THe Rebellion in Ireland, which brake forth in the year 1641. was in its design so divellisn, in its attempt so sudden, and in its execution so Sanguinary: That neither that evening which to this day infames Sicilly, nor the vast profusion of bloud, about a Centry of years since, made at Paris, do by many degrees come near the inhumanity and deaths by this one action, which is therefore so necessary to be known, as well to those who are not well versed in the Irish affairs, as also those that are hurried away in the torrent of false asseverations, or drawn aside by reason of the spetious pretences of the Irish Party and their Complices, that wee can not think we [Page 2]discharge our duty, if we let not all sober Christians understand by this extract taken from several depositions, upon oath before the Commissioners in that behalf authorized by Com­mission under the great Seal of Ireland. What a meek Religion it is, how constant to that sweet simplicity and innocence, taught and practised by Iesus Christ, and followed in the primitive ages. I say, what a meek Religion it is, that from its own principles, can naturally and without force draw such fierce and bloudy conclusions, and how fit they are to be Members of mankind, much lesse to receive protectionall favor, that implicitly resign themselves to the perpetration of that which the sowers of such wicked seed shall propose unto them.

Yet are we not to suppose, that that fatall erup­tion was so sudden as it appeared, or so unpre­meditated, as not to have been the obstinate and restlesse design of many yeares. Nor yet that the Irish though a people changeable, and suscep­table of commotion) had so much either courage, discretion, and industry, as to have attempted this without strong influences, serious debates, and constant quickenings.See all the depositions under the head for the antiquity of the Plot, be­ing the first head of all. No it is now 25, or 26 years since Hell first breathed out (by means of the Romish Clergy) this cruel machination, and inspired them with an expedient how to destroy Protestantism, first within England, Ireland, and Scotland; and afterwards in what ends of the world soever it, That is to say the sincere word of Sal­vation [Page 3]should bee taught and professed.

But because in the three lands of England, Scot­land, This was confessed by a Frier to one M. George Stoc­dale in the County of Dublin, for which see M. Stoedales second exa­mination in the book of Dublin, he being the 165. depon. and Ireland, it was most generally and prin­cipally observed. It was first projected and re­solved amongst these of the Roman Party, that with the least noise and suspition possible, much Arms, Ammunition, Artillery, Shipping, and great sums of mony (the very sinews of War) with strong numbers of Commanders and Souldiers, should be raised and had in readinesse in Spain, and Italy, for the assaulting and surprising of Ire­land.

To the promoting whereof, great sums of mo­ny were levied at Rome, and divers other parts both of Italy, and Spain, especially amongst their Convents, Colledges, and Religious houses. And because that forreign power and provision might be the more prevalent,See also the dep. of M. Roger Hol­land, Coun. Monoghan both taken about eight years since. & transported with the least opposition. It was further projected and agreed a­mongst these confederates. That all commotions & sedition possible, should be raised by the Priests & Friers (too numerous and powerfull at that time) both in England, Scotland, and Ireland, between the Protestants and the Papists. Whereupon (though too many were there before) yet great swarms of Priests & Friers flew into the same three lands out of Spain, Italy, France, Flanders, and other places. Who were so intent, sollicitous, close, and subtile in their courses, as men long bred & versed therein. That upon their secret and subtile surmises of danger there threatned by the Puritan party (as [Page 4]they call them) to the Protestant party, to their (the Romish) Religion, whose (as they pretended) subversion was their principall aim) much dissen­tion and differences arose and for a long time boil­ed and burned in the breasts of great numbers, some naturally wicked, others (perhaps) onely seduced and surprized, ignorantly following the time and their acquaintances, that on a sudden (af­ter several years spent in broaching and sowing of these jealousies, and in preparing of the other pro­vision) while the harmelesse Protestant thought least, onely hoped to be quiet, there were sent out of Spain a strong fleet of ships fully manned, with great numbers of Commanders, Souldiers and Mariners, and as well fraught and furnished with Artilery, Arms, Amunition, Money and all other necessaries for Warre; all which were de­signed for Ireland: One half to be landed at Kinsale in the South-west, the other half at Kil­labegges in the North. Howbeit a fierce and strong wind carrying them (perforce) past the Coast of Ireland into the Narrow Sea, the Hollanders fell upon them, and as it is well known, sunk many, took divers, yet some escaped.

This plot thus farre (by the great Providence) prevented, the Rebellion could not then begin in Ireland, (as indeed it should have done) had the fleet (as was intended) landed there.

Whereupon afterwards it was further plotted and agreed amongst those Machivillian Factors, of Spain and Rome, and many other Lay-Papists [Page 5]of England, Scotland and Ireland, (all sworn to secresie) and still, (notwithstanding that their high disaster) as much as they could, keeping their former plot and resolution on foot.

That in all those three Lands,See the de­position of M. Thomas Crant of the County of Cavan a­mongst o­thers. the Papists should generally rise up in arms upon one set day, & then to surprise the tower of London in England, the Castle of Edenburgh in Scotland, and the Castle of Dublin in Ireland, with as many more Castles, Forts, Holds and places of strength, as they could possibly feaze upon in all the three Lands. And the better to enable themselves to surprise the Castle and City of Dublin, it was concluded, that twenty Popish Souldiers out of every County of the Land, should (the night before the time appointed for the taking of Dublin,) privately make their addresses to that City, the Suburbs and other places there about, to be in readinesse to assist the taking and spoyling of the same Castle and Citty, and to do execution upon the Protestants, which numbers of men, and many more came thither at the time appointed; a great part whereof crept into the City and Suburbs, the night before; the residue remained about the Ditches, Hedges & ob­scure places there, as fully appeared on the Greens of that Citty the next morning, to the great terror of the honest Citizens. And also because they might not want full strength to perform and bear out their design, they took occasion to make use of another force raised there, upon pretence to be sent to forreign service: some of [Page 6]which they practised, should be brought up to take shipping at Dublin, and thereabout lye in readinesse, and the rest to lye in other parts near the Port towns of Ireland; all to countenance and back the businesse. They taking the advantage of certain Commissions, (all dated about May 1641 granted by the King to severall Commanders, viz. One to Colonell Garret Barrie, another to Colonel Tibbot Taaff. (now Lord Taaff) ano­ther to Col. Iohn Barrie. another to Sir Jeames Dillon (all Irish Papists) for raising & levying for each of these Colonells 1000. menin Ireland, out of those men formerly raised in that land by the Earl of Strafford, and then lately disbanded. The same Commissions purporting, that they should be transported for the service of any Forreign Prince in Amitie with the King, the rather to free Ireland of them.

