THE PLOT AND PROGRESS OF THE IRISH REBELLION.  
WHEREIN Is discovered the Machavilian Policy of the Earl of Straford, Sir George Ratcliff and others.  
Showing what Countenance that Rebellion hath had against the Protestants of England, (which doth now too manifestly appear) by his Majesty's granting a free and general Pardon to the Rebels in Ireland.  
And Authorising the Calling of a New Parliament in Ireland, according to the Rebel's desires. of late Condescended unto at Oxford.  
Printed and Publshed according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed by I. N. for Henry Twyford at the three Daggers in Fleetstreet, 1644.   

THE PLOT And Progress of the Irish REBELLION.  
Look into all Machavillian Policies they first pretend unto a seeming good; as may appear in the Government of Ireland, under the Lord Lieutenant Straford, in his first coming to regulate the sword, with an austere hand of Justice over all, seeming to befriend, and ease the Subjects from a letigious course of Law, and Monopolised the major part of Causes, and reduced them to an Arbitrary Government.  
2. The advantage raised unto his Majesty by affording agreater Revenue for the customs of Ireland, then formerly was given, and so a grant of farming the customs was afforded ('twas said to Sir George Ratclife) the world may be satisfied for whose use it was, then presently customs were enhanced, of all forts, as Yarn. Tallow, Hid Butter etc. and especially Tobacco from six pence, to two shillings in the pound, by which increased an estate by any unjust exaction from the Subject.  
3. In obtaining thirty thousand Arms, Ammunition, Artillery, etc. pretending for the security of the Kingdom, than the confiscating of the lands of Conaught to bring them to the Crown as also divers other Estates, in that Kingdom, by which it might seem to his Majesty and the state of England, good service done to the Crown, it cannot be denied but that the said Lord Lieutenant, shown himself very severe against the Natives, neither were the British much favoured, when they came under his hand: This is but a preamble for their intended project.  
Touching matters regulated in the Church it is worth a consideration, what innovations were crept in and in the regulating of Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, as the High Commission Court, &. 'tis worth observation, that what power the Bishop of Derry, Bramble in clawing and never ending for 〈◊〉 not only his fellow Sovereign Bishops, but also Arch Bishops, to void tenants estates, and enhancing rents nigh the double value what formerly they were, this may conduce ●o a Romish policy, to keep the Subject as poor as may be, that when time serves to enact farther, and impose on them 〈…〉 they please; so the tenants as the Tribe of Jssachar, must ●eare what Levi would impose on them, in a temporal Government, as also the high Commission Court being so prevalent (that Hillary Term last 1643. at Dublin) in which Doctor Harding was censured, to be degraded of his ministerial function and also of his degrees in the College and after to be left to be proceeded against at Common Law: the cause alleged was for maintaining, Blasphemy in the College about four years since, alleging he should declare that 'twas injustice in God to condemn Adam for eating the apple, another charge there was laid against him, for causing a book to be printed in Dub lin (though he had the approbation of the Archbishop of Dublin) entitled Ireland's advocate, being none of his own work, but sent by an acquaintance of his from England in manuscript, and he putting it to the press, with an Epistle Dedicated to Sir john Temple, of his own framing, in which book they pick forth treason (as they term it) the first exception is because the Author is invective against Bishops, the other was in an other place of the book, giving the Almighty thanks for the several deliverances that England hath had, from the plots of the Papists, as instancing that of 88 and that of the 5. of November and that of the 4. of january, at which of the 4. of january they storm, and infer, to be treason, interpreting that was the day his Majesty with his attendance went to demand the five members forth of the house of Parliament, and therefore conceived treason, for rancking or comparing that day to the known Papistical plots, and for aught as yet is known he is like to lose his life: and the books that could be found printed were adjudged by the said high Commission Court, to be burnt by the hand of the hangman; which accordingly was done: This is not the bondage aimed at, but one far deeper the spiritual bondage of the soul; as look into that Cozen-jerman to plain Popery, Superstitious and Alter-like Service how it was enforced throughout that Kingdom of Ireland and they that refused, how severely they were handled in the high Commission Court, 'tis two well known, that divers Ministers that refused that way were forced to quit that Kingdom, especially some in the North.  
