and honour your Majesty so much that I would have discovered an intended Plot Note which I doubt this next Summer will be put in execution against the State of our Kingdome of Ireland but that I am sworne the contrary I was requested after many deepe Protestations and injunctions not to make it knowne to be an actor in the designe I refused it and tooke time to consider your Majesty with your learned Councell may finde out and prevent the ensuing perills I have this day poysoned my selfe at the Kings Bench Barre to prevent the malice of Iudge loanes and of your Judges whom as I shall Answer at the dreadfull day would unjustly have deprived me of life had not my selfe prevented him he hath done this not for any benefit to the weale publike but upon particular revenge he only aimed at my blood and life I beseech your Majesty to give him my carcase to eare also a corrupter Judge I suppose the Kingdom hath not any Roberies Murthers and all manner of villany shall passe by himâ— undiscerned let him be but bribed otherwise the Inocents must suffer and so have I. What the party was who writ this Letter I cannot certainly determin but certaine it is he was some Souldier dwelling in Ireland at first who should have been an Actor in the Irish Rebellion was charged under an Oath of Secrecy not to reveal it above a yeare before it brake out this letter being written in 1640. before Windebankes slight and Judge Iones his death The party who writ it was it seemes examined concerning this Plot as appeares by these heades of his examination indorsed in another hand on the backe of the Originall viz. Roch a Priest that lived in Develin a Bishop called Barâ—well wâ—ld commond him to Tyrone in Flanders * This Tyrone was Owen Oneal that had the Regiment and he should be an Actor in the dâ—signe THAT SHOVLD FREE THE PAPISTS IN IRELAND We may TAKE DEVELIN BY AN ANSLAT as easily as kisse a mans hand The Kingdome is so secure and the Souldiers so base AS IT IS AS EASIE TO TAKE THE KINGDOME The Souldiers are but hirelings for 13. pound a yeare and so they serve all their men and scarce pay them but you shall be better used Goe into England get up your debts AND WEE WILL IMPLOY YOV Stanley and others have beene ill used AND GIVING THEIR SERVICE TO VS HAVE RELEASED THEMSELVES OF THOSE ENEMIES SO MIGHâ— HEE Doe The Examination and confession indorsed on the Letter informes us of these particulars 1. That the Plotte mentioned in the Letter was to surprise Dublin and the Kingdome of Ireland too The very plot the Rebels intended endeavoured afterwards to put in execution 2ly that the end of it was to free the Papists in Ireland 3ly That they thought this Plot was as easie feasible as to kisse a mans hand 4ly That one Roch a Priest in Divelin and a Bishop called * This Barnwell was a man very Active in this Conspiracy as appeares by Maguires confession following Barnwell were the parties who acquainted him with the Plot under an Oath of secrecy would have engaged him in it 5ly That Tiroen to wit Owen Oneal the man who raised the Regiment of 3500. men desired a Recrute in the former paper was the person to whom he shold be recommended in Flanders to be a principal actor in this Plot being there enabled to raise men Armes and traine up the conspirators to the use of Armes without suspition or noise better then in any other place 6ly That they had then drawne Standley and other Souldiers to their party Seventhly that all this was confessed and discovered in manner aforesaid above a yeare before this Rebellion brake out That this Plot was thus laid and discovered before hand to Owen O Neale in Flanders will appeare by this examination taken upon Oath in Ireland The Examination of Henry Mac Cart taken before Sir Gerrald Lowther Knight Chiefe Iustice of His Majesties Court of Common Pleas and Sir Robert Meredeth Knight Chancellour of His Majesties Court of Exchequer of His Majesties Privie Councell of the Kingdome of Ireland by direction of the Right Honourable the Lords Iustices and Councell the 12th day of February 1641. VVHo being sworne and examined saith that about nine yeares since he this Examinant left the Kingdome of Ireland and went into Flanders under the command of Iames Fitz-Garret of Ballysonan in the County of Kildare and at his said Captaines landing In Flanders he and his company were put into the Regiment of Owen Roe O Neale Colonell under the Cardinall where this examinant served for about two yeares of the said time under the said Captaine Fitz-Garret and then was transferred under the command of Captaine Conn O Neale in the same Regiment and afterwards was preferred by the said Colonell Owen O Neale to be his Major Domo which Office is of the nature of Steward of his House and after was by the said Owen made Quarter-master of his Regiment in which imployment he this examinant remained untill he was sent into this Kingdom by the said Colonell Owen O Neile And this examinant saith that Sir Phelim Roe O Neale had sent a Table with a Character from this Kingdome of Ireland unto Col. Owen O Neale into Flanders the which Table was lost at the siege of Ayre And for the losse of which Character he this examinant heard the said Colonell lament much saying That all the great Townes Ports Provinces and remarkable places and persons in the Kingdome of Ireland had their particular names deciphered in that Table After which time the said Colonell received from Captaine Conn O Neale Nephew unto him the said Owen one other Table of Characters of the like contents And the said Captaine Conn was sent from Flanders into England about Lent last by the said Colonell to obtaine leave for the raising of men in this Kingdome of Ireland under pretence of carrying the said men so to be raised into Flanders Note The true intention of the raysing of those men being to set on foot the Rebellion in Ireland which hath since accordingly been done and the said Conn having spent about six weekes in England retuâ—ned into Flanders upon pretence of furnishing himselfe with money for the raysing of the said men but before he the said Conn returned backe for England the said Colonell Owen being on a journey unto the siege of Ayre there repaired unto him Hugh Mac Phelim Birne now a Colonell among the Rebells of this Kingdome of Ireland who formerly had been a Captaine in Tirones Regiment in Spaine and the said Hugh remained with the said Colonell Owen about foure and twenty houres most of which time they spent in private conference in which discourse he this Examinant over-heard the said Hugh say We are to adventure our lives for the succouring of a scabbed Towne of the King of Spaines where we may happily