These Commissions were in Iuly afterwards, (which was about three moneths before the breaking out of the Rebellion) brought over and delivered by these Colonels to the Lord Justices, and Councel of Ireland, whereupon four thou­sand of the disbanded souldiers aforesaid were raised, one Regiment whereof under the comand of the said Colonel Iohn Barrie was brought to the parts near Dublin, the rest to other Ports of Ireland, and there (for a seeming defect of transportation and provision) they hanckered and stayed for a good time, yet seeming daily to pre­pare, but the Irish Popish Knights and other Bur­gesses [Page 7]of the Parliament, (finding the Lord Justices and Councel forward to send them a­way) moved extreamly in the Parliament House, that they might not go out of the Land till the Kings pleasure should be further known.

The Lord Justices and Councel being thus ex­treamly importuned by the Parliament (then grown strong in Irish) were drawn to write into England, signifying the Parliaments earnest desire therein, yet gave no impediment to the going of those Regiments, who in truth were sufficiently retarded by the vehement labour of Priests and Jesuites, and some of the Parliament Papists a­mongst those Commanders, so as they continued there (for the most part) till the Rebellion brake out. And then perceiving their plot for surpri­zing of Dublin to be prevented,Many Irish and other stangers hovered in England and London, and the Suburbs the same time, as I have been credibly in­formed. they and all those before mentioned, which came out of all the Counties, as aforesaid, unto, and about Dublin, dispersed, and afterward became dexterous and ready actors in the insuing rebellion.

And although by divine providence this Plot were prevented in England, and Scotland, yet how it began and took effect in Ireland, is too well known to those many eye witnesses who were inhumanly turned out of their estates, and expo­sed to all the miseries of cold, wet, and hunger, if not (for increase of their miseries) sharply wound­ed and maimed; and was too well felt by others, whose lives were torn and rent from them in this day of visitation, appearing by the numerous exa­minations.

And before I make mention of the other things which you shall find in the ensuing tract, give me leave to say somewhat of that, delivered upon Oath by that Reverend and learned Preacher Henry Iones Doctor in Divinity (as he heard it ex­pressed and confessed unto him by two Friers) Who relateth,See the exa­mination of Dr. Henry Iones, Com. Dublin 337. dep. that howsoever the first breaking out of the fire of this rebellion into a flame began but the 23 of October 1641. yet was it smoaking many years before. God having given many glimpses for the discovery of it, had they been du­ly considered or prosecuted, to a discovery.

For first, about three or four years before the Rebellion began to break out (amongst many pro­hibited books brought into the City of Limerick from forreign parts, and seized on by the Reve­rend man Doctour Web then Bishop there) amongst the rest one was framed as an addition to the first part, which was printed conteining a discourse of the Friers of the Augustine Order, sometime seat­ed in the Town of Armagh in Vlster, but by rea­son of the times, at that present resident, (as the writing imported) in the City of Limerick in Mun­ster, that whilest that Convent flourished at Ar­magh, it was protected and largely provided for by the then Earl of Tirone; since whose expulsion out of Ireland, that Convent was also decayed, and driven to those distresses it did for the pre­sent complain to undergo: yet that within three years Ireland should find, that the said Earl had a son, inheriting his fathers virtues, who should re­store [Page 9]that Kingdome to its former liberty, and that Covent to its first Lustre.

About the same time a Popish Priest at Lime­rick aforesaid gave out that within three years there should not be a Protestant in Ireland.

About the same time also one Walter Newgent of Rathaspick in the County of Meath Gentleman, son to Walter Newgent Esquire (a man of good fortunes) upbraiding an Irish Protestant who was a Parish Clark, with his Religion, and both speak­ing Latine, the said Newgent uttered these words, Infra tres annos veniunt tempus & potentiâ in Hi­bernia quando tu longe (likely meaning diu) pen­debis in cruce propter Diabolicam Vestram Religio­nem. The party to which this was spoken (fearing the power of the man) durst not speak of it, onely in private, but being examined judicially, deposed the same.

About the same time, near the Naas about 12 miles from Dublin, a Papist Priest newly arri­ved out of Flanders, enformed the Lord Deputy Strafford of an intercourse of Letters, between the young Earle of Tirone with others in Flanders, and the then Popish Primate of Armagh, Rely, concern­ing an invasion within a short time intended upon Ireland. The Priest offering (so his person might be secured) to direct such as should be there­unto appointed to the place, where the letters lay in the Custody of the said Rely: Rely was there­upon sent for together with the Popish Vicar generall of Armagh, both were committed to [Page 10]the Castle of Dublin, but soon after released, and the informer dismissed with ten pounds, a suit of clothes and some other reward. Thus far Doctor Iones.

It appeareth also by the examinations that many other informations were given of an intended Re­bellion to the said Lord of Strafford, and to Sir George Radcliffe Knight, severall years before it brake out from severall parts of Ireland.

