AN ANSWER To certain seditious and Jesuitical Queres, Heretofore purposely and maliciously cast out, to retard and hinder the English forces in their going over into Ireland.  
Whereby is fully proved that the British were the first, and most ancient Proprietors and Inhabitants of that Land (which was at the first called Britain the Less) before the accession of the Irish thither, and that the Irish came in but by the sufferance of the British; Of what Country the Irish at the first were; their often rebellions and defections; the subduing and reducing all of them to obedience, aswel long before the Conquest of England, by William the Norman, as since; together also with the names of the new Kings, which the Irish have lately elected and made amongst themselves, with many other necessary discoveries of great concernment, fully manifesting the English interest to that Land, and the miserable sufferings of the English there, in all ages, by the barbarous and bloody actions of the Irish.  
LONDON, Printed by WILLIAM Dugard, Printer   

To the Right Honourable The Lord PRECEDENT, and COUNCIL of STATE.  
Right Honourable!  
IT's not my ability, but the force of the Caus, and necessity of this task (others of better parts being silent) that prompt me to challenge an interest in your honour's patronage of my weak endeavours in asserting the English interest in Ireland, against a more dangerous than known stickler for the Irish, and their gangrened Caus, discovering himself in some pernicious Queres, cunningly dispersed at such a season, wherein they might have a full influence upon the common genius of the Army, then designed for Ireland: And finding light sufficient in myself from such experimental truths, as lodge in my own bosom, to discover the Querist's Prestigies; I have adventured a little to draw the curtain, and make way for some more fit and able, to vindicate the just interest of England, against their causeless and implacable enemies, the barbarous Irish Rebels. This piece being only intended as an incitement thereunto. And such it will surely prove, if it find your honour's favourable aspect, and the like approbation from those other wise steers-men, whom the Lord hath placed at the helm of this Nation's Government: And for those adherents to the Irish, whose minds are forestalled, and carried away with the stream of their falls asseverations, and lose the reputation of their modesty in the Irish impudency, (although I wish they may be in their Judgements rectified, and manners reform,) yet I value not their carpings nor vain exceptions; Quia Momus nunquam gnarus est. I only beg your honour's acceptance of these lines from my poor hand, so as my joys may be continued in the memory of your good Acts; my affection owe's a duty to the performance of this work, which will at last toll in better Ringers, prostrateing my endeavours at the feet of your honours, as those of a sublime understanding.  
I am Your honour's most humble and engaged Servant THO. WARING.   

TO HIS EXCELLENCY Oliver Cromwell, Lord GENERAL of the Armies of England, Scotland, and Ireland.  
And also to the Right Honourable HENRY IRETON, Lord Deputy of IRELAND.  
THe present seed of the ancient Scythians, and other barbarous Easterlings (the now Irish, assisted with some collapsed and degenerate English Papists, striking at the very root of the tree of Protestanism, do not content themselves with their barbarous torturing, and murdering of vast numbers of our Religion, and blood, every days fiery malice (as I may say) producing a new way of the most exsecrable and amarulent tortures of those most innocent people in coolness of blood, wherein they glutted themselves. But of late, finding the sword of God drawn out, and prosecuted by your Excellency, and seeing the noble English spirits impatient, until God by his and their swords should avenge their brethren's bloods by the destruction of that inhuman generation; Some of them, as far as possible, to take off the resolute intentions of the Protestant soldiery from retaliating upon the Irish such destruction, as they had generally vowed to exercise upon us all, have cast out certain cavilling and seditious Queres; whereby they would amaze and blind some inadvertent men, excuse or at least extenuate their own high offences, make the English interest to Ireland seem dubious, and themselves to be the ancient proprietors of that Land, thereby also, with a sublime disdain, inveighing against Conquerors and Conquests, (the greatest persons and most common interests of all the whole world) which is a boldness without parallel.  
Now, others of better talon, and more versed in the antiquities of Ireland, sparing their pens, I have taken up the boldness (out of small ability) to contrive the following Answers to those Queres, by which, if any (formerly seduced by the vain pretences of the Irish) be untwined from them, and brought within the sight of the truth, I have my desires. And as your excellency's valour against these Monsters of men, hath by God's assistance quelled their furies, and your wisdom infatuated their Counsels: so I doubt not, but the eye of your Judgement hath discerned their bloody and subtle intentions, in part declared by their actions: I am yet a stranger to your excellency's persons, but not to your heroïck, noble and pious deeds: My lines (though not satisfactory) I beseech you yet take in such worth, as when perused, you will vouchsafe to call upon more able pens to perform that duty wherein (unwillingly) I am yet deficient; the great God of truth so order all your Councils, and Actions, that they maybee crowned with a glorious and your most desired success, so prays  
Your excellency's most humble Servant THO. WARING.   

THE PREFACE.  
THere hath been lately published a certain seditious Pamphlet, entitled Queres, propounded to the consideration of such as were intended for the service of Ireland, which as it seems was brought in by one Gawre (of an Irish name) and one, who as (I have been informed since) is a Jesuit of that Country: This man in formality, smoothly pretendeth to righteousness, but in reality (discernible to the dullest apprehension) hatcheth and harboureth horrible, hellish and most bloody thoughts; and inflamed with a fiery malice, thirsteth after the destruction of the Protestant Religion, the exstirpation of all the Religious English in that Land, both root and branch, together with their interest there, and would by his subtle and numerous questions, dishearten the conscientious noble English Spirits, from engaging that way either in person or expense, to reduce that Island from mere barbarism and Idolatry, to the true worship of God, and obedience to the Laws, established by the ancient proprietors of that Nation (the English) and both anciently and lately submitted unto by all Inhabitants of the same.  
But if you mark this Querist, he pursueth the sophistry and subtlety, anciently practised by the Jesuits; & so far as he would have all his Questions believed and grounded upon undoubted truths, and to be admitted as verities: And although these Queres (being so uncertainely and falsely grounded) are worthy of no answer at all, having all along the plain marks of insoliditie and sedition upon them: yet to satisfy the doubts of such judicious and upright men, as only desire to know the truth, and come not with a mind preoccupate, and suborned by injurious principles.  
I shall endeavour to lay open the Querist's errors and delirements, resolve the Queres he makes, and discover the truth in the things he most harp's upon, for his advantage; and because I conceiv the Jesuits first Quere (though not in plain words) yet implicitly, by insinuation, intends principally Ireland and the pretended interest of the Irish (as he in some of them after expresseth) And although also my short and weak wings are far deficient to soar so high a pitch, as to cite all, or near the sum of all authentic Authors and Records, manifesting the propriety, right, and interest of the Land of Ireland, to be originally in the British, yet because those of the Nation of England (already led away with the aery, and vain pretences of the Irish, and who never yet scrutinized the English interest) may be undeceived, made sensible of their former errors, possessed with the English right, be acquainted with the iterated rebellions of the Irish in many ages, the often reducing, and bringing them to subjection, by the British or English, and with other things by these Queres made disputable, I shall freely contribute my Talon to this so necessary work, and first set down the Queres in order, and then answer them severally.   

AN ANSWER TO THE Irish Queres.  


The first Quere.  
WHether the Land or inheritance that a Nation hath for some hundreds or thousands of years enjoyed, and possessed without any others laying claim to have a more special right to the same, be not their special right which God and nature hath given them?   

