A Letter of Dr. Bernards to a Friend of his at COURT.
HAving heard by some of my Friends, that there is a misapprehension of me at Court by such as know me not, because of my acquaintance with Oliver Cromwel, I have (by their advice) thought it expedient for my own vindication to declare both my Sufferings by him for his Majesties cause in Ireland, and the continuance of them in England, and that the fruits of my frequent visiting him, was reaped by others, and not by my self, in being an Instrument of Preserving the Lives and Estates, and Releiving the Distresses of such as had suffered for his Majesty, which was my continued agencie, even for strangers, as those that had been known to me, of each of which some are here mentioned. Whereunto (with the like advice) I have added a brief relation of my Sufferings, (being so variously reported) in the Storme of Drogheda and after it, an. 1649. with a satisfaction in some particulars misunderstood, as to the Office of Almoner, which herewith I have sent unto you, and do commit it to your prudence, as there shall be occasion. I omit my Sufferings in the Seige of Drogheda, an. 1641. by the Irish Rebells 4. months, the whole narration of which, was by special order published, wherein their scandal in relation to his Majesties Royal Father of blessed memory, was sufficiently vindicated for which (being an. 1647. taken by a party of them) I hardly escaped death,
A Brief Relation of Dr. Bernards Sufferings for his Majesty, and of his preserving the Lives and Estates, and Releiving the necessities of many of his fellow Sufferers, both in England and Ireland.
I. His Sufferings in Ireland.
WHen Drogheda was taken by the Army, under the Command of the Lord Marquess of Ormond, The Doctor was Instrumental with the Mayor of the Town, to the Proclaiming his Majesty, and attended the Lord of Enchiquin at that Solemnity, and immediately went to the Church, and observed the publique Prayers for his Majesty, and shortly after preached a Thanksgiving Sermon for it.
After that he waited upon the Lord Leiutennant at his Camp before Dublyn, who afterwards coming to Drogheda was a further witnesse of the Doctors constancy to his Majesty, and when his Lordship was called away, upon Oliver Cromwells landing, the Doctor being the Minister of the place, and having his family there, could not desert them, but was left there behind, though by his friends (especially Sir Robert Byron, apprehending his danger) he was advised to be gone.
When that Town was Stormed and all that bare Armes in it [...]ut to the sword, the Doctor could gain no Protection (though many others had) but was left to the mercy of the Souldiers, so as all he had was taken from him, and himself designed to Death, by many that had vowed it, though by Gods special mercy he was preserved, too large to be inserted here.
After this he was turned out of his Benefice at Drogheda, and Sent for up to Dublyn as a Delinquent; and there committed by Cromwel himself in the open streets, in the midst of his officers, with menaces of Death for his promoting of the Kings service as before said, and was close prisoner 17 dayes, and upon security was confined within the City of Dublyn for 6 months after.
One special charge against him then, was his continuance of the use of the Book of Common Prayer, in his Church to the last, notwithstanding the Inhibition sent to him by Colonel Michael Jones, who thereupon stopped all the payments which had been allowed him.
His Concio ad Clerum, when he took his degree of Doctor at Dublyn, 1642. was then remembred against him, wherein he had at larg declared, that the taking up of Armes then against his Majesties Royal Father of blessed memory, was unlawful, according to the Text, (Rom. 13.2.) whereupon a reliefe intended him out of England, was stopped by the Commissioners of Parliament then in Dublyn.
II. His Sufferings in England.
THough he were permitted by Cromwel to preach at Greys-Inne, yet he was rendred incapable of any other Benefice, when by the joynt desire of the Parishoners of St. Martins in the Fields, he was invited thither, and had several other offers.
And when the Earle of Bridgewater had bestowed upon him a living worth 400 pound a year, and he was legally inducted to it, yet upon Cromwells testimony of his proclaiming his Majesty, as aforesaid, he could not be permitted to enjoy it.
