A Letter of Dr. Bernard's to a Friend of his at COURT.  
SIR,  
HAving heard by some of my Friends, that there is a misapprehension of me at Court by such as know me not, because of my acquaintance with Oliver Cromwell, I have (by their advice) thought it expedient for my own vindication to declare both my Sufferings by him for his Majesty's cause in Ireland, and the continuance of them in England, and that the fruits of my frequent visiting him, was reaped by others, and not by myself, in being an Instrument of Preserving the Lives and Estates, and Relieving the Distresses of such as had suffered for his Majesty, which was my continued agency, even for strangers, as those that had been known to me, of each of which some are here mentioned. Whereunto (with the like advice) I have added a brief relation of my Sufferings, (being so variously reported) in the Storm of Drogheda and after it, an. 1649. with a satisfaction in some particulars misunderstood, as to the Office of Almoner, which herewith I have sent unto you, and do commit it to your prudence, as there shall be occasion. I omit my Sufferings in the Siege of Drogheda, an. 1641. by the Irish Rebels 4. months, the whole narration of which, was by special order published, wherein their scandal in relation to his Majesty's Royal Father of blessed memory, was sufficiently vindicated for which (being an. 1647. taken by a party of them) I hardly escaped death,  

A Brief Relation of Dr. Bernard's Sufferings for his Majesty, and of his preserving the Lives and Estates, and Relieving the necessities of many of his fellow Sufferers, both in England and Ireland.  

I. His Sufferings in Ireland.  
WHen Drogheda was taken by the Army, under the Command of the Lord Marquis of Ormond, The Doctor was Instrumental with the Mayor of the Town, to the Proclaiming his Majesty, and attended the Lord of Enchiquin at that Solemnity, and immediately went to the Church, and observed the public Prayers for his Majesty, and shortly after preached a Thanksgiving Sermon for it.  
After that he waited upon the Lord Leiutennant at his Camp before Dublyn, who afterwards coming to Drogheda was a further witness of the Doctor's constancy to his Majesty, and when his Lordship was called away, upon Oliver Cromwell's landing, the Doctor being the Minister of the place, and having his family there, could not desert them, but was left there behind, though by his friends (especially Sir Robert Byron, apprehending his danger) he was advised to be gone.  
When that Town was Stormed and all that bare Arms in it ●ut to the sword, the Doctor could gain no Protection (though many others had) but was left to the mercy of the Soldiers, so as all he had was taken from him, and himself designed to Death, by many that had vowed it, though by Gods special mercy he was preserved, too large to be inserted here.  
After this he was turned out of his Benefice at Drogheda, and Sent for up to Dublyn as a Delinquent; and there committed by Cromwell himself in the open streets, in the midst of his officers, with menaces of Death for his promoting of the King's service as before said, and was close prisoner 17 days, and upon security was confined within the City of Dublyn for 6 months after.  
One special charge against him then, was his continuance of the use of the Book of Common Prayer, in his Church to the last, notwithstanding the Inhibition sent to him by Colonel Michael Jones, who thereupon stopped all the payments which had been allowed him.  
His Concio ad Clerum, when he took his degree of Doctor at Dublyn, 1642. was then remembered against him, wherein he had at large declared, that the taking up of Arms then against his Majesty's Royal Father of blessed memory, was unlawful, according to the Text, (Rom. 13.2.) whereupon a relief intended him out of England, was stopped by the Commissioners of Parliament then in Dublyn.   

II. His Sufferings in England.  
THough he were permitted by Cromwell to preach at Greys-Inne, yet he was rendered incapable of any other Benefice, when by the joint desire of the Parishioners of St. Martin's in the Fields, he was invited thither, and had several other offers.  
And when the Earl of Bridgewater had bestowed upon him a living worth 400 pound a year, and he was legally inducted to it, yet upon Cromwell's testimony of his proclaiming his Majesty, as aforesaid, he could not be permitted to enjoy it.   

