QVEREES, propounded BY THE PROTESTANT party, CONCERNING THE PEACE IN general, Now treated of in Ireland, and the answers thereunto made in behalf and name of the Irish Nation, by one well affected thereto, to the first copies whereof many things are inserted, and much added.  
  

QVEREES propounded BY THE PROTESTANT party, CONCERNING THE PEACE In general, &c.  


Quaer. 1.  WIll you Article, Covenant, and indent with your King? It becomes not Subjects; it argues mistrust of his majesty.  

Respons.  This Nation saith, it hath been often deceived, & abused by some ministers of state here for this kingdom, by whose practices they were frustrated of all the King's favours, and graces conferred to them, for which they granted and paid about three hundred thousand pounds sterling, not very long since, and soon after besides ten large Subsidies in the Earl of Straford's time, for all which moneys, amounting near to a million of pounds sterling they obtained▪ little or nothing. And the said graces are still suppressed and stopped. Next, the state here takes all advantage of this Nation for their Religion, by misrepresenting them to his Majesty, to suppress and keep them from the government, thereby to possess all places of honour, trust and profit, either in the Army, or commonwealth, and so raise themselves by casting perpetual clouds of disloyalty, and disaffection between the King and his people, as lately they did when they forsook and betrayed the English▪ pale first, and consequently the rest of the kingdom, to be overrun and ruined in the beginning of these Commotions: and yet they misinformed his majesty, and procured what Commissions they pleased, to prosecute the said Pale with extreme cruelties, and so by the Sword, and colour of Law, to have their estates by attaynders and forfeitures; whereat all other parts of the kingdom were amazed and distracted. Therefore in this subordinate government so jealous and irksome to the people, it is necessary to be on sure terms for the future, and that Catholics have a hand in the government, to prevent the like mischiefs. And on these grounds, it may well become Subjects to Article 
Add.  with their sovereign, which argues no distrust of his Majesty, but of his ministers, whose hands must still hold the helm, seeing the Kings own hand cannot reach thereto.   

Quaere. 2. Will you force the King, and work now on his necessities? He will remember it to you hereafter, and he may recall what he shall now promise: nor will he conceive himself bound to make good what he shall now grant you, considering the condition he stands in.  
Resp It is not in our thoughts, only we propound motives to support his majesty, and to advance his service, a whole Nation to the last man, and the revenue of a whole kingdom (if need be) to the last penny, to support his crown, on contentment now to be given this people, a hundred thousand loyal Subjects, and good fighting men, to spend their blood in this quarrel for his Majesty, and four or five hundred thousand pounds sterling by the year (as shall appear by the particular heads of the revenue of this kingdom laid down hereafter) is worth the acceptation, and may invite his Majesty to give content to this people. He then that will hinder or oppose this, to lose the King such a considerable party and assistance, can be no other than an enemy, aiming at nothing else, but to weaken his Majesty, by diverting this Nation, as it were by compulsion from 
Add.  his service. And this is not to force the King, and work his necessities, but to help him, and relieve them, and to buy our Peace with the marrow of our purses and blood of our veins, which his Majesty may (Indeed) well remember hereafter, not to recall our liberties, but to record our loyalties. Moreover, his Majesty may as well in future say, that he is forced to the conditions of peace proffered, as to those demanded: for neither the one, nor the other, would ever have been granted in precedent times, though not by want of gracious inclination in his Majesties to favour us, but by the sinister characters which his ministers here, ever gave him of us.   

Quaere 3. Will you lose the King all his protestant party, which will fall from him, and will you lose him all his protestant Subjects of England and Scotland, and consequently his crown of both kingdoms, which must follow, if he give you content?  
Resp. Can you imagine that any Subjects, which be true subjects, will forsake their Prince, because we tender aid of men and moneys, and propound motives to advance his service; nay rather the protestant party will advise his Majesty considering the condition and necessity he stands in, to give content to this Nation, thereby to gain so considerable a party, and assistance to support his crown, and themselves. Nor can they once suspect with reason (if they will not put it on him of purpose, as a seeming occasion of their defection from him) that his Majesty is not constant to the protestant Religion seeing they well know he is by education, and in his belief and opinions as firm a protestant as ever England bred, as is most manifest, by all his declarations and proceedings, though it stands not with the policy of the Parliamentaries, to make this an article of their belief; for they hold it a deep mystery of state, to misbelieve the King, and not suffer him to be believed in this particular, thereby to traduce his Majesty, and cause the Subjects still conceive, he is inclined to Papistry, whereof they take their greatest advantage, purposely to seduce and incense the people against him. Now if you fear the protestant party will so lightly fall from his Majesty, (as you would feign persuade us, to lessen our conditions) you may as well pretend any expression of favour which shall be granted us, were it but a connivance or toleration of our Religion, to be a cause sufficient, for the like defection, but if the said protestant subjects be of resolution, to continue true and constant to his Majesty, what can more powerfully encourage them thereto, or hold them more steadfastly to so generous and just a resolve, than an ample supply of men and moneys offered by us, on a good peace, to backe and second their party, the weakness whereof is not perhaps the least cause of all their fears, 
