meanes censured by the Fâ—â—â—y of Paris Anno 1630. Vpon their opposition onely and by their means and power alone being then the stronger party and over-mastering the Bishops faction this Bishop of Câ—cedon was by these Proclamations and their popish Instruments forced to deserts the Realme and flee for succour into France to Cardinall Richelieu who curteously entertained him as you may read at large in N. le Maistre a Sorbon Priest his Instauratâ—â— antiqus Episcoporum Principatus printed at Paris 1639. Cum privilegio Regis approbatisne Doctorum and dedicated to the Cardinall himselfe lib. 3. c. 15. intituled Corolarium libri secunds ubi nonnulla de persecutione Episcoperum de illustrissimo ANTISTITE CALCEDONENSI where he largely justifies the Bishop of Calcedou against the regular Priests in England his opposers and persecuters who had expolled and banished him thence severely censuring them for this their persecution against him and persâ—ading his restuâ—tion and reception againe among them in this Realme Which mystery and devision of theirs occasioning these two Proclamationsâ— I thought fit to discover to prevent mistakes You have formerly heard the Complaint of the Commons in Parliament in their Remonstance and Petition to the King of the great liberty and encrease of popish Prelats Priests Monks Monasteries within the Kingdome of Ireland and the open profession of their Romish Religion there together with Bishop Lâ—uds peremptory deniall of it in his answer to that Remonstrance in the Kings owne name but no sooner was that Parliament dissolved in discontent but the verity of the Commons Complaint was sufficiently justified by this ensuing Proclamation of the Lord Deputy and Councell of that Realme found among the Bishops owne papers who could not be ignorant of it being thus indorsed with his owne hand A Proclamation Concerning the growth of Popery in Ireland By the Lord DEPVTY and COVNSELE Henry Falkland FOrasmuch as We cannot but take notice that the late intermission of legall proceedings against popish pretended or Titulary Arch-bishops Bishops Abbo Deanes Vicarsâ—generall Jesuits Fryars and others of that sort that derive their pretended authority and orders from the Sea of Rome hath bred such an extraordinary insolence and presumption in them as that they have dared here of late not onely to assemble themselves in publike places to celebrate their superstitious Services in all parts of this Kingdome but also have erected houses and buildings called publike Oratories Colledges Masse houses and Convents of Fryers NOTE Munks and Nunnes in the eye and open view of the State and elswhere and doe frequently exercise jurisdiction against his Majesties Subjects by authority derived from the Sea of Rome and by colour of teaching and keeping Schools in their pretended Monasteries and Colledges doe traine up the youth of this Kingdome in their superstitious Religion to the great derogation and contempt of his Majesties regall power and authority and great offence of many of his Majesties good Subjects contrary to the Lawes and Ecclesiasticall government of this Kingdome and the impoverishment of his Majesties Subjects in the same These are therefore to will and require and in his Majesties name straitly to charge and command all and all manner such pretended or Titulary Archbishops Bishops Deanes Vicars-generall Arch-deacons and others deriving any pretended authority power or jurisdiction from the Sea of Rome that they and every of them forbeare from henceforth to exercise any such power jurisdiction or authority within thâ—â— Kingdome and that all such Abbots Pryors Jesuits Fryars Munks Nunnes and others of that sort as aforesaid doe forthwith breake up their Convents and Assemblies in all houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries and other places wheresoever they are or shall be Conventually or Collegiatly assembled together within this Kingdome and to relinquish the same and to disperse and seperate themselves And that all and every of the orders before named and other Priests whatsoever do from henceforth forbeare to preach teach or celebrate their Service in any Church Chappell or other publike Oratory or place or to teach any Schoole in any place or places whatsoever within this Kingdome And We doe further charge and command all and sigular the owners of such houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries Schools Oratories Masse-houses and Numeries that they and every of them respectively in default of the persons before named their voluntary relinquishing of the said houses of Fryars Colledges monasteries Schooles oratories masse-houses and Numeries doe forthwith expell and thrust forth all and singular such Fryarsâ— Jesuits and other Monasticall persons out of the same and to convert the same to other more lawfull uses upon paine to have their said houses seized to his Majesties use and both the one and the other to be proceeded against for their unlawfull assemblies and maintainance of such unlawfull Conventieles and corrupt nurture of Children in the severest manner that by the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome and Ecclesiasticall Government of the same may be had or extended whereof they and every of them are to take notice and to yeeld due obedience thereunto as they and every of them will avoid his Majesties high indignation and the consequence thereof Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the 1. day of April 1629. Adam Lofius Canc. T. Baltinglasse Wil. Parsons Ia. Armachantus R. Dillon Rich. Bâ—lton Hen. Valentia Anth. Midensis Dud. Norton Moore Hen. Doewra Ad. Loftus By this Proclamation the whole passage in the Commons Remonstance touching the encrease of Popery in Ireland is confessed to be true and farre more then is therein expressed How little effect this Proclamation produced in Ireland will appeare by this enâ— suing Letter of Doctor William Bedley Bishop of Kilmore and Ardivagh about the 〈◊〉 of the Church in his Drocesse and the Papists in Ireland to Bishop Land thus superscribed To the right reverend Father in God William Lord Bishop of London my honourable good Lord deliver these Right reverend Father my honourable good Lord SInce my comming to this place which was a little before Michaelmas till which time the setling the State of the Colledge and my Lord Primates visitation deferred my Consecration I have not been unmingfull of your â—ordships commands to advertise you as my experience should informe of the estate of this Church which I shall now the better doe because I have been about my Diocesses and can set down out of my knowledge and view what I shall relate and shortly to speake much ill matter in a few words it is very miserable every way The Cathedrall Church of Ardagh one of the most ancient in Ireland and said to be built by Saint Patrick together with the Bishops house there downe to the ground the Church here built but without Bell or Steeple Font or Chalice The parish Churches all in a manner ruined or unroofed and unrepaired the people saving a few British Planters here and there which are not the tenth part of the remnant obstinate Recusants