III. His endeavours to preserve many of the Lives and Estates, of such as have suffered for his Majesty.  
SIr Maurice Eustace, and about five or six others, who were eminent in the King's service, being committed together prisoners at Chester, their release both as to England and Ireland, were obtained by him, their acknowledgement of which he hath under all their hands in one paper.  
He obtained a pardon for Sir Robert Byron, when he was condemned to die by Hewson at Dublin.  
He procured the like for the Lord Grandison. He obtained an order for Major Perkins, to be restored to his Estate in Ireland.  
And for his service to the Lady marchioness of Ormond at her coming out of France, when She was remanded back gain, he humbly submits to her Ladyships own testimony.  
He procured about 300 l. for Sir Henry Tuchborn, after he had with his Lady & family attended long in vain, & was in despair of any; & obtained for him several orders, touching his estate in Ireland, & the like for Sir Francis Willowby with many others.  
When a barbarous and cruel order was made against the Episcopal Clergy to their utter undoing; he did boldly deliver his sense of it, and prevailed with the late Primate of Ireland to come to Town of purpose, in hope that his Authority might have prevailed with Cromwell, and others to revoke it: and for three weeks together, attended upon his Grace's endeavours therein though it proved ineffectual; and when there was an offer for a contribution for them throughout England, (so as they might have Cromwell's licence for it;) the Dr. improved his utmost interest to obtain it, and petitioned for them in his own name, and put his hand to it, he delivered their remonstrance or petition: and what else was penned by others for that end (which hath been since published) was delivered to Oliver Cromwell by his hand.  
He obtained several letters of recommendation, for persons in Ireland (as the now Bishop of Kilmore and others) and orders for keeping in and restoring Ministers (as Mr. Hunt of Chester and others) to their Benefices and Estates in England and was a constant Agent for them: and though his endeavours were not always answered with a desired effect, yet his trouble was the same; and the charge in letters, and returns in those solicitations was not small. Some being cast into prison (as Sir Thomas Armstrong who was a long time in the Gatehouse) he solicited their business to his utmost endeavour for their release: others condemned to die, he did the like for their pardon or reprivall.   

iv His Relief of those who suffered in their Estates and Liberty, for his Majestty, which was the cause of his acceptance of the Almoners place, that he might be serviceable to that end. He disbursed  

TO Dr. Bromrigg the late Bishop of Exeter (the receipts of which are ready to be produced) 150 l.  
To the late Lord 〈…〉 is ready to be produced) 250 l.  
To a Lord of Ireland, 10 l.  
To a Bishop of Ireland (for a debt compounded for) 15 l.  
To the ●ame Bishop in his extreme poverty at several times, 20 l.  
To a Dean of Ireland 8 l.  
To Mr. Durant a Sequestered Minister (who had 10 children) 6 l.  
To a Captain, who was at Drogheda when it was stormed, and now in Virginia 20 l.  
To Dennis Sheriden (who coming from Brussels, was conceived to have been employed into Ireland upon his Majesty's service) 8 l.  
To a Captain who had been faithful to the Lord Lieutenant in Ireland, being poor, at several times 30 l.  
To many other distressed Persons, Ministers, Widows, and others of quality relating unto Ireland, who are unwilling to have their names mentioned, 50 l.  
To divers Sequestered Ministers, and others of quality, as meaner persons, in their several distresses in England 40 l.  
To John Allen, the Lord Primates old servant, 8 l.  
To a person of some Eminency, upon the complaining of his poverty, the Doctor (having then no money) gave him a Deputation for receiving the Almoners deuce, in 2 or 3 Counties, without account.  
He had once prepared 60 l. for his Majesty's Servants, but Cromwrl at that instant time sent for him, and commanded him to give so much to the Jews, and accordingly 40 l. was paid to Manasses Ben-Israel whose receipt he hath, and Cromwell took the other 20 l. from him, pretending to pay it himself. Besides what he gave to some Germans, and other Outlandish persons, commended unto him, as to a Turk, baptised by Mr. Gunning, for clothes 8 l. 60 l.   
About a year before Oliver Cromwell's death, he was complained of, for giving what he had received as Almoner to disaffected persons, and thereupon was called to an account: which he (knowing the danger of) deferring, he had been 〈…〉 Cromwell had lived a month longer.  
In a word, he laid up nothing for himself (out of it) as he might have done, being without account, but by the losses he hath suffered, and the many suits wherein he hath been engaged, while he had the office, and since it was taken from him, he is the worse by 300 l.   