Add.  and wavering between the King and Parliament? But suppose the King were Catholickely affected, and would absolutely restore us our Religion, and the public use thereof, in as full and ample manner, as ever we enjoyed it in the times of his majesty's predecessors from the Conquest to Henry the VIII, would therefore (or rather should) all his protestant subjects fall from him, and must he therefore forfeit his crown? Your Quaere answers they would, and he must, it follows then, they are only conditionally Subjects, not absolutely, and his Majesty holds his crown by a conditional Tenure, not by an absolute: both which are absurd. Why did not all the Catholic Subjects of England and Ireland relinquish Henry the VIII. when he forsook his own and their Religion? why did not he lose his crown, when he lost his faith? Why might not the Romish subjects of France, fall off from the late French King, and his Father, when they gave toleration of Religion, and liberty to build Churches and Synagogues to the huguenots? Why lost not they▪ therefore their crowns? But to come nearer home: did not our dread sovereign King Charles condescend unto such propositions of the Scots, as stood not with their loyalty to demand, nor in his power to grant, (to omit all other, witness the abrogation of episcopacy, or unmitering of Bishops, who be the first of the three states of every Christian and Catholic kingdom) as appears by several his majesty's declarations yet extant. This his Majesty did, only to content that Nation, and save that crown; albeit the former followed not; heavens grant, the later may? for they must have aliquid amplius, to wit; Kings uncrowned and Monarchy pulled down, how ever his majesty's protestant party in England, Ireland, or Scotland, fell not therefore from him, neither is he therefore discrowned: and yet must both follow, if he give content to the Irish (in your opinions) or his royal assent to their propositions; albeit they contain nothing, but what may modestly suit with their fidelity to propound, and justly with his majesty, power, and expediently with his gracious benignity to grant, & that which hath been their own for ten or twelve ages consequent, and what they enjoyed in quiet possession, ever since the Conquest, during the happy reign of fifteen or sixteen Kings his majesty's predecessors, before Henry the VIII. and since then, violently wrested from them by tyranny, oppression, and surreptitious laws, fraudulently introduced by the bloodsucking ministers of this subordinate government. Moreover, what concerns it the protestant Subjects of England and Scotland, whether we have content or not? How are they any way impeached or improved thereby? or how therein interessed? What lose they by our liberty, or gain▪ they by our restraint? Can not they go to Church, though we go to mass? the broad Sea is betwixt us, we will be no eyesore to them. If it be for their brethren here, we seek not the abrogation of their Religion, or abreviation of their lawful freedom, or ought else derogating to their honour, security, or peaceable cohabitation, as appears by our propositions now in Print to the eye of the world, As for his majesty's protestant party protestant party here in Ireland (not to undervalue them) they are no way considerable: For, over all Munster, Ulster, and Connaght, such as for a while did seemingly proclaim themselves for the King, do now absolutely disclaim in him, and declare themselves for the Parliament, and consequently, his enemies, so as his Majesty hath no protestant party here, but only in Leynster, and that but in a destroyed nook thereof, to wit in the Counties of Dublin, and Louth, and a part of Kildare and Meath, (for Doncanon is fallen off) in all which they cannot make up one thousand five hundred protestants fighting men, where among these shall hardly cull out two hundred, I might well say two score heads well squared to the King's rule, the rest (as also all the protestant inhabitants of Dublin and their other towns, far much more than the most part) have their heads so Round, as they cannot hold rolling to the Parliament, when the least occasion is offered, As for their hearts, they are from the beginning in the bosom of their pure brethren in Westminster-hall; and their heels are all as nimble and ready to dance a scottish-jog, and a parliamental revolta, to Essex hornpipe, if execution were as easy, as thought is free, and wishes facile; all which is manifest by their Common-prayers, public discourses, and Commerce, and slocking to the Parliament Ships, whensoever they hover over our coasts, and thus are they all affected and infected from head to foot, save a very few of the prime, whereof some being strangers, can make no other party, than their household servants: other some, though by birth or descent, Natives, and big in blood and calling, and in precedent times vast in possessions, and powerful in command; yet now as the wind blows, they bear but low and fag sails, and can make no more way, than the meanest vassals, by reason their numerous allies, friends, and followers, are all Roman Catholics, and consequently adhering to the confederates, with whom, not being united, their power is as poor as that of the Alyens: So as the premises maturely pondered, his majesty's protestant party disjoined from the Catholic, is no way here considerable. Will you then, upon the only reason of an ungrounded Antipathy in Religion, advise his Majesty to discontent a whole Nation, for complying solely with the wilful malice of so fractious, frail, and feeble a party, as that of the protestants? I say in Ireland, for those of England, they cannot allege rationably any reason for opposing our peace, save also a mere hatred to our profession, which is the reason of fiends, who, because their selves are in bail cannot brook others should be in bliss: or their hearts are forsooth purified, and their heads sphearified, and so in the behalf and behoof of their pure brothers, they cunningly intend by this opposition to weaken his Majesty, by fomenting a continual difference twixt him and his Catholic Subjects of Ireland, whose party they know to be so powerful both at home, and abroad▪ as (were matters fairly composed, & content given them) they might strongly assist to quench the fiery fury of the Parliament, and reinthrone his Majesty, as now de facto they begin to do in Scotland, by a small succour of two thousand Irish sent thither, to join with the King's party there, whereby it appears, how highly an union betwixt his majesty's Catholic and protestant Subjects in his three kingdoms, conduceth, for the quelling and quailing of his enemies, and re-establishing of his royal person in his full power, prerogatives, and glory: For, if a poor aid of two thousand men only can so much prevail, what may a large contribution of a hundred thousand pounds in coin, or more, and ten thousand men, yea twenty; thirty it need be. I have been over fuse (I confess) in my answer to this Quaere because it is the objection most frequently and fervently obtruded.   

Quaere 4. Will you lose the kingdom by going to a new war again? will you utterly undo it, and yourselves, by a new breach? You are not able for the Scots, or my Lord of Insiquin, and the Parliament party that is in the kingdom: much less for my Lord Lieutenant and his party, whom you will force to join with the Scots and parliament, and so hold but with the longest and ●…st.  