doe and to that end Sir Phelims brother Terlagh O Neale should be sent to them and the Nuâ—ie which should be undertaken by Sir Conne Kenish and his Brothers for whom Sir Phelim in regard they were his Brothers in Law his deceased Lady being their Sister did undertake Moreover it was agreed that Sir Phelim Mr. Relly Mr. Collâ— Mac Mahone and my Brother should with all the speed they could after that day raise all the forces they could and follow us to Dublin but to arme the men and succour us and defend and Garrison the Towne and Castle and likewise Master Moore should appoint Leinster Gentry to send like supply of men Then there was feare of the Scots conceived that they should presently oppose themselves and that that would make the matter more difficult and to avoyd which danger it was resolved on not to meddle with them or any thing belonging to them and to demeane themselves towards them as if they were of themselves which they thought would pacifie them from any opposition Note and if the Scots would not accept of that offer of Amity but would oppose them they were in good hope to cause a stir in Scotland that might divert them from them and I beleeve the ground for that hope was that two yeares before in or about the beginning of the Scoâ—s troubles my Lord of Tirone sent one Torilagh O Neale a Priest out of Spaine and that this I take it was the time that he was in Treaty with Cardinall Richelieu to my Lord of Argile to treat with him for helpe from my Lord for him to come into Ireland as was said for Marriage between the said Earle and my Lord of Argiles Daughter or Sister I know not which and this Messenger was in Ireland with whom Mr. Torilagh O Neale Sir Phelims Brother had conference from whom this relation was had that said Messenger went into Scotland as I did heare from the said Mr. Neale or from Emer Mac Mahone afore named I know not from which of them but what he did there I couâ—d never heare by reason that my Lord of Tyrone was presently after killed They were the more confirmed therein hearing that my Lord of Argile did say neare on the same time as I ghesse and when the Army was raised in Ireland as I thinke to a great Lady in Scotland I know not her name but did heare that she was much imbarked in the troubles of that Kingdome Note then she questioning how they could subsist against the two Kingdomes of England and Ireland that if the King did endeavour to stir Ireland against them he would kindle such a fire in Ireland as would hardly or never be quenched And moreover they knew my Lord to be powerfull with the Ilanders Red-shankes in Scotland whom they thought would be prone and ready to such Actions they for the most parâ— disceâ—ded out of Ireland holding the Irish Language manners still and so we parted The next day being Wednesday from Lough Rosse every man went about his own task and so when I came home I acquainted my Brother with al that was done and what they had appointed him to doe and did like according as they appointed me send to Mr. Relly to let him know as much and the 18. of the same moneth I began my Iourney to Dublin and when I came to Dublin being the day before the appointed day of putting that resolution in execution there I met with Captaine Conn O Neale sent out of the Low Countries by Colonell O Neale who was sent after the Messenger sent by us formerly to the said Colonell was by him dispatched with his Answer to encourage us in our resolution Note and to speedy performance with assurance of succour which he said would not â—aile of the Colonells behalfe and for the more certainty of help from him and to assure us that the Colonell had good hopes to procure ayde from others he said that it was he himselfe that was imployed from him to Cardinall Richelieu twice that some men who gave very faire promises to assure the Colonells expectation Note with which he said that the said Colonell was really with himselâ—e assured of the Cardinalls ayde and that he was likewise commanded by the Colonell upon our Resolution of the day to give notice thereof to him and that he would be within fourteen daies over with them with ayde but he landed nine or ten daies before and meeting with Captaine Brian O Neale who made him acquainted with what was resolved he did write all the matter to Col. O Neale so as he was sure of his speedy comming and so that Evening he and I came to meet the other Gentry and there were met Mr. Moore Col. Burne Col. Pluncket Captaine Fox and other Leinster Gentry a Captaine I thinke of the Burnes but I am not sure whether a Burne or Toole and Captaine Bryan O Neale and taking an accompt of those that should have been there it was found that Sir Phelim O Neale Mr. Col. Mac Mahone did faile of sending their men and Col. Burne did misse Sir Morgan Kennanaugh that had promised him to be there but he said he was sure he would not faile to be that night or the next morning in Town and of the two hundred men that was appointed there was only eighty present yet notwithstanding they were resolved to goe on in their resolution and all the difference was at what time of the day they would set on the Castle and after some debate it was resolved in the after-noone and the rather hoping to meete the Col. there then for they said if they should take the Castle and be enforced by any extreamity for not receiving timely succour out of the Country having them they could not want and so parred that night but to meete in the morning to see further what wrs â—o be done and immediatly thereon I came to my Chamber and about nine of the clocke Mr. Moore and Captaine Fox came to me and told me all was discovered and that the City was in Armes and the Gates were shut up and so departed from me and what became of them or of the rest I know not nor thinke that they escaped but how and at what time I doe not know because I my selfe was taken that morning To this I shall adde his Examinations taken before the Lords Iustices of Ireland and since in England The Examination of Connor Lord Magwire Baron of Eniskillin taken before us Charles Lord Lambart and Sir Robert Meredith Knight Chancellâ—r of his Majesties Court of Exchequer the 26. day of March 1642. by Direction of the Right Honorable the Lords Iustices and Councell VVHo being Examined saith That about the time when Mr. Iohn Bellew came out of England with â—he Commission for the continuance of the present Parliament Koger Moore in the said Moores Chamber in the house of one Peter de Costres of this City acquainted him
which they find by him because the said Priest is priviledged from their power NOTE and the said Bishop when he shall understand and know so much shall degrade the said Priest and afterwards send him back unto the foresaid secular Court to do justice upon him And for all kind of other faults the aforesaid Priests shall be sent to the Bishop to the end that he may proceed against them according to the Canons in that case provided and in the absence or sicknesse of the said Bishop the Priest which is by him appointed to be his great Vicar shall have the same power and authority 10. It is likewise agreed upon that the said Lady shall have 28 PRIESTS or Ecclesiasticall persons in her house comprehending therein her Almoner and Chaplaines to serve and keep the foresaid Chappell according â— they are appointed and if any of them be a regular or canonicall person living under more prescript rules then the rest yet he may hold and keep his habit Also the KING OF GREAT BRITTAINE Ergo there is little hopes of her conversion to our Religâ—on Shee taking no such oath on the contrary part not to endeavour to seduce the King is by OATH BOUND NOT TO ENDEAVOUR BY ANY MEANS AT ALL TO HAVE HIS SAID QUEEN TO RENOUNCE THE CATHOLIKE APOSTOLIKE AND ROMISH RELIGION NOR COMPELL HER TO DOE ANY THING WHATSOEVER THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE SAME RELIGION 11. The said Queens house shall be maintained with so much Dignity and with so great a number of Officers as ever any had that was Queen of England all the houshold servants which the said Lady shall carry into England shall be Priests catholikes and French by birth and chosen and appointed by his most christian Majesty And if it happen that any of them dye or that the foresaid Lady shall be willing to change her said servants then Shee will take in their steads other Papists catholikes French or English alwayes provided that his Majesty of great Brittain consent thereunto 16. The children which shall by reason of the said inter-marriage be born and live shall be nurst and