A remonstrance of divers remarkeable passages concerning the church and kingdome of Ireland, recommended by letters from the Right Honourable the Lords Justices, and Counsell of Ireland, and presented by Henry Jones Doctor in Divinity, and agent for the ministers of the Gospel in that kingdom, to the Honourable House of Commons in England:

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A remonstrance of divers remarkeable passages concerning the church and kingdome of Ireland, recommended by letters from the Right Honourable the Lords Justices, and Counsell of Ireland, and presented by Henry Jones Doctor in Divinity, and agent for the ministers of the Gospel in that kingdom, to the Honourable House of Commons in England:
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London :: Printed for Godfrey Emerson, and William Bladen, and are to be sold at the signe of the Swan in Little-Brittain,
1642.
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Ireland -- History -- Rebellion of 1641 -- Early works to 1800.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A87629.0001.001
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"A remonstrance of divers remarkeable passages concerning the church and kingdome of Ireland, recommended by letters from the Right Honourable the Lords Justices, and Counsell of Ireland, and presented by Henry Jones Doctor in Divinity, and agent for the ministers of the Gospel in that kingdom, to the Honourable House of Commons in England:." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A87629.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 16, 2025.

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To the Honorable Assembly of the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in the Com∣mons House of Parliament, in the Kingdom of ENGLAND.

The undernamed in the behalf of themselves and their brethren, the poore dispoiled and distressed Ministers of the Gospel in Ireland, with the Widdowes and Orphans of such,

Humbly represent their lamentable Condition,

Shewing,

THat by the instigation of Popih Priests, Friers, and Jesuites, with other fire-brands and Incendiaries of the State; partly such of them as have been resident here in this Kingdom of Ire∣land before, partly flocking in from Forraign parts, of late in multitudes more then ordinary; and chiefly by such of them as resorted hither out of the Kingdom of England: And out of that ancient and known hatred the Church of Rome heareth to the reformed Religion; As also by reason of the surfet of that freedome and indulgence, which through Gods forbearance for our tryall, they of the Popish faction have hitherto enjoyed in this Kingdom: There hath been beyond all paralell of former ages, a most bloudy and Antichristian combination and plot hatched, by well-nigh the whole Romish sect, by way of combination from parts forraign, with those at home, against this our Church and State; thereby intending the utter extirpation of the reformed Religion, and the professors of it: In the room thereof, setting up that idoll of the Masse, with all the abominations of that whore of Babylon: This also ayming at the pulling down and defacing the present state and go∣vernment of this Kingdom under his Sacred Majesty, theirs, and our undoubted Soveraign; and introducing another form of rule ordered and moderated by themselves, without dependance on his Highnesse, or

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the Kingdom of England, whence have proceeded such depredations of of the goods, and such cruelties exercised on the persons and lives of the loyall Subject; such wasting and defacing of all Minuments of civility, with such prophanation of holy places, and Religion, that by the most barbarous and heathenish Nations, the like could not in any age be found to be perpetrated.

All which doth daily appear unto us your Suppliants appointed to enquire upon oath of the premisses, and other particulars depending thereupon, by vertue of a Commission to us directed under the great Seal of this Kingdom of Ireland, bearing Date the three and twentieth day of December, in the seventeenth year of his Majesties Reign; and by one other Commission further enlarged concerning the premisses, Dated the eighteenth of January, in the year aforesaid. Copies whereof, toge∣ther with the Copies of such and so much of the Depositions as answer to the particulars of this our Remonstrance we have hereunto annexed; that both the validity of our proceedings, and the truth of this our sayd Remonstrance may the better appear.

Ʋpon view of all which, it doth very evidently appear, that in the present most dangerous designe against this Kingdom, the Popish faction therein hath been confederate with forraign States, If we may rely upon the report made therof by the conspirators themselves, and their adherents here, whereof the following examinations are full.

