AS no Nation in the World hath gone thorough more stupendious Providen­ces, and swifter Revolutions; So ne­ver any hath passed thorough more iminent Hazards and Menacing Whirl-pits then this poor Island; with such amazing and Miraculous Deliverances as the FINGER of the Lord hath written upon them; There is none like to THY GOD (O England.) Who rideth upon the heavens in thy help, and in his excellen­cy on the skie! The ETERNAL God is thy Refuge! and underneath the everlasting ARMES, HAPPY art thou (O Israel!) who is like unto thee, O People! SAVED BY THE LORD! &c. The last where­of was not the Least, if not one of the GREAT­EST SALVATIONS that our eyes have seen from one of the most FATAL STROKES that [Page 2] ever was given to a Magistracy in the Nation; by that unhappy and never-enough-dreaded Interruption of Parliament October last, Whereby a WICKET was opened (at least) to that Wide & Dangerous Door that the Common Enemy hath taken in the three Nati­ons at this day; being never more stirring and act­ing to Retreive and Prosecute the Horrid Designe of Sr. George Booth then at this instant, which like a Dismal Cloud hath overspread us through the heat and benefit of those Distractions and Confusions that came upon us, importing the Greatest Calamity and Misery (without a Miracle of Mercy) that can be imagined or impendent, So that had not the Lord been on our side, now may Israel say, if the Lord had not been on our side to save us, when men rose up (so fast) against us, they had swallowed us up QƲICK! long ere this. And particularly in poor Ireland, where the face of Affairs at this instant portend and pro­mise all things for it, as near, yea very near affected, if the Parliament by their wonted Wisdom and Cou­rage do not quickly interpose in it. Wherefore several of us, who (like Job's Messengers) are esca­ped at present (and more are following) to attend upon the Parliaments pleasure for a hearing, (on the behalfe of our selves and of thousands in that Nati­on of the Parliaments best and constant friends) are ready to make a most true Report of that Land, to discover the Conspiracy there afoot, to enucleate Irelands Lamentable Case from the Calumnies and most Cunning Sophistications of their (late) PER­FECT NARRATIVE, but indeed ERRA­TIVE, and Collusion both in matters of Fact, and of Faith, being throughout most false, (put forth on purpose to delude the Parliament and Good people [Page 3] of this Nation, and to abuse their judgement;) and are ready to prove upon our perils (sed bona fide) every one of the ensuing Particulars, (and more too) very material to the Parliaments service as well as welfare of all Ireland, which we shall humbly submit to the judgement of Parliament, and to the most accurate scruteny of any, or of all whether Friends or Foes in the whole Nation to draw their just Conclusi­ons from, and to convince them of the Deplorable Danger thereof.

First, The Plot in Ireland laid. In that they openly and frequently Decla­red for a Free Parliament, that an eminent Leader of them did it at the head of the Souldiers, 1 For a Free Parliament & the King. the Souldiers again reciprocally declared it to their Officers, that with this voice for a Free Parliament they rode about the streets of Dublin blandishing their swords, drink­ing healths to that purpose at their Bonfires, speak­ing contemptibly of this Parliament, making no such signe of joy when the post brought the News of their Return to their great Trust and Authority, being many of them struck with a great damp there­at, (who had rejoyced at their Interruption;) and many openly declared and avowed for the King, as at Youghall, Mallowes and other places, constantly drinking the Kings health. So that pag. 9. of their Narrative they fallaciously represent the Case, in say­ing, they declared for the Parliament, and were mett with by the Acclamations of All; but never tell us for what Parliament.

