Regnaque quae Deus indulsit Nobis in ipsius Progenie quasi constabilita ad posteros propaganda transmittamus Rogamus itaque majorem in modum statuat taudem ac deceâ—nat Serenitaâ— Vestra ut negotium hoc omne ea celeritate conficiat quanta res tanta confici potuerit Erit hoc aequitatis prudentiae Vestrae cogitaâ—e quanti hoc Nostra intersit qui filium habeamus hunc unicum quantum porro conditio in hoc Nostra abs Vestra discrepet quem Deus sobole tam multa copiosa locupletavit Quem Vos Vestrosque omnes diu incolumes volentes velit etiam atque etiam obtestamur Dat. ex aedibus Nostris Theobaldinis 27. Aprilis 1620. UPon this Letter and Liberty indulged by it the Jesuits Priests Recusants in England grew very bold insolent daring and multiplied exceedingly insomuch that the King assembling a Parliament at London Anno 1621. the Commons House taking notice of their formidable dangerous increase and desperate designes to extirpate the Protestant Religion both at home and abroad under pretext of this Nuptiall Treaty drew up this ensuing memorable Petition and Remonstrance with an intention to present it to King Iames. The Petition and Remonstrance intended to be sent to King Iames by the house of Commons in December 1621. Most gratious and dread Soveraigne WEE Your Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in Parliament who represent the Commons of your Realm full of hearty sorrow to be deprived of the Comfort of Your royall presence the rather for that it proceeds from want of your health wherein we all unfainedly doe suffer In all humble manner calling to mind your gratious Answer to our former Petition concerning Religion which notwithstanding your Majesties pious and princely Intentions hath not produced that good effect which the danger of these times doth seem to us to require And finding how ill your Majesties goodnesse hath been requited by Princes of different Religion who even in time of Treaty have taken opportunity to advance their own ends tending to the subversion of Religion and disadvantage of your affaires and the estate of your Children By reason whereof your ill affected Subjects at home the Popish Recusants have taken too much encouragement and are dangerously encreased in their number and in their insolencies we cannot but be sensible thereof and therefore humbly represent what we conceive to be the causes of so great and growing mischiefs and what may be the remedies 1 The vigilancy and ambition of the Pope of Rome and his dearest Sonne The Causes the one aiming at as large a temporall Monarchy as the other at a spirituall Suptemacy 2 The devillish positions and doctrines whereon Popery is built and taught without authority to their followers for advancement of their temporall ends 3 The distressed and miserable estate of the Professours of true Religion in forreign parts 4. The disastrous accidents to your Majesties Children abroad expressed with rejoycing and even with contempt to their Persons 5. The strange confederacy of the Princes of the Popish Religion aiming mainly at the advancement of theirs and subverting ours and taking the advantages conducing to that end upon all occasions 6. The great and many Armies raised and maintained at the charge of the King of Spayne the chiefe of that league 7. The expectation of the Popish Recusants of the Match with Spayne and feeding themselves with great hopes of the consequences thereof 8. The interposing of forreigne Princes and their agents in the behalfe of Popish Recusants for connivence and favour unto them 9. Their open and usuall resort to the Houses and which is worse to the Chappels of forreigne Ambassadours 10. Their more then usuall concourse to the Citty and their frequent Conventicles and Conferences there 11. The education of their Children in many severall Seminaries and houses of their Religion in forreigne parts appropriated onely to the English Fugitives 12. The grants of their just forfeitures intended by your Majesty as a reward of service to the Grantees but beyond your Majesties intention transferred or compounded for at such meane rates as will amount to little lesse then a toleration 13. The licentious printing and dispersing of Popish and seditious Books even in the time of Parliament 14. The swarme of Priests and Jesuits the common Incendiaries of all Christendome dispersed in all parts of your Kingdome And from these causes as bitter roots The Effects We humbly offer to your Majesty that we foresee and feare there will necessarily follow very dangerous effects both to Church and State For 1. The Popish Religion is incompatible with ours in respect of their positions The Effects 2. It draweth with it an unavoydable Dependency on forreigne Princes 3. It openeth too wide a gap for popularity to any who shall draw to great a party 4. It hath a restlesse spirit and will strive by these gradations If it once get but a connivence it will presse for a toleration if that should be obtained they must have an equality from thence they will aspire to superiority and will never rest till they get a subversion of the true Religion The remedies against these growing evils which in all humblenesse we offer to your most Excellent Majesty are these 1. That seeing this inevitable necessity is fallen upon your Majesty The Remedies which no wisdome or providence of a pious and peaceable King can avoyd your Majesty would not omit this just occasion speedily and effectually to take your sword into your hand 2. That once undertaken upon so honourable and just grounds your Majesty would resolve to pursue and more publikely to avow the aiding of those of our Religion in forreigne parts which doubtlesse would re-unite the Princes and States of the Union by these disasters disheartned and disbanded 3. That your Majesty would propose to your selfe to mannage this Warre with the best advantage by a diversion or otherwise as in your dâ—ep judgment shall be found fittest and not to rest upon a Warre in these parts onely which will consume your treasure and discourage your people 4. That the bent of this Warre and poynt of your sword may be against that Prince what soeuer opinion of potency he hath whose Armies and treasure have first diverted and since maintained the Warre in the Palatinate 5. That for the securing of our peace at home your Majesty will be pleased to review the parts of our humble Petition formerly delivered unto your Majesty and hereunto annexed and to put in execution by the care of choyce Commissioners to be thereunto especially appointed the lawes already and hereafter to be made for the preventing of daâ—gers by Popish Recusants and their wonted evasions 6. That to frustrate their hopes for a future age our most Noble Prince may be timely and happily married to one of our owne Religion 7. That the Children of the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdome
some of our owne coat have re-incountred themselves you would scarce know them if you saw them and 't is admirable how in speech and gesture they act the Puritanes The Cambrige Schollers to their wofull experience shall see we can act the Puritanes a little better then they have done the Iesuits they have abused our sacred patron Saint Ignatius in jest but we will make them smart for it in earnest I hope you will excuse my merry digression for I confesse unto you I am at this time transported with joy to see how happily all Iustruments and meanes as well great as lesser cooperate unto our purposes But to returne unto the name fabricke our fouaedation is Arminianisme NOTE the Arminians and Projectors as it appeares in the Premises affect mutation this we second and enforce by probable arguments In the first place we take into consideration the Kings honour and present necessity and we shew how the King may free himselfe of his ward as Lewis the XI did and for his great splendor and lustre he may raise a vast revenue and not be beholding to his Subjects 〈…〉 which is by way of imposition of Excise Then our Church Catholikes proceed to shew the meanes how to settle this excise which must be by a mercenary army of Horse and Foot for the Horse we have made that sure they shall be Forreigners and Germanes who will eat up the Kings Revenues and spoile the Country whensoever they come though they should be well paid what havocke will they make there when they get no pay or are not duly paid they will doe more mischiefe then we hope the army will doe We are provident and carefull that this Mercenary army of 2000. Horse and 20000 Foot shall be taken on and in pay before the excise be setled in forming the excise the Country is most likely to rise if the mercenary army subjugate the Country then the Souldiers and projectors shall be paid out of the confiscations if the Country be too hard for the Souldiers then they must consequently mutiny which is equally advantagious unto us Our superlative designe is to worke the Protestants as well as the Catholikes to welcome in a Conquerour and that is by this meanes We hope instantly to dissolve trades and hinder the building of Shipping in devising probable designes and putting out the State upon Expeditions as that of Cales in taking away the Merchants Ships that so they might not easily catch and light upon the West India Fleet c. By this Letter we see how Jesuits were the first planters of Arminianisme among us how they haunted the Dukes lodgings and projected the bringing in of the Germane Horse and Excise the Commissions for both which were realities not fancies afterwards discovered read and cancelled in Parliament In this Parliament the now Archbishop Doctor Laâ—d was questioned for licencing Doctor 〈◊〉 and Sibthorps Sermons concerning the Loane for maintaining favouring Arminians and persons disaffected to our Religion and this ensuing Complaint and Remonstrance drawn and presented by the House of Commons to the King concerning the excessive growth of Popery and Arminianisme in England and Ireland and the suppression of the Protestant Religion preaching godly Ministers Books c. notwithstanding all former Royall promises answers and Protestations to the contrary made the last Parliament which proved in event but pious frauds or pollicies to delude the impoliticke vulgar The Remonstrance delivered by the House of Commons to the King Iune 11. 1628. Most dread Soveraigne AS with all humble thankfulnesse we your dutifull Commons now in Parliament assembled doe acknowledge the great comfort which we have in the assurance of your Majesties pious disposition â— so we think it a most necessary duty being called by your Majesty to consult and advise of the great and urgent affaires of this Church and Common-wealth finding them at this time in apparant dauger of destruction faithfully and dutifully to informe your Majesty thereof and with bleeding heart and bonded knee to crave such speedy redresse therein as to your owne wisdome unto which we humbly submit our selves and our desires shall seeme most 〈◊〉 and convenient What a multitude and potency of your Majesties enemies are abroad what be their ambitious and malicious ends and how vigilant and constantly industrous they are in pursuing the same it is well knowne to your Majesty together with the dangers threatned thereby to your sacred person and your Kingdomes and the calamities which have already fallen and hath daily increased upon your Friends and Allies of all which we are well assured your Majesty is most sensible and will accordingly in your great wisdome and with the gravest and most mature Counsels according to the exegency of the times and occasions provide by all good meanes to prevent and help the same To which end we most humbly entreat your Majesty first especially to cast your eyes upon the miserable condition of this your owne Kingdome of late so strangely weakned impoverished dishonoured and dejected that unlesse through your Majesties most gracious wisdome goodnesse and justice it be speedily raised to a better condition it is in no little danger to become a sodaine pray to the enemies thereof and of the most happy and flourishing NOTE to be the most miserable and contemptible Nation in the world In the discovery of which dangerous mischiefs and inconveniences lying upon us we doe freely protest that it is farre from out thoughts to lay the least imputation upon your Majesties sacred person or the least scandall on your government For we doe in all sincerity and with joyfulnesse of our hearts not onely for our selves but in the name of all the Commons in your Realme whom we represent ascribe as much honour to your Majesty and acknowledgement of duty as a most loyall and affectionate people can give unto the best King for so you are and so you have been pleased abundantly to expresse your selfe this present Parliament by your Majesties cleere and satisfactory answer to our Petition of Right for which both our selves and our Posterities shall blesse God and ever preserve a thankfull memory of your great goodnesse and justice therein and we doe verily beleeve that all or most of all those things which we shall now present unto your Majesty are either altogether unknowne to you or else by some of your Majesties Ministers offered under such specious pretences as may hide their owne bad intentions and ill consequence of them from your Majesty But we assure our selves that according to the good example of your noble Predecessors nothing can make your Majesty being a wise and Judicious Prince and above all things desirous of the welfare of your people more in love with Parliaments then this which is one of the principall ends of calling them that therein you may be truly informed of the State of all the severall parts of your Kingdome and how your Officers and Ministers doe behave
passing their grants and other discharges is such that without your Majesty be further pleased to extend your mercy towards them your poore Petitioners although they have used the uttermost of their mean endeavours can reape no benefit of your Majesties gracious favour vouchsafed unto them They therefore most humbly beseech your Majesty to be pleased to referre the settlement and establishing of the said Fees to the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Cottington who calling unto them your Majesties Vice-Presidents of the North may direct such moderate fees and meanes to passe the said grants and other discharges as your Petitioners meane ability may be able to undergoe And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray for your Majesties long and prosperous reigne over us But this Proclamation rather displeasing then satisfying it was thus seconded with the ensuing ogive more content By the KING A Proclamation declaring His Majesties Royall Pleasure and Command for putting the Lawes and Statutes made against Jesuits Priests and Popish Recusants in due execution WHereas We have found by experience that notwithstanding the strict and severe Lawes made and standing in force against Iesuits Priests and others having taken Orders by authority derived or pretended to be derived from the Sea of Rome and notwithstanding Our former restraints and prohibition by Proclamation and otherwise many of them have presumed to resort and remaine within this Our Realme and other parts of Our Dominions and there doe daily endeavour to withdraw and seduce Our Subjects from the true Religion of Almighty God and from there due Allegiance and Obedience towards Us their Liege Lord and that many of Our Subjects missed by them have adventured to receive harbour and maintaine them and thereby have incurred the danger of Our Lawes And therefore not finding that good effect which We did and might justly expect of any former course taken in that behalfe We have thought fit NOTE and doe hereby publish Our royall pleasure and Command that carefull and diligent search be made by all Our Officers and Ministers and by all others to whom it may appertaine for all Iesuits Priests and others having taken Orders by authority derived or pretended to be derived from the Sea of Rome and that wheresoever and whensoever they shall be found they be apprehended and committed to the common Goale of that County where they shall be found there to remaine without Baile or Mainprize untill by due course of Law they be tryed Quâ—re whether it were so doneâ— and proceeded with according to Law which We will shall be done with all convenient expedition And if upon their tryall and Conviction there shall be cause to respire the execution of any of them yet We are resolved not to let them lye in those common Goales much lesse to wander about at large but according to the example of former times to send them to the Cattle of Westbich or some other safe Prison where they shall remaine under strait and close custody and be wholly restrained from exercising their Functions or spreading their superstitious and dangerous Doctrine And We are also resolved whereof We doe hereby give notice to all whom it may concerne at their utmost perils That the Harbourers Receivers and Maintainers of Iesuits Priests and all such others as haue received or shall receive Orders as aforesaid shall be left to the due and ordinary course of Law And We doe further will and command that all Our Judges Justices and Ministers of Justice in their severall places not onely doe observe Our will and pleasure before expressed in all and every the premises but also doe put all other Out Lawes in due execution against Popish Recusants and that Our Judges of Assise at their returne out of their Circuits doe from time to time hereafter give a strict accompt of their proceedings therein unto Our Lord Keeper of the great Seale and Our Lord Keeper doe present the same unto Vs. And whereas We heretofore granted severall Commissions for Leasing and demising of the Lands of Recusants liable to their forfeitures with Instructions for the direction of Our Commissioners in that service NOTE We minding a due reformation of the manifold neglects and abuses of our inferiour officers and others whereby that part of our Revenue hath been extreamly lessened and those who were backward in Religion have been encouraged to persist in their obstinacy and blindnesse have caused those Commissions and Instructions to be revived and many parts altered for our better service and profit And We doe hereby declare the same to the intent that such as shall be willing to contract with Us or to further our service or advance our profit in that behalfe may attend our said Commissioners And whereas We are informed that divers have contracted for Leases of Recusants Lands who doe not sue out their Leases to our great hinderance our will and pleasure is That all such as have already contracted with our Commissioners for Leases of Recusants Lands shall passe them under our Seales before the end of Michaelmâ—â— Terme next and such as shall hereafter contract for any such Leases shall passe therâ— under our Seales before the end of the Terme then next following after such contracts made or else their Contracts to be utterly voyd And We doe straitly charge all our said Commissioners that they be carefull to advance our profit herein according to the true intent of our Commissions and Instructions and that they use all diligence to discover and avoid all abuses which may tend to the diminution of our profit or to the encrease of Popery and back-sliding from the true Religion established in the Church of England Given at Our Court at Southwicke the third day of August in the fourth yeere of Our reigne of Great Britaine France and Ireland A little before the next Session of Parliament and during the Session it selfe the King likewise issued out these successive Proclamations following against Doctor Smith Bishop of Calcedon By the KING A Proclamation for the apprehension of Richard Smith a Popish Priest stiled and calling himselfe the Bishop of Calcedon FOrasmuch as We certainly understand that Richard Smith an English man borne by profession a Popish Priest now is and for some yeeres past hath been in this Realme and here not onely 〈◊〉 our Subjects in their Religion but both also both by his writings in print and otherwise and by his 〈◊〉 practice perswade those our Subjects to whom he hath accesse from their Allegiance to Us their Liege Lord and usurpeth to himselfe Episcopall Jurisdiction from the Sea of Rome and exerciseth the same within this Kingdome and holdeth continuall Intelligence with our Enemies whereby according to the just Lawes of this Realme he hath committed the offence of high treason And yet neverthelesse divers of our Subjects seduced by him doe receive harbour and entertaine him contrary to our Lawes and have thereby incurred and doe incurre the penalty of those
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