Resp. I answer, these arguments of weakness m●… be retorted on yourselves. Will you, that pretend so much loyalty and zeal to serve his Majesty, lose the King and kingdom, which every day you do, while you keep this distance with the Catholic party, in giving the Scots, time to come to a head, and the Round heads leisure to bring their secret plots to effect, and this, by taking advantage of your weakness, in spreading themselves all over the kingdom? witness the revolt of the Lord of Insiqum, and of the fort of Doncanon, which you have lost, unless we deem them politic alarms, and subtle inventions to freight and work on the Confederates, to accept the easier conditions now of peace from you. It is likewise apprehended on very good grounds, that the City and Castle of Dublin, by the daily growing insolences and infections of the roundheads in the said City, may be in danger to be lost, and (as I may boldly say) is daily a losing. It is easy to fall from a protestant to a puritan, and from the King to the Parliament. It is their ordinary practice, to come and go daily, a victory or two does it: but the Catholics cannot with such facility fall from their Religion, because the differences are essential, and points of faith; nor from their obedience to his Majesty, because it is apparent, there is no such affection in them to the puritans, but rather an innated antipathy: So as to such extremes there's no fear of fall. Now if you deem us so weak for the Scots and parliamentaries in this kingdom, certainly you are much more, But say you? you may join with the Scots, yes, to forsake the King, you may, and so do your best to secure this kingdom for the Parliament and Scots. And had not the Catholic Army been now in the Field, and in the way, it is very probable, you had not escaped so scot-free, as you have done. And if we prosper not in this expedition (for which you had need to pray) but that they shall chance to overrun us; then I believe, you will find, they will not content themselves with the North alone, but will resolve to venture for a greater and better share of the kingdom. I see no reason, but you may fear your portion. You say you may safely join with the Scots, to hold out the longer with them, because you conceive them the stronger, and us the weaker, why should not you as well apprehend, that we may join with some other foreigner, or submit to such, whose several Agents now in the kingdom, perhaps wait an opportunity in that kind, and have their ears open ready to snatch up such a motion? Do not you think but the Scots and Parliament of England will be glad to accept of us, and our offers, which we make to his Majesty, and will permit us freely to enjoy the benefit of our conditions, so we concuire with them in suppressing Monarchy▪ which is the fair white whereat their wars do level? But say you, you know there is no such sympathy betwixt us, that were, from the frying pan into the fire, and therefore you are confident we will not be so mad, however, it behooveth you in commonpolicy, to be cautious, how you exasperate a whole Nation, and force them to fly for safety to foreign protection, whereto, doubtless, the late cruel plots and practices of Sir William Parsons, Sir Adam Lofius, and other vipers of the state, had driven this Nation, had it not been 
Add.  immovable from its loyalty to his Majesty, whereon you would fain it seems force a breach, by hindering his majesty's gracious favours from us, to make way for your holy brothers the parliamentaries, to enter and possess the kingdom: But, if you keep the gap too long open, beware our neighbours enter not, before your brethren; for Ireland is a fair and fryant morsel, and your Spaniards, Italians, and French have luscious teeth, which if they once fix in it, I fear all the Pincers or Hammers in England will not draw or drive them out. You ask us, will we lose the kingdom and ourselves? No, but endeavour to save both, and if we may not, a fair death is better than a specious bondage, slavery, or servitude: Meluis est enim nobis moriin bello, quam videre mala gentis nostrae, If therefore you will tie the King's hands so fast, as he may not grant us the freedom of Christians we must be compelled to endeavour to cut the bands, to reinfranchise his Majesty, and disinthrall ourselves, how weak soever you would fain persuade us to be   

Quare. 5. What if my Lord Lieutenant will publish his Commission, and will issue forth Proclamations of mercy and pardon, with restitution of estates, and all assurances of life, liberty and toleration of Religion, and thereby withdraw and divide all your party, and so puzzle and weaken you, that you will be glad of any conditions, and such as his excellency will be pleased to propound?  
Resp. No doubt, this was invented as a main Engine to crush, and bring our party and whole Nation to division, and so to desolation. I confess this Commission and Proclamation may perhaps work on the most necessitous, weak, and discontented people within the verge and quarters of Dublin, whom extreme necessity may force to go any whither for relief▪ but that have not you to give them for you have neither meat, nor money to spare within your quarters, nor strength enough to gain it from ours. You must come thirty miles now from Dublin, to get any corn or Cattle if you take not from one another, and so starve yourselves. Your parties of Horse that used to make their incursions for prey into the remoter Counties, are broken and dispersed, and what service may they be able to perform, going so far from their quarters, specially, now that our Confederates are grown far stronger, than ever you or they have been, both in Horse and arms, so as little or no relief are you to expect by pillage: and what small store remains within your own quarters, will hardly maintain your great towns, garrisons, for any considerable time. Consider well your own present state, condition, weakness, and necessities, and you cannot with sans judgement imagine, that any of our party will fly unto you, whilst they have the most part of the kingdom of their own side, plentifully able to relieve them, without adventuring their lives, to go a pillaging with you, against their country, friends, and conscience, specially, seeing there be other ways to maintain them, to wit, by putting the meaner sort into pay of the Armies, and the said banished Nobility and Gently into places and Offices of Military and civil employment, as is resolved by the late Assembly held at Kilkenny. And what people do you think to draw and divide from us? Those of the English-Pale, all destroyed, and made inconsiderable by your massacres & cruelties, for having withstood the shock, while ammunition arms, and Commanders were a coming, who must be now rather a burden, than a help to you, and no great loss to us, for what concerns their power, in the condition they now stand in, though before, they were, for so many, the most considerable part of the whole kingdom. Their Common sort are all for the most part, murdered and starved; and such of the Nobility and Gentry as are remaining, will not, for their estates (whereof they can make little benefit) hazard the loss of their persons in your service, to be exposed to all dangers, for a poor livelihood only, to be drawn out of prey and pillage, seeing you cannot otherwise maintain them of any place of honour, trust, command, or benefit, by your old crooked rules, they are incapable, at least so are they sure to be made and in fine, if you be masters, let them not doubt to be slaves, if not utterly extirpated, with the rest of their countrymen your opposites, for the ancient spleen you bear to their Religion and Nation, and unquenchable thirst to their estates, how ever now in your need you make use of their endeavours and services. Can you then with reason imagine, that their reason is so fair blinded, as not to foresee this do you think they will be so effeminate, as for a sufferance which cannot