brought up neere unto the said Lady and Queene from the time of their birth untill they come to the age of fourteen yeers Besides these generall Articles of the Match the French Mercury informes us of these particular ones concluded and agreed on in favour of the Roman Catholikes the same in substance with those of Spaine forementioned as a 〈◊〉 nence of Parliaments Tom. 10. p. â— 487 Master Iames Howell himselfe confesseth the heads whereof were three 1. The first touching the Catholikes as well Ecclesiasticks as secular imprisoned since the last Proclamation upon the Parliaments forementioned Petition and breach with Spaine that they should all be set at liberty 2. The second to this effect That the English Catholikes should be no more searched after or molested for their Religion 3. The third that the goods of the Catholikes as well Ecclesiasticks as secular that were seized on since the last Proclamation published against them should be restored to them Upon the 1. of May 1625. after our English computation the marriage between the King and Queen was celebrated at Paris The 4. of May but three dayes after the marriage and scarce six weeks after the descent of the Crowne to his Majesty the King in pursuance of these Articles granted this speciall pardon to no lesse then twenty severall Priests and Iesuits therein named of all offences by them committed against any lawes and statutes then in force against any Priests Iesuits or popish recusants on which I desire the namelesse incredulous b Pag. 〈◊〉 46 47. Author of the Answer to the Royall Popish Favourite who will neither credit the French Mercury nor the Records themselves that there were any such Articles as are fore mentioned but rejects them as Forgeries without any colour or ground of reason but a pretended royall prosecution against Papists at the Parliaments importunity onely which was never reall or cordiall to chew the cudde upon which because he shall not deny he may peruse and view at his leisure in the Records at the Rolls Patent 4. pars 10. Caroli Regis Numero 12. REX omnibus ad quos NOTE c. Salutem Sciatis quod Nos pietate moti de Gracia Nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia mero motu Nostris pardonavinimus remissimus Relaxavimus ac per praesentes pro Nobis haeredibus Successoribus Nostris pardonamus remittimus Relaxamus Joanni Piercy Clerico Henrico Hopkins Rico. Bapthorpe Clerico Benjam Medcalfe Clerico Thomae Mushe Thomae Cudworth Christophero Ibotson Willielmo Brooksby Clerico Christophero Clough Tobie Clay Rico Robinson Clerico Edwardo Ditchfield Clerico Joanni Melling Willielmo Nayler Jacobo Eckersall Richardo Whaley Laurencio Lanshaw Rico Sharrocke Rico. Gill Willielmo Berrey quocunque nomine vel cognomine aut additione nominis vel cognominis dignitatis Artis professions misterij Loci vel Locorum idem Joannes Piercy Henricus Hopkins Ricus Bapthorpe Brianus Medcalse Thomas Mush Thomas Cudworth Christopherus Ibotson Willielmus Brooksby Christopherus Clough Tobias Clay Richardus Robinson Edwardus Ditchfield Joannes Melling Willielmus Nayler Jacobus Eckersall Richardus Whaley Laurencius Lanshaw Richardus Sharrocke Richardus Gill Willielmus Berry sciantur cenceantur aut huncupantur aut nuper sciebantur censebantur aut nuncupabantur aut eorum aliquis Sciatur censeatur aut nuncupatur aut nuper sciebatur censebatur aut nuncupabitur ac eorum cuilibet omnes singulas proditiones proditorias offensiones misprisiones proditionum felonias offensiones Malefacta Felonica quaecunque per ipsos aut eorum aliquem sive aliquos per se solum sive cum aliqua alia persona sive aliquibus alijs personis quibuscunque contra forman Statuti in Parliamento Dominae Elizabethae nuper Reginae Angliae anno Regni sui vicessimo rertio fact edit intitulat An act to retaine the Queenes Majesties Subjects in their due obedience Seu contra formam Statuti Parliamenti Dominae nuper Reginae Anno regui sui vicessimo septimo fact edit intitulat An Act against Jesuits Seminary-priests and such otherlike disobedient persons seu contra formam Statuti in Parliamento praecharissimi nuper patris Nostri Iacobi nuper Regis Angliae anno regni sui tertio fact edit intitulati An Act for the better discovering and repressing of popish Recusants seu contra formam alicuus alterius legis sive Statuti ante hac fact concernen Iesuitas Sacerdotes Presbiter Seminar seu allos Presbiteros Sacerdotes Diaconos aut personas religiosas seu ecclesiastic sact ordinat seu provis per aliquam authoritatem sive jurisdictionem derivat calumniat aut pretens a sede Romana aut concernen reconcilitionem alicujus subditi sive aliquorum subditorum hujus regni Angliae Episcopo Sedi auc Eccleliae Romanae adhuc fact Commiss sive perpeirat ac
of the present estate the causes and remedies of this encreasing disease of Popery humbly offering the same to your Princely care and wisedome The answer of your Majesties Father our late Soveraigne of famous memory upon the like Petition did give us great comfort of Reformation but your Majesties most gracious promises made in that kind doe give us confidence and assurance of the continuall performance thereof in which comfort and confidence reposing our selves we most humbly pray for your Majesties long continuance in all Princely felicity This Petition as I find by the Commons Iournall was ordered to be drawne up by a speciall Committee upon a complaint made in that House of the liberty of Priests and Iesuits 21. Iunâ—â— 1. Car. On the 7. of Iuly following it was voted in the House answered by the King the 7. of August and the Answer thereunto reported Aug. 8. But this Parliament being unhappily dissolved in discontent the twelfth of that August these plausible answers vanished into smoake and notwithstanding them the execution of Priests and Jesuits apprehended during and after the Parliament and the proceedings against Recusants by well affected Justices and people were stayed in some places by warrants under the privy Signet and other under-hand meanes Yet in December following the King being necessitated to summon a new Parliament to prevent clamours and complaints in not making good his Answers to the foresaid Petition caused a Commission to be awarded under the great Seale for executing the lawes against Recusants which was read in all the Courts of Iustice at Redding and withall sent this Letter to the then Arch-bishop of Canterbury Abbot to be by him conveyed to all the Bishops of his Province to present and excoâ—municate all Recusants within their Duresse as will appear by this Letter of the said Archbishop to Doctor Land then Bishop of Saint Davids and his Letters to his Officials in pursuance of it the Originall whereof is in my custody AFter my hearty commendations c. It will appeare by the severall Copies under written from his royall Majesty to the Lords Grace of Canterbury and from my Lords Grace to me what care his Majesty hath for the preservation of true Religion setled and established in this Kingdome the tenour of these Letters are as followeth Right Reverend Father in God my very good Lord I have received from the Kings Majesty a Letter the Tenour whereof here followeth MOst Reverend Father in God Right trusty and Right Well beloved Counsellour We greet you well Whereas upon sundry weighty considerations Vs especially moving We lately awarded Our Commission under Our great Seale of England for the due and effectuall putting in execution of the severall laweâ— and statuteâ— remaining in force against popish Recusants and did cause Our said Commission to be publikely read in Our severall Courts holden the last terme at Redding