A faithful REPRESENTATION of the state of IRELAND: Whose bleeding Eye is on England for help.  
OR The Horrid Conspiracy Discovered; and most humbly presented to the Wisdom of Parliament for timely prevention, if not impossible.  
Wherein it appears the design is laid at the Root of all the Parliaments Interest there, the Adventurers Lands, and the New-English men's Lives, (as they call them) as well as at the power of godliness, and of the present Government.  
Published by Constant and Cordial Adherers to the Parliament and commonwealth, on the behalf of themselves, and of thousands in Ireland.  Prov. 18. 17. 
He that is first in his own Cause seemeth just: but his Neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.  Job. 22. 30. 
He shall deliver the Island of the Innocent, Or, The INNOCENT shall deliver the Island!  
LONDON, Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black spread Eagle near the West end of Paul's, 1660.   

A Faithful Representation of the Affairs of Ireland, intended for the Parliament, February 21. before their new Force put upon them.  
AS no Nation in the World hath gone through more stupendious Providences, and swifter Revolutions; So never any hath passed through more imminent Hazards and Menacing Whirl-pits then this poor Island; with such amazing and Miraculous Deliverances as the FINGER of the Lord hath written upon them; There is none like to THY GOD (O England.) Who rideth upon the heavens in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky! The ETERNAL God is thy Refuge! and underneath the everlasting arms, HAPPY art thou (O Israel!) who is like unto thee, O People! SAVED BY THE LORD! &c. The last whereof was not the Least, if not one of the GREATEST SALVATIONS that our eyes have seen from one of the most FATAL STROKES that ever was given to a Magistracy in the Nation; by that unhappy and never-enough-dreaded Interruption of Parliament October last, Whereby a WICKET was opened (at least) to that Wide & Dangerous Door that the Common Enemy hath taken in the three Nations at this day; being never more stirring and acting to Retreive and Prosecute the Horrid design of Sr. George Booth then at this instant, which like a Dismal Cloud hath overspread us through the heat and benefit of those Distractions and Confusions that came upon us, importing the Greatest Calamity and Misery (without a Miracle of Mercy) that can be imagined or impendent, So that had not the Lord been on our side, now may Israel say, if the Lord had not been on our side to save us, when men rose up (so fast) against us, they had swallowed us up QVICK! long ere this. And particularly in poor Ireland, where the face of Affairs at this instant portend and promise all things for it, as near, yea very near affected, if the Parliament by their wonted Wisdom and Courage do not quickly interpose in it. Wherefore several of us, who (like Job's Messengers) are escaped at present (and more are following) to attend upon the Parliaments pleasure for a hearing, (on the behalf of ourselves and of thousands in that Nation of the Parliaments best and constant friends) are ready to make a most true Report of that Land, to discover the Conspiracy there afoot, to enucleate Ireland's Lamentable Case from the Calumnies and most Cunning Sophistications of their (late) PERFECT NARRATIVE, but indeed ERRATIVE, and Collusion both in matters of Fact, and of Faith, being throughout most false, (put forth on purpose to delude the Parliament and Good people of this Nation, and to abuse their judgement;) and are ready to prove upon our perils (sed bona fide) every one of the ensuing Particulars, (and more too) very material to the Parliaments service as well as welfare of all Ireland, which we shall humbly submit to the judgement of Parliament, and to the most accurate scrutiny of any, or of all whether Friends or Foes in the whole Nation to draw their just Conclusions from, and to convince them of the Deplorable Danger thereof.  
First, 
The Plot in Ireland laid.  In that they openly and frequently Declared for a Free Parliament, that an eminent Leader of them did it at the head of the soldiers, 
1 For a Free Parliament & the King.  the soldiers again reciprocally declared it to their Officers, that with this voice for a Free Parliament they rode about the streets of Dublin blandishing their swords, drinking healths to that purpose at their Bonfires, speaking contemptibly of this Parliament, making no such sign of joy when the post brought the News of their Return to their great Trust and Authority, being many of them struck with a great damp thereat, (who had rejoiced at their Interruption;) and many openly declared and avowed for the King, as at Youghall, mallows and other places, constantly drinking the King's health. So that pag. 9 of their Narrative they fallaciously represent the Case, in saying, they declared for the Parliament, and were met with by the Acclamations of All; but never tell us for what Parliament.  