V In Relation to the Lord Primate of Ireland, he hath been further serviceable as followeth.  
The transcribing of a great Manuscript which had been his 50 years' study, (worthy of Dedication to his Majesty) which was so interlined that it could not else be Printed, Laid out, and engaged for it— 40 l.  
He was at great labour and expense in the constant solicitation and receipt of his Pension; which for one quarter only was paid at the rate of 400 p. and after at 160 p. a year, as also for what was promised after his death to his, which through the iniquity of the times was not performed, who used this fraud, in calling that a grant, which was only signed, but not suffered to be sealed.  
The Dr. preached his Funeral Sermon, buried him according to the book of Common Prayer, and obtained 200 l. to defray the charges of the Funeral.   

VI In further Manifestation of his Integrity.  
As he ever used freedom of speech to Cromwell in defence of Episcopacy, and the sequestered Clergy both in public and private, so he never altered his habit, though it caused him many affronts from the Fanatic party: and being once prevailed with to preach at the Cockpit, where were divers of his Council and other grand Enemies to his Majesty, he took his Text out of the 1. Tim. 3. In the last days, etc. men shall be traitors, etc. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.  
A Bishop had once consecrated a Chapel, according to the usual form: the Ministers in the Diocese combined in a Petition against him, the Dr. interceded, and so ordered the business, that he was dismissed and heard no more of it.  
He omits the gratuities, he gave to such as did assist him in the obtaining of divers suits for those that were distressed, and even to the meaner servants, for some seasonable admittance for those ends; and the long attendance till 11 a clock at night, taking a lodging frequently there abouts, upon such occasions, often to the hazard of his health and life, in cold and unseasonable weather, all which he would have given over l●●g before, being every way displeasing to him, by the hatred of the Army, and the Ministers there attending, but that it was the request of divers distressed persons to continue it.  
When the Army and City of London were at difference, (under the Committee of Safety) before General Monck appeared, he had prevailed with a principal person for the uniting of both, and Proclaiming of his Majesty in London, upon his undertaking to have procured their pardon, and it was once so far proceeded in, that he was preparing to go beyond Seas for that end.  
His often free and faithful discourse with the L. General Monk himself, in relation to his Majesty, when his actions were variously interpreted, he submits to his Testimony.  
For these nine years passed at Grays-inn he hath according to the Book of Common Prayer celebrated the Communion, and did the like elsewhere. In Baptism, Marriages, Burials, etc. never using any other.  
And the employing his endeavours in some tracts published for an accommodation betwixt the Episcopal and Presbyterian parties, hath been in order to his Majesty's service, and the Church, wherein he is still ready to spend himself.    