recusants Thomas Oatly Esquire is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Shropshire and Richard Gibbins Gent. to be crowner there and that their wives be recusants Rice Williams esquire is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Carwarthenshire and that his wife is a popish recusant convicted Sir Thomas Penrodduck â—night is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Middlesex and that his wife is a recusant Valentine Sanders esquire is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Middlesex and that his eldest sonne is a recusant Thomas Rookell esquire is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Saint Edmunds Berry in Suffolke and that his eldest sonne is reported to be a popish recusant Anthony Thorold Esquire is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Lincolnshire and that he hath a sonne that is suspected to be a popish recusant Sir Nicholas Sanders Knight is certified to be a commissioner of the peace in Surrey and his wife is suspected to be a popish recusant Which Petition being read the House did defere the debate thereof at this time for that the day was farre spent And answer was given to the commons who attended for the same in the paynted chamber that the Lords will send them an answer of this Petition hereafter when they are resolved thereof Whether any of these were displaced upon this Petition I find not in any Memorials it being certain some of them were not but continued still in these offices of trust And thus I have given the World a full account of the unhappy tedious Spanish Treaty of the advantages the Pope and Papists made thereof and its finall rupture in and by the Parliament I shall now proceed to the French which was short and more succesfull THe Spanish match being thus at last dissoved after so long a treaty in discontent and warre the popish party here and beyond the seas endeavouring to make good the ground liberty and immunities they had gotten by the former treaty of Marriage and to carry on their forementioned designe by the same prevailing meanes engaged the King and Prince in a new marriage-parley with France to the Lady Henrette Maria Sister to the French King a Princesse of the Roman Religion To what end this Marriage was propounded by the Roman party is evident by this observable passage of le Maistre a French Author Sotâ—on Priest in his Instauratio antiqui Episcoporum Principatus printed at Paris Cum Privilegio Anno 1633. dedicated to Cardinal Richelltus l. 2. c. 15. p. 273 274. where thus he writes with reference to the English Roman affaires anno 1624. What then forbids the same things and others which are of greater pompo in England especially where the heat of persecutions hath ceased through the dignity of a Magnanimous King and most invincible Prince NOTE Rol. Tractationis Ratifiâ—atiâ—nis Matrimonii inter Dom. Carolum Regum Dâ—m Henret Marium Sororem Regis Franc. 1. Carâ— by the Borbonian Starre which hangs over these countries in a most deare Wife by which Starres as by the Dioscury peradventure the tempest of persecution will in time be appeased and the generous Prince may acknowlege the same Christ under whom his Ancestors have so gloriously triumphed c. This Match was soone concluded in the life of King Iames the Articles concerning Religion being the same almost verbatim with those formerly agreed on in the Spanish treaty and so easily condescended to without much debate I shall give you the principle of them relating onely to Religion out of the Record it selfe the printed c 〈…〉 French Mercury and Manuscript Copies as they were subscribed and signed by the Earles of Carlile and Holland extraordinary Ambassadours and Commissioners for the King and Prince on the one side and by the French Commissioners on the other side and after that signed sealed and sworne to by King Iames Prince Charles and the French King the 10. of Novemb. 1624. and upon King Iames his death re-signed resealed and re-swore to by King Charles and the French King the 8. of May 162â— after the French account 1 That the above named the Lords Ambassadours have promised and doe promise for and on the behalf of his Majesty of great Brittain now reigning 〈◊〉 he shall takâ— to Marriage for his deare Consort and Wise the Lady Henretta Maria Daughter of France and sister to his foresaid most Excellent Majesty in person or otherwise by Proxy so soone as conveniently the same may be done and that also the foresaid Lady at the good pleasure and consent of his foresaid Christian Majesty and of the Queene her Mother after his FORESAID MAJESTY HATH OBTAINED A d 〈…〉 DISPENSATION FROM THE POPE dâ—th promise to take for her deare Consort and Husband Charles the first King of great Brittaine and according to the foresaid reciprocall promise he shall be assianced and contracted after the manner accustomed in the CATHOLIKE AND ROMISH CHURCH â—7 It is likewise agreed upon that the said Lady and all her Followers as also the Children which shall be borne to her Officers shall have free exercise of the Catholike Apostolicall and Roman Religion and to that end the foresaid Lady shall have a Chappell in each of the Kings Palaces or Houses or in any other place of his Majesty of great Brittaine where he shall chance to come and continue and that the foresaid Chappell shall be adorned and decked as it is sitting and that the keeping thereof shall be committed to whom it shall please the said Lady to appoint in which the preaching of Gods Word and the Administration of the Sacraments the MASSE and all other Offices shall be freely and solemnly done according to the use of the Romish Church yea all Indulgences and Jubilees which the said Lady shall obtaine or get from THE POPE may be done and executed there There shall be also one Church-yard in the City of London given and appointed to interre and bury such of her said Ladyships followers as shall chance to depart this life according to the manner and form of the Church of Rome and that shall be modestly done the whiâ—h Church-yard shall be in such sort inclosed or walled about that no person shall come therein to prophane the same 8. It is also agreed upon that the sayd LADY SHALL HAVE A BISHOP FOR HER GREAT ALMONER who shall have all Iurisdiction and necessary authority for all matters and causes concerning Religion and who shall proceed against the Ecclesiasticall persons which shall be under his charge according to the Canons constituted and appointed 9. And if it shall at any time happen that any secular Court shall take any of the foresaid Priests into their power by reason of any crime or offence against the State by him commiited or done and doe find him to be guilty thereof yet shall the said Court send him back to the said Bishop with the Informations
in the North were very active which caused some combustions in the Court even among the Roman Catholicks and the businesse grew so high that some private advises were given to his Majestie concerning these particulars expressed in these three insuing Papers seised among Windebankes writings who was privie to all their counselsâ— as you shall heare anon Advises upon the present state of English Catholicks as well of the Queenes House as of his Majesties Dominions THe constant report approved by Father Philips the Queenes Confessor is Note That the Pope upon the Treaty of Marriage reserved to his owne or Delegates Iurisdiction the Queen of Englands whole family principally the institution and destitution of her Ecelesiastiques Testifie the confession of the Bishop of Menda who contrary to his opinion and certaine knowledge was forced to advance and defend joynt with the pretended Bishop of England the pernitious Paradox for the deposition of Princes saying to A. B. for his justification that although upon that subject hee had written against Baronius and Bellarmine for the contrary neverthelesse for the present his hands were bound Tesâ—ifie the unitie of maxims councels and daily practices which he held with the foresaid pretended Bishop Testifie the negotiations held at this present in Rome and England for the procuring of Excommunications and suspension against all those Catholiques Note Priests or others which shall stand for the Kings authoritie