hath hitherto continued This Narrative the said Nowland himself confessed un William Muschamp Esq now one of his Majesties Commissioners for the farming of his Revenues there who can certifie that this Nowland made his brags how he serv'd the Independants at Plymouth There is yet in Ireland a Clergy-man of the Church of Rome Mr. Andrew Catherwood his Narrative of one Jackson a pretended Saint yet a Romanist one Jackson by name who has Preached as we are informed by our Author for these several years past viz. ann 1668 1669 and 1670. within and about the Counnty and City of Limerick amongst the Nonconformists in those parts This Fox when he began to Preach at Limerick received from those Nonconformists at one time about fourscore Cobbs for a Sermon then Preached unto them after which he invited an acquaintance of his Mr. Andrew Catherwood to a Treat at which time he spent about twenty shillings of this summ the said Mr. Catherwood assuring us who heard him declare these words that this said Jackson was the first that ever brought him to a Bawdy-house within that City The said Mr. Andrew Catherwood doth likewise affirm that this Jackson would often pretend that he had received Letters from Francis Marsh then Bishop of Limerick and would frame these Letters as if they had weekly come from him saying that that Bishop would fain have him to Preach in his Cathedral but it was against his Conscience so to Preach therefore he had rather Preach to his Flock for Charity than to the Bishop for Gain This he framed to cologue with his Followers and would shew these pretended Letters of his to please them Mr. Catherwood also affirmeth that this Jackson would say Mass disguised to the common sort in that County upon week-days and although he seigned this outward Godliness amongst the Dissenters at Limerick that he came up to Dublin and there Preached amongst our Ministers in our Churches and after to cologue with the Dissenters in that City he pretended to them to fall from the Church of England and Preached in the Meetings where as he the said Jackson confessed to Mr. Catherwood he got about 13 l. Sterl collected by the Meeting-houses in Dublin This Jackson was born at Abberdeen in Scotland he is a great Scholar and a Traveller for he hath travelled into France Italy Germany and Spain In Spain he taught a School as being Vsher under a publick Schoolmaster there he still wandreth about this Kingdom of Ireland and was lately seen in the County of Mayo The then Bishop of Limrick Fran. Marsh now Archbishop of Dublin we suppose may have heard of this Impostors pranks already mentioned during the time that his Grace was Bishop of Limrick which if testified would strengthen this Mr. Catherwoods Evidence who declared this above Narrative unto us whose names hereafter follow Robert Ware Esq John Madden Student in Physick of Trinity-Colledge in Dublin and before Pearse Welch being upon the 25th of Feb. 1681. Thus far have we laid before you the practices of Rome devised to divide the Protestant Church of England therefore the dispensations allowed by her Popes and Clergy be many and large as appears by what you have already heard purposely to drive on and set forward her impious Plots she therefore dispenses with her Adherents to take the shape yea even of a member of the Church of England not out of love thereunto but to accomplish her intended purposes For example-sake there was a certain Knight Sir E. L. well known over his Majesties Dominions of England Scotland and Ireland who came into this his Majesties Kingdom of Ireland anno 1670 or thereabouts It is not unknown unto the Inhabitants and Citizens of Dublin that in the year following 1671 upon the one and twentieth of May there hapned a surious fire in his Majesties Castle of Dublin during which flames the Lord John Butler afterwards created Earl of Gowran third Son to his Grace James Duke of Ormond now Lord Lieutenant of the Nation took great care and pains to extinguish the same which had it been trusted unto the said Knight we question whether half the Buildings now there extant would have been seen this day For this Knight under the pretence of saving the rest of the Buildings within that Castle would have blown up the great Hall belonging to this Palace To execute this project the quicker he caused a Barrel of Gunpowder to be placed in the middle of that Hall and so to have dropt a train of Powder and to set fire to the same But this brave spirited Lord coming in at that instant and enquiring why that Barrel was there placed and having heard the project he most couragiously although the flames were over his head lifted up the Barrel of Gunpowder and carried it out on his shoulders saying I approve not of this project When this Fire hapned as is generally reported by several of the Citizens of Dublin that night the water of the City was stopt so that the Castle-pipe had no water but what they were fain to bring in from the Mill-pond in the Stable-yard without the Castle-walls It hath been generally reported that this Knight went secretly to Mass at this time but whether he did or no it was observed that he would walk before the then Lord Lieutenant amongst the Gentry to Church with his Bible publickly under his arm to be seen This posture disguised his Religion which since is discovered although at Church he would seem very zealous turning to the Texts of Scripture as fast as they were quoted by the Minister There is a Learned Doctor Doctor Salls testimony concerning this Knight some years now past who turned unto the Church of England Andrew Sall by name formerly an Ecclesiastick of the Church of Rome who hath affirmed how he had heard formerly when the Lord J. B. went Embassador into France that this Sir E. L. went with that Lord and that the French King being taken with the Knights humors he and that King covenanted together after this manner This Knight was to give intelligence to the French King The Covenants between the French King and this Knight acting under-hand for him making this Proviso for himself that in case he should be discovered and thereby incur the King of Englands displeasure if he fled into France he should be there succoured and the French King there to provide a place for him Several others besides this Divine have heard the same besides what the Letters of News have mentioned to this effect For the perfecting of this Covenant it is visible and known how he hath been accused to be one of the Conspirators in the late Popish Plot anno 1678 for which he was clapt up but afterwards being released upon Bail he fled into France where he is not only succoured to this day but likewise provided for and there preferred to be an Abbot in Paris where several of his Majesties Subjects have seen him ranting