For we find it proved that about April, See Dr. Maxwells dep. Coun. Armagh. 1638. one Priest Mac-Casy, came from Rome with the Popes Bull for the Parish of Tinon, and being kept out by Sir Phelim ô Neal, he talked freely of a Rebellion plotted and intended by Sir Phelim and others, and told the then Lord Deputy Strafford thereof at Dublin.

One Mr. Richard Parsons a Minister,See Mr. Ri­chard Par­sons dep. Coun. Cavan. was told by four severall persons of credit (which he namelth) three years and above before the Re­bellion, that the plot for the intended Rebellion was discovered to the then Lord Deputy (which was the Lord of Strafford) by one that was ser­vant to Sir Phelim ô Neal, and that thereupon the Popish titularie Primate of Ireland, was ap­prehended and imprisoned at Dublin, but after­wards procured favour to be enlarged, so as he heard no further enquiry made after it, untill the fire thereof brake out into a flame, which other­wise might have been prevented, and thereby the lives of many poor innocent people saved, that were murthered and taken away, besides the common [Page 11]calamitie, wasting and depopulating of the Land prevented.

And it is much to be presumed,James Stew­art Coun. Cavan. that the Irish had too much influence from the Lord of Straf­ford, for that some of them divulged, that one cause of their insurrection, was the cutting off of the Lord Lieutenant, protesting that such as were Britanes should pay for it.

Another instance thereof is,Mr. George Creichtoun Coun. Cavan. that one Mr. John Bellowe being sent by the house of Commons of Ireland to prosecute the Earl of Strafford in the Parliament of England, and telling the busi­ness to the Earl of Niddesdale, that Earl migh­tily diswaded him with these words, If he be ta­ken away our Ctholique Religion cannot stand, for the case is so with us now, that if he live, we hope to do well, if he miscarry we are all undone.

Another instance hereof we have from one Mirs. Champin, Alice Cham­pin Coun. Fermanagh. who (having been robbed of a ve­ry great estate, and her husband and many others in her house murthered, the Rebels tould her that the Earl of Strafford was the Plotter of that their rising, and that if the said Earl had been li­ving, they should not have had so much trouble in vanquishing of Ireland, as they had.

Another hint we have both of the antiquity of the Plot for the Rebellion, and of somewhat concerning the Earl of Strafford, and the Lord of Derries knowing of it, which is this;Roger Hol­land Coun. Monoghan.

One Mr. Roger Holland an English Gentleman of good value (after he was robbed of a good [Page 12]estate by the Irish) fled towards Dublin, and comming to the Newry, and Carlingford, was in both places in company with Colonel Richard Plunket, Note that this was in the begin­ning of the Rebellion, 1641. (a notable active Rebel) who there told him and many others, that the said plot had been for seventeen years then past in contriving, and that Frier Melone and himself, and one of the Lord Trimblestons sons (another Frier) with many others of the Nobility of the Palle, and in the North knew of it a long time, but that some others of the Nobles knew not of it till of late, and as for Sir Phelim ô Neal, he made no account (as he said) but for all Ireland to be his own and the others of his party, for that was their in­tent, and for all Puritans and Protestants they should all suffer, but such as should goe to Mass, and but few of them should be left, but those that knew of the aforesaid plot, which was part­ly the Bishop of Derry, for whom they daily wished, for he was the onely man of the English which they loved best. And that if they had him, he should take no hurt. And heartily wished that the late Lord Lieutenant were alive, for if he had lived, they had lived well enough, and would have had all the strength in the Kingdome. And that he knew very well of their plot, which was the cause for removing the pieces of Ordnance out of the North.

Some other canses are mentioned for remove­ing of the Artilerie out of the North, and other places, which are but foul Symptomes of any [Page 13]care his Lordship took of the safety of the Eng­lish there, but for those, I leave you to the ex­aminations themselves.

I think these instances may satisfie any judi­tious and impartial man, that this plot is not of any late conception or contrivance, as the Irish Papists and some others of their faction, would wrest it unto: Which is, That the beginning and occasion of it, was but taken from a pretended knowledge, or feigned information they had; That this present Parliament of England had de­creed to destroy all the Papists, both of England, Scotland and Ireland, which was and is a pretence as vain, as they shameless in broaching it. But it is a custome amongst the Disciples of Sathan, (no lesse frequent than subtile) never to act any thing of high concernment, and specially to put nothing in execution, without knowing first how to palliate and excuse it, by some seeming and more than ordinary necessity. And who so fit to contrive a second, when the first plot and excuse would rather amaze and deterre the multitude with home they were to deal, than engage their faith therein, than that old wilie Serpent and lyar from the beginning, and the Romish locusts, his accomplished Artists, who contrived a way, and in shew a cause of necessity for a sudden in­surrection of the Irish against the English and Protestants, as it were for saving of their own throats from a present pretended conspiracy a­gainst them, made by the English. And there­fore [Page 14]not to rely solely upon their own or the forreign strength they expected to resist it. It was then further resolved and agreed on amongst them, That howsoever the ground-work of this Rebellion was laid very many years since,Dr. Henry Jones Com. Dublin. (as they had done the like in several former ages) yet would they not have it so to seem. But new occasion must be found as the sole cause of their breaking out.

