THE CATHOLICS PETITION TO PRINCE RUPERT.  
Showing 

The ground of their Grief.  
The force of their Constancy.  
And their hopes of Recovery.    
With a Draught of a Proclamation presented to his Highness, for the more speedy Recruting his Army, destroying the Protestants, and gaining a Crown.   four Roman Catholic gentlemen and a monk present a petition to Prince Rupert 
Prince look about thee, here is much ado,  
'Tis time to look, and lay about thee too;  
Send obstinate Offenders to their graves,  
That neither will be Catholics nor slaves.  
Printed according to Order for G. B. August 1. 1644.   

The Catholics Petition, TO Prince RUPERT.  
Great and Gracious Prince,  
WE your poor and humble suppliants, the Catholic and other well-affected Subjects of your Magnanimous Uncle CHARLES, sole Monarch (under God and his Holiness) of Great Britain, do (as in duty bound) render unto you from our yet sad fowls, all possible love and thanks for your so timely and willing assistance, in a cause so highly concerning the perpetual prosperity of the true Roman Catholic Religion, and the reestablishing of his Holiness ancient Authority in these his Majesty's Realms and Dominions, which for many ages past, hath made the Commonwealth prosperous, and the Crown glorious. But great and grievous have our miseries and afflictions now of late been, we have had wonderful burdens laid upon us for these many years, and yet we have born them with unparalered patience. Our Abbeys have been demolished, our Prieries pulled down, and all our memorable Monasteries either defaced, or converted to profane uses; Our Masses have been scnffed at as ridiculous, and our Priests and Jesuits executed as Traitors; Our holy Beads have been taken from us, that we might not be able to render to our Lady a true account of the number of our Prayers: we have been forc'dito go to Church before any dispensation granted by his Holiness, and since we have gone willingly, they have taken away the same prayers in English, that they would not suffer before in Latin; But that that herghtens the sorrow of our souls, is the general abuse of that Name that ought not to be mentioned without wonderful reverence; his Holiness hath not only been despitefully reproached and railed upon amongst the common people, but they have touched him with unhallowed hands, and soiled him with polluted tongues, even in their Pulpits; No marvel though Preaching were cried down by the Bishops, when Peter's suceessor (their head) was cried down by inferior fellows in their Sermons: But besides this, we must (forsooth) neither worship our Lady, nor make use of our Lady's Psalter, but still they have threatened to punish our bodies, for seeking to save our fowls; we must go new ways to work and entertain a new Faith, and Doctrine, they would feign make us believe that we cannot merit heaven by giving Alms, but we must hear Sermons, and every one make his own Prayers, or pray by the spirit, and so take a great deal of pains more than we need, to learn that we need not, and forsake the old Religion we are acquainted with, for a new one we understand not. After we had thus suffered a great deal of persecution, with a great deal of patience, perceiving our resolution to be , they began to lay new crosses upon us by taking away our old ones, no corner was left unsearched for Crucifixes and other Pictures, our Altars were thrown down, our Candlesticks turned into Coin, our Copes into Cushians, our Surplices into Smocks, and that we might take the less pleasure in our devotions, our Singing-boyes, Hoboys, and Organ-pipes were doomed to eternal silence. Alas, before this we went to Church as well as best of 'em, and took as great delight i'the Service, nay sometimes we sat out a whole Sermon: for indeed upon the discharge of Reverend Canterburles lest Canons, the tide began to turn, and many learned men preached good Roman Doctrine, sin and hell were mentioned with less violence, and judgement with more mildness, great faults were little aggrevated, and small ones altogether winked at: we had liberty from their own mouths to use honest recreation on Sundays, and though for fashion sake (and to keep ordinary judgements from apprehending their drifts) they spoke against Popery, yet we know their minds well enough: but alas others (soon) knew 'em too well, they were quickly found out, accused and condemned, but (being Cannon proof) a hundred of 'em are still living with near a Living amongst 'em. These being suspected to be of our side, because we were perceived to be on theirs, were thrust out of the Church, and a company of Round heads put in that will not give his Majesty his old title Defender of the Faith in their prayers. But Heroic Prince our greatest grief of all arises, from the voting out of the Reverend Bishops, the only upholders of our hopes, this hath blasted all our comforts, and driven us into despair of ever recovering, unless it be by the sword.  