That all Our loving Subjects might take notice of Our princely care and speciall charge for the advancement of true Religion and suppression of Suâ—erstition and Popery We have now thought fit out of the same care to adde a further charge to you and all others having Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction under Us that no good meanes be neglected on Our part for discovering finding out and apprehending of Iesuits Seminary-priests and other Seducers of Our people to the Romish Religion or for repressing popish Recusants and Delinquents of that sort against whom you are to proceed by Excommunication and other censures of the Church not omitting any other lawfull meanes to bring them forth to publike justice And as Our pleasure is that due and strict proceeding be used against such as are open and professed Papists of whom Ouâ— temporall lawes will more easily take hold So We doe recommend to the vigilanâ— care of you and the rest of Our Clergy for the repressing of those who being ill affected to the true Religion here established doe keep more close and secret their ill and dongerous affections that way and as well by their example as by secret and underhand slights and meanes doe much encourage and encrease the growth of popery and Superstition in sundry parts of this Kingdome And therefore We doe not onely require that none of them may have any manner of cover protection countenance or connivance from you or any of the rest as you tender Our royall commandement in that behalfe but that all possible diligence be used as well to unâ—â—ske the false shadowes and pretences of those who may possibly be wonne to conformity letting all men know that We cannot think well of any that having place and authority in the Church doe permit such persons to passe with impunity much lesse if they give them any countenance to the imboldning of them or their Adherents and because We understand that the number of Recusants is much more encreased in some Dioâ—esses then in others We shall impute the same to the negligence of those Bishops who have the same meanes and power of restraint unlesse they can shew Us some particular reason by which that contagion is become greater under them then others and not by their defaults and We doe hereby require you to send transcripts of these Our Letters to all the Bishops and Ordinaries within your province for the present execution of thisâ— Our generall direction and also to transmit the same our Letters to the Lord Archbishop of Yorke that he may take the like course within his Charge and Jurisdiction Given under Our Signet at Our Castle of Windsor the fifteenth day of December in the first yeere of Our Reigne By this you see the Royall and Christian care which his Majesty hath for the advancement of true Religion within this Kingdome and the suppressing of the contrary I doubt not but your Lordship will take it into serious consideration and by your Officers and Ministers give execution thereunto so that presentments be duly made and excommunication against the obstinate be issued forth as some few yeers past was accustomed and his Majesty doth expect that to shew your diligence and zeale therein yout Lordship soone after Easter returne unto me the list and number of all Recusant Papists within your Diocesse which without faile I doe expect and so I leave you to the Almighty and remaine Your Lordships loving brother G. Cant. Croydon the 21. of Decemb. 1625. These are therefore to will and require you and every of you through the severall Arch-deaconries within my Diocesses that there be all possible care taken of such as are any way backward in points of Religion and more especially of known and professed Recusants that they may be carefully presented and proceedings had against them to excommunication according to forme and order of Law and that there be a true List and Catalogue after every Easter yeerly sent unto me that according to the order of these Letters I may be able to have it ready and deliver it up to my Lord of Canterbury and for the
his Sermon page 30 31 32 urgâ—th their example to periwade submission to this loane and Doctor Sâ—bthorte in his Sermon intituled a 〈◊〉 P. 20 21. Apostoticall Obedience hath this passage to induce Protestants to contribute cheerfully and largely to this Loane The Papists lye at wait it they could find a rent between our Soveraigne and his Subjects to reduce Superstition unto England I speake no more then 〈◊〉 from themselves whiles I have observed their forwardnesse TO OFFER DOVBLE according to the current of a later law yea to professe that THEY WOVLD DEPART WITH THE HALFE OF THEIR GOODS And how or why can this FORWARDNESSE be in them but in hop to cast the 〈◊〉 of Frowardnesse upon us and to seeme that which the Jesuits will not suffer 〈◊〉 to be loving and loyall Subjects o. You may guesse at the end of this projcst by the Papists forwardnesse to advance it But notwithstanding this forwardnesse of the Papists and others to promote this Benevolence the best affected Gentlemen to Religion Parliament â—and the common Liberty in all Counties considering the danger thereof strenuously 〈◊〉 it for which diâ—â— of them were enforced to daunce attendance on the Counsell others imprisoned by whose examples this project was in a great in cause frustrated and a new Parliament resolved to be summoned by the Major Vote of the Counsell Table Ian. â—9 1627. though the now Arch-bishop with some others opposed it and accordingly a Parliament was summoned and assembled in March following A little before the beginning of this Parliament a Colledge of Jesuits who kept to other in Commons and had their officers and books of account duly kept was discovered in 〈◊〉 well neere the Church their Books Vestments Reliques were seized on and some of their persons hid in private owners of their Colledge 〈◊〉 ended by Iustice Long and sent to Newgate But when they were to be 〈◊〉 they were by their powerfull friends at Court I know not by what Warâ—â—â—â— and special commands â—â—â—cased upon baile and conveyed out of harmes way 〈◊〉 great offence and discontent both of the people and Parliament which examined this â—rand abuse but could not apprehend the Jesuits to doe exemplary justice on them to potent were their Patrons Among their papers there was found the copy of 〈◊〉 newly directed by them to their Father Rector at Braxels the extract whereof I met with in the now Arch-bishops Study thus indorsed with his owne hand March 1628. A Iesuits Letter sent to the Recter at Bruxels about the ensuing Parliament Wherein there are these memorable passages not fit to be concealed FATHER RECTOR let not the damp of astonishment seize upon your Ardent and Zealous Soule in apprehending the sodaine and unexpected calling of a Parliament We have not opposed but rather furthered it so that we hope as much in this Parliament as ever we feared any in Queen Elizabeths dayes NOTE You must know the Counsell is engaged to assist the King by way of Perogative in case the Parliamentary way should faile you shall see this Parliament will resemble the Pelican which takes a pleasure to digge out with her beake her owne bowels The election of the Knights and Burgesses hath been in such confusion of apparant faction as that which we were wont to procure heretofore with much art and industry when the Spanish match was in treaty now breaks out naturally as a both or boyle and spets and spues out its owne rankor and venome You remember how that most famous and immortall States-man the Count of Gondamare fed King Iames his fancy and rocked him asleep with the soft