Original of this Jesuitical Lord was seized on amongst other Papers it was supposed to have been written by one Winter a Jesuit and Nephew to the same Winter who was executed for the Gunpowder-Treason in King James his days now about 77 years since This Parliament sat upon the day appointed being upon the 17th of March 1627. Sir John Finch the Queens Attorney then being chosen Speaker of the House of Commons at which Assembly his late Gracious Majesty saluted both the Lords and other Members thus My Lords and Gentlemen THese times are for Action The Kings Speech for Action I say not for words therefore I shall use but a few and as Kings are said to be exemplary to their Subjects so I would wish you would imitate me in this and use as few falling upon speedy consultation No man is I conceive such a stranger to the common necessity as to expostulate the cause of this meeting and not to think supply to be the end of it and as this necessity is the product and consequent of your advice so the true Religion the Laws and Liberties of this State and just Desence of our Friends and Allies being so considerably concerned will be I hope arguments enough to perswade to supply for if it be as most true it is both my duty and yours to preserve this Church and Common-wealth this exigent time certainly requires it In this time of common danger I have taken the most ancient speedy and best way for supply by calling you together If which God forbid in not contributing what may answer the quality of my occasions you do not your duties it shall suffice I have done mine in the conscience whereof I shall rest content and take some other course for which God hath impowered me to save that which the folly of particular men might hazard to lose Take not this as a menace for I scorn to threaten my inferiors but as an admonition from him who is tied both by nature and duty to provide for your preservations and I hope though I thus speak your demeanors will be such as shall oblige me in thankfulness to meet you oftner than which nothing shall be more pleasing to me Remembring the distractions of our last meeting you may suppose I have no confidence of good success at this time but be assured I shall freely forget and forgive what is past hoping you will follow that sacred advice lately inculcated To maintain the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace This Speech of his Gracious Majesty to the moderate Members was acceptable to the Factious or Puritanical sort an amasement and to the Papal sort so affected a terror or guilt of conscience making them look asquint upon themselves and were it not for shame they would have run on their old course with violence which the Jesuits had plotted as the Letter taken at Clarken-well aforesaid specifieth yet to smother their private future intentions they concorded with the moderate sort to grant his Majesty some Subsidies The Court of Rome by their Emissaries sprinkled here having intelligence of the seizure of these Papers to slip their necks out of the Halter consulted with those whom they had made sure as appeareth by the Letter in these words We have not opposed it meaning the calling of this Parliament but rather furthered it so that we hope as much in this Parliament as ever we feared any in Queen Elizabeths days How the Jesuits laid their contrivance on the Church of England Then smelling how the Duke had discovered their Romish Policies they began the better to gloss their intentions to lay before the House several grievances touching Religion aspersing at that time Neale the then Bishop of Winchester and Laud then Bishop of Bath and Wells to be the two Supporters of Arminianism whereas the Letter sheweth it was their own act and contrivance Also in this Grievance they lay all their mischief by them devised upon the Duke of Buckingham saying he was the cause of these vexations Therefore for the better satisfaction of the Reader Vide pag. 113 114. we shall lay before you the heads of these Grievances then presented in Parliament as William Sanderson in his History of the Reign of King Charles the First sets them down The Grievances being thus 1. THe danger and innovation and alteration in Religion This occasioned by 1st The great esteem and favours many Professors of the Romish Religion receive at Court 2 dly Their publick resort to Mass at Denmark-House contrary to his Majesties answer to the Parliaments Petition at Oxford 3 dly The Letter for stay of proceedings against them Lastly the daily growth of the Arminian Faction favoured and protected by Nele Bishop of Winchester and Laud Bishop of Bath and Wells whilest the Orthodox parts are silenced or discountenanc'd 2. The danger of Innovation and alteration in Government occasioned by the billetting of Souldiers by the Commission for procuring one thousand German Horse and Riders as for the defence of the Kingdom by a standing Commission granted to the Duke to be General at Land in times of Peace 3. Disasters of our designs as the expedition to the Isle of Rhe and that lately to Rochel wherein the English have purchased their dishonour with the wast of a million of treasure 4. The want of Ammunition occasioned by the late selling away of thirty six last of Powder 5. The decay of Trade by the loss of three hundred Ships taken by the Dunkyrkers and Pyrates within these three last years 6. The not guarding the Narrow-Seas whereby his Majesty hath almost lost his Regality Of all which evils and dangers the principal cause is the Duke of Buckingham his excessive power and abuse of that power And therefore they humbly submit it to his Majesties wisdom whether it can be safe for himself or his Kingdom that so great power both by Sea and Land as rests in him should be trusted in the hands of any one Subject whatsoever These Jesuitical contrivances not being able to disswade the late King from his tender affections unto the Duke How the Jesuits contrived the Duke of Buckinghams death but rather encouraged his Grace more which the Jesuits perceiving they contrived his death whereupon the 23d of August following he was stabb'd by one John Felton who in his examination being asked why he kill'd the Duke he replied I shall be brief I killed him for the cause of God and my Countrey Yet that the Reader may the better compare the Leter directed to the Father Rector at Bruxels and also the heads of the grievances before mentioned with the Confession of John Felton we here lay before him as the same Author sets it at large in these words And after some discourse Feltons Confession See Sanders pag. 122 123. Sir said he I shall be brief I killed him for the cause of God and my Country Nay said the other there may be hope of
be more admired by the people so the Hereticks will asperse that Heretical King and his Church as little differing from us These Instructions I am commanded to recommend unto you as being approved by his Holiness Julius the Third your Supream Father and his wholsome Council to be handled and performed to the utmost of your Powers Wealth Parts Learning and Capacities for the good of the Mother-Church Dated the fourth Ide of November 1551. Beneventum Upon these consultations I was amazed to behold these and other the contrivances that hath been contrived against the Church of England ever since King Henry her Royal Highness Father fell from the See of Rome How the Converts contrary design turned to his Conversion but yet duly taking memorandums of these things for my curiosities sake at first then designing to have practised these instructions at last seriously pondering upon these devices and upon several others of this kind which would contain a large volume to set them out to publick view I pretended to come over hither to practice the same and to colour my feigned intention I said I took these memorandums for my instructions and so left Paris in the month of April anno 1566. and landed at Dover the month following from whence I came to this Kingdom where since I have satisfied the Archbishop and the rest of my Brethren the Clergy by my last confession publickly in this City of Dublin Yet for further assurance of my confidence in the Protestant Faith of England now established by her Highness and her Parliament of this Nation I Samuel Mason being strucken in years