Secondly, 
2 To arm the King's party, and put them into power,  ' That they immediately armed, impowered and preferred such as were in open Hostility for the King against the Parliament, and such as at Sir George Booths rebellion manifested their eminent disaffection to this Parliament and divers other Officers who fought under Inchequeen and Ormond against the Parliament are now in command, settled by them; and such as laid down their Commissions, and refused to obey the Parliament against Sir George Booth: All these are armed, in places of Command, and advanced, nor is it altogether inconsiderable the over Compliance of the rest and of the Best of them with the single Person upon all occasions and transactions which they can no ways palliate, but with a poor and empty Apology for it, (p. 23, of their Narrative) that it was no more than what was in the generality of the three Nations, by which they detect themselves sufficiently, and what COPY it is that they intend to write after, viz. The generality of the Nations. But O Lord! Deliver not the Soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude.  
Thirdly, 
3 To imprison the parliaments friends and turn them out of power.  That they have imprisoned many hundreds (not only Field-Officers and of the Army but) others of the best affected English to the Parliament in Cities, Towns, countries, Ministers of the gospel, Justices, Planters, Trades men, and pious Christians that have ever given the greatest proof of their most cordial adhaerance and faithfulness to the Authority of this Parliament at all times, and never Acted any thing to the contrary, also in the Militia (as well as Army) such as declared their adhering to this present Parliament they have put out, and placed others in (and such only) as suit better with some other design; yea, one of their own lately affirmed it, that in their council of Officers there is not (he was confident) five real and absolute for this Parliament or their Interest.  
Fourthly, They have also otherwise disabled, and disarmed most of all the Parliaments Friends, 
4 To disable disarm and expose them to the Irish revenge.  and of the most approved fidelity and constancy (that we can hear of) in the whole Nation; exposing thereby the poor naked English, to the most merciless Rage of the Native Irish, not having wherewithal to defend themselves from them who watch but an opportunity to slay them; as in the case of Captain Cornick an honest peaceable man, lately set upon in his own house, (but himself escaping) they fell to firing, burned up his out houses, and all his Corn in stacks, took away his cattle to the value of five hundred pounds in all. So that from thence and some late execrable murders, the Irish rebellion may fear de novo by it; and that it will be but translated by an English Alphabet of Characters, if not speedily prevented; for,  
Fifthly, 
5 To arm the very Irish Rebels.  Whiles they thus use the English, plunder and disarm the best Parliament friends in the whole Nation, they suffer all the Parliaments professed Enemies to keep their arms (as well Irish rebels as others,) and not only so, but deliver them more out of the Parliaments store (with ammunition in abundance,) preferring Inchequeens Officers amongst them, and all that ever were for the King, and never served the Parliament, are permitted not only to keep their arms, but to furnish themselves with what more they will.  
Sixthly, 
6 Keep up a feud between the old and the new English planters.  To make it a deadly feud between the English, themselves (as well as the Irish and the English, they have newly distingished them into Names of the old Protestants and the New; the old bandying themselves against the other, the new English as they call them, wishing their throats were cut; saying, they came to eat the bread out of their mouths (that planted there, &c.) And the Irish Papists say they will rather subject to the old Protestants, then to the new, for the Common prayer book is the mass (they hear) Englished, & under them they shall have more liberty; But notwithstanding this promising compliance with the old English, they will quickly give them proof of an insatiable revenge upon all the English, when they have sufficiently weakened them with their divisions; and that their hydropic thirst cannot be so easily quenched, but the more they drink, the more they will desire, until they exhaust all into their own hands. Albeit at present, much of the Armies conduct is put into the hands of old English, episcopal men, yet such they are, as ever have been and yet are most bitter enemies to the Parliament and our present English Interest there! And so may serve to Act the first part of the intended Tragedy in that Island. The wicked watcheth the Righteous, and seeketh to slay him; but the Lord will not leave him in his hands, nor condemn him when he is judged;  
Seventhly, To make it yet more obvious; Many commissioned Officers and soldiers that declared with them at the first, (when they pretended for this present Parliament, and that justified the Authority of this Parliament against that force and Interruption that was put upon them, are dismounted and displaced as not fit for their design, but demurring their recession from the first Declaration, wherein they owned L. G. L. their Commander in Chief; and yet in their Narrative, p. 10, 11, 12, have they the confidence to front or face it for the service of the Parliament, and, p. 12. That they laid aside only such as opposed the Parliament, or else of whose not acting against the Parliament they could not be satisfied; that is, as to perpetrate their design, & to Act with them upon a hazard, or at an Adventure, as to what they would have done. For the Honourable Commissioners of Parliament themselves might have had their Liberty after all, if they would have engaged to them and acted with them in their Designs, which (they declining) set some on fire upon an unjust impeaching and devising a charge against them, according to that dangerous maxim, That bad Actions must be ever secon with worse, and better never begin then not carry on, what ever it cost them: the truth is as the prophet complained, he that departeth from iniquity maketh himself a PREY, whilst the vilest of men and of the most debauched practices are promoted by them, both Officers and soldiers, who serve their turns best: and the wicked will walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.  
