A DISCOURSE occasioned upon the late defeat, given to the Archrebels, Tyrone and Odonnell, by the right Honourable the Lord Mountioy, Lord Deputy of Ireland, the 24. of December, 1601. being Christmas Eve: And the yielding up of Kinsale shortly after by Don john to his Lordship: By RALPH BYRCHENSHA Esquire, Controller General of the musters in Ireland. Si Deus nobiscum, quis contra nos? Seen and allowed. LONDON ¶ Printed for M. L. and are to be sold in Saint Dunstan's Churchyard. 1602. ¶ To the Right Honourable L. Charles Blunt, Baron of Mountioy, Captain of the Castles and Forts of Porchmouth, L. Deputy of Ireland, and knight of the most Honourable order of the Garter. BY your Lordships and the rest of the Counsels Letters at Kinsale, bearing date the 27. of Decemb. last, 1601. directed to the right H. the Lord chancellor, and the rest of the privy Council here your Lordship advertised your happy and blessed success (by Gods most gracious providence) obtained over the Archrebels Tyrone, Oddonell, and the rest of the rebels and Spanish invaders, upon Christmas Eve, being the 24. of December: which most famous victory and great hand of the Almighty, I had advertisement the sixth of this present, that 14. Priests of the rebels were dispersed abroad, to persuade and incense the vulgar and common sort, that the rebels & Spaniards received no such loss or damage as your Lordships said Letter delivered: nor as the common brute most confidently conceived and knew to be: by which practice they meant the more sound to hold in and continue their faction. Whereupon I thought it both reasonable, and discourse agreeing to the nature of truth, to make known to the world, that the rebels loss & damage was not less than your Lordships said Letter mentioned, but in higher measure and greater prejudice to them then that Letter expressed: whereby the world may see the falsehood and deceit of these beastly Priests, & the drift of these rebels and traitors to draw unconstant men and wavering subjects to their cursed purposes: I confess I have very coldly & barely handled this subject, and rather dimmed and diminished the worth & dignity thereof, then beautified and adorned the same with matter or method: wherein I humbly beseech your Lordships pardon, as also in my boldness in presuming upon so nice an argument. But pearls and precious stones require no ornaments to set them forth: neither doth the original cause of my writing, need or ask any flourish myself or any other mortal man can make in the same, being a work directed and purposed by the power & strength of jehova, the great God of heaven and earth: and effected & performed by your Lordship's valour and worthiness, being God's instrument appointed for the accomplishment thereof: which are matters more than sufficient in themselves to recommend the cause to the world. And so in all humble manner I will leave my poor labour to your Lordship's Honourable liking and favourable censure, and your Lordship's person to be protected under the blessed wings of the Almighty. From my house in Dublin the 30. of january. 1601. Your Lordship's most humble in all duty and service, Ralph Birchensha ¶ To the Reader, whether counterfeit or dissembling Papists: open or public Recusants: or what kind of Papists soever. BEcause the Subject, whereupon I chief have framed this discourse, aimeth only to lay open the merciful hand of God lately showed to the Queen's most excellent Majesty, and performed by her loyal and faithful Subject the L. MOVNTIOYE, L. Deputy of this Land, against the insolent, traitorous, and rebellious usurpation of Tyrone, Odonnell, and all other open and discovered rebels: And that among other his coloured and shadowed courses for his rebellion, this principally was one: namely, to reform religion, and for his and their conscience sake. Whose religion (if he have any at all, as I assure myself he hath none) is but mere Atheism, and himself a damned slave in hell, without hearty repentance and speedy conversion. And for that the religion whereof he makes outward show & profession, is according to the Romish▪ Church, taught, delivered, and brought hither into this Realm of Ireland from the shambles & slaughter-house of souls, I mean the Church of Rome: and maintained, defended, and earnestly urged by Antichrist the Pope of Rome, that man of sin: and by his fugitives, runagates, and traitorous malcontented subjects of all Princes in Christendom flocking still thither: I mean his Seminaries, jesuits, Priests, and Friars: Who closely creep and steal into this Land in disguised and counterfeited manner: and by whom infinite souls of men have been and are seduced and drawn away from the true worship of God, and obedience of his will, to follow tradition, superstition, and man's invention, to the great danger of their souls, without speedy amendment. In regard whereof, it may please you with patience and in brotherly love and affection: which every faithful and true Christian ought to have, the one with the other, but with a single eye and well disposed heart, consider of these special points ensuing: by which the Church of Rome is made so glorious, and which heads are also so stiffly and stoutly maintained and taught by that side: and then to judge and censure whither the Church of Rome be the true spouse of Christ or no: or whether on the contrary, it be not the false Church, and the apparent sink and synagogue of Satan. First then, whereas the Church of Rome will have their Church to be known to be the true Church, by the visibility, antiquity, and multitude thereof, and so to be seen with the outward eye, and pointed at with the finger: yet you shall find that visibility, antiquity, and multitude are not the marks of the true Church: but a little flock few in number, and yet of greatest antiquity: as by these places forth of God's word may appear. For I pray tell me where the Church was visible, when being assembled at jerusalem, there arose Act. 8. 