IT being confessed that they had their Commission for what they did from beyond the Seas. A 1.1 That from Spain they did ex∣pect an Army before Easter next, consisting, if of none others, yet of the Irish Regiments, and Commanders serving in Flanders, and else where, under that King; together with a great quantity of Powder, Ammunition, and Arms, for a great number of men to be raised in Ireland. This Kingdome (as they make up their esti∣mate) being able to make up the body of an Army of two hundred thousand, or more. B 1.2 From France also they looke for ayd. C 1.3 Being in all this further encouraged by Bulls from Rome; some of these Rebels requiring to the Popes use, and in his name, the yeeld∣ing

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up of such places of strength as they had beleaguered. D 1.4 In all which respects, and in allusion to that League in France, they terming themselves the Catholike Army, E 1.5 and the ground of their war the Catholike cause. And to this purpose hath this pre∣sent year, 1641. been among them proclaimed a year of Jubilce, and Pardons before hand granted, of all sins of what sort soever that shall be therein committed, tending to this great work. F 1.6 Excommunications also thundred against any that shall refuse to joyn therein. G 1.7

It doth secondly appear, that they had their correspondents in England, for raising the like Rebellion there; this not being a re∣port made to us from one part, but confirmed from all places of this Kingdome, whence the passage hath not beene stopped by the present obstructions. H 1.8

That thirdly, they reported themselves to have had the like partie in Scotland; that the Scots joyned with them I 1.9 and were their friends. K 1.10 That the like troubles were to be raised in Scotland. L 1.11 That the Scots were joyned with them in Covenant, not to leave a drop of English bloud in England, as they the Irish Rebels would do the like in Ireland. For which they pretended a writing signed with the hands of the prime Nobility of Scotland. M 1.12 And that the Tower of London, the Castle of Edenborough, and the Castle of Dublin, were to be surprised all upon one day. N 1.13

As for that part of that cursed Faction within this Kingdom of Ireland, the Actors therein acknowledge it to be a plot of many years, some say two, O 1.14 some eight, P 1.15 some 14 or 17 years. Q 1.16 A plot wherein all the Popish Nobilitie and men of quality were

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interessed; R 1.17 and by Sir Phelim ô Neale; that Arch-Rebell, it is professed, that what he did, was by the consent of the Parlia∣ment of Ireland, S 1.18 thereby intending the Popish members therof.

Notwithstanding all which, that this appeareth to have been a long-laid conspiracie; yet these Traytors for giving some colour to their Rebellion, pretend as if the occasion moving them there∣unto were new, unexpected, and pressing, so that with the safety of their lives, and duty which they owed God and their Country; they could not do lesse then they have done: falsly pretending that there was a plot layd in this Kingdome, grounded on a pre∣tended Act passed in the Parliament of England, for the cutting off of all the Nobilitie and others the Papists in Ireland, T 1.19 and all this to be done in one day; V 1.20 and that to be on the 23 or 24th of November now last past; for preventing whereof, they laid (say they) this their counterplot a full moneth before, viz. on the 23 of October. W 1.21.

For effecting which their wicked and devillish design, the sayd Conspirators and Traitors have entred into a most accursed Cove∣nant, and bound themselves by an oath of confederation, the same being subscribed by the hands of the chiefest Rebels, and certaine men being appointed to administer the same to all such as shall ei∣ther offer themselves, or be pressed to serve as Souldiers in that cause; others also being sent abroad, and in chief, the Popish Pri∣mate Reily, X 1.22 who hath compassed far and neer, to draw into this conspiracy such as had not before been there withall acquainted. As also to satisfie any scruples, if any were that did or might retard any from entring thereinto; the Popish Clergie being observed for the most forward advisers and putters on of the people in this way. For whereas many of the Rebels seemed no give eare to a Proclamation of grace, Dated the first of November 1641. they were forbidden by their Priests, assuring them it would be their undoing. Y 1.23 Hence it is that these Rebels are so hardned in their

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course of wickednesse, that they professe against accepting of any quarter, and that they will not accept of any but a generall Par∣don. A 1.24 Others again disclaiming any Pardon, casting out words to the dishonout of his Sacred Majesty, as if his Royall word and Seale were not to be relyed upon. B 1.25

