Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Floating text 35 – Letter 151
The Impeachment and Articles of complaint against Father Philips the Queens Confessor,Ibidem p. 400. to 411. lately committed to the Tower, by the Honourable and High Court of PARLIAMENT.
THat the sayd Father Philips hath bin observed to have bin a great cause, both in himselfe and his Adherents, of a great part of the unquietnesse of this State.
He with Parsons and other their Assistants were the onelyonly cause, that the Pope was stirred up to send Breves to these Kingdoms of Englaud, and Scotland, and to hinder the oath of Allegiance,Note▪ and lawfull obedience of the subjects to our Gracious King, that so they may still fish in troubled waters.
The damnable Doctrine, which he and other Iesuits have taught, to destroy and depose Kings, hath bin the cause of the civill Wars, like to be the fall of these Kingdomes, if God in his mercy did not prevent it.
…hey have bin the cause of the Monopolies projected in this Kingdome; especially concerning the Forrest of Deane, and marking of butter Caske, where all the parties were partners and Confederates with them; as Sir Basill Brooke, sir Iohn Winter, and a brother in Law of the sayd Sir Iohn, that lived in Worcestershire, and Master Ployden, whose servant named Baldwin, hath bin seen to deliver to Captain Read a substitute of the Iesuits, an hundred pounds at a time, to one Iesuite that lived in his house.
Father Philips hath bin a great Actor with the superiour of the Capuchions, who is a most turbulent spirit, and was sent hither by Cardinall Richlieu of France, to be a Spye at this Court for the French Faction, and hath therefore laboured by all means to breed dissentions;Note. for the French Aime at nothing more than to make a Schisme betwixt the English and the Scots, that this State might be so weakned, and made unable to withstand them, that so they might have an opportunity to Conquor these Kingdoms; these unquiet spirits having accesse to her Majesty, may importune things not fit for the State.
The sayd Philips hath bin guided by a Grey-Fryar, who by degrees hath intruded himselfe to be a Clerke of her Majesties Chappell, and Chaplain Extraordinary in time of Progresse; who when he is out of London, goeth by the name of Mastor Wilson, but his true name is William Tompson Doctor of Divinity, as some Iesuites have affirmed, but a most furious spirit and unquiet; and therefore by a Nickename, is by some called Cacafugo, that is as much as if in English you should say, Shit-fire; by whom Father Philips hath bin so led, that he hath bin very officious to perform whatsoever he would have done. These two have ruled all the busines concerning the two Kingdoms on the Popish parts, and for the most part of Rome also,
The sayd Father Philips hath placed many unfit persons about her Majesty, Sir Iohn Winter to be her Majesties Secretary, Seignior Georgeos Conne late Agent of the Pope his Brother, was by his means admitted to be servant Extraordinary to the Queen, a man altogether unfit for that place, a most scandalous person, having three wives all now alive.
Sundry persons by the sayd Father Philips have been admitted to be the Queens servants Extraordinary, by some supposed office or other: as Master Labourne, George Gage (brother to Colonell Cage) both Oratoriant Priests; the one of the French Faction very seditions the other of the Spanish, whose brother is now left Resident at Rome: for therby his Master▪ Sr. William Hambleton late Agent at Rome▪ Penricke is sworne servant Extraordinary to her Majesty, who is a sworne Spaniard and Intelligencer for Rome, in respect his Brother is Agent here, by Father Philips: These and many others who are factious and turbulent spirits, have by Father Philips his means received Protection from the Queens Majesty.
The sayd Philips hath been much ruled by Sir Toby Matthewes, Sir Iohn Winter, and Master Walter Mountague.
He was very forward with his Complices, for the breaking of the Ice to begin the Treaty here for the Popes honours sake; and when Sir Robert Douglasse, and Seignior Georgio were nominated, whom he thought most fit, Cardinall Richlieu was thought fittest to be the man, who should direct him to begin the correspondency betwixt the Pope and the Queen; and therefore he was sent to France with many Letters, and from thence he was dispatched for Rome by the Cardinall, where he was received with great respect, and after a viatick, he was dispatched again for England with some few small gifts, Pictures, Crosses, Agnus Deies, and such like Popish stuffe to Father Philips, and other of that Function.
The savd Father Philips was the chiefe Agent in correspondency with, and bringing in of Signior Georgio Panzani, the Oratorian Priest, by whose direction, this Priest being at Paris, left wearing of Priests clothes, and went in the habite of a Gentleman; and because he had a shaven Crowne therefore he wore a Perriwigge, and Father Philips, directed all those that sent to him, to write to him as to an Italian Gentleman, desirous to see these Kingdomes, and by Father Philips his direction he afterwards came hither; who did here continue for the space of two years, practising great and dangerous Innovations from place to place; and then having dispatched his businesse, returned to Rome, with great Presents from the Catholikes of the greater sort.