1. a great persecution against it, insomuch as they were all dispersed and scattered? And let them tell me, where, or how the Church was visible when Christ was smitten, and all the rest was scattered and Matth. 12. 17. hid, and concealed themselves. Doth not S. john in his Revelation Revel. 12. 6. 7. testify expressly, That the Church of Christ, signified there by a woman, fled into a desert or wilderness, where she had a place prepared for her of God, and where she could not for a certain season be found of the persecutors? Where was the Church in the time of Elias the Prophet? When he said, They have forsaken thy covenant, 1 Kings. 19 etc. they have destroyed thine Altar, and slain thy Prophets with the sword, and I am left alone. Again, it is written in the 2. of 2. Kings. 16. Kings the 16. that under the reign of Achas, there was taken a pattern of the Altar of the Idolaters of Damascus, and Urias the High Priest removed the Altar of the Lord. Whereby it appeareth that the Priesthood was corrupted, the Altar removed, and consequently the sacrifice ceased. Now I trust there is no Papist so impudent to say, that either the true Church was in the Scribes and pharisees, or in the time of Achas, Manasses, and many other Kings of Israel, so visible and populous as they would have it: but that the Church of Christ were in that small number, wheresoever dispersed. Secondly, the Church of Rome holds that ignorance is the mother of devotion: but Christ saith ignorance is the mother of error: saying, You err not knowing the Scriptures: and Christ biddeth the Matth. 22. 29. joh. 5. 39 Coloss. 3. 16. Acts. ●7. people to search the Scripture. Paul commanded that the word of God should dwell plenteously in the people, whereby they might teach themselves: and the Berenas examined the Scriptures. Thirdly, the Church of Rome teacheth, that the Scriptures ought to be taught in a strange tongue. Saint Paul saith: He that 1. Cor. 14. speaketh in a strange tongue; speaketh not unto men, but unto God, for no man heareth him, howbeit in the spirit he speaketh secret things. He that speaketh in a strange language edifieth himself. I would that you all spoke strange languages, but rather that you prophesied. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh divers tongues, except he expound it, that the Church may receive edification. And now brethren, if I come unto you speaking divers tongues, what shall it profit you, etc. Moreover, things without life which give a sound, whether it be a Harp or a Pipe, except they make a distinction in the sound, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? So likewise ye by the tongue, except you utter words which have signification, how shall it be understood what is spoken, for you shall speak in the air. Fourthly, the Church of Rome doth teach there is a Purgatory. Christ in the Gospel showeth only two places, namely heaven and hell: Christ said to the thief, This day shalt thou be with me in Luk. 16. Luke. 23. 43. Paradise. Christ saith, Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my words and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, joh. 5. 25. Phil. 1. 2. 3. and cometh not into condemnation, but passeth from death to life. Saint Paul saith, I covet to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Again, For we know, that when this earthly tabernacle of ours is dissolved, we have a building of God not made with hands, but 2. Cor. 5. 1. Revel. 14. 13. eternal in the heavens. Again, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth they rest from their labours, and their works follow them. And Saint Peter telleth the Saints and children 1. Pet. 1. 9 of God, and assureth them of it, That the end of their faith is the salvation of their souls. Fiftly, the Church of Rome teacheth, that since the fall of Adam man hath free-will: Whereas God saith, After that time that the Gen. 6. imaginations of men's hearts are only evil every day. Christ saith, jere. 7. No man can come unto me, except the father draw him. Again, Rom. 3. 10. Convert thou me and I shall be converted. Also, There is not one Heb. 11. 6. that doth good, no not one. Again, Without faith it is unpossible Rom. 14. 23. to please God: And again, Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin: joh. 15. 1, 2. Also, Except men be engrafted into him, they can bring forth no fruits: besides many places to like effect. Sixtly, the Church of Rome delivereth the Sacrament but in one kind, namely bread: Christ saith, Drink ye all of this cup. Paul Matth. 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11. 23. 28. 1. Corinthians 11. 23. 28. saith, Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread, and drink of this cup. Seventhly, the Church of Rome holdeth transubstantiation in the Sacrament, and this they would seem to ground upon these words: This is my body, which they will have to be expounded literally: but why then do they not expound the other words of Christ literally also concerning the cup? For the text saith in the 27. and 28. verses, that He took the cup and said, This is my blood: I am sure they will not say that the cup was the blood of Christ, (as the words be,) but they will grant a figure in those words: namely, that by the cup is meant the wine in it: if then they will admit a figure in this, why may there not be a figure in the other: namely, This is my body, should be understood thus: This bread is a figure of my body, (which was broken for you.) Circumcision was called the Lords covenant, when indeed it was not the covenant: So likewise the Paschall Lamb is called the Passeover, when indeed it was but a sign of the Passeover. Christ saith, Do this in remembrance of me. And Saint Paul saith plainly and expressly, 1. Cor. 11. 26. 28. that the communicants do eat bread: and therefore it remaineth bread after the words of consecration. For if it were transubstantiated into the body of Christ, then were there no bread to eat, but the body of Christ is the thing that should be eaten: but none doth eat the very body of Christ. For if every communicant did eat the very body of Christ naturally, carnally, and really (as they grossly suppose,) Christ should have a number of bodies, which is palpably absurd and monstrous to think. Besides, if Christ gave his body to be eaten really by his Disciples, at the time of the institution of this Sacrament, what was it that did hang upon the cross on the morrow. Moreover, S. Peter saith, Acts 3. 