and sweet sound of peace to keep up the Spanish treaty Likewise we were much bound to some States-men of our owne Country to gaine time in procuring these most advantagious cessations of Armes in the Palatinate and advancing the honour and integrity of the Spanish Nation and villifying the Hollanders remonstrating to King Iames that that State was most ungratefull both to his predecessors Queen Elizabeth and his sacred Majesty that the States were more obnoxious then the Turke and perpetually injured his Majesties loving Subjects in the East Indies and likewise they have usurped from his Majesty the regality and unvaluable profit of the narrow Seas in fishing upon the English coast c. This great States-man had but one principall meanes to further their great and good designes which was to set on King Iames NOTE that none but the Puritane Faction which plotted nothing but Anarchy and his confusion were averse to this most happy Union We steered on the same course and have made great use of this anarchicall election and have prejudicated and anticipated the great one that none but the Kings enemies and his are chosen of this Parliament c. We have now many strings to our Bow and have strongly fortified our faction and have added two Bulwarks more for when King Iames lived you know he was very violent against Armininisme and interrupted with his pestilent wit and deep learning out strong designes in Holland and was a great friend to that old Rebell and Heretick the Prince of Orange Now we have planted that soveraigne Drugge Armintanisme NOTE which we hope will purge the Pretestants from their Heresie and it flourisheth and 〈◊〉 fruit in due season The materials which build up our other Bulwarke are the projectors and beggers of all ranks and qualities whatsoever Both these Factions cooperate to destroy the Parliament and introduce a new species and forme of government which is Olligarchy These serve as direct mediums and instruments to our end which is the universall Catholike Monarchy Our foundation must be mutation this mutation will cause a relaxation which will serve as so many violent diseases as the Stone Gout c. to the speedy destruction of our perpetuall and insufferable anguish of the body which is worse then death it selfe We proceed now by counsell and mature deliberation how and when to worke upon the Dukes jealousie and revenge and in this we give the honour to those which merit it which are the Church Catholikes There is another matter of consequence which we take much into our consideration and tendor care which is to stave off the Puritanes that they hang not in the Dukes eares they are impudent subtill people And it is to be feared left they should negotiate a reconciliation between the Duke and the Parliament 't is certaine the Duke would gladly have reconciled himself to the Parliament at Oxford and Westminster but now we assure our selves we have so handled the matter that both Duke and Parliament are irreconcilable For the better prevention of the Puritanes the Arminians have already locked up the Dukes cares and we have those of our owne Religion which stand continually at the Dukes chaâ—ber to see who goes in and out we cannot be too circumspect and carefull in this regard I cannot chuse but laugh to see how
London one of his Majesties most honoâ—rable privy Counsell My very good Lord SInce I wroâ—e unto your Lordship concerning the businesse of Sir Iohn Wishart and Master Elpheâ—sion all the Bishops Chaâ—cellours is â—he Kingdome were sent for to Dublin by the Lords Justices to answer such things as are objected against the exercise of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in a Petition exhibited unto them by the Recusaâ—t Lords of the Country Which being a matter of no small importance I thought it my duty to impart unto your Lordship the true Copiâ—s both of the Petition of the one and of the Answer of the other that you may be the better prepared to speake therein if the matter shall be brought over into England and give us direction here how we are to follow the businesse for I feare all the Bishops are to appeare about the beginning of Easter Tearme to declare their resolutions touching the same propositions I â—end likewise unto your Lordship a short Letter which I received even now from the Bishop oâ— Kilfâ—nora The Bishoprick of Killalow is contigâ—ous unto his and both being conjoyned together by a perpetuall union would make an indifferent good competency for one Bishop for that of Kâ—lfenora is otherwise in it selfe so poore and so farre from any good Benefice that might be annexed unto it that there is little hope it will ever be made fit for any man of worth I humbly thank your Lordship for the tender regard you had of my reputation in stopping the publishing of my book there before the faults committed in the reprinting thereof should be corrected for which and those other high favours which I doe daily receive at your hands I must alwayes professe my selfe to rest Drogheda February 10. 1630. Your Lordships faithfull Servant in all duty ready to be commanded Ja. Armachanus What answer was given to this Petition of the Recusants by the Bishops and their Chancellours will appeare by this ensuing paper thus 〈◊〉 by Bishop Laud The Answer of the Lords Bishops and Chancellours to such Articles of the Recusants Peâ—ition as concerne the Church An Abstract of those things which concerne the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction in the Petition exhibited to the Lords Justices 1. THat your Lordships may direct a course that the Clergy doe not proceed with the great burden and charge they doe lay upon the poore people for clandestine Marriages Christnings and Burials c. 2. That the the Bishops Courts should hold no longer then one day at a sitting 3. That the lâ—xâ—uisitors comming to doe service to the â—aid Court shall not pay for their entrance 4. The Subsidy of the Bishops and Clergy if they have paid the same no ease done to the Country therâ—by 5. That School masters shall not be disturbed from teaching so they teach nothing concerning Religion The Answers of the Lords Bishops and Chancellours that are now present to the Articles of grievance lately by your Lordships imparted to them Right honourable our good Lords AS to the imputation cast upon us to burthen and charge the poore people for clandestine Marriages Christnings c. We humbly propose to your Lordships consideration 1. That the cognizance of these causes doth by the Lawes of this Realme belong to the Judicature Ecclesiasticall with a very severe charge in Gods name to see to the due execution thereof as in the Statute of 2. Eliz. cap. 2. may appeare 2. That the resâ—actâ—rines of the people in not resorting to Church and being conformable to divine service and administration of Sacraments and other Rites according to the forme of the book of Common-prayer is no way to be cherished or fomented especially in the apparant endeavours which is now used by the popish faction NOTE to draw them away from the obedience of his Majesty to that of the Pope 3. That if it be permitted to them to marry and baptize without controle all other Sâ—ismaticks as Aâ—abaptists Brownists c. may claime the like 4. That they are in no worse condition then those of our owne and his Majesty in those very graces which their very Agents obtained and to which they have reference in their Petition did referre the Delinquents in these particulars to be proceeded against according to the ordinary course of Law Art 49. 