* Page 34 44. undervalues the French Mercury and other histories who have written any thing of this Match may peruse at his leasure to satisfie his judgement Conscience in the verity of the premises and of this Mercury to The Parliament upon this relaiâ—on adâ—vised the King to breake off the Spanish treaty and to proclaime an open warre with Spaine for recovery of the Palatinate and defence of the protestant Religion Se the Lords Iournall And Archbishops Diary March 23. whereupon the King on the 23 of February declared to a Committee of Parliament appointed for that purpose That he would send a Messenger presently into Spaine to signifie to that King that his Parliament advised him to breake of the Treaties of the Match and the Palatinat and to give his reasons of it and so proceed to recover the Palatinate as he might Hereupon Bonefires were made in the City by the forwardnesse of the people for joy that we should breake with Spaine In this Parliament to maintaine the war in which they had engaged the King * See 21 Iac. c. 32. 33. the Clergy granted him four intire Subsidies of foure shillings the pound and the Temporalty three intire Subsidies and three fifteens and tenthes The end of granting them is expressed in the Prologue of the Temporalities Act of Grant MOST * * 21. lac c. 33 Gratious Soveraigne we your Majesties most humble faithfull and loving Subjects by your Royall Authority now Assembled in your High Court of Parliament having entred into serious and due consideration of the weighty and most important causes which at this time more then at any other time heretofore doe presse your Majesty to a much greater expence and charge then your owne Treasure alone can at this present support and maintaine and likewise of the injuries and indignities which have beene lately offered to your Majesty and your Children under colour and during the time of the Treaties for the Mariage with Spaine and the restitution of the Palatinate which in this Parliament have beene clearely discovered and layde open unto us and withall what humble advice with one consent and voyce we have given unto your Majesty to dissolve those Treaties which your Majesty hath beene gratiously pleased to our exceeding joy and comfort fully to yeeld unto and accordingly have made your publique declaration for the reall and utter dissolution of them by meanes whereof your Majesty may happily be ingaged in a suddain Warre Wee in all humblenesse most ready and willing to give unto your Majesty and the whole world an ample testimony of our dutifull affections and sinceere intentions to assist You therein for the maintenance of that Warre that may hereafter ensue and more particularly for the defence of this your Realme of England the securing of your Kingdome of Ireland the assistance of your Neighbours the States of the united Provinces and other your Majesties Friends and Allies and for the setting forth of your Royall Navy we have resolved to give for the present the greatest ayde which ever was granted in Parliament to be levied in so short a time c. In this Parliament the Commons presented a sharpe Petition to the Lords against Popish NOTE Recusants desiring the Lords to joyne with them in it to the King of which King Iames having notice writ with his owne hand this following letter to Secretary Conway which I have truely extracted out of the very originall I doubt not but you have heard what a stinging Petition against the Papists the lower House have sent to the higher House this day that they might joyntly present it unto me ye know my firme resolution not to make this a Warre of Religion And seeing I would be loath to be Connycatched by my people I pray you stay the Post that is going to Spaine till I meet with my Son who will be here to morrow morning do it upon pretext of some more letters ye are to send by him and if he should be gone hasten after him to stay him upon some such pretext and let none living know of this as ye love me and before two in the afternoone to morrow you shall with out saile heare from me Farwell Iames R. This Petition was sent up to the Lords as appeares by their * 3 Aprâ—â—â— 1624. Iournall Booke upon the 3. of Aprill 1624. the Coppy whereof is therein recorded in forme following Die Lunae quinto Aprilis 1624. The Petion against Popish Recusaurs which the Commons desire to be presented unto his Majesty and that the Lords joyne with them therein May it please your most Excellent Majesty VVE your Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects the Lords Commons in this present Parliament assembled having to our singular comfort received your Princely resolution upon our humble Petition to disolve the two treaties of the Match and of the Pallatinate and having on our parts with all alacrity and readinesse humbly offered our assistance to your Majesty to maintaine the Warre which may insue there upon yet with all sencibly finding what seditious and Traiterous positions those Incendiaries of Rome and professed Engines of Spaine the Priests and Iesuits infuse into your naturall borne Subjects what numbers they have seduced and doe dayly seduce to make their dependance on the Pope of Rome and King of Spaine contrary to their Allegiance to your Majesty their Leige Lord what daily resort of Priests and Jesuites into your Kingdomes what concourse of Popish Recusants much more then usuall is now in and about the City of London NOTE what boldnesse yea what insolency they have discovered out of the opinion conceived of their forraigne patronage what publique resort to Masses and other exercises of the Popish Religion in the Houses of forraigne Ambassadors there is daily to the great griefe and offence of your good Subjects what great preparations are made in Spaine fit for an Invasion the bent whereof is as probable to bee upon some part of Your Majesties Dominions as upon any other place what incouragement that may bee to your Enemies and the Enemies of Your Crown to have a party or but the opinion of a party within Your Kingdomes who do daily increase and combine themselves together for that purpose What dishartning of your good and loving Subjects when they shall see more cause of feare from their false hearted Country-men at home then from their professed adversaries abroad what apparent dangers by Gods providence and Your Majesties wisdome and goodnesse they have very lately escaped which the longer continuance of those treaties upon such unfitting conditions fomented by your owne ill affected Subjects NOTE would surely have drawne upon Your Majesty and Your State doe in all humblenesse offer to your sacred Majestie these their humble petitions following 1. That all Jesuites and Semminary Priests and all others having taken Orders by any authority derived from the Sea of Rome may by Your Majesties Proclamation be commanded
drawne to such an unworthy action resolving rather to sinke then stirre therein Whereupon Captaine Pennington acquainted his Majesty and the Duke of Buckingham by Letters with this their peremptory resolution and desires their direction herein the King I know not by whose ill advice returns him this answer both by word of mouth and this ensuing Warrant the copy whereof was found among Windebankes and the Lord Cottingtons Papers CHARLES R. Pennington THese are to charge and require you immediately upon sight hereof that without all difficulty and delay you put Our former commandement in execution for the consigning of the Ship under your charge called the Vaunt-guard into the hands of the Marquesse de Effort with all her Equipage Artillery and Ammunition assuring the Officers of the said Ship whom it may concerne that we will provide for their indemnity and We further charge and command you that you also require the seven Merchants Ships in Our name to put themselves into the service of Our deare Brother the French King according to the promise made unto him and in case of backwardnesse or refusall We command you to use all forcible meanes in your power to compell them thereunto even to their sinking NOTE and in these severall charges see you faile not as you will answer the contrary at your utmost perill and this shall be your sufficient Warrant Given as Our Court at Richmond the 28. of Iuly 1625. To Our Trusty and welbeloved John Pennington Captaine of Our Ship called the Vaunt-guard Upon receit of this Warrant Captaine Pennington as I have been certainly informed from very credible persons of note privy to the transactions of this businesse threatned to shoot and sinke the Ships and hang up the Mariners that refused to yeeld obedience and serve against Rochell but they all unanimously declined the service bidding him doe his pleasure with them for goe against the Rochelers they would never but if they were commanded upon any other service not against the Protestants they would obey Whereupon those who refused to serve in this expedition were commanded to quit the Ships and returne into England which all did but two who soone after came to desperate ends the one being blowne up with Gun-powder the the other drowned or slaine Upon this the English Ships were according to this direction delivered to the French manned with French-men and other Forreigners and joyning with some more Vessels of the French King destroyed the Rochell Fleet blocked up their Haven ruined that famous Protestant City with most of the Protestants in it which after a long and sharp siege by sea and land was through famine surrendred into the Papist hands the losse whereof was generally if not justly imputed to our ill Counsellers who after they had been instruments to destroy their Ships the principall meanes of their safety support and preservation by an unfortunate voyage of the Duke of Buckingham to the Isle of Ree to what end but to ruine Rochell and the Protestant party in France or to revenge the disappointment of his lust as many muttered is yet unknowne to the world exhausted their Ammunition Victuals provisions men to supply our necessities at Ree and after our departure thence left our sick and maiâ—ed souldiers there to help devoure the residue of their emptied stores and then suffered them to be totally blocked up at sea when we had thus engaged them on our behalfe neglecting to send them timely supplies of Victuall Ammunition shipping men which was strangely delaid from time to time contrary to promise and when our ships went at last they gave over the designe of relieving is as desperate before ever they assayed whether it was feasible 〈◊〉 Master Henry now Lord Iermin and some others in that unfortunate expedition informed me and then making onely a Bravado towards the Barracado as if they meant to force it with their fireships and engines made with great stones brought to London to repaire Pauls so unlikely to do any good service for Rochell they discharged their Ordnance very valiantly above a league or two from the Workes they were to force and without adventuring neerer or attempting to force the Barre returned presently with infinite dishonour for England leaving all their fireships and Engines in them to the French in a most unwarlike manner but in their returne homewards many of these Ships were wrecked drowned in a tempest who would not adventure sinking in a fight and the whole Navy shattered Soon after which poor Rochell thus deferred and betraid was surrendred into the French Kings Cardinals possession and all the Protestant Towns in France surprized yeeded pillaged dismantled so as they have since no Town or Fort of strength to retire unto to preserve themselves from the force or massacres of their bloody Adversaries to whose mercilesse cruelties they are now wholly exposed upon all occasions by our means I pray God this 〈◊〉 against them and the blood of those many thousand Protestants then shed in France by our occasion be not one principall cause why God by way of retaliation hath permitted the Papists in Ireland and England to shed so much Protestant blood in these Realmes as they have done of late lot our refusing or neglecting to avenge their blood upon those romanized Conspirators who were the occasion of this their irreperable losse and bloodshed But to returne home againe from this deplorable action the second Parliament in King Charles his Reigne being dissolved sodainly in disgusts as you have heard there was a desperate plot laid to blow up our Religion Liberties Properties all at once by the Jesuiâ—â—call Arminian and Prelatical Faction To effect this they set on foot an enforced Loane or Benevolence to the King to which every man must be summoned and compelled to lend mony according to his ability to which end there were Commissions and Instructions together with speciall Commissioners senc into every County to summon all Free-holders and men of estate to lend what the Commissioners should asseâ—â—e them and to prepare the people the better to contribute Doctor Manwaing preached two Sermons before the King and his Court at White-hall and Doctor Sibthorpe another Sermon at the Assisâ—â—at Northampton by the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury his instigation who perused and caused these Sermons to be printed by the Kings speciall Command with some additions and purgations of his owne to preach the people out of their just rights in point of Conscience and the Judges were likewise enjoyed in their charges and circuits to declare the legallity of them and so inthrall the Subjects to this and all other arbitrary taxes in poynt of Law And that this malevolent enforced Benevolence might passe more currently and plausibly among the people the aiding of our Protestant Allies in Germany Denmarke France and particularly the reliefe of Rochell then besieged against the Papists and their potent enemies was made the principall end thereof and a Parliament was promised to be
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
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
endeavours to remove all mis-understandings between the King and his people and to do all good offices between them * * See the Commons Iornall Feb. 3. 1640. Diuinall Occurrences of both Houses p. 31 32. A Message sent from the Queenes Majesty to the House of Commons by Master Comptroller Feb. 3. 1640. THat her Majesty hath been ready to use her best endeavours for the removing of all mis-understanding between the King and Kingdome That at the request of the Lords who Petitioned the King for a Parliament her Majesty at that time writ effectually to the King and sent a Gentleman expresly to perswade the King to the holding of a Parliament That She hath since bin most willing to do all good offices between the King and his people which is not unknowne to divers of the Lords and so * * Quere how well this Clause hath ever since bin performed shall ever continue to do as judging it the onely way of happinesse to the King her Selfe and Kingdome That all things be justly setled between the King and his people and all cause of mis-understanding taken away and removed That her Majesty having taken knowledge Note that having one sent to her from the Pope is distastefull to the Kingdom She is desirous to give satisfaction to the Parliament within convenient time she will remove him out of the Kingdome That understanding likewise that exception hath bin Note taken at the great resort to her Chappell at Denmarke House she will be carefull not to exceed that which is convenient and necessary forthe exercise of her Religion She further taketh notice That the Parliament is not satisfied with the manner of raising money for the assistance of the King in his journey to the North in the yeare 1639. at her entreaty from the Catholikes She was moved thereunto meerly out of her deare and tender affection to the King and the example of other His Majesties Subjects she seeing the like forwardnesse could not but expresse her forwardnes to the assistance of the King If any thing be illegall she was ignorant of the Law and was carried therein onely out of a great desire to be assisting to the King in so pressing an occasion but promiseth to be more cautious her after * * Her raising men monyes horse Armes Ammunâ—tion in forraine Parts to maintain a bloudy civill War in Ireland and England is a very reall performance of this promise not to do any thing but what may stand with the established Lawes of the Kingdome Her Majesty being desirous to employ her owne power to unite the King and people desireth the Parliament to looke forwards and passe by such mistakes and errours of her Servants as may be formerly and this your respect she promiseth shall be repayed with all the good offices she can do to the House which * They have done sowith a witnesse ever since you shall find with reall effects aâ— often as there shall be occasion How sincerely and cordially her Majesty hath performed all these her Princely promises to the Parliament Kingdome King and his people her Actions both at home and in Forraigne parts with our bloudy Warres and Massacâ—es since both in Ireland England and Scotland proclaime to all the World God deliver us all from such Court-holy-water such Popish Dissimulation which may seeme commendable in Romish Catholikes who hold * See Master Hen Mason of Equivocation Surins Concil Tom. 3. p. 860. Equivocation lawfull and that no faith is to be kept with Heretickes as they esteeme all Protestants But to returne to our Papists activity in the Scottish Watres to which this Message relates it is very well known that many if not most of the Captains Officers imployed in the last expedition were either professed Papists or persons Popishly affected how the Earle of Arundell the General of the Army against the Scotâ—â— together with his Lady family stand affected in Religion and what active 〈◊〉 they were to promote this Warre you may read at large in †Page 17 22 23 24-32 Romes Master-peece Their Contributions towards this Warre were so large and their assistance so chearefull that some of our Episcopall Preachers and * Mr. Whites First Cenâ—â—â—y of Randalous Malig. Priests p. 25. 29. Mr. Squire of Shoreditch London by name preached openly in his Pulpit That the Papists were the Kings best Subjects and better then Protestants for three reasons First their Loyalty Secondly THEIR LIBERALITY having like Arauna contributed like Kings to the King in his necessity Thirdly For their Patience adding that they were the good Samaritan who poured Oyle into the wounds of that man the King that was fallen among Theeves who wounded him Especially the Irish Papists And Audomarus Ioannes Abbot of Wurtzburge in Germany in a letter of his to Secretary Windebancke Dated 13. August 1639. endorsed with Windebanks owne hand writes that his Majesty had a sufficient tryall of the fidelity of his Catholike Subjects in this accident I shall insert the whole letter because it discovers Windebanks intimacy with this Abbot and other Papists whose letters inclosed under his own packet to prevent intercepting he usually dispersed to their Agents here Right Honourable THree Months agoe and more I wrot signifying to your Honour that after I came from London it being moâ—e then a quarter of a yeare before I could reach the wished place I did aime at to see the desolation of which and generally of all the parts I did passe through I was so disconsolated that all be it I oft thought to discharge my respective salutes to your honour yet present cares and occasions did ever prevent my intention Notwithstanding at last I did take the boldnesse to intreat that your Honour would let me know your commands in discharge of which your Honour God willing shall finde me most solicitous and carefull But least such my former letters hath miscaried as severall to Sir William Howard and other honourable friends has done I resumed the boldnesse to make a Briefe repetition of the same letting your honor know that I have found King Iames letter of happy memory which my Lord Hay then Embassador after his return to London moved his Majesty to write to Prince Godefrid then Bishop of Wurtzburge wherein his Majesty was pleased to give thanks to the Bishop for the favours done NOTEâ— as to himselfe Moreover his Majesty was pleased to take * notice of us his poore Subjects commending us to the Bishops noble charity I finde also Prince Godefrids answer to his Majesty wâ—it by occasion of Abbot Ogilby whom the Bishop did commend to his Majesty intreating that at his request the said Abbot Ogleby might have free passage to see his native Country out of the which he had beene 40. yeares and more The Prince who is now does truely honour his Majesty and respect his Subjects of the which my Lord Arundell about two yeare agoe being here