Whereas it hath pleased God, to blesse us with a hopefull Prince, to the comfort of our King and Kingdome:Note. Yet the sayd Father Philips hath attempted to traduce his tender yeares to Popery. But God hath prevented him of his purpose, and let us pray to God to preserve that Royall Race from Popery, and the whol Land from all Innovation; that our Cracious King may Rule Gloriously, and the whole Land live in peace, to the honour of God, and comfort of us all, Amen.
Father Philips during his Imprisonment in the Tower, was visited by many Iesuits, Priests, Papists, who refused to take the oath of Supremacy, some whereof were committed; and many suspected persons who had taken by Lodgings neere the Tower (with an intention to surprize it, as was feared) were apprehended and restrained.
*Ibid. p. 284. 285, 286, 287▪Iuly 13th. 1641. The Commons were informed of the Queenes intention to passe beyond the Seas, under pretence of going to the Spaw for her health, and carrying over the Lady Mary into Holland. Whereupon the Houses being jealous of some ill designes to be acted by her against the Realme in Forraigne parts appointed a speciall Committee of both Houses to attend His Majesty and the Queen at White-hall; and to present them with reasons against their intended journey, which they accordingly presented to the King the 15th of Iuly, and the next day to the Queen her Selfe.
The Reasons were these.
1. There is a great cause to doubt, least the Papists have some designe upon her Majesties journey,Note. because the House hath been informed, that divers of them have sold off their Lands to a good value, and used other means to get ready money. 2ly. It is observed, some of them have been very diligent, gathering great quantities of gold. 3ly. It is informed, that more than an ordinary number of Papists are gone beyond Sea already, and those of the better sort.
2. The great number of English fugitives now beyond the Seas, who by their late designes and practises are knowne to be full of malice to the State, and will no doubt seeke all opportunities of accesse to her Majestie, and as much as they can labour to infuse into her Majesty, such evill Councells, as may trouble the peace of the Kingdome, whereof at this time there is more danger, because the affaires of the Kingdome, are not yet fully setled, and upon disbanding of the Army, all parts will abound with Souldiers, and such others as will bee apt to be provoked to tumults and seditions; and especially in the time of the Kings absence in Scotland.
3. That the House of Commons have received information of great quantity of treasure in Iewells,Note. Plate, and ready mony packt up to bee conveyed away with the Queene, not only in such a proportion as the present occasions, with due respect to her Majesties honour may seeme to require, but a farre greater quantity: and that diverse Papists and others, under pretence of Her Majesties goods, are like to convey great summes of monyes, and other treasure, beyond the Seas, which will not onelyonly impoverish the State, but may bee imployed to the fomenting of some mischievous attempts to the trouble of the publike peace.
4. That as it will be great dishonour to the State, if Her Majestie should not bee attended and furnished sutably to her quality, so it will be a very heavy burden in this time of great necessity, and occasions of other publike charges, if she should be provided in so royall a manner as shall be fit for her Majesty, and the Honour of the King and Kingdome.
5. That because we understand by Sir Theodore Mayern, that the chiefe cause of her Majesties si…knesse, and distempers proceed from some discontent of her mind. The House of Commons have thought good to Declare; That if any thing within the power of Parliament may give Her Majesty contentment, they are so tender of her health, both in due respect to His most Excellent Majesty and Her Selfe, that they will be ready to further Her satisfaction in all things, so far as may stand with that Publike to which they are obliged.
6. That the Commons conceive it will be some dishono…r to this Nation, if Her Majesty should at this unseasonable time go out of the Kingdome, upon any griefe or discontent received here: And therefore we shall labour by all good meanes to take away and prevent all just occasions of Her Majesties tr…uble, in such manner as may further Her content, and therein Her health, which will be a very great comfort and joy to our selves, and the rest of His Majesties loving Subjects.
But notwithstanding all these Reasons, the Queen (though she seemed satisfied for the present) continued in Her resolution,*See the Breviate of the Archbishops life. p. 25. and on Febr. 11th following, went from Greenwich towards Dover, and from thence into Holland with Her Daughter the Princesse Mary.