5. That if this proceeding he stopt these inconveniences will arise The Bishops and Ordinaries are not able to answer the Kings writs which are by the common Law to be directed unto them as in cause of Bastardy and Certificate of marriage and the like as also the whole Common-wealth will swarme with Incest Adultery Whoredome c. if it be lawfull for popish Vicars to dispence and divorce at pleasure and voyd new marriages upon pretext they were not solemnized by the parish Priest according to the Trent Reformation and other like frivolous pretexts contrary to the law of God 6. As to the burthen of the poore people we doe humbly desire that the Delinquents may be informed against and upon conviction severely punished 7. And if it seeme to your Lordships that the fees of the Ecclesiasticall Courts be over-burthenous that the Commission for regulating them may be speedily executed 2. Touching the continuance of the Courts longer then one day at a sitting We conceive the same to be for the ease of the people and expediting of causes and the hindring of chamber-chamber-justice but if it shall appeare otherwise to your Lordships we desire your Lordships to set downe what order you shall think most fit for the ease of the people and due performance of that service 3. Concerning Inquisitors fees for their entrance We doe deny that ever any such thing was done and if any can be justly charged therewith let him be punished 4. Touching our Subsidy We doe think it is not unknowne to your Lordships how cheerfully we have strained our selves for the safety of the Country some of us having besides contributed to the Souldiers as deeply as they even of our mensall lands which we hold in our owne hands 5. Touching School-Masters We humbly desire your Lordships to consider 1. How much it concerneth the Reformation of the manners of the people that School-Masters be well-affected to Religion and to the present Government 2. That popish School-Masters doe breed up and prepare the youth of this Realme to be Priests and contrary to the Priviledges of his Majesties Progenitors to the University of Dublin doe teach them Logick and Philosophy 3. That under the name of School-Masters divers dangerous and seditious persons may be nourished in private Families to the corrupting and seducing the youth of this Realme and withdrawing them from his Majesties alleagiance 4. That whereaâ— if such be put downe the parents would out of necessity send their Children to the Ministers and Curates or Free-schools in every County and the Colledges at Dublin by the allowing them they will be still nouzeled in Superstition and Barbarisme Lastly whereas your Lordships lately desire us to certifie
and to strike off the Debts of your Crowne that for the enacting of all such profitable and wholsome Laws as a moderate and good people may expect from a Wise and Gracious King That this being the order of Nature Reason and Civility your Majesty expects it should be intirely observed and your selfe wholly intrusted by them which they are not onely to grant to bee fit in the generall case of King and Subjects but ought indeed to acknowledge it with thankfulnesse due to your Majesty in particular when they look back and call to mind how for their ease you were content to take six score thousand pounds which their Agents gave to bee paid in three in six yeeres and not barely so neither but to double your Graces towards them the whil'st which they'have injoyed accordingly much to their advantage and greatly to the losse of the Crown And that considering the Army hath been represented over to your Majesty from this Counsell and in a manner from the body of this whole Kingdome to bee of absolute necessity to give comfort to the quiet minds in their honest labours to containe the licentious Spirits within the modest bounds of sobriety it consists not with your Majesties Wisdome to give unto the World no not the apparence of so much improvidence in your owne Counsels of so much forgetfulnesse in a case of their safety as to leave that Pillar of your Auctority and their Peace unseâ— for continuance at least one six moneths before the wearing forth of their Contribution Therefore your Maiesty was well assured in conformity to the rules of Reason and Judgement they would presently grant three Subsidies to bee paid in three yeeres to disengage the Crowne of fourscore thousand pounds debt and continue their Quarterly payments towards the Army foure yeeres longer in which time it was hopefull suitable to your Gracious intentions some other expedient might bee found out to maintaine the Army without further charge to them at all VVhich Law passed they should have as much leisure to inact for themselves at after as they could desire either now or in winter Nay your Majesty 〈◊〉 be graciously pleased with the assistance of your Counsell to advise seriously with them that nothing might remaine either unthought of or denyed conducing to the publike good of this Kingdome But if they made difficulty to proceed with your Majesty in this manner other Counsels must be thought of and little to bee relyed or expected for from them I am not to flatter your Majesty so farre as to raise any hope on that side that all this should be granted but by pressing both and especially the continuance of the quarterly payments to the Army which they dread above any earthly thing I conceive it probable that to determine lay asleep as they think the contribution and in acknowledgement of your Majesties happy accesse to the Crown they may be drawn to a present Gift of three Subsidies payable in three yeares which alone would keep the Army on foot during that time and if my calculation hold almost discharge the debt of the Crowne besides For thus I make my Estimate the contribution from the Country is now but twenty thousand pounds sterling by the yeere whereas I have good reason to trust each Subsidy will raise thirty thousand pounds sterling And so there will bee ten thousand pounds for three yeeres over and above the establishment which thirty thousand pounds sterling well and profitably issued will I trust with Honour to your Majesty and moderate satisfaction to the parties strike off the whole fourscore thousand pounds Irish which in present presseth so sore upon this Crown And then Sir after that in Michaelmas Terme all beneficiall Acts for the Subject be thought of as many no fewer nor no more inacted then were fit in honour and wisdome to be granted If for a conclusion to this Parliament we could gain from them other two Subsidies to buy in Rents and Pensions to ten thousand pounds yearly value a thing they are inclinable unto as is mentioned in my dispatch to the Lord Treasurer I judge there were a happy issue of this Meeting and that it should through Gods blessing appeare to the world in a few yeeres Note you had without charge made a more absolute Conquest of this Nation by your wisdome then all your Royall Progenitors have been able to accomplish by theiâ— Armies and vast expence of Treasure and Blood These being the ends in my poore Opinion which are to bee desired and attained the best meanes to dispose fit all concurring causes thereunto are not to be forgotten and therefore as preparatives I make bold to offer these insuing particulars It seemes to mee very convenient a Committee bee forthwith appointed of some few of us here to take into consideration all the Bils intended when there was a Parliament to have been called in the time of my Lord Falkland such as shall be judged beneficiall to make them ready such as may be of too much prejudice to the Crown to lay them aside and to draw up others which may chance to have been then omitted this worke may