not knowing how soon it may please the Almighty God to take me from hence as also to take off all evil Calumnies Aspersions and Suspitions of me Samuel Mason as if I should dye in the Roman Church I do humbly lay this my Narrative before your Lordship as Chief under her Highness in these her Dominions of Ireland for a true and signal testimony of my fidelity to her Highness her Government both in Church and State Dated at Dublin the 24th day of August 1566. Samuel Mason I was the more desirous to keep this Memorial of this Convert John Garvey his design for preserving of this memorandum by reason the Speech for the declaring of her Conversion was spoke in my Cathedral I being but the year before by her Royal Highness preferred to that Deanery as appears by her Majesties special Letter now on Record and also I have inserted this amongst others of my Diaries to remain hereafter with other of the memorandums concerning this Deanery desiring my Successors to follow the same for the publick benefit of their Successors and to be produced as time shall serve for their several occasions most opportunely and fit The Convert continued not fully two years in his Parsonship or Parish before he died The Converts death and burial my self preaching his Funeral Sermon where several with sorrowful tears lamented the loss of so true a Penitent choosing this Text suitable for his Conversion Blessed are they that die in the Lord c. whom all must suppose did as appears by his hearty Recantation and declaration aforesaid He was buried in his Parish at Finglas two miles distant from Dublin on the Feast of St. Bartholomew Ann. Dom. 1568. In the year of our Lord 1584. Sir John Perrot then Lord Deputy of Ireland taking his Progress into the Province of Connaught there came to his Lordship a Friar Carmelite named Malachias Malone by some called O Malone Brother unto Mr. William Eughter who had been of that Order about 36 years even from the beginning of King Edward the Sixth's Reign this Malachias and Sir John then having had great conference together in private After which this Friar in the face of a whole Congregation then met together in St. Stephens Church of Gallway renounced the Pope's Supremacy and also the Popish Religion At this Recantation he first entred into the Church in his Friars Weeds The Friar's actions and speech upon his Conversion saying to the Congregation these words Peccavi contra Deum Creatorem meum contra Reginam contra Leges Regnorum ejus Then taking off his Friar's Weeds he said Away with these Cloaks of Sin I will cloath my self with the Gospel of Jesus Christ Now good people bear witness from henceforth I conform my self to the Religion established in these her Majesties Dominions by her Majesty and her Parliaments of England and Ireland At this time several of the Roman Catholick Friars and Jesuits lurking about that City of Gallway Sir John Perrott's care of Malachias had a design against this Convert which coming to Sir John's ears he would not permit him to remain in that Province but caused special care to be taken of him and so brought him before to Dublin where he was carefully looked after and lay amongst my Lord Deputies Servants the said Lord allowing unto him a certain allowance for his maintenance during his Government in that her Majesties Realm of Ireland Sir John being this year absent from Dublin three months and odd days returned thither with this Friar upon the 11th of October following and so gave her Majesty and the Lords of the Council here an account of this his Progress amongst the rest this of Malachias was also Upon St. Simon and Jude's Feast being the 28th of October and in the same month of his return to Dublin Sir John the Archbishop of Dublin Lord Chancellor the Primate of Armagh the chief Judges and others of her Majesties Council assembled in the Castle of Dublin This said Malachias as appears by their Letters unto the Lords here of her Majesties Council having acquainted Sir John and that Council of several matters and discoveries which he had to reveal unto them he was called for to appear before them at which time he declared how he had been a grievous Traytor to God and to her Majesty and there declared this declaration in writing following having got Mr. Fenton to write the same that the Lord Deputy and Council might read it the easier I Malachias ô Malone born at Bullintobber in the County of Mayo The Friars Confession before the Lord Deputy and Council of Ireland Anno Christi 1522. in the year of our Lord 1548. upon the Assumption of our Blessed Lady I received the Order of Mount Carmel generally called Friars Carmelites and became a Member of that Order of the Convent of Ballinsmale in the said County continuing therein for the space of 12 years before I departed from thence Afterwards in the year 1561. I journied towards Cecil in Spain in the company of Tho. Lynch Garrott Fitz-Gerald of my own Order also in the company of my Cousin James Malone John Bourke Philip Corwine and of Thady ô Bryan who in the City of Sevell took on them the Order of St. Francis I tarried at that City about two years and from thence journied into
Flood of Calumnies with which the Romish Dragon has persecuted our Church and driven her into the wilderness I will prove the truth of my Charge by such undeniable matter of Fact as shall leave no excuse for non-conviction to any persons to whose hands these Papers shall come except such who have resolved not to acknowledge any conviction and who by a resolute persisting in a seeming Infidelity properly called a wilful Obstinacy justly render themselves suspected if not evidently guilty of a confederacy and downright combination with the Papists to introduce Popery and Tyranny upon the ruines both of Church and State I will begin then with a remarkable Narrative of a Dominican Fryer A notable relation of a Dominican Frier who pretended himself a Puritan in Qu. Elizabeth's time being an Extract out of the Memorials of the Lord Cecil an Eminent Statesman in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth from whose Papers it was transmitred to the Reverend Bishop Vsher some time Lord Primate of Ireland whose Name so Venerable even to many Dissenters may possibly influence them to sober considerations of the danger to which they expose the Protestant Religion by their separation whilst thereby they give opportunity to these Ravening Wolves in Sheeps Clothing to enter in among them and scatter those Souls from Christs Fold who otherwise would be one Flock under that one great Bishop and Shepherd of Souls The Papers of the Lord Primate coming to the hands of Sir James Ware Knight late one of his Majesties Privy Council in Ireland Observe how early the Papists began to act Nonconformists who then were called Puritans from their pretending to a purer reformation as presently you will find this Friar do his Son Robert Ware Esq has obliged the Publick by the communication of them In the year 1567 being the ninth year of the Reign of Queen Eliz. one Faithful Commin a Friar of the Order of St. Dominick a person generally reputed a zealous Protestant and much admired and followed by the people for his seeming Piety but more particularly for inveighing in his Pulpit most bitterly against Pius Quintus then Pope was accused by John Clerkson Chaplain to the A. B. of Cant. Nicholas Draper and Mary Dean who being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists before her Majesty and the Lords of the Council deposed that the said Faithful Commin