long continue, they will expose themselves to be the perpetual object of their country's wrath, the abject of all Christian Nations, yea and the obloquy of all the world, to advance your heathenish designs, by enduring all present and future miseries, by fighting against their friends, allies, themselves, and their consciences, by assisting to extirpate their own Nation and Religion, which hath now above fourscore years withstood so many furious assaults of your tyrannous pressures and persecutions, and betray their lives, liberties, and estates, to a never ending slavery and infamy, being still exposed to your new pretended attaynders, and corruptions of blood, which no pseudo-parliament of yours can wash away, nor may their grievances be thereby redressed, but by a free and legal parliament, such as they shall never have, by your consents, though you did promise, swear, vow, protest, and proclaim a restitution of all freedom and favour. Your words and Proclamations so often violated both before and since the wars, and your wonted faithless proceedings, confirms them in this belief. The violence of the storm is over-blowen, they hope, and I am confident, they are resolved to bear out with their fellow-vassals, rather than strike themselves aground, under your Lee. But suppose your proclamations brought in a considerable party (as I cannot believe they will) you will make but a perpetual war, in regard the rest of the kingdom is so possessed, and swayed by the Catholic Bishops and Clergy, that in case no reasonable accommodation be made, or content herein be given, the kingdom will be so embroiled and rent, that his Majesty will not be able to draw any assistance thereout, to support his crown: he will lose all his own revenue, and our aid of men and moneys, which are (under favour) far transcending any his Majesty may expect from his protestant party here, (if any such he hath) and more to be regarded, than the bare walls and empty carcases of Churches, whereto, for the most part, no protestants, save only the Ministers with their wives, did ever resort, in regard the flock were all of the Catholic fold, and all the labours, endeavours, and persecutions, being frustrate which since the suppression, were employed to propagate the protestant Religion in this kingdom, or fasten it on the body thereof, though the Court of wards hath wrought on a few degenerate members, and divided them from God and their country, I will not say, from their King, but I pray, it may not so prove. But let it now be considered, whether the protestant or Catholic party here is most powerful, and can bring the King most men and money? and if it be not as necessary (or more) to give the Catholics content, as the protestants? His Majesty (we are confident) is graciously inclined towards us, as appears by his several favourable declarations made in our behalfs, before some persons of worth and credit, now in this kingdom, ready to testify so much. To conclude, can those of the Pale, or any other (to whom griping misery, or raging jealousy of being vilipended by certain unnatural and ungrateful patriots may suggest a thought of deviding or withdrawing themselves from our party) be of so slavish an humour, as to join with you, when they shall reflect, and call to mind, how their immediate predecessors, and some of themselves perhaps yet living (by whose power and prowess in the late precedent war you kept your footing in the kingdom) were by you rewarded, disregarded, and abused. Was it not the usual taunt of the late Lord Strafford, and all his fawning Sycophants in their private colioquys to those of the Pale, that they were the most refractory men of the whole kingdom, that it was more necessary (yea for their crooked ends) they should be Planted and supplanted, than any other thereof, that his Majesty would never be absolute sovereign, whilst there lived a Papist therein? These & the like were the ordinary cabinet discourses of the state in general, whereinto sometimes in public their malice would burst forth, and where plantations might not reach, defective Titles should extend. Many Officers and Gentlemen, who had done very good service in the said war, and lost their blood and limbs therein, for which they had annual pensions conferred on them were soon after deprived of their said pensions, for only having refused to take the Oath of supremacy, or allegiance, in such form as protestants use, some whereof I have seen without hands, which they left at Kinsale, in defence of the crown of England, for which they remained also without thanks, without pension, for only being faithful to God and their own souls. Many of the ancient Irish who stuck steadfastly to the Queen's quarrel, and lost therein their lives, had their estates planted, with as little justice; favour, or reason, as those who endeavoured to take the crown of her head, and kingdom out of her hands. I knew myself a certain Gentleman, who being questioned before the state, for matter of Recusancy, (as you term it) answered, it was not demanded of me the day of Kinsale what Religion I was of, it is true, replied an ungrateful statesman, I confess you did good service that day, but you do now, as the Cow, that gives much milk, and spills it after with a kick of her heel, and this kick (forsooth) was no other then kicking in spirit at their foresaid execrable oaths, and being a Roman Catholic. Who then reflecting on your Tyranny, injustice, malice, ingratitude, faithless promises, and undeserved persecutions will be so stupid or craven hearted as on your brittle proclamations, to adhere to you, & put their heads like Asses, again into the halter? Did not Tyrone and Tyre-conell come in, and submit on fair conditions? Yet had not their heels saved their heads, the former had been tripped up, and the later chopped off, and so may all heads be, which will be so blockish as to lay themselves on the block, while the Hatched is in the butcher's hand over them.   

Quaere 6. What considerable good, is there to be expected, by your help of men, or moneys, the kingdom being so exhausted and destroyed, as no pecuniary aid may be thence collected, and so depopulated, as it hath no men to spare, & such as are, so cowarded, by our many victories, as they are not regardable, or of any use or estimation?  
Resp. You cannot deny, but on the beginning of these Commotions, you were fearfully scared by a popular rout of disarmed Clowns not only in the country, but even in your strongest walled towns and Cities, in somuch as you durst scarce peep out at the gates of your great Garizons of Dublin, and Drogbeda. I grant, when you had discovered those multitudes to be weaponless, and in no fit posture to defend themselves or offend you, than indeed you took courage and rushing forth with horse and foot completely armed, you slew man, woman, and child, as they came under your lash, as well those that held the plough▪ as the pike, the goad as the gun, the suich as the sword, which brave kind of service and sway you continued, until some Commanders, arms, and ammunition, came to our succour, and then were you put to a stand. This is the naked truth, without disparaging or undervaluing either Nation, as may be observed, since the battle of Rosse, where, though you had the honour of the field, by odds of the ground, and great advantage of your Artillery, yea, and somewhat else, which were petty treason to touch; yet we had the honour to have relieved and kept the town, and taken your shipping, where you were so stung, smarted, and amazed at the sharpness of the encounter, that ever since you have for borne to meet our troops. I will pass over the gaining of Burrise, Bir, sort-Faulkland, Ballynikill, Ballylenan, and several other places, and skirmishes about the time of concluding the Cessation in September 1643. specially at Loghleagh, where a few of ours routed and slew multitudes of yours, & Portlester, where fell that busy nice warrior, full of his country's