against that damnable doctrine brought already into his Majesties Kingdomes as their favourites boast and to bee executed by the Bishops agents particularly by Mr. Musket a Priest living in London Testifie the Popes Letters to the King of France now in the Catholiques hands wherein hee complaines to have beene abused Note in that contrary to the King of France his promise neither Toleration was granted in England nor the oath of Allegiance suspended All which duly considered directly tends to a manifest sedition and division of the Kings authoritie and state and that not in qualitie or proprietie of Religion but in particular manner and condition of dutie obedience and naturall Allegiance withdrawne from their true Prince and Soveraigne In remedy of which pernitious opinions and practises pleaseth his Majestie in imitation of his predecessors as well to continue the reall defence of his owne right and authority as the Pope doth his pretended and usurped which two wayes may easily bee done The first by lively pressing his naturall subjects to take the oath of Allegiance in as much as it concernes the abjuration of the Popes authoritie for the deposition of Princes as of late the State of France hath proceeded against the Jesuites without any respect to matter of Religion or Priesthood for the obligation of a Subject to his lawfull Prince being founded in the Law of Nations Nature and God the deniall thereof is crimen laesae Majestatis and so may bee ordained by act of Parliament or otherwise and so those who shall bee punished by death for refusing thereof cannot pretend cause of Religion the oath being propounded in forme as it is now stiled or the forme altered in substance onely reserved as prudent men shall define The second by constrayning all French servants to King or Queene to disavow or detest according to the late ordinances of State Parliaments Universities of France namely of Sorbon that damnable and erronious doctrine for the deposition of Princes against the Iesuites And that it may please his Majestie not to admit any Catholique servant which shall refuse either of the foresaid manners of oathes or detestations Besides that diligent search and punishment bee used against all Agents and Negotiators which in these Realmes advance the contrary errour to the prejudice of his Majesties authoritie and peace of his State For the reservation of the Queenes house to the Pope it is evident in all antiquity and now practised in all Christian Nations that the institution and destitution of Ecclesiastiques in regard of their persons and as members of the State depends of the Prince or of his Subjects by his consent although their spirituall faculties or internall jurisdiction may bee derived from a superiour Prelate Patriarck or Pope but all by equitie justice and Canon whereby the King of England propounding such his Subjects Ecclesiastiques as hee thinkes fit for the Queenes service cannot bee refused by the Pope or other untill they have shewed and proved sufficient cause of refuse Finally how dangerous prejudiciall and dishonorable such reservation is to the Kings authoritie Note State and posteritie upon what end or colour soever every man of smaller judgement cannot but see An Answer to the Principles pretended against his Majesties establishment of Ecclesiasticks in the Queenes house TWO be the Principles upon which the F. C. pretends the establishment of the Ecclesiasticks in the Queens home to belong unto the King of France The first is That the King of great Brittaine hath not power because as he saith He is an Heretike Which ground is false NOTE because the King of great Brittaine neither by Councell nationall not generall nor by any Act authentick or legall of Prelates having authority to doe the same hath been defined or declared such besides heresie deprives no man of his temporall right such as is the collation of temporall Beneâ—tees giving of domesticall charges and offices yea no Prelate of the Greeke Church living under the Turke can exercise his function but with civill dependance and approbation of that Prince The second Principle it That all established by the King of great Brittaine's authority are by him threatned to be forthwith by the Pope declared Apostates NOTE In answer whereof it is evident that such royall establishment is neither Heresie nor Apostacy and when the Pope should undertake such a matter he should grosly abuse his authority against the Commons and Common law of the Church yea Ecclesiasticks by the King will and may by Catholike lawes and right defend their establishment to be good as the contrary to be erroneous to wit to seek to deprive our King of his right and aâ—thority therein SUpposed that the King of great Brittaine for avoiding for greater inconvenienceâ— condescendeth to the reception of some French in the Queens house at the instance of the King of France or choyce of the Queen of England some conditions are necessarily to be observed First that albeit salvo jure proprâ—o Regis magnae Britanniae the choice be in the Queen of England yet the confirmation and approbation of all and every one be in the King of great Brittaine according to the last clause of the eleventh Article of the Treaty Secondly that concerning the French Bishops and Priests sent into England by the Popes authority two things are to be considered the first is the spirituals power Catholike Religion and Jurisdiction as well in the head as members the second is the exaltation of the Popes temporall power in prejudice of the Kings sovereigue authority
under pretext of Catholike Religion by obtruding as matter of faith the Popes power for deposition of Princes Howbeit then the King of great Brittaine permitteth the full exercise of Catholike Religion and spirituall power to the Queens Clergy and Catholike domestiques notwithstanding the laws and statutes made to the contrary in this Realme since Henry the eighth so is it necessary for the preservation of his soveraigne authority and peace of his State that he prevents the intrusion of the Popes temporall power under pretext of Religion in prejudice of his owne which he may in this concurrence most conveniently doe by using the same remedies against these French Ecclesiasticks and Domestiks which the State of France but particularly the Parliament and University of Paris assembled in their Colledge of Sorbon procured against the Jesuits this same yeere 1626. the one by arrest the 17 of March this yeer 1626. the other by censure of the first of Aprill 1626. in condemning the perâ—itious doctrine of Santarelli Jesuit for deposition of Princes â—s false erroneous new contrary to the Word of God derogating from the authority of Princes provoking to Factions Rebellions Seditions and murders of Princes and constraining sixteen principall Jesuits as Mercury relates to subscribe to the said arrest of the 17. of March 1626. with promise to subscribe to the censure of the Sorbon which should afterwards be made in which their subscription they dis-avowed and detested the foresaid damnable doctrine of Santarellus their compainon According to which may it please the King to compell all these Ecclesiastiques of the Queens house to subscribe to the foresaid arrest and censure disadvow and detest the foresaid new doctrine as new false erronious contrary to the Word of God and as their Parliament of Paris and Sorbon hath defined which if they refuse to doe it is most evident that it is not the preservation of the Queen in the Catholike Religion not the exercise of spirituall power and true piety that they intend but under this pretext an introduction of popish domination in prejudice of the Kings authority NOTE an insertion of venomous