was no true Protestant but a false Impostor a Sower of Sedition among her Majesties Loyal Subjects upon which the fifth of April being Monday the said Faithful Commin was brought before the Queens Majesty and the Honourable Lords of the Privy Council and there examined by his Grace Matthew Parker Lord Archbishop of Canterbury as followeth L. Archbishop Faithful Commin of what Profession art thou Fa. Com. Of Christs Order L. Archbishop What Order is that Fa. Com. * The very same Answer which all unordain'd Speakers who are Preachers at large and run before they are sent made at this day A Preacher of the Holy Gospel L. Archbishop What Gospel is that you call the Holy Gospel Fa. Com. The Gospel of Jesus Christ L. A. B. Under what Power do you own to hold that Gospel Fa. Com. Under Christ and his Saints L. A. B. Do you acknowledge any other Power save Christ to be on Earth Fa. Com. Yes I do L. A. B. What Power is that Fa. Comm. The Holy Catholick Church L. A. B. Do you not acknowledge a Defender of the Holy Catholick Faith Fa. Comm. * Papists and Dissenters both disown Supremacy or equivocate and dissemble about it God is the only Desender Hereupon the Archbishop addressing himself to Her Majesty said Your Gracious Majesty may perceive that either this man hath been instructed what to say or otherwise he must be by his Answers a man of Craft to which the Queen replied I suppose so my Lord. Then Commin was ordered to withdraw and her Majesty and the Council were some time debating how to proceed in this Affair After which John Clerkson the Archbishops Chaplain was called in before the Board the Queen demanded his Name which he told her then she further enquired whether he was acquainted with Faithful Commin to which he answered he was the Queen asked him how long he had known him to which he replied about a year or more Queen What have you to say against Faithful Commin that he is suspected to be an Impostor J. Clerkson Three things Queen What be they J. C. First Let him prove his Ordination since he fell from the Church of Rome Secondly Why he never cometh to the Prayers of the now established Church of England but starteth up and Preacheth to the people †The exact mode of most Dissenters who will come to our Churches not coming into the Church till the Prayers be finished Thirdly Let him prove that ever he received the Sacrament according to the Church of England from any of our Orthodox Clergy-men Her Majesty and the Council having considered of these three Points sent for the said Faithful Commin to come in again who appearing the Archbishop demanded of him A. B. Were you ever ordained Fa. Com. Yes I was ordained A. B. By whom Fa. Com. By the Cardinal meaning Poul A. B. Had you no other Certificate under any of the Bishops hands since the Reformation Fa. Com. Not any A. B. Wherefore would you dare to Preach having not got a * Observe the reason and necessity of all Preachers having License to Preach and of setled Parochial Congregations as also the great care the Church of England takes to keep Papists from creeping in disguised among us and the opportunity Separation gives them to come among Dissenting Congregations License of Permission under some of our Bishops hands How shall we be assured that you are not of the Romish Church Fa. Com. There are several have heard my Prayers and Sermons and can testifie †they that rail most bitterly against Rome and the Pope may be Papists notwithstanding that I have spoken against Rome and her Pope as much as any of the Clergy have since they have fallen from her I wonder therefore why I should be suspected A. B. By your answer Mr. Commin I perceive you would have any one Preach so that he speak but against the Pope in his Sermons F. C. Not every one but he whose Function it is and he who hath the †Look here a Friar in Masquerade of a Dissenting Protestant one of the first Pretenders to this extraordinary gift of the Spirit Spirit A. B. What Spirit is this you mean F. C. The Spirit of Grace and Truth A. B. ** A Question worthy of the most deliberate Consideration of all Pretenders to the Spirit and all those who follow them for if they cannot by the fruits of the Spirit mentioned Gal. 6. prove it the Spirit of Truth or if it produces the fruits of the Flesh there mentioned Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions
Revenue that my Brother Edward and his Council had seen this Letter nay rather than twice my Revenue I had seen it sooner and so caused me to lay it where I found it The Councils opinion The Council upon her Highness discourse concluded that Calvin would have established Episcopacy beyond Seas had he been consulted herein and that the hindrance of this offerture caused much animosity between Reformers Having no more of Sir Henry's words of this nature in this Memorandum we shall go forward in the Memorials of other learned men of this kind You have seen already our Narrative of Faithful Comin and Tho. Heth formerly mentioned in the Book entituled Foxes and Firebrands Printed at London anno 1680. and also the Life and Death of George Browne with the Confession of Philip Corwine which Confession was formerly written by John Garvey some time Primate of all Ireland which we have already put out to publick view We shall therefore also lay before you the Confessions of two great Penitents viz. the one of Samuel Mason some time bred up with the Jesuits at Paris the other of Malachias Malone a Carmalite Friar who were converted to the Protestant Church of England the former being converted an 1566 the latter an 1584. the former being a memorial of that Learned Statesman Sir Henry Sidney as also written by John Garvey the latter a memorial of that Eminent Statesman the Lord William Cecill as follows Samuel Mason his Conversion to the Protestant Church of England now established by her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth our Gracious Sovereign Lady of England France and Ireland together with his Speech in the Cathedral of Christ-Church Dublin June the 6th 1566. and also his Narrative presented to Sir Henry Sidney on the 25th of August following being made before him being then Lord Deputy the Archbishop Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Dublin formerly written by John Garvey Primate of Armagh and Dean of the said Cathedral It is usual upon Confession to shew some sorrow for sins committed The Converts Speech and also to promise an amendment for the future But that sorrow without a performance is the committing of Sin afresh besides the committing of the sin of lying when the party performeth it not These sorts of sorrows and promises be odious both to God and Man But my Confession is not Auricular as I publickly here declare it therefore I hope to be the more credited and it would redound to my disgrace from henceforth to dissemble either with God or Man So that I shall not make a rash vow that I will not return to my evil ways yet with Prayer I shall seek my God for his assistance lest I be led into temptation reserving within my self this saying in my mind Teach me O Lord to number my days that I may apply my heart unto Godly wisdom It was not want drove me hither for had I complyed at Paris where I abode about eight years I might have been entertain'd yet my frailties were such I here openly declare for two years and upwards before I departed from thence I dissembled with the Society called the Society of Jesus But spending my time partly in learning the Language of that Kingdom and also by searching the Records