Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 134 – Floating text 29
May it please your Grace:
THe Deputy Lieutenants and Captaine Alcocke did send me a fierce Alarme from Cars…ie, desiring me to send them five hundred horse, because the Scots are within a few daies at Dumfrise, seven or eight thousand, with which Army they meane to fall into Cumberland, but I am slow in answering the spurre, because the advertisement of the Scotch preparations on this side are not such as that they may be much feared as yet: In my opinion the Scots will not come into England, but least they should goe against the rules of right reason, I doe provide as if they were comming: The horse are now come to the North part of Yorkeshire, into Cleveland, the foot about Selby were disorderly, and tooke out of Prison those that were committed; but now a Guard is set upon the prison, and they begin to be better in order.
One thing I will tell you, and shall desire that you will speake with my Lord Lieutenant in it: I did write to him of it, but I have not heard any thing from him, so that I thinke that in his sicknesse, beleeving that my Letter did only containe newes of Scotland, he did not reade it; the businesse is this; My Lord of Northumberland did write to me, that having had occasion to looke into the power he hath to give Commissions, the Lawyers and Judges are all of opinion that Martiall Law cannot be executed here in England, but when an enemy is really neare to an Army of the Kings, and that it is necessary that both my Lord of Northumberland and my selfe doe take a pardon for the man that was executed here for the mutiny; if this be so, it is all one as to breake the Troopes, for so soone as it shall be knowne there will be no obedience; therefore put some remedy to this by all meanes very speedily: there are now here in prison two men for killing of men, and the Provost Martiall for letting them scape out of Prison, although he tooke them againe: I doe forbeare to call them to a Court of Warre, neither dare I tell the reason why I doe not,Note. being often urged, but suffer them to thinke me negligent. I doe not thinke it fit that the Lawyers should deliver any Opinion, for if the S…diers doe know that it is questioned, Note.they will decide it by their disobedience, as the Country doth by the Ship-money, and with farre more dangerous consequence, for the Souldier may bring the Country to reason, but who shall compell the Souldier? th…refore if it cannot be helped with a Commission of Oyer or Terminer, which …st be only in the Officer or Officers of the Army, or in some especiall Commission of the Kings, such as he gives when Noblemen are Arraigned; let him then give under his owne hand a Commission for the Execution of Martiall Law, to him that will hazard his life and estate upon the Kings Word. Sir Iacob Ashley hath no Commission for the execution of Martiall Law, but if the fault deserve death, he is to advertise my Lord of Northumberland; this will absolutely undoe all: the Souldier must be punished by his Officer: If it would come to debate some may peradventure say, that for faults that deserve death the Souldier may be sent to the Goale to be tryed by the Iudges; this will take away the respect of the Souldier to the Officer, and there will presently be no obedience, or care, either in Souldier or Officer. I thinke that this doth so much concerne the King in the go…ernment of the Army,Note. that if a Lawyer should say so here, if I had a Commission I would hang him, and so I thinke the King ought to doe others. I shall ever …e
Your Graces most humble and most faithfull Servant, Conway and Kilulta. Newc…stle, Iune 13. 1640.
To which I may adde this Letter of my Lord Conway to Secretary Windebank, concerning certain Intelligence of the Scots intentions to enter England, which he was to impart to the Archbishop.
Mr. SECRETARY,
MY time is very short, I now receive your Letter, I have within these two …oures word brought to me,Note. I pray you tell my Lord of Canterbury, that it is by …hat man I did write last to him, that I have sent into Scotland and gave him six…een pound; that the Scotch Army, as he doth assure me upon his life, and b…ds me hang him if it be not so, will upon Munday or Tuesday next come into England that they will upon Satturday be before this Town, which they will take or here b… broken; f…om hence they intend to go to Yorkshire, my Lord Lowden told him that he did expect that more then half the Trained Bands would joyn with them: in Yorkshire or upon the confines they mean …o stay un…ill some English …orces joyn with them; there was a man out of England lately with the Scots, to d…sire them to come in, and told them they did ill to stay so long, that if they had come in but six weeks ago, the English Army had not been raised▪ I doubt very much this Town cannot be kept; if a Citadell had been made according as I did advise, they would never have attempted it; If you have written to Sir Iacob Ashley, it will gain two or three dayes, but I do now write to him, least you have not; If any English forces joyn with them, they will give the Law: I have sent to my Lord of Northumberland their last Proclamation, I shall ever be
Your most humble Servant, Conw…y and Kilulta. Newcastle, Aug. 15. 1640.