The fittest means for this, (as they concei­ved) was to cast Aspersions upon the Sate and present government, which (if longer tolerated) would (as they gave out) prove extreamly danger­ous, not onely to their Religion, but to their Lives and posterity; For effecting where of re­ports were cast out, that in the Parliament of England, the cutting off of al the Papists in Ireland of what degree soever was concluded on; and the execution of that resolution commited to the Councel of Ireland. Who (say they) appoint­ed a day for this work, being the 23 of Novem­ber then next following 1641. That for the bet­ter, more sure, and secret managing of this pre­tended plot, such of the popish Nobility and gen­try of both houses, as appeared in Parliament at Dublin, should be secured, (no such thing being so much as thought on by that State) and for the drawing together the rest, (amongst other pretences) This is alledged to be one, that the Kings-Rents were purposely omitted, and not cal­led upon in Easter-Term with that earnestness [Page 15]as formerly. And that such as made default should be summoned to appear in Michaelmas Term in Dublin, and there surprised. Whereby such of them as should then remain in the coun­tries (wanting their Heads) might be (as they said) easily cut off. They said this present plot was (I know not how) discovered unto them, so that for the safety of their lives and professions, they were enforced to stand upon their guard, and to counter-work that day of the 23 of No­vember, by their declaring and rising themselves in Arms on the 23 of October, a moneth before. The time drawing near for putting their design in execution, there was a great meeting appoint­ed, of the heads of the Romish Clergie, and o­ther Lay-men of their faction, at the Abbey of Multifarnam in the County of Westmeath, where was a Covent of Franciscan Friers. This meeting happened accordingly, not long before the time of the breaking out of their Rebelion, where the business then in question was, what course should be taken with the English, and all others that were found in the whole Kingdom to be Protestants. The Councel was therein devided, some were for their banishment, without attempting on their lives. Others urged a necessity of cutting off them and theirs, and that a generall Massacre were the safest and readiest way to free the Kingdom of all fears and dangers; Others moved a mean way, neither to dismisse nor kill, yet those that most favoured them concluded that they should [Page 16]be all robbed and stripped, and according to this do we find the event and course of their proceed­ings. For in some places, they were generally put to the sword, some restrained their persons, others (after a time) dismissed their prisoners, first having spoyled them of their goods, and ex­posed them to cold and famine, they that way pe­rished by the worst death of all. And because no necessarie thing fit for so gracious a Common­wealth should be left unsetled: These mighty Counsellors (consisting for the most part of ancient English Papists) discoursed to establish certain rules or laws for the Civil or Martial government of the Land, concluding that from thenceforth no Protestant at all, should either rule, or have any being there. They also con­cluded, that when they should have setled the Land, they would send thirty thousand men into England, to joyn with the Spanish and other for­ces, and then joyntly to fall upon Scotland, for re­ducing both those Lands to the obedience of the Pope, which being finished, they had enga­ged themselves to the King of Spain, for assist­ing him against the Hollanders, and giving their Rebellion (as they tearm it) its due correction.

We find also that after these Priests and Friers had layd their first Plot, they committed and communicated the secrets of it to some of the Nobility, a good time after to some more of them, last of all to the Popish gentry of best value, (upon oaths of secresy) and to live and [Page 17]die with them in the quarrel, and for a long time before the Rebellion, as well the powerful ones (who knew of the plot) as the rest of the Pa­pists, by command and direction of their Popish Priests and Friers, were observed in all parts of the Land to keep many strict Fasts, and many of the meaner sort being asked why they fasted so very often, their answers were, they knew not, but their holy Fathers told them, there was a good and great work, for the prosperity whereof, they must use much fasting and prayer.

One day of their humiliation and praying, being the more remarkable, because generally perform­ed by them in all places. The publick prayer of all their Priests and Friers then being, that God would give a blessing to the great design in hand, & drawing near, and that he would vouchsafe ability unto them thorowly to effect the same. This drew the Common people into a unanimous expectation & strong resolution to prosecute the same, when they should discover to what end their said Ghost­ly-Fathers had engaged their zeal. And although the times of their humiliatiō & prayer were much observed by the English and Protestants, yet they harboured not the due suspic on which the demea­nors of the other party required, because (indeed) the Protestants imagined the Papists thereby poin­ted at, & meant the endeavors of the Irish Comis­sioners then in England, in pursuit of those graces & great bounties they afterward obteined frō the King, & brought over with thē. And noted it is, that [Page 18]this so strict humilliation and praying was not onely in Ireland, but frequently observed by many of the Papists in England. The Popes Nuncio di­rected the like fast to be then in England, as appears by the De­claration of the Parliament. And yet to the vulgar sort of people therof was not discovered, only their Ghostly-Fathers, their Priests, and Friers (to in­crease and inflame their devotion) gave them a hint, that strict fasting and diligent fervent prayers, must be performed by all Romish Ca­tholiques (as they call them) for the prosperity of a great design they had in hand. And here I can­not pass by, but must tender to your consideratiō, a Letter found at Preston in Lanca-shire, written by a Papist to one Mr. Westhy a Doctor in Phisick of the same Religion. Whereby he was not onely enjoined alone, but also to stir up the zeal and af­fection of others (Papists) to observe a strict con­stant fast, and praying for the prosperity of the Queens good intentions, which by the opinions of the Judicious, was meant nothing else, than the Plot above mentioned.

But lest I should prove deficient in relating some part of the plot of these incarnate Divels, above mentioned, I shall desire you to take along with you this known truth.See all the depositions under this Head. That their design likewise was, not to spare any of the English race, that were Protestants (as in the severall Rebelli­ons before they had likewise resolved to do.) And that they would deprive of life all irrationall creatures of the English breed, as horses, cattell, sheep, swine, & even very cats and dogs. They also designed to annull and destroy all the Laws, Cus­tomes, [Page 19]Civillity, Manners and Apparell of the English; to deface and spoil all their Churches, and all Monuments, Records, Charters, Writings, any way relating thereto; and either to seize, or deface all Forts, Castles, Holds, Houses, Towns, and all things whatsoever either erected by, held, or belonging unto the English & other Protestants, or otherwise tending to civility. And lastly, to abolish and abjure all English rule, dominion, Magistracy, and government whatsoever.