Secondly, 2 To Arme the Kings par­ty, and put them into power, 'That they imediately armed, impowered and preferred such as were in open Hostility for the King against the Parliament, and such as at Sir George Booths rebellion manifested their eminent dis-affection to this Parliament and divers other [Page 4] Officers who fought under Inchequeen and Ormond against the Parliament are now in command, setled by them; and such as laid down their Commissi­ons, and refused to obey the Parliament against Sir George Booth: All these are armed, in places of Command, and advanced, nor is it altogether in­considerable the over Compliance of the rest and of the Best of them with the single Person upon all oc­casions and transactions which they can no wayes palliate, but with a poor and empty Apology for it, (p. 23, of their Narrative) that it was no more then what was in the Generallity of the three Nations, by which they detect themselves sufficiently, and what COPY it is that they intend to write after, viz. The Generallity of the Nations. But O Lord! Deliver not the Soul of thy Turtle-dove unto the MƲLTI­TƲDE.

Thirdly, 3 To impri­son the Parli­ments friends and tutn them out of power. That they have imprisoned many hun­dreds (not only Field-Officers and of the Army but) others of the best affected English to the Parliament in Cities, Towns, Countreys, Ministers of the Gospell, Justices, Planters, Trades men, and pious Christi­ans that have ever given the greatest proof of their most Cordiall adhaerance and faithfulness to the Au­thority of this Parliament at all times, and never Acted any thing to the contrary, also in the Militia (as well as Army) such as declared their adhering to this present Parliament they have put out, and pla­ced others in (and such onely) as suite better with some other Designe; yea, one of their own lately affirmed it, that in their Councell of Officers there is not (he was confident) five real and absolute for this Parliament or their Interest.

Fourthly, They have also otherwise disabled, [Page 5] and disarmed most of all the Parliaments Friends, 4 To disable disarm and expose them to the Irish revenge. and of the most approved fidelity and constancy (that we can hear of) in the whole Nation; exposing thereby the poor naked English, to the most merci­less Rage of the Native Irish, not having wherewith­all to defend themselves from them who watch but an opportunity to slay them; as in the case of Cap­tain Cornick an honest peaceable man, lately set up­on in his own house, (but himselfe escaping) they fell to fiering, burned up his out houses, and all his Corn in stacks, took away his Cattel to the value of five hundred pounds in all. So that from thence and some late execrable Murthers, the Irish rebel­lion may feare de novo by it; and that it will be but translated by an English Alphabet of Characters, if not speedily prevented; for,

Fifthly, 5 To Arme the very Irish Rebels. Whiles they thus use the English, plunder and disarme the best Parliament friends in the whole Nation, they suffer all the Parliaments professed Ene­mies to keep their armes (as well Irish rebells as o­thers,) and not only so, but deliver them more out of the Parliaments store (with Amunition in abun­dance,) preferring Inchequeens Officers amongst them, and all that ever were for the King, and never serv­ed the Parliament, are permitted not onely to keep their Armes, but to furnish themselves with what more they will.

Sixthly, 6 Keep up a feud between the old and the new Eng­lish planters. To make it a deadly feud between the English, themselves (as well as the Irish and the Eng­lish, they have newly distingished them into Names of the old Protestants and the New; the old bandying themselves against the other, the new English as they call them, wishing their throats were cut; saying, they came to eat the bread out of their mouthes [Page 6] (that planted there, &c.) And the Irish Papists say they will rather subject to the old Protestants, then to the new, for the Common prayer book is the masse (they hear) Englished, & under them they shal have more liberty; But notwithstanding this promising compliance with the old English, they will quickly give them proof of an insatiable revenge upon all the English, when they have sufficiently weakened them with their divisions; and that their Hydropick thirst cannot be so easily quenched, but the more they drink, the more they wil desire, until they exhaust all into their own hands. Albeit at present, much of the Armies conduct is put into the hands of old English, Episcopall men, yet such they are, as ever have been and yet are most bitter enemies to the Parliament and our present English Interest there! And so may serve to Act the first part of the intended Tragedy in that Island. The wicked watcheth the Righteous, and seeketh to slay him; but the Lord will not leave him in his hands, nor condemn him when he is judged;

