1. MOst Illustrious Lords and Reverend Bishops, the Priests of Dublin make their complaint before you, That the most Illu­strious Archbishop of Dublin, Thomas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, without alledging any cause against them, onely for his will, and at his pleasure useth to exile and banish Priests out of his Diocese. And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyrannie over the Clergy, contrary unto the Canons of Holy Church, and the Lawes and Sta­tutes of this Kingdome.

2. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint, that the same most Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin, Thomas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, though humbly sought unto, and desired, doth refuse to doe them Iu­stice in their causes, neither yet will he permit the Cleargy to follow their actions meerely civill before the Magistrate, contrary unto the re­ceived custome of this Kingdome, from the first conuersion of the Nation. And they protest that in so doing, he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy, contrary vnto the Canons of the Church, and the Lawes and statutes of this Kingdome.

3. Most Illustrious Lords, and R. Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint, Tbat the same most Illustrious Arch­bishop, Thomas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, in inflicting his Ecclesiasticall censures, observeth no Canonicall proceeding at all, omitting not onely the solemnities of the Law, but those things also that are necessary and essentiall in all proceedings thereof, namely citati­ons, and proofe of causes. And they protest that in so doing, he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy, contrary unto the Canons of holy Church, and the Lawes and statutes of this Kingdome.

4. Most Illustrious Lords, and R. Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe complaine, that the same most Illustrious Archbishop, Thomas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, refused to heare all proofes against the Regulars in the matter of the eleven propositions con­demned at Paris, which testimonyes or proofes two venerable Priests presented unto him the 15. day of November, in the yeere of our Lord 1631. in Dublin. And moreover the aforesaid Priests doe professe, that the same Illustrious Archbishop is a favourer and a Patron of certaine new, & never heard of Heresies, published by the Fryars of his Order, and others: of the which Heresies, or rather Blasphemies, being advertised by a petition, he utterly refused to heare the Accusers and Witnesses. And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny in the Church of God, contrary unto the Canons of holy Church, and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome.

5. Most Illustrious Lords and Rev. Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe complaine, that the same most Illustrious Archbishop Tho­mas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, did not suppresse, extinguish or corrupt (according as the Canons of the Church and the Lawes of Princes doe commaund) a certaine infamous Libell, made, printed and published under the false and faigned name of Edmund Utsulan, a­gainst the good name, fame and reputation of certaine venerable Priests of the Clergy, who in the same aforesaid Libell are expressely and by name mentioned: but on the contrary the aforesaid Archbishop reades, commends, publisheth, and defends the same, to their irreparable disho­nour and infamy, by whose example also others especially of the Regulars of this Kingdome are incited, provoked, and animated to doe the like. And they protest that in so doing, he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy, contrary to the Canons of holy Church, and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome.

6. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Preists doe complaine, that the same most Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin, Thomas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, being given to vnderstand by way of petition, in the behalfe of the Clergy of Du­blin, That a certaine Parish Priest by name Patrick Brangan, with his assistant Iames Quin, but a few moneths agoe, thorough extreme ne­gligence had lost the blessed Sacrament consecrated in many hostes, and that without hope of recovery. Our aforesaid Archbishop making small or no account of so great a sacriledge, permit notwithstanding the aforesaid Priests, whereof the one is most unlearned, the other Lunaticke, to execute all Ecclesiasticall functions, by whose ministery he dayly exposeth the Sacraments of the Church to prophanation, and abuse. And in so doing they protest that he offends against the divine Majesty, and the sacred Canons of the Church. They professe also that in these aforesaid excesses he hath the Regulars his Counsellours, ayders and abettours, especially one Iohn Preston, a Friar of his Order, a most seditious and a turbulent fellow, to the ruine of the Clergy, and disturbance of the Christian Common-wealth.

7. Most Illustrious Lords, and R. Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe complaine, that the same most Illustrious Archbishop of Du­blin, Tho. Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, doth make Parish Priests, yong men, unlearned, and unbred. Others famous for their learning, gravity and vertue being neglected. And more it is to be lamented for, that such are the times & state of things, as if we had Augustines, Am­brosies, and Hieromes, it were meet to preferre them unto the pastorall office (others omitted.) But what may we expect of this our Prelat? who hath ordinarily in his mouth: To what end should Parish Priests be learned? or preachers? forasmuch as these matters belong unto Regulars. Moreover the aforesaid Priests doe complaine, that the most Illustrious Archbishop Thomas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, at the com­ming unto his Prelature, found within the walls of Dublin five Parish Priests, men of learning, ripe yeares, and uncorrupt conversation, in place of whom, either taken away by death or exile, he hath placed onely two, & such as we are not willing to speake of what condition: so as it seemes he desireth nothing more, then by this oppression and extirpation of the Clergy, a more easie and compendious way may be made unto those armies of Monkes, and begging Friars, who in this Kingdome (observing no Regular discipline) doe labour to create a Monarchy unto themselves, as already they have done under this Bishop, to the destruction of the Church, the impoverishing of the Inhabitants, and no small detriment to the Common-wealth. And they protest that in so doing, he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy, contrary unto the Canons of holy Church, and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome.

8. Most Illustrious Lords and R. Fathers in Christ, The aforesaid Priests doe complaine, That the Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin Tho­mas Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, is accustomed to answer the Clergy complaining of their grievances unto him: If I doe you wrong, you may goe to Rome to complaine. In the meane time reporting himselfe to be so powerfull in the Court of Rome, that he feares no Adversary. And of this that R. Priest Fa. Patrick Cahil, Doctor of Divinity had experience, who for a yeare treating of his injuries and grievances done unto him by the Archbishop of Dublin, could by no meanes prevaile once to be admitted unto the presence and audience of the most eminent Cardinall Ludovisius, Vice-Chancellour of Rome: which Cardinall notwithstanding is given by his Holinesse unto the Irish as the onely Patron and Protectour of the Irish Nation. These things we may remember with griefe, but amend them we cannot. But wee professe before Almighty God, his Holinesse, and all faithfull people, that this is nothing else but to tyrannize over the Clergy, to the dishonour of the Church, and no smaell contempt of the See Apostolicke.

For which and other causes besides to be alledged, and in their due time and place to be proved against the above-named Archbishop Tho. Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, we the aforesaid Priests, and hereafter to be named, doe set before your eyes most Illustrious and Reverend Lords these our grie­vances, as meet & honorable witnesses of this our deed, writing, and publique instrument, and as farre as is possible and lawfull for us by the Canons of holy Church, declining the Iurisdiction of our aforesaid Ordinary by this our present writing: and from this time forth wee appeale unto the See Apostolique, from all Ecclesiasticall censures hereafter to be inflicted upon us by the same Illustrious Archbishop Tho. Flemming, of the order of S. Francis. And in the meane time providing for our innocencie and safety (to the example of S. Paul, and S. Athanasius) we doe invocate the aide of the Secular arme for our pre­sent remedy, against the aforesaid Illustrious Archbishop Tho. Flemming, of the Order of S. Francis, and all Regulars of what order soever, as well Monks as begging Friars, Abbettours, Counsellors and participants with him in the premisses, as violatours and contemners of all Lawes divine and humane, and men by the law excommunicate. Humbly beseeching your Lordships in the bowels of the Crucified, that you would be pleased to intimate with as much speed as may be, this our protestation and appeale unto the See Apostolicke. And the God of peace and love long preserve your R. Lordships in safety.