Power being once prevalent, both in State and Church, than time served to set forward that Diabolical plot, for the ruin and destruction of the Protestant Religion in the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and especially Ireland, and the first practice (as well 'tis observed by the author of the Book entitled The Mystery of iniquity yet working) Scotland, (not resenting to what the Prelates would have forced in their Church) took Arms to defend their Religion: a Passification was ye●lded to by his Majesty, till after invited by the Earl of Strafford, and others, to take arms De nove: he having prepared matters sufficiently in Ireland, pretending against the Scots, and so drew down an Army of eight thousand, (of which 'tis well known of Officers, and soldiers, there were not nigh one thousand Protestants) to the Scottish shore, where the inhabitant Scot of that Kingdom of Ireland, was by his Commands disarmed, and Garrisons planted from Strankford to London-Derrie along the shoareside. Matters then beginning to come to a ripeness, the Earl of Straford brought with him into that Kingdom of Ireland, at his last going over, one Sir Toby Mathews an arch Jesuit, made him his Comrade, (observed) none was more honoured by him then this grand Jesuit: Now observe how easy a matter it is for a Jesuit once understanding the intent, to state the hearts of other Jesuits, Friars, Seminaries, etc. and then how easy a matter, 'tis for them to state the hearts of all their people, and adherents, any man may judge that knoweth any thing.  
So than if the Lord Strafford did show himself never so great a Tyrant (as certain he did) not only to the Natives, but also to the British; the rather to cast a cloud before the State of England then otherways; how easy it was for the Jesuits, Priests, etc. to inform the Common people, that he was for all their good, though he shown himself otherways to them, as time hath brought it forth.  
We may now evidently see, what his Plot (with others was,) as I hope to produce such conducing Circumstances as may satisfy the hearts of all good Christians, for others that are or may be of the same faction, I leave, for who are blinder than they that will not see. A Minister who lived in the County of Kildare in Ireland, had some Conference with a Popish Priest living not fare from him, who informed the Minister, of a Plot that was contrived beyond Sea against the Protestants in Ireland, relating that the Irish intended to rise shortly, and that he had seen Letters to that purpose from beyond sea, and that those letters were in such a Closet, with such a Jesuit, in such a man's house, naming every particular; this was about April 1639. The Minister finding the Priest serious, went along with him to the Earl of Straford, to the Castle of Dublin, waited his opportunity in the Gallery, and at last presented this Priest to the said Earl, expressing that he had informed him of a Plot the Papists had against the Protestants; the Earl answered, 'twas some busie-pated knave or other; being urged, he could say much, replied; what could he say? the Priest being taken privately by the Earl to the further end of the Gallery, after half an hour's space was dismissed, there was given him by his Lordship's Command, twenty pounds, a horse, and a suit of clothes to conceal the matter, and Commanded never to appear again, which according to his Commands was obeyed.  
Time began to draw on, the Earl of Straford was to return to England, but before he went was pleased to express, that if ever he returned to regulate that honourable Sword again, he would leave neither root, nor branch, of the Scottish Nation in that Kingdom. Well, over he goeth to the North of England, where he intended the stroke should be strooke between the Armies, it pleased God to prevent, beyond the Expectation of men. The Earl was taken notice of, and according to his merit was requited; Is this all? No, as now 'tis evident by the relation of some Irish Jesuits, and others, that as soon as the stroke was strooke by the Armies, between England and Scotland, (which was to be about Michaelmas 1640.) the Earl of Straford was to return for Ireland, then was it, that the Irish Army being drawn down to the North as aforesaid, was to fall upon all the Inhabitants Scots, and English thereabouts, and so the Irish to fall upon all the English and Scots Protestants in that Kingdom, but not to murder them in such a massacring way, they only were to secure their persons and estates, till further order, and that they were called to an account for their religion, and then refusing, should suffer.  
