the apprehensions of this cannot but shake their Prerogative faith and make them apprehâ—…nd themâ—…elves in more danger from their confederates then tâ—…eir supposed 〈◊〉 Iâ—… this labour to them be lost I am sorry but gâ—…ad it was â—…o more 〈◊〉 me â—…peak to them who are counsellable that is â—…hose who in the trutâ—… aâ—…d uprightnesâ—…e oâ—… their Hearts have â—…ntred into this 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 engaged 〈◊〉 to the presâ—…rvation oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nd Libeâ—…ty such must labour â—…or stedâ—… in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lest out medicinâ—… prove our poyson Let none of us go about to deceive our selves with unprofitable Treaties or hopes of a yet impossible Accommodation but cheerfully and faithfully accomplish a speedie and firm Union with the Councels and strength of Scotland which will encourage not onely religious but wise men to joyn with us it being beyond a reasonable expectation that by our own strength or wisdom we should extricate our selves from this growing calamity in which we are daily more and more involved It now becomes every man to wind up his thoughts to a Christian resolution befitting the present necessities and Condition of the Church of God and walk worthy of it and let the Lord do what seemeth good unto him I might now make my self a great deal of more work and create some trouble to my Reader if I should after this satisfaction I have given to my own heart and the friends of this Cause of Religion go about to satisfie the world and answer their severall quarrels with this undertaking but I will be more mercifull to the Reader and more just to my self then to accuse my self by excuses Onely I will give you a taste of that which I am like to have plenty The first Question will be Who is this I answer it matters not who but what The next is a position Sure he was a mad-man thus to provoke Maiesty it self did he ever learn that verse in Homer {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Yes but he hath and that in Iob too In such a cause as this let me not I pray you accept any mans person neither let me give flattering titles unto man I hope to see the day when I shall be accounted a better subject to the King then he that accuses me In the meane time I am satisfied with being a good subject to the Kingdom no Traitor to the Church If I have incurred any danger it is to shew thee thine if a good Protestant But there need not have been so much bitternesse used which often disadvantages a good Cause It is the language of the times and not mine A filthy ulcer must have a sharpe lance the massacre of Ireland is a bitter cup Quis temperet invectivis Here are many things produced in this Treatise that are but slender proofs Then take them altogether Altogether are but a rapâ—…idy scraped up out of the Parliament Declarations and such scandalous pamphlets as Plain English and the English Pope Truth is a common inheritance and now so scarse that I was glad to take it where I could find it Tush I can tell mrre of these affairs then this Discoverer Then tell them or tell me and I will But Mercurius Aulicus will be sure to meet with you This is no time to be afraid of Court Bull Beggers but if he meet with me he must go out of his way I tell truth he tels lies But I have now done and it may be done that which hath provoked almost every body but my own conscience which witnesses with me that I have not written any willing or negligent falshood nor to my best understanding any unseasonable or unnecessary truth There is no man but will stand in need of some charity I shall find it from them that have it from those that have it not I will not expect it There are other Mysteries in this world of Iniquitie carried on by them who under the pretence of Service do the greatest dis-service and dishonour to the Cause of Religion and Liberty which must either be amended or not concealed let other men do their share as I have done mine and the world will certainly be either honester or wiser This Discourse cannot be better concluded then with that which is the earnest and constant request of the Author to the Lord God of Hosts the God of Israel that seeing wisdom and might are his he would vouchsafe wisdom to the Councellors courage and constancy to the Souldiers willingnesse to the people and faithfulnes to all those that have or shall engage themselves in this great Cause so infinitely valuable beyond the estates and lives of all that undertake it To him be glory and peace upon Israel FINIS Imprimatur hic Liber Decemb. 12. 164â—… IOHN VVHITE O duâ—…um a Puâ—…itan in another copy * This discovery was pâ—…nned upon the sight of the naâ—…ed Cessation as it came from â—…reland before the short coveâ—…ing of the Grounds and Motives c. which are not so considerable â—…s to occasion â—…ny alteration unlesse of the â—…ord pretended
and who are accounted his Majesties true Subjects who Malignants But all this is easily blasted with the Consideration that they are the Expressions of Rebels pretending his Majesties name and service for their advantage No under favour they are the expressions of his Roman Catholique Subjects so stiled in the late Cessation concluded in his Majesties name and by his Majesties authority September 15. 