The first Answer.  
IN this first Quere, the Querist desire's to have it inferred, and also granted, that the Irish Inhabitants, as they now stand in opposition to England, are an entire Nation, and that they were the first and sole Proprietors of Ireland, as given unto them by God and nature, whereas in truth they are a people composed partly of the old Britain's, the first Inhabitants thereof, partly of Scythians and Goths, sent thither out of biscay in Spain, partly of Danes and other Easterlings, some sent in by the Kings of Britain, and others intruding themselves, and principallly of English sent thither, by the Kings of England in several ages, as in the ensuing discourse shall appear, so as the fraud and fallacy of this first Quere being clearly laid open, strikes far to the answering of all the rest.  
And first to say something of the soil and Island, now called Ireland, which by several ancient writers hath been rendered by several other names, signifying (for the most part) that it is a Western part of Britain, which the very name now given unto it by the Irish, viz. Eirin, signifying a western Country, doth much demonstrate, and besides, at this day a part of Monster in Ireland is called Hiermoun, in English, West-Mounster, which show the name Eirin to be derived from Higher, which is west, as appears plainly by Mr Cambden (a faithful relater of the best antiquities extant:) the ancient Geographer writeth in these words, of Islands for greatness, the Indian Taprobane is prime and principal, next after it, Britain, and in third degree, another British Island called Hibernia, (that is Ireland) whereupon Ptolemy in his writings of Geography, calls it in plain words Britannia parva, the old Geographers called it the Britain's Island; Strabo called the Inhabitants Britain's. Diodorus Siculus termed Irin a part of Britain, and Aristotle in his book de mundo, Cap. 3. hath these words as they stand translated, viz. Ibi sunt Insulae, quae quantitate maximae habentur, numero verò duae sunt, Britanicae dicuntur, Albion & Hibernia. By all which it falls clear that by the most ancient and authentic writers, the Island of Ireland was ever taken and accounted a British Island, only belonging to great Britain, neither is it found in any approved Writer or Record, that ever any King or Potentate claimed right or interest in the soil or Land of that Island, save only the Kings of great Britain, in right of their Kingdom, now called England, which in several ages they have not failed to do, by reducing and subduing the unjust rebellion, and usurpation of those unruly Inhabitants, and if you look into Monuments or Records of later time, you shall never find it called a Kingdom or a Realm, till in the reign of Henry the 8. when by Act of Parliament, it was made and styled a Kingdom, and that King declared, and confessed King thereof, unanimously agreed by all the Inhabitants of that Island. But that by all Acts of Parliament in that Land, and other Records, it was always till then, for 400 years or thereabouts called the King's land of Ireland, and by several Acts of Parliament, viz. one Act in the twenty eighth year of that King, Henry the 8 reign Cap. 2. That Land is declared to be appending and belonging to England; And by another Act there made in that King's reign, the said Island is declared to be a Member, appending and rightfully belonging to England, and united to the same; and in several other Acts there the same in substance is asserted, and ordained, and all this agreed and assented unto by the very Ancestors of those now in Arms there against England, and the Governors thereof; and yet by this Querist it is esteemed to be an Original, entire Nation, distinct from any Conqueror, yea such, as he scruple's to have them called Rebels.  
Thus having given you the opinion and report of the ancient and some modern proofs of the denomination, and full relation of that Island to Great Britain, it will be requisite, that by the like ancient and modern evidence the just right and propriety of the English to that Land, and to the dominion thereof, and to the natural subjection of all the Inhabitants thereof to England, be also manifested and avowed, the better to let the world see the Querist's fraud, and subtlety in this general vast Quere, and indeed throughout all the rest of his abusive Queres and insinuations.  
Mr Cambden, that faithful searcher into Antiquities, affirmeth that most of the best approved and knowing Writers out of Antiquities, do determine that the first known Inhabitants of Ireland, were Britain's sent thither, by the Kings of Great Britain, of which opinion he concludes himself to be, but that they could not send sufficient Inhabitants, to replenish such a Continent, and that by a great mortality happening among them, they were much diminished; and you may perceiv by a Statute made in Ireland, in the 11. year of Queen Elizabeth, that Gormond (by some Writers called Gorgund) Son to Belin King of Great Britain, was Lord of biscay in Spain, (as his posterity long after him continued) and having occasion to come into Britain, his Father being dead he voyaged into Denmak, and in his return a great multitude of his Subjects of biscay met him at Sea, (being straightened for relief in their Country) and humbly besought him to assign them some place for habitation, whereunto (by advice of his Council, he assented, and directed them to his Island, now called Ireland, which wanted people, and sent with them guides, to bring them thither, where finding a fertile soil, they increased abundantly, bringing their language with them, and being then the greater number of people, after the new access, involved the British-tongue into theirs, (yet in some sort mixed) as may appear by many new words and names of things, well understood by the Welsh. It being of daily experience, that the Welsh do much more soon and easily learn Irish then the English can do, and that much of the Irish is understood by them.  
Giraldus Cambrensis called these Biscayners, Besclenses, and Cambden writes very largely of their Ancestors coming into Spain, at the confluence of the Northern Nations into those parts, alleging that part of them were Scythians, and part Goths, and to add to the truth of this relation, their so coming thither is specified in many of the rude, (yet ancient) Irish annals, both in Irish and Latin.  
The British Histories, and some of the English Chronicles do make mention of Hiberus and Hermion, than Captains of those Besclenses, and their Bards (who to this day keep, and at all feasts and public meetings, do chant and publish the Pedidigrees and Acts of the Irish) do derive the most ancient Irish from those that came out of Spain, rather choosing to glorify themselves in them, then from the Britain's, from whom so many of them are descended, and from whom they had permission to dwell there: For, doubtless, there are many evident demonstrations, that much of the East part of that Island, continued still inhabited by Britain's, and that those Besclenses, most inhabited the more Western parts of Monster, and Connaght, where their former neighbours and friends might most easily eom to them, yet dispersed as they found cause; those in the Western parts speaking more broad, do hardly understand much of the language of the other: And to show further, that the Britain's had a good share in the Original ancestry of the ancient Irish, the very Officers which the Irish have from age to age used for their pedigrees, and Annals are to this day called Bards, which were the same in office and denomination, employed by the ancient Britain's; And for their manner of holding Land, it was till the first year of King James, by Gavelkind, as the ancient Britain's held theirs, though so corrupted in Ireland, as when the Laws came to be settled in the beginning of King James his time, it was adjudged a barbarous and unreasonable custom, and so abolished; Also their Irish Custom of Tainestrie, which they called their Law, is derived from British, for, amongst them the word Ta'en, or Thane signified an Elder, Governor, or Lord of a territory; And the same word amongst the Irish had the same sense, and therefore the second person to the Lord of the Country, who was to succeed (if a stronger force interposed not) was called the Tanaist settled upon him, as Seniori & digniori, and he had Lands and Impositions on the Country assigned to him in right of that Office; The Lord also of the Country being put into Office by the same Law (where force did not overbear it) all which, is now also abolished as unlawful. It appears also by antiquity, that the Irish agreed with the Britain's in the custom of observing the time of Easter, both then, therein differing from the Church of Rome.  
The first known Inhabitants being thus sent into, and settled in Ireland by the Britain's, they so continued in subjection to the King of great Britain for several ages, the contrary whereof hath appeared in no memory; And to enter into further Inquisition thereinto is not much material, no other King, Prince or Potentate, having at any time made claim unto them, until the Romans entered Britain, and held the same by conquest, after many and often conflicts; In all which time, during their struggling against, and subjection to the Romans, the British could not have that care and oversight of them, as formerly they had, so as in that time they took head, and set up amongst them, in a barbarous way, Rulers and petty Kings; which Rulers and Kings Giraldus Cambrensis calleth Tributaries, and what kind of Kings those than were, and afterwards continued to be, till King Henry the second's entry into Ireland, may much appear in an ancient Manuscript, called the Book of Christ-Church in Dublin, (than a priory) lately a Cathedral Church; In which Manuscript are these words concerning them, viz. Isti Reges non fuerunt ordinati solemnitate alicujus ordinis nec unctionis Sacramento, nec jure hereditario, vel aliquâ proprietatis successione, sed vi & armis quilibet regnum suum obtinuit: In all which time of the Roman's power in great Britain, neither the ancient Britain's in Ireland, nor those permitted new-com Besclenses, could extinguish or alter the original right, which the Kings of great Britain undeniably had to their dominion there, or to those Inhabitant's subjection.  
It appeareth in Mr Cambden's and other Chronicles, and Histories, that during the Roman's power in great Britain, the Norweyans and other Easterlings, by way of piracy, and incursion infested those inhabitants of Ireland; and though often beaten off, yet many got footing there, the Monuments of whom remain to this day; and in after times when the Saxons warred in Britain, they several times came over again, and so settled on many of the Seacoasts, as they built of the walled Sea-Towns, excluding from amongst them the Irish, not admitting them entrance, other then with great caution for Merchandise only; And whereas the Querist would have it believed, that the Irish, as an entire Nation, were originally impropriated in Ireland by God and nature, for many hundreds, and some thousands of years, without any others laying claim to have special right to the same, which (he seems to insinuate) did so continue to these times; It doth and will appear aswel by what is formerly here remembered, as what shall follow in this ensuing tract, that it is a ridiculous and illusive surmise; for it must not be forgotten (especially appearing by good History, that soon after the Roman's departure out of great Britain, the noble Prince Arthur obtained that Land, who being a man of great action, aswel at home as abroad, passed into Ireland, and reduced those Inhabitants to their ancient Subjection; In proof whereof, having some years after occasion for a time to keep his Court at Carlion, in great Britain, he summoned the Governors, and petty Kings of Ireland (of whom one, viz. Mr Gellomurroe, or Mr Gillemurry is by name recorded, to appear before him at Carlion aforesaid) there to do their homage to him; who thereupon came and performed the same accordingly, which was done in the year after our Saviour's nativity, 579; and this prove's a claim at least, made by the Kings of great Britain to the Island of Ireland, as part of their dominions; Afterwards, as is known to all men of any reading, the Saxons and Angles out of Germany invaded great Britain, and by many contests in Arms, and bloody Battles obtained the Dominion thereof, dividing it into several Kingdoms amongst themselves, which continued for many years; In all which times the Irish Inhabitants took more Liberty to root themselves in their barbarous usurpation and tyranny: for we cannot find, that then, before, or since they established any certain Government, either regal or otherwise, neither are there extant any authentic memories, of any certain or passable Laws ordained by them, for the regulating of any Christian people; yet soon after, the Saxon's Heptarchy was reduced into an Entire Monarchy; It is manifest by good History and Record, that Edgar King of great Britain (then and now called England) not unmindful of that Kingdom's ancient right and interest in Ireland, laboured, and obtained another reducement, and had the possession of most of that continent, as appears by the Books of that excellent writer Judge Cook, extracted out of Records of the Tower; Afterwards, when the Danes obtained the Rule and power in great Britain, they so little forgot the ancient and just challenge to Ireland, as that they sent thither good numbers of men who gained large footing in several places of the best parts of the Island, of whom there yet remain many visible Monuments, as their intrenchments, and Fortifications to this day, called Danes Mounts, or Rathes, in Irish Lisses, and round slender high Towers, yet called Danes Steeples, or Danes Towers, yea, the best and largest Suburbs about Dublin is yet called Ostmantown, which term the Saxons gave to the Danes as Easterlings, and doubtless, it is their then access, and some former incursions made by them as aforesaid, which left many of them there fixed, who were the ancestors to the now pretended original Nation, as pretended to be given to them by God and Nature; Afterwards, the Norman William, the Conqueror, became possessed of the Dominions of England, it is universally known what business he had, aswel to settle that so gained Land, as to content his Allies, and parties brought with him, and to preserv what he left behind him in France, to which retrospect he was enforced by many disturbances and attempts; neither is it unknown, how unwarrantably his three next successors came to the Crown in England, and against what counterworking, and heart-burnings, they held Regency there, besides their distractions in their affairs, and from their neighbours of France, being not free from encumbrances of Scots, and Welsh, whereby all judicious men may conclude, that none of them could safely embrace the restitution of Ireland, howsoever it concerned them. But assoon as one lineal descent had settled the Crown of England upon King Henry the second, who was great grandchild of the said William, the Norman; and who is recorded to be the most powerful English Monarch, both in England, and France, since the Normans coming in; That King applied to the Pope for his consent, to regain his said Land of Ireland, who consenting thereunto, to the end it might be brought into orderly Government, as well Ecclesiastical as Civil, He yet suspended all action thither for some years, being interrupted by his affairs in France, and the disobedient combinations of his sons; But after, an occasion happening by the invocation of one of the Irish petty Kings, he permitted many of his Subjects of England and Wales to pass thither, who by their valour, possessed themselves of a good part of that Island; Then in the year 1172 did that King with a competent Army repair thither in person, and resumed into his hands his ancient right of Dominion and interest there, without much bloodshed, and was therein confirmed by the absolute and free submissions of all the petty Kings, and other Rulers, aswel Ecclesiastical as Temporal, and by all others then of any value there, which they delivered unto him under their Seals; There did he also receiv the Homage, Fealty, Allegiance, and subjection of all those petty usurping Princes, and others as his Liege Subjects; There did he hold a great Council, or general Assmblie of all the Prime inhabitants of that Island, at Lismore, which they called a Parliament, and gave them the English Laws. Vbi Leges Angliae ab omnibus sunt gratanter receptae & juratoriâ cautioone praestitâ, confirmatae. There did he send his Mandates to the Archbishops, Bishops and Clergy of Ireland, to assemble in a Synod at Cashel, wherein Cbristianus Bishop of Lismore was Precedent, in which Synod that King's entrance, actions and achievements there were declared to be lawful; and it was there also concluded, that it was most meet, that as Ireland by God's appointment had recovered a lawful Lord and King from England; so also they should from thence receiv a better from of living; they also then established that all Divine Offices of holy Church, should from thenceforth be handled in all parts of Ireland, according as the Church of England did observe them: In that Synod also, they made divers other Canons, concerning the Church-Government there, which Acts were ratified by the Regal Authority of the same Henry the second: To the same purposes, another general Synod was soon after held at Armagh in Ulster, where the same things, and others for right ordering of that Government were resolved and agreed upon: There was also placed Hugh Lacie Justice of Ireland for the Government of that Land, wherein that Land then seemed to be formally settled in a peaceable subject condition to England, as it ought to be. Thus may the Querist, and all others see that that Land, and supposed original Nation did not continue many hundreds or thousands of years, nor was enjoied till these times, without any others laying claim to have right to the same. It may be demanded (though standing thus) how might King Henry the second seize all that Land into his own hands, and grant it to adventurers (as after he did) To this the answer is easy; For, in a short time after, that King and the greatest part of his Army withdrew into England; Then did all those petty Kings, Rulers, and men of value, and the other Inhabitants falsely and traitorously join in a Confederacy and action to extirpate, and expuls all the English and Welsh, then left there, and did cast aside their duty and obedience to England, and the good order and Laws, so freely and lately entertained by them, breaking all Faith and Allegiance to him, to whom they had formerly sworn it; they murdered as many as they could take at advantage, and at last besieged Dublin, and other Towns, intending to destroy all the English; But the valour of those men left there, and the vigilance of that King to reliev them did stoutly beat them off, and frustrated their unchristian intention. Then that King finding them so embarked in their former rudeness, and barbarism, as there was no faith or duty to be expected from them, and that they could not sit down in any civil society, He, by advice of his Council confiscated all their Estates, and adjudged and declared the Irish generally to be enemies and aliens, (in which condition they continued long after) as is manifest by the Records, and Statute-Laws of those times,) And then he set his Subjects of England and Wales at full Liberty, to win what they could in that Land, towards the reducement thereof, to his just Subjection: for better accomplishment whereof, he made choice of ten special persons of quality and power in his other Dominions, to whom, by grant of inheritance, he divided the Lands of that whole Island, who drawing together their several Allies, friends, and other adventurers; they by that King's countenance and assistance so bestirred themselves, as within few years they became Masters, and possessors of the whole Island, and so continued quietly, possessed for almost one hundred years, without any offence to England, forcing the perfidious Irish (who were then few in number, after many conflicts with them) into Mountains, Bogs, and boggy woods, there to wander up and down, with the remain of their , not daring to be seen, or to graze in any of the more habitable parts, where the English had footing; special Statute-Laws prohibiting the same; Laws also were made, that upon pain of felony, no Merchant, or, other liege person should trade with the Irish in market, or otherwise; It was also made felony to succour any of the Irish enemies; from the time of the foresaid division forward, was that Island only called the King's Land of Ireland, till the reign of King Henry the eighth, as appears by Acts of Parliament, and all Records mentioning the same; The division he made was as followeth, viz. To Richard Earl of Pembroke, of Strigil, called Strongbow, he regranted the Kingdom, or Territories of Leimster (surrendered to him by the said Earl Richard, whose it was pretended to be, in right of his wife, sole daughter and heir of the last nominal, or tributary King thereof, except Dublin, and some lands thereunto lying, part whereof is yet called the King's Land; and being divided into Manors, the Freeholders' pay chief rents into the Exchequer to this day, and except some maritime Towns, Castles, and some lands about them which he reserved to himself; To Bobert Fitz-Stephens and Miles Cogan, he granted the Territories called the Kingdom of Cork, the City of Cork, and some lands thereunto lying reserved, as aforesaid excepted (the heir of Cogan is yet possessor of some of those lands) To Philip le Bruce, the Territories called the Kingdom of Limerick, with donation of Bishoprics, and abbeys, except the City of Limerick, and a Cantred of Land adjoining, reserved as aforesaid; To Sr Hugh de Lacie Justice, or (as some writ) Custos of Ireland, the territories called the Kingdom of Meath, then of far greater extent, than the name Meath now imports; To Sr John de Curtsy all Ulster, which being a large continent, was quietly possessed by him, and his English tenements many years; After his death (without heirs) it was granted to Hugh Lacie, who held it, till forfeited; then was it granted by King Edward the first, to Walter de Burgo from whom it descended to William de Burgo; And after those Lands and Signories were by Edward the fourth adjoined to the Demesne, and Crown-Lands of England.  
To William Fitz-Adelme de Burgo all Connaght, except a small part for life given to Rotherick, formerly nominal King thereof, after whose death that Land also was by King Henry the third, granted to Richard de Burgo, heir to William, except the canters of Roscomon, Randon, and two or three other canters near Athlon; All which were after granted by succeeding Kings to other English, only Roscomon remained in the Crown, till Queen Elizabeth granted the same to one Mr Malby; This whole Country came after to the Crown, by the marriage of Lionel Duke of Clarence, son to King Edward the third, with the Daughter and heir of de Burgo; To Sr Thomas Clare of the stock of the Earl of Gloucester, all Ghomond, now the County of Clare which was confirmed to the same Family, by grant from King Edward the first, to Robert le Poer, all the County of Waterford (except the City and cantred about it) the chief of the Family, of which Poers is now a Baron; to Otho de Grandison all tipperary.  
