282. O. Oath of King Iames to the Spanish Articles and in favour of Papists p. 43. to 47. of K. Charles to like purpose and not to endeavour to convert the Queen or withdraw her from or
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 no● 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 mea●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