above one hundred fifty two thousand Protestants there destroyed in the first four months of the Rebellion as the Rebells themselves certified the Pope upon inquisitions of their number taken upon Oath But notwithstanding those their successefull proceedings in other parts yet through the admirable Providence of God they were prevented of the main part of their design the surprising of Dublin Castle the chief strength and Magazine of that Realm which had they gotten they had in very few dayes been Master of the whole Kingdom For the very night before the Castle should have been surprised the Plot was discovered to the Lords Iustices of Ireland by Oâ—en Connelly whereupon that design was frustrated and the Lord Maguire and Hugh Macmahone two principall men in the Conspiracy who came purposely to surprise it with other their Confederates taken Prisoners whose Examinations and Confessions together with the Lords Iustices Letter to the Earl of Leicester discovering the manner and proceedings of this Conspiracy I shall here insert I shall begin with the Relation of the Lord Maguire himself written with his own hand in the Tower and delivered by him to Sir Iohn Conyers then Lieutenant to present to the Lords in Parliament because it is the fullest BEing in Dublin Candlemas Term last was 12. moneths the Parliament then sitting Mr. Roger Moore did write to me desiring me that if I could in that spare time I would come to his house for then the Parliament did nothing but sit and adjourn expecting a Commission for the continuance thereof their former Commission being expired and that some things he had to say to me that did meerly concern me and on receipt of his Letter the new Commission for continuing the Parliament Landed and I did returne him an answer that I could not fulfill his request for that present and thereupon he himself came to Town presently after and sending to me I went to see him at his Lodging and after some little time spent in salutations he began to discourse of the many afflictions and sufferings Note of the Natives of that Kingdom and particularly in those latter times of my Lord of Straffords Government which gave distaste to the whole Kingdom and then he began to particularize the suffering of them that were the more ancient Natives as were the Irish how that on the severall Plantations they were all put out of their Ancestors Estates all which sufferings he said did beget a generall discontent over all the whole Kingdom in both the Natives to wit the Old and New Irish and that if the Gent. of the Kingdom were disposed to free themselves furtherly from the like inconvenience and get good conditions for themselves for regaining their Ancestors or at least a good part thereof Estates they could never desire a more convenient time then that time the distempers of Scotland being then on foot and did ask me what I thought of it I made him answer that I could not tell what to thinke of it such matters being altogether out of my Element then he would needs have an oath from me of secrecy which I gave him and thereupon he told me that he spoke to the best Gentlemen of Quality in Lemster and a great part of Conaght Note touching that matter and he found all of them willing thereunto if so be they could draw to them the Gent. of Vlster for which cause said he I come to speak to you then he began to lay down to me the case that I was in then overwhelmed in Debt the smalnesse of my Estate and the greatnesse of the Estate my Ancestors had and how I should be sure to get it again or at least a good part thereof and moreover how the welfare and maintaining of the Catholique Religion Note which he said undoubtedly the Parliament now in England will suppresse doth depend on it for said he it is to be feared and so much I hear from every understanding man the Parliament intends the utter subversion of our Religon by which perswasions he obtained my consent and so demanded whether any more of Vlster Gent. were in Town I told him that Philip Relly Mr. Torrilagh ô Neal Brother to Sir Phillim ô Neale and Mr. Cosloe Macmahone were in Town so for that time we parted The next day he invited Mr. Relly and I to dine with him and after dinner he sent for those other Gent. Mr. Neale and Mr. Macmaehone and when they were come he began the discourse formerly used to me to them and with the same perswasions formerly used to me he obtained their consent And then he began to discourse of the manner how it ought to be done Of the feazebility and easiness of the attempt considering matters as they then stood in England the troubles of Scotland the great number of able men in the Kingdom meaning Ireland what succours they were more then to hope for from abroad Note and the Army then raised all Irishmen and well armed meaning the Army raised by my Lord of Strafford against Scotland First that every one should endeavor to draw his own friends into that act and at least those that did live in one Country with them and when they had so done they send to the Irish in the Low-Countries and Spain Note to let them know of the day and resolution so that they be over with them by that day or soon after with supply of Armes and Munition as they could that there should be a set day appointed and every one in his own quarters should rise out that day and seize on all Armes he could get in his County and this day to be near winter so that England could not be able to send Forces into Ireland before May and by that time there was no doubt to be made but that they themselves would be supplyed by the Irish beyond Seas who he said could not misse of help from either Spain or the Pope but that his resolution was not in all things allowed For first it was resolved nothing should be done untill first they had sent to the Irish over Seas to know their advice and what hope of successe they could give for in them as they said all their hope of reliefe was and they would have both their advise and resolution before any further proceedings more then to speak to and try Gent. of the Kingdom every one as they could conveniently to see in case they would at any time grow to a resolution what to be and strength they might trust to Then Mr. Moor told them that it was to no purpose to spend much time in speaking to the Gent. for there was no doubt to be made of the Irâ—sh that they would be ready at any time And that all the doubt was in the Gent. of the Pale but he said that for his own part he was really assured when they had risen out the Pale Gent. would not stay long after at least that they would
not oppose them in any thing but be Newters and if in case they did that they had men enough in the Kingdom without them Moreover he said that he had spoke to a great man who then should be namelesse that would not fail at the appointed day of rising out to appear and to be seen in the Act but that untill then he was sworn not to reveal him And that was all that was done at that meeting onely that Mr. Moore should the next Lent following make a Iourny down into the North to know what was done there and that he also might inform them what he had done and so on parting Mr. Philip Relly and I did importune Mr. Moore for the knowledge of that great man that he spoke of and on long entreaty after binding us to new secrecy not to discover him untill the day should be appointed he told that it was the Lord of Mayo who was very powerfull in command of men in those parts of Coâ—aght wherein he lived and that there was no doubt to be made of him no more then was of himself and so we parted The next Lent following Master Moore according to his promise came unto Ulster by reason it was the time of Assizes in severall Counties there he met only with Mr. Rely and nothing was then done but all matters put off till the May following where we or most of us should meet at Dublin it both being Parliament and Terme time in the meane time there landed in Ireland one Neall O Neale Note sent by the Earle of Tyrone out of Spaine to speake with their Gent. of his name and Kindred to let them know that he had Treated with Cardinall Richelieu for obtaining succour to come for Ireland and that he prevailed with the Cardinall so that he was to have Armes Munition and Money from him on demand to come for Ireland and that he only expected a convenient time to come away and to desire them to be in a readinesse and to procure all others whom they could to be so likewise which messâ—ge did set forward the proceedings very much so that Mr. Moore Mr. Relly my Brother and I meeting the next May in Dublin and the same Messenger being there too it was resolved that he should returne to the Earle into Spaine with their resolution which was that they would rise out 12. or 14. daies before or after Alhollantide as they should see cause and that he should not faile to be with them by that time there was a report at that time and before that the Earl of Tyrone was killed which was not beleeved by reason of many such reports formerly which were found to be false Note and so the Messenger departed with directions that if the Earles death were true he should repaire into the Low Countries to Colonell Owen O Neale and acquaint him with his Commission from the Earl whereof it was thought he was not ignorant and to returne an answer sent by him and to see what he would advise or would doe himselfe therein Bâ—t presently after his departure the certainty of the Earles death was knowne and on further resolution it was agreed that an expresse Messenger should be sent to the Colonell to make all the resolutions known to him and to returne speedily with his Answer and so one Toole O Connelly a Priest as I thinke Parish Priest to Mr. Moore was sent away to Colonell O Neale in the interim there came severall Letters and Newes out of England to Dublin of Proclamations against the Catholikes in England Note and also that the Army raised in Ireland should be disbanded and conveyed into Scotland and presently after severall Colonells and Captaines landed with directions to carry away those men amongst whom Col. Pluncket Col. Birne and Captaine Breim O Neale came but did not all come together for Col. Pluncket landed before my comming out of Towne and the other two after wherein a great feare of suppressing Religion was conceived and especially by the Gent. of the Pâ—le and it was very common amongst them that it would be very inconvenient to suffer so many men to be conveyed out of the Kingdome it being as was said very confidently reported that the Scottish Army did threaten never to lay down Armes untill an vniformity of Religion were in the three Kingdomes and the Catholike Religion suppressed and thereupon both Houses of Parliament began to oppose their going and the Houses were divided in their Opinions some would have them goe others not but what the definitive conclusion of the Houses was touching that point I cannot tell for by leave from the House of Lords I departed into the Country before the Prorogation but before my departure I was informed by Iohn Barnawall a Fryer that those Gent of the Pale and some other Members of the House of Commons had severall meetings and consultations how they might make stay of the Souldiers in the Kingdome and likewise to arme them for the defence of the 〈◊〉 being much injured both of England and Scotland then as they were informed and to prevent any attempt against Religion Note and presently after I departed into the Country and Mr. Relly being a Member of the House of Commons stayed the prorogation and on his comming into the Country sent to me to meeâ—e him and I came to his house where he told me that he heard for certaine that the former Narration of Barnawall to me for I did acquaint him with it was true and that he heard it from severall there also was Emer Mac Mahone made privie formerly to all our proceedings at Mr. Rellies lately come out of the Plea where he met with the afore-named Iohn Barnawall who told him as much as he formerly told me and moreover that those Colonells that lately came over did proffer their service and industry in that Act and so would raise their men under colour to convey them into Spaine and then seixe on the Castle of Dublin Note and with their Armes there to arme their Souldiers and have them ready for any action that should be commanded them but that they had not concluded any thing because they were not assured how the Gent. of the remote parts of the Kingnome and especially of Ulster would stand affected to that Act and that assurance of that doubt was all their impediment Then we three began to thinke how we might assure them of the assistance and helpe of Ulster Gent. It was thought that one should be sent to them to acquaint them therewith and they made choise of me to come by reason as they said that my Wife was allyed to them and their Country-woman and would beleeve me trust me sooner then other of their parts they or most of them being of the Pale and so without as much as to returne home to furnish my selfe for such a journey Volens nolens they prevailed or rather forced me to come to Dublin to
conferre with those Colonells and that was the last August was twelve-moneth comming to Towne I met Sir Iames Dillon accidentally before I came to my Lodging who was one of those Colonells and after salutation he demanded me where my lodging was which when I told him and parted The next day being abroad about some other occasions of my owne in Towne I met him as he said comming to waite on me in my Chamber but being a good way from it he desired me to go into his own Chamber being near at hand and then began to discourse to the present sufferings and afflictions of that Kingdom and particularly of Religion Note and how they were to expect no redresse the Parliament in England intending and the Scots resolving never to lay downe Armes untill the Catholike Religion were suppressed then he likewise began to lay downe what danger it would be to suffer so many able men as was to go with them to depart the Kingdome in such a time neither saith he doth their other Gent. that are Colonells and my selfe affect our owne private profit so as to preferre it before the generall good of the Kingdome and knowing that you are well-affected thereunto and I hope said he ready to put your helping hand to it on occasion I will let you know the Resolution of those other Gent. and mine which is if we are ready to raise our men and after to seaze on the Castle where there is great store of Armes Note and arme our selves there This was the fiâ—st motion that I ever heard of taking the Castle for it never came into our thoughts formerly nor am I perswaded never would if it had not proceeded from those Colonells who were the first motioners and contrivers thereof for ought knowne to me and then to be ready to prevent and resist any danger that the Gentry of the Kingdome like thereof and helpe us for we of our selves neither are able nor will doe any thing therein without their assistance I began according to the directions that was sent with me to approve of the Resolution and also to let him know how sure he might be of the assistance of those of Ulster then he told me that for my more satisfaction I should conferre with the rest of those Colonells themselves as many as are privie to the Action and accordingly a place of meeting was appointed that after-noone and on the time and place appointed there met sir Iames himselfe Colonell Bourne and Col. Pluncket and that former discourse being renewed they began to lay downe the Obstacles to that enterprise and how they should be redressed First if there should warre ensue how there should be money had to pay the Souldiers Secondly how and where they should procure succour from forraign parts Thirdly how to draw in the Pale Gentry Fourthly who should undertake to surprize the Castle and how it should be done To the first it was answered That the Rents in the Kingdome every where not having respect whose they should be due to the Lords and Gentry thereof should be collected to pay the Souldiers and moreover they might be sure nay that there was no doubt thereof to procure money from the Pope who gave severall promises formerly to my Lord of Tyrone in case he could make way to come into Ireland Note to maintaine six thousand men yearely at his owne charge and that notwithstanding that my Lord of Tyrone was dead yet that he would continue the same forwardnesse now To the second it was answered by Colonell Bourne that helpe from abroad could not faile them for said he Colonell O Neale told me that he had or would procure in readinesse I doe not remember which of those the Colonells spoke Note or whither he spoke positive that Col. O Neale had the Armes or would procure them Armes for ten thousand men And moreover said he I make no great question that if we send into Spaine we shall not misse of Ayde for I being in London the last yeare in the Scots troubles Note I was in conference with one of the Spanish Ambassadors there then and talking of their troubles then a foote he said that if the Irish did then rise to and send into Spaine their Messengers would be received under Canopies of gold these last words he told me and some one man of those that were present privately whose name I cannot call to mind neither well remember I whether he spoke to them all or no. Then it was thought that when they were both in Armes for defence of the Catholike cause Note they would be succoured by the Catholike Princes of Christendome To the third it was Answered by Colonell Pluncket that he was as morally certaine for those were his words as he could be of any thing that the Pale Gentry would joyne with them and assist them for he said I have spoke to severall of them since my landing in the Kingdome and I finde them very ready and willing and withall I have at London spoke to some of the Committees Note and particularly to my Lord of Gormonstone to let them know his resolution and they approved of it very well and withall they knew of the former consultations by those Gentry told me by Barnewall For it was said but very secretly that the King did in these termes say to Mr. Nicholas Pluncket one of the Irish Committee then in England Note that if they would stick to him he would stick to them this I heard I thinke from the said Iohn Barnewall but in truth I am not sure whether from him or no but certaine I am that he from whom I heard it did confidently report it All this was not done at the first meeting but at three or foure meetings and so on the last meeting it was resolved to the last doubt touching seizing the Castle That Colonell Pluncket and Col. Burne should undertake that taske because they were nearer to it then any other and also seize on all the Forts Garrisons and other places where they thinke any Armes should be and in particular London Derry which should be undertaken by those of Ulster And then there was a set day appointed for the execution thereof that was the fifth of the ensuing Septemb. this being the latter end of August or the beginning of Septemb. Anno 1641. I doe not know whether and every one should make provision to rise out that day and they were named that should first succour them that should take the Castle with men presently namely sir Iames Dillon who did undertake to be with them within three or at the most foure daies with one thousand men and so much more should come to them out of the North for those two Colonells did not intend to use above one hundred men in the surprisall whereof they were to have twenty good able Gentlemen for they made account that having the Castle they with the
of all understanding men both here and in his Majesties Quarters Certainly I dare say with old Father a His second 〈◊〉 before King Edward the 〈◊〉 f. 36. Latymer That the Romish Hats never brought good into England heretofore and can they presage ought but much more evill â—o us now What good our last great Cardinall Poole of Noble extraction brought to this our Realme and Religion in Queen Maries dayes you may read in the Statute of 1 2 Phil. Mary ch 8. in Mr Iohn Fox his Acts and Monuments volum 3. and can we now expect any better fruits from this intended Cardinall of more Noble Parentage I feare me no Wherefore I can give no other sentence of him and all others designed to this Antichristian dignity or ambitious of it then b 〈◊〉 Father Latymer hath long since passed against them in the case of Henry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester made a Cardinall by the Pope in King Henry the â—ixt his reign He was made a Cardinall at Calys in France where our new Cardinall is now to be made and thither the Bishop of Rome sent him a Cardinals Hat Hee should have had a Tiburn-tippet an half-penny halter and all such proud Prelates And they doe well deserve it their only ayme and endeavour being to reduce reconcile and enslave our soules bodies estates Realms to the Antichristian vassallage of the Sea of Rome which is no lesse then c 〈…〉 High Treason by our Lawes For my own particular I have ever been a cordiall affecter endeavourer promoter of our publike Peace to the uttermost of my power shall ever God willing continue such but my owne Judgement Reason Conscience perswade me we shall never enjoy any reall solid lasting Peace one with another in any of our three Realmes whiles we negotiate a Peace or hold the least correspondency with the Sea of Rome which hath lately drenched and almost drowned us all in our owne blood metamorphosed all our Kingdoms into so many Acheldamaes after a long-enjoyed Peace and by new Letters Commissions to raise Irish Forces in Ireland and new Contributions Conspiâ—acies Designs against us in France Italy and other Popish Realmes during the overtures of a Treaty of Peace threatens us only with a continuall succession of warres It was a memorable Answer that Iehu made to Ioram King of Israel when he and Ahaziah King of Iudah went out against him 2 King 9. 21 22. And it came to passe when Ioram saw Iehu thâ—â— he said is it PEACE Iehu And he answered WHAT PEACE so long as the Whordoms of thy mother Iezebel and her witchcrafts are so many as long as we have any enchanting Iezebels domineering in our Councels and solliciting us to Court at least if not to commit open fornication with the whoore of Babylon as to many have done of late yeares alas what peace can we expect or what have we to doe with Peace Wee have all cause to consider what the Apostle writes 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16 17. Be not unequally yoaked with Vnbeleevers for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with unrighteousnesse and what communion hath light with darknesse and what concord hath Christ with Belial or what part hath he that beleeveth with an Infidell or what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols Wherfore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and I will receive you yea I will be a father unto you and ye shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord Almighty Doubtlesse we shall never enjoy any well-grounded Peace with God or one another till we utterly renounce and separate our selves wholly from all communion fellowship agreement concord with the idolatrous Antichristan Church of Rome and execute exemplary justice on all those who have been active instruments to reconcile seduce us to her of whom I can give no other Character nor issue of their Consultations then that of the Prophet Isay * Isa 〈…〉 They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity they hatch Cockatrice egs and weave the Spiders web he that cateth of their egs dieth and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper Their webs shall not become garments neither shall they cover themselves with their works their works are works of iniquity and the act of violence is in their hands Their feet run to evill and they make haste to shed innocent blood their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity wasting and destruction are in their paths the way of peace they know not and there is no Iudgement in their goings they have made thâ—m crooked paths whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace Therefore is Iudgement farre from us neither doth Iustice overtake us we wait for light but behold obscurity for brightnesse but we walk in darknesse We grope for the wall like the blinde and we grope as if we had no eyes we stumble at noon-day as in the night we are in desolate places as dead men We roare all like bears and mourn sore like doves we look for judgment but there is none for salvation but it is farre off from us As ever therfore we would enjoy peace or safety let us eternally renounce all Leagues Treaties correspondencies with these enemies of our peace these Authors of our forepast and present dangers warres desolations If all our former smarting experiences of their Treacheries Cruelties in Ireland in England with their many late Treacheries Designes upon us even since the late Overtures of this approaching Treaty of Peace will not now awaken us unanimously and effectually to provide secure our selves against them for all future Ages God in his justice may and will deliver us over one time or other to their sword power va alage and continue this warre among us somented by their Councells supplied by their Armes and Contributions till we be all consumed one of another and made a Prey to our forraigne Enemies which deplorable misery and Antichristian bondage the God only Wise of his infinite mercy make us all wise timely to prevent FINIS A Table to some principall Passages in this Necessary Introduction c. Note that the figures of the pages in the book from 206 to 253 are for the most part misprinted and that the references to them in this Table are as they should have been not as they are printed A. ABbot Archbishop of Canterbury his Remonstrance to King Iames against a toleration of Popery and the Spanish Match page 39 40. His Letter to his Suffragan Bishops for prosecuting Recusants p 78 79. Abbot Audomarus Ioannes his Letter to Secretary Windebank concerning the Papists fidelity to the King in the Scottish warres and other particulars p 194 195. Altars inserted into the Scottish Liturgy by Archbishop Laud p 160. Broken down and removed by the rude Souldiers raised against the Scots p 171 212. Alvey an Arminian Vicar of Newcastle an intelligencer against the Scots his Letter to Archbishop Laud p 188 189. Articles concerning the Spanish Match
