STRANGE AND BLOODY news FROM MINIARD: OR A bloody MASSACRE upon FIVE PROTESTANTS BY A COMPANY OF PAPISTS, MEEting them as they were going to Miniard to take ship for Ireland. Also how they first encountered them, and how after some Discourse upon Religion, cruelly murdered them.  
As also, how they were taken, and carried to Bristol Castle, With the Copy of a Letter found in one of their doublets, directed to the Bishop of Canterbury.  
As it was credibly reported by a Gentleman of good worth, being an Eye-witness to the same, and by the swiftness of his horse, escaped their bloody hands,  
London Printed for John Greensmith. 1642.   


CR   
BLOODY news FROM MINIARD.  
FIve English Protestants intending their journey for Ireland, purposed to take ship at Miniard, a place some 40. miles beyond the City of Bristol.  
After they had traveled above a hundred miles, with many a weary step, drawing nigh to Miniard, even within sight of the town, though scarce to be discerned, in regard the day was spent, and now one hour within night, they met with a company of Papists, to the number of fifteen, every man with a good sword by his side, and a good cudgel in his hand. At the sight of whom, they were somewhat appalled: yet took some courage, in regard they were not far off the Town, and thought that therefore they did not dare to offer them violence.  
But it fell out contrary to their expectation, For being met together, the event well showed that they had some ground and just occasion of their fear. The first salutation was this, Gentlemen well met, pray from whence came you, and to what place do you travel: we ask not for any harm we mean to you, but only are desirous to know. These were smooth words you will say. Well, the poor men thought no hurt, for true Charity will favourably construe all things: and therefore plainly told them that they came out of Kent, and were going to Miniard, and so they purposed (if the wind served) to go for Ireland. To Ireland, said they, why? that is strange you would go thither, knowing the estate of the kingdom, how all are up in arms, and the Protestants in fear to have their throats cut every hour; and now seeing we know so much, we will understand before we part of what Religion you are; for we promise you, we may well suspect that you are not right: for there is something in the wind that moves you to go for Ireland, in a time so dangerous, and troublesome. If it be so, said the Protestants we are not ashamed of our Religion we are (to tell you the truth) protestants, and go not to side with the Rebels, but to see some friends of ours in Dublin. What do you say, said they, do you call the King's subjects rebels: by St. Peter, you are some of those that would banish us Papists out of England, but we will be even with you ere we part: and so drawing their swords fell upon them, and bloodily sheathed them in each man's bowels, whilst they pitifully cried out for mercy: but what mercy could be expected from men of blood, whose hearts were as hard as adamant, and their minds as cruel as Progne, who bloodily slew her own Son. The murder done, a Gentleman on horseback riding by, and seeing so pitiful an object, returned back to Miniard in sight of the murderers, who would fain have taken him, if they could; and so raised the Country with all speed, who took them in a wood, as they were at their Orisons on their beads. O how they looked then one upon another: what a sudden paleness came into their faces. All their devotion was gone in a moment, and they readier to take them to their heels, then pray a minute longer; knowing well enough, that it was but lost labour to implore the aid either of Peter or Paul. To be brief, they were all carried to Bristol, and upon examination confessed the deed, and so were worthily adjudged to be hanged in chains the next Sessions, where we will leave them, and come to the Copy of a Letter which was found quilted in one of their doublets, not any of them knowing one word within it, else they would not so carefully have preserved it.   

A COPY OF A LETTER SENT TO THE BISHOP OF Canterbury.  
The Contents whereof are worthy our attension.  
MY LORD,  
MAy it please your Grace to accept these poor impolished lines of him that writes only of good will, earnestly wishing an emendation of life, and reformation of manners, than your grace's confutation; for it is the duty of every Christian to imitate his Creator, not to delight in the blood of any man, but to preserve it.  
But again (my Lord) as it is the part of a man to supply the corporal wants of his indigent brother: so especially, he is bound to supply the defects of the Mind, and to study the welfare of the better part of man, his precious soul, which after the first death in a moment, either ascends heaven, or descends hell.  
My Lord, it must needs be a precious thing, when the whole world itself is not comparable to it. Were but this seriously digested in the stomach of a sound judgement, I believe the world like Rocks and quicksands would not so miserably shipwreck, such an infinite number of men's souls as it doth. Your Grace knows that rebus secundis omnes feri elati sunt, I will not say that your grace is so; but I would desire your Grace to enter into a serious Solilogue with yourself, and to see whether it be so or no; and if your Grace for the honour of this world, and outward pomp and glory▪ have not made shipwreck of your Faith, and pleased man rather than God. No better time to bring a man home then that of affliction; for whereas Martyrs buy heaven, as Ignato spoke, with their blood, and others steal it with their good deeds through Faith in Christ only, (as a learned Father sometime said) a man in affliction is compelled to it.  
My Lord, remember Manasses, how he prayed in prison, do you likewise. And for the world and Glory thereof, care not for it: remember that thrice Noble Emperor Henry the 4th. when his crown was taken from his head, saw nothing but his Deus Videat & judicet. Let God see and judge. God grant us treasure in Heaven, where no thief can approach. Amen.  
FINIS.   

London Printed for Fr. Coules, and T. banks. 1641.