Their Plot failing in this particular, the Irish waited on, as amazed, to see the issue of their Earl (as they after termed him) 'twas May following before his head was taken off, and after that, the Irish Army was disbanded, which was no small vexation to the Irish (as may further appear in the Irish Remonstrance to his Majesty, that being their sixth grievance) they must then another way to work, their agents being in England, they waited their return and taking their advantage of the year, after Harvest, the 23. of October 1641. begins their bloody massacre, Donnagh Mac Guire, the Lord of Eneskillings Uncle, and Hugh Mac Mahoune, the said Lords Secretary, and chief Counsellor affirmed, that they should have begun that time twelvemonth, had the Lord of Straford returned according to expectation; and also they expressed, that there were the like distempers in England, and that Plott was for the three Kingdoms, and had the Castle of Dublin been taken, they would have sent forty thousand men to England. Being opposed by the hearer, that he could not believe that the Earl had any hand in such a business; they affirmed he had, and was to be Lord of Ireland, as in former ages they had; and that they would not begin when they heard his head was off, but forbore till harvest was in, and nights long, that they might set themselves in a posture of war. For they well knew how easy it was in Summer, for England and Scotland to send an Army to qualify them.  
Some notice may be taken of the Earls words before he parted with his head, speaking of a Reformation in Characters of blood, and that there was a Cloud impending, which since hath proved too true to our woeful experience. (What will not ambitious Machavilians attempt to make them and their posterity great.) Most certain it is by relation of those that were about the Lord Ambassador to Spain, that about Michaelmas 1640. the Jesuits, Priests, and Friars, in Spain expected to hear news of the distempers in Ireland, (the Rebellion I mean) upon which the Lord Ambassador sent to the Court in England, to know the certainty, return was made all well and quiet, yet the said Lord Ambassador stayed in Spain till about Michaelmas 1641. all that whole year, the Jesuits, Priests, etc. expected daily to hear of disturbance in Ireland: Each particular seriously considered and compared one with another, I believe may satisfy any reasonable man, that the said Earl must needs have a hand in the Plot of Ireland; Sir George Ratclife may be so fare taken notice of, that he stormed very much against the Church warden of Saint Warbres Parish in Dublin; for presenting a Masse-house that was newly erected within four or five houses of the Castle gate, in which Mass was frequently said, and he Commanded the presentment to be cast forth of the Court, and never could further endure the said Churchwarden. There is no wonder in this, for all men that knew him, might quickly discern his inclination to that Idolatrous, Babylonian whore.  
Now, since this massacring act it hath been frequently spoken by the Rebels, that what they did was by Commission, which still they justify. Let all Christians stand here amazed to behold the cessation of Arms to be granted to such Butcherly Hellhounds, who have wallowed and imbrued their hands in the destruction of at least two hundred thousand Protestants, of men, women, and children, which will be particularly proved if occasion be offered. Yet it is reported that there is Brian mac Neale, the Ferrymans' son of Strangford in Ireland, who hath assumed the name of O Neale, one of those that at first should have surprised the Castle of Dublin, and who is now made Knight and Baronet, called Sir Brian O Neale, that doth justify to his Majesty, that there was not above ten persons destroyed in all Ulster. Again, their Remonstrance set forth, entitled, A Remonstrance of Grievances presented to his most Excellent Majesty in the behalf of the Catholics of Ireland) wherein the Rebels do declare, and turn the whole Rebellion on the Protestants, and stand on their own justification that what Massacries were committed were done by the English. Are not these a people to be had in high estimation, committing such Acts as they did to stand out in their own justification & for any thing I can see as yet like to carry it so. How prevalent the Irish faction is about the Court, is sufficiently apparent, little question their is to be made, of there obtaining a sudden peace.  