Afterwards King John having intelligence, that the English began to be at variance amongst themselves, by reason that the Laws were not so spread, and administered as they should be, made a voyage in person thither, with a competent force for his honour and safety, and then did he divide the whole Land into Counties, as they for the most part stand at this day, though Connaght and Ulster since are much subdivided, he carried over with him divers learned men for civil and ecclesiastical Notion, he ordered and established the Courts of Justice, as in England, viz. the Chancery, the King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, and other Ecclesiastical Judicatures, and settled competent Judges in them; he appointed Justices Itinerant, and all other Officers for Law and execution of Justice; and four terms in the year to be kept as in England, by which the people became subject to Law (the Irish being still held as enemies and Aliens) were better governed, lived in peace and great prosperity many years, save what ruptures it endured by their own dissensions, as hereafter appeareth. So as by what is above specified, it appears the English were made lawfully inheritable, and became possessed of the whole continent, wheresoever they could find places any way fit for habitation; And to prove their possessions as well as their grants, besides that in all the ancient Records, taking cognizance of all the habitable parts of that Land, in which those English are named, you shall find no Juries upon Inquiries, or trial of any causes whatsoever, Capital, Criminal, or common, where is mentioned any Irish name, but all English: All their Officers and Ministers of Justice being the same, and beside several Statute-Laws do assert their universal possession. It is undeniably evident, that generally all the now Freeholders of several great continents in that Island are English, either descendants, or deriving from those first adventurers, or by ancient grants from the Crown upon their forfeitures, though the truth is, many of their laborers, underfarmers and tenants, which they call Churls, are and still were Irish, the territories and Countries which those English, and some of late settlement did, and do possess, are, viz. in the County of Down, the Countries of little Ards, the Duffrey, Lecale, Mourn, the Newrie, and several other places of lesser note; all the County of Lowth, the whole County of Dublin, the entire County of Meath; the best and greatest part of the County of Westmeath, all the County of Kildare, the greatest and best part of the County of Catberlagh, part of the County of Wickloe, the greatest and best part of the County of Wexford, all the County of Waterford, the greatest and best part of the great County of Cork, the greatest and best part of the County of Limerick, a great part of the County of Kerry, the better half of the County of Tipperary, all the County of Kilkennie, all the County of Galwaie, a good part of the County of Roscomon, the most part of the County of may, besides the large territories of Leix and Ophalie, in the Queen's County, and King's County, planted in Queen Maries, and the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reigns, upon the Rebellion of the Moors, and Conners, the surnames of these old English, so many (as of many hundreds more can here be remembered) are annexed towards the end of this Answer to the first Quere. Of these surnames many are spread into very numerous Families, and persons, of which many are advanced to degrees of Honour, and very many possessed of great estates; and further to prove that those English were so possessed of all those Lands, King Henry the second, and some other succeeding Kings granted unto many of those Adventurers County Palatines, and unto many other very large Franchises and immunities, for the better ordering of the Colonies: those Adventurers divided the Lands generally into Manors, particular Freeholds, and other English holdings; which (for the most part) do so continue to this day; they granted all those Lands for easy rents and services to their Comilitants, except some small parts which they kept in their own hands, who, or others deriving from them, do still hold the same, pro parte conquestus, as generally appears in their ancient evidences.  
Yet further, to prove the English great and general possessions there; it is an apparent and unquestionable truth, that the English and strangers only did build all the Castles, and stonebuildings, which then, and for some hundreds of years after, were to be seen in any part of that Island, neither had the Irish any stone buildings of their own erecting, till about the reign of King Henry the eighth, when some of them gained estates from the Crown, howbeit it is related in History, that the English built Castles from Sea to Sea, being enjoined thereto by Law, beside what was done by Kings, great Lords, and other principal adventurers.  
It is further true, that all the Cities, Towns, and Corporations throughout that Land, are entirely English, and only and originally endowed with Charters, Franchises and Lands by the English; And howsoever some of the Maritime towns were at first planted (as is traditioned from the Ancients) by Owstmen or Easterlings, who fully submitted to the English Law, (not suffering any Irish to dwell amongst them) yet those first Inhabitants were after either so retracted or so worn out, as the Inhabitants became wholly English, as they undoubtedly remained till the reign of Henry the eighth, and are for the most part hitherto the same, where they have not in some parts of Ireland been ruined, and corrupted by Irish Rebellions and insurrections.  
It is true likewise, that all the bridges and passages were built and made only by the English of old, and of late by the English authority; And also that all Monasteries, Religious Houses, and Churches of any good structure were founded, built and endowed by the English, only some few despicable Cells of Monks there were, and some few poor Chapels despised, specially in some poor Islands thereof.  
These being evident demonstrations of the universal possession of the English in that Island, it is further verified by some of their Laws in that Land wherein mention is made of beautiful Cities and Towns, planted by the English in that Island, but destroyed by Irish Commotions and garboils.  
And more particularly by the Statute of Absentees in tempore Henry 8 and other Statutes, wherein are expressions declaring the tranquillity and good order of the English in that Land, that the English long defended it in due subjection, against the Irish enemies.  
It is also much to be observed, that it is not to be seen, before the time of King Henry the 8 That the Irish had either Charter, evidence or authentic writings for any Lands or possessions, neither could they have Interest, they being no other till then, but enemies and Aliens, neither had they distinctions or degrees of honour or Gentry, neither Armenor other Enfigns or Officers of honours or gentry, as Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, Baron, Knight of any Order, Esquire, or Gentleman, till the English introduced them, neither had they Governors of any legal or orderly form, or Judges or Officers of any certain Law or judicial course, neither had they Migistrates of any Cities, Burroughs or other Corporations or Courts of Justice Ecclesiastical or Civil, or seals either of Justice or honour, or other species of civil or certain Reglement.  
And to give you these truths, of the ancient and modern right and possession of the Britain's and English in and to Ireland, (somewhat further ratified in all the parts of interest in jurisdiction, and dependence) it appears by good antiquities that long before the entrance of William, the Norman, into England, the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury had primacy over all Ireland, and that the Bishops of Ireland, according to the ancient usage and custom, (as is written) received their consecrations from the Metropolitan of England, it being declared in the time of the said King William and his Son, that Canterbury was the Mother Church of England, Scotland and Ireland, and other Islands adjacent, (there being no Arch-Bishops in Ireland, till about the year 1152. In justification of what is before premised, it is recorded, that Gotherick one of the petty Kings in Ireland, did write to Lanfrank Archbishop of Canterbury, for consecration to be granted, to Patrick, nominated for a Bishopric: Also that the said Archbishop Lanfrank, out of his authority there, did write to Thurdelnack, another petty King there, wherein he laie's to their charge, That the Irish men at their pleasure did forsake their wedded wives without canonical cause, and match with any others, even such as were near a kin to themselves or their abandoned wives, and that if another man with like wickedness, cast off a Wife, her also rashly, and hand over head, they joined withal by laws of marriage, or rather fornication, an abuse worthy to be punished.  
Also that Murchertagh another petty King of Ireland, and the Citizens of Waterford addressed to Anselmus Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom. 1095. for erecting and ordaining at Waterford a Bishop, where no Bishop had been, and for consecrating a Bishop there, whose name was Malchus, he also wrote for consecrating another to be Bishop of Dublin, much about the same time; also that the Citizens of Dublin sent Gregory (chosen to be Bishop there) unto Ralph Archbishop of Canterbury, suing to him in these words, viz. Antecessorum vestrorum magisterio, etc. that is, Unto the Mastership or chief rule of your Ancestors, we willingly submitted our Prelates, from which (we remember) that our Prelates have received their ecclesiastical dignities, etc. All which, and other applications of like nature, do clearly evince the submission of the Irish Clergy, to the rule and superintendency of the Archbishop of Canterbury, their then acknowledged Metropolitan.  
And to proceed yet a little further, to prove the ancient English Title to Ireland: In the Statute of the 11. Reginae Elizabethae, for granting lands in Ulster to that Queen, her heirs and Successors; It is declared, That the Crown of England had ancient and authentic Titles to the State and possession of the Land of Ireland, conveied far beyond the lineage of the Irish. Also By a Statute tempore Philippi & Mariae, for vesting the two large Territories of Leix and Ophalie in the Crown: It is there again declared, That the Crown of England had good right thereunto before, and that the Irish had entered into those lands by force, and wrongfully usurped the possession thereof, Which Statutes were enacted by the immediate Ancestors of that supposed Nation now in Rebellion; the one made under a Popish Prince, the other under a Protestant, Other Statutes and Records make like mention of the ancient right of England, to the Land of Ireland; and where there is mention above made of about one hundred years quiet possession of the English over all that Island, in the time of Henry the second, and after, it may be demanded how afterwards those despicable Irish so gained upon the English, as in sometimes they did, and how they obtained such large possessions, as in later times they had: A clear and obvious Answer to all that well know Ireland may be given, That those English Lords Adventurers, having jura Regalia, and other great privileges, and authorities within their Counties Palatine (being eight in number at one time) and therein power to pardon, make Chancellors, Barons and Knights, to make Judges, Sheriffs, and all Officers within themselves (the King's having few Sheriffs any where, except in the Crosses or tipperary in Monster, neither was there much Law executed by the King's immediate Authority) those Lords received great yeerlie revenues, and some of them often advanced to the government of that Land, by the King's favour, the Colonies under them being rich, and spread all over the Land. Those Lords being come to the height of prosperity, and not able wisely to manage and apply to their own good, those great powers, endowments, and Graces of their Kings, fell into jealousies and emulations one against another, whereupon ensued sharp and bloody contentions, they having power to make peace and war at pleasure, without the licens or authority of their chief Governors (which power was afterwards taken away by several statutes) they entered into sundry violences one against another, and combined Parties against Parties; to maintain which, they called in to their Assistance, their known enemies, the Irish, (then grown up into some numbers) and so far were they transported with their blind envious furie that they put Arms into the hands of the Irish and conducted them to their battles as hired Soldiers: they assumed power to lay Taxes, Cesses, and Impositions upon their English Colonies, Tenants, and Dependants, and by that means supported both their English and Irish Soldiers, to the oppression of the other English, but Lords countenancing and strengthening of the Irish, besides training them in Martial actions. These dissensions and animosities began in the reign of King John, as is before touched, but they risen not to much virulence, till towards the end of the reign of King Henry the third, and so continued by fits in the reign of King Edward the first, as that King's greater actions in France, Scotland and Wales averted him from the more special care of that Commonwealth; they conflicted in this manner many times, one against another, to the great consumption of their English Tenants, who served under them, as the Lacies of Meath warred against Courcie of Ulster, the foresaid Lacy's after, against the Bourks' of Ulster and Connaght, the foresaid Lacies against the Marshals of Leimster, who held that Country in right of the daughter & heir of the bousaid Richard Earl of Pembroke of Stigil, married to Marshal: The Garaldines of Monster & Leimster against the Butlers, the Garaldines against the Bourks', the Bourks', against the Verdons of Meath, & Lowth; the Bourks' against the Clares; the Briminghams' against the Verdons and other English in the Pale: The Garaldines, Butlers, and Briminghams' against the Bourks' and Poers, and indeed all the English Progenies, by partaking and private Offences given, and taken, were imbroiled in the same quarrels, the Irish looking on, and siding wheresoever they thought best, striving by their cunning and malicious insinuations, to enlarge and blow every spark of discord amongst them into flames of hostility: Hereupon start up that destructive and wicked custom of Coin and Livery, which was horse-meat, mans-meat, and money taken by the Soldiers upon the Colonies, and English Inhabitants, which custom and exaction, was afterwards by some Statutes made Felony, and by other Satutes made treason, one whereof hath this expression, Viz. At the request and supplication of the Commons of this Land of Ireland, etc. Whereas of long time there hath been used & exacted by the Lords and Gentlemen of this Land, many and divers damnable customs and usages, which have been called Coin and Livery, that is, horse-meat and mans-meat, for finding their Horsemen and Footmen, and over that fourpences a day for every of them, to be had and paid, of the poot earth-tillers and tenants, inhabitants of the same Land, without any thing doing, or paying for the same, besides mante Robberies, murders, rapes, and other manifold extortions and oppressions by the said horsemen and footmen, daily and nightly committed and done, which be the principal causes of the desolation and destruction of the said Land, and hath brought the same into ruin and decay, so as most part of the English Freeholders and tenants have been departed thereof, some into the realm of England, and some into other strange Lands; Whereupon the aforesaid Lords and Gentlemen have intruded into the said Freeholders and tenants inheritances, and the same kept and occupied as their own, and set under them in the same Lands the King's Irish enemies, to the diminishing of holy Church-rights, the disherison of the King and his obedient Subjects, and the utter ruin and desolation of the Land; For Reformation whereof, be it enacted, etc. By this and many other like Laws, it is apparent, how the Irish thrust themselves into great quantities of the English Land, and afterwards as in the sequel appeareth, made themselves owners of them; Another way of their entrance was by frauduent force and incursion, as when by these broils one Colony had ruined another, the Irish (being in favour with the English Lords by their deceitful service) seized upon the weaker Colony, and forced out the inhabitants, which the English Lords allowed of for the time, receiving the Irish as tenants at will, (though they afterwards turned the Lords themselves quite out) Because the Irish would seem to afford far greater rents, than the old British Freeholder, and also yield for the time more Subjection, and (basely) also they committed their goods, estates, wives, and children, to the will of those Lords (as formerly, and afterwards they did to the Irish Chieftains) another way of their entrance was, that the English Lords (now strangely degenerating, and taking liking to their licentious, sordid, and barbarous course of living) made them many times their Officers in their Countries, as Seneshals, Marshals, and other Officers, (because they would slavishly obey their wills, who by extortion and oppression, in short time forced out the English tenants, and in after times held the land as their own, against the very Lords.  
The widest Inlet they found, was about the tenth year of King Edward the second, when Edward Bruice brother to the King of Scots entered into Ulster with a power of Scots, (storied to be six thousand) and there committed great slaughter of the English, both men, women and children; These gave one overthrew to Richard de Burgo, or Bourk, and at another time took William de Burgo brother to Richard, prisoner; they ruined Towns, Castles, houses and Churches, wheresoever they came, and upon these events, the Irish there (who formerly durst little show themselves, living in the least habitable parts by sufferance of the English) rose and joined with the Scots, making all the destruction they could of the English; with this addition Edward Bruice proceeded further, through the parts of Leimster (the Irish from all parts gathering to him) and from thence marched into Monster, as far as Cashel, then did the Irish lift up their heads on all sides, following the train of Bruice, spoiling and destroying the English as far as they could; then the said Bruice finding that the English began to assemble in some numbers against him, retired into the lower parts of Meath (now Westmeath) and to the borders of Ulster, making it his Master-work to secure that Province within his own power, (though he often made roads into other parts) which is the first cause and ground why Ulster became so destitute of English, and grew wholly Irish, beyond any other of the Provinces; the Irish being as zealous as he to rid themselves solely of the English: In this posture he continued about three years in Ireland, and caused himself to be proclaimed King by the Irish, and about the end of the said three years, making an expedition to invade the English of the Pale, he was in the County of Lowth encountered by Brimingham (after created Earl of Lowth) and other good forces of the English, where the said Bruice, and many of his Commanders were slain, and his Army totally defeated and rend; Some of the Scots returned home, but many remained there who joined with the Irish; in that time the said Bruice, and the Irish had much dispeopled, and forced most of the English out of the Limits and Countries now called the Counties of Donagal, Fermanagh, Cavan, Tirone, Londonderry, Monorghan and Ardmagh having sealed their malice by much devastation also, within the Countries of Autrim and Down, lying between the Sea on the East, and the great Lough called Lough Eaugh, and the River of Baun in the West, hardly accessible by the Irish, yet did William de Burgo hold up a face of power in Ulster by help of other neighbouring English, until about the seventh year of King Edward the third, when he was amongst them murdered, leaving only an heir female, who after married with Lionel Duke of Clarence, third son to King Edward the third, soon after the death of the said William, Hugh o Neil taking upon him superiority amongst the Irish (now grown strong through the actions of Bruice, and the decay of the English) adventured to break over the Ban, and made great havoc in the Colonies of the Rout Clandebois, Ardes, and others within that circuit, who in truth, never in any degree of their former being recovered themselves after; and thus you see in a manner the full ruin of the English in Ulster. Another enlargement gained by the Irish, upon English men's Lands, was soon after the departure of Bruice out of Monster, when Morris Fitz-Thomas Garaldine of Desmond, having taken into his alliance and service many of the Irish, made eruption into the Counties of Kerry, Limerick, Cork, and part of Waterford, and in short time destroyed and banished great parts of those Colonies, and there placed his followers (more Irish then English) and forced most of the rest to join, or submit to his will; Soon after did the Irish upon the Shanon side advance themselves, and settled in the large Country of Ormond in Tipperary, then entirely the inheritance of the Earl of Ormond (by acquisition of his ancestors) whereof some small parts were after recovered by the succeeding Earls of Ormond, which now they hold, the rest remained with the Irish, paying some small acknowledgement by composition.  
The Irish also then entered into several other Wood-land Countries in Tipperary, whence terrifying and forcing out the English, they seated themselves there. About the end of the reign of King Edward the second (in the absence of the English Lords of Leimster, Donald Mr Art Covenagh a bastard branch of Dermot ne Gall, late reputed King of Leimster (so called in the Welsh, and other Irish of those parts) broke out, and imbroiled those Clonies, renting from them great parts of the Wood lands and mountainous Countries, soon after Lisagh Moor, and one of the Conners in the heart of Leimster, discovered themselves in open enmity; The said Lisagh (taking eight Castles in one evening by surprise) defaced the Castle of Donamase, the Earl of March his chief house in Leix, and upon the ruining of the English in those Countries, the one called himself o Moor, Lord of Leix, and the other o Conner, Lord of Ophalie.  
After the death of the said William de Burgo, above mentioned, certain of the most active men of the Irish in Connaght, joining with some degenerate branches of the Bourks' (who had formerly assisted in the destroying, and rooting out of the English, in the Southern parts of Ulster, next unto Connaght) entered into all the goodly possessions of the said William, in Connaght, expelled the English, and made themselves Masters of all; One of the said Bourks' seating himself in the County of Galway (of whom is descended the Earl of Clanrickard, another fastened himself in the County of Mayo; and both took upon them Irish Captain-ships; the one by the name Mr William Eighter, and the other by the name of Mr William Oughter, retaining with them many of the Irish to inhabit the Land, and fully finish the extirpation of the English Freeholders, the rest of the Irish Partisans fell into the more northern parts of Connaght, as the Counties of Sligo and Leitrim, and also the Northern parts of the County of Roscomon, who so fully accomplished the expulsion of the English, as in the time of King Charles, an intention being to plant that Province) upon Inquirie made into every particular man's holding, there could not be showed any ancient Evidence for any Land holden amongst them, as in the other Provinces of Monster and Leimster, are to be showed in great numbers.  