21, that as touching the body of Christ, The heavens must contain him to the end of the world. Eightly, the Church of Rome holdeth the Pope hath authority to depose Kings and Princes. God deposeth the mighty from their seats, and exalteth them of low degree. It is God that testifieth of Luke. 1. Dan. 2. 20. & 4. 14. & 21. 2. Cor. 10. 4. Rom. 13. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Pet. 2. 13. Tit. 3. 1. himself; By me King's reign, and Princes have dominion. Paul confesseth plainly, that the weapons of their warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, that is spiritual. And it is manifest by the practice of the Apostles and all their precepts, (commanding all Christians to obey their rulers, their Kings & Princes, yea though they were persecutors:) & the Apostles never had any such authority committed to them. Christ himself saith, his kingdom was not of joh. 18. 36. joh. 6. 15. Math. 22. 21. this world: and Christ himself refused to be made a King: Christ himself also paid tribute unto Caesar, and commanded others to give the same, and all other duties of subjection and obedience to Caesar. And Christ hath expressly forbidden his Apostles, & in them all the Ministers of his Gospel, all such dominion & civil jurisdiction, saying thus unto them: The Kings of the nations reign over Mat. 20. 25. 26 Mar. 10. 42. 43. them, and they that be great among them bear rule or dominion, but it shall not be so with you. Ninthly, the Pope of Rome holds that he hath power to forgive sinners. But the Scribes, in the Gospel could say, none can forgive Mar. 2. 7. job. 14. 4. Esay. 45. 11. sins but God. job saith, Who can bring a clean thing out of filthiness, there is not one. And Esay saith, speaking, in the person of God: I even I am he that putteth away thine iniquities for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. And Paul confidently affirmeth, when he saith, Who shall lay any thing to the charge Rom. 8. 33. 34. of Gods chosen: it is God that justifieth, who shall condemn: it is Christ which is dead, yea▪ or rather which is risen again, who is also at the right hand of God, and maketh request also for us. Again, The Lord is slow to anger, and of great mercy, and forgiving Num. 14. 18. Exod. 34. 7. iniquity: And in Exod. 34. God speaking in his own person, said: that he reserveth mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin: besides infinite places to like purpose. Tenthly, the Church of Rome doth teach that the Scriptures contain not all things necessary to salvation: but their unwritten traditions 10 must (as they say) be all received with equal and like authority, for so hath the Council of Trent determined. But S. john saith, that These things are written that ye may believe, and that in believing ye may have life eternal: And S. Paul saith, that The Scriptures are profitable to reprove, to teach and correct, to instruct 2. Tim. 3. 15. and perfect the man of God: and further, that The Scriptures are able to make men wise unto salvation: and God himself doth say, Ye shall put nothing to the word which I command you, Deut. 4. neither take aught therefrom: Again, Whatsoever I command Deut. 12. you, that take heed you do, put nothing thereto, nor take aught therefrom. And S. john in his Revelation saith, that If any man shall Revel. 22. add to this thing, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book, and shall take away his part out of the book of life. I might yet add further touching the offices of Christ. for that the Church of Rome will yield that the office of Christ consisteth in these three points: namely that he is both a Prophet, a Priest, and a King: which in words they will acknowledge, but in deeds and verity they do not. For how miserably and wickedly the Church of Rome hath mangled and defaced the revealed will of this sacred Prophet, their unwritten traditions, popish canons, and their own devices makes too apparent. Touching his Priesthood, which consisteth in two things, namely, the offering up of himself once, for a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice: and his intercession to his Father, which remaineth to the world's end, is so pitifully defrauded, abused, and dishonoured by them, as no pen with any modesty can set down: as by their Purgatory pickpurse, their propitiatory masses for the quick and the dead, the blasphemous titles attributed to the Virgin Mary: namely, they call her the Queen of heaven, the gate of Paradise, their life & sweetness, the treasure of grace, the refuge of sinners, & the mediatrix of men: and not only to her, but to saints departed they entreat with like intercession, and hold them their mediators. Touching how they deal with Christ in his rule and government, the Pope he will reign in men's consciences, & he will be tituled with Holy, universal mother Church which cannot err, Holy father the Pope: Bishop universal: Prince of Priests▪ Supreme head of the Church: Vicar of Christ: & The admiration of the world, etc. Touching his jurisdiction, he challengeth to himself both the swords: that is, both the keys of the spirituality: and the Sceptre of the laity, not only subduing all Bishops under him, advancing himself above kings and Emperors, causing some of them to lie under his feet, some to hold the stirrup: kings to lead his horse by the bridle: some to kiss his feet: placing and displacing all degrees of people: pretending power and authority to invest Bishops, to give benefices, to spoil Churches, to give authority to bind & lose: to call general Counsels: to set up religions, to canonize Saints, to take appeals, to bind consciences, to make laws, to dispense with the law & word of God, to deliver from purgatory, and to command