which I answer Answer that the Discovery of all Plots Dangers is then most seasonable most advantagious when we are by speciall Lawes or Treaties to establish future Remedies against them It is over bâ—st searching festred wounds to the very bottome and letting out all their corruption when we are ready to incarne or glutinate them else if we citatrize before we sound them to the bottome they will soone fester or break out againe with greater paine and danger then before As for the pretended wounding of his Majesties honour or his former proceedings by this Discovery as it was most remote from my loyall heart and intentions in its Collection and Publication so I hope his gracious Majesty and all faithfull Councellours about him who bear any reall affection to his Highnesse Religion our bleeding Kingdoms or really intend to close up their wounds by the approaching Treaty will be so far from resenting these Detections to be any reall eclipse of his Majesties honour purposely compiled to discover bona fide to his Highnesse and others by what Romish Stratagems Pollicies Councels Instruments they have been for sundry by-past yeers seduced circumvented abused miscounselled to the Kingdomes Churches Religions almost utter desolation and ingulâ—ed in those bloody Civill Wars Massacres which have turned most of our pleasant Fields into Acheldama's and Golgotha's that they will interpret these timely Discoveries of them of which perchance they have bin hitherto ignorant or unobservant the d See here p. 91. highest expression both of my Duty Loyalty to his Majesty and my dearest Country or at least a faithfull impartiall discharge of that solemn Covenant Protestation We all have taken by your Honours Injunctions which oblige me in poynt of Conscience of Fidelity to bring them unto publike knowledge yea I should in truth have violated both my Alleagiance and Covenant had I concealed them at such a time as this when Gods admirable Providence had unexpectedly brought them to my hands Since therefore the wisest King that ever reigned yea the King of Kings himselfe hath assured me e Pro. 16. 13. That righteous lips are the delight of Kings and they love him that speaketh right I doubt not but his Majesty and all true-hearted Protestants about him together with your Honours will deem this Publication a speciall Act of my Loyallest Sincerest Service to his Majesty and all his Realmes which through Gods effectuall bssileng on them may much conduce to their future Tranquility Felicity the things here principally aimed at I shall therefore become an humble Suitor to your Honours to accept of these Collections which I have with no small labour extracted digested into method whiles others have been taking their naturall rests as a pledge of my reallest Affection to my Country his Majesty Religion Parliaments yea as a seasonable Preparative not to be slightly read over as matter of meere Newes but seriously perused as a Discovery of highest consequence to your intended much efflagitated Treaty of Peace and as a necessary Introduction to the History of your Patient upright unparalelled Tryall of and righteous Judgement against that Arch-Incendiary and Enemy of our Peace Religion Lawes Parliaments some of whose Seditious Popish practises are here lightly glanced at others more fully detected the rest reserved for their proper Place who hath received with much Mercy and Moderation the due reward of his treasonable violent bloody Romish Councels and Actions I shall daily supplicate the God of Recompence that the effusion of his most Nocent blood by the AXE of Justice may put a speedy period to the spilling of any more Protestant blood by that sword of civill War which his Councels Innovations Oppressions first unsheathed and his seconds the Romanists have since kept drawne and brandished among us almost to the depopulation of our whole three Kingdomes f Heb. 13 20 21. Now the God of Peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepheard of the Sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good work to doe his will working in you that which is wel-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ and g Luk. 1. 79. guide all your feet aright in the way of Peace you are now entring into that the end of it may be Peace indeed and h Isa. 32. 17 18. the effect of it quietnesse and assurance for ever that so we may henceforth dwell in sure dwellings and rest in quiet and peaceable Habitations which is and shall be the Prayer Of your Honours daily Orator and Servant WILLIAM PRYNNE To the READER CURTEOUS READER I here present thee with a new Discovery of sundry Plots and Workes of Darknesse as a necessary Introduction to the Relation of the Arch-bishop of Canterburies Tryall collected out of severall Instructions Articles Letters Petitions Intelliâ—ences and many thousand scattered Papers which Gods Providence brought unto my view most of which never saw the publike Light before and will give thee true information of many Passages Policie Negotiations with Rome to Vsher Popery into all our Dominions by inperceptible steps undermine our Protestant Religion ingulfe 〈◊〉 in those Wars Miseries under which our whole three Kingdoms now smart and languish almost unto death I preseâ—ted thee formerly with some Collections and Discoverieâ— of this nature in my Romes Master-piece and Royall Popish Favourite which will adde some light and lustre unto these but these farre more illustration unto them and will give a satisfactory Answer to that namelesse Answerer of my Royall Popish Favourite who in his Loyall Vindication confesseth all the matters of Fact Letters Warrants discharges of Priests Jesuites suspensions of Lawes against Recusants therein comprized not â—inding me tardy so much as in one of them the recitall whereof is the farre greatest part of his Booke but onely shifting them off with poore slight Evasions not worth the answering which are here refuted by reall undeniable Evidenceâ— out of Originall Letters Records Warrants or faithfull Transcripts belonging to such Counsellours or Secretaries of State as were imployed in or privy to the Negotiations herein recorded so as none can justly question suspect their Reality or Verity For my selfe I can with good conscience protest I have neither feigned nor alâ—ered ought in any the Papers herein published but presented the full and naked truth of all things to thee as I found them without the least Sophistication If the Republike Church Religion or thou Curteous Reader shall reap any advantage usefull Information or God any glory by these Publications as I trust they will I have all I ayme at If any thing be not so methodically digested connected or so polite as thou couldest desire I hope my daily publike Avocations interloping occasions distractions in the contexture of them collected for the most part when I should have been taking my naturall rest will be a sufficient Apology to gaine thy Pardon As for the particular Articles
Treasons other high Crimes charged against the Arch-bishop for which he was justly executed with far more mercy favour indulgence then himself ever shewed to any pious Christian that came under his heavy hands thou must expect an account of most of them hereafter in the History of his Tryall yet here thou mayest scatteringly behold such evidences of his guilt especially in the Scottish busines Popish Alterations in their Liturgy as will sufficiently reâ—ute the bold pretences of his Innocency on the Scaffold at his death apparently contradicted by sundry pregnant evidences at the Lords 〈◊〉 dâ—ring his Tryal by the whole tenour of his persecuting oppressing turbulent Life especially since his greatnesse And so without further preface I humbly submit these Lucubrations to thy perusall and most serious consideration FAREWELL A necessary Introduction to the Historie of the Archbishop of CANTERBVRY his Tryall BEFORE I enter upon the History of the Archbishop of Canterburies Tryall one grand part of his charge impeaching him a Arti. 7. 10. That he had traiterously endeavoured to alter and subvert Gods true Religion by law established in this Realme and instead thereof to set up Popish Superstition and Idolatry and that he hath traiterously and wickedly endeavoured to reconcile the Church of England with the Church of Rome it will be necessary by way of Introduction to manifest to the World that there hath been for many yeers past a secret plotted Conspiracy and serious endeavour between sundry pretended Members of the Church of England and Reall Sonnes of the Church of Rome to extirpate the Protestant Religion setled amongst us and reduce our Dominions unto their ancient Vassalage to the Superstitions and Power of the Roman Sea as likewise to demonstrate the principall meanes and pollicies exercised by them to accomplish this designe which for brevity sake could not be conveniently produced by way of evidence at the Tryall The reality of this Conspiracy as ancient as the beginning of Queene Elizabeths Reigne is so experimentally visible to all men especially in these present times so fully ratiâ—ied by all b 1 Eliz. c. 1 5 Eliz. c. 1. 13 Eliz. c. 2. 23 Eliz. c. 1. 28 Eliz. c. 6. 35 Eliz. c. 2. 1 Jac. c. 4. 3 Jac. c. 1 2 4 5. 7 Jac. c. 6. 3 Car. c. 2. Acts Proclamations Petitions in Parliament against Iesuits Seminary Priests Popish Recusâ—nts from the first of Queen Elizabeth till this instant so abundantly manifested by our Histories Writers of all sorts and so apparent by the Policies used to effect this hellish Plot that to spend time in proving it would be but to adde light to the Sunne I shall therefore confine my selfe wholy to the Arts and Instruments principally imployed to bring it to perfection In the inchoations of the Reignes of Queene Elizabeth and King Iames the Roman Party both abroad and at home endevoured first by Flatteries Treaties Insinuations and when those prevailed not then by severall horrid Conspiracies Treasons Invasions Rebellions and open hostility to erect their Romish Babel among us But all these through Gods great mercy proving abortive they fixed at last of latter times upon a more prevalent and successfull meanes then any of the former to wit a project of marrying us to the Whore of Rome by matching the heire of the Crowne of England to a Romanist They found many c Gen. 6. 2. to 9. c. 24. 3 4. c. 26. 34 35. c. 27. 46. c. 26. 1 2. Num. 25. 1. to 10. Deut. 7. 1. to 7. 1 Kin. 11. 1. to 15. Ex. 34. 16 1 Kin. 16. 31 32 33. c. 21. 25 26. 2 Kin. 8. 18. 27. â— Chron. 21. 6. Jud. 3. 5. to 9. c. 14. 7. 15. Josh. 23. 12 13 Ezra c. 9. 10. Neh. 13. 23. to 39. Presidents Texts in Scripture and Ecclesiasticall story ascertaining them That Idolatrous Queens and Wives were a most infallible prevailing means to draw Kings and whole Kingdomes to Idolatry For which very reason God expresly enjoyned the Israelites d Deut. 7. 1 2 3 4. Josh. 23. 12 13. Exod. 34. 16. 2 Kin. 11. 2. to make no marriages with the Canaanites nor other Idolatrous Nations nor to match their sons to their daughters For surely they will turn away thy sons from following me that they may serve other Gods so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you and destroy you suddenly Hereupon they projected solicited a Marriage betweene our Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES then Prince of Wales and the Infanta of Spain which after some remote preparatory Conferences between the Ministers of both Crownes in the yeers 1615. and 1616. was the yeere following â—ipened to a Nuptiall Treaty on King Iames his part as these ensuing Instructions to Sir Iohn Digby now Earle of Bristoll then Ambassdour in Spaine found among the Lord Cottingtons Papers an Agent in this Treaty manifest of which I shall insert such onely as concern Religion Instructions for our trusty and welbeloved Councellour Sir John Digby Knight sent by Us Ambassadour Extraordinary to the King of Spaine NO man can better informe you then your selfe doe know having been long Out Ambassadour Resident with the King of Spaine that both informer times and of late speeches have passed between you and some Ministers of his concerning a Marriage of our Deare sonne the Prince and the Infanta or Lady Mary second daughter of the said King for the better assurance and strengthning of the Amity which being begun immediatly after our succession to the Crown of England hath ever since continued Which speeches although they have bin so providently carried by your discretion all the time you were Ambassadour there as that you never appeared therein as a publike Minister but onely in quality of a private Gentleman and wel-wisher to the continuance and increase of friendship betweene the King and Us Yet since your returne and being of our Councell the same speeches have so farre proceeded betweene you and the Ambassadour of the King of Spaine resident here not without Our privity as that we thought fit to acquaint a select number of our Councell therewith who having heard the report of the former proceedings have delivered to Us their Opinion that they find very probable ground for Us to enter into a publike Treaty thereof with as much assurance of good successe as in such a case may be had Whereupon we have given you A Commission under our great Seale in due forme of Law Authorizing you to Treat and Conclude for a Marriage to be had and made between Our said Dearest sonne Charles the Prince and the said Lady Mary second daughter to the said King of Spaine as you shall perceive by the tenor thereof And for your better directions in a matter of so great Moment Wee have thought good to accompany the said Commission with these Instructions Wherein first we think good to let you know that if at your arivall at the Court you shall find by good
of the accusation and informing his Majesty thereof a legall course afterwards to be directed for the further proceeding and sentencing the fact Of this Commission amongst divers others of the Board I am one and we have met once or twice about it Yesterday my Lord Admirall representing unto his Majesty how derogatory this course of commissioning was to the Jurisdiction of his Court of Admiralty as in truth I think it be his Majesty hath given order that there shall be no further proceeding upon it but the businesse left to a legall tryall in that Court to which it appertaines and I am commanded to speake with the Spanish Ambassadour to that purpose I pray God I may give him satisfaction howsoever I shall doe my best and so kissing your Lordships hands I rest White-hall 14. Ian 1622. The Articles concerning Religion being thus concluded and signed by the King and Prince the Lawes against Jesuits popish Priests and Recusanis by promise suspended for the future all imprisoned Roman Catholiques of all sorts enlarged throughout his Majesties Dominions the free exercise of their Religion without molestation promised in expresse termes and the Marquesse of Buckingham hereupon then writing into Spaine as the a Tom. 9. An. 1624. pag. 29. French Mercury informes us That our Informers Pursevants Prisons should from thenceforth serve no more but for our owne Ministers and other persons zealous of our Religion which hath ever since experimentally proved most true King Iames made no doubt at all NOTE but that the Pope would presently grant the Dispensation and the Spaniard without more delayes consummate the marriage To hasten which King Iames as the same b Tom. 9. p. 485. c. Mercury records and I have credibly heard the same from others assembling his Privy Counsell together Febr. 25. 1622. made a long Oration to them which he recites at large the summe whereof was this That the Roman Catholiques in England had sustained great and intolerable surcharges NOTE imposed upon their goods bodies consciences during Queen Elizabeths reigne of which they hoped to be relieved in his that his Mother suffered martyrdome in this Realme for the profession of the said Catholique Religion a Religion which had been publiquely professed for many ages in this Realme confirmed by many great and excellent Emperours and famous in all Ecclesiasticalâ— Histories by an infinite number of Martyrs who had sealed it with their blood That the Catholiques well knew that there was â—n him a grand affection to the Catholique Religion insomuch that they beleeved at Rome that he did but dissemble his Religion to obtaine the Crowne of England That now he had maturely considered the penury and calamities of the Roman Catholiques who were in the number of his faithfull Subjects and was resolved to relieve them and therefore did from thenceforth take all his Roman Catholike Subjects into his protection permitting them the liberty and intire exercise of their Religion and liberty to celebrate the masse with other divine offices of their Religion without any inquisition processe or molestation from that day forwards and likewise will and ordaine that they shall be restored to all their estates lands fees cignorâ—es and re-established in them commanding all his Magistrates Instices and other Officers whatsoever in this behalfe to hold their hands and for what cause soever it be not to attempt hereafter to grieve or molest the said Catholiques neither in publique nor private in the liberty of the exercise of their Religion upon painâ— of being reputed guilty of high treason and disturbers of the Kingdoms peace and repose this being his will and definitive sentence But notwithstanding all these complianceâ— and favours to the Roman Catholiques those crafty Machiavillians had a further deeper plot both upon King Iames the Prince the old and young Prince Palatine and Protestant Religion which they must effect by delayes namely to betray the Prince into the Spaniards power by engaging him in a private journy into Spaine upon pretence to expedite the Match and there by force or slattery to pervert him in his Religion and induce him publiquely to professe himselfe a Roman Catholique and likewise to put the young Prince Palatine into the Emperours hands under pretext of a match with his Daughter and to traine him up in his Court in the popish Religion and by this hellish policy to scrue up King Iames and the old Prince Palatine to whatever conditions the Pope Spaniard or Emperour should propose unto them for the advancement of Popery or of their owne temporall greatnesse In pursuance of this infernall design the a Mercure â—â—ancius Tom 9. p. 471 472 c. Prince and the Marquesse of Buckingham accompanied with Cottington and Porter on the 17. day of Febr. 1622. departed privately from the Court disguised to Dover and posted through France into Spaine to what desperate purposes and by whose procurement The Bâ—eviate of the Arch. bishops liâ—e pag. 3. these ensuing Articles of the Earle of Bristoll exhibited to the Lords against the Duke of Buckingham whom he accused of high-treason upon them in open Parliament May 1. 1626. with the crosse Articles exhibited against the Earle of Bristoll in Parliament by Sir Robert Heath the Kings Attourney generall by his Majesties speciall command May 6. 1626. both of which you may find recorded in the Lords Parchment Journall of that Parliament will most cleerly discover to all the world to the deserved infamy of these detestable Projectors Articles of the Earle of Bristoll wherewith he chargeth the Duke of Buckingham May 1. 1626. THat the Duke of Bukingham did secretly combine and conspire with Conde Gondomar Ambassadour for the King of Spaine before the said last Ambassadours returne into Spaine in the Summer 1622. NOTE to carry his Majesty the Prince into Spaine to the end that he might be informed and instructed in the Roman Religion and therely have perverted the Prince and subverted the true Religion established in England from which misery this Kingdome next under God's mercy hath by the wise religious and constant carriage of his Majesty been almost miraculously delrvered considering the many bold and subtle attempts of the said Duke in that kind That Master Porter was made acquainted therewith and sent into Spaine and such Message at his returne framed as might serve for a ground to set on foot this conspiracy the wich was done accordingly and thereby the King and Prince highly abused and thereby their consents first gotten to the said journey that is to say after the returne of Master Porter which was about the end of December 1622. whereas the said Duke had plotted it many moneths before That the Duke at his arrivall in Spaine nourished the Spanish Ministers not onely in the beliefe of his owne being popishly affected but did both by absenting himselfe from all exercises of Religion constantly used in the Earle of Bristols house and frequented by all other Protestants English