About the twenty fifth year of King Edward the third, was Richard de Clare murdered by the men of Thomond, at what time, and after, the Irish so insulted there, as the English were either in short time massacred, or forced into other parts for their more safety:  
And thus is plainly evidenced in brief, part of the means of the great encroachments of the Irish upon the English possessions, especially in the remote parts, and now were the English Lords, and such of the English Freeholders as they could draw or force with them, arrived at a great height of degeneration; Now had they for the most part betaken themselves to the Brehan or Tanistree Law, as they called it, and other Irish usages and customs (so destructive to themselves) and repudiated the English Laws brought with them, under which they happily lived, and under which the people of England had, and have so many ages flourished, and been famous through providence, except what remained in the five shiers of the Pale, and in some small circuits about the walled-Towns, which retained in some measure the English Laws: Now did they generally embrace the Irish garb of licentiousness and tyranny over the inferiors; They erected amongst themselves Captain-ships in their Countries, after the Irish fashion, and unwisely suffered the Irish to do the like, where they had gotten footing, applauding them in all things, whereby the Irish were raised into a kind of Dominion; they little obeyed or regarded the Governors sent out of England (though for their only good, and many times to rescue them from the Irish outrages and fury, and reconcile their own unnatural jars) they suffered not the King's Writs to run in their Countries, but they would undertake in a summary way, to answer for their followers, as they now call them, for what wrong or crime soever committed; they assumed Irish nicknames, as the chief of the Burks, Mr William Brimingham, Mr Yoris Mangle, Mr Costelo Dexeter, Mr Jorden Archdeacon, Mr Odo Condon, Mr Maiog, one of the Garaldines, Mr Gibbon, and some hundreds the like in that Land, and this they did in contempt of the English name and Nation; They went to the wars in Irish furniture to their horses, and Irish arms defensive and offensive, shearing their horses mains after the Irish manner: Insomuch, as afterwards there was necessity by Laws to enforce them to ride in saddles; the Irish riding only on small quilted pillions, fastened only with a sursingle; they combined in full complacency for course of life with the Irish in all things, even to rebellious actions, several times, yea, so far were they sunk in this base degeneration and defection, as the Earl of Desmond claimed privilege, never to come to Parliament, or within walled Town, but at his own pleasure, (which privilege he in Queen Elizabeth's time surrendered and renounced) And it was resolved amongst them, that because they by violence and oppression had intruded into the Lands of the inferior English, and given the Irish liberty to dwell there first at will, (though it proved otherwise after) and finding the power out of England slack to control them, by reason of other employments; They at length judged it most preservative to incorporate with the Irish, and so cast off the English Law and Loyalty, presuming thereby, the better to keep what they had so ravished, knowing well, that if the English Law gained concurrency amongst them, the parties wronged, or their descendants removed as aforesaid, would (doubtless) recover their own, and so shorten the great revenues and cuttings, wherein they thought they had ascertained a complete interest, by those ways of confusion; But it fell out otherwise in short time, for by God's just avengement on their wickedness, the Irish, (who many years lived in the Island as aforesaid, by their sufferance, neither of force, nor any way deterred by the English; daily increasing in numbers, actuated in Martial Discipline, possessed also (though but at will, of great quantities of Land) they, as opportunities offered, (part whereof is after herein expressed) risen up against their Lords, especially in the Woodland Countries, and called the Lands their own; and in short time became formidable to the English, who began now to find their error, in so prodigiously forgetting themselves, their noble ancestors and originals, and the glorious Kingdom from whence they came, putting themselves, in a manner, into the hands of their slavish enemies, and (as may be said) were transformed into another people: These disorders, fractures, and insolences, and the great pressures and detriments of the English crying loud into England, at last the noble and victorious Prince, King Edward the third, pitying their deformed and lapsed condition, in the thirty sixth year of his reign (though his foreign engagements were great and heavy at that time) sent thither as his Lieutenant, Lionel Duke of Clarence his third son above mentioned, with a competent strength, to reduce things to some better form; this young Lord continued there (for the most part) seven years, brought with him a good and honourable Council, both for peace and war, set himself with all zeal and affection, specially to reorder the English Colonies, if it might be, to reintegrate them in their pristin estates, freedom and government, himself having good interest there as is above touched. To this Lieutenant many of the Irish made submissions, as they had many times done before to King Henry the second, King John, and after to King Richard the second, and others, authorised by the Kings of England, he had sundry conflicts with the Irish, very many of the English (after a short time) siding with him.  
About the 40 year of King Edward the third, he held that famous Parliament at Kilkenny, wherein plainly appears (by the Laws made there, and some others formerly enacted by Rockesby, Justice of Ireland 25 E. 3) the great degeneration and deformity of the old English above specified (Laws and Statutes being the best Dictates of the maladies of times) and that the principal labour was to reform, and bring into temper and rule of Law, the old English Colonies, Some particulars of which Laws were, viz. Against Parleys with the Irish without leave; That Chieftains should assist and apprehend Felons; Against barbarous Fees and extortions of the Lord's Officers called Marshals; Against the English calling the Irish to help them in their quarrels; Against the Lords distreining contrary to the English Law; That the English should only use the English Law, and not the custom called the Brehan Law, or Marcheor Law.  
That if any of the English race, should use an Irish name, Irish language, Irish apparel, or any other guise or fashion of the Irish, his Lands should be seized till he conformed, Or (if he no Land) than other mulcts were appointed; That the Lords should not disturb the King's Officers in executing their Offices; That Sergeants Bailiffs should execute the commands of the King and of the Sheriffs, that the Sheriffs and Sergeants of Franchises, should give acquittances for the King's money received of Debtors, and receiv and pay by Indenture: That no Sheriffs should hold Courts contrary to the Common Law; That the English should not marry, nor Gossip with the Irish; That the English should use the English language and nurture; That old and new English should all alike be called Liege's of the King; That no English should use Irish or barbarous sports; that no Irish Pipers, Rhymers, babblers, Skelaghs, Ferdanes, Carraghs or news-tellers, should be suffered to come amongst the English: That no Kearns, Hoblers, nor idle men should range, take meat, &c, of the people against their wills, but hue and cry to be made after them.  
That no Irish should be admitted to benefits, or entered into religious houses: That Judges should travel half yearly to inquire of offences, and to execute the Law: That four Justices of peace, of and in each County should charge the Inhabitants with horse and foot to defend themselves against Irish enemies. That robberies committed in the guildable, should not be protected in the franchises, and so on the contrary, but the thiefs to be delivered up to the proper officers; and many other like Laws, were then made towards restauration, and recomposing of the then deformed and adulterated English; and for the further redress, divers other Laws (some before, and some after) were made, viz. One to take away protections, which with frequent pardons were observed to be pestilent Remora's to the English restitution and secure peace, insomuch as King Edward the third, towards the later end of his reign, sent two Ordinances into Ireland, viz.  
First, Justitiarius Hiberniae non concedat pardonationes de morte hominis, nec de roberiis, seu incendiis, et quòd de caetero certificet dominum Regem de nominibus petentium.  
Secondly, Item quòd nec Justitiarius, nec aliquis magnas Hiberniae, concedat protectiones alicui contra pacem regis existentis. And the experience of the common damage by such pardons, and protections ever since, proves the malignancy of them, that being charged by divers good authors (conversant in Irish affairs) to be the dishonour and ruin of the Commonwealth: Other Laws were also made, viz. One to distinguish betwixt the English and Irish, by the cutting off their beards: Another, against the taking of amends for the murder of a friend: Another That no man should stir up the Irish to assist in their war: Another, Against taking Thiefs into Comerick (in English) protection: All which Laws at Kilkenny were after confirmed, and revived by another Law made in the tenth year of King Henry the seventh Chap. 8, Wherein are these words, viz. As long as those Laws were put in ure and execution, this Land continued in prosperity and honour, and since they were not executed, the people rebelled and digressed from their obedience, and the Land fell to ruin and desolation, etc. And the truth is, it appears by good Histories of those times, and more authentically by Records, both of the Exchequer & Common-pleas of those years, that by practice of these Laws, and the industry & travel of the said Lionel, notable alteration was made, in the manners of the people, and much done of value towards the restitution of the English Government, in the English Colonies; That the Crown-Revenues, both certain and casual, were duly accounted for in all the Provinces, and that the King's Writ did run, & the Common-Law executed in all parts amongst the English.  
This Duke built the walls of Catherlagh, he also reduced much lands in Connaght and Ulster, into the English men's hands, and this good order continued all the residue of that King's reign, and part of the reign of King Richard the second, but towards the middle of his time, the Irish and some far degenerate English, hearing of the Duke of Clarence his death in Italy, and finding great dissensions to arise in England, combined themselves to the fresh annoyance of the English, and prosecuting their long intendment to exstirpate them: And now did the English find cause to raise themselves into defence against the Irish, which they were afterwards dangerously put unto: thereupon that King having received repuls in his affectation to be Emperor, and desirous to act something of glory, and satisfaction to his people, about the 18 year of his reign, undertook a royal expedition into Ireland, transporting with him 30000 foot, and 4000 men at Arms, as the Chronicles relate, whereat the Irish being terrified, fell into their old lock of submissions (the very gulf which hath hitherto swallowed up all the essays and labours of reformation there) hoping thereby to dissolve that force, and frustrate his good design; and to insist on the very truth, that course of pardons upon submissions of the Irish, hath for at least three hundred years past, bottomed all the combustions and insults of the Irish.  
That King being not in case to be long absent, was persuaded to accept of their submissions, which he did from all the powerful men of the Irish, and some degenerate English Lords, those Irish of Leimster taking Oath to leave the Land to his free dispose by a certain time.  
Great quantities of the Leimster land were granted to Sir John de Bellomonto, and others, whose issues long after enjoyed it, he also conditioned with the Irish of Connaght and Ulster upon their submissions, to restore the Lands to the English, which the Irish never performed: So this young Prince abused by the fraudulent submissions of the Irish, (as others before, and after were) returned with his men into England, leaving the English in Ireland, in but a little better case than he found them: Soon after his departure the Irish brake forth, and stood up for their ends, as high as ever, whereupon ensued great conflicts between them and the English, in one of which was slain Mortimer Earl of March the King's Lieutenant; thereupon did many of the English (overhaled with burdens and harrowing) relinquish their estates, and resort into England, to side with Parties there, as their affections did lead them, though Laws were in Ireland, and Ordinances in England, as well to stop their going, as to return them back.  
It is not recorded nor known (as is conceived) that in the reigns of King Henry the fourth, or King Henry the fifth, (who were much taken up in other business) any forces were sent into Ireland, whereby the Irish enlarged much, partly through the departure of the English, and chief by the great devastations they formerly suffered, besides what diminutions they endured by several Kings, transmitting great numbers of them to assist in the wars of France, Scotland and Wales, in several times.  
In the former part of the reign of King Henry the sixth, Ireland continued In the same posture; the English being now put to their defence in all parts, but the greatest and most remarkable decay, and ruin of the prosperity, and possession of the English in Ireland began in the later end of the reign of King Henry the sixth, and in the beginning of King Edward the fourth; For after the middle of the reign of King Henry the sixth. Richard Duke of York beginning to whisper his right to the Crown more audibly than before, he was soon after sent into Ireland Lieutenant, which was sometimes usual, as a removal of such as were dangerous, or pretended trouble; There he had given him much regal authority more than might be consonant to right reason, had they well considered the place, or the consequences, he was continued there nine or ten years by himself, and his Deputies, himself making starts into England, which, as it was handled, amplified his power in Ireland, he had power to dispose the King's revenues, as he thought fit, he had power to grant and let the King's Lands in Ireland, to place and displace officers, and to wage what men he thought good: This Lord (esteemed there a person of high blood) having an eye more upon events in England, than the reducement of Ireland, applied himself for the most part towards his own pretensions, he entertained both parties, English and Irish in a plausible way, travelling in his secret thoughts to fasten parties to him, against the time he might have use of them; He tolerated the Irish to hold what they had formerly intruded unto, not sparing favours where he observed reason to oblige, and they regarding somewhat his high birth (a thing they seem most to adore) were by those means held more quiet than in former times, he contained the English by courtesy and fair entreaty, and by bestowing of employments, so as he found great adherence by way of personal affection, he made some journeys into England, always accompanied with some of the Gentry of Ireland, to propagate and ripen confederacy; In England he endured the changes of war; At last he was forced into Ireland, where he gathers more strength, and hearing that Warwick and Salisbury had taken the King, he comes over, attended with good numbers of the English Lords and others, and some of the Irish, He obtein's his ends in Parliament; The Queen flies into Scotland, and coming back, the Duke of York meet's her at Wakefield, where he was slain, and many of those of Ireland with him; the Earl of Ormond on the other side, being a professor to the house of Lancaster, passed into England about the same time, with many of the English, and some Irish, the Earl of March encounter's him, and others at Mortimer's Cross in Wales; there is Ormond and the rest defeated; and many of Ireland slain: So as what by the companies which at times passed over with the Duke of York, and what by such as voluntarily led themselves into England, on both sides, during those combustions, great consumptions of those of Ireland could not but be the consequent, especially, the Gentry and best men: Hereupon did the Irish on all sides exspatiate, and fasten upon the English possessions, where they could reach, and indeed in short time so dilated themselves, as they for the time forced the English into their strengths, and into narrow rooms; they confirmed themselves in their formerly erected and usurped Captainships, which before the reign of King Henry the eight, were far to many, and most of them so continued, till the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, therein exercising an absolute tyrannical power over all inferiors, aswell all such English as hazarded to continue amongst them, as the Irish; And here may the Querist, and all others take full view of the progress, footsteps, and means of the Irish encroachments upon the English possessions, though it is true, that in after times many of the English became repossessed of much of their ancient Lands, except in Ulster and Connaght, in which Provinces many of the old English are now as barbarous as the mere Irish, hardly to be distinguished; yet by what is above written, it grows more lucid and clear, that the Inhabitants of that Island, who now stand in arms against England, (who in several successions settled them there) are not such an entire nation fixed there by God and Nature, free from any other power and challenge, as the Querist propound's them, and where the entiretie of such a Nation (footed there as is pretended) is to be found, (as things are before discovered) will require a very wearisome scrutiny, and at last satisfy no understanding man. Nay, it is avouched by several good writers, and may be truly asserted in the experience of such as well understand Ireland, that setting aside the first Inhabitants from Britain, and other Nations inserted there by the permission of the Britain's, and such as had power in Britain, and such as of themselves intruded before the entrance of King Henry the second, promiscuously laced amongst them, who all now pass under the Notion, and style of the old Irish, the very English sent in thither by King Henry the second, and other Kings succeeding him before King James, and who at the beginning of this Rebellion were really stated, and vested in Lands in that Island, (though not in numbers and bodies of men (because most of the Churls, and laborers as aforesaid, were Irish) nor perhaps in quantities and extents of Lands, yet in true value and command, over others) did far exceed, and were far more estimable and powerful in that Island, than those, denominated the old Irish, besides the the great towns, which (as is above said) are wholly, in a manner, English: for consider their present composure of persons, and affairs, even after this late horrid and inhuman eradication of the new English and protestants:  
First, Their Nobility (now in rebellion) are all old English except a very few, which were, and yet are both weak in power and strength.  
Their supreme Council (as they call it) and other Provincial, and County Councils, and their general Assembly are for the most part old English, most of the best Commanders in the war are of the same; most of their horse and many of their foot, (who have been most daring in the Rebellion) are of the same; the whole frame of their new-Modelled-Government was at first digested, and is ever since countenanced, and enlivened by the old English, they seem in their constitutions to put themselves for the most part (in way of policy at present) into the frame of the English Laws, because they well know, how uncertain and barbarous their supposed Irish Laws were, (though very many of them rather desire the old Irish Tyranny, and rude exorbitancy) And were it not that the old English were, and still are, that the body of their order and connexion, even apparently managing their whole party, as to war and Government, the rest would soon dissolve into their old Kearnish habit, both in fight, and only confidence in bogs and woods; And which seems most of amazement in this business, the old English (showing themselves of late years in many things, much more swelling and envious against the Protestant Religion, and the English Government and conversation than the mere Irish) were the principal contrivers, and ripeners of this detestable Rebellion, and Assassination, without whose incitement and flexible concurrence, (as Ireland at the beginning of the Rebellion stood furnished with multitudes of new English in all parts, (except Connaght, where they were fewest) and strengthened with the old English, if they had stood loyal to their own Nation, or really sensible of their own happiness (as in nature and all prudence they should have done) the Irish no way durst have entered upon such an attempt against the English and Protestants, especially a Parliament then sitting in England, who they might well believ would so far distaste such high and unparaleld Ravages, and horrible effusion of blood (without cause or provocation) committed upon some of their own flesh and blood, and also such savage indignities offered to the English Nation, as that they would speedily bend their power to redress and revenge the same; And yet it may be considered, that the opportunity of the attempt of the Irish will not appear so strange; when we consider their animation, and encouragement to have its rise from many of the Native Inhabitants of England, of the same Religion with the Irish Rebels, who made it their work to feel the pulls, and find the distempers of England to that end: And the Commissioners procured for the Irish to secure the persons and Estates of the English Protestants of Ireland was to speak effectively) to command them to destroy both, which (if not speedily executed) might have exspired or been rewaked upon discovery, which is most obvious; it we reflect upon the several journeys of the popish party of those Agents employed by the Parliament in Ireland, to the eminent Popish Families in England, as Brown, and Plunket have often (with ostentation) acknowledged, besides the constant Negotiation of Mr Brent, an English Papist and expert manager of such a business) to many of the active Papists of England at the same time, doth fully manifest the same with suits, with the constant expressions of the Rebels, in all parts of Ireland, affirming there could be no expectation of any considerable, or seasonable relief out of England. It is also too well known, that when the Cavalier interest had life in it, the English Romanists would often boast of this their Masterpiece their managing the Irish insurrection (as they termed it) at that season wherein it should find least opposition from England, and so most successful for the improvement of the Catholic cause.  