bee by the Committees either quickned or fore-slowen as the Parliament proceeds warmer or cooler in your Majesties Supplies Next that your Majesties Acts of Grace directed to my Lord Falkland the foure and twentyeth of May 1628 may bee considered by such of your Counsell in England as shall please your Majesty to appoint there being many matters therein contained which in a Law would not futurely so well sort with the Power requisite to bee upheld in this Kingdome nor yet with your Majesties present proâ—â—t which hath perswaded me to except against such as I hold best to be silently passed over and to transmit a Paper thereof to my Lord Treasurer It is to be feared the meaneâ— sort of Subjects here live under the pressures of the great 〈◊〉 and there is a generall complaint that Officers exact much larger Fees then oâ— right they ought to doe To help the formeâ— if it bee possible I will find out two or three to make examples of And to remedy the latter grant out a Commission for examining regulating and setting downe Tables of Fees in all your Courts so aâ— they shall find your Majesties goodnesse and justice watching and caring for their protection and ease both in private and publike respects I shall indeavour the lower House may bee so composed Note as that neither the Recusants nor yet the Protestants shall appeare considerably more one then the other holding them as much as may bee upon an equall Ballance for they will prove thus easier to governe Note then if either party were absolute Then would I in private discourse shew the Recusant that the contribution ending in December next if your Majesties Army were not supplyed some other way before the twelve pence a Sunday must of necessity bee exacted upon them Shew the Protestant that
one of our principall Secretaries of state is to make his repaire into forraigne parts We doe hereby licence him to passe and straitly charge and command you and every of you to suffer him to goe quietly by you and to embarque himselfe at any of Our ports most convenient for his passage and to take with him his Nephew Robert Read and two other in his company together with his and their carriages without any manner of search stay or other interruption whatsoever and this shall be as well to the said Sir Francis VVindebanke Robert Read and the rest for passing as to you and every of you for suffering them to passe as aforesaid sufficient warrant and discharge Given at Our Court at White-hall the second day of December 1640. To all Admirals Vice-admirals Captaines of Our Forces Castles and Ships and to all Justices of peace Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs Constables Customers Comptrollers and Searcheâ—s and to all other Our Officers and Ministers whom it doth or may concerne and to every of them This counterseiâ—ed anti-dated passe was sent to Master Thomas VVindebanke into England out of France to procure his Majesties hand and Signet to it and if any difficulty or scruple were made by the King to signe it the Queens omnipotent mediation must he used to obtainits Signature as this letter of Mr. Reads to Mr. Thomas Windebanke wherein it was inclosed will sufficiently manifest and likewise discover to the world how grosly his Majesty hath been abused by this Secretary the Arch-bishop and others of his Ministers by procuring his hand to such forged anti-dated warrants to excuse themselves and lay all the blame of their Actions upon him which should cause his Majesty to look better to them hereafter in this kind Sir MY Uncle has acquainted me with a letter he has written to my 〈◊〉 of Arundell and with the directions he has given you about it I put him in mind of some addition fit to be made to it which he likes very well and has commanded me to write to you That if her Ladiship or any other with whom shee shall please to advise can think upon any way to prevent any proclamation against him or at least to sweeten any rigorous course that may be intended against him as probably such meanes may be found now that their M. M. Majesties and the Parliament seeme to be upon better termes her Ladiship will be pleased to advance it with all her power And really I am of opinion if the King did know how much dishonour he haâ— abroad by this question of the Secretary and had a true sense of master Secretaries condition both his Majesty and the Queen would be hearty in his businesse which could not but produce good effects Sir I have considered that when they fall upon our businesse they will goe neere to comfort in mine absence for which God will blesse you and move the Kings heart to take you into his princely consideration which I shall be as well contented with as if I had continued in my prosperity The being deprived of the light of my Soveraigne Lord and Masters countenance is the greatest and most bitter of my afflictions to which God will returne me if he finds it fit if otherwise I hope he will arme me with patience You will present my most humble service to my Lord Duke of Lenox the Lord Marquesse Hamilton the Earle of Manchester and his Lady with the Lord Chamberlaine Lord Goring and Lord Cottington the like to the LORD ARCHBISHOP and Lord TREASURER and any other that shall enquire of me God blesse you and send us a happy meeting so I rest YOURS c. FRAN. VVINDEBANKE Calis 6. December 1640. TOM I writ to you this afternoon already immediately upon my arrivall here and gave you account of my passage into these parts and this was by the Master of the boat that brought me hither since understanding that the Pacquet-boat is to part away from hence to morrow I thought fit to take that occasion to communicate some thoughts of mine concerning my unfortunate businesse in Parliament It is not unlikely but that the House of Commons will notwithstanding mine absence or the rather for it as taking my retreat for a confession of the charge proceed to present me to the Upper House for a Delinquent of so high a nature as never came so much as into my thoughts to be guilty of In this case you shall doe well to consider whether it will not be fit for you most humbly to move his Majesty in favour of me to deale with some of the Lords best inclined to me namely the Lord Duke of Lenox the Lord Marquesse Hamilton the Earle Marshall Lord Goring Lord Cottington and others not leaving out the Lord Chamberlaine that my charge may be set downe in writing and that I may be permitted to make my answer to it if this may be granted the next particular that will fall into consideration will be how farre his Majesty will please to advow me in the two great parts of the charge namely the enlarging of Priests and the procuring of bils of grace from his Majesty for stay of the conviction of Recusants and likewise for such letters as my selfe have written upon his Majesties commandement for stay of such indiâ—ements For the first of these there are 27. or 28. Bonds taken of such Priests as I have set at liberty which Bonds you shall doe well to shew his Majesty being all taken by his speciall direction and I doe not remember that any have been delivered out of prison but such as are so bound unlesse perhaps some may have been taken out of the hands of those two Hell-hounds Gray and Newton that were disabled by the Lords from prosecuting Recusants and this at the instance of the Queen to his Majesty NOTE For the second namely the stay of convictions by Bils of grace and otherwise they were all entirely moved and procured by the Queens Majesty and some of her servants and likewise of those neere his Majesty who had no small benefit by them and I had nothing at all to doe with them but in the dispatch of some of those Bils which belonged to me as Secretary and his Majesty may please to remember that before those Bils passed my hands some of them were made during life which upon my motion to his Majesty and the representation I made of that inconveniency was altered and they were granted but during pleasure so became revokable whâ—â—soever his Majesty should command His Majesty may likewise further please to remember that of late I did humbly represent to him the prejudice to his revenue by these bils of grace and besought him there might be a stop of them and I doe not remember that any have been granted these two or three yeers howsoever I doe religiously professe I never moved in them NOTE nor any other businesse of Recusants originally nor without his Majesties