Seventhly, To make it yet more obvious; Many commissioned Officers and Souldiers that declared with them at the first, (when they pretended for this present Parliament, and that justified the Autho­rity of this Parliament against that force and Interrup­tion that was put upon them, are dismounted and dis­placed as not fit for their designe, but demurring their recession from the first Declaration, wherein they owned L. G. L. their Commander in Chief; and yet in their Narrative, p. 10, 11, 12, have they the confidence to front or face it for the service of the Parliament, and, p. 12. That they laid aside onely such as opposed the Parliament, or else of whose not acting against the Parliament they could not be satis­fied; [Page 7] that is, as to perpetrate their Designe, & to Act with them upon a hazard, or at an Adventure, as to what they would have done. For the Honourable Commissioners of Parliament themselves might have had their Liberty after all, if they would have en­gaged to them and acted with them in their Designs, which (they declining) set some on fire upon an un­just impeaching and devising a charge against them, according to that dangerous Maxime, That bad Acti­ons must be ever secon ded with worse, and better never begin then not carry on, what ever it cost them: the truth is as the prophet complained, he that departeth from iniquity maketh himself a PREY, whilest the vilest of men and of the most debauched practises are promoted by them, both Officers and Souldiers, who serve their turns best: and the wick­ed will walk on every side, when the vilest men are ex­alted.

Eighthly, 8 Listiog Pa­pists after the Parliament sat again. This will yet appear more evidently or suspitiously, by their raising of men anew, in listing the very Papists, and other Forces after they knew the Parliament were sitting, without regarding their direction; posting up Papers in publick places at Du­blin, to invite all that would to come in and list, and they should have pay, but that none who were listed by L. G. L. should have pay with the rest of the Soul­diers without further Orders; And not onely in receiving Irish Rebels and PAPISTS, and listing them, but in casheering those that would not own a Free Parliament: All this too when all things were in a very quiet, serene and peaceable posture in Ireland.

Ninthly, 9 Summon­ing a kinde of Parliament by their Arbitia­ry power. Their summoning a Convention, to doe the work of a Parliament, to raise them monies in a way of Loan, Preparing the Elections with Persons [Page 8] most propense and responsable to their ends, who are Elected, and in a readinesse to sit when they please; nor hath their present Council, or Committee of Safety, whereof Sr. J. Barry holds the Chair a much better Aspect, witnesse his speech so full of asperity and reflection upon this present Parliament; But that the Interruption of the Parliament might be no longer a cover upon this Conspiracy, some are rea­dy to prove the Plot was laid before the Parliament was interrupted, though executed after, and with more applause.

Tenthly, 10 Declaring for themselves and that they will stand up­on their own Leggs. They have (a many of them) openly de­clared, that if their application to this Parliament prove not propitious to their desires and designes, they will, as they are a distinct Island, keep up an Interest distinct from England, and stand upon their own Legs, (as they say) deeming themselves able to subsist without a dependance upon this Nation; and seeing the Ports are all their own, they the less fear, or value England, who can have no landing place, but by their permission and leave.

Eleventhly, 11 Striking at the power of godlinesse in all under the Notion of A­nal aptists and Sectaries. This conspiracy strikes at the very Pow­er of Godliness in all judgements whom they brand with the name of Anabaptists! is too notorious, dis­mounting Officers and Souldiers meerly for their Religion. The people of God, whether Presbyteri­ans, Independants, or others are generally threaten­ed, some with Death, and others with Exile! God­ly Ministers some imprisoned (and yet no Anabap­tists) some put out of the Publick, and exploded E­piscopalians placed in their roomes. A Souldier coming to the Ministers house of Castle Dermond ran his pike at him, and called him Anabaptist, told him that he would have his coat off his back short­ly: [Page 9] and had he not withdrawn himselfe (says) the Souldier had killed him at that present, and yet that Minister is no Anabaptist, but Godly and Orthodox. So, that night the Castle was surprised, they made their Bonfires, and threatning to fire divers habita­tions of Godly men, cast up their sticks with fire upon their houses, threatening to burn them to the very ground, and at their Bonfires, as they drank healths to C. Stuart so also to the confusion of all the Anabaptists (accounting Presbyterians and all such) reputing those Anabaptists that pray in their Families.