But some may say, I stay too long in relating their agreements and damned confederacy, before I come to their actions. 'Tis true I do, considering the worst of their actions are over, otherwise if the execution could not have taken effect, untill I had ended the relation of their plot, I should choose to be writing thereof, Vsque ad necem.

But the day limited for the beginning their blou­dy Massacre, viz. the 23 of October 1641. came, and then upon a sudden, when the innocent hears of the Protestant English, seemed to assume to themselves full security. These barbarous peo­ple like Lions, or Tigars, generally fell upon them all, in all the Counties of the Province of Vl­ster, and in some other Counties of that Land, as in some parts of the Provinces of Lemster and Con­naght, and there committed the unheard of and savage cruelties mentioned in the same examinati­ons, some persons onely (which indeed are so few, that hardly one of forty) by strange means [Page 20]or rare convoys,See the dep. under the Head cont cerning mur­thers crucl­tie, &c. escaped to Dublin or other Gar­risons there to recount their miseries: From which small number indeed we gathered the ac­count we have of the miserable sufferings of themselves and the rest. But howsoever many of the Protestants of the Province of Vlster and other parts, were murthered or spoiled at the very first: yet because the Lord Macquire, Mr. Maghan, and the rest of that bloudy crew, had failed in the ta­king of Dublin City and Castle, (which indeed took them) by occasion of that happy discovery at the very instant, made by Mr. Owen Connelly, unto whom many thousands of us (next unto God) stand engaged for no lesse than our lives.

Therefore the Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, and others of the Papists, of the Palle (being old English, and as deep in the confederacy as any of the meer Irish) were astonished, and for the pre­sent at a stand. And although they had strong wills and affections, (according to their bloudy Covenant) to second and join with the Northern Irish in their depredations, spoiling, and massa­cring of the English Protestants, yet were they deterred to shew themselves in action with o­ther confederates, untill they had gained some fur­ther experience, what the successe might be.

In the mean time because they would encroach, and gain (as much as possibly they could) upon the Lords, Justices, and Privy-Councel of that land, (who then had not their Loyalties in suspiti­on, knowing them to be so well setled and enrich­ed [Page 21]as they were.) They (in a fawning manner ap­ply themselves to that Counsel,This is and wil be justi­fied by all the then Privye Councel of Ireland, and I knew it my self to be true. seeming much to condole the begun Rebellion, and bloudy acts committed by the Irish, and withall protest­ing their harbouring of great fears, that they them­selves should be spoiled and perish by them, un­lesse the Councel would afford them some Arms and Ammunition. Omitting none of the greatest vows, that they were loyal and true to the State, and would (as formerly their Ance­stors had done) adventure their fortunes and lives with them and the English Protestants, and with them either live or perish: upon which carnest protestations, the Councel (being in that tickle time unwilling to stir jealousies in them) furni­shed many of the chief of those Palle-men with some quantities of Arms and Ammunition, for guarding of their houses, & after assigned them Arms for 300 men, for the guarding and defend­ing of the County of Dublin, with the like pro­portion of Arms, to raise men for the defending of Meath, Lowth, Kildare, and West-Meath, be­ing the five shires of the Palle, and all inhabited with old English, intending therewith they should resist any further Northern incursion. But on the contrary, by their underhand bringing in the Irish, they shortly after cut off some companies of newly banded English, sent from Dublin to­ward the relief of Droghedah, which was done in that (ever accounted) the most civill part of the Palle. Then did the Papists of the Palle esteem [Page 22]it their time to break all faith and go into open re­bellion, wherein they joined with the meer bar­barous bloud-suckers of the North, turning the Arms, and Ammunition against those, from whom so fraudulently they obtained them.D. Ro. Max­wel County Armagh. And then who more barbarous and sierce than they, for then they told that bloud-thirsty (yet cowardly) Rebell Sir Phelim ô Neal, that there was neither room enough nor safety either for him or them so long as any of the Protestants were alive.

This wicked force (so united) encreasing their pride, malice, and envy; their rage, and force; out of England, (to represse them) not comming, but being retarded, they fell upon the remaining Protestants that were not murthered, nor esca­ped, and cut off many of them, stripped and rob­bed all the rest. This also gave further encourage­ment to all other Irish and old English Papists of Connaght, and Munster to prosecute the former de­sign and agreement for spoiling the English Pro­testants, within those two Provinces, so as none es­caped robbing and stripping, many extreamly tor­tured, and very many suffered death. And although you may amongst the Examinations at large (when they are printed) find out the true relations of nu­merous, various, and most strange tortures & mur­thers, such (as I am confident) cannot be parallel'd by story, in any former age or Country, where no manner of provocation can truly be alledged to be given, but rather all invitations of love: Yet the more to move you to read thē at large. I shall give [Page 23]you some short touches of a few of them, as they stand proved by testimony of witnesses upon oath.

First you may see what vast numbers (after robbing and stripping naked) were murthered and perished, many by the swōrd,See all the depositions under the Head for murthers and cruel­ties. many by han­ging drowning, strangling, burning, in Chur­ches, houses, and other places, many buried quick, some baited and worried with dogs, some stoned to death, some thrown into boiling water, some roasted at the fire, some their bowels go­red through their fundaments, some their bellies ripped up and their bowels pulled out, the skuls of some broken by twisting ropes and withes about their heads, some having their backs, arms, thighes and leggs broken, and cut off, others most miserably wounded, slashed and gored, and so left to languish, freez, and starve in their blouds; some hanged up by the hair of their heads; little Children deprived of fathers and mo­thers, crying, mourning, and famishing by their dead bodies; some poor infants rather drawing than sucking their dead mothers brests; none help­ing, none relieving, and none putting them out of their pain; but as they lay gasping upon the earth, suffering doggs, swine, and other raven­ous creatures, to put an end to their miseries by devouring of them.