1643. and ranked equally with other his Majesties good Subjects and therefore no reason to discountenance this Evidence not yet those of the like nature hereafter to be produced However it aboundantly shewes the end for which it was mentioned the proving that Rebellion to be a Quarrell of Religion Let us now trie what Evidence may be brought forth to prove that the Papists in Ireland and the Armies in England engaged against the Parliament are doing the same work and that there is a line of Communication betwixt their Counsells To this purpose let us consider a Commission and a Cessation to which whatsoever else is to be said in this matter may be reduced Common fame none of the worst witnesses hath brought to every mans eares the noyse of the Kings favouring the Irish Massacre and that the Catholique Subjects there have called themselves the Queenes Army and intimated themselves the Kings by saying they had good warrant in black and white for their proceedings and crying out upon the English Parliament and Puritanes as the Kings Enemies and theirs It were well worth the knowing the truth of this so important businesse Let us goe as neare it as the nature of a Mystery will admit And first let the Copy of the Commission said to be given by the King to his Catholique Subjects of Ireland be read and examined From our Camp at Newrie this fourth of November 1641. Philem Oneale Rorie Macguire To all Catholiques of the Romish Partie both English and Irish within the Kingdome of Ireland we wish all Happinesse Freedome of Conscience and Victory over the English Hereticks who have for a long time tyrannized over our bodies and usurped by Extortion our Estates BE it hereby made known unto you all our Friends and Countrey-men that the Kings most excellent Majesty for many great and urgent Causes him thereunto moving reposing trust and confidence in our fidelities hath signified unto us by his Commission under the great Seal of Scotland bearing date at Edingburgh the first day of this instant October 1641. and also by Letters under his signe manuall bearing date with the said Commission of divers great and heinous astronts that the English Protestants especially the Parliament there have published against his Royall Prerogative and also against our Catholique Friends within the Kingdom of England The Copy of which Commission we have here sent unto you to be published with all speed in all parts of this Kingdome that you may be assured of our sufficient warrant and authority herein THE COMMISSION CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the faith c. To all our Catholike Subjects within Our Kingdome of Ireland greeting Know ye that We for the safeguard and preservation of Our person have been enforced to make Our abode and residence in our Kingdom of Scotland for a long season occasioned by reason of the obstinate and disobedient carriage of Our Parliament in England against Vs who have not onely presumed to take upon them the government and disposing of those Princely Rights and Prerogatives that have justly descended upon Vs from Our Predecessours both Kings and Queens of the said Kingdome for many hundred yeares past but also have possessed themselves of the whole strength of the said Kingdome in appointing Governours Commanders and Officers in all parts and places therein at their own wils and pleasures without Our consent whereby we are deprived of Our Soveraignty and left naked without defence And forasmuch as we are in Our selfe very sensible that these stormes blow aloft and are very likely to be carried by the vehemency of the â—…rotestant Party into Our Kingdome of Ireland and endanger Our Regall power and authority there also Know yee therefore that we reposing much care and trust in your duties and obedience which we have for many years past found Doe hereby give unto you full power and authority to assemble and meet together with all the speed and diligence that a businesse of so great a Consequence doth require and to advise and consult together by sufficient and discreet numbers at all times dayes and places which you shall in your judgements hold most convenient and materiall for the ordering setling and effecting of this Great work mentioned and directed unto you in Our Letters and to use all politick wayes and meanes possible to possesse your selves for Our use and safety of all the Forts Castles and places of strength and defence within the said Kingdom except the Places Persons and Estates of Our loyall and loving Subjects the Scots and also to arrest and seize the Goods Estates and Persons of all the English Protestants within the said Kingdom to Our use And in your care and speedy performance of this Our will and pleasure we shall perceive your wonted duty and allegiance unto Vs which we shall accept and reward in due time witnesse Our selfe at Edinburgh the first day of October in the seventeenth yeare of Our Reigne This Deponent maketh Oath that about the middle of November last living then in the Parish of Saint Michans neare Dublin being accompanied with one master Stapleton of Dublin aforesaid Gentleman they happened into the company of a Popish Priest commonly called Father Birne who being formerly acquainted with the said master Stapleton desired to drink with him at a Taâ—…ern called the Bull upon Merchants key in Dublin where 〈◊〉 of the injuries and troubles of the times the Priest answered that the Irish not enduring to have them called Rebels had sufficient warrant for what they did and stood strongly in defence of their actions and presently to justifie his words produced a writing according to the tenour of the premises mentioned in this writing abovesaid whereof the Deponent desired a Copy and he willingly yeelded unto it and thereupon he wrote this Copy out of his literatim in the presence of the said master Stapleton who is now living in Dublin This is the true copy of that Commission with the annexed Warrant and Deposition for I will conceale nothing in a businesse of this importance as it came to my hands in a paper thus endorsed A copy of the forged Commission in Ireland published by those traiterous Rebels Sir Philemy Oneale Knight Rory Maguier Esquire and others with their lying perswasiâ—…n to seduce and stirre up the whole Romish Party to Rebellion wherein may be seene how heinously his Majesty is abused and the Parliament unjustly taxed by the â—…apists This last clause I take for granted but as for the rest give me leave to try whether