What ill offices she did there against the Parliament, Kingdome, by furnishing the King with Monyes, Ammunition, Armes, Horse, Men, and Commanders, to raise and carry on a civill War against the Parliament, and His Protestant Subjects, Selling and Pawning the Iewels of the Crown &c is so well knowne, I shall not relate it; and what ill offices of like nature she is now like to do against them in France, upon Her late Voyage thither, time will ere long more fully discover.
Before the Queens first departure hence▪ *Diurnall Occurrences p. 310. 339.in Iuly 21. 1641. There was a Petition read in the Commons House, in behalfe of the Lay-Papists of England, wherein they made Protestation of their fidelity to the Crowne and Kingdome, and desired a mittigation of the severity of the Lawes against them: but nothing was done therein. August 12. 1641. The Queen Mother (who had formerly desired a Gard to secure her against the feared tumults of the people, and that being denyed, supplies of money to transport her hence) departed from White-hall towards Italy, her Native Countrey, attended by the Earle of Arundell and his Lady, who never returned since.*Ibid. p. 351. … 364. After this, upon the 28. 30. and 31 of August and in September following, upon the disbanding of the Irish Army, the Spanish Ambassadour moved the King for foure thousand of the Irish to serve his Master, which the King condiscended too, and engaged himselfe by promise to grant, But the Lords and Commons upon serious debate, considering the evill consequences of it, and fearing some dangerous design against the State, and our Religion to be couched under it, denyed to condiscend thereunto, for these two principle reasons which they gave to the King and Spanish Embassadour: First, for that th… Spaniard was an Assistant to the Emperour against the Palsgrave, and in keeping the Lady Elizabeth from being setled in her inh…ritance, so that to assist him, would bee to turne the points of our owne swords against our selves. Secondly, That they are contrary in Religion to us, and that to assist them is not only matter of Conscience, but it would bee of evill president if it should bee granted: Whereupon it was moved, that no Officers should serve the Spaniard, witho… leave, and that no Marchant nor Master of ship should transport any Ammunition of War to them, under penaltie and confiscation of the same, and displeasure of the Parliament.
You have heard before what a labouring and plotting there was to keep the Irish Army from disbanding, and to give a new occasion of assembling them to some parts of Ireland under pretence of transporting them into the Low Countries or Spain to serve the Spaniard; but no doubt, the true reason was to execute that horrid bloudy Massacre and designe of surprising Dubline Castle and all other Forts of Irealnd, by the popish party in one day, which was formerly plotted, and intended to be put in execution the 23. of Octob. 1641 but that it was in part prevented by a timely discovery of it the very night before Dublin Castle should have beene surprised by those Popish conspirators.
How, & by whom this horrid execrable conspiracy was plotted contrived and executed, you may read at large in The Rise, and progresse of the Irish Rebellion in Doctor Iones his booke of Examinations, and sundry other Treatises of this subject set forth by Authority of Parliament, whereunto I shall only annex such supplymentall evidences concerning the Rebellion which have come unto my hands, omitted for the most part, by them.
Among Secretary Windebankes papers I found this ensuing subscribed by Daniel Oneale about the yeare 1640. which hath some relation to this Irish Rebellion.
Owe… O Neall, by his Majesties permission about five yeares▪ agoe, raised a Regiment of 30. Companies,NOTE. wherein there were 3500. men; by reason of the stop of supplies since, the Regiment is become so weak, that it is scarce 1000. strong: His humble request is, that being his Regiment was raised by his Majesties leave, and that he intends, it for his Majesties service when he has occasion for him, (to performe which Ile ingage my life and reputation to his Majesty) his Majesty would be graciously pleased to grant him a recrute,NOTE. of 50. men to every Company, which he thinkes will purge the Kingdome rather then impoverish it, and will enable him to come strong upon any summons to his Majesties service.
Daniell O Neille.
This Owen Neale, as this writing Manifests, about the yeare 1635. raised a Regiment of 3000. men for the service of the Kings Majesty when he had occasion for them, which he transported into Flanders to serve the King of Spain for the present: which Daniel Oneale petitions, 1640. might be recruted, to enable him to come strong upon any sommons to his Majesties service: This Owen Oneal was made acquainted with the Jrish Rebellion, and particularly sent to by the Lord Maguire and other the Conspirators to ayde & assist them with Armes and men which he promised to send them before the Rebellion was fully concluded, as the Lord Maguire himself… con…esseth, as you shall see anon: which compared with the Examinations following, & those published by Doctor Iones, and Daniel Oneiles activity to keepe on foot the Irish Army and bring the Northren Army against the Parliament; will sufficiently evidence, that Oneyle had some Rebellious designes both in the raising & recrute of his Popish Regiment, to be acted within Ireland and his Majesties Dominions upon occasion.