Twelfthly, 12 Threaten­ing the Estates of all late Ad­venturers. The Adventurers lands, are all threat­ned, and they in hopes to divide againe by lot, upon a new Adventure, on what they injoy; They say, there will be enough to pay their Armies bravely, when those lands lie all sequestred to their use and service; and when the whole land lies before them; some of them have said, the Adventurers estates shall pay for it, as well as the Souldiers lands allot­ted for Arrears, whom they call (in contempt) the New English; and wish that their throats were all cut. Whereby all men may see how much they are con­cerned in this Irish conspiracy, and how preliminary it is (if the Almighty prevent us not with mercies) to another Rebellion! But because the Lord has as precious People in that Nation as any are in the whole World, dear to him and in Covenant with him! Sound in the Faith! And sanctified through the Truth! We would yet hope! yet he will not give their increase to the caterpillars, and their labour to the Locust; yea that they shall not build and a­nother inhabit! They shall not plant and another eat! They shall not labour in vaine, nor bring forth for trouble: For they are the seed of the Blessed of [Page 10] the Lord, and their off-spring with them.

This Succinct Representation of the Irish Affaires and our fears, not without some preponderation, suspiring affections, weeping eyes, and aking hearts, over hundreds of families (in that almost lost Island) did we humbly intend to tender to the Parliaments service and consideration, before the bridge be quite drawn up, or it be too late. In which, as (we know) we have the eyes of many upon us, so the hearts and prayers of many with us, of the faithfull of the land, who labour with the Lord (day and night) with sighs & groans for deliverance! that our most worthy and renowned Patriots in Parliament, might recover a dying Nation! Secure our Rights and just Liberties, from the invasion of others, and of opposite interests; (who are prompted by lust and ambition)! Preserve our lives, lands and families from these Arbitary foundations and excentrick Act­ings, which threaten to devour all at once! Main­taine and countenance us in the power of Godliness and Holiness at the Worship of our God, according to what is revealed unto us in his Word! Which we do (and desire from our very Souls to) make the rule of all our wayes and actings! And give us but an equal encouragement, and being with others (after all our Blood! Travels, (Skulls, Bones of others) ha­zards and expences of our selves) during our peace­able and honest comportment, having never forfeit­ed in the least the claime we make unless our con­stant Adhering to the Parliament hath done it. Where­fore seeing Jehovah himselfe hath founded the earth by WISDOM, and by ƲNDERSTANDING, hath established the Heavens, and without right understand­ing of the state of things there, it is impossible to [Page 11] establish the Peace and Prosperity of that unhappy Na­tion, so proclive and incident (in its very Climate) to turbulent Motions and impetuous fluctuations, we once again cry out for help! All hands! All hearts! And heads to save us! As the Hebrews were saved in the dayes of Mordecai and at the suit of Esther from the malice of Haman, seeing we can say in like manner with Chapter, 7. 4. We are sold, we and our brethren (the Parliaments proved friends) to be destroyed! to be slain! and perish: (if the Lord prevent it not by a decree,) but if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, we had held our tongues (at this time) although the enemy could not have coun­tervailed the damage, to the Parliaments Interests and the Nations.