THE MYSTERIE OF INIQVITY YET WORKING In the Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland for the destruction of Religion truly Protestant DISCOVERED As by other grounds apparant and probable so especially by the late Cessation in Ireland no way so likely to be ballanced as by a firme Union of England and Scotland in the late solemne Covenant and a religious pursuance of it ZEPH. 3. 4. 5. Her Princes within her are roaring lions her Iudges are evening wolves they gnaw not the bones till the morrow 4 Her Prophets are light and treacherous persons her Priests have polluted the sanctuary they have done violence to the law 5 The just Lord is in the midst thereof he will not doe iniquity every morning doth he bring his judgement to light he faileth not but the unjust knoweth no shame LONDON Printed for SAMVEL GELLIBRAND 1643. THE MYSTERIE OF INIQVITY Yet working in the Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland for the destruction of Religion truly Protestant WEre there not a more then ordinary stupiditie possessing the hearts of men which God usually permits as the fore-runner of heavie judgements after so many reall and bloudy demonstrations of a damnable designe upon our Religion and Liberty it were the most unnecessary worke imaginable to publish written ones But let this unhappy necessity be obeyed and honest men be perswaded a little to withdraw their thoughts from their perplexâ—…d reflections upon the businesse of Hull and the Militia and the London Tumults which are usually looked upon as the grounds but never were other then occasions and advantages sought to throw us into this confusion which now over-spreads the face of England and unlesse God who casteth out the counsels of Princes and takes the wise in their owne craftinesse mercifully prevent is like to overwhelme it and apply themselves to a diligent observation of the contexture and comprehension of affaires as they have beene these later yeeres managed by our Adversaries That so comparing one part of their proceedings with another and all with this proposed end of subverting the Protestant Religion together with the Subjects Liberty the Elme of that Vine the impartiall and diligent Reader may discerne an evident conjuncture of Iesuits Priests Princes Prelates Papists Polititians Atheists prophane and ignorant persons for the ruine of that Religion to which some of them are Professed Enemies others Pretended Friends but which of them the most pernitious is hard to judge But that no body may be wronged this Heterogeneous number must in reference to this great worke receive its proportionable distribution and we must not conceive all these equally engaged or upon the same grounds Babel is to be built the Architects are the Iesuites taking in some Atheisticall Politicians to their assistance as Surveyors of the worke Princes must finde the materialls as being made believe that the worke is designed for the House of their Kingdome and the honour of their Majesty Papists with the rabble of superstitious and ambitious Clergie are the daily Labourers the prophane and ignorant multitude are imployed in the most serviâ—…e workes as Hewers of wood and Drawers of water and are now made to treade morter for this building moistned with their owne blood And because all these must be presumed reasonable men though the later sort are used as naturall bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyeâ—… who though they are not so wise as to know what they do yet must not be thought so foolish as not to know why they take this paines different ends are held out And therefore this great building is designed as a Church for the Papists Devotion as a Palace for the Prelates ambition as a Castle for the Princes power and the rest have severall baits by these cunning Anglers cast out unto them according to the variety of their dispositions But lest I should seeme rather to write then to reveale a Mystery it will be convenient to use all plainnesse of speech that they who are concerned may discern truth before it be beaten into their heads with a Poleax First I presume it will be granted on all parts that the Roman Strumpet is very industrious to corrupt the Earth with her Fornications Rev. 19. 2. and hath to that end constituted a great Councell De propaganda fide as they call it but rather De propaganda perfidia whose most vigilant Instruments and Emissaries are the Iesuits who have by their diligence obtained the honour to be Cupbearers of this Wine of Fornication and are justly accounted by us those Frogs comming out of the mouth of the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet going forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole world Rev. 16. 12. These men as they compasse sea and land and have spread themselves well nigh in all parts so they have alwaies had a speciall eye to the Kingdomes of Brittaine it being doubtlesse propounded to them and all Romish Agents as a piece of eminent service if by any meanes that might be reduced to the vassalage of Rome And this is the second step which I think there wil be no contesting for that the Romish Agents have bin very earnest and industrious in reconciling this Iland with the adjacent to their Religion it being a service which the Pope himselfe disdained not to stoope to in that Letter yet uncontradicted which he writ to the Prince in Spain now extant in the English tongue where he desires that the Prince of Wales might be brought backe againe into the lap of the Romish Church and the Prince of the Apostles put in possession of this most noble Isle Which desires of the Pope have beene seconded with continuall endeavours of swarmes