Iesuites sundry yeares how the very Popish Irish Rebels themselves have been in great numbers imporâ—ed and entertained in his Majesties Armies with much respect yea some of the chiefest of them highly honoured and favoured at Court to the very envy of the Protestant party there notwithstanding all their bloody massacres in Ireland and England too and their base Irish coyne made currant in England by speciall Proclamation how they have gained Letters of Mart from the King to spoyle and rob his Protestant Subjects Ships Goods Persons by sea and what hopes they have that the City of Bristoll it selfe shall be shortly put into their power notwithstanding their Generall Assemby held at Kilkenny in nature of a Parliament where they have erected severall Courts of Iustice civill and military created sundry Iudges See the Actâ— thereof printed 1642. Officers of all sorts imposed arbitrary Taxes enacted Lawes usurped to themselves both a transcendent Regall and Parliamentary Power which yet they execute in their own names as a SVPREAM COVNCELL hath been already so fully related in Dr. Iones his book of Examinations The Rise and Progresse of the Irish Rebellion The Mystery of Iniquity The Acts of the Generall Assembly of the Rebels at Kilkenny An. 1642. with sundry other late printed Relations and Declarations of both Houses concerning Ireland yea in sundry Oxford Aulicusses and are so experimentally known to most that I shall totally pretermit them And conclude only with the Testimony of Sir Arthur Lofâ—us delivered upon oath in the Kings Bench in Mac-Mohuns triall concerning the Popes Bull lately sent from Rome to the Irish Rebels portending more massacres and warres both there and here to this effect Note That his Holinesse did give them his fatherly Benediction and a plenary indulgence for all their sinnes for the extraordinary service they had done for the Catholique Cause and Church in invading extirpating the Hereticks in Ireland exhorting them to proceed on in that acceptable service till they had fully compleated that work A true copy of which Bull sent to the Lords Justices in Ireland he both saw and read How the English Papists all privy to that Designe as was then attested on oath at the same triall to divert all assistance of the Irish Protestants from hence have raised up a bloody civill warre in England to the ruine of many thousand gallant men on either part and almost utter desolation of our Kingdome how contrary to his Majesties first Orders Proclamations they have all had free accesse to his Court Armies Forts and received very gracious entertainment if not great commands in both and how both English Irish Dutch French Italian Spanish and German Papists have combined all their Purses Forces Armes Pollicies and Power together to assist the King who yet adheres unto their party Councels against his Parliament and Protestant Subjects is so experimentally known to all of all sorts especially to the Protestants in his Majesties Court Armies Quarters that it would be a meere unnecessary expence of time and paper to make any particular relation of them Should I here insert all other papers concerning Papists and their proceedings which have come unto my hands I might tire both the Reader and my selfe and make my Gate farre larger then my City I shall therefore close up this introduction with three late Letters from beyond the Seas discovering fully to the world how vigorously the Popish Faction still carry on their designes of reconciling us speedily unto Rome and are now in agitation to procure a Cardinals Cap from the New Pope for the Lord Aubeny Brother to the Duke of Lenox one of the late Commissioners sent from Oxford to the Parliament about the Treaty of Peace to which our present Negotiations with the Pope for a Cardinalship for so great a Person at this nick of time is a very sad inauspicious Prologue â—ngaging all who have any sparks of reall love to God Religion his Majesty their Countrey or Posterity to look about them with greatest care for feare of Circumventions The first Letter was written out of Flanders by some Priest or Iesuite of the Spanish Faction to Mr Henry Howard relating the manner of the New Popes election with the Queens sending Sir Kenelm Digby to Rome to him for a Cardinals Cap for the Lord Aubeny since made an Abbot in France and intimating that there is some designe to make the Lord Herbert a professed Papist Governour of Bristoll ere long and to put that City and Castle into the Papists hands where thousands of them at this present reside and some overtures of putting this designe in speedy execution if our late intelligence thence deceive us not have been lately made and much feared by the Inhabitants This Letter was intercepted in its passage towards Oxford and brought to the Committee of Examinations where the Originall remaines out of which I copied it YOu heare ere this that Cardinall Pamâ—ilio a Roman borne a great Lawyer and a very wise man Note is made Pope with the name of Innocentius Decimus he was made by the Spanish Faction who having excluded Cardinall Sachetti though a gallant man but desired above all by the French and Barbarinoes and after that excluded also another a Dominican whom Barbarino desired to advance by these exclusions our Faction of which the Cardinall of Florence was the Capo constrained Barbarino to joyne with them in favour of Pamfilio as being also a Creature of the last Pope but the French Faction opposed all they could though in vaine He hath been Nuntio in Spaine eight yeares that it is conceived he is well affected to that Crowne but I wish he may carry himselfe indifferently and like an Vniversall Father and only favour that party which shall most apply it selfe to reason He is 70 yeares old and a halfe but of a very strong Constitution His Nephew being but one is not above 18 yeares old and so he is not sit for Businesses hee hath therefore made choyce of three or foure Cardinalls to assist him in the Government and Cardinall Pancirellio being one of them is to lodge in S. Peters as his chiefe Confident He will certainly set instantly upon the businesse of the Generall Peace part of his Armes is a Pigion which is a good Augury Tell me whether the Archbishop of York be at Oxford Note he is a gallant man and of good intentions be acquainted with him Where is my Lord Herbert all this while is he Governour of Bristoll It is writ from Paris lately that Sir Kenelm Digby is going to Rome sent by the Queen and among other things he must sollicite a Cap for the Duke of Lenox his Brother In my conscience betweene you and me I think Mr Thomas Courtney deserves it infinitely better and would make good use Thus I end Yours c. The 22 of Octob. 1644. Burne this Letter I pray you and tell me you have done it To my very good Friend Mr Hen Howard