Eighthly, 
8 Listiog Papists after the Parliament sat again.  This will yet appear more evidently or suspiciously, by their raising of men anew, in listing the very Papists, and other Forces after they knew the Parliament were sitting, without regarding their direction; posting up Papers in public places at Dublin, to invite all that would to come in and list, and they should have pay, but that none who were listed by L. G. L. should have pay with the rest of the soldiers without further Orders; And not only in receiving Irish Rebels and PAPISTS, and listing them, but in cashiering those that would not own a Free Parliament: All this too when all things were in a very quiet, serene and peaceable posture in Ireland.  
Ninthly, 
9 Summoning a kind of Parliament by their Arbitiary power.  Their summoning a Convention, to do the work of a Parliament, to raise them moneys in a way of Loan, Preparing the Elections with Persons most propense and responsible to their ends, who are Elected, and in a readiness to sit when they please; nor hath their present Council, or Committee of Safety, whereof Sr. J. Barry holds the Chair a much better Aspect, witness his speech so full of asperity and reflection upon this present Parliament; But that the Interruption of the Parliament might be no longer a cover upon this Conspiracy, some are ready to prove the Plot was laid before the Parliament was interrupted, though executed after, and with more applause.  
Tenthly, 
10 Declaring for themselves and that they will stand upon their own legs.  They have (a many of them) openly declared, that if their application to this Parliament prove not propitious to their desires and designs, they will, as they are a distinct Island, keep up an Interest distinct from England, and stand upon their own Legs, (as they say) deeming themselves able to subsist without a dependence upon this Nation; and seeing the Ports are all their own, they the less fear, or value England, who can have no landing place, but by their permission and leave.  
Eleventhly, 
11 Striking at the power of godliness in all under the Notion of Anal aptists and Sectaries.  This conspiracy strikes at the very Power of Godliness in all judgements whom they brand with the name of Anabaptists! is too notorious, dismounting Officers and soldiers merely for their Religion. The people of God, whether Presbyterians, independents, or others are generally threatened, some with Death, and others with Exile! Godly Ministers some imprisoned (and yet no Anabaptists) some put out of the public, and exploded Episcopalians placed in their rooms. A soldier coming to the Ministers house of Castle Dermond ran his pike at him, and called him Anabaptist, told him that he would have his coat off his back shortly: and had he not withdrawn himself (says) the soldier had killed him at that present, and yet that Minister is no Anabaptist, but Godly and Orthodox. So, that night the Castle was surprised, they made their Bonfires, and threatening to fire divers habitations of Godly men, cast up their sticks with fire upon their houses, threatening to burn them to the very ground, and at their Bonfires, as they drank healths to C. Stuart so also to the confusion of all the Anabaptiss (accounting Presbyterians and all such) reputing those Anabaptists that pray in their Families.  