of Iesuites and Priests resident amongst us It being then granted that ever since the Reformation there hath beene such a designe it remaines to shew how it hath been prosecuted and how farre it hath prevailed where the Impediment now is what labour there is to remove it that all true Protestants may the better understand their own condition and Interests Onely let this be premised that wee being to deale with a Mystery a worke of darkenesse it must not be expected that all which shall bee produced should bee cleare and convincing as if a judicial proceeding were undertaken but that the Argument be so probable and dependant as though not a legall yet a rationall judgement may be passed against our Adversaries in this Cause And it hath beene a very unjust triumph of the Enemy over the Parliament and their friends in want of evidence when they have though the nature of the businesse being treasonable and therefore clandestinely carried and bound up by oathes of secresie beene put to make up the grounds of their proceedings from the connexion of severall particulars and probabilities which are enough for a Statesman though not a Judge And the diligent observer may take notice how these feares and jealousies pretended to be groundlesse have beene justified by after proceedings as
the use made of Newcastle hath vindicated the securing Hull The Ship from Denmarke hath justified their suspition grounded as it is said upon the slighted testimony of the Skipper at Roterdam The Lord Digbies endeavours and the residence there of King and Cochran the Propositions to the Scots at Newcastle hereafter to be mentioned for the joyning of the Scottish and English Armies against the Parliament have justified all the suspitions and accusations then pretended and protested to be unjust and groundlesse In such times and cases as these feares and jealousies are pardonable and distrust especially after evident breaches of trust is the mother of security It is a very unequall thing that the King with his Cavaliers should renounce the Parliament destroy his good Subjects upon the jealousie that Parliaments and Puritans are Enemies to his Prerogative and Power which can never bee proved if Iustice be made the Rule of Power and we railed on for defending our selves against the confederacie of Papists Prelates Court Parasites and their Adherents whose endeavours of introducing Popery and Tyranny are farre beyond jealousie as is now to be demonstrated I will not retire so farre backe having so much work before me as to insist upon the manifest and manifold attempts upon this Kingdome in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth whom when they had discerned to have settled her Interests for the Protestants against Spaine and Rome and established her Councell according to those Interests So that though the Bishops brought her to dis-favour Puritanes yet they could not perswade her to favour the Papists but she still kept a strict and vigilant eye over them as being rightly informed that they and not the other were the greatest Enemies to Royall Power When they saw this the usuall arts of Rome against dis-affected Princes are put in practice viz. Bulls Interdicts Poysonings Assassinations which God wonderfully preserved that heroicke Ladie from the Spanish Armado the Rebellion in Ireland may be further Testimonies of their zeale in this businessâ—… To the enumeration of these let us onely adde thankfulnesse and caution and proceed to their after Machinations the bitter fruits of which the Protestant Churches yet feele King Iames before he came to the Crowne of England had a heart too large for his Dominion and therefore extended his affectionate thoughts to the Kingdomes of England and Ireland which he longed for a peaceable possession of The Factors of Rome having studied his interest and nature according to their wonted confidence attempt him as for his Understanding so well informed in the Forgeries and Falshoods of the Romish Religion it was not to be ventured on and therefore they proportion their workings to his Passions which were desire of the accession of power mixt with a more then ordinary feare in which he was naturally unhappy lest he should be interrupted if not disappointed in the entrance And in this Conflict obtaine from him some intimations if not assurances of favour to the Catholique Cause with which they were for the present satisfied The King upon his entrance and settlement in England saw cause rather to dispence with his promises then his principles whereupon the Popish Faction grew discontented against him and a fruit of that discontent was the Romish Hellish Powder-plot never to be mentioned by any good Protestant but with due gratitude to Almighty God and just detestation of the Romish Religion This Treason wrought not kindely with his Majesty for whereas he might have made the Plot a ground of defiance and the Deliverance a ground of confidence the horrour of the businesse wrought such impression of dread upon his timorous spirit that though he was not blowne up yet he was shaken by it all his life after and drawn successively to a Compliance with at least a Connivance at their proceedings And notwithstanding the free exercise of his wit and pen against Popery which they could well allow him they constrained him to purchase his own security contrary to the Interests of Protestant Religion and Paternall affection with the ruine of the neigbour Churches of Bohemia and the Palatinate We should not have looked upon the day of our Brethren to that we may reduce the many impediments that have fallen in betwixt us and the help of our friends and that posture wherein God himselfe stands towards us even as a man astonished a mighty man that cannot save Jer. 14. 