From the very frontispiece and first aspect of this frightfull conspiracy, it is easie to conjecture with whom they would have striken Tally; and what it is they most ateempted, when they seduced and suborned the desperate Souldiers to sell their own Officers, and sacrifice them to their wills and plea­sures; or that made them ply the Fort of Duncannon with such tempting messages to the poor Souldiers there, to do the like with Lieutenant Generall Lud­low, offering the Souldiers to make them Officers, pay them Arrears, and what not? (for there perfidy) if they would throw their noble Generall over the walls to their armed tyranny; but if not, then they they should be sent to the Barbadoes and the like; yea, with what intentions they have drawn up so disingenuous unworthy and Monstrous charge against that (ever Honourable) Lt. Generall Lud­low, and those worthies of Parliament Commissioners there) whom they have ungratefully traduced, [Page 12] and wronged; yet rather then they will submit to the Parliaments judgement in it, are resolved to RE­BEL right out (for all their Appeale and promise of Acquiescing) as a little time will interpret. Making themselves, the sole Judges, the Accusers, and (if they can) as Arbitrary and irrationall Executioners also, to the astonishment of all judicious Men. Not­withstanding all these Nations know, and the well affected in Ireland will heartily witness it with one voice (as well as the very consciences of their veri­est enemies be forced to confesse) that under the Prudent, the pious and painful Government of these Honourable Patriots, (with a most equall indulging La­titude to ALL, and (without respect to ANY, faction or party) that Land hath enjoyed a very hap­py peace, great blessing and florid settlement for some years together! (blessed be the Lord for it)! and O that we might not sin away all these mercies from us and our posterities! seeing as the Psalmist sayes of a People so planted as we have been, they got not the Land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own Arm save them: but thy right hand and thine Arm, and the light of thy Countenance (O Lord) because thou hadst a favour to them, so that this hope is yet left us, that the same Almighty God will stir up some or other to be nursing Fathers, and look after us.

The truth is, although Ireland is like to prove one of the most difficult, perplexed and intricate pieces the Parliament has to recover, and no Rational man (that knows them) can possibly imagine those Act­ings there consistent with the Parliaments Interest or Cause, yet this is that which renders the Case the more doubtful and deplorable, that they represent it in England (and to the Parliament) as if it were all [Page 13] for them & in their service; And (to keep the Parli­ament as remote as may be from a right understnnding of Affairs simply) they not onely secure such as could best communicate it, but impeach them hainously and indeed impiously, (to put the better colour upon their bad Complexion) and have retained some few with them, and but few indeed, (of a better repute then themselves for principles) to Face their business with, that is backt and brested, heart and headed (yea in a manner wholly Limbed) with as implacable ene­mies and Cavaleers as any the Parliament has. So that the more unintelligibly and inextricably it is held, beheld or represented in England, the more certain is the hazard and ruine of poor Ireland, if the Almighty help not, whereof the Well and Bect Affected People are so generally apprehensive, as since the Rebellion, they never made the like Lamentation; (mourning like Doves, and chattering like Cranes,) chusing ra­ther to be shipt away together into America, (if the Parliament will please to shew them that favour) then be exposed to the Revenge of the Irish there without favour or mercy; For let a Bear robbed of her Whelps meat a man, rather than a fool in his folly! sayes the wise man, They are corupt and speak wicked­ly! Concerning OPRESSION they speak LOF­TILY! They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth!

Nor are we ignorant of what they have said as o­thers have insinuated and printed in this Nation, that the Sectaries (as they call them) are the very Persons against whom they have drawn up the Blackest (if not bloudiest) Bills of Indictment touching the Exe­cution of their quondam King, and of that Constitu­tion of Government. Now albeit we cannot say it [Page 12] [...] [Page 13] [...] [Page 14] is intended by all, yet of this we are sure it is de­signed by some to Remove or Ruine them as an Intro­duction to Charles Stuart and that Government a­gain, which till the Sectaries be down they can ne­ver get up with such Facillity as well as Force and Fallacy. And we wish this were not the Grand In­ducement of others here to destroy them (or rather the Parliaments best Friends by that name) as well as of those in unhappy Ireland, who Contrive and Re­trive it with so much heat, as the most plausible string to play upon. But have respect (O Lord) unto thy Covenant! for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of Cruelty! And however it be, yet God is good to Israel, and to all those who are of an upright heart! He shall judge the poor of the people! he shall save the children of the needy, & shall break in pieces the Oppressor! For the Lord TRYETH THE RIGH­TEOƲS, but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Return! (O Lord) Return, for thy Servants sake! the Tribes of thine Inheritance.