III. His endeavours to preserve many of the Lives and Estates, of such as have suffered for his Majesty.
SIr Maurice Eustace, and about five or six others, who were eminent in the Kings service, being committed together prisoners at Chester, their release both as to England and Ireland, were obtained by him, their acknowledgment of which he hath under all their hands in one paper.
He obtained a pardon for Sir Robert Byron, when he was condemned to dye by Hewson at Dublin.
He procured the like for the Lord Grandison. He obtained an order for Major Perkins, to be restored to his Estate in Ireland.
And for his service to the Lady Marchionesse of Ormond at her comming out of France, when She was remanded back [Page] gain, he humbly submits to her Ladyships own testimony.
He procured about 300 l. for Sir Henry Tuchborn, after he had with his Lady & family attended long in vain, & was in despair of any; & obtained for him several orders, touching his estate in Ireland, & the like for Sir Francis Willowby with many others.
When a barbarous and cruell order was made against the Episcopall Clergy to their utter undoing; he did boldly deliver his sense of it, and prevailed with the late Primate of Ireland to come to Town of purpose, in hope that his Authority might have prevailed with Cromwell, and others to revoke it: and for three weeks together, attended upon his Graces endeavours therein though it proved ineffectuall; and when there was an offer for a contribution for them throughout England, (so as they might have Cromwells licence for it;) the Dr. improved his utmost interest to obtaine it, and petitioned for them in his own name, and put his hand to it, he delivered their remonstrance or petition: and what else was penned by others for that end (which hath been since published) was delivered to Oliver Cromwell by his hand.
He obtained severall letters of recommendation, for persons in Ireland (as the now Bishop of Kilmore and others) and orders for keeping in and restoring Ministers (as Mr. Hunt of Chester and others) to their Benefices and Estates in England and was a constant Agent for them: and though his endeavours were not alwayes answered with a desired effect, yet his trouble was the same; and the charge in letters, and returnes in those solicitations was not small. Some being cast into prison (as Sir Thomas Armstrong who was a long time in the Gate-house) he solicited their businesse to his utmost endeavour for their release: others condemned to dye, he did the like for their pardon or reprivall.
IV. His Relief of those who suffered in their Estates and Liberty, for his Majestty, which was the cause of his acceptance of the Almoners place, that he might be serviceable to that end. He disbursed
- TO Dr. Bromrigg the late Bishop of Exeter (the receipts of which are ready to be produced) 150 l.
- [Page]To the late Lord [...] is ready to be produced) 250 l.
- To a Lord of Ireland, 10 l.
- To a Bishop of Ireland (for a debt compounded for) 15 l.
- To the [...]ame Bishop in his extream poverty at several times, 20 l.
- To a Dean of Ireland 8 l.
- To Mr. Durant a Sequestred Minister (who had 10 children) 6 l.
- To a Captain, who was at Drogheda when it was stormed, and now in Virginia 20 l.
- To Dennis Sheriden (who coming from Brussels, was conceived to have been employed into Ireland upon his Majesties service) 8 l.
- To a Captain who had been faithful to the Lord Leivetenant in Ireland, being poor, at several times 30 l.
- To many other distressed Persons, Ministers, Widdowes, and others of quality relating unto Ireland, who are unwilling to have their names mentioned, 50 l.
- To diverse Sequestred Ministers, and others of quality, as meaner persons, in their several distresses in England 40 l.
- To John Allen, the Lord Primates old servant, 8 l.
- To a person of some Eminency, upon the complaining of his poverty, the Doctor (having then no mony) gave him a Deputation for receiving the Almoners dues, in 2 or 3 Counties, without accompt.
- He had once prepared 60 l. for his Majesties Servants, but Cromwrl at that instant time sent for him, and commanded him to give so much to the Jews, and accordingly 40 l. was paid to Manasses Ben-Israel whose receipt he hath, and Cromwel took the other 20 l. from him, pretending to pay it himself. Besides what he gave to some Germans, and other Outlandish persons, commended unto him, as to a Turk, baptised by Mr. Gunning, for clothes 8 l. 60 l.