9. Though we have this hope left that God will recompence that mischiefe not upon the Nation the body whereof had a just fellow-feeling with the distresses of their neighbours but upon that cursed Faction whose pernicious Councels yet rule among us This was the most considerable Progresse made in his time though the preparatory workings for a fitter opportunity were not omitted as the cherishing in him a dis-affection to Puritanes an inclination to Bishops procuring countenance to Prophanenesse both by practice and Declaration to the remote Counties for licentious Sabbath-breaking and settling about him persons regardlesse of the good of Church or Common-wealth To which may be added the untimely death of Prince Henry when it was once observed that he grew popular inclined to martiall affaires and dis-affected to Spanish proceedings As also the Propositions of the Treaty of marriage with Spain offered from England revised at Rome and then by the Negotiation of Bristoll agreed to though after broken with so many advantages to the spreading of Popery in England as might discover the designe to have been considerably advanced in King Iames his time I shall shut up the discourse of his Reigne with this observation of the providence of God That those Princes who have trusted God with their lives and Kingdomes and kept Spain and Rome at distance and defiance have sped better then they who to their dishonoured selves have sacrificed the welfare of the Church of God as by comparing the History of Queen Elizabâ—…th with those of Henry the fourth of France and King Iames may appear who trusting to their own politike Conservations the thing that they feared came upon them For so it was That when by the journey into Spain fairer hopes were conceived of the Prince as by his intercourse with the Pope and the presumptions of the jesuite which you shall finde in the Treatise of the English Pope not unworthy an English-mans deligent observation most fully appears King Iames came to be looked upon as {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and must be taken out of the way that the Mystery might work the more effectually and so died he both a Friend and Martyr of the Catholique Cause Though it was doubted and feared there were severall ingredients into his death the world talks of a drink and a plaister the Cup might be mingled for Romes sake and some other hands accessary to spreading the plaister if so Let them share the guilt I leave them to him whose eyes are upon all the wayes of men to render them according to their wayes
and the fruit of their doing It is said the Archbishop of York if he have not too much or too little Grace can tell you more of this businesse Let our trembling pen passe on to His now Majesties reign and here doubtlesse some Apologie is expected but I hope to say nothing that needs it I shall endeavour to avoid known falshoods or unseasonable truths An earnest affection to the Preservation and Reformation of the Church of God hath put me upon this disquisition and the desire of preserving good men from a snare which shall be in vain spread in the sight of any bird hath prevailed with me for the discovery of my thoughts It is in service to that Cause which I desire not to over-live the welfare of And therefore without any more complement Let us begin to search out the Plaâ—…formes Groundworks Materials Instruments of this great service for recovery of Britain to Babylon In the beginning of His Majesties reign the Popish Faction having in Spain and otherwise obtained testimonies of His disposition a strange wiâ—…e is prepared for him which according to Scripture truth is a dangerous preparative for a strange god Surely they will turn away your heart after their gods 1 Kings 11. 2. Upon this marriage is the Court sufficiently loose and luxurious enough at all times dissolved into Riots and Masquings and in the midst of that noise were our Counsells and Enterprises most perfidiously mis-laid and betrayed as those of Ree and Cales and especially that of Rochell which as if no sleighter a Complement could be thought of for the fair Lady received from France must by English hands and Popish Councels be betrayed in its Religion and Liberty Thus is our guilt increased and our strength diminished and lest the Remainder of it should be imployed according to the Interests of our Religion and Nation a peace with Spain is concluded the Palatinate left to that which leaves it yet miserable and is hastening us after it a Course of treating with them who carry destruction and misery in their paths but the way of peace they have not known These things have been long known but little considered and it stands well enough with my intent and purpose to repeat things mentioned by others because I aym at shewing the dependance of the Jesuiticall proceedings one upon another and all upon the main end of subverting Religion and Liberty After these parts so well plaid abroad Let us consider how the design was carried on among our selves from the fourth yeer of His Majâ—…sties reign And here as good workmen use to do They forecast the manner and provide the Instruments of their work It must be done either by force oâ—… fraud the first is disapproved probably upon these reasons 1. The King could not be supposed to yeeld to an invasion of His own Kingdom and it was pitie to betray so hopefull a Prince 2. It was more full of hazard as subject to the Accidents of warre as also that a violent attempt would probably joyn the Protâ—…stant and Puritan against the Papist whereas a fraudulent graduall proceeding might possibly unite the Papist and Indifferent Protestant against the Puritan which they have now accomplished The latter way is resolved upon and Instruments accordingly fitted which are certainly the most considerable requisites in any work And because it was of very great concernment That the King should