Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 54 – Letter 55
To all the most Illustrious Arch-bishops and Bishops of Ireland, but more particularly to those of the Province of Dublin their honourable Lords, David Bishop of Osory, Iohn of Perues, Ross of Kildare, and Matthew Vicar Apostolicall of Laghlem
1 MOST Illustrious Lords and Reverend Bishops, the Priests of Dublin make their complaint before you, that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin, Thomas Flemming, of the order of Saint Francis, without alleadging any cause against them, onelyonly for his will, and as his pleasure, us…th to exile and banish Priests out of his Diocesse. And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a … over the Clergy, contrary to the Canons of Holy Church, and the lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome.
2. Most Illustrous Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint, that the same most illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin▪ Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis, though humbly sought unto and desired, doth refuse to doe them justice in their causes, neither yet will …e permit the Clergy to follow their actions meerly civill before the Magistrate, contrary unto the …eceived custome of this Kingdome▪ from the first conversion of this Nation. And they protest that in so doing, he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy,NOTE. contrary unto the Canons of the Church, and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome.
3. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint, that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming▪ of the order of Saint Francis, in inflicting his Ecclesiasticall censures, observeth no canonicall preceeding at all omitting not onelyonly the solemnities of the law, but those things also that are necessary and essentiall in all proceedings thereof▪ namely, citations and proofe of causes. And they protest that in so doing▪ he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy, contrary unto the Canons of Holy Church, and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome.
4. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe complaine, that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop Thoms Flemming, of the order of Saint Francis, refused to heare all proofes against the Regulars in the matter of the eleven propositions condemned at Paris, which testimonies or proofs two venerable Priests presented unto him the 15. of November, in the yeere of our Lord 1631. in Dublin. And moreover, the aforesaid Priests doe professe, that the same Illustrious Arch-bishop is a favourer and a Patron of certai…e new and never heard of Heresies, published by the Fryars of his Order, and others; of the which heresies, or rather blasphemies, being advertised by a Petition, he utterly refused to heare the Accusers and Witnesses. And th…y pr…est that in so doing he exere…seth a tyranny in the Church of God, contrary unto the canons of holy Church, and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome.
5. Most illus…rious Lords and reverend Fathers …n Christ, the aforesaid Priests d…e complaine, that the same most illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis, did not suppresse, extinguish or correct (according to the canons of the Church, and as the lawes of Princes doe command) a certaine infamous L…bell made, pr… ted and published, under the false and fa…ed name of Edmund U…sulan, against the good name, fame and reputation of certaine venerable Priests of the Clergy▪ who in the aforesaid libell are expresly and by name mentioned; but on the contrary, the same Arch-bishop reads, commends, publisheth, and defends the same, to their irrep…rable dishonour and inf…y, by whose example also others, especially of the Regulars of this Kingdome, are in…ited, provoked and animated to doe the like. And they protest that in so doing, he ex…rciseth a tyranny over the Clergy, contrary to the canons of holy Church, and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome.
6. Most illustrious Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Pr…s…s doe complaine, that the same most illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin, Thomas Flemming▪ of the order of Saint Francis, being given to understand by way of petition, on the behalfe of the Clergy of Dublin, that a certaine parish Priest, by name Patricke Brangan, with his assistant James Quin, NOTE.but a few monethmonth… agoe, thorow extreame negligence had l…st the blessed Sacrament consecrated in many hos…s,Papists may lose their God irrecilably. and that without hope of recovery; Our aforesaid Arch-bishop making small or no account of so great a sacriledge, permits notwithstanding the aforesaid Priests, whereof the one i… most unlearned, the other … to execute all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, by whose ministery he daily exposeth the Sacraments of the Church to prophanation and abuse. And in so doing, they protess that he offends against the divine Majesty and the sacred canons of the Church. They professe also that in these aforesaid excesses he hath the Regulars his Counsellours, orders and abettours, especially one John Preston, a Fryar of his order, a most seditio…s and a turbulent fellow, to the ruine of the Clergy, and disturbance of the Christian Commonwealth.
7. Most illus…rious Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Pri…s…s die complaine, that the most illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin, Thomas Flemming, of the order of Saint Francis, doth make parish Priests, young men, unlearned and unbred; others famous for their learning, gravity and vertue, being neglected; and m…re it is to be lamented, for that such are the times and state of things as if we had Augustines, Ambroses and Hieroms, it were meet to preferre them unto the past…rall office (others omitted.) But what may we expect of this our Prelat? who hath ordinarily in his mouth▪ To what end should parrish Priests be learned? or Preachers? for asmuch as these matters belong unto Regulars. Moreover the aforesaid Priests due complaine, that the most illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis, a… the comming unto his Prelature, found within the wals of Dublin five parish Priests, men of learning, ripe yeers and uncorrupt conversation, in place of whom eith…r taken away by death or exile, he hath placed onelyonly two, and such as we are not willing to speake of what condition: so as it seemes he desireth nothing more, then by this ext…rpation of the Clergy, a more easie and compendious way may be made unto those armies of Monks and begging Fryars, who in this Kingdome (observing no Regular discipline) doe labour to create a Monarchy unto themselves, as already they have done under this Bishop, to the destruction of the Church, the impoverishing of the Iuhab…tants, and no small detriment …o the Common-wealth.NOTE. And they protest that in so doing, he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy contrary unto the canons of holy Church, and the l…wes and statutes of this Kingdome.