And yet for making the more plausible introduction into their said wicked Rebellion; the Conspirators aforesaid, have traite∣rously, and impudently averred and proclaimed, that their autho∣ritie therein is derived by Commission from his Highnesse. Some∣times at distance, making offer to shew a large Patent or Commis∣sion with a broad Scale, giving out that in that their power did appear. C 1.26 Others taking upon them to read (some forged wri∣ting) to that purpose. D 1.27 All which they stick not publikely in Market-places to proclaim; E 1.28 falsly also reporting, that his Highnesse was among them in the North of Ireland, riding up and down disguised, and with glasse eyes desiring not to be dis∣covered. Others againe pretending their Commission to be from the Queens Highnesse, and professing themselves her Soul∣diers, and that what they did, was under the hands of the best of the Nobility of England; which yet in favour of the English, they did not (say they) execute to the full. (G)

All which they falsly reported, to the end, that thereby they might distract the mindes, and discourage the hearts of the true Subject, and that therein they might gain more upon such as they desire to draw into their party; or if any should for a time stand aloose as Newters, to win a better opinion with them, then to be accounted Traytors, or their enterprise a Rebellion.

Whereas it is apparant, that Allegiance or Obedience to his Majesty, is not the thing they ayme at, the contrary being plainly confessed and professed by themselves; now that they are entred as far as they can into their diabolicall practise; and that their con∣federates are for the most part declared and drawn unto an head.

For some of them, to the making way for their Trayterous in∣tentions F 1.29

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have given out, That the King was dead, and that the young King was gone to Masse: G 1.30 That they would have the Prince in Ireland, whom they would make their Vice-Roy, tutor∣ing him in the Romish religion; And that the King should live in Scotland H 1.31: sometimes, That the Duke of York should live with them.

But others more fully unvizard themselves, professing, That they would have a King of their own, and him Crowned within a fortnight I 1.32. That they had him already K 1.33: And that it was from their new King that they had their Commission so much spoken of L 1.34: Declaring also their new King according to their severall fancies; Some being for the Earl of Tyron M 1.35; others for Sir Phelim ô Neal N 1.36: If perhaps these two be not intended for one and the same, thus we finde the said Sir Phelim honoured with the style of, His Majesty O 1.37: Others yet being rather for the Lord Maguire P 1.38; there being some that said they had a conse∣crated Crown for the best deserver * 1.39.

But of His sacred Majesty, how contemptuously do they speak? Let your King (say they) fetch you out again Q 1.40: These being their words to some of His Majesties Subjects, oppressed by them; We care not for the King of England, say others R 1.41; a third, That neither King nor Queen shall govern Ireland any longer, for they would govern it themselves S 1.42; And that their Religi∣on should flourish in despight of King or State (T).

In all which, having broken thorow the due bounds of their Al∣legiance, their vain and ambitious thoughts rove without know∣ing any limits. It will not now content them to settle anew, and mold again this Kingdom to their own Modell, by calling of Parliaments, making Laws, and appointing their own Gover∣nours (V). Thus discourse they of the modestest sort: but they will,

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with the assistance of Spain and France, set footing in England, and after that in Scotland W 1.43; where all things being setled to their desires, the whole Forces of Ireland, in way of retribution, and acknowledgement of gratitude, are intended for the King of Spain, against the Hollanders X 1.44.

Unto which their disloyalty to theirs and our most gracious So∣veraign, they have added expressions of unheard of hatred to His Brittish Subjects of this Kingdom; banishment or slavery are the greatest favours that would be afforded them; But their generall profession is for a generall extirpation, even to the last and least drop of English blood Y 1.45: Which, that it may be drayned to the full, such of the English as cannot prescribe a settlement in this Kingdom for two hundred yeers, are to be cut off, and that not∣withstanding they be of the Romish Sect: It being to that end provided, That such as do revolt to their part, should, for the pre∣sent, be accepted of; yet so disposed, as being drawn into the List of their Army, they should be set upon the most dangerous Enter∣prises, so either to be made away, or to serve their own turns of them: And what the Sword cannot, for the present, effect, an Inquisition, like that in Spain, for finding out the Jewish and Moorish blood, shall in time thorowly accomplish Z 1.46. As for the future, their Covenant is, That no English should ever set footing again in Ireland A 1.47; Even the very Language must be forgotten, none being to speak English, under a penalty B 1.48. But that which exceeds all, Not an English Beast, or any of that breed must be left in the Kingdom C 1.49.