be brought to favour and further these Popish proceedings and preparations He must be ingaged either upon religious or politike considerations to promote this Reconciliation with Rome Not to dispute how farre He was prevailed with in matters of Religion if not for an absolute alteration yet an Accommodation or whether the ultimate End and full Design were discovered to Him or rather He made to prosecute it under another Notion This is certain That He manifestly favoured those Courses that made way for Popery and Tyranny and it is to be conceived rather with respect to power and profit which were alwayes observed to be His Majesties well consistent Interests then to the Popish or any other Religion which is evidenced by that passage that fell from His Majesty observed by the Venetian that wrote the Narrative called the Popes Nuntio sc. That His Majesty could at that time reconcile Himself to Rome with much advantage And when it was discerned that the Interest of absolute Rule with its advantages was so firmely setled in His Majesty and that He was subject to be violent in the prosecution of it and not likely to stumble at small blocks which they might well ghesse by the dissolution of Parliaments billeting Souldiers the design of the Germanâ—… horse c. They cherish him in it and set France with its broken Parliaments and full power as an Object of Emulation before him as finding the Interests of Popery and Tyranny very well to agree Now therefore is His Majesty perswaded that His Crown and the Popes Chair have common Friends and common Enemies Parliaments and Puritans are their Enemies Prelacy and Prophanenesse their Friends Let us see how things were carried with respect to them all First For Parliaments which the Popish Party knew to be very good advantages in their constitution to the preservation and reformation of the Protestant Religion they represent them to his Majesty as most disadvantagious to his desired power and profit These were onely times of recompence for wrong of petitions for right Controllers of Prerogative Assertors of popular Liberty and therefore are they dissolved disgraced by scandalous Declarations publikely aspersed both from the Presse anâ—… Pulpit as by Doctor Alablaster Beale Manwaring and others of that stamp And that there might be no occasion of drawing supplies of money that way which had so many other Inconveniences attending it severall exquisite Engines of iniquity and oppression were found out by Weston Noy and others as Loans Patents Ship-money c. And thus for twelve years or thereabouts were Parliaments intermitted and the hopes if not remembrance of them almost worn out Then for Puritanes men cordially Protestant and zealous of their own Religion which no where but among us is a fault because they were tenacious of just Liberty and true Religion how studiously and spightfully are they disgraced as men of Antimonarchicall Principles factious spirits ranked with Iesuites who were yet better used as the Incendiaries of Churches and States For the suppressing these men the authority of the High Commission Star-chamber Bishops Courts and the ordinary Courts of Justice through the corruption of Judges and other inferiour Officers were made very serviceable and that they might have no shelter neerer then New-England most of the faithfull Ministers and religious Justices were for some pretence or other discountenanced displaced and it was grown to that passe that he that departed from evill made himself a prey For the rooting out of Ministers whose onely fault was painfulnesse in their places severall artifices were used And because there were
had not been sufficiently provided for by Ignorance the naturall mother of it the Prelates by the examples of their own families for the most part and the procuring and pressing the Book of licentiousnesse upon the Sabbath were diligent Nurses thereof And if it be further enquired how these Twinnes became serviceable to Popery the resolution is very cleer Ignorance you know is the mother of Popish Devotion that is Superstition and a speciall qualification of a disciple of Rome where blindfold is the onely play a trick the Pope borrows from the Divell The god of this world hath blinded their mindes 2 Cor. 4. 4. And so likewise Prophanenesse is a borderer upon Popery by the loose Principles of which it is much countenanced It is true Some sins are not so good cheap among them as others but all may be had at a reasonable rate And prophane persons whose remainders of Conscience tell them they must at least pretend to some Religion or other unlesse they have arrived at the height of Atheism readily pitch upon that next hand which would allow most Liberty And our present experience gives testimony of the service these two fruits of the Bishops Government have done Prophanenesse hath made a generall aversenesse to Reformation and Ignorance with the help of that hath furnished the King with an Army against the Parliament fetcht from the barren Mountains of Wales Cornewall and the North which were kept sâ—…re without the means of knowledge as a fit reserve for such a time as this I speak of the common sort of souldiers many of the rest have too much knowledge and too little conscience Thus have we an account of the more remote preparations for this great service which had wrought so well that it was thought seasonable to adventure more boldly upon the businesse And the Prelats with their forward dependants as impatient of this dilatory proceeding begin to offer presse Popish innovations to preach divers doctrines of grosse Popery for the which I referre you to the Canterburians self-conviction The Schooles the Presse the Pulpit began to speake Italian apace The Martyrs of the Protestant Religion disgraced the Conspirators in the Powder-Treason excused as in a