Angels, etc. Whereby appears, as he presumeth to go beyond Christ in this world, so would he if he knew how also expulse him from heaven. And now gentle Reader, in equal balance, single eye, and honest heart▪ censure whether the Church of Rome be the spouse of Christ or no: & whether the word of God allow & warrant his doings. I cannot stand longer to enlarge of his doctrine (which is most injurious to Christ & his Church: nor lay down his life, which is most detestable to all men that hath any spark of the true knowledge of God's word:) but abruptly hasten to an end, because you may perceive I have but in brief past over the particulars: for to discourse of these points would ask large volumes, not doubting but all indifferent men, may hereby behold upon what rock these Archrebels build their rebellion: if it be true as they say, that it is undertaken in regard of religion & their conscience: also that all men, of what condition soever, who hath been & is lead still on to dance after the pipe of priests, jesuits, and Seminaries, who outwardly carry a show of godliness, but inwardly are ravening and devouring Wolves, may see what ground and warrant they find in God's word, to approve and allow their actions and lives, in defending, maintaining, and setting forth the kingdom of their master Antichrist the Pope, the devils sworn champion: whose creeping in corners, whose oiled mouths, whose outward holiness, whose monstrous hypocrisy, whose masses, whose dirges, whose beads, whose crucifixes, whose prayers, whose vows, whose whip, whose crosses, Agnus this, and persuasions, hath but hitherto brought forth rebellion, disobedience to Prince, breach of Laws and government, burning, wasting, spoiling, robbing, and in general almost an utter ruin and waste of Ireland. Therefore in the fear of God, now come from them, and while it is yet day walk as it becometh the Children of light, turn from these seducers, their cursed doctrine and superstitious ceremonies, and embrace the pure milk of Gods most blessed word, and willingly, readily, and thankfully come to hear the same preached and taught, which will be the perfect path for to lead you, the strong stern to guide you, the lantern to light you, and the mean by the mercy of God to save your souls. For which every faithful Christian doth daily pray. Yours in the Lord, if you be the Lords. Ralph Birchensha. A ¶ DISCOURSE OCCASIONED UPON THE LATE DEFEAT GIVEN to the Archrebels TYRONE and ODONNEL, by the right Honourable the Lord MOUNTIOY, L. Deputy of Ireland. And the yielding of the Spaniards to his Lordship. WOnder to men, world's glory, mighty Lord, Earth's monarch, Prince of thrones & powers all, Peerless for praise, famous in facts and deeds, Guider of Angels, aid of mortal men: Whose little finger sways both sea and land, And turns the globe of heaven with his hand. To gloomy earth all dark and void of form, His blessed breath did give a happy shape: His only word made Sun, the Moon and Stars, And at his will, beasts, fish, and foul took life: Nothing there was, or is, or that shall be, But his strong hand doth guide and rule we see. When Lucifer great Prince of hell had fallen, And mad in malice, wrought man's overthrow, jehova's hand the instrument did frame, To vanquish Satan through the woman's seed: Sweet Christ: Christ jesus was the only mean, That bruised his head, his heel, and kingdom clean. Great was the judgement this immortal God, Unto the first age for their sins did show: Most fearful floods from heaven windows fell, That fifteen cubits mounted bovethe earth: All drowned were, from death not one could part, But eight, which were enclosed in the Ark. When Amrophell, Aroch, and Tydall kings, With Chedor, Laomer king of Elam too, Made bloody war 'gainst Bera Sodom king, And other Peers that ruled Gomorah then: In that same valley which men Siddim call, King Bera and his Peers were vanquished all. These fierce invaders having conquest got, In triumph bears the spoil and prey away: But lo, behold, the Lord did raise up strength, Old Abraham, who with three hundred men, Fought with these kings, and made them fly amain, And so brought back their wives and goods again. When cursed Pharaoh would not give consent, The Israelites from Egypt should departed, Though God by Moses' mighty wonders wrought, To cause him yield and give them leave to pass: Yet stubbornly proud Pharaoh would assay, To cross Gods will and bring them to decay. But lo behold, when Israel's hope was gone, And saw no mean to scape or life to save, And bloody Pharaoh bend to take revenge▪ Then would the Lord make known he was a God: At his command the sea was made dry land, To save his people from invaders hand. But bloody Pharaoh would not yet relent, Although he saw a miracle so strange, But boldly ventured with his horse and foot, Supposing that that way was made for him: But when in midst thereof his forces came, The seas made way, and fiercely on them ran. When Korah, Dathan, and bold Abiram, Rigdup the furrows of rebelling hearts, And had two hundred fifty captains stout, To join with them 'gainst Moses' Gods chief friend: Lo what ensued, God hating rebels all, The ground doth open, they therein do fall. When Arad, Syhon, Og, three mighty Kings, Opposed themselves 'gainst Moses in like case: And ramd their gates, and shut up all the ways, And with fierce fight the Israelites did charge: Yet God who always for his people stands, In battle gave these Kings to Moses' hands. When Eui, reckon, Zur, Hur, and Reba, Five potent Kings of Medianits they were, Attempting boldly Phinehas to charge, And ranked their forces 'gainst the Lords elect: But God that never fails to aid the right, Gave these five Kings to him in the same fight. When Moses had nigh space of forty years, Through wilderness, hills, dales, and mountains wide, God's people guided towards Canaan land, Moses departed, joshua took the charge: And first of all his valour for to show, He gave attempt to stately jerycho. But what the Lord appoints must needs be done. For whom God fights, they