The Country will not drive their Cattle, they say that they know not where to have grasse, therefore they will onelyonly drive them out of the way, where they march.
To which I shall annex this Warrant to the Lord Cottington, whereunto the Archbishops hand is first.
AFter our hearty commendation to your good Lordship, Whereas We understand there have been delayes and difficulties in some places, in the ex…cution of his Majesties late command, for putting in readinesse the Trained Bands, and other Forces of that County to march and to serve in the common defence in this time of publique danger, which delayes have been occasioned through some misapprehension, concerning the defraying of the charge of the Trained Men to the place of the service when they march. We have therefore thought good for preventing of further delay in matters of this importance, hereby …o advertise your Lordships, that not only the Customes and Laws of this Kingdom do require, that in a time of actuall Invasion, every man ought to serve in the common defence at his own charge, but that the very Law of Nature doth teach and oblige us all thereunto without sticking or staying upon any terms or questions. And that it hath been the Custome and practice within this Kingdom both in ancient and modern times, (even but when a doubt or fear was had of an Invasion) is very manifest. But this present danger is past all manner of doubt, by reason of actuall Invasion of the Scotish Rebels with so great an Army, and the same so far advanced, that the whole Kingdom may soon be over-run, unlesse by a great power they be repelled and beaten back.
And whereas His Majesties Subjects of the North parts of this Kingdom do cheerfully hold together, and serve His Majesty in this great occasion at their own charge, both with their Bodies and Fortunes without trouble to His Majesty. We have therefore thought good hereby to pray and require your Lordships, to acquaint the Country with the sence of this Boord in this particular, and that We doubt not but His Majesties Subjects of that County, will in this occasion shew as much forwardnesse and zeal for the common safety wherein We are all so neerly concerned, as is either shewn now in the Northern parts, or hath been practised in any other time of danger heretofore in this Kingdom. Which We do hereby effectually recommend to your Lordships care, and bid your Lordship very heartily farewell.
From White-Hall the 16. of September. 1640. Your Lordships very loving Friends,
W. Cant.
Guil: London.
Arundell and Surrey.
Dorset.
Fra. Cottington.
Fra. Windebank.
Tho. Roe.
To our very good Lord, the Lo: Cottington, Lo: Lieutenant of the County of Dorset, and in his Lordships absence, to his Deputy Lieutenants.
After the Scots entrance into England, the Archbishop received this Letter of Intelligence from one Iohn Rocket (mentioned in his*See the Breviate of his life, p. 23. Diary) which lively sets forth their opinion of him.
To the most Reverend Father in God, William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace, Primate and Metropolitan of all England, and one of His Majesties most Honorable Privie Counsell, At his Pallace this, &c. Lambeth.
Right Reverend Father,
DUty binds me to study your Graces health, and to frame my weake endeavours correspondent to your gracious pleasure, which is the accomplishment of my desire and joy, the only motive of my Intelligence: I therefore desire to acquaint your Grace, with what is dangerous to your person, and adverse to your happinesse; which is that I received from the Scots; of which I am Sole witnesse, and your Grace only made acquainted with, viz.
After the late Skirmish betwixt the English and the Scots at Newburne, my occasions urged me to return to Blaiden, (a Town betwixt Newburne and Newcastle, whether my journey tending; the Rebellious Scots tooke me upon Chestenmore, the midd-way betwixt Durham and Newcastle) either for a Spie, or a Iesuit: And being had to Durham, was detained there for the space of four dayes, viz. from the 8. day of September till the 13. when being examined I fashioned my speech for their humours, and complyed my self as neer as I could to their dispositions; with which at length they were affected, supposing me to be one of their beloved Brethren; whereon great tokens of love and familiarity were moved, and private discourse for the space of five houres, relating such news, whereof they were knowing; wherein they vomited the venome of their malicious minds, and revealed the extremity of their wrath against your Grace: Calling you Papist Priest, Note.a new Bonner, a Superstitious, and proud Bishop, on whom if they might not revenge the Lords Quarrell, satisfie their minds, and cut off Superstition by cutting down your Grace the mighty son of Belial, and high Priest of Baal: (For in such tearms they expressed their mischievous thoughts.) We hope, and know, we have some holy and zealous Brethren in England, who… will take up our Quarrell against this rageing Tyrant, and Bloud-sucking Wolf, the Archbishop of Canterbury; whom they hoped to heare slaine shortly (if not by themselves) by some people litle suspected.