blood and spoil, and zeal to serve the Parliament, Charles Lord viscowt Moor, of unhappy memory. So as, though we run away, (as you object) yet in each conflict you lost most men and that evermore of your chief Commanders, in such a broken, disorderly, and disfurnished war as we were compelled to make. And when you shall make an up-cast of your accounts, you shall find (if self conceit inveigle you not) that we have not had the least or worst part of the victories. As for our retreat lately from Charlemount, to refresh our horses and men, and to bring our Army out of such narrow straits, where Horse could not freely play; (whereat you seem to rejoice, and slaken the treaty of peace, as if you would side with the Scots, the King's enemies) no other construction can be made thereof, but that it was done to put the Army in a better posture for service: And suppose our Army did retire or disbande, by reason of some careless failure or defect in the Country, council, or prime-Commanders, in falling short of provision, pay, or other requisites: Must it therefore be inferred, that the kingdom is the less considerable, or powerful to succour his Majesty? This consequence halts over pons Assinorum, it follows not. For it is manifest, that if the whole kingdom had put their strength to it, (though your party did sit still, and look on only, as in this occasion you have remarkably done, which argues in you infallibly, either want of will, or power, if the former, you are no right Subjects, if the later, you are less able to assist his Majesty than we) Little should the Scots be of force to resist us, and much less (I am confident) will they be (the fire being now kindled and increasing in their own country) when your party and ours shall join unanimously against them. In the interim, if aught shall happen amiss, you may have a share in the blame and mischief. And our opposing the Scots deserveth a grateful acknowledgement, being a service more concerning your interests and safeties (if there be not some latent combination betwixt you and them) than ours, in regard we are in a more able condition for defence and offence, whereby, you cannot but judge us to be considerable, having lately maintained in the field (besides all garrisoned soldiers, and trained bands of horse and foot, settled in the several Counties) about seven or eight thousand foot, and one thousands horse, for five months, in a body. I believe our enemies have found our troops well able to break theirs, and to trample under foot their Scottish hobbyes. You may not be over confident of your past victories, or presume so much on a vain opinion of the Scottish-Army, (whereof perhaps you make use to square and govern this Treaty) you cannot deny, but we have multitudes of men, many thousand soldiers, brave cawalliers, and long experienced stout Commanders, most zealous and willing to fight out this quarrel for his Majesty, who, on secure contentment given their Nation, will prove themselves as valiant and hardy now and always, as they have been ever hitherto, and still are, reputed in all foreign Countries. I appeal to your own knowledge, whether any stands better of your side in the field, than this country man? So that we may truly say, you fought with our own men against us, as now the Scots do. And though the kingdom in many parts be destroyed; yet are the revenues thereof still considerable: Whereas this last year of Cessation, above a hundred thousand pounds have been levied out of the very ploughlands, and the Counties at large, without scarce touching our Cities or walled towns, to wit, thirty thousand pounds to his Majesty, on the Cessation, for transporting the English Army herehence to his aid, fifty thousand pounds for the Army of Ulster at least, during the expedition: twenty thousand pounds more have been paid this same year, in satisfaction of arrears due to Officers and Commanders, besides divers other sums for our Agents at several times, which I omit, together, with the entertainment of all such as serve the commonweal, whereof, though some receive not much, yet some others do. I pass over all sums which lie hidden in the hands of Collectors, Receivers, & such other Officers, which in all amounts to above a hundred thousand pounds, this year, when the kingdom (I suppose, and hope) is at the lowest ebb. What then will it be able to afford when a happy peace shall begin to recover it, and bring a full tide of all flourishing plenty, specially, when the English-pale shall be reinhabited, which now lies wast in a manner and useless, and hath been the best and richest Colony of the land, and the chiefest and most abounding Granary thereof, and prime support of the state? and if the ways we have fixed on, the last Assembly at Kilkenny in July 1644. be condescended unto, and effectually followed, during this grand necessity, they will (I say) bring into the treasury, at least four hundred thousand pounds by the year, as by the ensuing heads of a revenue agreed unto at Kilkenny as aforesaid, may plainly appear. First, the excises laid in a moderate way over all our quarters, suppose half as much, as it is in Dublin, will amount to a huge sum throughout all our Cities and Corporations, as yet not touched in this kind. Secondly, the fourth part of the yearly rent and value of every man's estate, which likewise I leave to be considered. Thirdly, the King's Rents, Compositions, and customs, which (though now in a manner during the wars, lost, or of small value) will upon a peace soon improve, if there shall be no Wentworths or ratclives, to cozen the King, or Catch poll the Subject. Fourthly, two parts, or more, of all Church-livings belonging to the Clergy, so much now insisted upon between the Catholic and protestant Clergy: and this to assist his Majesty during the wars, All which particulars of a revenue, must doubtless amount unto a vast sum, to be employed first, to secure and clear this kingdom of all roundheads, and other malignant or ill-affected persons, be they English, Irish, or Scots, which by a perfect union of the Protestant party (I mean such as sincerely adhere to the King) & ours, may be speedily effectuated, through the happy and disinteressed government, we then hope to enjoy, and the free and cheerful contribution of all 
Add.  to advance the said service, which being achieved, then may all our Armies be transported into England, and our forces be employed towards his majesty's succour which is the longing desire, and chiefest ambition of this loyal Nation, how suspicious soever you may be of them, for your own sinister intentions; all which really pondered, sans all jealous prejudication, our helps both of men and moneys, are highly considerable▪ and yours very little available, for first, your party is in a manner no party, at least for the King, by reason the most and strongest part thereof, if not all, consists of Puritans and antimonarchists, such as would, if it lay in their power, rather Conquer the kingdom for their holy brethren, the Parliamentaries, Scots, or Hollanders, then for his Majesty. Next, if you had a considerable protestant party, you have no provision if Come, victuals, men, or moneys, nor can you expect any, but from his majesty's enemies, who will send you none, to serve against themselves, all which is before sufficiently demonstrated. How then are you prepared for a new war, or how able to extirpate this Nation, if you intend not to bring in the parliament, or some other of your antimonarchical brethren, to win the kingdom for themselves, and wean it from his Majesty? And what gets the King by that? marry, he shall gain an open enemy, and lose a kingdom. And, if for this end, the parliament help you not, they have small encouragement to send you any more, so little effect have they found of the several aids hitherto transmitted, which doth no way countervayle the blood of so many thousand men, and charge of so many hundred thousand pounds, employed; spent, and