sure are to prevail. Man's arm and strength is but too weak a stay, Small is the means by which God wins the field: The voice of trumpets shouting therewithal, Made stony walls, and iron gates to fall. When great Goliath priest to plague God's Church, Whose height a cubit fully did contain, Of brass his helmet cunningly was made, His brigandine five thousand shickels weighed: His spear and shield were all of pure brass, His spear in bigness weavers beams did pass. Then high jehovah little David brought, All naked in compare of his strong foe, Who in the sight of all the standers by, Into his forehead sent so sound a stroke, As down the monster fell upon the earth, And David there deprived him of his breath. Far more than these God's register doth yield, That shows his love and aid to mortal men, That hath regard unto his laws and hest, And for his right will wrestle with the proud: For God regards ne horse, nor spear, nor shield, For without means he makes the stout to yield. Most wicked then are Irish rebels breed, Whose lawless lives weaves on their web of woe, Whose wicked facts Moab and Ammon pass, far worse than heathen Pagans of the earth, The only monsters that the world contains, And cursed crew whom all good men refrains. Rebels to God, despisers of his laws, Traitors to Christ, deprivers of his right, Refusing still the gifts of holy Ghost: Breakers of peace, reiecters of the truth, Contemners of God's word and holy writ, That guides men's lives the perfect path to hit. Rebels to Prince, rebels to native home, Traitors to Prince, traitors to countries due, Supplanters of all rule and government, Infringing laws, the waste of Commonweal: The brood of wolves, the elder sons of Cain, The imps of hell, and very marks of shame. Champions of hell, borne with bloody hand, Haters of truth, sworn slaves to rape and spoil, Authors of mischief: all on murder set, Masking with faces like strong plates of brass: Furies of hell, shaking their dog-eard locks, Like damned slaves sprung from most cursed stocks. Breakers of wedlock, wantoness in their lives, Most bred up bastards from their very birth: Lovers of theft, living by thieving trade, Idle in life, like beasts fed in the stall: False lying mates, deceitful and unjust, Whom God nor man, nor devil cannot trust. idolaters, superstitious men, False worshippers, sworn slaves unto the Pope, Trusting to dreams and feigned prophecies, Observers of old writs that have no ground: More ignorant than beasts are in their kind, Willing to lose what chief they ought to find. Open mainitainers of all runagates, As peevish priests and filthy begging Friars, Sold Seminaries to the Romish Church, False traitors to their sovereign Prince and Queen: wild loathsome locusts crawled from yond the seas, Whose stinking breaths engenders sore disease. That this is true, view Ireland's present state, Which whilom sat in fair and rich attire, Which whilom flowed in plenty of the earth, But now grown naked, feeble, weak and bare: Who lately held sweet peace both near and far, But now in every place at deadly jar. View now their houses wasted as they lie, View now their fields all barren round about, View now their meadows overgrown with weeds, View their high ways untrodden as they are: All honest trades are ceased very nigh, And plague on plague you perfectly may spy. The old men wander like as men forlorn, And women faint for want of some relief; Young children starve and pine for bread we see, Most of the poor resemble death in show: In stinking holes and wild unseemly place, Are Cells for such in this their doleful case. View well their bogs furred all with bloody hue, View well their fastness of the self same stamp, View well their hedges sprinkled all with red, View well their brooks how bloody they do look: The blood that Ireland sheds from day to day, For vengeance cries to God without delay. What is the cause this land in such terms stands? But only that the people fell from God, And broke God's Sabbaths with a mighty hand, Forsook the Preachers of his blessed word: Apostates the most of them have played, And will not turn for aught that may be said. Seminary priests and lying Friars, First swore them, that God's word they shall not hear, And teach them their oath unto their Prince May lawfully be broken when they will: And swears them, that devoutly they shall keep, What so the Pope of Rome and themselves like. These are the grounds from whence all mischief spring, These are the causes that rebellion is: These are the reasons Spaniards invade, This is the matter no amendment comes: For why, the devil now is busy still, To draw all men to choose what best he will. O famous Queen, who holds this land by right, Whose care hath been and is, to cure their sore: What loving favours hath her Grace bestowed, On mighty men, and subjects of this land? Whose wise foresights in time might stop full well, The streams from whence these mischiefs so do swell. But well her Highness hath from time to time, Observed still this nations wandering thoughts, And seen into their natures and their lives, Who like young colts and heifers love to fling, That without bits, and bridles, and strong hand, Will not be held in peace or rest to stand. The better therefore to instruct their lives, As loving father's use unto their sons, To keep them in a liking of good laws, And to provide them tutors of good life: So did her Grace from time to time elect, Grave and wise men this land for to direct. Sussex was one worthy of such a charge, Sidney another held of good account, Fitz Williams had the like authority, Lord Grace did also rule by like command: Parrot was chosen to the self-same place, And Russell held the sword another space. Lord Burrowes had the sovereign seat also, Essex was placed in the chair of state: Besides all these Lord justices bare sway, And unto them grave Counsellors were joined: By whose advice and government was thought, Unto good life that Ireland would be brought. Besides the charge for these same chosen men, What sums of gold and silver