and by conforming himselfe to please the Spaniard to divers rites of their Religion even so farre as to kneele and adore their Sacrament from time to time gave the Spaniard hope of the Princes conversion NOTE the which conversion he endeavored to procured by all meanes possible and thereby caused the Spanish Ministers to propound farre worse conditions for Religion then had been formerly by the Earle of Bristoll and Sir Walter Ashton setled and signed under his Majesties hand with a clause in the King of Spaines answer of the 12. of December 1622. that they held the Articles agreed upon sufficient and such as ought to induce the Pope to the granting of the Dispensation That the Duke having severall times in the presence of the Earle of Bristoll moved his late Majesty at the instance of the Conde Gondomar to write a Letter to the Pope and to that purpose having once brought a Letter ready drawne wherewith the Earle of Bristoll being by his Majesty made acquainted did so strongly oppose the writing of any such Letter that during the abode of the said Earle of Bristoll in England the said Duke could not obtaine it Yet not long after the said Earle was gone he procured such a Letter to be written from his late Majesty unto the Pope NOTE and have him stiled therein Sanctissime Pater That the Pope being informed of the Duke of Buckinham his inclination and intention in point of Religion NOTE sent unto the said Duke a particular Bull in Parchment for to perswade and encourage him in the pervertion of his Majesty then Prince c. NOTE That the Earle of Bristoll did reveale unto his Majesty both by word and Letter in what sort the Duke had deceived him and abused his trust and that the King by severall wayes sent him word that he should rest assured that he would heare him but that he shovld leave it to him to take his owne time and thereupon few dayes before his sicknesse the sent the Earle word that he would heare him against the Duke as well as he had heard the Duke against him which the Duke himselfe heard and not long after his blessed Majesty sickned and dyed having in the interim been much vexed and pressed by the said Duke All these Articles with six others of like nature the Earle of Bristoll preferred to make good against the Duke by Letters and Witnesses but the Duke by his overswaying potency and instruments whereof Bishop Laud was chiefe dissolved the Parliament before any answer given to them The Articles exhibited to the House of Peeres against the Earle through the Dukes procurement by way of recrimination were many I shall onely recite the most pertinent to the present businesse of Religion b In the Lords Parchment Journall May 6. 1626. pag. 150 151 152 c. Articles of severall High-treasons other great and enormious Crimes Offences and Contempts committed by Iohn Earle of Bristoll against Our late Sovereigne Lord King Iames of blessed memory decreased and Our Sovereigne Lord the Kings Majesty which now is wherewith the said Earle is charged by his Majesties Attourney generall on his Majesties behalfe in the most high and honourable Court of Parliament before the King and his Lords THat the said Earle from the beginning of his Negotiation and the whole mannaging thereof by him during his ambassage into Spaine he the said Earle contrary to his faith and duty to God the true Religion professed by the Church of England and the peace of this Church and State did intend and resolve that if the said marriage so treated of as aforesaid should by his ministry be effected that thereby the Romish Religion and the professors thereof should be advanced within this Realme NOTE and other his Majesties Realmes and Dominions and the true Religion and the professors thereof discouraged and discountenanced And to that end and purpose the said Earle during the time aforesaid by Letters unto his late Majesty and otherwise often counselled and perswaded the said late Kings Majesty to set at liberty the Jesuits and Priests of the Roman Religion which according to the good religions and politicke Lawes of this Realme were imprisoned or restrained and to grant and allow unto the Papists and professors of the Romish Religion a free toleration and silencing of the lawes made and standing in force against them That at the Princes comming into Spain during the time aforesaid the said Earle of Bristoll cunningly falsly and traiterously moved and perswaded the Prince being then in the power of a forreigne King of the Romish Religion to change his Religion NOTE which was done in this manner At the Princes first comming to the said Earle he asked the Prince for what he came thither The Prince at first not conceiving the Earles meaning answered you know as well as I the Earle replied Sir servants can never serve their Master industriously although they may doe it faithfully unlesse they know their meanings fully give me leave therefore to tell you what they say in the Towne is the cause of your comming THAT YOU MEANE TO CHANGE YOUR RELIGION AND TO DECLARE IT HERE and yet cunningly to disguise it the Earle added further Sir I doe not speake this that I will perswade you to doe it or that I will promise you that I will follow your example though you will doe it but as your faithfull servant if you will trust me with so great a secret I will endeavour to carry it the discreetest way I can The Prince being moved with this unexpected motion againe said unto him I wonder what you have ever found in me that you should conceive I would be so base or unworthy as for a Wife to change my Religion The said Earle replying desired the Prince to pardon him if he had offended him it was but out of his desire to serve him which perswasion of the said Earle was the more dangerous because the more subtill Whereas it had beene the duty of a faithfull servant to God and his Master if he had found the Prince staggering in his Religion to have prevented so great an Error and to have perswaded against it so to have avoyded the dangerous consequences thereof to the true Religion and to this state if such a thing should have happened 8. That afterward during the Princes being in Spaine the said Earle having conference with the said Prince about the Romish Religion he endeavoured falsely and traiterously to perswade the Prince to change his Religion as aforesaid AND BECOME A ROMISH CATHOLIKE NOTE and to Become OBEDIENT TO THE VSVRPED AVTHORITY OF THE POPE OF ROME And to that end and purpose the said Earle traiterously used these words unto the said Prince That the State of England did never any great thing but when they were under the obedience of the Pope of Rome and that it was impossible they could doe any thing of note otherwise 9. That during
the time of the Princes being in Spaine as aforesaid the Prince consulting and advising with the said Earle and others about a new offer made by the King of Spaine touching the Palatinate which was that the eldest Son of the Prince Palatine should marry with the Emperours Daughter but must be bread up in the Emperors Court The said Earle delivered his opinion that the Proposition was reasonable whereat when Sir Walter Ashton then present falling into some passion said that he durst not for his head consent unto it The Earle of Bristoll replyed that hee saw no such great inconvenience in it for that he might be there bred up in the Emperors Court in our Religion But when the extreame danger and in a manner the impossibility thereof was pressed unto the said Earle he said againe That without some such great action the peace of Christendome would never be had Which was so dangerous and desperate a councell that one so neare to the Crowne of England should be poysoned in his Religion and put into the power of a Foraigne Prince Enemy to our Religion and an unfreind to our state that the consequence thereof both for the present and future times were infinitly dangerous and yet hereunto did his disaffection to our Religion the blindnesse in his judgment caused by sinister respects and the too much regard he had to the House of Austria lead him c. Ro. Heath These Articles were exhibited against the Earle by the Kings owne speciall direction and perused corrected by him before they were put in as appeares by the Lords Iournall the Kings Atturny averring it openly in the House of Peers It seems therefore a great Wonder to many observing men that he who was thus impeached by his Majesties speciall command as the worst of Councellors and a strong perswader of him to become a professed Roman Catholik an advancer of Popery and Papists then should become his principle Cabinet Councellor to advise him to side with the Popish party in England Ireland Scotland against his Parliament and Protestant subjects now But to pretermit his present Councells which seeme to justifie the former Articles the Earle of Bristoll himselfe in his answere * In the Lords Parchment Iournall P. 249. c. to the 7th Article confesseth that there was a generall received opinion in the Spanish Court that his Majesties comming thither was with intention to become a Roman Catholike and that the Conde Gundimar that very morning pressed the Earle not to hinder so pious a worke for so he tearmed it of his Majesties conversion seemed to be assured of the Duke of Buckinghams assistance therein whereupon he told his Majesty That the Generall opinion in that Court was that his Majestyes comming thither was WITH INTENTION TO BE A ROMAN CATHOLIKE AND THERE TO DECLARE IT c. Whereupon he intreated him not to suffer his businesse to be overthrowne by permitting that conceit of his conversion any longer to remaine with the Spaniards not to do any thing that might give them hope therein alleaging that it was impossible the Mariage could be without a dispensation And so long as the Spaniard who were to procure the dispensation should have hope of his Majesties conversion they would rather clogge the Dispensation then hasten it for whiles they should have hope of all by his convertion they would never content themselves with a part to which they were tyed by the Articles agreed upon At which time his Majesty was pleased to aprove of his opinion and said he would expect the dispensatory and did thereupon afterward send Master Andrews to Rome to hasten it By all these Articles and passages it is most perspicuous that there was a professed designe in the Duke of Buckingham the Earle of Bristoll Secretary Calvert Cottington Porter Gage and other instruments who contrived the Princes dangerous Journey into Spaine to pervert the Prince in his Religion to make him and all his Children professed Roman Catholikes and the Prince Palatine too and by this meanes to set up Popery in their Dominions to suppresse the Protestant Religion and Professors of it in all places that so the Pope might become Lord Paramount over them and all their Subjects and they his sworne Vassalls How far the Archbishop was privy and assistant to this designe you may partly read in the Breviat of his life P. 3. 14. and shall heare more heareafter in its proper place What the aymes of the Pope and Spaniard were in contriving the Princes progresse into Spaine appeares First by the forementioned common report in the Spanish Court that it was to become a professed Roman Catholike c. Secondly by this notable Letter of the Pope to the Bishop of Conchen one Coppy whereof I found in the Archbishop of Canterburies Study indorsed with his owne hand and another among Secretary Windebankes and the Lord Cottingtons sequestred Papers exhorting him to take this happy opportunity to convert subject and reconcile the Prince and his Dominious to the Sea of Rome Greg. P p 15 us Venerabili Fratri Episcopo Conchen in Hispaniarum Regnis Inquisitori generali VEnerabile Frater salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem Orthodoxae Religionis tutelam faeâ—citer existimamus in amplissimis Hispaniae Regâ—â—s commendatam esse Fraternitati tuae scimus enim quà m vigilanter excubant in illustri ista statione Caveas ne ulla impiorum Dâ—gmatum monstra in ecclesiasticae vineae sepes irrepant Verum occasio tibi hoc tempore divinitus oblata est per quam pictatis tuae beneficia è regnorum istorum sinibus educere et ad exteras Nationes proferre possiâ— Accepimus istuc nuper appulisse Walliae principem Brittaniae Râ—gis silium spe ductum Catholici Matrimonij Cupimus eum non frustra commorari in illorum Regum aedibus quibus illustre Catholici Cognomentum Pontiâ—icae Authoritatis defensio et Religionis proferendae studium peperit Quare NOTE Apostolicis litteris horramur Catholicam Majstâ—tem ut eum Principem redigere suaviter coneâ—ur sub Romanae Ecclesiae ditionem cui veteres magnae Brittaniae Domini Coronatum Caput et Imperij fasces Caelo plaudente submiâ—erunt Ad hanc autem victoriam comparandam quae victis aeternos caelestis beatitudinis pollicetur triumphos atque principatus non Regalis Aeâ—arij visâ—era exhauriendâ— non saevientium militum legiones conscribendae sunt sed Arma lucis è Caelo petenda quae divini luminis splendore ejus Principis oculos alliciant atque ex illius animo errores omnes mansuetudine prostigent In ijs vero tractandis quae sit vis et ars Fraternitatis tuae jampridem accepimus NOTE Quareâ—e monemus ut ad Catholicum Regem Religiosus consiliarius accedas easque rationes dispicias quibus insigne aliquod beneficium Brittaniae Regnis et Romanae Ecclesiae in presenti rerum opportunitate comparetur Reâ— ipsa magna atque gravissima est quare eam
observance also the rest of Our Subjects Vassals are not obliged as likewise the general lawes under which all are equally comprehended to wit as to the Roman Catholiques if they be such as is aforesaid which are repugnant to the Roman Catholique Religion and that hereafter We will not consent that the said Parliament should ever at any time enact or write any other new lawes against Roman Catholiquâ—s We accounting all and singular the preceeding Articles ratified and accepted out of Our certaine knowledge as â—â—rre as they concerne Vs Our Heires or Successors approve ratifie applaud and promise bona fide and in the word of a King by these presents inviolably firmly well and faithfully to keep observe and fulfill the same and to cause them to be kept observed and fulfilled without any exception or contradiction and doe confirme the same by Oath upon the holy Evangelists notwithstanding any opinions sentences or lawes whatsoever to the contrary in the presence of the most illustrious Don Iohn de Mendoza Marquesse of Inojosa and Don Charles Coloma Extraordinary Ambassadours of the Catholique King of George Calvert Kt. one of Our chiefe Secretaries of Edward Conway Knight aâ—other of Our chiefe Secretaries of Francis Cottington Baronet of the Privy Counsell to Our Sonne the Prince of Francis de Corondelet Apostolicall or the Popes Prothoâ—â—tory and Arch-deacon of Cambray Dated at Our Pallace at Westminster the â—0 day of July An. Dom. 1623. in the English stile Iacobus Rex A compared and true Copy George Calvert then chiefe Secretary The forme of the Oath which the Lords of the Counsell tooke to the former Articles 〈◊〉 this which followeth found among the Lord Cottingtons papers Formula Juramenti a Consiliarijs Praestandi FGOâ—N jurâ— me debite pleneque observâ—â—â—â—â—m quâ—ntum ad me spectâ—t 〈…〉 Carolum Walliae 〈…〉 et serenissimâ—m Domin un Donnam Mariam Hispaniarum 〈…〉 Iuro etiam quod neque per me nec per Minisâ—â—â— aliquem inferiorem mihi 〈◊〉 lege 〈…〉 contra 〈…〉 These things thus acted in England by the King I shall next informe you what was acted in Spaine by the Prince b Mercuâ—e francois Tom. 9. An. 1624. p. 8. 9. Pope Gregory the 15. before his death and granting of the Dispenâ—ation had obliged and charged the conscience of his Catholique Majesty to see the execution and accomplishment of all the conditions required by his Holinesse in favour of the Catholiques of England Ireland and Scotland c Popes know how to make good â—argaines foâ— the Diâ—pensation to which he had assented His Majesty hereupon called an Assembly of Divines to consult with what he ought to doe fot the discharge of his conscience in this regard Their resolution was First that the Prince of 〈…〉 promise upon his Oath for to performe the conditions 〈…〉 should doe the like Secondly that the promis 〈…〉 should be presently made betweene the Prince of Wales and the most 〈…〉 but that the consummation of the Marriage and delivery of the 〈…〉 â—â—ould not 〈◊〉 all be execuâ—ed untill the month of May in the following yeere 1624. to the end that they might experimentally see during this time if the fore said conditions required by his Holinesse should be faithfully accomplished This last condition seemed very rigorous to the Prince but the King of Spaine promised him to procure that the time should be abridged As to the first the Prince of Wales tooke an Oath to his Majesty to observe the foresaid conditions and signed them with his hand and he likewise swore and signed this by way of overplus NOTE To permit at all times that any should freely propose to him the arguments of the Catholike Religion without giving any impediment and that he would never directly nor indirectly permit any to speake to the Infanta against the same A very strange dishonourable ensnaring Oath exposing the Prince to all seducements and seducers from our Religion without the least impeachment on the one hand and debarring his Highnesse and all others so much as once to open their lips to speake against Popery or to attempt the conversion of tâ—e Infanta to our Religion on the other hand These later strange Articles in favour of the Roman Catholiques originally contrived by the Pope himselfe and his Cardinals being thus sworn signed by the King and Prince gave great distaste to those of the Protestant party in England who had notice of them wherupon King Iames soon after perceiving the Spaniards jugling with him and that this Match notwithstanding all the former Articles sworne and sealed might receive a rupture though at first he was so confident of it that he said openly in Court d The Vâ—calâ— forrest p. 126. 127. That now al the devils in hel could not hinder the Match therupon made this Protestation sent to Salisbury by way of explanation of the latter Articles found among Secretary Windebanks and Cottingtons papers sufficiently maâ—ifesting the verity of the said Articles printed long since Cum Privilegio in the French Mercury one of the truest Histories in this latter age how ever the Author of e Pag. 34. 44 45. A Royall Vindication in answer to the Royall Popish Favourite lights it as most false fabulous and making a kind of Commentary on them Whereas his Majesty obligeth himselfe by oath that no particular Law now in force against the Roman Catholiques King Iames his Protestation to which the rest of his Subjects generally are not liable nor any generall Lawes which may concerne all his Subjects equally and indifferently being such neverthelesse as are repugnant to the Roman religion shall be executed at any time as to the said Roman Catholiques in any â—anner or case whatsoever directly or indirectly And that his Majesty shall cause the Lords of his Pivy Councell to take the same oath in so much as concernes them or the execution of the Lawes afore mentioned so far forth as the same appertaines unto them or any officers or Ministers under them And whereas further his Majesty obligeth himselfe by the oath that no other Lawâ— shall hereafter be enacted against the said Roman Catholiques but that a perpetuall toleration to exercise the Roman Catholique Religion within their private houses shall be allowed unto them throughout all his Majesties Kingdomes and Dominionâ— NOTE that is to say as well within his Kingdomes of Scotland and Ireland as of England in manner and forme as is capiâ—ulated declared and granted in the Articles concerning the Marriage His Majesty intendeth really and effectually to performe what he hath promised touching suspention of Lawes against his Roman Catholique Subjects but with this protestation That if they shall insolently abuse this his Majesties high grace and favour to the danger of imbroyling his State and government the safety of the Common-wealth is in this case suprema Lex and his Majesty must notwithstanding his said oath proceed against the offenders yet so as that before he doe