and Libraries of the Vniversities there I found out variety to disswade me from that impious way of living Therefore I have come hither to acknowledge both mine ignorance and perversness when I was of a contrary opinion for to embrace the truth which I have for a long time scandalized and rejected hoping all here present will be pleased as Christians to take this my Recantation for a real and true one So the Lord of his mercy recall Sinners to his Church duly from henceforth Amen After this Recantation of Mr. Masons Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy took him for one of his Chaplains after which Adam Loftus after Primate of Armagh upon the resignation of Hugh Corwine Archbishop of this See Adam our Primate resigning up the Primacy to succeed Hugh Corwine in this Diocess he preferred this Convert to the Parish of Finglas two miles distant from this City of Dublin After the Recantation of this Convert upon the Feast of St. Bartholomew soon after his Conversion he presented Sir Henry Sidney with this Narrative following The covetousness of the Bishop of Rome for these several hundred of years past have increased more than ordinary The Converts Narrative after his Speech given to Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy of Ireland First their covetousness caused them to forget God by neglecting his Will and Commandments Secondly it hath caused them to accept of the earthly pleasures of this world which Satan offered to our Saviour but Christ rejected his offerture by rebuking him and shewed that he cared not for the riches therein by his saying My Kingdom is not of this World hath not only caused the Bishops of Rome to assume to themselves the Titles due to Emperors Kings and Princes but above all to assume the name of God to them and their Successors which in a word is Blasphemy At Paris during my stay there I improved my self by searching the Records and viewing the Books in that University amongst which I lighted upon the Clergy of Leige their Apology to Pope Paschal the Second as touching the Oath of Allegiance which he had granted against the then Emperor Henry the Fourth The substance of this Clergies Apology being thus translated out of French Who can justly blame a Bishop for favouring his Lords party The Clergy of Leighs their apology against Pope Puschal the Second circa ann 1105 or near that time to whom he oweth Allegiance and hath promised by Oath to observe it No man doubts but that Perjury is a grievous offence God only sweareth and repenteth not because wisdom keeps the commandment of Gods Oath But for us who often repent that we have sworn we are forbidden to swear If a man swears God enjoyns him to perform his Oath unto the Lord which is not unknown to those that rend the Kingdom and the Priesthood by a new Schism and with their upstart Traditions promise to absolve from all sins such as incur the crime of Perjury towards their Sovereign never reading what God said to Zedekias by the mouth of Ezekiel the Prophet who had committed Perjury against his Sovereign Nebuchadonozor He that hath broken the Covenant shall he escape Which St. Hierome expounds thus Hence we may learn that we ought to keep touch even with our enemies and not consider with whom but by whom we have sworn Considering on this Apology my soul was smitten within me and such a terror seized on my Conscience that I said within my soul surely that if Paschal was thus reproved by this Clergy so long since how wicked are his Successors grown by this time At this time Pope Pius the 4th his contrivance against the Protestants of England anno 1560. viz. anno
bound to obey the Mother-Church when ever commanded I entreated Mr. Freake to give me a Copy of the Heads of the directions that were given unto those who were licenced to perform what this Bull had permitted which was thus Observe how in Cromwell's days Marriages were altered for this purpose They were permitted to marry upon two accompts First because they might not be suspected Secondly Heretical Marriage is no Marriage if their Matrimonial Ceremonies be contrary to the Romish Orders Several of these so licenced are to take divers Callings according to their inclinations Thus Rome taught Dissention in the late usurped times yet to Preach and Expound and in case they be asked upon what grounds they came by this Science they must reply by the Spirit of God by revelation and by searching of the Scriptures In case they be asked upon what grounds they take upon them to Preach In the usurped days they generally called it Teaching and not Preaching they must reply We Preach not but Teach But in case they ask and say Why do ye then Teach it self Let Statesmen consider of this Jesuitical fetch for Teaching ye must reply because the Sons of the Prophets did Teach so did Jehoshaphat and his Princes likewise did the Disciples before Christ's Resurrection also the Scribes and Pharisees and divers of the Church of Corinth and these were not Church-men If they say by this means every man may Preach that listeth A further Jefuitical fetch to adorn the Schisms of Rome you must reply I could wish we were all Preachers and Prophets because Moses wished all the Lords people were Prophets If we should make but one or two divisions amongst the English Hereticks Jesuitical Policies not to permit the Popish Laity to read Scripture it were all in vain and our labour lost and this the Council of Trent a little before its dissolution left to our Society to handle who from Paris Rome and from several places of Italy corresponded with each other and concluded that Rome her self had not continued in that splendor as she hath done hitherto in case her Popes and Council had not brought in novelties to please peoples fancies by which means it confounded the capacities of the Laity and common sort as they were not permitted to read or search the Scriptures How they have deluded the Protestant Laity by misconstruing the Scripture knowing they be permitred to read them But by reason that the Hereticks of England and other Provinces permitted them to read it was necessary before they were well grounded in their Principles to preach variety unto them to some the Doctrine of Free-will to some that Children should not be baptized till they come to Age to others a Monarchy of earthly happiness after this temporal life to others that the righteousness of man dependeth not upon the Faith of Christ but upon charity and affliction and that any gifted man may either give or receive the Sacrament All these and several such like observations as shall daily spring forth must ye undertake to perform outwardly with great fervency for thereby ye will not be suspected or discovered for that one method being duly observed will absolve ye and hide your designs designed Then receiving these Instructions I lest Paris What he delivered to Shane O Neal from Father Freake whilst he was a Papist and journied and came to Callis from thence I sailed into Scotland and so came for Ireland where I gave the Papers delivered unto me by Father Freake unto Shane O Neale which was in the year of Christ 1564. Judgments falling upon the Head of Shane O Neal for his Treachery and Rebellion against our Sovereign Lady the Queen How he came to be Converted I said within my self God doth not prosper these unjust means yet continuing still in my profession of the Order of Mount Carmel I perceived always the Roman Catholicks projects to fail them which smote my Conscience very often so that I resolved to repent that I