plants of â—actions and Seditions and why should they refuse the doctrine and practise of their own State whereby the King shaâ—l effectnate two principall works the one that his soveraigne authority with exclusion of the Popes pretended power in temporals intended in the Oath of Alleagiance shall be to his Subjects manifestly approved and consumed by the doctrine and practice of the State of Frâ—â—ce the other is that whereas the Pope by meanes of the Queenâ— house aymed at the establishment of his temporall power and greatnesse in this Kingdome as is manifest by the doctrine and practice of the Bishops and English Priests since the marriage and consequently made a Kingdome a part within this Realme NOTE by the subscription and disadvow of their Ecclesiasticks of this damnable doctrine the cleane contrary will follow that in example of the Queens house all English Catholiques will conforme themselves in doctrine and practice and in this point the King shall receive full duty and obedience of his Catholike Subjects and the Pope shall be content with his spirituall power limited as in France for the Queens house so long as it shall please the King to permit it That the Bishop of Mâ—rdes and all Bishops sent into England from the Pope have their Buls papaleâ— expresly prohibited by the lawes and rights of this Realme it is maniâ—est By these papers you may plainly discerne the dangerousnesse of these Romish Agents their high and bold attempts against his Majesties Preâ—ogative royall and the safety of his person and their policies by which presently upon the marriage 〈◊〉 endeavoured to set up the Popes both Ecclesiasticall and Temporall jurisdiction to oververtop the Kings How this controversie was ended I have no certaine intelligencâ— As â—or other Priests and Jesuits you have already seen what Proclamations were published against them between and during the two Sessions of Parliament in the yeerâ— 1628 by reason of the frequent complaints of the Commons and for the forenamed ends Vpon which Proclamations divers Priests and Jesuits were apprehended and some Râ—cusâ—nts indâ—â—ed by Officers and Justices of peace well affected to our Religiâ—n but how notwithstanding all these Proclamations royall promises Priests and Jesuits were released from time to time by warrants sometimes under his Majesties owne hand sometimes under the hands of his privy Counsell but most times by warants from Secretary Windebank alone and how Iohn Gray with other Messengers and â—oâ—e Harwood were reviled threaâ—ned to be whipt and committed to Prison by Windebanke for apprehending Priests and Iesuits according to their duty till they should 〈…〉 bond with sureties to him NEVER TO PERSECVTE PRIESTS OR POPISH RECVSANTS MORE with other particulars of this nature I have manifested at large in my Royall Popish Favourite to which I reserâ—e the Reader onely I shall give you a short touch of some Priests and Jesuits released after these Proclamations as likewise by whom and whence a 〈…〉 11. Aprilâ—s 6. Caroli there were 16 Priests released one of the Clinke by one Warrant â—â—â—ler his Majesties owne Signe Manâ—â—l at the Instance of the Queen notwithstanding aâ—y former order against such releases 26. Iulâ—y 6. Carols by like Warrant and Instance there were six Priests and Jesuits more released out of the same prison 18. November and 20 Iâ—nuary 7. Caroli two priests more were thance discharged by like Warrant 15. Iune 1632. and 18. Decemb. 1633. there were two priests more discharged out of the Clink by a Warrant of the Lords of the Counsell upon the 〈…〉 On the 15. of Iune 1632. Windebanke was made one of the principall Secretaries of State by Arch-bishop Laâ—d's procurement as appeares by this passage in his 〈…〉 Diary Iune 15. Master Francis Windebanke MY OLD FRIEND was sworâ—e Secretary of State which place I OBTAINED FOR HIM of my gracious Mâ—ster King CHARLES To what end this Instrument was advanced to this place of trust by Canterbury what good service he did the Priests Jesuits Nuncio Papists Pope and his Nuncioes therein will appeare in the sequel of this Narration No sooner was he setled in his place but within few moneths after he fals to release and protect Priests Iesuits Recusants more then any of his predecessors and all the Counsell besides becomming their speciall paâ—â—on insomuch that in the yeere 1634. he received this speciall letter of thanks from Father Ioseph for it written by the French Kings speciall command faithfully translated out of the originall indited in 〈◊〉 sound among his papers Most excellent Sir my Patron most Worshipfull I should be too much wanting to my duty NOTE if I did not render my most humble thanks to your Excellence having after so many other favours conferred upon our Mission received for a compleâ—â— height the singular proofe of your â—ffection in the delivery of our Fathers
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
law in this case shall be put in execution and further there shall be letters written to the Lord Ireamrer and also to the Lord Admirall that all the Pâ—rts of this Realme and the creeks and members thereof be strictly kept and â—â—eight 〈◊〉 made to this end a Proclamation shall be to recall both the children of Noble men and the children of any other men and they to returne by a day also 〈◊〉 of Seminaries or Schollers there shall be punished according to the law â— That no popish Recâ—sanâ— be permitted to come within the Court unlesse your Majesty be pleased to call him upon speciall occasion agreable to the Stature of 〈◊〉 5. And whereas your Majesty for the preventing of any apparant mischiefs both to your Majesty and the State have in your princely wisdome taken order 〈◊〉 none of your naturall borne Subjects not professing the true Religion and by law established be admitted into the service of your royall Consort the Queen we give your Majesty most humble thanks and desire that your order herein may be observed Answ. If his Majesty shall find or be informed of any concourse of Recusants to the Court the law shall be strictly followed and his Majesty is pleasedâ— that by proclamation the Brittish and the Irish Subjects shall be put in the same case and as his Majesty hath provided in his treaty with France so his purpose is to keep it that a a 〈…〉 〈◊〉 of his Subjects shall be admitted into his service or into the service of his royall 〈◊〉 sort the Queen that are popish Recusants 6. That all the lawes now standing in force against Jesuits Seminary-priests and others having taken orders by authority derived from the Sea of Rome be put in due exâ—â—â—ion and to the intent they may not pretend to be surprized that a speedy and certaine day be prefixed by your Majesties Proclamation for their departure out of this Realme and all other your Dominions and not to returne upon the severest penalties of the law now in force against them and that all his Majesties Subjects may be thereby admonished not to receiveâ— comfort entertaine or conceale any of them upon the penalties which may be lawfully inflicted and that all such Papists â—esuits and Recusants who are and shall be imprisoned for recusancy or any other cause may be so strictly restrained as that â—one shall have conference with them thereby to avoyd the contagion of their corrupt Religion and that no man who shall be suspected of 〈◊〉 be suffered to be keeper of any your Majesties prisons Answ. The law in this case shall be put in execution and a Proclamation shall be to the 〈◊〉 desired and such restraint shall be made as is desired and no man that is justly suspected of popery shall be suffered to be keeper of any of his Majesties prisons 7. That your Majesty be pleased to take such order as