These things, or worse (right reverend Father) I heard, and I alone; which I could not refraine, but signifie to your Grace with all the hast I could; whereby you might avoid their rage, and crueltie; and your person might be preserved in safety in spight of all their envious Plots; flourishing in this Kingdome gloriously, for which earn…stly and truely prayes
Your humble Servant in all duties most ready, though unknowne, John Rocket. From Seth Bernard his house in the Minster yard at York. September 16. 1640.
This Letter is thus Endorsed with the Archbishops own hand, Rece: Septemb. 21. 1640. From Mr. Iohn Rocket a man whom I never saw. The hatred of the Scots against my Person and Life.
I shall conclude with Mr. Alvyes Letter to him the then Arminian and Superstitious Vicar of Newcastle; Thus Endorsed with the Archbishops hand, Rece: Octob. 19. 1640. Mr. Alvyes Case in and since his flight from Newcastle.
To the most Reverend Father in God, William by Divine Providence, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace, Primate and Metropolitan of all England, and one of His Majesties most Honorable Privie Counsell.
Most Reverend and Right Honorable,
I Make bold to represent unto your Grace, the sum of that which I lately represented to His Maj…sty, in an humble Petition, that I am for the present Outed of all my Spirituall promotions, to the yeerly value of 300. l. and have most of my moveable goods seized upon by the Rebells; being forced (upon some threatning speeches given out by them, that they would deale more rigoro…sly with me then others) suddenly to desert all, and to provide for the safety of my Self, Wife, and seven Children by a speedy flight in the night time; how they would have dealt with me, they have since made evident, by their harsh dealling with two of my Cura…s, whom I le…t to Officiate for me in my absence, who have not only been interrupted in reading Divine Service, but threatned to be Pistold, if they would not desist from the execution of their Office.
And whereas I had lately purchased 60. l. per anum in Northumberland, and hoped to have been supplyed that way in these calamitous time, till I might with safety return; they have since I presented my Petition to His Majesty, seized upon that also, and commanded my Servant to be accomptable to them for it; this is my case at this time.
His Majesties gracious Answer returned to my Petition, by Mr. Secretary Vane, was, That he would recommend me in special manner to your Grace, and it pleased His Majesty further to signify,Note. that he had received good Intelligence from me, and that hereafter I should have a remembrance over and above for it.
There was a Letter found in Newcastle, superscribed to the Lords of the Scottish Army, which coming first to my hands, I presented to His Majesty: Another Letter was sent me from a Merchant in Newcastle, which discovers the miserable estate of that Town; I shewed it to Sir Henry Vane: I my self also was commanded by His Majesty, to give in to the Lord Bishop of Durham a short relation of some remarkeable passages of the Scots proceedings in, or neer about Newcastle, which accordingly I did, and least any of them have not, as yet, come to your Graces hands, I have here inclosed them all: Thus with my prayers for the long continuance of your Graces health, and happy government of this Church, I humbly take my leave;
Your Graces in all due observance Eldard Alvey. York Octob. 16. 1640.
What else concerns the Archbishops activity and proceedings in the Scottish Troubles and Wars▪ you may read in the Articles exhibited against him to the Lords in Parliament by the Scotch Commissioners, and the House of Commons: But before I leave this subject, I shall onelyonly give you a little more light how active the Papists were to concur with the Archbishop a…d Prelates, in setting on these Scottish Wars, Troubles, and what advantages they made of them.