The Rectifying of some misapprehensions of him, concerning the Office of Almoner.  
THe Dr. was not absolutely made Almoner by Oliver Cromwell, but only joined in the Patent with Dr. French his Brother in Law (by which what little interest was intended for him, doth easily appear) and he dying a quarter of a year after, it fell to the Dr. as survivor; which was taken notice of then as a Providence of being by it put in a capacity of doing good to those as had suffered in the like cause with himself, and was desired by such to accept of it for that end, and now there was so little trust put in him, that when any thing of value fell, Cromwell took it to himself.  
I. In special the estate of William Tombs found a Felon of himself (which was the greatest that fell in his time) the whole was by a special order from Cromwell taken from him, and put into the hands of Major Worseley, who took it up accordingly, and what little of it came to his hands, an account of it was made to him;  
He is the worse by a 100 p. by the losses and charges he hath been at, about that one business, which are not yet satisfied; and is now disturbed upon that surmise of receiving, in several suits to his great molestation.  
II. There hath been a business which hath occasioned much discourse to his great injury concerning one Mr. Barkley who was found a Felon of himself, and so clearly by several depositions, that the like can scarce be paralleled: yet an other inquisition was ordered without any insufficiency found in the first, and in that manner which hath no precedent that his Council knows of.  
The whole narration of the proceed in it, are too long to be here inserted, the Dr. hath, and doth still suffer much injury by the adverse parties free discourse of him in it, some of whom he very much honours which increaseth his grief, only this will be his justification with those that are strangers to him and the Case; that he hath & doth offer it to any just, prudent, uninteressed persons whatsoever, and will bind himself to stand to his or their Arbitrement: the denial of which argues some diffidence they have of theirs, and he is assured by his Council, the first inquisition stands yet firm in Law, and so his Majesty's Title to the estate: which he only defends, and lays it down at his Majesty's feet.   

A brief Relation of that Bloody Storm at Drogheda, in Ireland, and the Doctor's Sufferings by Oliver Cromwell in it, and after it, with his Preservation.  
THe 3d of September 1649, was the first day Oliver Cromwell came before it, in making any attempt to that end; he had a 11 thousand Horse and Foot, completely provided, the Town had 3500. two days he battered, upon the second day about five of the clock in the afternoon, he assaulted it, but received a repulse; yet returning again took it: the word was given throughout his Army, no quarter; the Mill mount where the Governor Sir Arthur Aston was with about 300 men, was yielded upon promise of quarter, but as soon as it was possessed by them, all were put to the Sword● when the Town was fully taken, the Doctor's House was one of the first the Soldiers fell upon, but by the strength of it could not enter; The Mayor of the Town, and divers other of the Principal men that were Protestants to the number of about 30 came into it for refuge.  
There came 5 or 6 who were sent from a principal Officer, (the Doctor's former acquaintance) under a pretence of a guard for his house, but had a Command from him, as soon as they were entered to kill him, (which an earwitnesse hath since assured him of;) the Dr. denying to open the door to them, one of them discharged a Musket Bullet at him: it passed through the door, and only fired the skin of one of his fingers leaving a spot upon it, which burned 4 or 5 days after, and did him no more hurt.  
Then a Cornet of a Troop of horse, came to his relief, and pretending he had order from the General to take care of that house, the Soldiers withdrew, and so at a Backdoor he brought in his Quartermaster, whom he left to secure him. About a quarter of an hour after, another Troop of Horse came to the window & demanded the opening of the door. The Quartermaster and himself with an old servant left with him, (for he had sent his Wife and Children out of Town) stood close together, and told them it was the Minister's House, and all therein were Protestants, as soon as they heard the D. named, and his voice, one of them discharged his Pistol at him, wherein being a brace of Bullets with the one the Quartermaster was shot quite through the Body, and died in the place, and the other shot his servant through the throat, but recovered; the Dr. was only untouched. After this he made a stand at another place, and seeing the Soldiers, breaking in at a low window, he went up to his Study, where his said friends were making great Lamentation, expecting present death, they all kneeled down, and commended their souls to God. No sooner had the Dr. begun, but in comes the Soldiers, and interrupts them, threatening them with Bullets, but it pleased God they were so mollified that they only took all they had about them, and fell upon the spoil of the house. In the midst of these confusions comes one Colonel Ewres (whom the Dr. had not seen in 16 years before, and knew not of his being there) and took up his house for his quarters, turned the Soldiers out, and made the doors fast for himself.  
Not long after came Colonel Hewson, and told the Dr. he had orders to blow up the Steeple (which stood between the quire and the Body of the Church) where about threescore men were run up for refuge, but the three Barrels of Powder which he caused to be put under it for that end, blew up only the body of the Church, and the next night Hewson caused the seats of the Church to be broken up, and made a great pile of them under the Steeple, which firing, it took the lofts wherein five great Bells hung, and from thence it flamed up to the top, and so at once Men, and Bells, and Roof came all down together, the most hideous sight and terrible cry, that ever he was witness of at once.  
The next day the Colonel that had saved the Drs. life comes to him, and tells him he was very sharply checked for it, by the General and many of the Officers, and that he must yet expect to die, that no Protection could be had for him; which was confirmed unto him by others also, whereupon divers that came to see him took their leaves as never to see him again, and the number of the dead bodies (with which the Churchyard and Streets were filled already) daily increasing, even in cool blood to the number of 3500 gave him little hope of the contrary: that which at present repreived him, was Col. Ewres sending two of his Officers which were wounded to lie there.  
Then was the Proclaiming of his Majesty, inciting and encouraging of the Army, and what else might savour ill with the Soldiers, mustered up against him.  
The next day Oliver Cromwell, with many of his Officers, came to the Doctor's house, began with aspersing his Ordination as Popish, than the late Arch Bishop of Armagh, from whom he had received it, than his Majesty's Title, and the Doctors Praying for him came into discourse: the disputes of which with divers other Subjects, which lasted about three quarters of an hour, would be impertinent to be related here, but when he found the Dr. to be of that judgement he had heard, he left him without any assurance of life, only gave order to the Governor to have him sent up to Dublyn as a Prisoner. When he came there, it so fell out, that he met Cromwell himself, with his officers in the streets, where, after great Menaces that he would make him an Example, and expressly threatening him with pronouncing the sentence of death upon him, committed him to prison: as he was carried away, beside the votes of all the officers against him, Hugh Peter fell most upon him, who (as was affirmed then) had blamed Cromwell for saving of his life so long.  
Seaventeen days he was close prisoner, and afterwards upon Bonds confined six months within the City, and after that sent for up to the Army at Clonmel, permitted to come then with Cromwell into England, where to himself he never varied in any discourse in the said Subjects, from what he had said to him at the first sight of him.  
Thus far his sufferings in that storm, and his Deliverance.   