to your Princely wisedome shall be expedient that no naturall borne Subject or strange Bishops nor any other by authority from the Sea of Rome confeâ—â—e any ecclesisticall orders or exercise any ecclesiasticall Function whatsoever toward or upon your Majesties natural Subjects within your Dominions Answ. This is 〈◊〉 to be ordered according as it is provided and it shall be so published by Proclamation 1. That your Majesties learned Counsell may receive order and commandement to consider of all former grants of Recusants lands that such of them may be avoyded as are made to the Recusants use or interest our of which the recusant receiveth any benefit which are either voyd or voydable by the law Answ. The King will give order to his learned Counsell to consider of the grants and will â—â—e according as is desired 9. That your Majesty will be likewise pleased strictly to command all your Judges and â—inisters of justice ecclesiasticall and temporall to see the lawes of this realme against Papist recusants to be duely executed and namely that the censure of excâ—mmunâ—◠〈◊〉 declared and certified against them and that they be not absolved but 〈◊〉 satisfaction by yeelding to conâ—ormity 〈…〉 leaves the lawes to their course and will give order in the point 〈…〉 as is desired 〈…〉 your Majesty wil be pleased to remove from all places of authority and government all such persons as are either popish Recusants or according to direction of former acte of State to be justly suspected Answ. This his Majesty thinks fit and will give order for it 11. That present order be taken for disarming all popish Recusants legally convicted or justly suspected according to the lawes in that behalfe and the orders taken by his late Majesties privy Counsell upon reason of State Answ. The lawes and acts in this case shall be followed and put in due execution 12. That your Majesty be also pleased in respect of the great resort of Recusants to and about London to command forthwith upon paine of your indignation and severe execution of the lawes that at they retire themselves to their severall Countries there to remaine confined within five miles of their places Answ. For this the lawes in sorce shall be forthwith executed 13. And whereas your Majesty hath strictly commanded and taken order that none of the naturall borne Subjects repaire to the hearing of Masses or other superstitious service at the Chappels or houses of forraigne Ambassadours or in any other places whatsoever We give your Majesty most humble thanks and desire that your Order and commandement therein may be continued and observed and that the offenders herein may be punished according to the lawes Answ. The King gives assent thereto and will see that observed which herein hath been commanded by him 14. That all such insolencies as any popishly affected have lately committed or shall hereafter commit to the dishonour of our Religion or to the wrong of the true professors thereof be exemplarily punished Answ. This shall be done as is desired 15. That the Statute of 1. Eliz. for the payment of 12. d. every Sunday by such as shall â—be absent from divine service in the Church without a lawfull excuse may be put in due execution the rather for that the penalty by law is given to the poore and therefore not to be dispenst withall Answ. It is fit that this Statute be executed and the penalties shall not be dispenst withall 16. Lastly that your Majesty would be pleased to extend your Princely care also over the Kingdome of Ireland that the like courses may be there taken for the restoring and establishing of true Religion Answ. His Majesties cares are and shall be extended over the Kingdome of Ireland and will doe all that a religious King should doe for the restoring and establishing of true Religion there NOTE And thus most gracious Soveraigne according to our duty and zeale to God and Religion to your Majesty and your safeâ—y to the Church and Common-wealth and their peace and prosperity we have made a faithfull declaration
this very yeere even when the Parliament was sitting they were upon the point of gaining a publike Toleration of their Religion in Ireland where they plotted first openly to erect the same being furthest out of the Parliaments and peoples view and then to set it up openly by degrees neerer home This Toleration there by their powerfull Court-friends and purses was so farre resolved on and proceeded in that the Protestant Bishops of Ireland knew of no other meants to prevent it but by joyning in a publike Protestation against it the Copy occasion and manner whereof I shall here present you with as I found them in the Arch-bishop of Canterburies Study sent as it seemes to the then Arch-bishop out of Ireland The judgement of the Arch-bishops and Bishops of Ireland concerning a Toleration of the popish Religion by publike Protestation THE Religion of Papists is superstitious and idolarous their faith and doctrine erronious and hereticall their Church in respect of both Apostolicall to give them therefore a Toleration of Religion or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion and professe their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sinne and that in two respects First it is to make our selves accessary not only to their superstitious 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 Catholike Apostacy Secondly to grant them a Toleration in respect of any mony to be given or contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it tho soules of the peoples whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his blood And as it is a great sinne so it is a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideracion whereof we leave to the Wife and Judicious beseeching the Zealous God of Truth to make those who are in authority Zealous of God glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and conragious against all popery superstition and idolatry There were likely to be granted unto the Papists in Ireland many priviledges and withall a Toleration for their Religion in the consideration of the payment of a great summe of money This Easter◠tearme 1626. there was a great meeting of all the chiefest of the whole Kingdome and the Arch-bishops and Bishops c. and it was likely to be concluded Doctor Dowman Bishop of London-derrey Aprill II. preached at Dublin before the Lord Deputy and the whole State his Text was Luke I. at the 79. In the midst of his Sermon he openly read this Protestation above written subscribed by the Arch-bishops and Bishops of Ireland and at the end he boldly said and let all the people say Amen And suddenly all the whole Church almost shooke with the sound that their Amen made c. the Lord Deputy called from the Bishop of Derry a copy both of his Sermon and Protestation to send to the King the learned and couragious Bishop gave this answer that there was nothing he either spake or read in the Pulpit but he would willingly justifie it before his Majesty and feared not who read or saw it So now by Gods mercy nothing may yet be done or will be till the Lord Deputy heare from the King The Bishop hereupon was sent for into England and after some attendance here returned back into Ireland where he dyed at his Bishoprick How bold the popish Titular Bishops were in Ireland and how they there ordained Masse-Priests by authority from the sea of Rome before this Protestation will appeare by these ensuing Letters of Orders conferred by Thomas Bishop of Meath which I found in the Arch-bishop of Canterburies Study thus indorced with his owne hand May 27. 