About a year before Oliver Cromwells death, he was complained of, for giving what he had received as Almoner to disaffected persons, and thereupon was called to an accompt: which he (knowing the danger of) deferring, he had been [Page] [...] Cromwel had lived a moneth longer.
In a word, he layed up nothing for himselfe (out of it) as he might have done, being without account, but by the losses he hath suffered, and the many suites wherein he hath been engaged, while he had the office, and since it was taken from him, he is the worse by 300 l.
V. In Relation to the Lord Primate of Ireland, he hath been further serviceable as followeth.
The transcribing of a great Manuscript which had been his 50 years study, (worthy of Dedication to his Majesty) which was so interlin'd that it could not else be Printed, Laid out, and ingaged for it—40 l.
He was at great labour and expence in the constant solicitation and receipt of his Pension; which for one quarter onely was paid at the rate of 400 p. and after at 160 p. a year, as also for what was promised after his death to his, which through the iniquity of the times was not performed, who used this fraud, in calling that a graunt, which was onely signed, but not suffered to be sealed.
The Dr. preached his Funerall Sermon, buried him according to the book of Common Prayer, and obtained 200 l. to defray the charges of the Funerall.
VI. In further Manifestation of his Integrity.
As he ever used freedom of speech to Cromwell in defence of Episcopacy, and the sequestred Clergy both in publique and private, so he never altered his habit, though it caused him many affronts from the Phanatick party: and being once prevailed with to preach at the Cock-pit, where were diverse of his Councell and other grand Enemies to his Majesty, he took his Text out of the 1. Tim. 3. In the last dayes, &c. men shall be traytors, &c. Having a form of godlinesse, but denying the power thereof.
A Bishop had once consecrated a Chappell, according to the usuall form: the Ministers in the Diocesse combined in a Petition against him, the Dr. interceded, and so ordered the businesse, that he was dismissed and heard no more of it.
He omits the gratuities, he gave to such as did assist him in the obtaining of diverse suites for those that were distressed, and even to the meaner servants, for some seasonable admittance for those ends; and the long attendance till 11 a clock at night, taking a lodging frequently there abouts, upon such occasions, often to the hazard of his health and life, in cold and unseasonable weather, all which he would have given over l [...]g before, being every way displeasing to him, by the hatred of the Army, and the Ministers there attending, but that it was the request of diverse distressed persons to continue it.
When the Army and Citty of London were at difference, (under the Committee of Safety) before Generall Monck appeared, he had prevailed with a principall person for the uniting of both, and Proclaiming of his Majesty in London, upon his undertaking to have procured their pardon, and it was once so far proceeded in, that he was preparing to go beyond Seas for that end.
His often free and faithfull discourse with the L. Generall Monk himselfe, in relation to his Majesty, when his actions were variously interpreted, he submits to his Testimony.
For these nine years past at Grayes-Inne he hath according to the Book of Common Prayer celebrated the Communion, and did the like elsewhere. In Baptisme, Marriages, Burialls, &c. never using any other.
And the employing his endeavours in some tracts published for an accommodation betwixt the Episcopall and Presbyterian parties, hath been in order to his Majesties service, and the Church, wherein he is still ready to spend himself.
The Rectifying of some misapprehensions of him, concerning the Office of Almoner.
THe Dr. was not absolutely made Almoner by Oliver Cromwell, but onely joyned in the Patent with Dr. French his Brother in Law (by which what little interest was intended for him, doth easily appear) and he dying a quarter of a year after, it fell to the Dr. as surviver; which was taken notice of then as a Providence of being by it put in a capacity of doing good to those as had suffered in the like cause with himselfe, and [Page 8] was desired by such to accept of it for that end, and now there was so little trust put in him, that when any thing of value fell, Cromwell took it to himselfe.