The names of the old English, now stated and planted in Ireland, as can at present be remembered of many hundreds there resident, at the beginning of this Rebellion, and for the most part yet being there, with the mention what Noble men are of those Families, without mentioning what greater and further Members are of each, or any of their Names or Families, are as follow.  
Archbalds'  
Ashes, alias de fraxineto  
Almers  
Allens  
Arthur's  
Archers  
Ailworth or Ailward  
Audley's  
Archdecons  
Arundels  
Butlers 
6 Noble men of the name.   
Bourks' 
5 Noble men.   
Barries 
1 Noble man.   
Breminghams' 
1 Noble man.   
Barnwels' 
2 Noblemen.   
Brownes.  
Bagnals  
Burnels  
Baathes  
Bellow alias bedlow's  
Blakes  
Belin's  
Bagots  
Blackneys  
Brandon's  
Blanchfeilds  
benson's  
Balfe  
Boise  
Brewer  
Bale  
Brian  
Busher  
Burford  
Brereton  
Barret  
Benfeild  
Baron  
Birt alias Britt  
Barington  
Basgravile  
Beard  
Courcies 
1 Noble man.   
Cheevers  
Cusacks  
Cogan  
Cadels  
Colleys  
Cosby  
Cod's  
Cruces  
Chamberlain,  
Chaceys or Caseys  
Clinton's  
Clinches  
Comerfords  
Cosgraves'  
Colbies  
Cosbies'  
Condon  
Cossen  
Conron  
Cashell  
Cardiff  
Colclogh  
Crolie  
Carey  
Coffie  
Coppinger  
Comins  
Clundake  
dillon's 
2 Noble men.   
Dowdales  
Dungans  
Darcies  
Devereuxes  
dalton's, Drilands  
Dormers  
Donnels or Mc c - Donnels 
1 Noble man.   
Downs  
Den, Dixon  
Dromgool  
Daniel  
Dobbin  
Deering  
Delamares  
Deece  
Davels  
Draicot  
Dardes'  
Drakes  
Dexeters  
eliot's  
Evers alias Ewer  
Eustacks  
Esmond  
Everard, English  
Fitz-Garalds 
1 Noble man.   
Fitz-Morris, 
1 Noble man.   
Fitz-williams' 
1 Noble man.   
Fitz-Simons  
Fitz-harries'  
Friends, Fians  
Fennels  
Fitz Stephens  
French  
Font or Fawnt  
Fitz Zery  
Fitz-Leones  
Flemings 
1 Noble man.   
Flatsburie  
Foxes  
Forestall  
Forlongs  
Fitz Nichols  
forster's  
Finglasses  
Fottrels  
Fanings  
Faies  
Frenches  
Garnons  
Grants  
Garvies  
graham's  
Geron's  
Graces  
Goldings  
Goghes  
Galtrims  
Galwaies  
Hores  
Harpenies'  
Hussies  
Hassans  
Hides or de la Hides  
Hardins  
Holliwoods  
Hetheringtons  
Howlins  
Harpools  
Handcock  
Hays  
Hadsors'  
Hurleys, Hopps  
Harry's, harrison's  
herbert's, Horis  
Harold.  
Jordan's  
Jans  
Joices  
jacob's  
Itchingham  
Kings  
Keatings  
Kent's  
Laulis, Lenard  
Luttrels, Lanfant  
Lacy's  
Lanes  
Linches  
Lovels  
Leicester's  
Ledwiches  
Longs  
Locks  
Lamports  
Moor's  
Missets  
Mastersons  
Morris  
Martin's  
Mandevil's  
Meilers  
Moilers  
Malpas  
Masons  
Mellins  
Netervils 
1 Noble man.   
nugent's 
1 Noble man.   
Nangles  
Nottinghams'  
nevil's  
Ovingtons  
Plunkets 
3 Noble men.   
Prestons 
1 Noble man.   
Powers 
1 Noble man.   
Purcels  
Peirce  
Pigot  
Pendergafts  
Philip's  
Peppards'  
Penteins  
Petits  
Prowdfoots  
Roches 
1 Noble man.   
Rogers  
Rices  
Reinolds  
Rochforths  
Roceter  
russel's  
Rooths  
Remond  
Reinolds  
Stantons  
Sentlawrences 
1 Noble man.   
Sarsfields 
1 Noble man.   
Skelton  
Strong  
Sedgraves'  
Sinnots  
Shortels  
Sempes'  
Sankies  
Sigen  
Samonds alias St Amonds  
Scurlock  
St John  
Sherlock  
Stanleys'  
Stapletons  
Soars  
Stephen's  
St Michael  
Silvester  
Suttons  
Stritch  
Staffords  
Swords  
Scallann  
Skiddies alias Scudamore  
Sermons  
Smiths  
Sentlegers  
Savages  
Talbots  
Tints  
Taffs 
1 Noble man.   
Turnors  
Tirrels  
Trawnt  
Travers  
Talon  
Ushers  
Verdons  
Verden  
Veal  
Walshes  
Wolverstons  
Wogans  
Wotton's  
Whits  
Wadding  
Welter's  
Wife's  
weston's  
Wellesley  
Workley  
Whitties  
Wickens   
THere are 29 Families more, not there named of later descent, which have every one a Noble man thereof, whose Estates are in Ireland. And there are but eight noble men in Ireland of mere Irish.  
So that the Nobility of English descent (not reckoning those that live in England, who only have honours and no estates there) are seven to one of the Irish.  
And there are in all about ninety two Nobility of Ireland.  
I had almost forgotten one thing of considerable value, which is this, admitting that the pretended ancient title of the mere Irish were (as it is not) good to the Lands of Ireland, yet nothing is more true than that great parts thereof have been bought at dear rates, by the English from the Irish, and more would have been, had the Irish frequent proffers a little before their last Rebellion been accepted of by the English, to whom the Querist must need's allow a clear interest in the Lands so purchased; as also to their personal estates, and those that deprive them of such their Civil Right, can be no other than thieus and robbers, and at once root out God's Law, man's property, and National Equity, so just is this Querist to God and Nature, on whom he would father the Irish depredations and murders; And this may in some measure suffice for an Answer to the first Quere, at least to show how the Querist seek's too blind inadvertent men with a far fetched supposition, which vows substance in every particular (when examined) yet framed as an Engine to retard all succours for Ireland, then at the point to be lost.    