Not long before the Scottish troubles, one Francis Smith a great Iesuit, discoursing with Mr.*See the Popish Royall Favourite. p. 31. Iames Wadd…sworth, and one Mr. Yaxley in Norfolk, touching some points of Religion, used these speeches. It is not now a time nor way for us to bring in our Religion by Disputes, or Bookes of Controversy, But IT MUST BE DONE BY AN ARMY, and BY FIRE AND SWORD. This Smith usually frequented Lambeth house, and Windebanks Lodgings, with whom he was very familiar, and was no doubt a great stickler in raising the Scottish Tumults, and fomenting that war, as well as other Iesuits: to further which and advance the Catholick cause, the Queen-Mother of France unexpectedly came over into England, and landed at Harwich about the 19. of October, 1638. This war was no sooner resolved on by the King, by the Archbishop and his confederations instigations, but the Popes Nuncio with the Priests, Iesuits, and Roman Catholicks of England and Wales, (all privy to the plot) assembled together in a kind of Parliament, or generall Counsell of State, at London in Aprill, 1639. In which Councell (convened by the Queens command) Con, the Popes Nuncio sate President, where (in imitation of the Bishops and Clergies forementioned Contributions to maintain this war) they all resolved upon a liberall Contribution towards it. To which end the Queen her self, Sir Ke…elm Digby, and Mr. Walter Mountague, together with the Noblemen, Gentlemen, Priests, and Recusants assembled at London, writ severall Letters, to all Recusants in the severall Counties of England, and Wales, to excite them to a most liberall and free Benevolence towards the maintenance of this warre, appointing speciall Collectors publikely to gather in the same; (in regard whereof all Processe against Recusants, were stayed by His Majesties speciall direction, who was privy to this assembly and contribution, as is evident by his*See the Royall Popish favourite, p. 16. answer to Mr. Pulfords Petition) The verity of this contribution of the Papists is most apparent by these ensuing Copies of their severall Letters, produced and read in the Commons House,*See the Diurnall, Occurrences, &c. p. 22. to 23. Ianuary 28. 1640. on which day, Sir Kenelm Digby, and Mr. Mountague, were brought upon their knees at the Commons Barre, for furthering this Collection with their Letters, which they there professed they did write and disperse onelyonly in duty to the King to relieve him, he being at that time in great distresse for moneys.
The Queens Letter for the Levying of money.
Henretta Maria R.
VVE have so good a beleefe of the loyalty and affection of his Majesties Catholike Subjects, as we doubt not but upon this occasion that hath called his Majesty into the Northern parts, for the defence of his Honour and Dominions, they will expresse themselves so affected, as we have alwaies represented them to his Maj…sty; so in this common consent, which hath appeared in the Nobility, Iudges, …entry, and others to forward His Majesties service by their persons and states.Note. We have made no difficulty to answer, for the same correspondency in his Catholike Subjects, as Catholikes: notwithstanding they all have already concurred to this his Majesties service, according to the qualities whereof they are, when others of the same quality were called upon, for we beleeve that it bec…me us, Note,who have been so often interested in the s…licitation of their benefits, to shew our selves now in the perswasion of their gratitude. Therefore having already by his Majesty, by other meanes recommended to them this earnest desire of ours to assist and serve his Majesty, by some considerable summe of money freely and cheerfully presented: We have thought fit (to the end th…t this our desires may be the more publik…, and the more authorized) hereby to give you Commission and direction, to distribute Copies under your hand of this testification thereof, unto those that have met in London by our direction, Note,about this businesse, and unto the severall Collectors of every County. And as we presume the … they will raise, will not be unworthy our presenting to the King, so sh…ll we be very sensible of it, as a particular respect to our selves; and will endeavour in the most efficatious manner we can to improve the merit of it, and to remove any apprehension of prejudice, that any (who shall imploy themselves towards the successe of this businesse) may conceive; by this they may be assured, that we will secure them from all such objected inconveniences. And we are very confident, that this our first recommendation will be so complyed with all,Note. as may not onelyonly afford us particular satisfaction, but also faciliation towards their … advantages.
Given under our signet at White Hall this 17. of April. 1639.
Sir Kenelme Digbies and Master Mountagues Letter, concerning the Contribution.
IT is sufficient already knowne to every one the extraordinary Graces and Protections… Note,we owe the Queenes Majesty, to whose favourable intercession we must ascribe the happy moderation we live under; so as we doubt not, but an occasion of the expression of our gratitudes, will joyfully be embraced by every body which the present estate of his Majesties affaires, doth now offer us. We have already by our former Letters endeavoured to prepare you to a cheerefull assistance of his Majesty, in his declared journey to the Northerne parts; for the securing of his Kingdome, and such other purposes as his Royall wisedome shall resolve of: That so you may really demonstrate your selves as good Subjects, as God and nature requires of you. Now Her Majesty hath been graciously pleased to recommend unto us, the expressions of our duties, and zeale to his Majesties service, by some considerable gift from the Catholiques, and to remove all scruples (that even well-aff…icted persons may meete with) she undertakes to secure us, and all that shall employ themselves in this businesse, from any inconvenience that may be suspected by their or our forwardnesse and declaration in this kind. It will easily appeare to every body how much it imports us, Note,in our sence of her Majesties desires to pr…sse everybody, to straine himselfe even to his best abilities in his Proposition, since by it we shall certainly preserve her graciousnesse to us, and give good Characters of our d…votion to the King and State; of vvhose benignity we have all reason to give testimonies, and to endeavour to produce Arguments for the prosecution and increase of it.