That this conspiracy was ploted and agreed on in the generall, and discovered, if not to his Majesty, yet at least to Secretary Windebanke above a yeare before it brake forth, is manifest by this letter found, among Windebankes Papers thus directed.
To the Kings most Excellent Maiesty.
The King is abused.
The Law is wrested.
It slayes the Innocent.
It acquites the guilty.
Tis like a spiders Webbe.
It catches the smalle.
The great ones breake through.
It is as it is Justly tearmed, concessum Latrocinium: I wonder the world is …o ecclipst in understanding as not to certifie and prevent that, that must of necessity ruine ere long the Common-wealth, but your Majesty may let them rest, they bring in profit to your Exchequer, or Coffers, but at last they will shake the foundation of your Monarchie, and their owne weight will make them shrinke under their owne burthen, their supporters being not able to beare up their bodyes.
I love and honour your Majesty so much that I would have discovered an intended Plot,Note. which I doubt this next Summer will be put in execution against the State of our Kingdome of Ireland, but that I am sworne the contrary. I was requested (after many deepe Protestations and injunctions not to make it knowne) to be an actor in the designe; I refused it, and tooke time to consider: your Majesty with your learned Councell, may finde out and prevent the ensuing perills.
I have this day poysoned my selfe at the Kings Bench Barre to prevent the malice of Iudge loanes, and of your Judges, whom as I shall Answer at the dreadfull day, would unjustly have deprived me of life, had not my selfe prevented him; he hath done this, not for any benefit to the weale publike, but upon particular revenge; he only aimed at my blood and life. I beseech your Majesty to give him my carcase to eare also: a corrupter Judge I suppose the Kingdom hath not any: Roberies, Murthers, and all manner of villany shall passe by him… undiscerned let him be but bribed, otherwise the Inocents must suffer, and so have I. What the party was who writ this Letter, I cannot certainly determin; but certaine it is he was some Souldier dwelling in Ireland at first, who should have been an Actor in the Irish Rebellion, & was charged under an Oath of Secrecy, not to reveal it, above a yeare before it brake out, this letter being written in 1640. before Windebankes slight, and Judge Iones his death. The party who writ it was (it seemes) examined; concerning this Plot, as appeares by these heades of his examination indorsed in another hand on the backe of the Originall, viz.
Roch, a Priest that lived in Develin, & a Bishop called Bar…well, w…ld commond him to Tyrone in Flanders,*This Tyrone was Owen Oneal that had the Regiment. and he should be an Actor in the d…signe, THAT SHOVLD FREE THE PAPISTS IN IRELAND. We may TAKE DEVELIN BY AN ANSLAT, as easily as kisse a mans hand. The Kingdome is so secure, and the Souldiers so base, AS IT IS AS EASIE TO TAKE THE KINGDOME. The Souldiers are but hirelings for 13. pound a yeare, and so they serve all their men, and scarce pay them, but you shall be better used. Goe into England, get up your debts. AND WEE WILL IMPLOY YOV. Stanley and others have beene ill used AND GIVING THEIR SERVICE TO VSUS HAVE RELEASED THEMSELVES OF THOSE ENEMIES, SO MIGH… HEE Doe,
The Examination and confession indorsed on the Letter informes us of these particulars: 1. That the Plotte mentioned in the Letter,, was to surprise Dublin; and the Kingdome of Ireland too: The very plot the Rebels intended, endeavoured afterwards to put in execution: 2ly. that the end of it was to free the Papists in Ireland: 3ly. That they thought this Plot was as easie & feasible as to kisse a mans hand. 4ly. That one Roch, a Priest in Divelin, and a Bishop called *This Barnwell was a man very Active in this Conspiracy, as appeares by Maguires confession following.Barnwell, were the parties who acquainted him with the Plot (under an Oath of secrecy) & would have engaged him in it. 5ly. That Tiroen (to wit Owen Oneal) the man who raised the Regiment of 3500. men & desired a Recrute in the former paper) was the person to whom he shold be recommended in Flanders, to be a principal actor in this Plot, being there enabled to raise men, Armes, and traine up the conspirators to the use of Armes without suspition or noise, better then in any other place. 6ly. That they had then drawne Standley and other Souldiers to their party. Seventhly that all this was confessed and discovered in manner aforesaid, above a yeare before this Rebellion brake out.
That this Plot was thus laid and discovered before hand to Owen O Neale in Flanders, will appeare by this examination taken upon Oath in Ireland.