lost, by Sea and Land to subdue, and extinguish this Nation, which must very much discourage them, and retard their further adventures hither, having their heads & hands full of work at home. We know their spleen to Ireland overflows, and their desire is transcendent, to join it as a large Canton to their new intended state, framed after the Holland cut: Yet, for the present, their ambition is first, to settle it in England, and to secure themselves, much more prevalent, for charity begins at home; and they conceive, they may come time enough to play the after game in Ireland, for they assure themselves, to have always odd men lurking in our after points, to keep the Tables open. It is hard then for you to trust to their present supplies so uncertain, and if you do, it is more hard for his Majesty to confide in you, for doubtless, they will not relieve you, that you may succour him, whom they so violently oppose, and labour to depose. Now I pray, give me leave a little further, to examine your vaunting victories, and therein to manifest the valour of our men, so much by you undervalued. The first encounter was (as you cannot but remember) between the bridge of Gillianstone & Smithstone, where a few of ours, with Swords and Skines only, without shot defeated four of five hundred of yours, armed as completely as any, soldiers in Holland, where among was a troop of Horse which saved themselves by their heels, and about three hundred of the foot were slain in the place, without shot or stroke in defence of their lives were the Irish than cowards? During the siege of Drogheda, (which though they were forced to raise, for want of Commanders, arms, and ammunition) in the few encounters that were, they showed their valour, even in standing, and defending themselves not being provided for offence, yet was your loss still most. And did not our young Gentlemen enter the town, and therein sufficiently demonstrate their courage, though compelled to retire, as you were at Rosse. At Swoards, Finglas, and Santry, did not thirty or forty Musketires of ours, having not above three shots of powder a piece, with three or four hundred Clubbetiers, confront a body of eight hundred shot of yours, beside pike and horse, and slay your Commanders, and six for one of your soldiers, till want of powder did force their retreat, and give you way to murder a company of old labouring men, women, and children? At Kiljhalaghan, did not they the like, and kept the place also, for that time in despite of you, to your excessive loss? At Trim, Dundalke, and other petty skirmishes, you evermore lost your Commanders, and most of your soldiers, neither did you ever put ours to flight, while they had a shot of powder left, though you had ten arms, for one of ours. At Kilrush, I confess we were as many men (I believe) as you, but your Artillery, Horse, arms, ammunition, triply exceeded ours, which are very great advantages, yet little got you by that day, but the field, which, with such odds, I hold for no great victory, which you had not the courage to prosecute. All such Castles as you got from us (for the most part) cost you dear, ten lives or more, for one, though you laid formal sieges to them, with Artillery, plenty of ammunition, and all other requisites, against a few unarmed disfurnished men: witness Carrigmain, Baldugan, sudden, Lynch his knock, and several other, where commonly, you most perfidiously broke your quarter given. All these were before the arrival of any help of Commanders, arms, or ammunition in our quarters, since when you have always lost ground, and recovered none; At Raconell you confess our men fought valiantly, even with stones, when their powder was spent, the want whereof (it is evident) was the sole cause of the defeat. At Loghleagh, you were shamefully beaten. At Rosse we had our intent, which was to defend the town, though you got the field, by the advantage of your Artillery, and somewhat else, must not be spoken off. At Keshenennan, being in all, not a full thousand men, horse and foot, very slightly provided, we kept the passage against your great Army of five or six thousand horse and foot. At Clancurry, we had also our intent, which was to send you home, without annoyance of us. At Portlester you got the worst, as is aforesaid. All such Castles as we have gained from you, we won them (in a manner) without difficulty, blows or loss; (Ballinikill only excepted, which also held not out much more than half a day, after the first shot of a Cannon, though you vauntingly glorified it, with the name of invincible) yet in each of them, you abounded with men, and all other Military provision. Now in all these battles, encounters, skirmishes, and Castles won or lost, it is particularly to be noted, that you never gained from us, without stiff and stout resistance, sharp blows, and much loss, most commonly, and with much advantage, of Artillery, arms, ammunition, and other warlike necessaries; whereas, whensoever we got from you, (I say for the most part) it was evermore without much opposition, damage, or blood, with all kind of disadvantage of our side, which evidently demonstrates whose men are most cowarded, or stood worst. If we still run away, why did not you overrun and conquer the kingdom? And if a man armed only with a Club, or a gun without powder, should fly from another, completely armed, and provided to his hearts desire, can any with reason therefore call that man a coward? I should rather hold him for a Cullion, that pursues such a man, or at least, cannot wrest his will, or win his wish from him. If our men thus nakedly appointed, could hold play, for a whole year to yours plentifully furnished, while succour was a coming, as it appears they did, may they be nickenamed Cowards? rather the contrary: for all this proves manifestly, that you were very cowards, or they very valiant fellows, and I think you will rather aver the later, then avow the former. How ever, I am certain all Christian Nations else will, and do proclaim them valiant, yea England and Scotland their most splenative enemies; Prince Rupert will witness it. And out of these premises I deduce an infallible consequence, two, or three, ergo our men and moneys are considerable; ergo it is dangerous for you in a new war to hazard the loss of the kingdom, and utter extirpation of the protestant party; Ergo, it is better and safer for you, his Majesty should give content to this Nation, by giving his royal assent to our propositions. But you say, it is not in his majesty's power to condescend to our demands. If he shall, it will set popery again in jurisdiction, introduce the supremacy of Rome, and take away or endanger his majesty's supreme authority in causes ecclesiastical, a diminution of honour and power not be endured. I answer, we desire not the repealing of any ancient grounded laws, but to be disburdened of certain grievous pressures laid on us, either by acts of state, or parliament, or the lawless Law of Sic volo, sic jubeo fraudulently or violently enacted and executed, by the unsupportable tyranny of the ministers of this subordinat government, destructive to our Religion, lives and liberties, which, a free parliament with his majesty's royal assent can legally do: therefore it lies in his majesty's power to grant our propositions. Doubtless, you will acknowledge King Charles to be as lawful, absolute, & powerful a King of England and Ireland, tam de jure, quam de facto, as was Henry the VIII. or Edward the VI. Who (as it were at a blow) beat down and suppressed a Religion of above eight hundred (or rather twelve hundred) years standing, seized on Jesus Christ's own patrimony, the possessions of the Clergy, confiscated their goods, sacked and profaned their Churches, & in 