Mighty Prince we make humble tender of these our grievances to thy view, that the consideration of our calamities, may raise thy high spirit yet a little higher, and put a new edge upon thy valour: for we cannot but be confident that our rising or falling lies upon thy sighting or flying. Thy valour we doubt not, but be pleased to let us persuade thee to perform principal actions at principal seasons, fall not to plundering Prince when thou shouldest be a fight, this is an error we suppose thou seest not in thyself, and therefore make bold to acquaint thee with, that thy noble endeaours hereafter may prove more successful. O dear Prince, (for dear thou hast been to England) now show thy valour for the Catholic cause, let thy sword fly like lightning in the head of thy Army, be true to the Roman Church, and as  as thou wilt otherwise, play the man when thou art in the battle, and the thief when thy leisure will serve thee and spare not: for thou shalt become famous for that too, as well as for killing, thy names up already, thou art seldom called Prince, but Plunderer is added as an addition to thy Honour. Fellow thy fortune still Prince, purchase yet more wealth and more titles, let them call thee at their pleasures, and do thou rob them at thine, borrow their horses, their plate and money, and if they demand restitution pay 'em with thy Pole-axe. Thou art a Prince of the Blood-royal, let them not catch thee and they cannot question thee: but sweet Prince keep out of their clutches by all means possible, if occasion serve make use of thy horse, and force him to make use of his heels; stand not altogether upon thy strength, nor too nicely upon thy honour; run rather than be taken, thou hadst better be called a coward behind thy back, than a prisoner to thy face, if thou comest once within the reach of the Round-head, look for little mercy and less manners; if they rip not up thy body, they'll rip up all thy faults to thy face. O thou shalt finde them terrible fellower. They'll upbraid thee with all thy valiant exploits and enterprises, and make them (if it were possible to appear odious in thine own eyes. They'll say thou art an impudent young man to rob that country so shamefully, that hath paid for thy nutsing and breeding so carefully; they'll tell thee that theft is a bominable, rape execrable, and murder damnable. They'll do their best to make thee believe, that 'tis felony in England to burn houses and steal horses, and that Turks and Infidels would have shown more mercy, and less cruelty than thou hast done here. They'll persuade thee (if they can) that villainies committed in this world, must be answered for in another; that there's a God above before whom thou shalt one day appear, that will make no difference at all betwixt the greatest Prince, and the meanest peasant; and that there's a place cared Hell prepared of purpose to torment bloody Tyrants and cruel Persecuters. And thus by degrees (if thou should but give ear to them) they might perhaps stir up remorse in thy conscience, and repentance in thy foul, And where were we then? What would become of our religion that hath cost so much blood in Christendom if thou shouldest fall from us? Though we have wasted our brains and hazarded our lives these many years passed in plotting the ruin of these Round. heads in vain, though our great expectations that the Pope's absolute dominion should have been resottied here, by the powerful assistance of the great 88 Armada were utterly frustrate, though our failing of blowing up the Parliament House blew up all our hopes of ever prospering by any powderplot, though all our former endeavours to have poisoned and stabbed Queen Eliz. came to nothing; yet we were never daunted nor dismared, but still kept up our spirits, & held up our heads; but if we fail now we fall utterly, this is our tallest and our strongest building, if this decay no more Babel's, nor no more bvilders, no more Catholics nor Catholic Commanders, the glory of Rome must lie r'the dust for ever. But Heroic Prince stick thou close to us, keep can faith above our fears till this brunt be over, and all's our own. Nor that your Highness may go on with the more courage, we humbly present unto you these Considerations. Note illustrious Prince, that in former times we had always a King or a Queen as well as a State to oppose us, and yet though we fair'd we never fainted: but now we have a King to countenance us, a Queen to encourage us, politic Councillors to instruct us, and two or three great Armies on foot to fight for us; besides the brave and resolute Irish (already bloodeed in the quarrel) to assist us, and is this odds nothing? shall we be discouraged now, or suffer any conceit of a nearer cut to heaven then we are acquainted with, to cut off the legs of our resolutions, i'the middle of our journey? No Prince, we know (being embarked) thou'lt not strike sail though the wind be against thee, and we are resolved to venture the vessel, if thou'lt hazard thy person; here's Sea-room enough, though there are some Shelves and Quicksands, Rocks and Remora's, and thou canst nor sail a League but thou shalt meet with a Prize. O 'tis a brave thing to be a thief when a man has authority to bear him out in't, and a fine easy thing for a multitude of Armed men to rob a few naked people. Men were wont to take purses, and break houses in fear. Stand and deliver were dangerous words; but now the case is altered, he that was a thief before, is now better than a true man, and he that's a true man now is worse than a thief, Thou hast many such brave blades in thy army Prince, that deserve to be of thy Lifeguard, they are so near thee in spirit and condition, 'tis fit they should be near thy person, make much of 'em. We dare not but acquaint your Highness with the great noise that flies about the kingdom of an overthrow you had at York; but we admire what Kings reign ' ewas in, for King Charles and his Council at Oxford made Bonfires at the same time for the same victory; and shall we believe his Majesty will turn Round, or make less fires then of whole Towns, for the glory of the Roundheads? No, we'll believe that news near the more for their ringing, and newmade holiday at London, 'tis nothing but a trick to discourage us; but the truth is we should be loath to believe it though we know it to be true: Yet noble Prince if thou hast received any loss, if they have killed and taken more of thy Men, Horse and Arms than thou canst well spare, thou knowest how to help thyself quickly, here are men enough in England, and thou hast ways enough to win them; fly abroad again, range the Countries, try all thy friends in the North, make use of thy own Dukedom, force all such as call themselves Protestant's, to fight for the Protestant Religion; and yet where good words will prevail, use no violence, set thy Engineers on work to try their tempers and discover their humours, that according to judgement they may incurage the fearful, flatter the foolish, and threaten the obstinate, till all are become sufficiently persuaded they shall fight for the honour of the King, the preservation of the Laws and the Liberty of the Subject; and then tell them Stories of preferment, and promise them wealth and honour, that they may be earnest and eager in the battle; and for their greater glory set them still in the Front, and put them upon the Forlornehope, that their friends and they may kill one another valiantly, whilst we keep safe r'the Rear, and laugh to see our enemies die so willingly for the security of us and our Religion, This is the depth of the plot Prince, carry it closely, you may be sure there will be no Catholics against you, and therefore fear not to kill them, and such as are on your side endeavour to preserve them, for why should we hazard our persons against an enemy that will undergo the danger himself and do our work for us: But that your Highness may recrute your Army with the more facility and celerity, we have made bold to present you with the draught of a Proclamation, that perhaps you may be pleased to make use of for that purpose.  
