Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 122 – Letter 126
My very good Lord,
I Have received your Letters of Aug. 20. And am very glad to read in them that mine came safe to you by your servant: For the businesse, I had some little inkling given me by my …, Sterling about the stay of the service: But till I read your Letter, I did not believe it possible that way should be given to an Interdiction, especially considering how strongly you had ever opposed it; and withall how weak,Note. and uncounsellable (at least in my judgement) the thing it selfe was. For they could not but fore-see, that that course would adde a great deale of heartning and encouragement to the Puritan Party. And therefore tis no wonder, if such Lords and others as were ill-affected to the Lyturgy, were easie in giving way to that Counsell, which they could not but see would advance to their own ends. But that my Lord of Rosse should give the advice, and my L. of St Andrews follow it with such stifnesse, may be a wonder to any man that knowes them, and the businesse.
My Lord of St Andrews hath lately writtten to me, that my Lord of Rosse was gone into his Diocesse. But for my part, I did not think that all the rest would have gone away and left the businesse: For they cannot but think that the adverse part would make use of the present time to put further difficulties upon the work; And therefore they should have been as carefull to uphold it, my Lord of Rosse especially, whose hand hath been as much in it as the most: But since they are gone, His Majesty takes it extremely well from my Lords of Edenborow, Galloway, and Dunblane, that they stay and attend the businesse as well as they can: But he hath expresly commanded me to give your Lordship thanks for staying with them,Note. and keeping them so well in heart: For as the businesse is now foyled, if you doe not stick close to Gods and the Kings service in it, it will certainly suffer more then is fit it should.
His Majesty likewise takes it exceeding well from your Lordship, that you have dealt with the City of Edenborow for maintenance for such as shall take upon them to read the Lyturgy: And takes it as well from the City it selfe, from whom I have received a very faire and discreet Letter, which I have shewed his Majesty, and writ the City an Answer by this Returne, and given them His Majesties thanks, which indeed hee commanded mee to doe very heartily: And in truth they deserve it, especially as the times stand.
As for the Ministers of Edenborow, I know the refusall of Mr Ramsay, and Mr Rollock: But that any other of them stuck at it, or that any Bishops seeme not to be forward, is more then I heard till now: But for that of Mr Ramsey, or any of the Bishops that would have somewhat amended, if that should be yeelded unto now (unlesse they should be able to give such reason against it,Note. as I know they cannot) it would mightily dishonour the King, who to my knowledge hath carefully lookt over, and approved every word in this Lyturgy: And I doubt, it would utterly destroy the service it selfe: For whil… one man out of a humour dislikes one thing, and another another, by that time every mans dislike were satisfied, I doubt there would be but little left to serve God with: Besides, it is not improbable but that some men would bee as earnest to have the selfe same thing kept in, which others would so f…ine thrust out, what ere it bee: And that may make it grow up into a formall contestation upon some particulars, and quite distemper the service. But whereas you write that some Bishops speake plainely, that if their Opinions had been craved, they would have advised the amending of some thing: Truly for that, and in that way I would withall my heart they had seene it: And why my Lord of St Andrews and they which were trusted by the King, did not discreetly acquaint every Bishop with it, considering that every Bishop must be used in their severall Diocesses, I know no reason; and sure I am, there was no prohibition upon them. And since I heare from others that some exception is taken, because there is more in that Lyturgy insome few particulars, then is in the Lyturgy in England, why did they not then admit the Lyturgy of England without more adoe? But by their refusall of that, and the dislike of this, 'tis more then manifest they would have neither, perhaps none at all, were they left to themselves: But my Lord to your selfe only, and in your eare; a great favour you should doe mee, if you will get my Lord of Galloway to set me down in briefe Propositions without any further discourse, all the exceptions that are taken against the Lyturgy by Ramsey, Rollock, or any other; and I could be content to know which the Bishops are, which would have amended something, had they been advised with, and what that is which they would have so amended, &c.
Will. Cant. Sept. 11. 1637.
After this, divers Treatises written against the Service-Book in Scotland, were sent thence to the Arch-bishop; foure whereof he received thence October 12. 1637. as appeares by their Indorsements with his own hand, with which I shall not trouble the Reader; the substance of all of them being long since printed.