The second Quere.  
Whether a people or Nation so settled, have not a power to establish all Laws, Government, Offices, and Officers amongst themselves, and to oppose and execute all such as shall endeavour, to impose and obtrude upon them, Laws, Government, Offices and Officers, without, or against their consent.   

The second Answer.  
THe Irish are not such a people or Nation, so settled, have not a power to establish all Laws, Government, etc. But the people of England, to whom Ireland belongs, are, and have such a power to establish all Laws, Government, Offices and Officers in Ireland, their own Dominions, and to oppose and execute all such, as shall endeavour to impose and obtrude in their said Dominions, Laws, Government, Offices, and Officers, without, or against their consent.    


The third Quere.  
WHether God and Nature having given a people and Nation such a possession of Lands, and some other Prince or people should invade or conquer them, deprive them of much of their Land, impose Laws, Government, and Officers upon them, without, or against their consent; if it be any other then robbery in the Invaders and the just right of the invaded and conquered, to cut off their enemies, to procure their own Freedom and inheritance again?   

The third Answer.  
GOd and Nature hath so given Ireland for a possession and Government to the Inhabitants, and people of England, from the beginning, as in the Answer to the first Quere is clear. And this Quere more properly relate's to the English just title against the claim of the Irish, who were not the original Inhabiters of Ireland, and so no claim from God and Nature for such a possession of theirs; and therefore the Irish invasion and expulsion of the English, depriving them of much of their Lands; framing Laws, Government, and Officers in the English Dominions, or against the English consent, is no other than robbery in the Irish Invaders, and it is the just right of the Invaded (and part conquered) English to cut off their Irish enemies, and to procure theirs and their Brethren's freedom, to regain their own lawful government and inheritance.  
And for further resolution, this Quere, as it is stated, is not the case of the Irish: For as before is truly said, the permission of the British planted, and gave them first footing there, and the several Conquests (or rather reducements of them) by the British there, was no invasion, but a bringing of the rebelling Irish to due obedience, and Christianlike submission to their supreme Governors, whose right only it is, to impose Laws, Governors, and Officers upon them, and therefore no robbery for the English to enter on their own Land, but most just to punish, and disseis them, who by their frequent Rebellions were no more to be trusted with them, than a madman with a sword: yet the indulgence of the English Government hath always as been so great, as to take but a part of the Rebel's estates, whereas they had forfeited all by their iterated former rebellions; Then where is the cause or right of the Irish, to cut off the English in cold blood, in time of peace, and in the best Government, and improvement the Irish ever enjoyed?    


The fourth Quere.  
WHether length of time, where the original Nation is distinct from the Conqueror, doth swallow up the right of the conquered, that they have no right to seek after, and regain their own freedoms and possessions, yea or no?   

The fourth Answer.  
LEngth of time cannot privilege, or discharge a people originally subordinate to another, from their due conformity, and obedience to the Laws and Government of those, by whose permission they were received into the Verge of their dominions, as the Irish were into the dominions of the British in Ireland, neither are the Irish Rebels (as now composed) a distinct Nation of themselves, nor so distinct in descent from those, who at all times lawfully reduced them. But that the now most ruling, and powerful party of the Rebels are descended of English lineage, as aforesaid; and neither they, nor the other old degenerate English can justly pretend to any Land there, but what hath been passed unto them under the great Seal of that Land, and therefore their freedom and right cannot be any wise said to be swallowed up by the English; for, from any other they cannot truly derive either their Freedom, Lands or possessions, as being granted unto them by the English, and the mere Irish (as is abovesaid) not being half of the Inhabitants of Ireland, nor of any considerable riches, strength or policy.    


The fift Quere.  
HOw can the conquered justly be called, or accounted Rebels, if any time, they shall seek and endeavour to free themselves, and to regain their own Lands and Liberties?   

The fift Answer.  
THe Inhabitants of Ireland, now in Arms against the power and just right of England, are no better then perfidious rebels, intruders, and inhuman bloodsuckers, not only for the causes before showed, but for their iterated Rebellions, and former massacring of the English, and have been well known to be such brutish enemies for divers ages past; And if it should be allowed, that they at their wills and pleasures might shake off the yoke of obedience, and to perpetrate the inhuman cruelties, semblable to their former, then would they at length (as it were) change their shape of men into the state of Devils.    


The sixth Quere.  
WHether Julius Caesar, Alexander the great, William Duke of Normandy, or any other the great Conquerors of the world, were any other then so many great and lawless thieus; And whether it be not altogether as unjust to take our neighbour Nations, Lands, and liberties from them, as our neighbor's goods of our own Nation?   