The Proclamation.  
ALL brave and generous Protestants that are desirom to purchase wealth and honour by venturing their lives for the preservation of their Laws, Liberties, and Religion, Let them with all expedition repair to the Quarters of the Magnanimous Prince Rupert, Duke of Cumberland, General of all his Majesties. Forces in the North, where they shall receive present entertainment as followeth (viz.) Every man upon his entertainment is to accommodate himself with a Horse, which he is to take where he can find him, either in the Stable or Pasture, with bridle, saddle, and all other furniture fit for his own riding, and his Highness' Scrvice; which Horse and Furniture to be paid for at his Highness' price as soon as the Rider shall be Knighted by his General for his good Service. Secondly, That every Soldier upon his March, or otherwise, shall have free Quarter in all places, as the best lodging and victual the Country can afford without one penny pay, only his Highness doth pass his Princely Word to see all discharged, upon his first peaceable possession of his Dukedom of Cumberland. Thirdly, that every Soldier that shall want wearing  or linen may lawfully at all times, and in all places take what will serve his turn, from such as may best spare it (Catholics only excepted) Nevertheless his Highness out of his zeal to Justice, doth oblige himself by his inviolable promise to see restitution made when the Protestant Religion he fights for shall again flourish in England. And lastly, though the Soldier shall want no money to spend, by reason of the free Quarter, yet for his better encouragement, and that if he shall outlive the wars, he may have a computencie as well of wealth as honour to support him, it shall be lawful for all Officers from the Colonel to the Corporal to take with them what Company of Soldiers they shall think fit, and upon search made, to seize upon all such Jewels, Plate, or Money as they shall find, the one half whereof to be divided amongst them, and the other to be disposed of by his Highness. Notwithstanding all such Money, Plate, and Jewels so found and taken away are to be likewise restored to the proper owners within one whole year after his highness' solemn Coronation in Ireland.  
But for your soldiers meddling with women, or killing of men, we altogether leave that to your Highness own disposure, none knowing better than yourself how to order your men i'th' affairs of flesh and blood, we are confident that the publishing of this or the like Proclamation will be a means to animate divers that have not yet tasted the sweetness of your Highness' bounty (at the cost of the Kingdom) in the way of war to come into your assistance: for which we have thought it our duties to give you this hint.  
This way (if any) will raise men quickly, and make your Highness' able to recover York again before we shall be able to believe 'tis lost: But there's another report Prince of a sad disaster befallen thee, They say the Parliament Dog-killers have knocked thy Spaniel o'the head; this we are loft to believe to, being so well acquainted with thy Dogs courtlike and warlike behaviour and condition, he hath done many exploits, been in many fights, and scaped many dangers, and being Musket proof as well as thyself, we are confident he's a living Dog to this hour, and will still be a help to thee in dangerous expeditions: But thou best knowest his breeding Prince, make use of him, if he has any more wit than a dog get it out of him, and employ it for the advantage of the cause. Consider Prince the great work thou hast to do, and the wages thou art to receive, and fall to't hard; the Irish now help thee, and Ireland expects thee, do but ruin this kingdom, and thou shalt have that for thy labour. O thou'lt be entertained and embraced there by a people according to thine own heart, a warlike Nation, noble spirited, right Roman Catholic subjects, such as will be ready at all times to loin with the Spaniard against the Holland, English and Scottish Protestant Rebels, Therefore good Prince dispatch, do that thou cam'st for, spoil all here as fast as thou canst, make an end of the Protestants in England quickly, and we shall not only think ourselves bound to pray for your Highness' long life and happy Reign in Irland; but also be ready to venture our estates and lives in your service, till we shall see that rich Diadem impale your victorious brow.  
FINIS.