From this time till about Iune 1638. the businesse of the Service-Book was carried on and pressed by the Arch-bishops meanes, with sundry rigid and terrifying Proclamations; which not prevailing, what desperate counsels and resolutions were thereupon taken up, and by whose advise, these ensuing passages in some Iesuites Letters, written from hence (in French) to their Superior and other Iesuits at Paris (which Iesuits were more privie to our Counsels and designes, then most of the Privie-Councell themselves, as their Letters intimate) will best informe us. These Letters by some meanes or other came to Secretary Windebanks hands, among whose papers I found the Originals themselves; out of which I have translated these ensuing clauses.
One of the Letters was thus superscribed, in French, Au R. Pere P. Gasper Segnis…n, SVPERIOR de la Maison professe de la COM. DE IESVS, A PARIS; it beares date the 28. of Iune 1638. wherein he writes thus in French, out of which I have faithfully translated it.
My Reverend Father,
I have not been at London five dayes in all since I came from France, else I had not failed to salute your Reverence, &c. I have treated with Father Provinciall touching a succession, but he saith there is some body who hinders the Father Generall, that he cannot at all resolve himselfe as yet to send one; but as soon as he shall have resolved, he hath one which he will design for this place; but he speakes not one syllable who it is, and I have not at all demanded it. For my selfe, I continue the design for Italy, as soon as the time and season shall be proper, but I know not whether I shall passe by Paris as I go, &c. I know not what to say of Mortimer, the Superior of Scotland, as knowing not whether he hath leave to goe or not, nor yet their Procurer who resides in this Court; for the Generall hath given no answer to the reply which Mortimer hath made. The Country there is in a very ill posture, and in evident danger to sever it selfe from this Crown.
Your most humble and obliged servant, G. T. Iune. 28.
This Iesuite sent another Letter with this form, writ in French, without any superscription, containing a full relation of the Scottish troubles and proceedings, to another Iesuite (as I suppose) in which there is this memorable clause, containing a resolution here taken to subdue the Scots by force, the Counsellors names, who gave this advice, and the instruments to be used in this service, to wit, the Irish, because they durst not trust the English.
Sir, &c.
BY all these proceedings the King evidently seeth, that they (the Scots) wil not submit themselvs to reason by fairnes or sweetnes; and therefore he hath taken a resolution, to tame them by force, and to this purpose goeth about to raise an Army in Ireland, not daring to trust himselfe with the English; Note.who already are much irritated against him, by reason of the monies which he pretends to raise to maintain his Fleet, the which they refuse down right to pay. This Councell of raising an Army, hath been suggested unto him by the Bishop of Canterb. and the President of Ireland; Nota.the which are they alone that govern him, for he hath never yet opened his mouth, or spoken one soleword of it to his Councell of State, but seeks very much to keep*… this Iesuite knowes all the plot and secrets of it, though the Co…nsell … not. all close from them; The which highly displeaseth all these Lords, and men hold this Councell of the Army for Ireland a most pernicious Councell. But I know not what better he could take, for it is most dangerous to raise it in England, where all the world is discontent; and for to raise an Army here, it were to give them the sword in their hands to defend themselves; for the part of the Puritans is so great, and they have such a correspondence with the Scots, Not….that they begin already to break the Altars which the Bishops had erected, and to accuse the Bishops of crimes, and to demand the re-establishment of many silenced Ministers, with a thousand other insolencies, &c.
Your most humble and most obliged servant, G. T. This 28. of Iune.
The same Iesuite writ another Letter in French of the same date, with this superscription; A Messieur, Messieur La mach: wherein, after a pretty large relation of the Scottish affaires, he hath this clause, somewhat suteable to the former.
THey (to wit, the Scots) will first of all have a free and full Parliament: they will have a reformation of their own Church, and likewise of the Church of England. They will that the King resideth 6. months in their Country;… they will have the Arch-bishop of Canterbury as their prisoner; they will banish Monsieur Con. which they call the Man of the Pope; they demand the banishment of the Catholikes there; this is that they demand.