1637. The forme of an Ordination by the Bishop of Meath in Ireland according to the forme of the Sea of Rome THOMAS Deiet Apostolica gratia Medensis Episcopus Universis singulis praesentes Nostras literas visuris salutem in eo qui est vera salus Notum facimus quod Nos Ordines in Cameris privatis Hereticae persecutionis metu celebrantes Dilectum Nobis Nolanum Feranan Dereusis diaecesios Diaconum ideoneum repertum and Sacrum Presbyteratus ordinem Sabatho sancto die 5. Aprilis Anne 1625. juxta 〈◊〉 Calendarij computum promovendum duximus et promouemus rite in Domino 〈◊〉 Messarum solemnia virtute dinissorialum sui Ordinarij Datum in loco Mansionis Nostrae die Anno praedictis Signed Thomas Medensis and sealed with his Episcopall Seale A Copy of the Certificate for the order of Priesthood This is a true Copy of that Copy of the Certificate which was this 27. of May 1635. sent in unto the Counsell-board Sir E. Nicholas How popery and Papists have since increased in that Kingdome notwithstanding this Protestation and what open Toleration of popish Bishops Priests Masse Monasteries Nunneries and a Colledge of Jesuits c. hath been in that Realme you shall heare anon in the continued seris of this Designe which transports me into France for a time from whence it had its second birth Not long after the Kings Match with France there was a designe in that Realme to extirpate the Protestants and surprize all their fortified Townes in that Kingdome whereof Rochell was the principall which being a maritane Towne furnished with a good Fleet of Ships able to make good their Harbour and furnish themselves with provisions and supplies from all their Protestant friends maugre all the Sea-forces of the French King thereupon the French Cardinall Richelieu and his confederates taking the advantage of their new interest in the King of England by reason of this marriage importuned him to lend his Brother of France the Vaunt-guard one of the Vessels of his royall Navy and seven Merchant-men of Warre to be imployed in his service by sea which the King condescending to sent the said Ships under the command of Captaine Pennington into France to be imployed as the French King and his Counsell should prescribe Who designing them for service against Rochell to surprize their Ships block up their Haven and intercept their trade and reliefe contrary to their expectation the Captaines Masters and Marriners of the Ships were so much discontented that they were designed against the Rochelers who were not onely their friends but the chiefe professors and maintāiners of the Protestant Religion in those parts and that they should be made the instruments of their ruine and draw the guilt of their innocent Protestant blood upon their soules that they all unanimously resolved they would rather dye sinke or be hanged up at the Masts of their Ships then stirre one jot or weigh anchor for such an unchristian detestable imployment Captaine Pennington their Admirall and the French used all the rhetorick and perswasions they could to alter this their heroick and most Christian resolution but they continued inflexible and would neither by allurements rewards nor threats be
him thankes for his Resolution about ordering the Kings Chappell and wearing his Whites c. and promising to speake to my Lord Traquair about Edward Helly Another Febr. 28. 1634. Containing Thankes from the King for the solemnitie of the late Communion and expressing his hopes that the other Bishops were in their Whites as well as he that the envy of the uulgar might not fall only on him That he had shewed His Majesty the paper of those of the Session as did not conforme at the Communion That he had done what he could for the Gentlemen of the Chappell but the times required patience c. On the 28. of Septemb. 1634. The Arch-Bishop caused the King to signe a common prayer Booke for the use of the Church of Scotland and gave order to the Bishops of Scotland to compile certaine Canons for the Government of the Church of Scotland which Lyturgie and Canons were to be imposed on that Church by Regall and Episcopall Authority without consent of Parliament or of a generall Assembly the Bishops of Scotland not long after gave him a particular account of their proceedings herein with thanks for his many favours to them and assistance of them in this ensuing Letter thus endorsed with his owne hand Recep Aprill 12. 1635. From my Lord of Saint Andrewes and other Bishops about the Scottish Liturgie and CANONS May it please Your Grace VVE have put our Brother the Bishop of Rosse to the paines of a wet journey for ayding the Lyturgie and Canons of the Church and as we have found Your Graces favour both to our Church in Generall and our selves in divers particulars for which we are Your Graces debters so we are to entreate the continuance thereof in this and our common affaires We all wish a full conformity in the Churches but Your Grace knoweth that this must be the worke of time We have made blessed bee God a further progresse then all have here expected in many yeares by His Majesties favour and Your Graces helpe and hope still to goe further if it shall please God to continue Your Grace in health and life for which we pray continually And so remitting all things to our Brothers relation we take Our leave Your Graces affectionate Brothers and Servants Saint Andrew Glasgow 10 B. of Moray Ad B. of Dublane Tho Brochine Dated 2. Aprill 1635. On May 19. 1635. The Archbishop writ a Letter of thankes to Bishop Balentine for his forwardnesse in this service informing him That the King was well pleased with the conformity at the last reception of the Sacrament That he was glad the Church businesse there was in so faire a way c. That His Majesty had given him the Bishopricke of Aberdeen and expected his Residence there and care of that University August 7. 1635. He writ to him that the King is well pleased with the solemnity of the Sacrament and that the Bishops were in forme That he expects that all that receive there doe it kneeling and in forme and that every one of the Session doe it once a yeare at least and that therefore he and his Successor make a list of the names which performe or not c. After this he writ a Letter into Scotland to the Archbishop of Saint Andrewes dated November 10th 1635. which I find thus indorsed with his owne hand A Copie of my Letters sent by the Kings command into Scotland concerning Church-businesse there to be agitated betweene my Lord of Saint Andrewes and the Earle of TRAQUARE My very good Lord S. in Christo. FOr the particulars entrusted by the Church to the Lord Bishop of Brehen and namely about the Abbacy of Lindores you must expect them from the Lord Bishop himselfe and from such relations as you will receive by my Lord and the Earle of Traquâ—re Note now at this time you shall receive nothing but that which is commanded me by the King and must be my part to act in the present and future businesse for the Church of Scotland My Lord for the present the King is resolved upon some great reasons of State which have prevailed with him not to meddle with the Abbacy of Lindores of any other of that nature as yet but to leave them in that State in which they now are till such time as he may consider the decrees and the Act or Acts of Parliament which concerne them And till he can finde a way to Order them better both for his owne profit and the contentment of his people there Assuring you in the meane time that both in this and all other businesse hee will be very carefull both of the credit and of the maintenance of the Church whereof if your selfe or any other Bishop or Clergie Men shall make doubt I am commanded to tell you that therein you will not onely doe His Majestie wrong but hurt your selves and the Church which you seeke to benefit And in this very particular you are to know and make knowne to