Sermon at Saint Maries in Cambridge by Kemp of Queenes Colledge And the affront to Rome in the Common Prayer Booke viz. Whose Faith is Faction Religion Rebellion must be taken out that the Proverb might be verified Misso non mordet Our Churches began to put on the attire of the Harlot Altars Crucifixes and other idolatrous Pictures were frequently set up and â—…ervently maintained The Divine service as they called it was a Messe so prepared as that strangers from beyond Sea could scarce beleeve themselves to be in England but rather in France or Italy and cryed Non tam ovum ovo simile nec lac lactâ—… c. And if all this will not perswade the incredulous Reader that there was a strong endeavour of altering Religion among us I shall commend to his consideration not so much Romes Master-piece which may be Canterburâ—…es Master piece for ought I know it lookes so like a disguise as that serious and ingenious Tract called The English Pope together with the Popes Nuntioes annexed which gives a more exact account then I thought the secrecie of those Negotiations could have afforded to a man dis-affected to them Wherein you have the propounding and driving of the bargaine betwixt the Agents for Rome and the Archbishop with his Complices who bought and sold the Puritans for Cardinals Caps and pensions among whom the then Chichester now Salisbury was a Chiefe and therefore fiâ—…est to be the Princes Tutour But I should wrong both that Authour and my Reader to tell that Storie after him And though England was the maine Shop of this Forgerie as being most considerable as also because in Ireland there needed not so much diligence and in Scotland there was not much matter to be wrought upon yet in the two other Kingdomes this pious inclination to peace with Rome was not neglected In Ireland in the fourth yeare of his Majesty severall Immunities and Encouragements were granted to the Papists The then Deputie though his Veine lay more right for tyranny and exaction in regard of his imperious spirit yet he failed not to doâ—… many good Offices for the papists by connivence and countenance given to the free and publike exercise of Idolatry This the King helped on by making many popish peeres that a parliament in that Kingdome might occasionally prove rather advantageous to the designe then otherwise The fruit of which liberality of honour was reaped in the Irish parliaments allowing a Contribution to the warre against Scotland and their sending a Committee many of which were forward papists now chiefe Rebels to White hall the summer before the Rebellion brake forth who in all probability shuffled the Cards for the cloudy Game which was plaid October after And that Canterbury might not stand idle he dispatcht thither Chappell and other such Agents who by their Arminianisme and Superstition might traine up the ordinary sort of Protestants there and bring them to that temper that upon a difference they should propend rather to the Papists then the true Protestants of which allay Ormond Canterburies Nursling and his followers now prove Thus was Ireland managed that it might serve the turn it now doth of which afterwards In Scotland likewise all possible industry was used to facilitate an Accommodation with Englad first and so with Rome And to that purpose the Popish and prelaticall partie were very busie there particularly Spotswood Archbishop of Saint Andrews a deepe and subtle Dissembler who had discouraged and extirpated by degrees and under divers pretexts most of the faithfull Ministers there and had he been left to his own Politicks in which he was beyond his patron Canterbury in probability he had made the condition of that Nation almost desperate But Canterbury meeting with a man of his owne mettall Maxwell Bishop of Rosse â—…it to be Iehu's coachman being a furious driver to this Samaritane mixture who apprehended and represented the condition of that Nation too forwardly and presumptuously in his zeale rather then discretion gave heed to him and would needs be gathering the 〈◊〉 of the Scottish endeavours before they could be ripened in that cold Countrey more backward then England and so set his owne and fellowes teeth on edge In confidence therefore that the Scottish Church and Nation was so well prepared as by other endeavours so by his Sermon preached at Edinburgh when he was there with the King about the Partition-wall Eph. 2. 14. which he miserably handled when he made it to be the Jesuits and Puritans hindering his Reformation that is Reconciliation with Rome as to receive the English Liturgie and that corrupted or to give good advantages to the Designe by their refuâ—…all It was boldly offered them back'd with the Kings power prostituted to all such services by that Prelaticall
Pander to the Whore of Rome As also a booke of corrupt Canons which though they comprehended abundant iniquity yet it was thought fit by one Canon commended by Rosse to Canterbury that a doore should be left open wide enough for the Pope himselfe to enter at a fit opportunity to this effect That since no Reformation in Doctrine or Dâ—…scipline can be made perfect at once it should be lawfull by his Majesties consent c. which fell in so directly with Canterburies Designe that he procured it to be approved by the King at Greenwich May â—…3 1635. and injoyned it to be inserted giving thankes to his Agent the Bishop of Rosse in a lerter yet to be seene saying he was glad of the canon so 〈◊〉 placed behind the curtaine and commanded it to be fully printed But these Southerne plants being slips of an Italian Stocke could not endure this Northerne Climate but were sorely nipt and hinc illâ—… lachrymae the Scots instead of a Common-prayer Booke joyned in a Covenant which when Spotswood saw he said prophetitaâ—…ly I hope as once Caiaphas the bottome of their businesse was