Some Articles Objected against the Doctor, while he was a Prisoner in Dublyn.  

I THat he had refused to obey Col. Michael Jones his order, for the forbearing the use of Common Prayer, in his Church at Drogheda.  
II. That he had Preached a Thanksgiving Sermon, for the taking of the Town of Drogheda, by the Lord of Inchiquin, under the Command of the Lord marquis of Ormond.  
III. That he saluted one Col. Trenchard, with great joy the Town was taken, accordingly for the King.  
iv That he moved the Mayor of the Town to come in his Scarlet to the proclaiming of the King, and that he attended at it himself, and went immediately to the Church, and observed the Book of Common Prayer, & in special those prayers for him.  
V His Praying for the Lord marquis of Ormond, as Lord Leiutenant of Ireland, then beseiging of Dublyn.  
VI His praying for a Confusion upon Oliver Cromwell's Army while he was beseiging Drogheda.  
VII. His withdrawing of some Commanders and Soldiers, from the service of the Parliament, and in special the speeches of one of their Captains upon his death bed produced, in complaining of the Doctor to that purpose.  
VIII. That he was with he Lord marquis of Ormond at his Camp before Dublyn.  
IX. That he refused to go with the Parliament Army, out of the Town of Drogheda, but stayed with the Lord of Inchiquin and his party in it, attended the Lord marquis of Ormond, when he came back to it, the keeping of a Fast, and Preaching before him, and praying accordingly for a good success upon his designs.  
X. That he had employed his parts, (to use the very words as it was written to him) against the Saints, and that Interest which the Lord Jesus is now bringing forth into the world.   
And thus he hath been compelled against his own disposition to reckon up those things which else he had not so much as mentioned, he having in all this done and suffered but that which was his duty to do.   
FINIS.