The sixth Answer.  
HEre might I now suspend further labour (as superfluous, in contesting with extravagant impertinencies, having expended much time upon the main. But I have already (as I conceiv) irrecoverably thrown down the falls foundation, upon which this presumptuous Impostor doth rear the whole fabric of his ensnaring Queres. In the fall whereof they are slaughtered, as I may say, in the mother's belly, resolved, before well objected, and may be left as dead, and buried in their first ruins, yet since the easiest part of my task is now behind, I will wave the trouble I might justly avoid in being filent, and crave leave to proceed in the solution of the remaining interrogations to their utmost borders, lest by such silence I should give advantage to the contriver of them, to surfeit with conceit of his supposed unanswerable suggestions.  
By this question that now looks so big, stare's us in the face, and speaks so loud; the Querist may drive some of mean Judgement into amazement, though indeed he manifesteth but a weakness in that his endeavour, to render the English title dubious, and make our Nation, persons, and interest, odious by an infamous indicting of us under the notion of thieus, robbers, invaders, etc. Only for our credit thus much, he arraign's with us, or us with them, the great Conquerors of the world, Julius Caesar, Alexander the great, and William the Norman, in whom (indeed) all the great Rulers of the earth are concerned and comprehended by this pernicious stickler for Irish Rebels; of whose ridiculous folly being senfible enough, I give him no other Answer then a flat and express denial to that he aims to gain by a confession on our part, and what he is not able to prove on his own; But I lay hold upon that which (undesired) he grant's unto us in the question, and then to answer the Quere.  
Taking him therefore upon his own confession, he who elsewhere strongly endeavors to smother our original propriety, and interest, doth there beslow upon us a  good title (if other things should fail) to that Land, unto which they the Irish so unjustly pretend; As in his several Queres, first a conquest; Secondly, a prescription, and actual possession in the British; Thirdly, a Legislative power; fourthly their subjection, (though a distinct people, yet living amongst us) unto the English Government.  
The Answer now followeth, which is reduced to these affirmative positions.  
First, that the Conquerors therein mentioned, and comprehended, ought not to carry the character of lawless thieus.  
Secondly, that titles and dominions achieved by conquest, are not robberies, but justifiable titles and possessions.  
The first of these concerns the person of the Conqueror, the second the right of the things possessed. Might we but propound one Quere to this bold Assertor, it should be this.  
What Author can he produce for this profane and absurd Language? the worst of profane histories afford no pattern to these expressions.  
Is a Conqueror no more than a Bandit, a Pirate, a Barrabas, or one of the Arabian fraternities? Must the actions of public persons empowered by God, acted by divine impulsions, and oftentimes executing for God an unknown Commission against the Inhabitants of the world for their transgressions, be stained with, and carry the black Character of Lawless thieus; Surely no, this is not the language of the servant of the living God, but of the servant of the lying spirit, the falls accuser.  
What if the actions of these Conquerors be chargeable with some irregularities, and personal vitiosities usually concurrent in victories. They may be matters of lamentation to the world, and sad accounts too; but no ground for such denominations.  
To instance.  
Let us pitch upon Nabuchadnezzar that Babylonian Monarch, called The hammer of the whole earth, the great destroyer of Nations, 
Dan. 2.7. Jer. 50.23.  was he not one of the worst of Adversaries unto the people of God, witness Sion's complaint against him, 
Jer. 51.34; 35.  yet was ever this infamous title attributed to him by any of the captivated people.  
Nay, doth not God speak of him in terms of honour, looking on him as an instrument to act his own design, being one of the rods of his anger, and the staff of his indignation, styling him oftentimes My servant, and his work his service, 
Jer. 25.9. Jer. 27.6. Ezek. 29.18, 19, 20. Dan. 6.21. Dan. 2.37.  and one unto whom God for his own work assigned Egypt for the wages of his Army; And doth not Daniel the servant of the living God, and a Captive of the blood Royal, honour him with the awful terms and title of Magistracy in these words; O King, live for ever.  
What shall we say of Cesar Octavius, under whose Government the Saviour of the world was born, by whose power the Jewish Nation were kept in subjection, doth not the Evangelist St Luke put that Roman stamp of dignity (Augustus) upon him: Nomen quasi Sanctum & veneratione dignum, saith Burgensis, The Jews gave him the title of a lawful Magistrate, and a King, saying, we have no King, but Cesar. Augustine had reverend language towards the Cesarian Armies, affirming this, Autores belli Dei ministri; and in his Epistle to Boniface a military Commander in the Roman Legions useth these words: Nequaquam putare debes eos qui rei-publicae inserviunt, Deo placere non posse: John the Baptist (who lost his head for the freedom of his Language) when the Cesarian soldiers of the meaner rank frequented his Ministry, did not bid them lay down their Arms as unlawful, or frown upon them as thieus, or discourage them with such Dialects, but disciplines them as Scholars for the School of Christ. Do violence to no man, and be content with your wages. 
John.  If God from the mouth of the holy son, style's them servants; If holy men taught by the Spirit of God, and religious knowing men never took up such vilifying Language against the great Conquerors of the world, and the hammers of the earth the Assyrians, the Persians, the Grecians, and the Romans to whom the supreme Lord of all gave the Kingdoms and Dominions of the earth; how unwarrantable will it be for the sons of men to open their mouths contumeliously against the Ministers of the Lord of Hosts, into whose hands he hath put the revenging sword, and crowned it with victory, thereby declaring the secret purposes of his good pleasure, concerning those people against whom they are sent, and preordained for Justice and Judgement.  
Having thus settled the unquestionable title of honoured Majesty upon such Conquerors, and vindicated them from the black infamy (the Language of hell, and not of Saints) which the Querist would entail upon them, I now come to make good my second Position, in answer to this sixth Quere.  
A title or dominion atteined by Conquest is not robbery, as the Conquerors are not lawless thieus, 
Jer. 27.4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Dan. 2.37.39. Isa. 36.10. 2 King. 18.25.  God putting all their acquirements by Conquests upon the account of his own free donation, and not upon robbery or theft.  
Take a short view of mutations in the world made by Conquests in former ages: May not the same be affirmed from thence, and other parallel Scriptures, that the mutations and revolutions of Crowns and Kingdoms, Governments and Governors, the breaking in and casting out of Nations, are the effect of divine ordination, managed and brought to pass by exorbitant and irregular motions of men, publicly empowered, and by extraordinary provocations raised up to the attempting of actions, above the rank and sphere of ordinary dispensations. 
Dan. 4.17.  Is not the power of God still the same, to give his kingdoms of the earth, when, and to whom he pleaseth.  
It was the Judgement of Peter Martyr, writing de Jure belli, Non tantùm à principio mutationes factas esse, sed in posterioribus, tempore belli; Later ages will produce Mutations in times of war, aswel as former.  
And then why may not befall to those Inhabitants of Ireland (which challenge the Land to be given them by God and Nature) that which hath betided other Nations, by the secret counsels of that God, in whose hands the Inhabitants of the earth are tossed as a ball?  
Did not Aeneas by conquest of the Latins settle his posterity in Italy? did not the Franks, by invasion and conquests take possession of Gallia (now their native habitation)? was not Britain in France surprised by the power of the English Saxons, and from them denominated, continuing in their possession to this day? Did not the Huns become Masters of Pannonia (now of them called Hungary;) And to conclude, is not Conquest an universal title throughout the world? Is not that Jus gentium quod ubique valet; And if this Jus Belli stand for a Plea for them, why may not we then say as the civilians fully resoly the lawfulness and propriety of things gotten by war in this known Maxim, Ea quae ab hostibus capiuntur, jure gentium statim fiunt capientium.  
I cannot omit some material instances, and so conclude the Answer to this Quere, whereby the present acting power of a Conqueror is allowed, and approved in an usurper by the Lord Jesus Christ, who was born under an usurping power to teach us, as a judicious Commentator observes, Indicat deinde ipsâ nativitate se non pellere magistratum ordinarium adventu suo, imò approbare, who, besides his universal title to all the world, had an indubitable title and claim to the temporal Kingdom of the Jews, then under the Roman usurping power, (Witness that ancient Manuscript, Michael Nauclerus de Monarchia divina, ex libro vaticano) yet did so far submit unto the title of Conquest, and his intrusion, that he the lawful heir was contented to become a Subject in his own Land, Eodem tempore quo mu●ti Tyranni occupabant; though all power was his, and he that little stone foretold that he should be cut out of the Mountain, etc. yet he neither smite's them with tongue, 
Dan. 2.45.  nor opposeth them by practice, but practically useth and teacheth obedience by paying tribute, yea, becomes an Advocate for Cesar's interest; Give unto Cesar that which is Cesar's, and in a word was so far from exclaiming against that Roman (though usurping) authority, that he looking up to Heaven, affirms the invader's powers to be of God, and therefore afterwards submit's to an unjust Sentence of death, whose steps, the holy Apostle following, and filled with the Spirit of the same Christ, the only blessed potentate doth in express terms, without exclusion, 
Rom. 13. v. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.  enjoin submission to all sorts of powers, etc. He says not, they have no title, they came in by Conquest, they are thieus, Robbers, but honour's them with the title of lawful Magistrates, and commands the conquered Subject upon pain of damnation, to afford obedience unto them as the Ministers of God, using these words, that all powers that be, are of God.  
And for the later part of this Quere, viz Whether it be not altogether as unjust to take our neighbor's Lands and Liberties from them, as our neighbor's goods from our own Nation? I● is answered, that although the Irish have very long usurped the possession of the Lands and Liberties of the English in Ireland (being the Lands and Liberties in the neighbouring Country, which the Querist meaneth, and which of right, and from antiquity, and so until this day do truly and justly belong to the Engliish, as in the first Quere is resolved:) Yet neither when this present Rebellion broke out in Ireland, nor of a number of years before, were any Lands or Liberties unjustly taken, held, or detained from any the Rebels of Ireland.  
And he can pretend to nothing but dull ignorance, that knows it not to have been still consistent, with the Laws and Customs aswel of England, as of other civil Nations of the world, to seize, and take the goods and liberties of such neighbours of their own Nation, as would not stoop to obedience, but Rebel against the known Laws of any Land where they lived, especially, wilful Law-breakers, such as should first begin, and attempt depredations, and surprising of the goods and estates of the obedient parties; the like Laws being for such contemners and Rebels also, in such cases to lose their lives.    


The seventh Quere.  
WHether God at the last day will not call men to an account, even for those things which they are unaccountable for here, as great Conquerors are?   

The seventh Answer.  
GOd at the last day will justify all men, that zealously execute the work of his own righteous justice, and that are instrumental in the propagation of his truth and glory, as the English now are, and as (I am confident) they will persist in Ireland (their own Country) against, and upon the wicked Inhabitants thereof, the Irish Rebels, who for their abominations, as I may boldly say, stink in the nostrils of the Lord, and of all his servants, and must at last (without doubt) be brought to an account for all their ungrateful, inhuman, bloody and barbarous actions, wherein the hand of the Lord is most visible unto us, having already brought many to the sword, destroyed some by famine, but far more by pestilence, and other ways of his Justice, and now those, whose persons as yet met not with those Judgements, and proudly triumphed over, and stood upon the necks of the deplorable, 
This at large appears by the examinations taken at Dublin, upon oath.  and infinitely distressed English, do like dust before the wind fly from the faces of our English Protestant soldiers, not daring to justify the least of their acts or undertake, but for refuge fly to Mountains, woods, bogs, and other obscure and unaccessible places, cursing now the first plotters, contrivers, and beginners of their Rebellion, and hellish designs. And doth not the Querist think that many of these bloodsuckers in this world, and the rest in the world to come shall meet with condign punishment suitable to their demerits?    


The eighth Quere.  
WHether the condition of the conquered be not Ireland, and the condition of the Conquerors be not England, and Ireland unjustly termed Rebels, and their cause just, and England a thieving usurping Tyranny, and their cause altogether unjust, being against God and Nature, and therein, such as no judicious conscientious man can assist, or bid God speed?   

The eighth Answer.  
THe condition of the conquered is not Ireland, being (as aforesaid) not a distinct nation and people, but the greatest part of them consisting of English, or those from thence extracted: And the several Conquests of them, but reducements to legal and civil obedience, to the just and proper right and interest of England. Nor can the condition of the Conquerors of them be, as over an absolute Nation: therefore the Inhabitants of Ireland, now in arms against the just rights and propriety of England, are properly and palpably Rebels, and their cause unjust, and England's a legal power, right and Government, and their cause altogether just, being for God and Nature; For God, to punish the rebellious, wicked, and obstinate, to root out Idolatry, to plant and dress the Lord's Vineyard, by holding out the glorious light of the truth, and not suffer it to be covered or trampled on: For Nature, such as all judicious, conscientious men will assist, and bid God speed unto, being to redeem their brethren, the despoiled Protestants in Ireland, restore them to their just and lawful possessions, vindicate the robberies, murders, tortures, rapes, and inhuman cruelties, barbarously executed on them, and reduce that Country to Peace and quietness.    


The ninth Quere.  
WHether it be not the duty of every honest man, by all fair and peaceable means, to endeavour the diverting of the States, from the prosecution of so unjust a cause, especially, decline all means where himself might promote the same: but to show his utter dislike of it?   

The ninth Answer.  
IT is the duty of every honest man, by all earnest, zealous, and lawful means, to endeavour the encouragement and furtherance of the State of England, for their prosecution of their so just a cause, especially to undertake all means, and to run through all difficulties, whereby he himself might promote the same, and show his willingness unto, and good liking of it, and he neither is, nor can be a good Christian, that will not contribute to the suppression of these Idolaters, murderers, and apparent enemies of God.    


The tenth Quere.  
Whether those that conted for their freedom (as the English now) shall not make themselves altogether unexcusable, if they shall entrench upon other's freedoms: And whether it be not an especial note, and characterizing badge of a true pattern of freedom, to endeavour the just freedom of all men, as well as his own?   

The tenth Answer.  
THose that contend for their freedom (as the ●aglish now) who are backed and seconded by original just Principles, fundamental Laws, inherent Rights, legal and due grants, and acknowledgement of their rights from their former accepted Governors, makes the resolution flatly opposite unto, and inconsistent with the rebellious Inhabitants of Ireland; who have neither original Principles, fundamental Laws, inherent Rights, legal and due grants, and acknowledgements of their rights, from their former rightful Governors, in any sort or manner, distinct and separate from the right, power, and Government of England over them; But as a member to the body, so is Ireland to England; And therefore England need's not excuse, but is every way justifiable to rectify, or cut off a corrupt, rebellious and gangrened member, who never had imposed on it, or retained any other defect, restriction, or freedom then the whole body suffered. And if the endeavours of England have been so candid, as to make Ireland a fellow-member of its own freedom, and enjoyment of Laws and Liberty, equal with itself, in such of the Inhabitants as are capable and deserving the same, it is a special note and characterizing badge of a true Pattern of freedom, to bring such as belong to them into the like condition of themselves, and to suppress those in Ireland, aswel as those in England that oppose the same.    


The Eleventh Quere.  
Whether in Judgement and Conscience the Irish are not to be justified, in all that they have done against the English in Ireland, and in complying with, assisting, and seeking assistance from any that would, or will be England's enemies, to preserv, and deliver them from the cruelty and usurpation of the English, rather than to become slaves to their wills; And whether the English would not do as the Irish do, were they in like condition?   

The eleventh Answer.  
IF Traitors, murderers, ravishers, robbers, cruel inhuman persecutors of true Christians, sacrilegious, abominable Idolaters are justifiable, then are the Inhabitants of Ireland, now in arms against the English, to be justified; But if by the Law of God and man, such of their partakers, Abettors, and countenancers are to be prosecuted and punished by those, into whose hands God hath put the sword of legal power, and just Government, as now in the English; Then in Judgement and conscience, the said Inhabitants of Ireland deserv sharp prosecution and just condemnation, and the rather, for that they (to uphold themselves in their mischief) have against their duty and joialtie to the lawful Government and right of England assisted, and sought assistance from such as are, and always have been England's professed enemies, and therefore, for the English to endeavour the acquifition of their own just rights, and to punish those rebellious, obstinate, and inhuman inhabitants of Ireland, is but their duty, and so, conscience, not cruelty, equity and just right; not usurpation. They deserving the greatest severity for their falsehood and treachery, who so exorbitantly abused the greatest freedom that ever any Nation enjoied, and were not made slaves to the will of the English Protestants, but for many years past, had as much freedom (and far more) than their evil manners rendered them capable of.    


The twelfth Quere.  
Whether the English would account any thing cruelty enough for them, to exercise upon the Irish, if the Irish should dispossess them in England, and tyrannize over them here, as the English have done over them there, if afterwards the English should get the upper hand?   

The twelfth Answer.  
THe English never dispossed nor tyrannised over the Irish, either in Ireland, or England, but contrariwise were ever indulgent and loving to them; and now as the English will account nothing severe enough (if warrantable by God's Law) for them to execute upon the rebellious Irish, if they should dispossess the English in England, and tyrannize over them here, as they, the Irish, have most unlawfully done over English Protestant's in Ireland: So it is warrantable by God's Law to recover their right in Ireland, and by the same Law (if they get the upper hand) severely to prosecute and punish the blood-guiltie Inhabitants of Ireland, it being a duty and trust imposed on them by God, against such Idolaters and murderers, and none aught, (without great offence) but prosecute such a cause with effect.    


The thirteenth Quere.  
WHether it be not the duty of the English Nation, rather to repent of the oppression, usurpation and intrusion of themselves, their Kings and forefathers, then with a high hand to pursue those designs of violence?   

