THat the Religion now professed by the Church of Rome (which in fun­damentall points is Antichristian) hath of late yeers extraordinarily over­spread this Kingdom, and hath the more encreased by the forbearing to put in execution the whole­some Laws and Statutes of force in this King­dom against Recusants and others of the Romish Religion, who have of late time more than for­merly extremely swarmed in this Kingdom: And whereas it evidently appears, that the laid Anti­christian and hereticall religion, and the not put­ting of the said Laws in execution, hath as the fruits and effects thereof produced a generall con­federacie of the Papists in this Kingdom to de­stroy and extirpe the Protestant Religion, and all English, Irish and Scottish in this Kingdom pro­fessing [Page 2] the same; wherein they have actually pro­ceeded to execrable cruelties without any provo­cation given them by his sacred Majestie, by the State and Government, or any acts of Protestants or any others) the intending utterly to cast off the English government and most royall Authoritie of our Soveraign Lord the King; And where di­vers of the Romish Religion, have in all parts of this Kingdom since the 22 ^th. day of October last, inhumanely used most bloodie and unheard of barbarous actions against the persons as well of the Cleargy as of most of the Protestant Religion within their power, not onely while life lasted, but even after death, digging some of them out of their graves, cutting them in pieces, and cast­ing them into ditches, defiling of Churches, and setting up of the abominable Idoll of the Masse, instead of Gods true worship and service, and in scornfull and reproachfull manner, trampling un­der foot the holy Bible, and disdainfully burning it, and have by their said crueltie already destroyed many thousand Protestants, and of those that re­main and escaped their fury, most of them have been enforced to flie into England or Scotland for relief, or to beg the charitie of well-disposed peo­ple here.

[Page 3] The said Lords and Commons duely consider­ing the premises, and the great dishonour done to his Majestie, to the English Nation, and indeed to all his Maiesties Kingdoms by the said most wic­ked rebellion, plotted and enacted by titular Bi­shops, Abbots, Iesuites, Friars, Priests, Monks, and others of the Romish Religion, do humbly ex­presse their detestation thereof, and their humble desire of a through Reformation of Religion may be had in this Kingdom to the glory of God, and the honour of his sacred Maiestie; and to that end humbly pray, that present and effectuall course may be taken for putting in execution the Laws and Statutes of force in this Kingdom against Re­cusants and all others of the Popish pretended Re­ligion in all parts of this Kingdom, where the Laws do or may runne; and for suppressing the usurped power & iurisdiction of the See of Rome, and particularly in the Citie of Dublin, which is now the Citie of refuge for most of the distressed and dispoiled Protestants of this Kingdom; who yet are not without iust fears of imminent dan­gers by reason of the multitude of Popish Inha­bitants; and they do pray that it may be given in charge to all his Maiesties Offices whom it may concern, faithfully and without delay to proceed [Page 4] therein, and that monethly Sessions be held for that purpose in the said Citie of Dublin.

That Bills may be forthwith transmitted into England containing all such Laws as are now of force against all Iesuites, Priests, Friers, Monks, and others superstitious Orders and societies of the Popish pretended Clergie, and their Relievers, and against Recusants and other Papists to be en­acted in this Kingdom.

And such further Laws as are or shall be need­full in that behalf, and that such necessarie expres­sions and provisions may be therein made as may be agreeable with the constitution of this King­dom, and may give hopefull and comfortable assurance to your suppliants and their posteritie, and to all other of the Protestant Religion, who are or shall be in this Kingdom.

That it may not be in the power of any Go­vernor or Governors of this Kingdom to suspend, inhibite, or connive at the execution of the said Laws, or any of them. And to this end that your Lordships who are intrusted by his Majestie with the Government of this Kingdom, and must one day give an account thereof before the tri­bunall of Gods Iustice, will give present order for performing your suppliants requests herein ex­pressed. [Page 5] And although since this most tedious and bloodie rebellion begun we have had some succours out of England, which we ascribe to the great mercie of God, in the great wisdom and pietie of his sacred Maiestie, and in the carefull and chargeable endeavours of the Parliament and Kingdom of England which his Maiesties grace and goodnesse, we with the dutie and loyaltie of faithfull Subiects do most humblie and thank­fully acknowledge to his royall Maiestie, and do also render to his Parliament of England heartie thanks for their said care and endeavour for us: yet we find with inward sorrow and grief of heart, that for want of such powerfull and speedy succours of men, money, victuall, clothes, arms, and ammunition, and other requisites of Warre necessary to be sent hither out of England this war for Gods cause, and the cause of his servants in this Kingdom, hath hitherto had but a slow pro­ceeding. They therefore most humblie beseech your Lordships to represent to his sacred Maiesty their humble desires and supplications, that it may stand with his Princely pleasure, That an ef­fectuall and speedie course may be taken by his Maiesties high wisdom, and the care of the Par­liament, for hasting these needfull succours which [Page 6] the said Lords and Commons humbly conceive have been hitherto retarded; longer they doubt and fear can well consist with the safetie of this his ancient rightfull Crown and Kingdom, and so by the high wisdom and great goodnesse of his Maiestie, our great grief and sorrows converted into ioy and gladnesse, Gods true Religion may be the more firmly established, his Maiestie in wisdom and power magnified, his good Subiects comforted, and his enemies and the enemies of Gods truth disappointed.

And they shall pray, &c.