8. Most illustrious Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ, the aforesaid Priests doe complaine, that the illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin, Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis, is accustomed to answer the Clergy complaining of their grievances unto him; if I doe you wrong, you may goe to Rome to complaine: In the meane time reporting himselfe to be so powerfull in the Court of Rome, that he feares no Adversary. And of this that Reverend Priest Father Patrick Cahill, Doctor of Divinity had experience, who for a yeere treating of his injuries and grievances done unto him by the Arch-bishop of Dublin, There i… then small … to be had at Rome.could by no meanes prevaile once to be admitted unto the presence and audience of the most eminent Cardinall Ludovisiu…, Vice-chancellour of Rome. Which Cardinall notwithstanding is g…ven by his Holinesse unto the Irish, as the onelyonly … and protector of the Irish Nation. These things we may remember with griefe but amend them we ca… not. But we professe before Almighty God, his Holinesse, and all faithfull people, that this is nothing else but to tyrannize over the Clergy, to the dishonour of the Church, and no small contempt to the See Apostolick….
For which and other causes besides to be alleadged, and in their due time and place to be proved against the above-named Thomas Flemming, of the order of Saint Francis, we the aforesaid Priests, and hereafter to be named, doe set before your eyes most illustrious and Reverend Lords these our grievances, as meet and honourable witnesses of this our deed, writing and publike Instrument, and as farre as is possible and lawfull for us by the Canons of holy Church, declining the Iurisdiction of our aforesaid Ordinary by this our present writing; and from this time f…rth we appeale unto the See Apostolike, from all Ecclesiasticall censures hereafter to be inflicted upon us by the same illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming, of the order of Saint Francis. And in the mean time providing for our innocency & safety (according to the example of Saint Paul and Saint Athauasius) we doe invocate the aid of the secular arme for our present remedy, against the aforesaid illustrious Arch bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Franci…, and all Regulars of what order soever, as well Monks as begging Fryars, Abettors counsellours and participants with him in the promises, as Violators and contemners of all lawes divine and humane, and …on by the law excommunicate. Humbly beseeching your Lord…hips in the bowels of the crucified, that you would be pleased to intimate with as much speed as may be, this our protestation and appeale unto the See Apostolik; and the God of peace and love, long preserve your Reverend Lordships in safety.
Dated at Dublin May 3. in the yeere of our Lord, 1632. Peter Caddell Doctor of Divinity. Paul Harris pr. aD…e.Deacon of the University of Dublin.
From which Protestation I shall observe these considerable particulars.
1. First, that the papists in Ireland had their own popish Arch-bishops, Bishops, and a Vi…at Apostolicall residing then amongst them, as the Title and body of this Protestation manifest.
Secondly, that their Arch-bishop Flemming had a popish Clergy under him in his Province, and did exceedingly tyrannize over them, usurping jurisdiction even in temporall ca…ses, and over the Kings owne Courts among the Catholikes of Ireland.
Thirdly, that the popish Bishops in Ireland, did usually conferre orders, and exercise all Episcopall jurisdiction there.
Fourthly,NOTE. that they had a speciall Cardinall at Rome (Ludovisius) given by the Pope unto the Irish, as the onelyonly patron and protector of the Irish Nation.
Fiftly, That the secular Priests were exceedingly jealous, least the Monks and regulars in Ireland should overtop Lord it, and usurpe a Monarchy over them, and thereupon appealed to the Pope against them and their Franciscan Arch-bishop.
Sixtly, that they were growne extraordinary bold and insolemthere, so as they openly published this their protestation and appeale in print both in Latin and English to all the world, and avowed it under their hands, subscribed to it.
Seventhly, That they had then erected a popish University in Dublin it selfe▪ of which Paul Harris professeth himselfe Deacon (or Deane, as Bishop Bedle stiles him) even in print, of which more hereafter in the Bishop of Kilmores letters.
This very yeere 1632▪ the Papists in Ireland, upon a false suggession, procured a discharge for paying 12. d. for their absence from Church every Sunday towards the maintainance of the army, and put the greatest charge of it upon the Protestants, to their great grievance; as appeares by this passage of the Primate of Armagh his letter to Bishop La…d, who thus indorsed it, March 1. 1632, Lord Primate of Armagh, The generall grievance of the protestant party in Ireland.
My very good Lord:
IF you shall think it expedient that I may meet your Lordship this summer in Scotland, to doe my service there unto his Majesty, I shall have opportunity (God willing) more freely to deliver my mind unto you both touching this particular, and the general grievance which the Protestant …arty here hath taken, upon the unhappy stop of the execution of the statu…e of 12. d. against Recusants, grounded upon a most untrue suggestion made unto his Majesty, that Writs were issued out for the levying of those monies before the time of the contribution granted by the Country for the maintainance of the army was expired: after which the next newes here expected is, that the Earle of Westmeath should bring over directions for the abridging of our Episcopall Iurisdiction, that so the popish Bishops may keep their Courts more freely then we shall be permitted to doe; quod dirum omen over…at a nobis De…, &c.
Your Lordships in all observance Ja. Aramachanus. Dublin March 1. 1632▪
Hereupon the Protestants within the county of Cavan, both Clergy and Laity; being oppressed by laying the charge of the Souldiers upon them▪ in ease of the papists, and exceedingly injured by a popish Sheriffe (a great enemy to the English Protestants) by unequall assessements on them, drew up this ensuing Petition, and presented it to the Lords Justices and Counsell of Ireland whereby the power of and favo…rs shewed to the Papists there, to the great grievance of the Protestants, is fully laid open.