The thirteenth Answer.  
IT is the part and duty of the English Nation rather to prosecute, and force the rebellious member Ireland to repent their oppression, usurpation and intrusion into the right and Government of the English, and for their violent depriving them and their harmless neighbours of their Liberties, lives, goods, Lands, and other Estates, and for the English to recover their own rights, (in all ages made good by the expense of their fore-father's blood and treasure) and with a high hand to pursue the designs of the opposers; and where the English never oppressed, usurped, or intruded upon the Irish, there they need no repentance.    


The fourteenth Quere.  
WHether (if they shall still pursue the same) it will not maintain a lasting chargeable war, to be a large and strange footing for the enemies to England's peace to stand upon, to render the Nation to be no true lovers of freedom, but of domination, give occasion to the enemies to blaspheme, make our Religion odious, and by perpetual piracy even utterly spoil all our trade by Sea, and so be at the last our own ruin, and whether the gain at the last by a perfect conquest over them (which is uncertain) will equipoiz all that charge and blood, that must be spilt for the obtaining of the same, especially considering their eternal loss, dying in the prosecution of so unjust a cause?   

The fourteenth Answer.  
IF they, the English, now in the nick of time pursue the Irish Rebels, considering the present power and posture that England is in, and the great number of its able bodies fit for employment, which on a settled peace at home cannot be better employed or bestowed, then in so conscionable a service, conducing to the honour and glory of God, the peace and quiet of all the Dominions of England, the advance of Trade, the terror of England's enemies, the gaining of a most fruitful and plentiful receptacle for a flowing offspring, (if now so enabled) they shall effectually pursue the service against the Rebels in Ireland, (being so disseminated and scattered as they now are) it will not maintain a lasting chargeable war. For now but a competent number to be sent out of England, with those faithful and noble ones, their Commilitants now there will (doubtless) by God's gracious assistance, do the blessed work of reducing them, and remove the largest and strongest footings the enemies of England have gotten, render the Nation of England to be true Lovers of Freedom, and the noble preservers of that part of their body and dominion; This also will take away all occasion from the enemy to blaspheme, since the true worship and service of God will be advanced in place of idolatrous Popetie, (so much of late years hazarding the peace of England) make our Religion (that true one indeed) beautiful, lovely, and delightful; free our Seas from the brood of Dunkirkers, Pickaro's, and others of the like stamp (Irish Pirates) when they shall have no place of harbour, or retirement amongst us, whereby trade will be advanced; And so in a short time, may a firm and lasting peace and safety be acquired, the gain whereof will not only equipoiz, but out-ballance all the charge that can be spent, for obtaining of the same. The blood that may be spilt therein is in the dispofing of the Lord Armipotent, the God of Battle, from whom our small handfuls of men have not only met with glorious, and most strange, and often deliverances, far transcending the thoughts of natural man, in all their former engagements, but may (doubtless) expect it still; and for those that fall in the Lord's ba●●, they die not, but to live eternally in and with him, the true knowledge of whom teacheth us, that all our days are numbered, and that not one life shall be lost, but by his fore purpose and divine appointment, who will still especially in our greatest weakness, cover us with his shield in the day of battle, and enable us to trample on the necks of his, and our enemies, and which is far more excellent, they shall surely be members of the Church, and live amongst the Saints triumphant, whose death shall happen in a cause so just (God's cause.) And here it may be noted that the Irish Rebels by their last immane cruelties, filling up the measure of their iniquity seem to be a people adopted by providence, to an utter exstirpation. Whereunto all faithful Englishmen have a call from Heaven, in vindication of that innocent blood, there most profusely spilt, without leaving that detestable brand of Astorgism upon the English Nation to perpetuity.    


The Fifteenth Quere.  
Whether it be not the duty of the State, and trusties of the Nation, rather to mind, seek and preserv the general peace, safety, and welfare of the whole Nation, than the honours and profits of particular men; And whether particulnr men may not in an humble and peaceable manner present their thoughts to the State for a general good?   

The fifteenth Answer.  
THe whole Quere is affirmatively confessed, and therefore it is hoped, that Ireland (a Country appropriate to this Nation, and the major part of Inhabitants there of English descent will be looked on, not as the honours and profits of particular men, but as a general concernment; the desertion whereof will redound to the honours and profits of particular men, enemies to the peace and welfare of England, the most malignant of its enemies, the Papists; and therefore particular, peaceable, well-affected men ought in an humble and peaceable manner, to present their thoughts thereof to the State for a general good.    


The sixteenth Quere.  
WHether if the State of England should now in their full strength proclaim Ireland a free State, repenting of all the evils that themselves have acted and intended, and that our King hath formerly acted against that Nation; and that they will not further act to their prejudice, but only sit down by them as a neighbor-State, as Holland doth, and that they only desire that they may be in mutual league, and as friends to seek the peace and welfare of each other, that they will not countenance, assist, or protect each other's enemies, nor any that shall disturb the peace, or safety of any of the Nation, and only require some considerable Sea-Port-Towns as security, and bond to tie the Irish to the performance of the Covenants; I say, whether this may not be every way as advantageous to the State, and people of England, as a conquest over them, the charge considered?   

The sixteenth Answer.  
IF the State of England should now in their full strength proclaim Ireland a free State, and do further, as in the Quere is propounded: yet our true knowledge and experience of the Rebel's disposition promonisheth that they will be still (especially upon any occasion of advantage) forward and ready to the uttermost of their powers, and malice, to cut their benefactor's throats, besides it would be the most prejudicial act that could be imagined against the State, and people of England; For set aside the honour due to almighty God, in giving up that Country from his true worship and service, to Idolatry and profaneness; set aside their guilt of the innocent blood of our brethren, kindred, and Nation there, barbarously poured out, which will doubtless hang over the heads of the Pardoners; set aside the utter overthrow, and loss of many thousands of Families, their goods, and Estates, and the giving up the poor (yet considerable) remain of the English Protestant party there, to the disposition of their most cruel enemies; Set aside the blood and treasure there spent out of England, since the rebellion, wherein not a Family in England but is interessed, and which they expect not to be rendered fruitless, to the dishonour of the whole Nation; Set all these aside: yet humane reason and policy dictate's, that the House cannot be safe so long as the back door is open. The father wrong's his posterity, if he lavishly give away half his inheritance, the regaining whereof, hereafter may be a cause of ten fold loss of blood and treasure, to what it may cost in preservation; that it is neither safe or just in the Law of Nature, to fling away any part of our Arms, or defence, though at present cumbersome, which may advantage the enemy by taking possession of, and using (as the popish party will) against us: And say the right and interest of England to Ireland, were not so great, clear, and undeniable as it is: yet the late revolutions considered, England must never expect to be advantaged, or any way bettered by deserting Ireland, and giving it up to the Rebellious Inhabitants; A people so foully and lately treacherous to the Protestants, and later English. Which people are neither so formidable in their best arms, defences, and power to keep themselves in such a proclaimed condition or freedom; Nor is it the aim, or mark of their new Grandees to effect and maintain it, whose divisions and contrary inclinations amongst themselves, are, and will ever be a ready and open gap for any England's enemies to enter in at: And say they have no reality in them to a kingly claim, (as without doubt they have not, they having now of late made amongst them so many new Kings) yet it were an Act of destructive and dangerous consequence, to give Ireland to the disposal of the Pope, and he to the Spaniard (his dear child) which the Inhabitants of Ireland are not much against, but contrariwise, many of them desire it, and which undoubtedly (if not prevented) would happen: And so that bitten be brought into the mouth of the Spaniard, which he hath so long gaped after to swallow and devour.  
And admit that Ireland were of the Protestant Religion, as well as England, and thereby the above inconveniencies avoided: yet were it neither safe nor commendable, to quit the dependence of that Island on England, by proclaiming the Inhabitants thereof a free State; since what such a State might do upon very slender grounds and mistakes, let Scotland witness.  
The resolution therefore is; that to do as this Quere propound's, is extreme loss, hazard, and disadvantage to the people of England, and the reducement of that Country to its lawful dependence and Government of England, by a full conquest of the present Rebels (let the charge be what it will) is more honourable, safe, profitable and advantageous to England, then to proclaim them a free State, who are not in a capacity to make and keep themselves so, nor are or ever were a distinct Nation, as is before said, and here take notice, how the Querist propound's a suitable reward indeed for the State of England, to bestow upon the Re●●●●● of Ireland, for murdering their kindred and allies, acknowledging the said Rebels a free State, and in amity with them, and thereby for ever to quit their own undoubted interest, establish the worst of their enemies, become guilty of the unparalleled murders of those, that were flesh of their flesh, and bone of their bone, and leave the remnant of the poor English there, continually open to the rapine of those whose mercies are cruelties. So as the Querist would work the State of England into an impious unprovident, and unnatural desertion of the cause of God, their own interest and National quarrel.    


The seventeenth Quere.  
Whether Ireland were not altogether as like to accept of protection safety, and defen●e from the State and people of England, as from Spain or any other Nation, especially would they not rather then from Prince Charles, Rupert or from such like forlorn Soldiers, how would they then style the malignant Party inconsiderable, And whether they were not then likely suddenly to recall their Sea-Pirats, and so suddenly set open all Trade by Sea?   

The seventeenth Answer.  
Because the Rebellious Inhabitants of Ireland have cast off their obedience to the government of England, and (as is too well known) have plotted, and, as far as they could, endeavoured the utter exstirpation of the English Protestants, have in coolness of blood (and without any provocation given them) maliciously and most barbarously murdered, some hundreds of thousands of them, driven the rest from their habitations, rob them of their Estates, wounded, maimed, and most miserably entreated great numbers of others, have burned their houses, Casiles and Churches, and have elected and made to and amongst themselves several new Kings, viz. the Pope, the King of Spain, Owen Mc Art O Neil, Sr Phelim O Neil, The Lord Maguire (since deceased) O Conner Dun of Sligoh, Philip M c Hugh Mc Sane O Rely, Dermot Mc Doolin Cavenagh, and one O Shergil; as doth and will fully appear in the examinations taken in that behalf, and because also those rebellious Irish have declined all English government, returned to their barbarous manners and customs, have set up a new government, have vowed (and many of them taken the Sacrament) to destroy not only all the men, women and children of the English Protestants, but also all irrational Creatures of the English breed, and because also they have in a most high manner, & as far as they could, profaned the Churches, books and days of God's true worship, have brought to death as many Professors of his truth, as they could possibly surprise, and have dilated their power and strength, in the acting and perpetrating of any crime destructive to the English Protestants; and which might render themselves uncapable of mercy, protection or safety from the people of England, therefore none ought to be given them; nor ought the sword (now justly and upon necessity drawn out against them) be returned to the Scabbard, before that destruction they denounced, and resolved to execute upon the English, be retaliated upon themselves, & lest such mercy be recompensed with a curs as the holy Ghost by the Prophet, in a case such semblance, pronounced Jer. 28.10. Cursed be be that doth the work of the Lord negligently, and cursed be he that keepeth back his Sword from blood.  
But I wonder from what the Querist mean's they should be protected, saved or defended; if he intent it to be from that punishment, they have so justly merited, by their Rebellion and wickedness past, according to that protection, and those Concessions they lately had by Compact with Ormond, grounded upon a Commission from the late King Charle; To that I answer, That if the indulgent English should grant it to them, no doubt they would accept, and make use of it, so long as they should find it to promote and be consistent with their own ends, and surely they would to themselves take up no little glory to meet with such a colour of justification, as they might thereby transferr their odious guilt upon the Protectors, so much elevate the policy and wit of the old Serpent (their dread Lord and Master) above the English Protestant genius; and be thereby also the further enabled to destroy the remaining Party of the Protestants in Ireland (too precious we hope) to be the price of their security. But for further resolution,  
These rebellious Inhabitants of Ireland, are so contemptuous to the English laws, so opposite in profession to the English Protestant, so hardened in their wickedness, envy and hatred against God's truth, and them, for the truth's sake, and so will ully bend to persist, as, till suppressed, they will not omit, but contrariwise with greediness, draw into their confederacy, countenance and assistance any, whether foreign Prince or other person, and never think themselves in good condition or safety, until (if possible) they have sounded the dreinings of the English veins, to their abyss, through their deepest lakes of blood, and have brought the undestroied part of the English to the lowest ebb of tranquillity, which they will endeavour to effect and hasten on, as well by Sea as Land, and have in most esteem all malignant Parties, lending a hand, and enabling them to effect it. But the Lord prevent them.  
Something may be said concerning Edmond Gawre, who delivered the formerly recited and answered cavilling Queres to Mr Theodore Jennings, who delivered them over to the Lord Precedent of the Council of State, as that it is very like lie he is an Irishman, and one whom (by credible information) doth or lately did covertly & cnnningly shelter among the soldiery, in or about Londor, and is a Jesuitical Papist, for the very Queres themselves smell of the breath of a Jesuit, the truth whereof may do well, if found out by inquisition after his present being, parentage and education, which is left to the discretion of those eminent persons in authority, the Impostor●s then present drift being to retard and hinder (if possible) forces and succours from our Party in Ireland at that time, when the Land was in greatest danger to be ●ent and taken from us.    
FINIS.