what follows, are the words of an approved English Author.  fine, turned above ten thousand of them out of doors to seek their fortunes, without being heard, or orderly convicted for any offence, contrary to all Law, conscience, and common reason: For, the Abbeys hold their Lands in Frank Almoine, and in Fee, they were possessed of them, by the donation of several Saxon, English and Norman Kings, and Subjects, continued legally by prescription, established by law, and confirmed by the Charters of Kings, as that of Magna Charta 9 H. 3. and the confirmation thereof 28. Ed. 1. Where it is granted, that the Church of England shall be free, and have its liberties inviolable, and cap. 2. judgement given against them shall be held for nought: Also, sententia lata super confirmatione Chartarum, by Ed. 1. or ●●. Ed. 3. cap. 8. If any statute be made contrary to Magna Charta, it shall be void, or the confirmation of all these, 1. 6. 7. 8. of Rich. 2. and 4. H 4. All which were intended to prevent tyranny, and secure the Church then being, visibly known, and generally reverenced: for to no other Church were they granted, neither can any other enjoy them. Yet did Henry the eight, and Edward the sixt assume the 
hitherto the foresaid Author.  power to controvert and subvert all these, which you approve and applaud, though they were acts surmounting the puissance of heaven; and you will not allow King Charles the power of ordinary actions, and sublunary things in our behalfs; albeit you avow his consent given to the Scots (as aforesaid) by act of parliament to pull down Bishops, without whom a parliament is no parliament, In equity and reason, whatsoever Common-law may pretend to the contrary. His Majesty by a public Declaration in Print declared the late Earl of Strafford innocent for matter of blood, yet was he compelled after to subscribe to the condemnation and decollation of the said Earl to content the parliament of England, as yet insatiably discontented. All these (I say) you approve and commend, and yet must his majesty's hands be bound, and his gracious favours locked up from us, under pretext (forsooth) of impossibilities in our demands, though they contain nought, but what legally lays in his majesty's royal breast to grant. As for your wonted childish foppery, which you call popery to be set again in jurisdiction, our propositions import (as you mean it) no such thing; but that we may be allowed the freedom of the Roman Catholic Religion, which hath here continued in jurisdiction (if you know what means jurisdiction) above a thousand years, maugre all your fiery furies, and persecutions. And suppose it were in jurisdiction, as you understand it, no disinteressed judgement can see what his Majesty should lose thereby; his Rents and customs would be still the same, if not much more, by reason of the freedom of ingress and egress of traffic, and the fidelity of Officers; he should gain a hundred hearts for one, both at home and abroad; he should be obeyed and served, as Father of the commonweal, for love and filial fear, not as he has been hitherto by you, for lucre and interest, as well appears by your now falling off from him, since the days of gain are expired: for his protestant party here, is only (as aforesaid) in Dublin, Drogheda, Dundalke, and in those quarters, where also now by a new treason lately discovered, they manifest the old treachery lay hidden in their hearts; and (to confirm what I have above laid down) on this discovery there were found but only three Commanders in the whole town of Drogheda who stood for his Majesty: And, if all the protestant pulses in Dublin, or elsewhere in Ireland were felt by a skilful physician in that kind, I doubt, there would hardly be found a hundred free from that frantic fever. As concerning the introduction of the supremacy of Rome, which you object; it is well known, and we care not who knows it, that all Ireland never believed other; how then can that be intended to be introduced, that has never been taken out of it? I say all Ireland; that is, all Irishmen, whereof if a very few believed otherwise they were of a viperous brood, destructive to their mother, and considerable, as none, in regard of the whole kingdom, as also such English as here inhabited. With all, our propositions make no mention of any such intended innovation. So as (suppose the Roman Catholic Religion were freely exercised in Ireland, which is that we seek) the supremacy in causes ecclesiastical, and the honour and power thereof, should still as much as ever remain in his Majesty. Yet reflect but a little, and you may perceive, that his Majesty has lost that honour & power you so much esteem, in England and Scotland, (Oh that that were all!) for the parliament and Scots (if any they admit) attribute it to the Elders of their kirk; but there is no corner in a Round-head for such a supreme belief; it has place then only in a few protestant heads (and fewer hearts, if they were all profoundly sounded) in England and Ireland, and as for the belief of Roman Catholics in that kind, it derogates not a single hair from their faithful and fixed allegiance to his Majesty, as is evident by their cleaving to him in his three kingdoms, now in these boisterous times of his troubles, when all Sectaries float in their fidelities, and flit according their fancies. Moreover, what great diminution of honour or power (to use your own words) should his Majesty thereby sustain, suppose the supremacy of Rome were introduced? The world knows (that knows the History of England) that the crown of England had more power, honour, fame & wealth, before it assumed that seeming specious Title, than it could ever since then, purchase, either at home or abroad. This needs no proof, the Legend of the lives of the Monarchs thereof, does demonstrate it. Had not Henry the VIII. morerenowne, by his book written against Luther in defence of the seven Sacraments, for which he received a Sword from the Pope, with the glorious Title of Defender of the Faith, than he had after, when his lust lead him to arrogate the supremacy? and more treasure had he in his Coffers, I am certain. For, notwithstanding the spoil and pillage of the Church, whereof the value of the Lands only England, at that time amounted to above three hundred and twenty thousand pounds ten shillings sterling per annum, out of which the King took into his own possession, and appropriated to the crown, a hundred sixty one thousand one hundred pounds per annum, besides their moveables, which doubtless made up a vast sum: yet died he without wealth, without honour, without friends, without peace in his house, or heart, and with remorse of Conscience belcheth forth his last breath in despair, with an Omnia perdidimus: and can boast of no other Monument he hath left to Record his memory, but such as he left, who vaunted of burning Diana's Temple. Now since then, can any man show me the effects of the supposed honour or power, England has enjoyed or acquired, either foreign or domestic, by the supremacy, other than pride, luxury, Epicurism, blasphemy, effeminacy, and in a word, a licentious liberty to swim in sin, and wallow in vice without control? It is true indeed, there was a Duke went into Spain, Basta. And to the Isle of Ree, c'est assé. England has assisted in this later age, Holland, Swedland, the Palatinate, and other rebels against their natural and lawful sovereigns, and has been, and still is cowed by that Nation, which it most scorned and vilipended of the world, and over which in former ages it was wont to domineer, crow, and conquer. It is lately become the forge of novelism and heresy, the nursery of Sects, and now the stage of rebellion. These are the fruits of your gosling Gospel, and the feats of honour and power, acted since the supremacy of Rome has been expelled, and the inheritance of S. Peter intruded upon. France, Spain Italy, Poland, and other Catholic countries, states and Provinces, who still continue obedient children to the Church of Rome, esteem themselves either in power, honour, wealth, or worldly splendour, no way inferior to England; yea many of them far exceed it in all. They are adored, beloved, awed