I. In special the estate of William Tombs found a Fellon of himself (which was the greatest that fell in his time) the whole was by a special order from Cromwell taken from him, and put into the hands of Major Worseley, who took it up accordingly, and what little of it came to his hands, an account of it was made to him;
He is the worse by a 100 p. by the losses and charges he hath been at, about that one businesse, which are not yet satisfied; and is now disturbed upon that surmise of receiving, in severall suites to his great molestation.
II. There hath been a businesse which hath occasioned much discourse to his great injury concerning one Mr. Barkley who was found a Felon of himself, and so clearly by severall depositions, that the like can scarce be paralel'd: yet an other inquisition was ordered without any insufficiency found in the first, and in that manner which hath no president that his Councell knows of.
The whole narration of the proceedings in it, are too long to be here inserted, the Dr. hath, and doth still suffer much injury by the adverse parties free discourse of him in it, some of whom he very much honours which encreaseth his griefe, onely this will be his justification with those that are strangers to him and the Case; that he hath & doth offer it to any just, prudent, uninteressed persons whatsoever, and will bind himself to stand to his or their Arbitrement: the deniall of which argues some diffidence they have of theirs, and he is assured by his Councel, the first inquisition stands yet firm in Law, and so his Majesties Title to the estate: which he onely defends, and layes it down at his Majesties feet.
A brief Relation of that Bloody Storm at Drogheda, in Ireland, and the Doctors Sufferings by Oliver Cromwel in it, and after it, with his Preservation.
THe 3d of September 1649, was the first day Oliver Cromwell came before it, in making any attempt to that end; he had a 11 thousand Horse and Foot, compleatly provided, the Town had 3500. two dayes he battered, upon the second day about five of the clock in the afternoon, he assaulted it, but received a repulse; yet returning again took it: the word was given throughout his Army, no quarter; the Mill mount where the Governour Sir Arthur Aston was with about 300 men, was yielded upon promise of quarter, but as soon as it was possessed by them, all were put to the Sword [...] when the Town was fully taken, the Doctors House was one of the first the Soldiers fell upon, but by the strength of it could not enter; The Mayor of the Town, and diverse other of the Principall men that were Protestants to the number of about 30 came into it for refuge.
There came 5 or 6 who were sent from a principall Officer, (the Doctors former acquaintance) under a pretence of a guard for his house, but had a Command from him, as soon as they were entred to kill him, (which an earwitnesse hath since assured him of;) the Dr. denying to open the door to them, one of them discharged a Musket Bullet at him: it passed through the door, and onely fired the skin of one of his fingers leaving a spot upon it, which burned 4 or 5 dayes after, and did him no more hurt.
Then a Cornet of a Troop of horse, came to his releife, and pretending he had order from the Generall to take care of that house, the Souldiers withdrew, and so at a Back-door he brought in his Quarter-Master, whom he left to secure him. About a quarter of an hour after, another Troop of Horse came to the window & demanded the opening of the door. The Quarter-Master and himselfe with an old servant left with him, (for he had sent his Wife and Children out of Town) stood close together, and told them it was the Ministers [Page 10] House, and all therein were Protestants, as soon as they heard the D. named, and his voice, one of them discharged his Pistoll at him, wherein being a brace of Bullets with the one the Quarter-Master was shot quite through the Body, and dyed in the place, and the other shot his servant through the throat, but recovered; the Dr. was onely untouched. After this he made a stand at another place, and seeing the Souldiers, breaking in at a low window, he went up to his Study, where his said friends were making great Lamentation, expecting present death, they all kneeled down, and commended their soules to God. No sooner had the Dr. begun, but in comes the Souldiers, and interrupts them, threatning them with Bullets, but it pleased God they were so mollified that they onely took all they had about them, and fell upon the spoyle of the house. In the midst of these confusions comes one Colonel Ewres (whom the Dr. had not seen in 16 years before, and knew not of his being there) and took up his house for his quarters, turned the Souldiers out, and made the doores fast for himself.