others that it is not the dislike of any person or persons or of the thing it selfe that causes this present stay but reason of State only and the care which the King hath all proceedings may goe on according to Law As for the Bishopricks his Majestie will take their wants into as provident care as he can and hath setled Arbroth upon the Bishopricke of Brehen but in what forme I am not able to tell you as not being so well acquainted with the customes and constitutions of that Kingdome and therefore lest I should mistake in any circumstance I leave that wholly to the Bishops owne relation For all the businesse of that Church in future which must come to the Exchequer or any other publique audience or any other businesse that may reflect upon the Church or any thing that belongs to the Kings service in which Churchmen are trusted you are immutably to hould this Rule and that by his Majesties strict and most speciall Command Namely that your selfe or the Lord Rosse or both of you together doe privatly acquaint the Earle of Traquare with it before it be proposed in publike either at the Councell Table Note or the Exchequor or else where and the Earle hath assumed to the King in my presence that he will strictly observe and hold the same corespendency and course with you and further that he will very redily and faithfully doe all good Offices for the Church that come within his power according to all such Commands as he shall receive either immediatly from the King or otherwise by direction of his Majesty from my selfe Note and if at any time your Lordships and my L. Traquare shall upon any of the aforenamed businesse so differ in judgment that you cannot accord it among yourselves you are to let it rest and write up either to his Majesty or to my selfe to move his Majesty for further direction w ch once received you are all to obey That so this little unhapy
The originall whereof is thus Indorsed with the Archbishops owne hand Rece September 1 1637. From the City of Edenborough Their readinesse to receive the Liturgy Most Reuerenà Father in God and our very good Lord. VVEE regreive from our hearts that tumult which did fall out in our Churches that day of the imbringing of the Service Book Wherin now these of His Majesties Councell who has laboured the tryall thereof will give testimony of our innocency since that time and rinsig of his Majesties Councell in this feriall time we have dayly concurred with out ordiner and our Ministry for setling of that Service as the Right Honorable the Earl of Traquair L. Treasurer with the Bishop of Galloway and Dunbleane will beare witnesse Who has spared neither paines noâ— attendance to bring that purpose to any good conclusion and although the poverty of this City be great being almost exhausted with publick and common works yet we have not bin inlacking to offer good meanes above our power to such as should undertake that service and in all things wherein we have bin required wee have ever bin ready really to approve our selves obedient and loyall Subjects to his Majesty in all his Royall Commandements which we have vowed ever to second to our lives end And we being infinitely obliged to your Graces favour Wee now presumed by these lynes to give your Grace that assurance of obedience upon our part in this purpose and in all other purposes wherein we may contribute to the advancement of His Majesties service as can be expected of good Subjects Whereof if His Majesty by your Grace shall be pleased to rest assured what things any other shall suggest we will accept it from you as ane great accumulation of favour for all which your Grace shall ever find us most thankfull remembrancers and most ready really to expresse our thankfulnesse when ever we shall be made so happy as your Grace shall have occasion to use our service Thus from our hearts wishing you all happinesse we kisse your Graces hand Your Graces most affectioned and humble Servants the Bayliffes of Eden I Cochrane Bayliffe I. Smyth Bayliffe Al. Linfie Bayliffe C Hammilton Bayliffe Eden this 19th of August 1637. But notwithstanding this submission of the Bayliffes of Edenburgh yet most of the Ministers and People strenuously opposed the Service-booke and presented divers Petitions to the Lords of secret Councell against it whereof this was one of the principall presented to them August 23 1637 containing some reasons against receiving the Booke MY Lords of secret Councell Vnto your Lordships humbly meaâ—es and shews We your subjects Master Alexander Henderson Minister at Lenchars Master George Hamilton Minister at Newbourne and Master Iames Bruce Minister at Kings-Barnes That where we were required of late by the Moderator of our Presbytery to receive two Copies of the new Booke of Common Prayer and declaring our selves willing each of us to receive any of the sayd Bookes to read that wee might know what it contained before we could promise to practise it Alleadging that in the matters of Godsworship we were not bound to blinde obedience It was refused by us and taken out of some of our hands And yet we are now charged with Letters of horning Decreed be your Lordships upon a narrative that we have refused the sayd Bookes out of curiosity and singularity To provide each one of us two of the sayd Bookes for the use of our Paroches Which hath made us who were never before acquainted with any charge from Authority and knowing no other way so just and voyd of offence to have recourse to your Lordships Most humbly entreating that the charge may bee suspended for the reasons following First Because this Book is neither warranted by the authority of the generall Assembly which are the Representative Kirke of this Kingdom hath ever since the Reformation given direction in matters of Gods Worship nor by any Act of Parliament which in things of this kinde hath ever bin thought necessary by his Majesty and the Estates Secondly Because the liberties of the true Kirke and the forme of Worship and Religion received at the Reformation and universally practised since were warranted by the Acts of the general Assemblies and divers Acts of Parliament specially of the Parliament 1567 and the late Parliament 1633. Thirdly The Kirke of Scotland is a free and Independent Kirke and her owne Pastors sould be most able to discerne and direct what doth best beseeme our measure of Reformation and what may serve most for the good of the people Fourthly It is not unknowne to your Lordships what disputing division and trouble hath beene in this Kirke about some few of the maine Ceremonies contained in this Booke which being examined as we shall be ready a competent time being assigned by your Lordships to shew will bee found to depart farre from the forme of worship Reformation of this Kirk and in points most materiall to do all neer to the Kirke of Rome Note which for her Heresies in Doctrine Superstition and Idolatry in worship tyranny in government and wickednesse every way is al 's Antichristian now as when we came out of her Fifthly The people have been otherwise taught by us and by our Predecessors in our places ever since the Reformation and so it is likely they will be found unwilling to the change when they shall be assayed even where their Pastors are willing In respect whereof The sayds Letters of horning whole effect and execution thereof ought to be suspended simpliciter in time comming Therefore we beseech your Lordships that we may have Letters Direct charging the persons who have caused vse this charge against us to compeir personally bring and produce the sayd Letters of horning with the executions and indorsations thereof before your Lordships at a certaine day to be seene and considered of And in the mean time to suspend them And your Lordships Answer The Copy of this Petition was sent up to London to the Archbishop together with the Answer of the Bishop of Rosse thereunto who received both of them September 5 1637. as appears by the endorsments under his own hand The Answer to this Petition was as followeth A short Answer to the Petition of the Ministers given in to the Lords of His Majesties Councell the 23 of August 1637. THe Narrative of the Petition concerning the Moderator of the Exercise His carriage as we heare is false and where they pretend that they knew not what was in the Booke it appeares by their many objections and exceptions they object and except against it in all parts of it almost that they are too well versed in it but abuse it pitifully To the first reason it may be truly replied That not the generall Assembly which consists of a multitude Note but the Bishops having authority to governe in the Church are the representative Church of the Kingdom And that the matters of