There may you find many, whose backs, leggs, or thighs, being broken, and so disabled to stir, lying in the fields, and having like beasts eaten [Page 24]all the grasse round about them, would after two or three days, desire the Irish (comming to rejoice and glory over their miseries) to kill and put them out of their pain; if they granted this cour­tesie, it was rare, to some it was denied, onely they would change their pasture in carrying them where more grass was, not so much to feed or re­lieve them, as to prolong their pining misery. A cruell mercy!

There you may find the Irish which were ser­vants, insulting, robbing, torturing, wounding, and reviling their English late Masters, who fed them from their infancies.

There may you find poor women hanging by their necks, and their children also about their necks, some at their girdles, and (in scorn) dogs and cats hanging up with them.

There you may find many poor Christian Pro­testāts forced through holes under the ice, & there drowned; and many pursued and pricked forward with pikes so far into the Sea, and others into other waters where that they were also drowned; & many as they swam to the shore knocked on the heads, and run through with pikes, and so turned into the water again and drowned.

There you may find the demolished houses, Churches, Castles, and other buildings lie full of dead-slaughtered bodies of Protestants unburied, and those that were covered with earth, had (for the most part) old banks pulled upon them in dit­ches, [Page 25]others lay stinking above ground infecting the air, except such as doggs and ravenous crea­tures devoured.

There may you find poor harmlesse little chil­dren wounded, and then hanged up by the flesh up­on tenter-hooks.

There shall you find a poor Christian Prote­stant brought in naked laid upon a board, and the I­rish insulting, after dinner drawing their swords, and at every healths drinking giving him a gash or wound (but not mortall) untill his whole body becommeth as it were one generall wound, and thereafter they cast him upon a Dung-hill, there to die partly of his wounds and partly of famine, none daring to relieve him.

There may be found how the savage Irish took a wooden prick or broach, and thrust it up into the fundament of a Protestant, and then after draw him about the room with a joint stoole to force the broach, untill with extream pain, he ei­ther fainted or gave content to the spectators, by some notable skips and frisks.

There may you find, a poor Protestant surpri­zed and (after stripping) his belly ripped up till they came to his small guts, one end whereof they tied to a branch of a tree, and then forced him to turn round the tree till all his bowells were pulled out. The cruel Monsters then saying, they would then try, whether his guts or a dogs were longer.

Other incredible barbarous acts of their graceles Children you may find: As their going abroad in [Page 26]great troops, armed with long wattles and whips, wherewith they would beat mens bodies about their privy-members, untill they beat or rather threshed them off. And then returning with great joy to their Parents, were by them received for such service, as if it were in triumph. And where they found any slain women being with their fa­ces downward, those they would turn upon their backs, and in great flocks resort unto them; Cen­suring all parts of their bodies but especially such as are not to be named, which afterwards they abused so many ways as chast ears would by no means hear.

There you may find, their manner of shutting up in houses, and Churches severall great num­bers of Protestants: And those being strongly guarded and kept in, had those Churches and hou­ses burned over their heads, and all they consu­med in the flame.

There you may find, the bloudy butchers in a Church dissecting and quartering the father and the son, and then throwing their quarters at the head of the much wounded mother.

There you may find some proper Gentlewo­men hanged up by the hair of their heads in a tree a whole night and the next morning cut down, and life being found in them killed outright.

There you may find three poor Protestant children (whose Parents were murthered) strip­ped naked, and turned out of their late fathers house, and sheltering themselves in an Oven from [Page 27]the cold, fire was put after them, and there burned by the mercilesse wretches.

A great bellied woman with her little chil­dren, flying away to save their lives, she by the fright and hast was suddenly delivered of a Child, which the pursuers doggs eat up and devoured, those villains there killing the Woman and the o­ther Children.

Severall Gentlewomens bellies ript up, when great with Child, their children ripped up out of their wombs, and in that posture some hanged up.

Some poor Gentlewomen in child-birth drow­ned their children half born.

Young children tossed upon the Rebels pikes, who gloried in their destruction.

Two Gentlewomen the daughters of a very a­ged decrepit father (all stripped naked) enforced to support their said father under each arm, to a bog pit of water, where they were all drowned to­gether.

The wife enforced to kill the husband, the son the mother, the daughter to kill the brother, and still the Rebels to kill the last bloud-shedder.

There may you find very many Ministers, some drowned, some their heads and hands cut off, as they were upon their knees, praying before death, some hanged, some smothered, some drawn to death at horses tails, some tortured, fa­mished, put to the sword, and others by various ways of torment cruelly brought to death.

There you may find, some Protestants (whom the blondy Assassinats found to be fat and corpu­lent murthered, and Candles made of their grease.

A good professour of Gods truth was set and rammed upright in the earth all but the very head, to pine and starve, till Crows and Ravens picked out his eys, and ravenous creatures devoured him.

Great numbers buried quick, and one so intu­mulated, or kept in the earth with weight of stones and rubbish, that he cried out there a long time, his wife being lame, wounded and not able to help him out, yet scraped to his face, and to terminate his dolour (which she could not help) tied a handkerchiff over his mouth, and so stop­ped his breath.

Very many good Protestants there were, some of which had the soals of their feet fried against the-fire, some affrighted with a block and a hat­chet, some drawn in a rope up and down the wa­ter, some half hanged and letten down, some kept in the stocks till they rotted, many others cruelly tortured to confesse their moneys, oftentimes when they had none left.

Many stript naked and imprisoned, there fa­mished and starved, those that survived enduring hardship and miseries unspeakable.

In finite numbers of Protestants (after fair quar­ter promised, and sworn to be given them) mur­thered by heaps in most lamentable and inhuman manner.