Now for … best expedition of this businesse (which is the chiefe circumstance that importeth in it) we have thought fit to recommend it to your nominations of such persons, as shall in your opinions be agreed for the ablest and best disposed in every severall County, not only to solicite, but to collect such voluntary Contributions as every bodies consciences and duty shall proffer: And we shall desire you to give us an account of what acceptation it finds with his friends, wch we cannot but expect very succesfull, and answerable to the forwardnesse we meete with here about London, for which we shall offer up our prayers to God.
Walter Mountague,
Ken. Digby.
The Copy of the Letter sent by those assembled in London to every shire.
THe inclosed advices and Motives being so ample, as you will perceive by perusing them; it will not be needfull that we enlarge our selves upon any particulars concerning the conduct of the businesse, which they direct the way in. This therefore serveth only to convey them to you (as we are intreated by those that have met here, and we have undertaken to do) and desire you to repaire Immediatly unto those persons to whom they be directed, and to deliver the same unto them,Note. in the name of all the Noblemen, and Gentry, (together with our selves) assembled here in London, by the Queenes commandement, to set forward the worke. And we pray you assure them in the most effications manner you can (ingageing all our credits for the truth thereof) that it is the sence of us all both Ecclesiasticall and Lay Persons, Note.that besides the discharging of their and our duties to God and the King, it mainely importeth the good of Catholiques to have their businesse take good successe. Therefore intreat them to deale actively and efficatio…sly and speedily according to their advices and motives. We are so well perswaded of their devotion to put forward so pious a worke, that we doubt not but they will be as well satisfied in the needfulnesse of the thing, and be as ready to imploy themselves in it, receiving the assurance thereof and perswasions thereunto; onelyonly from our hands, as if they came by all the most formall waies that can be imagined; which in a businesse of this nature cannot be expected. And although the advices and motives be directed only …o Lay-Gentlemen, yet we desire you, (and have answered for you) that you will imploy your selves, and all those that depend on you, sincerely to solicite and dispose all their mindes that you have relation unto, as powerfull as you can, to contribute cheerfully and bountifully upon this occasion; which is the first that ever we laboured in of this kind, so we hope in God it will be the last, there being no probability of so pressing and urgent a necessity to occur any more.
Yours, &c. London, April, 1639.
The names of the Collectors for gathering the Recusants money.
Bedfordshire.
Master Church, Sir Robert Charnock, Mr. Robert Hewet.
Barkshire.
Mr. Anthony Inglefield, Mr. Tirrill.
Buckinghamshire.
Mr. Robert Dormer, Sir Edward Manfield, Mr. Throgmorton Mr. Bring…urst.
Cambridgshire.
Mr. Henry Huddleston, Mr. Charles Paryed Mr. Barker.
Cheshire.
Mr. Bidulph of Bidulph, Sir William Massey, Mr. William Stanley, Mr. Iames Poole▪
Cornwall.
Mr. Victor, Mr. Burlacy, Mr. Trevelion.
Cumberland.
Sir Fran. Howard, Mr. Ioseph Porter.
Darbyshire.
Sir Fran. Willoughby, Mr. Avery of Hastop, Mr. Poole of Spinckill.
Devonshire.
Sir Edward Carey, Mr. Berry, Mr. Anth. Gifford, Doctor Chichester.
Dorsetshire.
Mr. Geo. Penny the elder, Mr. Geo. Arundell, Mr. Webbe of Lanford, Mr. Wells of Purbeck.
…urham.
Sir Ralph Coniers, Master George Collingweed, Mr. Edward Smith.
Essex.
Mr. Willam Peters, Mr. Thomas Wright, Mr. Rich. White.
Glocestershire. Hertfordshire,
Sir Iohn VVinter, Mr. VVakeman, Mr. Benidict Hall, Mr. Atkinson.
Huntingtonshire.
Mr. Price of Washingley, Sir Thomas Shell…y, Mr. Thomas Cotton.
Herefordshire.