the principall contrivers and abbetters of this conspiracy in which all the Irish Popish Bishops Priests Friars Iesuits and scattered like Frogs in severall Popish Kingdoms and Seminaries were very active I shall onely adde to this That William O Conner an Irish Priest servant to the Queen-Mother who lodged at one Mistris Scarlets house in Coven-Garden and shifted his habit very often to disguise himself coming to one Anne Hussey an Irish Gentlewoman a little after Easter 1640. with another Irish man in his company having a long gray coat a sword girt close to his side to her lodging and going with her thence to Mistris Prinocks house in the Strand she demanded of O Conner who his companion was who answered he was one of the number of 7000. that were in privat pay AND IN READINES TO AYD THE CATHOLICKS Note AND TO OUT THE PROTESTANTS THROATS THAT SHOULD RESIST THEM and that he was one who played on the Flute to the Drum After which about the end of July 1640. he came to her foresaid lodging and said He came upon great occasion and in great haste and he must immediatly return back for he had three Letters from the Queen-Mother to deliver to three Ambassadors the Spanish the Venetian the French Note TO SEND TO THE POPE FROM WHOM OR FROM HIS LEGATE WE MUST KNOW WHEN TO BEGIN THE SUBDUING OF THE PROTESTANTS That they must first BEGIN TO CONQUER ENGLAND BEFORE IRELAND Being demanded by him How or in what manner will they begin with England And when will it be He replyed When the King goes to Scotland To which she answering There was no hopes of the Kings going to Scotland He replyed He warrant you he doth He further added That he had long been imployed by the Queen-Mother in her businesse with all the Princes of Christendom That they had some designe to cut off and kill the King adding That they would kill an Heretick at any time for the advancement of the Mother-Church of Rome and swore by Saint Francis and Saint Dominick that he would do it He further said He was bound to keep the Queen-Mothers secrets and that he would be burnt in fire before he would reveal them All this she discovered soon after to the Lords of the Councell by whom and by severall Iustices of Peace she was examined upon Oath and produced Letters of this Priest written to her with his own hand whereupon he was Committed close Prisoner to the Gate-house where he yet remaines unprocâ—eded against After this she attested it in the Parliament House upon Oath before the Rebellion brake forth and witnessed it since upon Oath at the Archbishops Tryall who said she was mad when she attested it at the Councell Table demanding of her how she durst speak any thing of this Nature of the Queen-Mother and telling her she was set on and hired by the City of London to do this Note and Commanded her to be Committed But she producing the Priests own Letter and he confessing it to be his own hand before the Lords she was sent only to one of the Sheriffs of Londons house and there secured till released by the Parliament About the time of this discourse the Earl of Worcester a great Papist and very powerfull in Southwales bordering next to Ireland procured a Commission from His Majesty for to be Lord Lieutenant and Commander in chief of all Southwales as the Lord Herbert his Son an Arch-Papist hath been since the Rebellion brake forth as appears by this Minute an Originall draught of a Letter under Secretary Windebanks own hand to the then Lord Chamberlain signifying as much HIS Majesty being well inclined to employ the Earl of Worcester in some particular service best known to himself in South-Wales Note being most confident of his Loyalty Duty and good affection to His Person and Service hath thought fit to acquaint Your Lordship therewith considering the great Power and Interest Your Lordship hath in those parts and hath commanded me in his Name to signifie his pleasure to Your Lordship that you give speedy and effectuall order to all Your Principall Officers Note Tenants and Dependents and such others as have relation to you that as soon as the said Earl shall produce any Commission or Authority from His Majesty for the performance of any service in those parts they fail not to obey His Lordship in all such thinges as by vertue of such Power given by him and His Majesty he shall require and Command This His Majesty expects Your Lordship shall do with expedition to the end Your Officers there may be the better prepared whensoever the said Earl shall exercise any such Commission from His Majesty that so His Majesties service may not suffer His Majesty hath already signified His pleasure to the Lord President of the Marches to this effect who hath yielded all obedience and conformity thereunto and His Majesty is confident that in that Your Lordship and those who have Relation to you will give place to none This coÌ„mission was ordred to be brought into the Commons house as dangerous But the happy unexpected Treaty and assembling of this Parliament frustrating the intended Massacre and Designe of subduing the Protestants in England for the present the Plot in Ireland still proceeding and was to be put in execution on the 23. of October 1641. on which day all the Forts and Towns in Ireland should have been surprised at an instant by the Popish Rebells and most of the Protestants destroyed and accordingly that very night Charlemont Fort was on the 23. of October at night surprised by Sir Phelim O Neale a principall actor and conspirator in the Rebellion who there took the Lady Calfield prisoner and murthered the young Lord Calfield her Son And at that time Sir Phelim ô Neale himself and other of his companions told her That Dublin castle and city Note and most other Forts of Ireland were surprised by their confederates the Papists that the Tower of London was taken by their party and the Archbishop of Canterbury released thence a good signe he was their friend that ENGLAND and the Protestants there were then or would be very shortly in the same or as bad a condition as Ireland and Protestants there were and some of them said that their party had taken Edenbrough castle All which was attested upon Oath by the Lady Calfield and her Gentlewoman Mistris Mary Woodrose at the Triall of Mac Mohon in the Kings * Attested on Oath at Mac â—Mohones triall by Sir William Steuart Sir William Colc Sir Williâ—m Hamilton Sir Charles Coot Sir Arthur Lofiâ—s and others Bench in Michaelmas Term last where this was likewise attested upon Oath That ALL THE PAPISTS IN ENGLAND WERE PRIVY TO THE PLOT IN IRELAND and intended the like in England which we have since experimentally found to be true Divers other Forts were the same day and soon after surprised by the Irish Rebels and