hath been spent? What mast of victuals forth of England come? What store of powder and munition? What English blood in Ireland hath been shed, Since first these Rebels grew unto a head? Besides all this, what Irish ever was, Upon complaint unto his sovereign Queen, Of wrongs, of loss, of injury sustained, But in good measure he hath justice found? justice and mercy, bounty, love and all, Her princely breast hath in this land let fall. Then come all Irish borne of honest birth, In equal balance lay thy present cause: Did ever subjects dealt withal as these, In such ungrateful sort reward their Prince? No, no, it's hard like precedent to find, Subjects to Prince were never so unkind. In am of all that hath been said before, Which were sufficient motives to prevail, In any heart where fear of God did rest: What hope is yet in this rebellious man? No hope at all, for why his peacocks plume Is spread abroad the land for to consume. This ravening kite, this carrion crow by kind, These seven long winters with his bloody hands Have wasted, spoiled, and robbed from friend and foe, And filled up holes, and dens, and caves therewith: In trust that men and means the way would work, To make him king by others harm and hurt. And not content mischief at home to warp, In foreign parts like rancour he did plot, To join with him he drew the Spaniards in, For men, for money, and what else he could: Supposing by that means about to bring, To dispossess the Queen and make him king. More firm to purchase his aspiring thoughts, In private corners all about the land, In secret manner he had drawn to him, All hollow hearts and those of Popish mark: This monster thus his poison forth had blown, And hoped at last to reap what he had sown. But the proud Hamon when he thought all sure, Was farthest off his purpose and intent: God sits on high, and sees men's acts on earth, And topsy-turvy throws the wicked down: All ages tells, experience proves it plain, In most extremes God raiseth help again. To buckle with this Archrebel Tyrone, God moved the Queen and Nobles of her land, To mount to state Mountioy faithful Peer, That by his height might Tyrone trample down: And by the Sunbeams spreading from his crest, The Rebel's heart tear from his traitor's breast. And blessed beams, since first they gave their light, How hath the streams which fair Mountioy spreads, Dazzled the eyes of Tyrone and his train, And dimbd their sight like men that's blindfold led? For oft we see dark clouds and foggy mist, When Sun once shines, it drives them where it list. Witness the Moyrie where Mountioy lay, In fogs, in winds, in storms and pouring rain: Not for a night, a day, a week, or month, But more than fifty days and winter nights: When tents, when cabins, cells, and shelters all, By whirling winds and storms were forced to fall. Close by his side this subtle Serpent lay, And all the rabble of his rebel slaves, Like leering foxes in their hateful dens, All furnished well for to maintain their broil: But when as once Mountioy came in sight, The snails drew in their heads and durst not fight. There did Mountioy tire this Tyrone well; There did his beams his darkest trench make shine, There did Mountioy train him to the field; There was Tyrone beat from his strongest hold, And in the end a coward's part did play, For like false Rebels there they stole away. But like himself Mountioy mounted yet, And with the brightness of his flying beams, Found out the Rebel and his damned crew, Who in Armah were close and slily laid: For why the Moyrie had so curbed the cur, That he and whelps were glad to run so fur. There did these snakes roll round their tails a while, Yet at the last were forced to cast their skins, Like coward cocks that thinks their dunghills best, Durst not abide Armah, where they were in: For why Mountioy hurled bullets in so fast, As to Blackwater they were forced at last. There in their fastness closely they were laid, Like hogs in sties, or dogs in kinnels vile, Like privy thieves that best loves darksome night, And hates the Sun for fear of being seen: So they in bogs and bushes secret lay, To kill and murder all that past that way. But still Mountioy sent forth his brightsome beams, To let these vipers know he was not far, And speedily Blackwater over went, In spite of Tyrone and his boggy crew: Moyrie, Mountnorris, and Blackwater fort, Shows our Mountioy holds Tyrone but a sport. And well it seems he found his comb near cut, Which made him send post upon post in speed, His priests and Friars flocked fast to Spain, Well laden all with packs and sacks of lies: His blessed father now the Pope must help, Or else is like to lose his chiefest whelp. And as in fine it proved to be true, His plots and letters took impression there, His holy father thought it now high time, To help his grandchild to dark Mountioyes light: And for his aid the Pope did so prevail, As Don john landed shortly at Kinsale. There did he seat and trench himself full fast, And manned such Castles as he found stood nigh, Four thousand strong he found himself to be, And made no doubt but to obtain the game: For look what art or policy could do, To make all sure Don john did shifts pursue. Nothing was wanting but the Rebel's aid, Which when they heard that Don john was so nigh, Their fainting heart began to come again, And with strong vows protesteth strait to come: And with such speed as Rebels well could make, To aid the Spaniard they do undertake. Odonnell with three thousand horse and foot, Set forward first, like furies come from hell, Tyrone the traitor hasted with his strength, Most ugly slaves like to the former sort, Well furnished, as is their beastly guise, With arms and victuals to obtain the prize. But happy Mountioy having heard these news, Drew down his forces towards Kinsale strait, And nigh Don john began for to approach, To know the cause and business he had there: And as the beast that's pinned up in the sty, He keeps Don john that out he could not fly. There did he camp stoutly with all his force, There made he trenches