at home and abroad; The Turks, Heathens, and Infidels fear and feel the force of their arms; both ends of the world do them homage, are tributary to them, and contribut to the farssing of their Coffers. Yet do they still acknowledge Rome their superior in causes ecclesiastical, neither have they any ambition to spiritual jurisdiction, because they know they are incapable thereof, and they deem it rather a diminution, than any addition of honour or power to arrogat a Title which derogats from the power and jurisdiction essentially inhering in that Title, which they are assured cannot be but in a Priest. So as this great Colossus of honour and power, Supremacy, in spiritual causes in a secular person, (the loss whereof you so much apprehend) is a mere ens rationis, and consequently a thing not to be thought of by rational men. Yet, if you will needs be so chymericall, as to contend de lanacaprina, take you it, so we may have from the benignity of his gracious Majesty his royal assent to our humble propositions, which all good Subjects, and real patriots are bound to wish and vote, it being the most efficacious mean to secure and succour his Majesty against the malignant party, and to settle this tottering kingdom in a firm and constant peace, whereto a raging malice to this Nation, with an undiscreete antypathicall zeal to the extirpation of the Religion thereof may raise many opposites. But let every man of both parties lay his hands on his heart, and sadly consider the state of this kingdom, which lies pining in a violent hectic fever: Its veins have been superaboundantly vented. Too much phlebotomy drives the body into a consumption. If the flames shall once again burst forth, and the Sword be reunsheated betwixt us, without doubt nothing shall ever quench the one, or put up the other but the utter eradication and abolition of you and your Religion, or us and ours; and whether, no man but he that's God and man can tell. Can any then so far deviate from the road of reason, as to take their way where they are certain to be way laid, or in eminent danger of the loss of their purses and persons, while they may confidently walk other secure paths? Who can be so unwise, as to lay the foundation of so weighty a structure, as is that of their Religion, lives, and fortunes, on floating sands, while they may have firm and solid grounds to build on? I know not what will and rage may do; but well, what wit and reason should do. Let every man therefore (I say) wipe off from the eye of his heart, all national animosities, all overweening conceits of proper might, all unnatural antypathies, all jealous distrusts, and every atom of any other passion, which may offuscat the visive powers from discerning what may most conduce to the recovery of our infirm country, whereunto, I wish each undividuall would put his helping head, heart, and hand without morosity.  
This is better policy, then to keep all in suspense forsooth, to avoid the blame of concluding any thing, and to spin out time, to see for whom the triumph will turn, or which way the game will go, either for the King or Parliament▪ so to run with the good success, and to beat on the winners hand, or upon a shuffling up of the game, and an accommodation to betray this Nation, and take all advantages against it, as may well be collected and feared, out of these long suspicious treaties, and frequent Cessations. But the great God of heaven, and protector of the Innocent, who hath hitherto frustrated the grand plot of our adversaries, intended for the extirpation of our Nation and Religion, by stirring up a war in England, to divert their fiendly fury, & revenge the spilling of so much Innocent blood, as hath been here unhumanly shed, may (and doubtless will) convert their present machinations on themselves. The fox is oft taken by his too much cunning and wiliness, when one good plain way of leaping into the Tree, still saves the Cat. Did not the state here cause all the corn in the Pale to be destroyed and burned, the poor labouring men to be murdered, and so tillage to be almost quite banished, thereby to starve the Inhabitants? which, without doubt had famished themselves were it not for the Cessation in September 1643. Via plana, via sana▪ 'tis to be feared, that these winding wiles and halting policies may betray and lose his Majesty all his protestant party, so ready to slip after good success, whilst the parliament shall win more steadfast footing in North-wales over against our Coasts & Harbours, whereby they may prevent the timely transportation of our aid. It is dangerous to let a disease run too far, and a patient to work and trust too much to the strength of his nature, lest all helps of physic come too late. You say, it is good to bear the Scots and other roundheads in hand, till you be assured of the Confederates. You hover then in your resolutions of adhering to his Majesty, and you falter in your fidelity, seeing you hold correspondence with his professed enemies, and oppose and reject those, who (you know in your Consciences, whereto I appeal) are his majesty's best and truest Subjects, though they may not yield to such conditions of peace, as you would put on them, without perpetual slavery, infamy, and danger of being one day massacred. You presume top much on the friendship and alliance some of your great ones have amongst us, which you are best beware how you squise and wier-draw too far, lest you force us to forget all relations of blood, and ties of friendship, whereto Religion and country must be preferred. Unnatural suits and quarrels, prove still the most dangerous, and least capable of reconciliation. Let not any think to raise or endear themselves to his Majesty by extraordinary services, in forcing the harder conditions on their country, for they shall thereby lose his Majesty more hearts, then gain heads and hands for his assistance, while you press too much their persons and Consciences, and grate too deeply on their estates and purses, they having ever been and still are too free and willing of themselves, to supply his majesty's necessities, to support his glory and prerogatives, and advance his service: though I may with a sigh, say, they have been evermore most unfortunate▪ in sharing any part of the thanks of all their benevolous actions and large contributions from time to time, which the Governors of this kingdom did still snatch and arrogat to themselves, by magnifying their own endeavours and labours, interposed between the King and his people; as lately did the Lord of Strafford, who engrossed all the honour and thanks of our profuse Subsidies, and ingenuous willingness to his majesty's service, to himself; which may be a sufficient precaution to us; and his fall from the stage, by overacting his part, a lively precedent to all others, for eviting such a tragical end, which is commonly the Epilogue of all politic plays. Let therefore all such, as act those eminent parts of Kings or Princes on the theatre of the commonweal, enter into themselves, and consider, that albeit they personat Princes, yet they are none, but fellow-players of the Globe or Fortune, and consequently, both they and their posterity, subject to such inconveniences and pressures, as they, by overmuch affectation of applause, or other falter, shall have drawn on the rest of the company. So as, when the play is done, those momental glorious Kings, may perhaps for ever after, be driven to act the clown, exile or pilgrim, as well as the meanest of their companions, which God avert from all well meaning servitures, whose sincere intentions and radiant Candour, will in fine (I hope) shine through the the thick est of these Egyptiacall clouds, which hang over our Hemisphere, and disperse all malignant vapours and vipers, which will vanish throughout the kingdom, like false apparitions or spectres, upon a true union & understanding between the King and his people, whereto, may propitious heaven say, Amen.   
FINIS.