And as we finde the hearts of these men in their tongues, so in their actions, doing what they professe; and being in both beyond all measure profane and heathenish in their impious words and be∣haviours towards God, and the holy Scriptures, Religion, and the places of Gods publike Worship.

Blaspheming our God, bidding his servants, whom they had first T 1.50 V 1.51

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stripped naked, to go to their God, and let him give them clothes D 1.52.

Breaking into Churches, burning Pulpits, Pues, and all belong∣ing thereunto, with extreme violence, and expression of hatred to our Religion, and triumphing also in their impiety E 1.53.

Professing, That not one Protestant should be left in the King∣dome F 1.54: Dragging some Professors thorow the streets by the hair of the head, into the Church; where stripping, whipping, and cruelly using them, they added these taunting words; If you come tomorrow, you shall hear the like Sermon G 1.55.

How have our sacred Books of holy Scriptures been used? Gods Book hath been, O horrible! cast into, and tumbled in the Kennell; thence taken up, and dashed in the faces of some Profes∣sors, with these words, I know you love a good lesson, this is an excellent one; come to morrow, you shall have as good H 1.56.

They have torn it in pieces I 1.57, kicked it up and down K 1.58, treading it under foot, with leaping thereon, they causing a Bag∣pipe to play the while L 1.59; laying also the leaves in the kennell, leaping and trampling thereupon, saying, A plague on it, This Book hath bred alltne quarrell, hoping within three weeks all the Bibles in Ireland should be so used, or worse, and that none should be left in the Kingdom M 1.60: and while two Bibles were in burn∣ing, saying that it was hell-fire that was burning N 1.61; wishing they had all the Bibles of Christendome, that they might use them so.

But what Pen can set forth, what Tongue expresse, whose Eye can reade, Ear hear, or heart, without melting, consider the cruel∣ties, more than barbarous, dayly exercised upon us by those inhu∣mane, blood-sucking Tygers!

Stripping quite naked Men, Women, and children, even chil∣dren, sucking upon the Brest O 1.62, whereby multitudes of all sorts in the extremitie of that cold season of Frost and Snow have

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perished. Women being dragged up and down naked, P 1.63 Wo∣men in child bed thence drawn out, and cast into prison. Q 1.64 One delivered of a childe while she was hanging. R 1.65 One ripped up, and two children taken away, and all cast unto, and eaten by swine. S 1.66 One other stabbed in the breast her childe sucking. T 1.67 An Infant cruelly murthered, whom they found sucking his dead mother slain by them the day before. V 1.68 A childe of 14 years of age taken from his mother, in her sight cast into a Bog-pit, and held under water while he was drown'd. (W) The forcing 40 or 50 Protestants to renounce their profession, and then cutting all their throats. * 1.69

What should we speak of their murthers, X 1.70 their hanging, half-hanging, and that oft times reiterated; they delighting in the tortures of the miserable. Z 1.71 Hence some being left wounded, in vain crying out that they might be dispatched. A 1.72 This being purposely done, that these wretches might languish in their mise∣rie; their tormentors affirming that their Priests commanded them so to do. B 1.73 What should we speake of those 30 or 40 burnt in one House, and 50 in another. C 1.74 the denying of bu∣riall to the dead, D 1.75 whereby Christians have been eaten by Dogs, and Dogs tearing Children out of the wombe; the bloudy beholders relating such things with boasting and great rejoycing: E 1.76 And to make perfect the measure of their cruelty, Two were said to be buried alive, F 1.77 and others that had been long buried, digged up; they saying that the Churches could not be Conse∣crated, while Hereticks bodies or bones lay therein. G 1.78

The cruell usage of those 48 poore prisoners in the Gaole of Monaghan. H 1.79 Of those in the County of Armagh, after drow∣ned

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in the River of the Ban, to the number of 80, I 1.80 or 100. K 1.81 or 196, L 1.82 as it is diversly reported, those 45 drowned toge∣ther. M 1.83 And those 179 burnt in one house. x 1.84 All these we refer to the reading of the severall depositions concerning them hereunto annexed.