and her Family at Somerset-house to say Masse in with a Moâ—astery thereto adjoyning for Capuchin Fryers who were therein placed and walked abroad in their Fryars-habits seducing his Majesties Subjects Hereupon the Papists though formerly much daunted by the dissolution of the Spanish Match began to lift up their heads elevated their hopes and resorted openly to Masse in great multitudes Seminary Priests and Jesuits repaired into the Realme from all forreigne parts without restraint and grew very numerous and bold which the Parliament then sitting taking into their pious and serious consideration in the beginning of August 1625. both Houses presented the King at Oxford whither the Parliament was then adjourned by reason of the plague with this ensuing Petition aginst Recusants Priests and Jesuits whereunto I have annexed his Majesties Answer to each branch thereof which was very plausible to ingratiate himselfe with his people in the beginning of his reigne had it been really performed To the KINGS most excellent Majesty Most gracious Soveraigne IT being infalliby true that nothing can more establish the Throne and assure the peace and prosperity of your people then the unity and sincerity of Religion We your most humble and loyall Subjects the Lords spirituall and temporall and Commons of this present Parliament assembled hold ovr selves bound in conscience and duty to represent the same to your sacred Majesty together with the dangerous consequences and what we conceive to be the principall causes thereof and what may be the remadies The dangers appeare in these Particulars 1. First in their desperate ends being both the subversion of Church and State and the restlesnesse of their spirits to attaine these ends the doctrine of their Teachers and Leaders perswading them that therein they doe God good service 2. Secondly their evident and strict dependency upon such forreigne Princes as no way affect the good of your Majesty and this State 3. Thirdly the opening a way of popularity to the ambition of any who shall adventure to make himselfe head of so great a party The principall cause of the increase of Papists 1. First the want of due execution of lawes against Jesuits Seminary-priests and Papist Recusants occasioned partly by the connivency of the State partly by defects in the lawes themselves and partly by the manifold abuse of Officers 2. Secondly the interposing of forreigne Princes by their Ambassadours and Agents in favour of them 3. Thirdly their great concourse to the City and frequent conferences and Conâ—â—nticles there 4. Fourthly the open and usuall resort to the houses and Chappels of Forreigne Ambassadours 5. Fiftly the education of their children in Seminaries and houses of their Religion in forreigne parts which of late have been greatly multiplied and enlarged for entertaining of the English 6. Sixtly that in some places of your Realme your people be not sufficiently instructed in the knowledge of true Religion 7. Seventhly the licentious printing and dispersin of popish and seditious books 8. Eightly the imployment of men ill affected in Religion in places of government who doe shall or may countenance the popish party The Remedies against this outragious and dangerous disease we conceive to be these ensuing 1â— That the youth of this Realm be carefully educated by able and religious School-masters and they to be enjoyned to catechize and instruct their Schollers in the grounds and principles of true Religion and whereas by many complaints from divers parts of the Kingdome it doth plainly appeare that sundry popish Schollers dissembling their Religion have craftily crept in and obtained the places of teaching in divers Countries and therby infected and perverted their Schollers and so fitted them to be transported to the popish Seminaries beyond the seas that therefore there be great care in choyce and admitting Schoole-masters and that the ordinaries make diligent inquiries of their demeanours and proceed to the removing of such as shall be faulty or justly suspected His Majesties Answer This is well allowed of and for the better performance of what is desired letters shall be written to the two Arch-bishops and from them letters to goe to all the ordinaries of their severall Provinces to see this done the severall ordinaries to give account of their doings herein to the Arch-bishops respectively and they to give account to his Majesty of their proceedings herein 2. That the ancient discipline of the Universities be restored being the famous Nurses of literature and vertue Answ. This is approved by his Majesty and the Chancelour of each University shall be required to cause due execution of it 3. That speciall care be taken to enlarge the word of God through all the parts of your Majesties Dominions as being the most powerfull meanes for planting of true Religion and rooting out of the contrary to which end among other things let it please your Majesty to advise your Bishops by fatherly entreaty and tender usage to reduce to the peaceable and orderly service of the Church such able Ministers as have been formerly silenced that there may be a profitable use of their ministery in these needfull and dangerous times and that Non-residency Pluralities and Commendams may be moderated where we cannot forbeare most humbly to thanke your Majesty for deminishing the number of your owne Chaplaines nothing doubting of the like princely care for the well bestowing of the rest of your Benefices both to the comfort of the people and the encouragement of the Universities being full of grave and able Ministers unfurnisht of livings Answ. This his Majesty likes well so as it be applyed to such Ministers as are peaceable orderly and conformable to the Church-government for pluralities and Non-residencies those are now so moderated that the Arch-bishops affirme there be now no Dispensutions for pluralities granted not no man now hath allowed above two Benefices and those not above thirty miles distant and for avoyding Non-residence the Canon in that case provided shall be duely put in execution for commendams they shall be sparingly granted onely in such case where the exility and smalnesse of the Bishopricke requireth Also his Majesty will cause that the Benefices belonging to him shall be well bestowed and for the better propagating of Religion his Majesty recommendeth to the House of Parliament that care may be taken and provision made that every parish shall alow a competent maintenance for an able Minister and that the owners of personages impropriate would alow to the Vicars Curates and Ministers in Villages and places belonging to their personage sufficient stipend and allowance for preaching Ministers 4. That there may be streight provision against transporting of English children to the Seminaries beyond the seas and for the recalling of them who are already there placed and for the punishment of such your Subjects as are maintainers of those Seminaries or of the Scollers considering that besides the seducing of your people great summes of mony are yeerly expended upon them to the impoverishing of this Kingdome Answ. The
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
his Sermon page 30 31 32 urgâ—th their example to periwade submission to this loane and Doctor Sâ—bthorte in his Sermon intituled a 〈◊〉 P. 20 21. Apostoticall Obedience hath this passage to induce Protestants to contribute cheerfully and largely to this Loane The Papists lye at wait it they could find a rent between our Soveraigne and his Subjects to reduce Superstition unto England I speake no more then 〈◊〉 from themselves whiles I have observed their forwardnesse TO OFFER DOVBLE according to the current of a later law yea to professe that THEY WOVLD DEPART WITH THE HALFE OF THEIR GOODS And how or why can this FORWARDNESSE be in them but in hop to cast the 〈◊〉 of Frowardnesse upon us and to seeme that which the Jesuits will not suffer 〈◊〉 to be loving and loyall Subjects o. You may guesse at the end of this projcst by the Papists forwardnesse to advance it But notwithstanding this forwardnesse of the Papists and others to promote this Benevolence the best affected Gentlemen to Religion Parliament â—and the common Liberty in all Counties considering the danger thereof strenuously 〈◊〉 it for which diâ—â— of them were enforced to daunce attendance on the Counsell others imprisoned by whose examples this project was in a great in cause frustrated and a new Parliament resolved to be summoned by the Major Vote of the Counsell Table Ian. â—9 1627. though the now Arch-bishop with some others opposed it and accordingly a Parliament was summoned and assembled in March following A little before the beginning of this Parliament a Colledge of Jesuits who kept to other in Commons and had their officers and books of account duly kept was discovered in 〈◊〉 well neere the Church their Books Vestments Reliques were seized on and some of their persons hid in private owners of their Colledge 〈◊〉 ended by Iustice Long and sent to Newgate But when they were to be 〈◊〉 they were by their powerfull friends at Court I know not by what Warâ—â—â—â— and special commands â—â—â—cased upon baile and conveyed out of harmes way 〈◊〉 great offence and discontent both of the people and Parliament which examined this â—rand abuse but could not apprehend the Jesuits to doe exemplary justice on them to potent were their Patrons Among their papers there was found the copy of 〈◊〉 newly directed by them to their Father Rector at Braxels the extract whereof I met with in the now Arch-bishops Study thus indorsed with his owne hand March 1628. A Iesuits Letter sent to the Recter at Bruxels about the ensuing Parliament Wherein there are these memorable passages not fit to be concealed FATHER RECTOR let not the damp of astonishment seize upon your Ardent and Zealous Soule in apprehending the sodaine and unexpected calling of a Parliament We have not opposed but rather furthered it so that we hope as much in this Parliament as ever we feared any in Queen Elizabeths dayes NOTE You must know the Counsell is engaged to assist the King by way of Perogative in case the Parliamentary way should faile you shall see this Parliament will resemble the Pelican which takes a pleasure to digge out with her beake her owne bowels The election of the Knights and Burgesses hath been in such confusion of apparant faction as that which we were wont to procure heretofore with much art and industry when the Spanish match was in treaty now breaks out naturally as a both or boyle and spets and spues out its owne rankor and venome You remember how that most famous and immortall States-man the Count of Gondamare fed King Iames his fancy and rocked him asleep with the soft and sweet sound of peace to keep up the Spanish treaty Likewise we were much bound to some States-men of our owne Country to gaine time in procuring these most advantagious cessations of Armes in the Palatinate and advancing the honour and integrity of the Spanish Nation and villifying the Hollanders remonstrating to King Iames that that State was most ungratefull both to his predecessors Queen Elizabeth and his sacred Majesty that the States were more obnoxious then the Turke and perpetually injured his Majesties loving Subjects in the East Indies and likewise they have usurped from his Majesty the regality and unvaluable profit of the narrow Seas in fishing upon the English coast c. This great States-man had but one principall meanes to further their great and good designes which was to set on King Iames NOTE that none but the Puritane Faction which plotted nothing but Anarchy and his confusion were averse to this most happy Union We steered on the same course and have made great use of this anarchicall election and have prejudicated and anticipated the great one that none but the Kings enemies and his are chosen of this Parliament c. We have now many strings to our Bow and have strongly fortified our faction and have added two Bulwarks more for when King Iames lived you know he was very violent against Armininisme and interrupted with his pestilent wit and deep learning out strong designes in Holland and was a great friend to that old Rebell and Heretick the Prince of Orange Now we have planted that soveraigne Drugge Armintanisme NOTE which we hope will purge the Pretestants from their Heresie and it flourisheth and 〈◊〉 fruit in due season The materials which build up our other Bulwarke are the projectors and beggers of all ranks and qualities whatsoever Both these Factions cooperate to destroy the Parliament and introduce a new species and forme of government which is Olligarchy These serve as direct mediums and instruments to our end which is the universall Catholike Monarchy Our foundation must be mutation this mutation will cause a relaxation which will serve as so many violent diseases as the Stone Gout c. to the speedy destruction of our perpetuall and insufferable anguish of the body which is worse then death it selfe We proceed now by counsell and mature deliberation how and when to worke upon the Dukes jealousie and revenge and in this we give the honour to those which merit it which are the Church Catholikes There is another matter of consequence which we take much into our consideration and tendor care which is to stave off the Puritanes that they hang not in the Dukes eares they are impudent subtill people And it is to be feared left they should negotiate a reconciliation between the Duke and the Parliament 't is certaine the Duke would gladly have reconciled himself to the Parliament at Oxford and Westminster but now we assure our selves we have so handled the matter that both Duke and Parliament are irreconcilable For the better prevention of the Puritanes the Arminians have already locked up the Dukes cares and we have those of our owne Religion which stand continually at the Dukes chaâ—ber to see who goes in and out we cannot be too circumspect and carefull in this regard I cannot chuse but laugh to see how
humbly beseech you as we assure our selves you doe to lay the serious consideration thereof to your Royall and pious heart and that some timely course may be taken for redresse therein And now if to all these your Majesty will be pleased to adde the consideration of the circumstance of time wherein these courses tending to the destruction of true Religion within these your Kingdomes have been taken even at such times when the same is with open force and violence persecuted in other Countries NOTE and all the reformed Churches of Christendome either depressed or miserably distressed we doe humbly appeale to your Majesties Princely judgement whether there be not a just ground of feare that there is some secret and strange cooperating here with the enemies of our Religion abroad for the utter extirpation thereof and whither if these courses be not speedily redrest and the profession of true Religion encouraged we can expect any other but misery and ruine speedily to fall upon us especially if besides the visible and apparant dangers whereby we are encompassed round about you would be pleased piously to remember the displeasure of Almighty God alwayes bent against the neglect of his holy Religion the stroaks of whole divine justice we have already felt and doe still feele with smart and sorrow in great measure c. This memorable Petition and Remonstrance predicting and if then cordially embruced pursued preventing all those bloody warres and miseries which since have justly befallen us by the growing Popish party both in England and Ireland being presented to his Majesty by the Commons House was not onely slighted disregarded and taken very ill by his Majesty and his Privy Counsellours but likewise called in and suppressed and Bishop Land in the Kings name by his speciall command as he pretends returned this pâ—remptory answer to it in writing the originall whereof was found in his Study under his owne hand contrary both to his knowledge and conscience A Preface first and then as followes AND although We are not bound to give an account of Our Actions but to God onely out of the honour and integrity of Our Grace the love and care of Our people the great and hearty desire We have to take off all feares and jealousies from Our loyall and loving Subjects We have thought fit to declare these reasons following why We have called in this Remonstrance which yet We presume and constantly beleeve 〈◊〉 framed and delivered up unto Us with good intentions though by amisguised Zeale For first that Remonstrance begins at Religion and feares innovation of it innovation by Popery But We would have Our Subjects of all sorts to call to mind what difficulties and dangers We endured not many yeers since for Religions sake that We are the same still and our holy Religion is as pretious to Vs as it is or can be to any of them and we will no more admit innovation therein then they that think they have done well in fearing it so much 'T is â—ue that all effects expected have not followed upon the Petition delivered at Oxford but We are in least fault for that for supply being not afforded Vs diâ—inabled Us to execute all that was desired and caused the stay of those legall proceedings which have helped to swell up this Remonstrance Yet let all the Countie of England be examined and London and the Suburbs with them neither is there such a noted encrease of Papists nor such cause of feare as is made nor hath any aâ—nounted to such an odious Tolerating as is charged upon it nor neere any such For that Commission so much complained of both the Matter and 〈◊〉 of it are utterly mistaken for it doth not dispense with any Penalty or any course to be taken with any Papist for the exercise of their Religion no nor with the 〈…〉 or not conformity to Ours It was advised for the encrease of Our profit and the returning of that into Our purse which abuse or connivency of inâ—eriour Ministers might perhaps divert another way If that or any other shall be abused in the execution We will be ready to punish upon any just complaint The next feare is the daily growth and spreading of the Arminian Faction called a cunning way to bring in Popery But We hold this charge as great a wrong to Our Selfe and Our Government as the former for Our People must not be taught byâ— Parliament Remonstrance or any other way NOTE that We are so ignorant of Truth or so carelesse of the profession of it that any Opinion or Faction or whatever it be called should thrust it selfe so farre and so fast into Our Kingdomes without Our knowledge of it this is a meere dreame of them that wake and would make Our loyall and loving People think We sleepe the while In this charge there is great wrong done to two eminent Prelates that attend Our Person for they are accused without producing any the least shew or shadow or proof against them and should they or any other attempt innovation of Religion either by that open or any cunning way We should quickly take other order with them and not stay for your Remonstrance To help on this Our people are made beleeve there is a restraint of Books Orthodoxall But We are sure since the late Parliament began some whom the Remonstrance cals Orthodox have assumed to themselves an unsufferable liberty in printing Our Proclamation commanded a restraint on both sides till the passions of men might subside and calme and had this been obeyed as it ought We had not now been tossed in this tempest and for any distressing or discountenancing of good Preachers We know there is none if they be as they are called Good But Our good people shall never want that spirituall comfort which is due unto them And for the preferments which We bestow We have ever made it Our great Care to give them as rewards of desert and paines but as the preferments are Ou ts so will We be Judge of the desert Our Selfe and not be taught by a Remonstrance For Ireland We thinke in Case of Religion 't is not worse then Queen Elizabeth left it and for other affaires 't is as good as We found it nay perhaps better and We take it for a great disparagement of Our Government that it should be voyced that new Monasteries NOTE Nunneries and other Superstitious Houses are erected and replenished in Dublin and other great Townes of that Our Kingdome for We assure Our Selfe Our Deputy and Counsell there will not suffer God and Our Government so to be dishonoured but We should have had some accompt of it from them and We may not endure to have Our good people thus missed a They are 〈◊〉 into bloody 〈◊〉 with shewes There is likewise somewhat considerable in the time when these practises to undermine true Religion in Our Kingdomes are set on foot The Remonstrance 〈◊〉 Vs it is now when