Not long after came Colonel Hewson, and told the Dr. he had orders to blow up the Steeple (which stood between the quier and the Body of the Church) where about threescore men were run up for refuge, but the three Barrells of Powder which he caused to be put under it for that end, blew up onely the body of the Church, and the next night Hewson caused the seates of the Church to be broken up, and made a great pile of them under the Steeple, which firing, it took the lofts wherein five great Bells hung, and from thence it flamed up to the top, and so at once Men, and Bells, and Roof came all down together, the most hideous sight and terrible cry, that ever he was witnesse of at once.
The next day the Colonel that had saved the Drs. life comes to him, and tells him he was very sharply checked for it, by the Generall and many of the Officers, and that he must yet expect to dye, that no Protection could be had for him; which was confirmed unto him by others also, whereupon divers that came to see him took their leaves as never to see him again, and the number of the dead bodies (with which the Church-yard and Streets were filled already) daily encreasing, even in coole blood to the number of 3500 gave him little hope of the contrary: [Page 11] that which at present repreived him, was Col. Ewres sending two of his Officers which were wounded to lie there.
Then was the Proclaiming of his Majesty, inciting and encouraging of the Army, and what else might savour ill with the Souldiers, mustered up against him.
The next day Oliver Cromwel, with many of his Officers, came to the Doctors house, began with aspersing his Ordination as Popish, then the late Arch Bishop of Armagh, from whom he had received it, then his Majesties Title, and the Doctors Praying for him came into discourse: the disputes of which with divers other Subjects, which lasted about three quarters of an hower, would be impertinent to be related here, but when he found the Dr. to be of that judgement he had heard, he left him without any assurance of life, onely gave order to the Governour to have him sent up to Dublyn as a Prisoner. When he came there, it so fell out, that he met Cromwel himself, with his officers in the streets, where, after great Menaces that he would make him an Example, and expresly threatning him with pronouncing the sentence of death upon him, committed him to prison: as he was carried away, beside the votes of all the officers against him, Hugh Peeters fell most upon him, who (as was affirmed then) had blamed Cromwel for saving of his life so long.
Seaventeen dayes he was close prisoner, and afterwards upon Bonds confined six months within the City, and after that sent for up to the Army at Clonmel, permitted to come then with Cromwel into England, where to himself he never varied in any discourse in the said Subjects, from what he had said to him at the first sight of him.
Thus far his sufferings in that storm, and his Deliverance.
Some Articles Objected against the Doctor, while he was a Prisoner in Dublyn.
- I THat he had refused to obey Col. Michael Jones his order, for the forbearing the use of Common Prayer, in his Church at Drogheda.
- II. That he had Preached a Thanksgiving Sermon, for the taking of the Town of Drogheda, by the Lord of Inchiquin, under the Command of the Lord Marquesse of Ormond.
- III. That he saluted one Col. Trenchard, with great joy the Town was taken, accordingly for the King.
- IV. That he moved the Mayor of the Town to come in his Scarlet to the proclaming of the King, and that he attended at it himself, and went immediately to the Church, and observed the Book of Common Prayer, & in special those prayers for him.
- V. His Praying for the Lord Marquesse of Ormond, as Lord Leiutenant of Ireland, then beseiging of Dublyn.
- VI. His praying for a Confusion upon Oliver Cromwells Army while he was beseiging Drogheda.
- VII. His withdrawing of some Commanders and Souldiers, from the service of the Parliament, and in special the speeches of one of their Captains upon his death bed produced, in complaining of the Doctor to that purpose.
- VIII. That he was with he Lord Marquesse of Ormond at his Camp before Dublyn.
- IX. That he refused to goe with the Parliament Army, out of the Town of Drogheda, but staid with the Lord of Inchiquin and his party in it, attended the Lord Marquesse of Ormond, when he came back to it, the keeping of a Fast, and Preaching before him, and praying accordingly for a good successe upon his designes.
- X. That he had employed his parts, (to use the very words as it was written to him) against the Saints, and that Interest which the Lord Jesus is now bringing forth into the world.
And thus he hath been compelled against his own disposition to reckon up those things which else he had not so much as mentioned, he having in all this done and suffered but that which was his duty to do.