The carcases and bones of many formerly de­ceased, worthy Christians, digged out of their graves, some cast into ditches, some upon dung­hils, others upon hedges, banks, fields and open places, deprived of such buriall as was denyed to the late slaughtred English, the Rebels rejoycing to behold the bodies of the English in that condi­tion, especially the Ministers, and the greatest professours of Gods truth. Which Carkases (as is here proved) these Barbarians cast out like Car­rion, or as the dead bodies of Doggs, or Swine, thereby shewing what base esteem they had of them. And here this hellish crew do greatly in­sult, and rejoyce at the deaths of the Lords Wit­nesses. Expressing such their joy by sending guifts and presents one to another, as if they had received some great benefit, or had heard the most com­fortable news. The like things made the Holy Ghost say, The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat for the fowls of Heaven, and the flesh of the Saints unto the beasts of the earth.

I have here particularized but a very few of the barbarous cruelties, tortures, murthers and massacres exercised upon the Protestants, and Brittish; most, because Protestants, some, because Brittish, though Papists. All, because Brittish. The wicked and causeless quarrel of the present Rebels, being as. well Nationall, and Personall, as their pretended Religion. But these few may (I believe) induce you to read over the rest. The which because you may with the more facility [Page 30]find out, I have drawn severall heads of all their Plots, Designes, and actions, and of the sufferings of the English and other Protestants, under each of which heads you shall find the names of the several Deponents or witnesses, proving the parti­culars of the things contained, and concerned in the same; together with the places and Counties where those Witnesses had residence.

The Books of examinations being divided into Counties, and those Counties into the severall Provinces, of Vlster, Lemster, Connaght, and Mun­ster. Wherein, by the way you may observe, that as this last Plot was chiefly at the first layd by the Romish Priests and Friers, so they, (after their fury was made visible to the world) were the main actors, and bloudy executioners of most of the cruelties. Aswel admonishing, as administring the Sacrament to the Souldiers, not to spare, but destroy the English and all Protestants. Amongst which murthers and cruelties, it is to be observed, how the audacious Rebels often fell into high and threatning tearms, sometimes against the High Court of Parliament in England, at other times against the Lords, Justices, and Councel of Ireland, against all Protestants in general, but principally against the English, all which they vowed to de­stroy: and for that purpose to send forces (after they should have subdued and spoiled them in Ire­land) into England, (as is afore mentioned,) with a full resolution, that none should draw breath but such as should acknowledge the Su­premacy [Page 31]of the Pope, and professe the Romish Religion.

And (which is to be much admired) the anci­ent English of the Palle (being Papists) were by the instigation of the Priests and Friers, as much engaged in the Plot, and little lesse in the action, than the meer Irish, and every way as cruell in the execution as they. The truth being, that without their concurrence and partaking, (which both in number, value, and power farre exceed the meer Irish) those meer Irish (neverthelesse their inveterate and scornfull malice, and Brutish inso­lency) never could nor durst have attempted any such thing against the English at this time, but all joyning in confedracie, it was resolved that the the English Protestants should be destroyed, and loose the Land of Ireland; And not so much as any living creature of the latter English race, per­mitted to have a being there. Insomuch as some of our witnesses complain, That the degenerated Palle-English were most cruell amongst the Brit­tish Protestants, never being satisfied with their bloud, untill they had in a manner seen the last drop thereof.

And the more to engage the inferiours of all these confederates in their wicked action, both the meer Irish, and the old English Papists shew­ed in very many places a Parchment Writing with a broad seal thereunto, which they affirmed was a Commission from the King for disarming and destroying the Protestants, and for all that [Page 32]which they the Irish did. And because that none should stand out for want of seeing some autho­rity. The Priests, Friers, and others in two pla­ces (as is proved in imitation) of the said origi­nall Commissions, framed and produced severall writings, purporting to be the Kings Commission, or to that purpose. By occasion whereof, all the rude multitude took further encouragement to execute their own wills, and wreak their cause­lesse malice upon whom they pleased. Wherein they had no little assistance by their women and children. Who (as far as their power extended) were as active in cruelty as the men. So that the malice, strength, and power of them all, was dilated to the full, in the destruction and deaths of the Protestant English, so far, that incredible numbers must needs be cut off. For by the monethly bills brought in by their Priests (as commanded by Sir Phelim ô Neal. It appeareth, that betwixt the beginning of the present Rebellion, and March then next ensuing, there were murthe­red and missing within the very Province of Vlster one hundred fifty four thousand of the British Protestants, which being but one of the four Pro­vinces, what might the numbers of those extend unto of those destroyed in the whole Land.

All which murthers and cruelties the just God will now visit, as hath already in a great mea­sure appeared, (the Lord be praised) both by the great and wonderful victories heretofore gained by our small Armies at the severall battels, first [Page 25]near Wicklo, after at Swords, Finglasse, Kilsalghan, Kikrush, Lisnegarvy, Rockonell, Rosse, Trim, Clancurry, Ballentobber, Liscarrol, Knocknenott, Dunganhill, Dublin, and in severall skirmishes in many parts of the Land, (wherein the Parlia­ments Armies, in respect of their numerous ene­mies were but as handfuls,) besides the taking in and regaining of severall strong Garrisons, by small forces, under the command of that emi­nent and noble Collonel, Jones. Many of which, during the time of the unjust Treaty of peace, betwixt the Marquesse of Ormond and the Irish Rebells, were most wilfully (if not purposely) lost unto, and surprized, by the Irish. And shall we not now look towards Heaven, blesse and praise the Lord of Hosts, for those, and the late glorious victories, which our noble and now brave army, have obtained since, under the com­mand of that most honoured and heroick spirit, the Lievtenant Generall of the Parliaments for­ces of England; and now the fortunate Lord Governour of Ireland, how prosperous, how victorious, how prevalent is he, and all those both Commanders, and Souldiers under his con­duct? Witnesse the winning of the strong Tow­ers of Droghedah, Dundalk, Trim, Arkloe, Wexford, Rosse, Kinsale, Cork, Youghall, Ca­rickfergus. &c.