But how can that be forgotten, or where shall it be beleeved, which we hear to have been done in the Church of Newtown in the County of Fermanagh; where a childe of Thomas Strettons was boyled alive in a Caldron: A thing which as one bare reports we durst not, so neither can we now with confidence enough present it to that your honourable Assembly, nor can we averre it for true, otherwise then as by concurring examinations we finde them so∣lemnly deposed, whereunto we desire to be referred. N 1.85 To which may well be added, the forcing of one Duke Wade to drinke unto drunkennesse, and then hanging him therein, to take a full revenge both on body and soul. (p)

Of which their aforesaid many and barbarous cruelties, each day doth afford us variety of new instances. This City of Dublin being the common receptacle for these miserable sufferers. Here are many thousands of poore people, sometimes of good respects and estates, now in want and sicknesse, whereof many daily dye, notwithstanding the great care of those tender hearted Christians (whom God blesse) without whom all of them had before now perished.

In all which, as our sufferings are generall, the hatred of the enemy being expressed to the whole Nation, and to all the profes∣sors of the truth. So in chief and above all others O 1.86 do we finde it with the deadliest venome spit against the persons of us the Mini∣sters of the Gospel, towards whom their rage is without bounds.

Of this we see enough in the miserable condition of Mr George Cottingham, a Batchelor in Divinity, and a painfull labourer in the Lords Vineyard. P 1.87 The like we see in the cruell murther of Mr Blyth, slain with sir Pheliom ô Neals safe conduct in his hands, Q 1.88

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it being lift up by him unto heaven, as a witnesse of his treachery. Q 1.89 The same we finde in the murther of Mr Thomas Grafford, and Mr William Fullerton. R 1.90 Lastly, that among a multitude, we may content our selves with a few; We see it in the cruelty exer∣cised upon Mr Sharpe the Minister of Kells. S 1.91 Of all which, the following examinations shall speak morefully.

Such of us as have best escaped the hands of these Tyrants have been turned out of all. We, with such other of our brethren, ours and their wives and children coming on foot hither, through waies tedious and full of perill, being every minute assaulted, the end of one but leading to the next danger, one quite stripping off, what others had in pity left. So that in nakednesse we have recovered this our City of refuge, where we live in all extremity of want, not having wherewithall to subsist, or to put bread in our mouthes.

Of those of our brethren who have perished on the way hither, some of their wives and children do yet remain. The children also of some of them, wholly deprived of their parents, and left for des∣serted Orphans. All of us being exposed to apparent ruine, if not speedily relieved.

This our most miserable condition therefore, and of our Brethren, and of this our whole distressed Church of Ireland, We do in most hum∣ble manner Remonstrate and lay downe at the feet of that your Pious, Charitable, and Honorable Assembly.

Praying, That we and all of us your Suppliants, together with our Brethren, may finde a place among others in your tender considerations, and never exhausted bounty. So, and in such manner as to your Wise∣domes shall be esteemed most fitting.

Humbly desiring that we who have borne the burthen and heate of the day, may not be cast off, not having what to eate, or what to put on.

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That the Ministry may not in our wants be rendred despicable to our own, as it hath suffered despight from our Adversaries.

And that the rather we may finde this Admittance into your Cha∣rity, in that our sufferings are professed by our enemies to proceed (which we glory in) from that your zeal for the Church of God.

God Almighty blesse and further those your Honorable and pious de∣sires and designs, and Restrai the fury of our Adversaries, for which we desire the prayers of our Brethren. And He grant, that of his goodnesse all of them may be long preserved from knowing what we suffer, other∣wise then by a Brotherly and compassionate fellow feeling.
which are the daily prayers of

Your Honors Servants
and Votaries,
Henry Iones. Roger Puttocke.
Iohn Watson. Iohn Sterne.
Henry Brereton. Randall Adams.
William Hitchcoke. William Aldrich.

Notes

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