The King hath never yet opened his mouth to his Counsell of these affaires, neither hath hee consulted with any soule living hereupon,Note. but the Bishop of Canterbury; and forasmuch as I can learne, all their counsell tendeth to this, that there must be an Army raised in Ireland, to tame these Rebels, the which Counsell men of State hold farre more dangerous: and so it is feared that they may call the Palatine in for their King.
Your most humble and affectionate servant, G T. This 28. of Iune.
There was another Letter of the same date writ to one Monsieur Ford at Paris, by another Priest or Iesuite, (as I conceive) but certainly a Papist, wherein there are these Passages.
My Deare, &c.
OVr Scots businesse troubles us shrewdly, and growes worse and worse; they will have a Parliament, and the King, for the consequence of it in this Kingdom, will never permit it;Not…. and so they have taken a resolution to leavie an Army in Ireland, so to trouble them and subdue them; which is held here by wise men, to be a very desperate Counsell: But the King counsels NONE BUT THE ARCHBISHOP AND THE DEPUTY of Ireland, which disgusts all; and makes men see more weaknesse in him then was ever imagined. Other newes we have none. Fitton (the Agent for the secular Priests at Rome) is here, and was presented to the King by my Lord Arundel, to whom he had sent from Italy many little toyes, but now he knowes he is a Priest. I pray you tell my deare Amiable, I thank him heartily for his note, and have seene his man Iaques Depuis, who is a good cutter or graver in stone, and continues Catholike, honest, and known to the Capucins,
Yours as you know, W. Hoill. This 28. Iune.
(A Postscript.)
This Letter to Iohn Foord is monstrable TO FATHER SVPERIOVR, because you must give him one inclosed from me.
This very Postscript makes me beleeve both Hoill and Foord to be Iesuites▪
How active and industrious both the English and Scottish Iesuites were in fomenting the Scottish Commotions, Warres, upon what termes and designs the Papists promised the King their assistance in those warres, refusing to ayde him therein, except he would grant them a freetoleration of their Religion, yea resolving to poyson him with an Italian figge, in case he condescended not to their demands; and to seize upon the Princes person, and traine him up in their Religion, you may read at large in my*Pag. 8, 9. 13. to 25. Romes Master-piece, from the discovery of one who was sent from Rome by Cardinall Barbarino into England to assist Con the Popes Nuncio, and privie to the whole Plot, which he revealed out of conscience. How forwards the Irish Papists were to assist the King and Prelates, in this unnaturall warre against the Scots; and what large contributions they gave towards the maintenance of the Warre, by the instigation of Sir Toby Matthewes (a lesuite) who went over with the Lord Deputy Wentworth into Ireland for this purpose, to animate and stirre up the Popish party there, to this Pontificall and Prelaticall warre, their Subsidies there granted in Parliament 1639. and the Prologue thereunto, with the Rise and Progresse of the Irish Rebellion published by Authority of Parliament, will sufficiently demonstrate, to justifie the Iesuites forementioned Letters, and intelligence to be no fancie, but a reall verity.
How the Arch-bishop carried on this designe of the warre against the Scots in England, I shall give you a brief account out of his own, Sir Iohn Lambs, and Secretary Windebankes Papers.
The 9. of September, 1638. The Arch-bishop received from some great man in Scotland a paper thus indorsed with his own hand. 1. That the Garrison… ought to be kept at Barwick and Carlile: First, for Defence: secondly, for Nurceries. 3. That the Affaires of Scotland ought not to be kept so reserved from the Councell of England. And the paper begins thus: That the Scottish have a great desire to ruine 102. (a Character for the Arch-bishop) you need not doubt it, &c. I beseech your Lordship not to overcharge your selfe by writing to me but at your best leisure, &c. After which he advised the keeping of Garrisons at Barwick and Carlile, &c.
In December, the Arch-bishop received this paper from Sir Iohn Burrowes thus in dorsed with the Bishops own hand: Rece. Decemb. 31. 1638. Sir Iohn Burrowes: A briefe Note out of the Records, what the King may doe for raising of men in case of a warre with Scotland.