Master William Bodenham, Sir Iohn Wigmore, Mr. William Moore, of Burrop, Master Iohn Harpe.
Hampshire.
Master Iohn Arundell, Mr. George Penny the yonger, Mr. William Owen.
Kent.
Master Benjamin Wyborne, Master Clement Finch, Master Pettite.
Lancashire.
Master Bradshawe, Sir Cicill Crayford, Sir William Gerrard, Mr. Molineaux of the Wood, Master Townly of Townley, Anderton of Lostock.
Leceistershire.
Sir Fran. Englefield, Mr. Golding.
Lincolnshire.
Master Anthony Mounson, Sir Iohn Thimbleby, Mr. Robert Constable.
London and Middlesex.
Master Cape, Master Thomas R…x, Master Becket, Master Richard Betham, Mr. Edw. Harp, Mr. Morgan, Master Io. Chapperly, Doctor Kirton.
Norfolke.
Master Everard, Mr. Charles Walgrave, Sir Henry Bedingfield, Mr. William Paston.
Northamtonshire.
Sir William Saunders, Mr. Io. Poulton.
Nottinghamshire.
Master Thomas Smith the elder, Master Thomas Smith the younger.
Northumberland.
Sir William Fenwicke, Master Haggerston, Mr. Withrington, Sir Edward Ratleif.
Oxfordshire.
Sir Richard Farmer of Kiddington, Mr. William Stone, Mr. Ralph Sheldon.
Rutlandshire.
Master Nicholas Cripp…, Mr. William Andrewes, Mr. Alcock, Mr. Iames Digby.
Shropshire.
Sir Basill Brooke, Master Plowden, Master Iohn Harrington.
Somersetshire.
Master R…ino, Mr Iohn Ewnis the elder.
Staffordshire.
Master Brooke of Lapley, Mr. Stanford of Perry-hall, Mr. Phillip Draycot.
Surrey.
Master Edward Cotton, Sir Richard Weston.
Suffex,
Sir Iohn Shelly, Sir Iohn Carroll.
Suffolke
Sir Francis Monnocke, Sir Roger Martin, Sir Edward Sylyard, Mr. Thomas Beddingfield of Beddingfield.
Warwickshire.
Master Antho. Dormer, Master Thomas Morgan, Mr. VVilliam Sheldon, Mr. Richard Middlemoore.
Wiltshire.
Master VVilliam Arundell, the Lord Baltimore, Mr. Edw. Stilling.
Worce…tershire.
Master VVilliam Abingdon, Master VVilliam Sheldon.
Westmerland.
Master Anthony Ducket, Master Iohn Leyborne, Master Fleming.
East Riding. The Lord Dunbarre, Master Brigham, Master Longdaill.
Yorkshire.
West Riding. Baronet Vavesar, Baronet Gascoigne, Mr. Thomas VVaterton, Mr. Philip Hiuegate.
North Riding. Master Craythorne the younger, the Lord Fairfax, Master Anthony, Menn…ll, Master Lawrence Sar….
Brecknock.
Master Winter, Master Bevan, Master Maddocke.
Carnarvon.
Master Lewis.
Carmarden,
Master Towley.
Cardigan
Master Lewis.
Glamorgan.
Master Turbervile the younger.
Denbigh.
Master Richard Floyd, Master Crew.
Flintshire.
Sir Iohn Connoway, Master Pennat.
Monmouth.
Sir Charles Somerset, Master Morgan of Lantarnam. Master Morgan of Itton.
Mountgomery Me…ioneth.
Sir Piercie Harbert.
Pembrookshire.
Master Towley of Arnostill.
Radnorshire.
Master Thomas Crowther.
The Reallity of is Collection, will yet more clearly appeare to all the VVorld by the Queens owne Confession, in a Message sent by her to the House of Commons, to excuse her activity therein; together with her entertainment of a Nuncio from the Pope (Seignior Rossett being then Nuncio) whom she promised to dispatch out of the Kingdom with all convenient speed; In which Message (Recorded in the Commons Iournall) we have a clearer acknowledgement likewise of many premised particulars prefaced with a specious Court-Complement, and many faire promises (since not very punctually performed) to Court the Commons into a good opinion of her Majesties reall affections and endeavours to remove all mis-understandings between the King and his people, and to do all good offices between them.