broken out and for his part he thought it seasonable to repaire into England which he forthwith did and with griefe dyed a Martyr to this Designe and so was the prediction of Master Walsh a famous Scottish Minister fulfilled upon him who in a Letter to the Bishop written 1604. told him he should dve an Out-cast The resolute rejection of this booke together with the Prelates altered the Scene but no way the Plot of this Tragedy and gave occasion for new Actors to enter in a military 〈◊〉 it being determined by this Romish confederacy that force must be added to fraud the peoples blood to the Prelates sweat rather then this blesâ—…el worke dis-appointed When therefore it was resolved that the many humble Petitions and Remonstrances of the Scottish Nation should be answered in blood preparations are accordingly made and because the Bishops had rendered themselves so odious by their Superstitious and Lordly carriage though the quarrell was theirs the action must be entred in the Kings name the warre must be called Bellum Ragale and not Episcopale and the Scots persecuted not as men dis-affected to Episcopacy but to Monarchy And thus by blowing the Trumpet of Lyes and Slanders some desperate some deluded persons were gathered together to force the Scottish Nation to Canonicall obedience and a Conformity to England now in Confederacie with Rome His Majesties person for the credit of the Cause must be ingaged who comming downe to the Borders and finding the Scots standing upon their defence at Dunce hill the King having left his firebrands at home in stead of fighting treats and concludes a Pacification at Berwicke which when the Councellours of mischiefe especially Canterbury and Strafford saw as they had before incensed his Majesty against his people to now as became the Grace of the one and Lordship of the other they make him fall out with himselfe and his owne act and sacrifice his faith and honour to the Quarrell This poore paper because it gave advantage toward a peace so unsatisfying to them and unserviceable to their ends it must receive the measure more due to the Incendaries be dis-avowed and burnt by the hands of the Hangman And this was done upon these or the like considerations If Scotland be so left it will not onely be hopelesse in regard of it selfe and so hinder the perfection of the good worke but remaine as an ill president to all good Subjects to stand up in defence of their Religion and Liberties which Canterbury and Strafford had a mind to invade against all illegall and violent attempts though in orced with the Kings personall preâ—…erce And further the example of that Kingdome will not onely remaine as an encouragement but their unbroken strength 〈◊〉 it is to feared prove serviceable to the Puritans of England who are justly thought so many and obstinate that without a blow they are not to be subdued It is therefore concluded necessary by the Factours for Tyranny and Popery that Armes be resumed by the King of which at least they thought to reap this advantage that which side soever prevailed it would be an ingagement of the Kingdomes in warre which was so earnestly pressed by Strafford that so they might be dis 〈◊〉 and made the more unserviceable to each other in case of necessity Thereupon they further perswading the King of the possibility of prevailing which he used to regard more then the nature of the Councell Armes are taken un againe Strafford with his Assistant Sir Toby Matthews an Episcopall extract are dispatched for Ireland the one deales with the Parliament the other with the Papists for supplies in this Catholique cause and prevailed not onely in that but an auxiliary strength is there raised of about 8000. men most of them papists who might be transported for Englâ—…nd or Scotland as occasion should require And Canterbury no lesse busie at home dispatches his Bulls to the Clergy for Contributions to the present designe and Souldiers are pressed with the advantages of Coat and conduct money in the severall Counties But the Souldiers a sed in 〈◊〉 Hartfordshire and thereabouts as if they had rather beene to serve under a Scottish Covenant then a popish Command fâ—…ll to pulling downe Images burning the railes about the Altaâ—…s and affronting papists which was an unâ—…oward Omen but yet dis-heartned not the stout prelates and rest of the Faction from their enterprises While these Firebrands were smoaking in England and Ireland the Scottiâ—…h Nation who love not After games were not idle but made good their bearing their Lyon was rampant while the English were but passant and so not being willing to trust another pacification at the Borders march into England with an Arny carrying a petition to the King and Declaration to the Kingdome in one hand and Armes the onely arguments then hopefull in the other and forced their passage at Newburn with the repulse of the English if they deserve so to be called most of them having changed their hearts for French and Spanish so were they possessed of Newcastle and the Bishopricke of Durham and fought with their Adversaries upon their owne ground and charges The successe of this designe being ill and the experce great and insupportable to the Contrivers notwithstanding all their extravagant oppressions they are so impudent as to try if they could intitle the English Nation to the maintenance aâ—…d countenance of that war which was levied by a Faction and perswade the King to call a parliament intending through the specious pretences of Loyalty and promises of taking away grievances to deceive them into a contribution to this warre which through Gods great mercy and good providence they avoyded though it cost them a dissolution Hereupon the Instruments of violence double their diligent injustice which grew so intolerable that some of the Lords take the confidence to