might lay my bones in the Grave in peace with hopes of a joyful Resurrection when I and all mankind shall come before our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ before whose Tribunal all must appear and receive according to their works and Faith in him alone Witness my hand this 28th of October Anno Dom. 1584 Malachias Malone The Original of this was sent to her Majesty and Council from Sir John Perrot Knight then Lord Deputy of Ireland and that Council as a signal assurance of this Convert's Reformation to the Protestant Church of England now established Although we should have placed these following Memorials before the Conversion of Mason or Malone yet hapning to cast an eye thereon being entred amongst my Fathers Manuscripts and given unto him from John King some time Dean of Tuum I have here set them forth that the Reader may see how sensible the Lord Cicell was of the Romish Conspiracies against the Church of England and her Majesty Worthy Sir You can assure her Highness of my care and charge which I undertook at my departing from her Grace and the Honourable Privy Council I assure you I do not miss-spend my little time it being so precious as you and others can testify by my former Intelligences sent by the hands of Captain Russel of which I was assured came safe to the Council I intended to have presented this inclosed with my own hands to her Grace but her lost message to me hath been the occasion of sending it sooner upon two accounts it being a matter of sudden prevention and likewise having so sure a hand and the conveniency of Mr. Edward Maxwell's and others of our English Factors here going from hence and guarded by her Graces Ship called the Swallow I shall make all the speed I can possible and with God's help see your Worship as chearful as ever though I am somewhat altered by this last Voyage God preserve your undertakings both at home and abroad for the publick good of her gracious Majesty and welfare of the Nation Your assured Servant E. Dennum Venice April 13th 1564. A list of several consultations amongst the Cardinals Bishops and others of the several Orders of Rome now a contriving and conspiring against her gracious Majesty and the established Church of England Pius having consulted with the Clergy of Italy and assembling them together it was by general consent voted that the immunity of the Romish Church and her Jurisdiction is required to be defended by all her Princes as the principal Church of God And to encourage the same the Council hath voted that Pius should bestow her Graces Realm on that Prince who shall attempt to conquer it There was a Council ordered by way of a Committee who contain three of the Cardinals two of the Archbishops six of the Bishops and as many of the late Order of the Jesuits who daily encrease and come into great favour with the Pope of late These
the Papists rejoycing at the conjunction of England and France by the Marriage of Charles the First and Queen Mary of France hoping thereby to raise such another claim to the Crown of Egland as France did in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by that Match of Mary Queen of Scots they contrived a way to set Ireland in an uprore for King Charles the First was no sooner setled in his Throne when Ireland was full of the rumour of Lewis the 13ths preparations and intentions for the invading of the same as appears as well by the Records of the Council if doubted as also by Sir James Ware 's Memorials The noise of these preparations caused the Lord Henry Faulkland then Lord Deputy of this Nation to advise with the Privy-Council what course to take for to oppose these French intentions They upon consultation in this affair set forth a Proclamation that the chief of the Kingdom should meet at Dublin and then to demand a general Contribution of the Inhabitants for to raise and maintain Forces to oppose that King The Castle of Dublin being first appointed for that Assembly St. Patrick's Church in Dublin was afterwards ordered for this Assembly to meet at The Papists were upon high terms The Papists would not assist their King but upon terms and would not contribute towards the safety of this Nation unless the Lord Deputy and Council would grant them a toleration for their Religion and also leave to build themselves Churches and pretended Religious Houses as many as they listed and where they pleased in all Cities and Corporate Towns These their proposals put a stop to these proceedings for the present so that this Assembly was for the present dismissed it being about Michaelmass Term anno 1626. And another day was nominated for them to meet again until they had acquainted his late Majesty with their demands yet in the interim James Vsher late Primate of Ardmagh assembled all our Protestant Bishops together and so prevented these Popish demands by this their protestation as follows The Protestant Clergy of the Church of Ireland their protestation against these Popish terms The Religion of the Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous Their Faith and Doctrine Enormous and Heretical Their Church in respect of both Apostatical To give them therefore a toleration or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion and profess their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sin and that in two respects For first it is to make our selves accessary not only to their Superstitions Idolatries Heresies and in a word to all the abominations of Popery but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the deluge of the Catholick Apostacy For the second to grant them toleration in respect of any Money to be given or Contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the Souls of people whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious Blood And as it is a great sin so also a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we commend to the Wise and Judicious beseeching the Great God of Truth to make them who are in Authority zealous of God's Glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery and Idolatry Amen Signed Ja. Armachanus Anto. Midensis Ro. Dunensis Coronensis Richard Cork Cloyn Roscensis Tho. Killmorensis Ardahensis Mich. Waterfordensis Lismorensis Mal. Cassilensis Tho Fernensis Laughlanensis George Derensis Andr. Aladensis Theo. Dromorensis Franc. Limiricksensis This being confered and agreed upon the 26th Novemb. Anno 1626. Upon the 23d of April following Doctor George Downham then Bishop of Derry the next Assembly being then to meet in the midst of his Sermon in Christ-Church Anno 1627. Dr. Downham then Bishop of Derry his protestation against these terms in Christ-Church in Dublin took occasion to speak something to this purpose saying that many amongst us for gain and outward respects were ready to consent to a toleration of a false Religion which if they did they were guilty of putting to sale not only the souls of Papists but their own souls also This is not my opinion said he only but the opinion of the Archbishops Bishops and of the Protestant Clergy of his Majesties whole Kingdom which I think fit to publish He had no sooner uttered these words when all the Protestants then in that Church cried out aloud Amen Amen Then making a respit till the people had done crying out Amen I spoke nothing to hinder the Kings Service for we all of the Clergy desire not only the sole Army of 5500 men that being the number may be maintained but also a far greater Army besides the Trained-Bands and could wish that his Majesty would reserve