Twelfthly, 
12 Threatening the Estates of all late Adventurers.  The Adventurers lands, are all threatened, and they in hopes to divide again by lot, upon a new Adventure, on what they enjoy; They say, there will be enough to pay their Armies bravely, when those lands lie all sequestered to their use and service; and when the whole land lies before them; some of them have said, the Adventurers estates shall pay for it, as well as the soldier's lands allotted for Arrears, whom they call (in contempt) the New English; and wish that their throats were all cut. Whereby all men may see how much they are concerned in this Irish conspiracy, and how preliminary it is (if the Almighty prevent us not with mercies) to another Rebellion! But because the Lord has as precious People in that Nation as any are in the whole World, dear to him and in Covenant with him! Sound in the Faith! And sanctified through the Truth! We would yet hope! yet he will not give their increase to the caterpillars, and their labour to the Locust; yea that they shall not build and another inhabit! They shall not plant and another eat! They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble: For they are the seed of the Blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.  
This Succinct Representation of the Irish affairs and our fears, not without some preponderation, suspiring affections, weeping eyes, and aching hearts, over hundreds of families (in that almost lost Island) did we humbly intend to tender to the Parliaments service and consideration, before the bridge be quite drawn up, or it be too late. In which, as (we know) we have the eyes of many upon us, so the hearts and prayers of many with us, of the faithful of the land, who labour with the Lord (day and night) with sighs & groans for deliverance! that our most worthy and renowned Patriots in Parliament, might recover a dying Nation! Secure our Rights and just Liberties, from the invasion of others, and of opposite interests; (who are prompted by lust and ambition)! Preserve our lives, lands and families from these Arbitary foundations and eccentric Actings, which threaten to devour all at once! Maintain and countenance us in the power of Godliness and Holiness at the Worship of our God, according to what is revealed unto us in his Word! Which we do (and desire from our very Souls to) make the rule of all our ways and actings! And give us but an equal encouragement, and being with others (after all our Blood! Travels, (Skulls, Bones of others) hazards and expenses of ourselves) during our peaceable and honest comportment, having never forfeited in the least the claim we make unless our constant Adhering to the Parliament hath done it. Wherefore seeing Jehovah himself hath founded the earth by WISDOM, and by understanding, hath established the Heavens, and without right understanding of the state of things there, it is impossible to establish the Peace and Prosperity of that unhappy Nation, so proclive and incident (in its very Climate) to turbulent Motions and impetuous fluctuations, we once again cry out for help! All hands! All hearts! And heads to save us! As the Hebrews were saved in the days of Mordecai and at the suit of Esther from the malice of Haman, seeing we can say in like manner with Chapter, 7. 4. We are sold, we and our brethren (the Parliaments proved friends) to be destroyed! to be slain! and perish: (if the Lord prevent it not by a decree,) but if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, we had held our tongues (at this time) although the enemy could not have countervailed the damage, to the Parliaments Interests and the Nations.  
From the very frontispiece and first aspect of this frightful conspiracy, it is easy to conjecture with whom they would have stricken Tally; and what it is they most ateempted, when they seduced and suborned the desperate soldiers to sell their own Officers, and sacrifice them to their wills and pleasures; or that made them ply the Fort of Duncannon with such tempting messages to the poor soldiers there, to do the like with Lieutenant general Ludlow, offering the soldiers to make them Officers, pay them Arrears, and what not? (for there perfidy) if they would throw their noble general over the walls to their armed tyranny; but if not, than they they should be sent to the Barbadoes and the like; yea, with what intentions they have drawn up so disingenuous unworthy and Monstrous charge against that (ever Honourable) Lt. general Ludlow, and those worthies of Parliament Commissioners there) whom they have ungratefully traduced, and wronged; yet rather than they will submit to the Parliaments judgement in it, are resolved to REBEL right out (for all their appeal and promise of Acquiescing) as a little time will interpret. Making themselves, the sole Judges, the Accusers, and (if they can) as Arbitrary and irrational Executioners also, to the astonishment of all judicious Men. Notwithstanding all these Nations know, and the well affected in Ireland will heartily witness it with one voice (as well as the very consciences of their veriest enemies be forced to confess) that under the Prudent, the pious and painful Government of these Honourable Patriots, (with a most equal indulging Latitude to ALL, and (without respect to ANY, faction or party) that Land hath enjoyed a very happy peace, great blessing and florid settlement for some years together! (blessed be the Lord for it)! and O that we might not sin away all these mercies from us and our posterities! seeing as the Psalmist says of a People so planted as we have been, they got not the Land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own Arm save them: but thy right hand and thine Arm, and the light of thy Countenance (O Lord) because thou hadst a favour to them, so that this hope is yet left us, that the same Almighty God will stir up some or other to be nursing Fathers, and look after us.  