Besides the taking in and regaining of very many strong Garrisons, by the many skirmishes wherein the Parliaments parties have been still [Page 26]victorious, against the enemies great multi­tudes.

In all which the wonderfull hand of God hath been remarkably seen in strengthning those his faithfull instruments, to execute his just judgements against that bloudy and deceitfull ge­neration, in whose skirts are found much bloud of Innocents.

If Jesuitical or Diobolical polices could have prevented the English forces, or retarded longer their going over with the now Lord Governour of Ireland (without doubt) it would have been done. All things for that end being attempted, that either meer man or the Divell could invent: For when all other shifts evasions, doubts, projects, and wicked inventions could not prevaile, you may take notice what sub­tile and Sophisticall Queres they cast out to dererre the Souldiers from going thither. Under which they have an inference of a supposed pri­mary and most ancient right and interest of the meer Irish, to the Land of Ireland. Thereby (as much as possible) seeming to blemish the true and lawfull interest of the English to that Land; which the most intelligent men know well e­nough, originally to have belonged to the British: and the Irish but a people that came to inhabite there by the permission of the British. But for the better satisfaction of the ingenious reader in that behalf, I refer him to the answer and reso­lution made to those Queres.

I cannot here passe by that Tradition, or rather (as many of the Irish tearm it) a Prophecy which they have (and for a long time have had) amongst themselves,See Mrs. Suzanna Stockdale Com. Dub­lin her se­cond exami­nation. 146. deponent. proved by Mrs. Susanna Stockdale in her deposition, which is, That in the year 1649, the Irish should weep over the English graves, which they had slaughtered. And that those Irish should all then be banished, saving a few which should be kept in vassalage by the English. How true this may prove I know not, nor would I therein engage any mans faith. But sure I am that in all probability, their actions have meri­ted both from God and man, and put them into the high ways of absolute distruction, and fiercest ven­geance which they might the more take into fear, did they but seriously receive into their thoughts what those hideous cries of revenge against their murthers and other fatal meteors, signs,See all the dep. under the head concerning Gods judge­ment, &c. and won­ders in the firmament, the water, earth and fire (which have been seen and known to succeed their bloudy cruelties) do portend; and thereby be the more terrified to expect Gods heavy lay­ing their iniquities on their own heads, the rather in that they have seen those Articles of peace, made at several times by the Marquesse of Or­mond with these Cannibals,See the two severall books of ar­ticles made by the Lord of Ormond. (so distructive to the Protestant sufferers, and their religion) and wherein such large pardons and concessions are gi­ven to the Rebels, have been rendred fruitless, being justly condemned with suitable Anathames.) One of which Articles was that all inquiries, indict­ments, [Page 28]outlaryes, and other proceedings against these Rebels (whereof those examinations were part) should be vacated and extinguished: which I am sure had been done accordingly, to these ex­aminations especially, had they not secretly and on a sudden been convayed away hither; which could not possibly have been done, had not an ho­nest and worthy English Marchant (at my re­quest) closely and covertly passed them away as Marchandize (amongst other of his Goods) at that time, (so full of danger) when neither such things, nor so much as a man must passe over out upon pain of death, without speciall licence. Which all men might rest confident, would not have been granted in that behalf by the then Lieu­tenant the Earl of Ormond. But it pleased God they should be transported to be published to the world. Whereby the justnesse of the War now un­dertaken may be mantained, the deep sufferings of the English and the execrable designs, plots, and act­ions of the most inhuman and cruell Irish Re­bels, may be manifested and left to posterity, and the Common wealth of England now on this so pregnant provocation, and universall conspiracy, resolve (by Gods blessing) to settle a firm assu­rance to all those English that shall hereafter ad­venture to improve the English interest in Ire­land, and at last put it into a case plentifully to retribute to England, for their moneys, deep expences of bloud and treasure. Whereunto (the better to iuduce them) it may be taken [Page 29]into consideration. That in all ages especially, since about the middle of the reign of King Ri­chard the second, after the old English were de­generated, when they could but obtain the least opportunity or advantage, they have in every age raised severall Rebellions, at no time repres­sed, without great trouble and damage to Eng­land, and without any return of profit to Eng­land, except what by the late habitation of the English hath been raised. And which is most remarkable, you shall find in all the stories of those times. That when those unnaturall Re­bels could no longer stand out, then who more humble and full of submissive flatteries than they, but once taken into mercy: which from time to time they obtained from the indulgent English (expecting their reducement.) They thereby onely gained breath, and more concur­rents to invent and act new wayes of supplan­ting, spoiling, and extirpating those that had the most pitty of them. I speak not this that mercy should be denied to whom may be thought worthy of it, yet sure it is, that if for the multi­plied and itterated Rebellions, and inhuman acts of the Irish, the long abused English make a great distruction of them, (which God seems to dictate in the many strange victories) lately granted by him against them. It will come short of Lex talionis: yea, it will be nothing so much as the Irish ever resolved to execute against the true undoubted ancient Proprietors [Page 30]of that Land, the English: which may be the more taken to heart, in that it hath been, and is e­vident, that there can be no safety in cohabitation with them. And there is none into whose hand God puts the sword of vengeance, that can with­out extream contumacy and disobedience deny to execute his divine will.

And now lest this Proeme seem too long, I shall lead the worthy Reader, first to the particular Heads and Charges against these Monsters of men, and to the Heads of other Occurrences interlaced, with them and then to the Examinations them­selves. Which as is promised before (with all possible speed) must be Printed.