fit for soldiers use, There made he mounts to batter down the walls, There made he forts for to offend the foe: There from such Castles that the Spaniard held, By force of arms perforce he was expelled. Here who had seen for more than fifteen weeks, The lying of our army at Kinsale, In open air, no shelter for relief, Beaten still with wind, hail, snow, rain, and frost, With thunderclaps and fearful flames of fire, Their fairest footing was but dirt and mire. In all which time rank Rebels held aloof, Beating their brains and plotting all they could, Choking the air with their infectious breath, Fearing the beams would burn from Mountioy cames For oft before they trial good had made, To meet them boldly Mountioy was not afraid. At last a remnant sent from out of Spain, Who winds and seas kept hovering up and down, Arrived where Tyrone might aid them well, In number full a thousand fight men: Whereby the Rebels better courage took, Being then in strength six thousand horse and foot. Oh, who had seen these black bands come from Spain. With Antichrist their master's banner spread, Stoutly advanced, spreading in the air, Richly set out with Christ's five bleeding wounds: And quartered with supposed Peter's keys, With other tricks which might well babies please. What deadly curses were there thundered out, 'Gainst those that to this standard bear disdain? How deep to Limbo were all good men thrown? Book, bell, and candle cursed them all to hell: Their Agnus this, Crucifix, and Beads, Were roundly dealt by those this black guard leads. But who had seen how Tyrone and the rest, Had shared the booty fore the field was won, And with black pens did daub their bloody books, Of those whose heads in triumph they would bear; Would muse to hear, and wonder at the slave, That should to Prince and country such spite have. Now 'gan the devil laugh and smile a pace, To see his imps bend to their cursed wills: For now it was concluded without let, The Spaniards should relieved present be: And to that end a messenger was sent, To tell Don john their purpose and intent. On Christmas eve hard at the break of day, Appointed was that they would certain come; And while on one side they would freshly charge, Don john by force should issue from the town: By which attempt they thought by force and might, To win the field and dark Mountioyes light. But our great God whose seat is heavens throne, And for his footstool hath the massy earth, Who rules and guides the hearts of mortal men, Without whose will a silly bird falls not: Who lets men plot and hammer what they will, Yet as he please it is effected still. He held proud Pharaoh from his cursed will; He kerbed Korah, Dathan, and the rest; He hanged five Kings that Israel's peace disturbed; Oreb and Zeb he threw down to the ground: He caused Hamon try the gibbet furst, And stout Goliahs' forehead to be burst. He never leaves those that put trust in him; His works are great, his mercy far exceeds; He still rewards all men as they deserve; He pulls down proud men, and sets up the weak: Tyrons' false heart the Lord full well hath seen, And will defend a true and lawful Queen. For all the secret working of these imps, He soon can bring their counsels unto nought; He finds the means Mountioy shall prevent, Their purposes and enterprises all: And in his hand holds fast the turning wheel, That lifts some up, some backward makes to reel. As well appears by this which doth ensue: For Mountioy having knowledge of their plot, Drew forth not past one thousand of his foot, Three hundred horse was all he took along: And easily he led them on the way, With purpose full to keep the Rebels play. Quickly he might the enemies behold, All marshaled with drums and colours spread, Guided by Leaders of their best command, In battles placed, with wings laid for the time: With Lion's looks they made a staring stand, With good advice to take the fight in hand. Now doth Mountioyes beams begin to spread, His presence dims these Rebel's sights forthwith, And gallantly his horse doth give the charge, And draws his foot to offer them the like: They charge again, Mountioyes horse then fly out, And rushed in amidst the strongest rout. jehova now gave courage to our men, And in the Rebels strike a slavish fear: For in a minuit of a time, they 'gan To break their ranks and throw their arms away: And well was he that best could run or ride, To try their valour none durst there abide. They being broke, God so did strength Mountioy, And blest the labour of his worthy men, That they with speed pursued the Rebel slaves, And in a moment had twelve hundred killed: Nine Colours won, and many captives ta'en, Two thousand arms they lost unto their shame. In their pursuit the rivers played their part, And rising up against such wicked imps, Their mounting waves did sink them to the deep, As most unworthy to enjoy the land: Happy was he could shun that bloody day, And stoutest man that made most haste away. There might you see a just revenge for blood, Blood cries for blood, for in each dike and gap, They groveling lay besprinkled all with blood: One leglesse lay, another wants his arm: Some all to cut and mangled back and face, That streams of blood were shed in every place. There might you see from East, West, North and South, The Ravens, Crows, and fowls in flocks to come: There might you see from every den and bush, The greedy wolves and ravening beasts make haste: As welcome guests unto so fat a feast, They cheered themselves as well the most as least. Besides all this, above seven hundred men, Were wounded sore and hurt in grievous wise; There might you hear them howling with loud cries; There might you see them stamp and stare apace; There might you see them languish and make moan, Yet little help or secure to them shown. Thus by God's help Mountioy was the mean, To daunt the pride of those Archrebels all; And that same pit which they for others made, Their cursed feet lay caught in the same gin. And as this fell, so Lord let be thy will, When next they meet like hap send Rebels still. Thus