There is one thing to be taken notice of that when the Lord of Ormond marched forth this last Summer 1643. with four thousand horse, and foot, kept the rendezvous at Cur in Kildare, when they might have done good execution against the Enemy were kept above a fortnight in the field and Starved above three hundred of them returned (though they saw the enemy's Colours flying in the field) taking only one poor old Castle not worth a consideration, then after that, they were dispersed by Companies (some three thousand of them) into small Garrisons in the pall, to secure old Castles; a week before the Cessation was concluded the Irish forces both of Linster Connaught, and Ulster, (they well knowing when to conclude the Cessation) joined together and fell on the said small Garrisons, and destroyed many, and took divers prisoners, possessed themselves of a great part of Meath which still they enjoy. Oh let all Protestants either now open their eyes, or else resolve to undergo the yoke that they are not, or will not be willing to bear, when it will be to late for them, then to wish I had done this or that etc. May we not now observe in what a Cloud still we are under, though fair shadows are cast before our eyes; As that the new Lord Lieutenant marquis of Ormond, hath commanded that no Papist shall be either of his retinnue, or of his Companies, in his regiment and Guard, when it may be well observed how forward he is to give way to Papists to be transported into England, to serve against the Protestants, as also 'tis worth a consideration (that since the Lord of Stratfords' time, and the time that james the Pedlar song down derry) the second or Alter-like Service, hath been omitted at Christ-Church in Dublin in the Lord Justice's time, yet now newly revived, since the marquis of Ormond received the sword, how near still they presume to declare themselves, not what they would be at, that bewitched drunken cup of fornication; let notice be taken likewise of the second Ratclife alias Sir Morris Eustace the chief Counsellor of that Kingdom, that in some measure declared himself, (one may see daylight at a little hole) there was one that had an estate in houses in Dublin, and set them to tenant, the Landlord that set them, hath been in Rebellion at this time until the Cessation of arms, then repaired to Dublin, demanded his rents, from the tenant and arrearages, for two years past, the tenant answered, that it had been less charge to him to have paid his rent, then to have borne that cease and press, and billeting of Soldiers as he did, and so declared he was unable to pay his rent, the Landlord threatened to destraine, for he observed there was household stuff left that would discharge the rent and arrearages, the tenant being thus threatened, desired the opinion of Sir Morris Eustace, and informed him his case, who declared that he was bound to pay his rent, otherwise by the Law of the Land he might be distrained on.  
This is a hard case that Rebels shall have their rents paid them, and that many hundreds of us Protestants ruined (with their wives and children) in their estates by the Rebels, and are daily begging and starving in Dublin, and other parts of that Kingdom (besides those that are forced to fly for succour into other Kingdoms, and no reparation can be thought of, for the keeping them alive, out of their own estates, enjoyed now by the Rebels; whilst our army was on foot (God so blessed our poor handful of men) that still they had the better of the enemy, and spoil was gained to relieve them and others, now we all suffer, and that justly for despairing of God's providence to us; let the authors of the Cessation look to it; 'tis but in us to observe, and morn, to see that a Cessation of arms must be yielded unto such Antichristian infernal Locusts as they are, and no understanding for the Protestant reform Religion, can be harkened unto in England, our own men brought from Ireland to be made instruments against ourselves; Is not this the depth of a Machavillian mystery, we may observe the providence of the Almighty on the officers and Soldiers, (that did do gallant Service against the Irish Rebels) which were sent into England how soon it pleased the Lord to declare, he was not well pleased with their coming showing his hand on them at Nantwitch.  
Now fair opportunity may the Irish have to play their after gain, as they have sufficiently envited and set forth in print from Waterford. Entitled, Admonissions by the supreme Counsel of the confederate Catholics of Ireland: To all his Majesty's faithful, loyal Subjects of the three Kingdoms, of England, Ireland, and Scotland, against a solemn League and Covenant framed by the Malignant party, in the Parliament of England; as also a Declaration of the English Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament wherein they ensite, not only their own Nation to stand to their Arms offensive and Defensive, but invite them to a timely and a fit prevention; as also invite all Romish Catholic Kings, to take notice how far they are engaged in it; as much as if they should say to their Countrymen, play your after game, take a fit time to cut all the rest of the Protestants throats and to invite other Princes to fall upon the Massacring of all the Protestants, within their verge.  
Thus we find how active they are at the pen let us look a little further, & conclude what their intentions are, as doth evedently appear by their diligence, in slacking no time to set forward their intended project, how busy they (the Irish) have been in procuring Arms and Ammunition since the Cessation. Sir Pierce Crosby, who about the time of Concluding the Cessation, brought over with him to Waterford, (for the Rebels) five thousand Arms and Ammunition.  