your Majesty must not let goe the twenty thousand pounds contribution nor yet discontent the other in matter of Religion till the Army were some way else certainly provided for and convince them both that the present quarterly payments are not so burthensome as they pretended them to bee And that by the graces they have had already more benefit then their money came to thus poysing one by the other which single might perchance prove more unhappy to deale with I will labour to make as many Captaines and Officers Burgesses Note as possibly I can who having immediate dependance upon the Crowne may almost sway the businesse betwixt the two parties which way they please In the higher House Note your Majesty will have I trust the Bishops wholly for you The titular Lords rather then come over themselves will put their Proxies into such safe hands as may bee thought of on this side and in the rest your Majesty hath such interest what out of duty to the Crown and obnoxiousnesse in themselves as I do not apprehend much any difficulty amongst them To these or to any thing else directed by your Majesty I will with all possible diligence apply my selfe so soon as I shall understand your pleasure therein Most humbly besâ—â—ching you will take it into your gracious Memory how much your Majesties speedy resolution in this great businesse imports the prosperity of your affaires in this place and in that respect vouchsafe to hasten it as much as conveniently may be Upon these Reasons a Parliament was accordingly summoned in Ireland the yeere following the Lord Deputy recommending by his Letters Burgesses of his owne nomination to most Townes who had little or no courage to deny any Burgesses of his recommendation Among others hee recommended one of Secretary Windebancks Sonneâ— then waiting on him in Ireland to bee a Burgesse there as is evident by this Copie of his Letters of recommendation found among Windebancks papers who as appeares by * Secretary Windebancks to his Son from Hampton Couâ—t 27 October 1634. Wherein thus hee writes Now you are become a Parliament men I hope you will in acknowledgement of the great Honour my Lord Deputy hath done you endevour â—o doe his Majesty the best service you can other Letters was accordingly elected AFter our heartie commendations Whereas by order of the Commons House of Parliament that corporation of Iâ—â—ishe by reason of a double election of the person chosen there is now to proceed to a new election of a Burgesse to serve at the next Session of Parliament to commence the fourth of November next And for as much as Francis Windebanke Esquire is one well knowne unto us to bee able to serve you therein as a person well affected to his Majesties service and the welfare of his people wee have thought fit to recommend him to you to bee elected by you for one of the Burgesses upon this occasion wherein as you shall gaine advantage and benefit to your Corporation in such a choyce hee being one that will serve you therein without expecting any recompence towards his charges so wee for our part will take it in good part at your hands as a testimony of the due regard you have to one recommended unto you from us which we shall take an opportunitie in fit time to let you know for your advantage And so expecting your due performance hereof wee bid you farewell From his Majesties Castle of Dublin this 26 of September 1634. Copia vero exâ—m Your loving Friend 〈…〉 That this Parliament was equally ballanced with Protestants and Papists how farre the said Deputie pursued obtained his forementioned designes thereby to inslave that Realm is so well known to most that I shall not insist upon it onely I shall observe that this connivence and underhand fomenting of that faction made them grow so insolent that they raised a strong mutinie even in Dublin it selfe against the Archbishop the Mayor and Justices and rescued two Priests from them which they had taken in a religious house saying open Masse and were like to stone them to death so as they were enforced to retire to the Castle for Sanctuary as appeares by this extract out of Sir Thomas Duttens Letter among Windebanks papers I presume you will heare at large the relation of our battill of stones at Dublin where the Archbishop of that towne and the Major and Captaine Cary and the Sergeant at Armes and the two pursevants escaped narrowly to have beene stoned to death on Saint Stephens day last for the two Justices sent them in a peaceable manner to surprise certaine Priests at Masse in a Religious house in Cock street Note where they tooke away their habits and pictures in peaceable manner and then laid hold of two of the Priests to bring them to the Justices to answer their exercising of Popery in so publique a manner contrary to the Kings Proclamation they were no sooner come out into the street but all the multitude of mechanicks common people fell upon them and tooke away the two Priests from them by force and followed the Mayor and the Archbiship and the rest so fast with stones all along the high street as they were forced to house themselves in Skinners Row till the Justices and wee all came from Church and rescued them and so orderly wee all went through the multitude to the Castle and in our passage there was but one stone call out of a window which lighted betweene the two Justices Wee presently made Proclamation for all people to keepe the Kings peace and their owne Houses and since have committed to prison some of the Aldermen and their Deputies and Constables for not doing their duties and many other ordinary persons whom we found to bee Actors in this Ryot wherein many were hurt but God bee thanked none were slaine But to leave Ireland for a time and returne to England you have seene before in the Articles of the marriage that the Queene was to have a Bishop and 28. Priests in her house as her Chaplaines and that this Bishop should have and exercise all Episâ—â—pall jurisdiction in matters of Religion After those Priests and the Bishop were accordingly come over and setled here Father Philips the Queenes Confessor and others of them grew so insolent that they began to practise and â—each Note That the Pope upon the Treaty of marriage resumed to his owne or his Delegates jurisdiction the Queens whole Family especially the institution and destitution of the Ecclesiasticks That the King of England â—ad no power to intermeddle therein for that hee was an heretick the Pope threatning to declare all Apostates who should seeke their establishment from the King They likewise maintained the lawfulnesse of deposing Kings that were hereticks concluded to excommunicate all such aâ— should oppose this doctrine or take the oath of allegiance in which action one Muskeâ— a Priest and Trollop the Popish Viear
been at Rome he told me in Iune and Iuly last past I asked him how the affaires â—ent there he told me Their opinion of us was that his sacred Majesty was favourable to the Catholiques that SOME GREAT ONES ABOVT HIM were so to or IN HEART MORE a a The Archbishop himselfe ONE he names concerning whom as at home so abroad as of old of the best of men there was much 〈◊〉 among the people for some said he was a good man others said nay he deceiveth the people c. There is as I am informed by a discreet Gentleman at Florence a Jesuit lately returned from England to Rome who pretendâ— to have made a strict discovery of the state of England as it stands for Religion how King is disposed how Queene what Lords are of the Puritan faction what notâ— but by name his honour oâ— Dorset and Pembroke are strong for Precisians He sayes that the Puritanâ— are shrendfelloweâ— NOTE but those which are counted good Protestants are faire conditioned honest men and think they may be saved in any Religion I am promised the relation written if it come to my hands and there be any thing in it worthy your Graces view I shall hereafter humbly present it to you as now my selfe Your 〈◊〉 most humble and most obedient Servant William 〈◊〉 The letter is thus indorsed with Master Dels hand Recepi Octob. 9. 1635. Soone after this I find a paper of intelligence written to Secretary Windebanke from Rome the 29. of December 1635. wherein there is this passage There is a â—ew Ambassadour from England arrived in this Court Major Bret as I conceive for whom there was a speciall lodging provided and entertainment at the publike cost What his businesse was but to negotiate a reconciliation I know not which proceeded so far that it was generally reported at Rome we should have an English Cardinal and it was conceived by some Roman Catholike that the Arch-bishop had a hand in sending Bret to Rome as is evident by this letter of Master Middleton from Venice to the Arch-bishop himselfe informing him hereof Right honourable and most reverend c. IN Rome there is great talke of an English Cardinall and the man who is already 〈◊〉 Catholicke must be the man NOTE Mr. Mountague Your Lordship I know will 〈◊〉 if not at this yet at that I shall now write A Catholick discoursing with me let a word fall and this it was That within this twelve moneth the Pope did wish that his sacred Majesty of England were at once his trusty sâ—nne for thou he would not be used aâ— he 〈◊〉 by French or Spaniard the same party did not aske the question but only thus I wonder whether my Lord of Canterbury have any hand in the sending of Serjeant Major Bret to Rome I answered because I saw he was fishing surely no because NOTE as you know it is written he comes from the Queen and in her name Rome is very kind to our English Gentlemen I humbly entreat your Graces pardon if in a desire to let nothing I heare scape your knowledge I must lowly offer unto you such things as will make you lose so much time as you shall read the Letter but though your Lordship lose a little time let not me I beseech you loose that good opinion which I hope you have conceived of Your Graces most really devoted and obedient Servant William Middleton December 21. 1635. In these two letters there are some clauses concerning Francisâ—us de Saâ—ta Clara his book intituled Deus Natura Gratia written purposely printed in England to reconcile us to Rome and afterward licensed and printed at Rome it selfe to this end though the Jesuits did some of them dislike it as over-moderate of which more in its due place In the yeer 1636. Signior Gregorio Panzani the Popes Nuncio in England and Major Bret our English Agent at Rome being discharged of their negotiations Signior 〈…〉 a Scot was appointed by the Pope to succeed Panzani at his Nunciogâ—rio and Sir William Hamilton a Scot too sent hence Leger to Rome what letters presentâ— pictures he carried with him from hence and from whom is worthy inquiry That Windebanke 〈…〉 were privy to this succession and negotiation will appeare by this letter of 〈◊〉 Phiâ—lips the Queenâ— Confessor to him the originall whereof found among his 〈◊〉 is ready to be produced thus indorsed with Windebanks owne hand 9 Iune 1636. Father Phillips rec 10. Right honourable YEster night after your honours departing from Hampton Court I received this inclosed the Gentleman who sent it to me from Paris writeth that Sir William Hamilton departed from thence the 3. of Iune NOTE that is our 24. of May so that now he must be heere unto Rome He writeth also that Seignior Georgio Conco whom the Pope doth send to the Queen was to depart from Rome about the â—0 of May if he have heard of Sir Williams hasty going it may be he will stay till his arrivall which I could wish because he both can and would help him better at the beginning then any other I know I rest ever Your Honours most humble and devoted Servant R. Phillips From Haâ—pton-Couâ—t the 9. of June 1636. Sir William Hamilton soone after arrived at Rome as English agent there where he had special lodgings provided for him and a pension of 500. l. per annum granted to him in another Hamiltons name out of the Exchequer here for his service there Before this time the Congregation of propagating the Faith at â—ome having good hopes of the conversion and reduction of England to their obedience constituted Cardinall Barbarino Nephew and Vice Chancellour to the late deceased Pope â—aâ—ron and Protector of the English and Scottish Nation as Cardinall a See p. â—09 â—â—dovisius was of the Irish who to facilitate their designe erected a speciall society of foure orders or Jesuits in England whereof the Popes Legat for the time being residing in England was the chief Patron and Cardinall Barbarinâ— the principall Superintendent as you may read more at large in my b Page â—3 See Romes Master-piece from one who was privy to the plot sent over hither by Cardinall Barbarino to assist Con this Cardinall held intimate correspondence wiâ—h Windebanke as is apparant by the forementioned letter of Panzani and by these ensuing passages in Master Thomas VVindebankes letter to him from Rome wherein he thus expresseth his entertainment at Rome by Sir William Hamilton and this Cardinall to his Father Sir MY most humble duty remembred c. Sir William Hamilton hath been pleased to put so great an obligation upon me as to invite me to his house for the time that I am in Rome I would very willingly have avoyded the putting him to such an inconvenience but he pressed it so farre that I could not refuse the receiving of that favour the Cardinall Barbarino I understand HATH LONG EXPECTED
ME HERE having had notice of my being in Italy and I am afraid THAT OUT OF RESPECT TO YOU he will put some honour upon me but I will avoid all ingagements as much as with civility I may c. Your most obedient Sonne Thomas Windebanke Rome the 6. Septemb. stilo novo 1636. The originall letter is thus indorsed with Secretary Windebanks owne hand 6 Sept. 1636 Tom. from Rome receiv 22 our stile Answ. 23. directed to Sir Iohn Boroughâ— at Ratisbone This Letter was seconded with another thus endorsed by him 10. Sept. 1636. Tom. from Rome rec 30. Sept. our stile SIR MY most humble duty remembred in my last of the 6. of this present I have given an account of my arrivall at Rome and of the favour Sir William Hamilton was pleased to doe me to invite me to his house this note he did it with so much earnestnesse that I could not avoyd the receiving of the honour I have beene to visit the Cardinall Barbarino who having had notice of my arrivall here sort to visit me first He is so obliging and courteous to all our Nation that I the lesse wonder as the honour he doth me NOTE to take notice of me but I hope his favours will stay there I see no reason I should thinke otherwise c. Your most obedient Sonne Tho. VVindebanke Rome the 10 of Sept. stilo novo 1636. About this time the same yeare an English Friar then residing in Rome Reader of Divinity in the Covent of Saint Mary de Ara Caeli stiling himselfe Ludovicus â Sancta Maria published certaine Theologicall concâ—usions in print to be there publickly disputed dedicated to Cardinall Barberino with his armes in Copper a Cardinalls Cap over them for a crest and Roman antiques supporting them on the left hand were the armes of the King of England standing lower then the Cardinalls supported in like maner cut in Copper standing over the conclusions to which there was this title in Capitals Eminentissime et reverendissimo Principi Francisco Cardinali Barberino sanctae Romanae ecclesiae Vice-Cancellario R R. ANGLIAE SCOTIAE nec non Seraphiae Religionis PROTECTORI VIGILANTISSIMO Fraâ—er Ludovicus à sancta Maria ANGL VS D D. D. Then followes a short dedication of these Conclusions to him which begins thus MAGNAE BRITANIAE PATRONO MAXIMO et Britanicae Nationis Minorum Familiae minimus Theologiam devovet suam c. CONCLVSIONES THEOLOGICAE c. ROMAE ex Typographia Ludovici Grignani 1636. Superiorum permissu By which glorius printed paper it is evident that they were now so bold with us at Rome as to proclaime this Cardinall The greatest Patron and most vigilant Protector of the English and Scottish Nation and Realme of England and to place his Armes above the Kings This Frier whose right name was Kerton alias Morton soon after this came over into England where notwithstanding his vowed chastity he was so excessively given to the flesh defiling not only Maids but maried Woemen that he was enforced to leave the Realme as appeares by this Minute of Instructions written with Secretarie Windebankes owne hand for his Son Mr. Tho. Windebanke when he went into France to negotiate the Palsgraves enlargement To specifie that Master Kerton here called Morton in his order called Ludovicus à sancta Maria did live so most wickedly in England since his being Priest in drawing maryed Women and others to sinne carnally NOTE and committed such horrible Aâ—ts in prosecuting his lust that if he commeth hither againe he will assuredly be publiquely punished according to the Lawes to the great scandall of his Religion therefore let them be told there that they prevent his returne If you heare Father Francis his Booke or person touched let them know that we understand assuredly that it proceedeth from the Iesuites who imploy others in it as they did against Father Leander till it cost him his life and if that upon their Informations they proceed against such persons who though in all things Catholique yet are more discreet and temperat and not intermedling with matters of State NOTE THAT THE KING WILL BE MVCH OFFENDED Write to Mr. Secretary Cooke any thing that is good except the most secret Passages By this Minute of Instructions you may clearely discerne not only the Leâ—dnes of this Leacherous Fryer but that this Secretary held corespondency with those of his order in foraigne parts advising them not to permit him to come over againe into England to prevent punishment and scandall to their Religion That he was a great Patriot of Franciscus a Sancta Clara his Booke writ purposly to reconcile us to Rome and that the Iesuites prosecution of him for it would be very displeasing to himselfe and the King to and to informe the Roman party so much at Paris But to returne to Rome Mr. Thomas Windebanke at his being there received a Trunke with sundry things in it sent from Cardinall Barberino to Con the Popes Nuntio which must be conveyed to Secretary Windebankes Agent Richant to avoyd search the truth whereof is manifest by his Sons owne Letter thus endorsed by him 26. March 1637. Tom from Padua Re. 8. Aprill our stile SIR I Gave advise in some of my former of a Trunke I sent from Livorno into England unto Mr. Richant to be delivered unto you but have not as yet received any Newes of the arrivall of it I sent not the Keyes as not desirous it should be opened untill my comming home NOTE because few of the things in it are mine but the CARDINALL BARBERINES TO MASTER CON he told me there was no hast in the delivery of them so that I might doe it my selfe c. Your most obedient Sonne Thomas Windebanke Padoa the 26. March Stilo no. 1637. IN June following this Cardinall sent a statue from Rome into England for this Secretarie or some * See Romes Master-peece pag. 16. greater persons use of which the Lord Scudamoore then Leget Embassador at Paris gave him this advertisement in a Letter written with his owne hand endorsed with Windebanks when received Right Honourable here is come to Paris one Mr. Chambers with the statue from Cardinall Barberine another the servant of him that made the Statue comming along in company to take it forth but no where upon any termes till it be in England upon Munday next Mr. Chambers purposeth to set forward for Deep c. Your Honours to Command I. Scudamoore Paris Iune 16. 1637. In Aprill 1639. Another of Secretary Windebankes sonnes being at Rome writ thus from thence in an Italian Letter to him manifesting what respect and corespondency he had there among the Roman Catholikes Most deare Father I salute you c. Especialy not being in any place my selfe where I am not looked upon by all those that professe themselves SERVANTS of your most Illustrious Honour HERE IN ROME your most illustrious Lordship hath many amongst the which Sir
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
first place His Letters were all of this forme two whereof I have signed with his own hand and thus endorsed A Copy of those Letters which by Warrant from the Lords I wrote to the severall Bishops within my Province c. in the businesse of Scotland My very good Lord. I Have received an Order from the Lords of his Majesties most Honorable Privie-Councell giving me notice of the great preparations made by some in Scotland both of Armes and all other necessaries for Warre And that this can have no other end then to invade or annoy this his Majesties Kingdome of England For his Majesty having a good while since most graciously yeelded to their demands for securing the Religion by Law established amongst them hath made it appeare to the World That it is not Religion Note but Sedition that stirres in them and fills them with this most irreligious disobedience which at last breaks forth into a high degree of Treason against their Lawfull Soveraign In this case of so great danger both to the State and Church of England your Lordship I doubt not and your Clergy under you will not only be vigilant against the close workings of any Pretenders in that kinde but very free also to your power and proportion of meanes left to the Church to contribute towards the raising of such an Army as Note by Gods blessing and his Majesties care may secure this Church and Kingdome from all intended violence And according to the Order sent unto me by the Lords a Copy whereof you shall herewith receive these are to pray your Lordship to give a good example in your own person And withall convenient speed to call your Clergy and the abler Schoole-Masters as well those which are in peculiars as others and excite them by your self or such Commissioners as you will answer for to contribute to this great and necessary service in which if they give not a good example they will be much to blame But you are to call no poore Curats nor Stipendaries but such as in other legall wayes of payment have been and are by Order of Law bound to pay The proportion I know not well how to prescribe to you but I hope they of your Clergy whom God hath blessed with better Estates then ordinary will give freely and thereby help the want of meanes in others And I hope also your Lordship will so order it as that every man will at the least give after the proportion of three shillings tenne pence in the pound of the valuation of his living Note or other preferment in the Kings Books And this I thought fit to let you further know That if any men have double Benefices or a Benefice and a Prebende or the like in divers Diocesses yet your Lordship must call upon them onely for such preferments as they have within your Diocesse and leave them to pay for any other which they hold to that Bishop in whose Diocesse their other preferments are As for the time your Lordship must use all the diligence you can and send up the moneys if it be possible by the first of May next And for your Indemnity the Lord Treasurer is commanded to give you such discharge by striking a Talley or Talleys upon your severall payments into the Exchequer as shall be fit to secure you without your charge And of this service you must not faile So to Gods blessed protection I leave you and rest Your Lordships very loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. Lambeth Ianuar. ult 1638. Your Lordships must further be pleased to send up a List of the names of Note such as refuse this service within your Diocesse but I hope none will put you to that trouble It is expected that your Lordship and every other Bishop expresse by it selfe and not in the generall sum of his Clergy that which himselfe gives On the eleventh of February 1638. he wrot this Letter to Sir Iohn Lamb his creture Deane of the Arches for a Contribution among the Doctors of the Law at Doctors Commons and elsewhere without Warrant the Originall whereof I found among Sir Iohn Lambes sequestred writings together with the first draught of it with the Archbishops owne hand-writing After my hearty Commendations c. I Have received a Warrant from the Lords of His Majesties most honourable Privie-Councell which requires me to write to all the Bishops in my Province to call their Clergy together and put them in minde of the great danger which this Kingdome is in by the Trayterous Conspiracies of some ill-affected in Scotland These seditious persons have begun and continued hitherto their foule Disloyalty under the pretence of Religion which by factious spirits in all times is made the cloak to cover and hide if it might be their designes But now it appeares clearely to the State that they daily strengthen themselves by Armes and Munition and other preparations for Warre And though his Majesty hath graciously condescended to more then they could justly aske in all things concerning their Religion and their Lawes yet they goe on still and are satisfied with nothing but their Rebellious Disobedience and have no lesse ayme then to invade or annoy England The Letters to the severall Bishops I have sent as I was commanded and I doubt not but they and the Clergy in generall will give very freely towards this great and necessary defence of the Kingdome And because this great and common danger cannot be kept off but by a common defence and for that the Reverend Judges and others of the Common-Law have bountifully expressed themselves already I am required to write to you also that you calling to you the rest of the Doctors of the Commons propose to them now while most of them are together this great and waighty businesse belonging as much to their defence as to other mens and let every man set downe what hee will give to this service When this is done I will acquaint his Majestie with it and yours and their forwardnesse herein And it is expected that you hasten this with all convenient speed So to Gods blessed protection I leave you and rest Your very loving friend W. Cant. Lambeth Feb. 11. 1638. You must send to such Chancellours and Officialls as are not at the Commons but at their severall Residencies And if you give them a good example here I doubt not but they will follow it You shall not need to call Sir H. Martin for his Majesty will send to him himselfe and looks for a greater summe then in an ordinary way Upon these Letters of the Archbishop the Bishops in each Diocesse summoned their Clergie before them exhorted them by publique speeches to a liberall contribution against the Scotish Rebels as they stiled them and Dr. Pierce Bishop of Bath and Wells among other Motives used this as a very effectuall one to excite his Clergy to an extraordinary liberality towards the maintenance of this War because it was