to himself the most of those particular Graces of late offered and granted to the dishonour of God and to himself the prejudice and impeachment of true Religion and what was wanting might be supplied by the Countrey to which he exhorted all true Christians and faithful Subjects The people upon this cried unanimously Our Lives and Fortunes be at his Majesties command for the good of the Protestant Faith of England The next day the late Lord Primate Primate Vsher his words against the same toleration Vsher Preached before the same Auditory and took these words for his Text Love not the World nor the things that are in the World Which words he applied according to those times These two Sermons so prevailed with the Protestants so strengthened their resolutions that they proposed so largely towards a maintenance for an Army to oppose the French King that these Popish Proposals which we have already mentioned fell and the Papists much ashamed and discontented then the Lord Deputy and Council dismissed this Assembly There is one material thing to be observed by the Reader The Lord Faulklands Lady known to be a Papist that this Lord Faulklands Lady was a great Heiress to an Estate in England which caused her Husband to seek all means the more to please her she being a fickle minded woman in her judgment The Papists of this Kingdom depended much on this Ladies being of their own Religion although outwardly whether out of compliance to her Lord or by the advice of Popish Policies she went to Church but going out of this Kingdom into England she returned unto her Popish inclinations which then was a signal testimony of her Religion all along These Jesuitical projects were not sufficient to satisfie a Romish appetite A Riot committed by the Popish Clergy anno 1629 seeing that these devices could take no effect the Jesuits and Friars of Dublin out of spleen began to Preach Sedition unto the Papist Inhabitants within that Metropolis continuing after this method for certain days it came at last to Lancelot Buckley alias Bulkley his ears then Archbishop of the same See who
went and related what he had heard touching this seditious Doctrine and desired of Adam Loftus Lord Viscount Elye and Richard Earl of Cork then Lords Justices of the Nation to send a file of Musqueteers and a Warrant to seize on these Malefactors but coming to the Friar Carmelites-House then in Cook-street in Dublin where these Friars were infusing of Rebellion into several of the then Popish Aldermen and Citizens of this City they arose unanimously joyning to confront the Archbishop and his attendance in a very high nature by wounding some of the Souldiers and those who assisted the Archbishop that not being sufficient they went to assault the Bishops person who for safety was fain to run through the Streets of Dublin and cry for help and so obtained safeguard by running into a House or otherwise he had been in danger of his life This Riot of the Friars was committed about Christmass 1629. The Lords Justices upon this committed the Popish Aldermen and others of the Citizens amongst which of the Aldermen one Mr. Jyans was one On the ninth of January the Lords Justices and Council gave his Majesty and the Lords of the Council of England an account of these disasters which coming to those Lords hands they returned this answer By your Letters dated the ninth of January The Lords of the Council of England to the Lords of the Council in Ireland Jan. 31. 1629. we understand how the seditious Riot moved by the Friars and their Adherents at Dublin hath by your good order and resolution been happily supprest and we doubt not but by this occasion you will consider how much it concerneth the good Government of that Kingdom to prevent in time the first growing of such evils for where such people be permitted to swarm they will soon grow licentious and endure no Government but their own which cannot otherwise be restored than by a due and seasonable execution of the Law and of such directions as from time to time have been sent from his Majesty and this Board Now it redoundeth much to the Honour of his Majesty that the World shall take notice of the ability and good-service of his Ministers there which in person he hath been pleased openly in Council and in most gracious manner to approve and commend whereby you may be sufficiently encouraged to go on with like resolution and moderation till the work be fully done as well in the City as in other places of your Kingdom the carriage whereof we must leave to your good discretions whose particular knowledge of the present state of things can guide you better when and where to carry a soft or harder hand only this we hold necessary to put you in mind of that you continue in that good agreement amongst your selves for this and other services which your Letters do express and for which we commend you much that the good Servants of the King and State may find encouragement equally from you all and the ill-affected may find no support or countenance from any nor any other contrivances used but by general advice for avoiding of further evils shall be allowed and such Magistrates and Officers if any shall be discovered that openly or under-hand favour such disorders or do not their duties in suppressing them and committing the offenders you shall do well to take all fit and safe advantages by the punishment or displacing of a few to make the rest more cautious This we write not as misliking the fair course you have taken but to express the concurrency of our judgments with yours and to assure you of our assistance in all such occasions wherein for your future proceedings we have advised And his Majesty requireth you accordingly to take order first that the house wherein Seminary Friars appeared in their habits and wherein the Reverend Archbishop and the Mayor of Dublin received the first affront be speedily demolished and be the mark of terror to the resisters of Authority and that the rest of the Houses erected or employed there or elsewhere to the use of suspitious Societies be converted to Houses of Correction and to set the people on work or to other publick uses for the advancement of Justice good Arts or Trades and further that you find out the Lands Leases or Revenues applied to their uses and dispose thereof according to the Law and that you certifie also the places and institutions of all such Monasteries Priories Nunneries and other Religious Houses and the names of all such persons as have put themselves to be Brothers and Sisters therein especially such as are of note to the end such evil Plants be not permitted to take root any where in that Kingdom which we require you to take care of As for the supply of Munition which you have reason to desire we have taken effectual order that you shall receive it with all convenient speed and so bid you heartily farewell Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Lord President Lord Privy-Seal Lord High Chamberlain Earl of Suffolk Earl of Dorset Earl of Salisbury Earl of Kelly Lord Viscount Dorchester Lord Newbergh Mr. Vice Chamberlain Mr. Secretary Cooke Sir William Alexander His Majesty beholding and considering how rebellious his Popish Subjects have hitherto been The Papists design to take off the Earl of Straffords Head as we have already exprest even from the first entrance into his Throne some few years after sent over Thomas Lord Wentworth afterwards Created Earl of Strafford to Govern his Kingdom of Ireland who executed that place to that Kingdoms advantage