Again, the Pope's Nuntio (who is there frequent with them (brought over Treasure to maintain the war, as is said fifty thousand pounds.  
And now lastly, about Candlemas there landed two Agents from Foreign parts, who brought over with them to Waterford store both of Arms and Ammunition, and much more is brought daily, though we cannot discover every particular; Doth not this demonstrate unto us their intent, and how cautious they were in the concluding of the Cessation (that proviso) to have liberty to buy Arms, and Ammunition where they pleased, either in that Kingdom, or from Foreign parts, how frequent they are at Dublin, in buying Arms from the Cutlers at what rate soever, without ay interruption, that a good Sword no Cutler can keep by him, the Irish Gentry buy them so fast, and give any rates for them; What advantage is this against us, they arming themselves, and we disarming ourselves, by sending our men and Arms, and Artillery out of that Kingdom to maintain war our against ourselves, how insolent the Irish Nobility and Gentry, do now show themselves against our English Nobility and Gentry at Dublin, 'tis apparent, as in the Case between the young Lord Moor. and the Lord Tate, as also in the Case between Sir Thomas Armstrong, and Captain Flower, on one part Protestants; and Cornet Mac Gragh and Routh Papists, of the other part, the Papists taking opportunity in the streets of Dublin to affront our Protestants, Lords and Gentry; they do well to demonstrate unto us, that when their second Plot is to be set in agitation, may in Dublin begin upon such like Quarrels in the streets, thereby to take occasion for the second cutting of throats, and once being past to flourish it over, and say 'twas some drunken quarrel or other, for at this instant, Dublin may take itself, the major part being Irish now in it.  
To Conclude, now the Scottish Army are resolved to departed from the North of Ireland, as already appears, three Regiments are wafted over into Scotland, (which maketh still for the Irish) and to bring to a period their Jesuitical Plott, so as the Irish may the better perform their offer to send away ten thousand of their chief Soldiers, under the Command of experienced Commanders, to keep the Protestants in Arms in other Kingdoms, either in England or Scotland; Oh! that we might in some measure use the Policies of the Ancient Romans, or of late Queen Elizabeth of famous Memory did, who when the Spaniards strove to envade England, did afford some aid unto the Hollander to keep the Spaniards on work at home, by which she preserved her Kingdoms (under God's Providence) from being a Seat of war: So if timely prevented by England and Scotland, to keep the war afoot in Ireland, to prevent further mischief, (which is like to ensue, if the Irish break forth into other Kingdoms) and so turn the Sword into their own bosoms: which that we may, the Lord of Hosts enable us to do.  
Here now it is manifest that the Irish have obtained not only their first request desired in their Remonstrance, which was to have one placed in chief Authority, of Honour and Fortune, approved by His Majesty, and acceptable to the Rebels, (which proveth to be the marquis of Ormond) but also the other to have a free Parliament held there, and and an Act of oblivion to be made for their Rebellion; and Poynings Act to be repealed: and there the Rebels to hold their Parliament; which is reported His Majesty hath yielded unto, by granting Pardon to the Irish Rebels. Lately, at Oxford Confirmed under the Great Seal of England, for Pardoning all Murders and Robberies whatsoever, and authorising a new Parliament to be called there according to the Rebel's desires, so that now we must expect they will perform their promise to his Majesty in sending ten thousand men and Arms into England; Yet we know there is a King of Kings, that can turn the wisdom of the wise into foolishness.   

Published according to Order.  
FINIS.   

A POSTSCRIPT TO THE READER.  
CHristian Reader be pleased in this tracked to consider the depth of an adversary, that aims at the destruction of the true Protestant Religion, had the Plot held according to their jesuitical intent, by this time there would have been few left, to observe for future, their infernal projects, the Almighty who preserved joseph from the malicious intent of his brethren (to be under him) the instrument to preserve them from calamity; is the same who will deliver them that trust in him, from that which might prove worse, than the Egyptian Bondage, which every true Christian is bound to endeavour a prevention, and to take no exceptions, though they are envited by him that hath been and is a sufferer (for Christ's cause) and his countries' sake.  
Tho: Crant.