are these men who underhand before, Had cast their cards with trust to get the game, All male content raging in great extremes, Cursing their chance, return with all the loss; Railing the Spanish, saying this and that, To be the cause of this their hard mishap. But had you seen these Rebels in their flight, When as our forces never made pursuit, tween Cork and Mallo as they passed along, What fearful fits amazed all their thoughts? Each bush and blast, each shadow made them say, Here comes Mountioy, therefore make haste away. For some of his that were fallen in the rear, Struck such a terror in his foremost men, That down goes arms and weapons in great haste, Doubting our forces had been at their heels: But lo God's hand the wicked to confound, In Mallow ford two hundred there lay drowned. There who had seen the Irish love to Spain, For whose defence the Spaniard thither came, And for their sakes left children, wife and friends, What cruelty to them these Rebels show'd: They murdered some, some stripped unto their skin, And let them lie to sink or else to swim. Thus were these traitors all dispersed abroad, Tyrone himself came home not with eight men: His heart was faint, for Aquavite calls, His welcome home was sad and heavy looks: Wishing they had the Spanish left alone, And like false Rebels still have stayed at home. Odonnell hateful traitor to the world, With Mustion too, sailed are into Spain; tyrril the Rebel tarries still behind, With new start Rebels sprung up very late: Whose cursed ends no doubt will shortly show, God hates the works which from such wretches flow. Now Rebels all and Papists of this land, You head-shorne Friars, and you lying Priests, See what vain hope is in your popish trash, Your popish standard was not worth a straw: Run therefore headlong, howl, cry and moan, Throughout the world your shame & loss is blown. Mountioy he returns back to Kinsale, With praise to God for such a blessed day, Attributing the glory to the Lord, In all which fight he lost not full three men: And soldiers laden were with booties good, As just rewards for venturing of their blood. Here must I marshal in their just desert, Sir George Carew of Munster Precedent, Whose cost, whose care, and travel in these broils, Lively lays down his love to Prince and state: Thomond, Clenrickerd, and Lord Awdley eke, Like to themselves true honour there did seek. Sir Richard Wingfield, Martial of the field, With Sir George Bourchier well deserveth praise; Dauers, and Lambert, Power, Barley too, Saint Laurence, Bagnall, Folliot, and Rush: Godolphin, Greame, with Taaffe, and Captains all, Honour have got by Rebel's loss and fall. All this same while Don john lay very close, Expecting still when Rebels promise held: At last got knowledge of the traitor's chance, Which made him hang his head like Spanish use: He bitten his nails, he leered up to the sky, He stamped the ground, and musing long did lie. Hope in Tyrone, that course he thought was vain; Hope in himself, he saw small comfort there; Hope out of Spain, he knew that would be long; Hope for to fight, he found less joy in that. At last he started from his doubtful muse, To call a parley he thought best to choose. Forthwith his Drum was sent to show his mind: But happy Mountioy had no like thereof, Whose purpose was to starve and beat him out, As fittest guerdon for his bold attempt: Yet still to call for parley he was bold, And marshal men must marshal orders hold. Parley obtained, conditions were agreed, Good quarter held according to contract, Mountioy pleased, Don john was well content, Of deadly hate more quiet did ensue: Where otherwise, if both had still held out, Much loss of blood had brought Kinsale about. By which contract and composition made, Perforce must make all Spaniards English love: And grant that English thirst not after blood, But mercy, love, peace, and all charity: Which ornaments both God and man doth like, And oft prevails more than doth bloody fight. Besides, this course in reason needs must move, The Spanish nation Irish Rebels hate, By whose presumes and vile enticing trains, Were hither drawn into so hard extremes: And make them grant while life they do endure, A Rebel's word and strength is most unsure. And eke the course Mountioy took therein, May draw the Spanish hate to English love, Their Irish love unto a mortal jar, And Irish trust no more to Spanish arm: England and Spain by this may quiet be, And Spain no more the Irish love to see. By this the world, the Pope, and King of Spain, May judge the conquest that Don john hath got, Who blustered out half Ireland he had won, And at whose fortune they did so admire, May now perceive that Rebels, Priests, and Friars, Coin nought but lies to fit their own desires. And hereby may the King of Spain observe, How God abhors and hates unjust attempts, And leave his hate 'gainst fair ELIZABETH, Virgin Queen, famous for virtuous life: And blot no more his honour with disgrace, To back base Rebels in so bad a case. Unto which end, mark but God's hand herein, The Spanish present 'gins to show their love, Hard by Kinsale some bands of English lay, After the army was dissolved and gone: Whom Tyrril and new Rebels did devise, By strength and force these bands for to surprise. Whereof the Spanish having notice got, Drew forth their men to join with ours strait, With solemn vows, there for to live and die In English right, and Rebels for to foil: Thus those which lately sought for English blood, Will shed their own to do our country good. Now sith jehova of his mercy great, Wondrously hath fought in his own cause, And given now Mountioy for to see, That counsel, horse, and men get not the field: But whom God loves, and those who serve him still, Are sure to conquer as their own selves will. Then let ELIZA rest still on God's strong hand, Obey his laws, advance his Gospel pure, Root out blind Papists, Priests, and filthy Friars, Bring all degrees to hear Gods holy word: Cherish the good, snub such as wicked are, And then ELIZA shall prosper in the war. Laus Deo.