by civilizing the Inhabitants and bringing them to an English Station as to this day appears by those English Plantations by him ordered in the Counties of Longford Wicklow and other places These acts or good deeds of his pleased not some peoples fancies especially not the sancies of the Irish Natives of the Popish Religion during this Nóble-mans Government He obtained a Grant of four Subsidies for the maintenance of an Army which was irksome to the ancient Natives of that Land He being recalled about the year 1640. was not long in England before he was Indicted of High-Treason his Enemies at that time casting all aspersions imaginable to make him odious to most men amongst which aspersions they gave out as if he were inclined to Popery but his actions during his Government in Ireland shews yet to the contrary He was beheaded in the Month of May 1641. then his Enemies having removed so great a Pillar of State as this Noble-man was began to shew their teeth for upon the 23d of October following by their Popish Rebellion they testified what they aimed at And the better to accomplish their design for the Plot of 1641. one White wrote this Letter following to a Popish Peer of Ireland that the City of Dublin might be at that appointed time under a Popish Jurisdiction A Letter to a Popish Peer of Ireland how he may secure the City of Dublin against the Protestants at the
with his Coach and Horses Whilst this Knight tarried in Ireland to find out the affairs of the Metropolis of this Kingdom How this Knight thrust out Sir William Davies to bring in himself Recorder of this City he cajoled several of the Aldermen and Citizens of Dublin by breeding animosities between them and the Recorder Sir William Davies purposely to make place for himself and to expulse Sir William This Knight being ambitious not only to know the modes and manners of the City but also to change the ancient Rules and customs according to his fancy To further this his purpose he made the Lord Berkley to procure the Recorders Place which Place he once taking possession of he began to change the old Rules and Customs aforesaid which bred much clashing amongst the Aldermen and Commons of the City but he then having the ear of the Lord Berkley bore all afore him hectoring after this manner Several of the Aldermen being discontented with these actions of his His first pranks after he became Recorder complained but all to no purpose for which complaint of theirs by this Knights means and by the new stamp which he had raised to assist him these Aldermen whose names follow were expulsed and razed out of the roul of Aldermen Alderman Richard Tigh Daniel Hutchinson Lewis Desminieres Enoch Reader Mark Quin Joshua Allen and Francis Bruster the two last Aldermen being since Knighted In lieu of these then expulsed Aldermen for to make up a Table of his own gang and creatures This Recorders new Aldermen by reason they voted to his will and pleasure this Gentleman preferred William Gresingham Nathanael Philpot and one Brookes who has been since one of the Informers of the late Popish Plot Peter Ward who hath been since Lord Mayor of Dublin and others were offered at the same time to be made Aldermen also but refused The Government of this City continuing under this tuition of their new Recorder and change of Aldermen until the Government of this Nation was changed to make way for the Right Honourable Arthur Earl of Essex This Honourable Peer was scarce fetled in the Lieutenancy when the grievances of these mutations which we have already mentioned came before his Lordship and this Honourable Board The Earl of Essex and the Privy-Council their verdict in this matter the seven Aldermen restored and the three degraded shewing before them the former passages and enormities committed by this Knight and his Adherents These Grievances took up ten or eleven hours debate upon hearing the same Then after some days considerations between this Noble Peer and the Privy Council they appointed a day for the Lord Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen to hear their Judgment and Opinion At which time it was ordered Sir Ellis to be expulsed and Sir William to be restored the seven aforesaid Aldermen to take their places as formerly and the other three new ones to be degraded Upon this Order the Knight being thus deprived of his prey fled to seek it elsewhere being too well known in this City for to tarry longer and so departed hence into England Whereas you have read already how it was the Jesuits and other the Emissaries of Rome who contrived the cutting off the two Pillars of our Church and State the better for their evil purposes to contrive a way for to murther our late Gracious Sovereign and Godly Martyr Charles the First And also whereas you have had a relation of the Papal Conspiracies and of the correspondence between the Papists of Ireland and of France for the invading of Ireland so likewise we humbly lay before you the Papal contrivances of their Brethren and Popish Fathers in England at the same time working against his Sacred Majesty and the welfare of the Church and State of England as shall here appear by a copy of a Letter written from a Jesuit to his Correspondent at Bruxels as follows A Copy of a Letter from a Jesuit LEt not the damp of astonishment seize upon your ardent and zealous Soul in apprehending the sudden 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 days You must know the Council is engaged to assist the King by way of Prerogative in case the Parliamentary way should fail You shall see this Parliament will resemble the Pelican which takes a pleasure to dig out with her beak her own bowels The Election of Knights and Burgesses have been in such confusion of apparent 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 Botch or Boil and spits and spues out its own rankor and venom You remember how that famous and immortal Statesman the Count of Gondomar fed King James his fancy and rocked him asleep with the soft sweet sound of Peace to keep up the Spanish Treaty Likewise we were much bound to some Statesmen of our own Countrey for gaining time by procuring those most advantagious cessations of Arms in the Palatinate and advancing the Honour and Integrity of the Spanish Nation and vilifying the Hollanders remonstrating to King James that that State was most ungrateful both to his Predecessor Queen Elizabeth and his Sacred Majesty that the States were more obnoxious than the Turk 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 Statesman had but one principal means to further their great and good designs which was to set on King James that none but the Puritan 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 Anarchical 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 James lived you know he was very violent against Arminianism and interrupted with his pestilent Wit and deep Learning our strong designs in Holland and was a great friend to that old Rebel and Heretick the Prince of Orange Now we have planted that Sovereign Drug Arminianism which we hope will purge the Protestants from their Heresie and it flourisheth and bears fruit in due season The materials which build up our Bulwark are the Projectors and Beggars of all Ranks and Qualities Howsoever both these Factions co-operate to destroy the Parliament and to introduce a new species and form of Government which is Oligarchy Those serve as direct Mediums and Instruments to our end which is the universal Catholick Monarchy Our foundation must be Mutation