The truth is, although Ireland is like to prove one of the most difficult, perplexed and intricate pieces the Parliament has to recover, and no Rational man (that knows them) can possibly imagine those Actings there consistent with the Parliaments Interest or Cause, yet this is that which renders the Case the more doubtful and deplorable, that they represent it in England (and to the Parliament) as if it were all for them & in their service; And (to keep the Parliament as remote as may be from a right understnnding of Affairs simply) they not only secure such as could best communicate it, but impeach them heinously and indeed impiously, (to put the better colour upon their bad Complexion) and have retained some few with them, and but few indeed, (of a better repute than themselves for principles) to Face their business with, that is backed and breasted, heart and headed (yea in a manner wholly Limbed) with as implacable enemies and cavaliers as any the Parliament has. So that the more unintelligibly and inextricably it is held, beheld or represented in England, the more certain is the hazard and ruin of poor Ireland, if the Almighty help not, whereof the Well and Bect Affected People are so generally apprehensive, as since the Rebellion, they never made the like Lamentation; (mourning like Doves, and chattering like Cranes,) choosing rather to be shipped away together into America, (if the Parliament will please to show them that favour) then be exposed to the Revenge of the Irish there without favour or mercy; For let a Bear robbed of her Whelps meat a man, rather than a fool in his folly! says the wise man, They are corrupt and speak wickedly! Concerning OPRESSION they speak LOFTILY! They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth!  
Nor are we ignorant of what they have said as others have insinuated and printed in this Nation, that the Sectaries (as they call them) are the very Persons against whom they have drawn up the Blackest (if not bloodiest) Bills of Indictment touching the Execution of their quondam King, and of that Constitution of Government. Now albeit we cannot say it is intended by all, yet of this we are sure it is designed by some to Remove or ruin them as an Introduction to Charles Stuart and that Government again, which till the Sectaries be down they can never get up with such facility as well as Force and Fallacy. And we wish this were not the Grand Inducement of others here to destroy them (or rather the Parliaments best Friends by that name) as well as of those in unhappy Ireland, who Contrive and retrieve it with so much heat, as the most plausible string to play upon. But have respect (O Lord) unto thy Covenant! for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of Cruelty! And however it be, yet God is good to Israel, and to all those who are of an upright heart! He shall judge the poor of the people! he shall save the children of the needy, & shall break in pieces the Oppressor! For the Lord trieth THE righteous, but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Return! (O Lord) Return, for thy servant's sake! the Tribes of thine Inheritance.   

TO THE READER.  
READER,  
THis faithful Representation was prepared and intended to have been presented to the Parliament, or given in to the honourable Members thereof) by divers worthy Persons (and no Anabaptists) who came out of Ireland, on purpose to make known her CRY! and CASE! (if possible that the Common weal might once more emerge and rise above the waves of that Common woe and Calamity there threatened!) but since that the last Alterations, Force and Guards upon the HOUSE, the Irish Declaration for a Free Parliament, hath so far opened their Aim and Design all along, their CONTEMPT of this Parliament of the Common Wealth; their INTENT of Reducing to the old slavery and Constitution, as no more need be said but this, that this horrid PLOT was laid in Ireland, before the unhappy Interruption of Parliament in England, October last, and is not yet fully executed or discovered! For some there be that insist upon a Full and Free Parliament, as it was Anno 1642. before the Lords Spiritual were turned out! and what may be the the next Step or Motion must be left to Time; only this we foresee, and so expect at their hands, that neither Reason nor Candour must draw us as Men or Christians, but Tyranny and terror drive us as Beasts to be slain or sold for a company of Slaves, (for our fidelity to the Parliament and the Cause) seeing whiles they pretend a FREE PARLIAMENT, they have Forced THIS P. and contrary to all their Faith and engagements, set up their SWORDS against the VOTES Wisdom and Resolves of this Renowned Parliament, and what more Arbitrary? delivering up them that have adhered to them since Anno 1648. to utter ruin, and what more Temerary or unjust? if the God of all our Mercies and DELIVERANCES do not once more SAVE us! for his sweet Names-sake.  
FINIS.