*See the Commons Iornall, Feb. 3. 1640. Diuinall Occurrences of both Houses. p. 31, 32.A Message sent from the Queenes Majesty to the House of Commons, by Master Comptroller, Feb. 3. 1640.
THat her Majesty hath been ready to use her best endeavours for the removing of all mis-understanding between the King, and Kingdome.
That at the request of the Lords, who Petitioned the King for a Parliament; her Majesty at that time writ effectually to the King, and sent a Gentleman expresly to perswade the King to the holding of a Parliament.
That She hath since bin most willing to do all good offices between the King and his people: which is not unknowne to divers of the Lords, and so *Quere how well this Clause hath ever since bin performed?shall, ever continue to do, as judging it the onelyonly way of happinesse to the King, her Selfe, and Kingdome.
That all things be justly setled between the King and his people, and all cause of mis-understanding taken away and removed.
That her Majesty having taken knowledge, Note.that having one sent to her from the Pope, is distastefull to the Kingdom, She is desirous to give satisfaction to the Parliament, within convenient time she will remove him out of the Kingdome.
That understanding likewise that exception hath binNote. taken at the great resort to her Chappell at Denmarke House, she will be carefull, not to exceed that which is convenient and necessary forthe exercise of her Religion.
She further taketh notice, That the Parliament is not satisfied with the manner of raising money for the assistance of the King in his journey to the North, in the yeare 1639. at her entreaty; from the Catholikes: She was moved thereunto meerly out of her deare and tender affection to the King, and the example of other His Majesties Subjects; she seeing the like forwardnesse, could not but expresse her forwardnes to the assistance of the King.
If any thing be illegall, she was ignorant of the Law, and was carried therein onelyonly out of a great desire to be assisting to the King in so pressing an occasion; but promiseth to be more cautious her after,*Her raising men, monyes, horse, Armes, Ammun…tion in forraine Parts to maintain a bloudy civill War in Ireland and England; is a very reall performance of this promise. not to do any thing but what may stand with the established Lawes of the Kingdome.
Her Majesty being desirous to employ her owne power to unite the King and people; desireth the Parliament to looke forwards, and passe by such mistakes and errours of her Servants as may be formerly; and this your respect she promiseth shall be repayed with all the good offices she can do to the House which *They have done sowith a witnesse ever since.you shall find with reall effects, a… often as there shall be occasion.
How sincerely and cordially her Majesty hath performed all these her Princely promises to the Parliament, Kingdome, King, and his people, her Actions both at home and in Forraigne parts, with our bloudy Warres and Massac…es since both in Ireland, England, and Scotland proclaime to all the World. God deliver us all from such Court-holy-water, such Popish Dissimulation, which may seeme commendable in Romish Catholikes; who hold*See Master Hen; Mason of Equivocation. & Surins Concil. Tom. 3. p. 860. Equivocation lawfull, and that no faith is to be kept with Heretickes, as they esteeme all Protestants.
But to returne to our Papists activity in the Scottish Watres, to which this Message relates, it is very well known, that many if not most of the Captains & Officers imployed in the last expedition, were either professed Papists, or persons Popishly affected, & how the Earle of Arundell (the General of the Army against the Scot…) together with his Lady, family, stand affected in Religion, and what active … they were to promote this Warre, you may read at large in†Page 17, 22 23, 24-32 Romes Masterpeece. Their Contributions towards this Warre were so large, and their assistance so chearefull, that some of our Episcopall Preachers (and*Mr. Whites First Cen…y of Randalous Malig. Priests p. 25. 29. Mr. Squire of Shoreditch London by name) preached openly in his Pulpit; That the Papists were the Kings best Subjects, and better then Protestants for three reasons. First, their Loyalty, Secondly THEIR LIBERALITY, having like Arauna, contributed like Kings to the King in his necessity: Thirdly, For their Patience: adding, that they were the good Samaritan, who poured Oyle into the wounds of that man, (the King) that was fallen among Theeves who wounded him, Especially the Irish Papists. And Audomarus Ioannes, Abbot of Wurtzburge in Germany in a letter of his to Secretary Windebancke Dated 13. August 1639. (endorsed with Windebanks owne hand) writes, that his Majesty had a sufficient tryall of the fidelity of his Catholike Subjects in this accident, I shall insert the whole letter, because it discovers Windebanks intimacy with this Abbot and other Papists, whose letters (inclosed under his own packet, to prevent intercepting) he usually dispersed to their Agents here.