Roles 2000. l. Sir Edward Leech 2000. l. The six Clearks 6000. l. The Lady Cambden 5000. l. Baron Westoâ— 500. l. Baron Trevor 4000. l. Baron Hendon 3000. l. Sir Thomas Fanshew 1000. l. Sir Peter Osborne 1000. l. Sir Robert Pye 2000. l. Sir Edward Sawyer 500. l. Sir Charles Herbert 1000. l. Sir Edward Powell 2000. l. Sir Sidney Mountague 2000. l. Sir Ralph Freemaâ— 2000. l Mr. Iohn Packer 1000. l. Morley 2000. l. Massam 4000. l. Surveyor of the Works 1000. l. Sir Richard Wynne 3000. l. Iames Maxwell 2000. l. Patrick Mall 20â—0 l. Iames Leviston 1000. l. George Kirk 2000. l. William Murrey 1000. l. Henry Murrey 2000. l. Eâ—dymion Porter 1000. l. Sir Henry Mildmay 2000. l. Sir William Vdall 1000. l. Sir Edward Varne 1000. l. Sir Richard Younge 1000. l. Mr. Audley 4000. l. Sir Miles Fleetwood 1000. l. Sir Benjamin Rudiard 500. l. The Attorny of the Wards 1000. l. Mr. Chamberlin 1000. l. The Attorny of the Dutchy 500. l. Mr. Cofferor 3000. l. Sir Thomas Merry 2000. l. Mr. Fenner 1000. l. Sir Richard Manley 500. l. Mr. Comptroler of the Works 500. l. Lord Chief Iustice Branstâ—n 500. l. Mr. Iustice Barkley 1000. l. Mr. Iustice Crook 1000. l. Sir Thomas Hatten 1000. l. Sir Iohn Winter 1000. l. Mr. Attorny Ball 500. l. Mr. Sollicitor Winne 500. l. Serjeant Whitfield 500. l. Mr. Iustice Iones 500. l. Mr. Henly 5000. l. Lord Chief Iustice Litleton 1000. l. Sollicitor Lane 500. l. In this Schedule there weâ—â— divers names of Noblemen and others inserted with blanks left for the sums they were to lend And the Officers of Star-chamber Chancery other Courts here omitted were likewise therein ordered to be sent for under which the Archbishop with his own hand writ these directions To cal upon the Lord Keeper for these Names Call for Names Which cleerly manifests this sending for all these to lend the sums here specified to be his project and that he was the chief Actor in these Assessments of them The most of whom were enforced to lend 38000. l. being subscribed before the Lords of the Councell by some of these persons in one day and 10000. l. another day as appears by a Note under Windebanks hand Moreover I found this ensuing List of Names and Sums under Windebanks hand 6. March 1639. Kings Servants to be warned on Friday These in this Paper now absent to be sent for against Wednesday to Mr. Solicitor Herbert gr Sir Gdward Griffin 1000. l. gr Sir Edward Savage 500. respect â—Sir Iohn Trevor 1000. Mr. Iohn Frecheville 500. gr â—Sir Iohn Maynard 500. Sir Henry Herbert 1000. Sir Francis Vincent 500. Sir Iohn Smith 500. Sir Thomas Walsingham 500. Mr. Solicitor 500. Sir Lionel Palmage 2000. gr Mr. Thomas Fotherley 500. refus Sir William Ashton 500. Sir Thomas Richardson 1000. gr Mr. Edmund Windham 500. gr Mr. Pye 3000. Mr. Ioh Mannors of Hadden 2000. Massam 2000. He will give his own Bond the Lords will bring it down to 1000. l. Mr. William Walter 500. Mr. Edmund Dunch 500. gr Capt. Richard Crane 500. Sir Thomas Ashton 500. Mr. William Corytâ—n 500. gr Sir Iames Thynne 3000. gr Sir Henry Newton 1000. resp â—Mr Henry Frederick Thynne 2000. Sir Ralph Hopton 500. Sir William Savile 1000. gr Mr. Iames Maxwell 2000. Mr. Patrick Mawle 2000. He is to do what he can gr Mr. Iames Levingston â—000 gr Mr. George Kirk 2000. gr Mr. William Murray 1000. gr Mr. Henry Murray 1000. gr Mr. Endymion Porter 1000. How much of these sums were lent or contributed I cannot certainly define but on April 13. 1640. the Parliament called about the Scots assembled wherein many Subsidies were demanded to be presently granted and levied before any grievances redressed in conclusion after much debate the Parliament on the 5. of May was suddenly dissolved and no Subsidies given but then the Convocation was continued by the Archbishops means who granted the King a large Benevolence to continue for 3. whole years in nature of 3. intire Subsidies to maintain this war against all Law to be paid in and levied under severest penalties of which more in due place and made 17. Canons exceeding prejudiciall to the Kings Prerogative the Parliaments Subjects Liberties in justifying and establishing divers Popish Innovations in Religion in affront of the Parliament upon whose dissolution divers illegall means were set on foot by Canterbury and his Confederates to raise moneyes to support this war as forced Loans divers Aldermen of London being imprisoned in the Tower for refusing to certifie names of Persons within their severall Wards for to lend by enforcing Shipmoney Coat and Conduct money in the Countries more then ever By Commanding by a speciall Proclamation Aug. 20. 1640. all the Nobility Knights Gentlemen and those who held Lands of the King to attend him at the Army with horses men and arms in this service according to their abilities and estates Hereupon a great Army was raised in the North and a bloody war likely to have ensued but that God by his overruling Providence happily appeased it without bloodshed by a Treaty first and then by an Act of Pacification and Oblivion passed in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms What Tumults and Libels the Archbishops breaking the first Pacification with the Scots and after that the Parliament occasioned to the endangering of his Person you may read out of his own Diary in the Breviate of his life pag. 22 23 which I will not repeat That he had the principall hand in exciting and directing these wars will appear by the Lord Conwayes Letters to him who had then the Command of the Northern forces the extracts of some whereof out of the very Originalls I shall here present you with The first is thus Endorsed with the Archbishops own hand Received Iunij 12. 1640. my Lord Conway his Iudgement concerning popular Tumults now in England May it please Your Grace I Have received two Letters from you Note the one by Mr. Treâ—orers conveyance wherein you were pleased to let me know what the disorder at Lambâ—eth was the mutinies of the base multitude are not to be feard nor to be neglected the chief inciters are to be castigated and that quickly if there were persons fitting to be Heads to a discontented multitude there were some danger if those men could not be secured but he that feares any Head that can be given to any discontented Body here in England will be afraid like boyes and women of a Turnep cut like a deaths head with a candle in it All these accidents must be overcome with patience dexterity and courage If the end whither one would go cannot be attained with that speed is desired learn of Seamen to lye by a wind and gain ground by boarding I do assure my self that if wise thoughts be with courage put in execution all difficulties will be overcome there must not be any fainting by the way if the heart fail the legs will never leap over the dâ—â—ch
by a Committee which was accordingly done the Committee reporting they had both weekes received intelligence of diverse dangerous plotts in agitation against the State but they have not as yet made a full report in disclosing of the same Vpon this danger from Recusants Ibid. pag. 113 114. the Committee appointed to provide carefully against their future attempts May 29. presented their resolutions to the House That if any man entertained a Popish servant knowing him to bee so and lodged him but one night he should be imprisoned without Baile or mainprize during the Kings pleasure But if hee knew it not for the present if upon after knowledge of it if he keepe him in his House a moneths time he should not only bee imprisoned but be fined according to the contempt Likewise if any man married a Recusant and had issue by Her his Children should not onely bee Christened after the manner of the Church of England but they should be also brought up in the Protestant Religion In the willing neglect of which they were not onely to bee imprisoned but fined for their contempt Also if any man knew where any Armor Powder or other Ammunition which belonged to any Recusant was kept and gave not notice to the next Justices of Peace thereof but concealed it they likewise to bee imprisoned without Bayle or mainprize and fined for their contempt After this May 2. Ibid. pag. 117. one Sanford was committed to prison by the House for inticing a young Gentlewoman to goe beyond Sea to bee a Nun And Master Preston and Master Allen committed for refusing both the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacie Iune 10. 13. 16 c. Ibid. p. 12â— 137. 140. 151 153 154. The Conspiracy of Master Iermyn and the rest out of diverse Letters and examinations was reported to the House to consist of these particulars 1. To bring in a French Army and to surrender Portsmouth into their hands 2. To seise upon the Tower of London 3. To bring in the Northern Army to London to over-awe the Parliament to support Episcopacy the Bishops and Episcopall Clergy being to maintaine 2000. Horses for this purpose and uphold the Kings Prerogative and Revenew to the full as it was formerly 4. To keepe the Irish Army on foote from being disbanded till the Scotts were first disbanded Iune 24. 1641. There was a Conference at a Committee of both Houses managed by Master Pym consisting of diverse heads whereof the fourth head was touching the Queenes most Excellent Majestiâ— which contained diverse particulars 1. THat His Majestie Diurnall Occurrences neare the end may be pleased by advise of his Parliament to perswade the Queene to accept some of the Nobility and others of trust into her Majesties service into such places as are now in her disposall 2. That no Iesuite nor none of other Orders what Country men soever whether French or Italian be received into Her Majesties service nor any Priest of His Majesties Dominions English Scottish or Irish and that they be restrained from comming to Court 3. That the Colledge of Capuchines at Somerset House may be dissolved and sent out of the Kingdom these two last mentioned concerning the Queene Priests Iesuites and Capuchines for these particular reasons 1. Publike danger and scandall of this Kingdome and peace of the Kingdome 2. Dis-affection of some of those wicked conspirators is expressed in two Letters which Letters were here read openly 3. A particular Letter of Father Philips there also read 4. Because of the Priests Iesuites and the Colledge there are diverse great quantities of gold transported frequently 4. The fourth particular that concerneth the Queen is upon speciall occasion of his Majesties absence That their Lordships will bee pleased to joyne with us to advise the King that some of the Nobility and others of qualitie with competent â—uardes may be appointed to attend the Queens person against all designes of Papists and of ill affected persons and of restraining resort thither in his absence 5. The fifth Head concerneth the Kings Children that some persons of publike trust and well affected in Religion might be placed about the Prince who may take care of his education and the rest of his Children especially in matters of Religion and liberty 6. The sixth Head concerned such as come into the Kingdom with Titles OF BEING THE POPES NUNCIO that it may bee declared that if any man come with instructions into this Kingdome from the Pope of Rome he shall be in case of high Treason NOTE out of the Kings Protection and out of the protection of the Law And there is notice upon very good grounds that Count ROSSETI The Popes Nuncio doth yet continue in the Kingdome AND YET RESORTS UNTO THE COURT notwithstanding the Kings former Promise to the Houses to send him hence A little after Father Philips the Queenes Confessor writ a very Seditious Diurnall Occurrences p. 160 c. Letter to Mr. Mountague into France intercepted and produced to bee read in the House of Commons by Master Pym the 25. of Iune 1641. to this effect to stirre up the French against the PARLIAMENT This good King and Queen are left very naked NOTE the Puritans if they durst would pull the good Queen in pieces Can the good King of France suffer a Daughter of France his Sister and her Children to be thus affronted Can the wise Cardinall endure England and Scotland to unite and not be able to discerne in the end it is like they will joyne together and turn head against France A stirring Active Ambassabour might do good service here I have sent you a Copy of the Kings Speech on Satturday last at which time he discharged his conscience and was advised to make that speech by the Earle of Bristoll and the Lord Sey but I believe there is a mistake in the writing and that it should have bin the Lord Savill This Speech did much operate to the disadvantage of the Earle of Strasford for the Commons were much thereby incensed and inflamed against him and this brought forth the next day being Monday a Protestation which was taken in both Houses of Parliament of the same nature but rather worse than the Scottish Covenant The Londoners who are very boysterous came upon Munday 5 or 6000. and were so rude that they would not suffer the Lords to come and go quietly and peaceably to their houses but threatned them that if they had not justice and if they had not his life it should go hard for all those that stood for him following them up and down and calling for Iustice justice justice There was in the House of Commons fifty sixe that denied to passe the Earle of Straffords Bill their names were taken and they were fixed upon posts in divers parts of London and there was written over the head these are Straffordians the betrayers of their Country By this meanes it came to passe that the Lords and Iudges were
with their alterations and ratifications p 3 to 8. 14 15 25 40 to 46. Arminianisme planted here by the Iesuites their chiefe engin and bridge to Popery â—ountenanced by Bishop Laud and Arminians to p 92 93 94 146 147. Articles of the French Match p 70 71. Articles and Favours condescended to by King Iames and King Charles in behalf of Romish Priests and Catholikes upon the Spanish and French Marriage treaties p 44. to 49 71. The Lord Aubeny brother to the Duke of Lenox newly made an Abbot in France and to be forthwith made a Cardinal at the Queens sollicitation by the new pope p 252 to 255. Monsieur Aubert sent along with Secretary Windebank by the Queen when he fled to assist him p 126 128. B. Cardinall Barbarino the lates Popes Nephew made Protector Generall of the English and Scottish Nations and Superintendent of the Society of Iesuites erected in London p 141 144 145 146 210 211 214. His armes set above the Kings p 145. A great friend of Secretary Windebanks entertaining his sonne at Rome who brought â—ver in his Trunk divers things to Con the Nuncio from him p 141. 144 145 146 He sent over statues into England p 146. He had a hand in the Irish Rebellion and much rejoyced at it p. 247 to 251. Barnwell an Irish Popish Bishop a great stickler in the Reâ—ellion there p 220 229 231 Bishop Beadles Letters concerning the increase and insolencie of the Papists in Ireland p 99 100 111 112 113. The Bishops of Scotlands Letters to Archbishop Laud concerning their Liturgy and Canons p 149 150. Their insolencie towards the Peers through Canterburies advancing of them p 206. They deemed themselves the representative Church of Scotland and above a generall Assembly p 167 168. Fr. Boetius the Popish Bishop of Elphin in Ireland his certificate p 113. The Lord Digby Earle of Bristoll his Negotiations in and Letters from Spain touching the Spanish Matâ—h and the Palatinate p 2 to 69. Impeached of High treason by Sir Robert Heath the Kings Attorney by the Kings speciall command for perswading him to become a Papist and alter his Religion in Spain and other miscarriages in the Lords House in Parliament p. 32 33 34. Major Bret sent agent to Rome from the Queen with the Archbishops privity as was there conceived An. 1635. p 143. Iohn Brown a popish Priest his notable discovery of sundry plots of the Iesuites Queens Priest Agents Popes Nuncioes c. to this Parliament p. 207 to 215. The Duke of Buckingham accused by the Earle of Bristoll of high treason in Parliament for labouring to seduce the King to become a Papist and other miscarriages in Spain p 30 31 32. His voyage into France to bring over the Queen p 73 c. His voyage to Ree and betraying of Rochel p 84 85 86. Burlemachi the chief Conveyer of Secretary Windebanks Letters since his slight p 138. Sir Iohn Burrows papers writ to the Archb concerning the war with Scotland p 172 to 175. Bonnyragge his exactions p 212 C. The Bishop of Calcedon Smith sent from the Pope into England where he ordained Priâ— sts and seduced his Majesties subjects Proclamations for his apprehension procured by the secular and regular Priests who persecuted and caused him to â—ly into France p. 98 99 100. The Oath the English Priests were to take to him p 82 83. Windebanks correspondencie with him to make him his intelâ—igencer in France concerning the Scots p 199. The Lady Calfields testimony concerning the Irish Rebellion that the Rebels gave out England was in the same condition with Ireland the Tower of London surprized by their Party and the Archbishop of Canterbury rescued thence p 226. Secretary Calverts Letters to the Earle of Bristoll Gage and others touching the Spanish Match p 21 25 28 29. Cardinals at Rome writ to by King Iames during the Spanish treaty and their respects to him p 26. Cardinalls Caps sought after expected by or promised to Mr. Walter Montague Mr. Sommerset Mr. Brudnell and the L. Aubeny p 143 199. 200 211 252 253 254. A Cardinalship seriously offered twice one after another to Archbishop Laud p 149 Iohn Carmick his testimony concerning the late Irish Rebellion p 241 242 243. King CHARLES his voyage into Spaine whiles Prince of Wales by whom and for what end designed to wit to make him a professed Papist the Palsgâ—aves eldest sonne being at the same time intended to be sent to the Emperours Court to be there trained up in Popery p 30 to 38. The arts and perswasions there used to make him a Papist ibid. The Popes Letter to him there and his answer to it sent to the Pope p 36 to 39. His Oath and Articles in favour of Papists there sworn and subscribed p 40 to 49 His Letters of procuration and delayes there put on him by the Spaniard p 48 to 52. His return from Spain and the jewels he there gave away at his departure p 49 to 56. His Match with France and the articles concerning it p 69 70 71. His pardon of 20 Priests and Iesuites within three dayes after it p 71 72 73. His Answer to the Petition of both Houses against Recusants at Oxford Anno 1625. and his Proclamations against Recusants and Priests with the ill execution of both and the discharging priests protecting Recusants notwithstanding p 74 to 148 His Warrant to Captain Pennington An. 1625 to sinke the English shippes who refused to serve the Papists against the Protestants in Rochel c p 84 85 86 His setting the Lone on foot and Letters concerning it An. 1626. p 86 87 88. The Parliaments Remonstrance to him called in by proclamation and answered by Bishop Laud by his command An. 1627. p 90 to 95. His proclamations against the Bishop of Calcedon procured by the secular priests p 98 99 100. Advices to him concerning the Queenes Priests p 119 to 103. His Passe to Secretary Windebank when he fled into France and the continuance of his Royall favours to him there though he professeth in sundry Letters he did release no Priests c. but by his Majesties specall direction and command p 123 to 140. Windebank sends his petition to the Parliament to him to correct and further it in the Houses p 134 135. The received Copy of his Letter to the Pope in 〈◊〉 behalfe of the Duke of Loraign p 142. Pope Urban the 8 his affection to his Majesty p 142. What opinion they held of him at Rome An. 1635. p 14 〈◊〉 43. His Articles and Letter concerning his Chappell in Scotland and 〈…〉 Archbishop Laud to hold correspondency with the Deane of it the Bishop of Dunblane â— 148 149. His Command to the Archbishop of S. Andrewes to hold correspondencie with the Lord Traquaire p. 151. His Warrant concerning the Scottish Canons without date p. 152. His Instructions to the Archbishops and Bishops of Scotland and a pretendant Warrant to archbishop Laud concerning the Scottish Liturgie p. 156. His